St. George’s, August 22, 2011 – Patrons who attended a cultural event on the Carenage last Sunday are calling for it to be made an annual post-carnival celebration. Organizers say they will consider the recommendation.

“It is a suggestion that will be given serious thought,’’ one community representative said. “As a community, we mainly will have to consider the availability of funds and adequate human resources.’’

Lavaman’s “Fan Appreciation Show’’ and the Carenage community’s “Starring Krooks in Concert’’ were originally scheduled for Saturday at the Roy St. John Recreation Ground in Tanteen.

However, a heavy downpour of rain forced a postponement and rescheduling to Sunday on the Carenage, where scores of people joined the celebration.

“I want to congratulate all the 2011 carnival winners, all the performers here tonight and, of course, Angel Harps, RKD and Associates, Andre Garvey and Associates, and Lavaman,’’ MP Peter David said in brief remarks.

Mr. David assisted the planners in putting together the event in a community effort spearheaded by the Carenage Organization for Recreation and Entertainment.

The parliamentary representative for the Town of St. George, and Minister of Tourism, also congratulated the event’s co-MC Lew Smith. He was presented with an award by the Grenada Steelbands’ Association (GSA) at the just-concluded carnival celebrations.

Smith was recognized by the GSA for his contribution to culture, particularly the promotion of steelpan music on radio.

Sunday’s event, which ran more than four hours, culminated a successful Spicemas season for Lavaman, Republic Bank Angel Harps, RKD and Associates, and Andre Garvey and Associates.

Lavaman, whose real name is Marcus James, copped the Lucozade King of the Road or Road March title with his song, “So We Dey.’’

“This was for the fans; for the people who give me the inspiration to keep going,’’ Lavaman said. “I also would like to thank the other artistes who joined me at the show, Angel Harps and the other pan sides, and all the organizers and sponsors.’’

The primary sponsors were Grenada Distillers Ltd. and George F. Huggins and Company Ltd., agents for Lucozade and Ribena.

Angel Harps, the 46-year-old steel orchestra, was the winner in both the junior and senior divisions of Panorama 2011.

RKD and Associates and Andre Garvey and Associates were contestants in Fancy Mas’ competitions, where they were runners-up.

In addition, RKD and Associates also won both the King and Queen of the Bands.

In celebrating this year’s winners, Smith also paid tribute to many of the Carenage community’s outstanding cultural and sporting personalities of the past; individuals such as George Croney, George Coard, Eileen Alleyne, Mighty Dictator, Carlyle Roberts, Mayor Thomas and Bruce Bain.

All three steelbands in concerts – Harps, Pan Ossia and Suzuki Pan Wizards – included their 2011 Panorama selections in their repertoire of pieces performed on Sunday.

Popular MC, Vybz International, set a high-energy tone for the second half of the event that showcased Lavaman, as well as others such as Brother B; Otis; Boyzie; Luni Spark and Electrify; Shortleg; Joey T & Scaredem Crew; and Black Storm.