South bandleaders say they are reeling from slow sales as masqueraders tighten their belts in response to falling oil prices.
Yesterday, both Lionel Jagessar, of Lionel Jagessar and Associates, and Dexter Jennings, of Jennings Mas and Associates, said even with Carnival a mere two weeks away, many of the sections for their 2015 presentations remain open for registration and deadlines are drawing near.
They contend that they are being made to feel the pinch as the dip in oil prices continue to create a feeling of insecurity locally.
Jagessar, a veteran masman, said he is “hoping for the best” as he puts the finishing touches on his presentation “Along the Mohawk.”
Speaking in nan interview at his Gransaul Street, San Fernando mas camp, Jagessar said sales are not what he expected it to be at this point.
“This year is really slow. I do not know if people are holding back this year. Some people say it is the Ebola (scare), some people say it is the state of the country. But every year it is something that they have to think about,” he said.
But Jagessar said he is continuing with his preparations for the seven sections in his band.
“We will still have all seven sections and I am hoping for the best for the last minute rush. We are going in with a powerful king and queen. We will be a serious contender for the title,” he said.
He said the band still has a lot of new masqueraders registering to play this year, but he is hoping his die-hard players come out in full force for their costumes.
His son Lionel Jagessar Jr said this year’s presentation features sections representative of native American tribes found along the Mohawk river on the Eastern side of the USA. He said the sections will maintain the traditional fancy Indian costumes they have made a reputation for over the years.
Jennings, who was busy putting together his Queen, Callfaria-Legend of “D” Lake, at the San Fernando Creative Arts Centre yesterday, said he is also hoping that sales will pick up soon.
However, he said, “San Fernando people like to naturally come for last minute so they could go with the costumes for nothing.”
He said the Ebola scare was a blow to South bands and that was followed by the “oil dip and calls to tighten belts. That put salt in wounds.”
Jennings said this year he is teaming up with Alvin Maynard and Touring Team for his 2015 presentation “We together right here.” He said Maynard is renowned for his traditional fancy sailor mas and this year Jennings Mas and Associates are “mixing traditional with modern.”
Jennings said his sections are also still open.
“We are trying very hard to work with the February 7 as the cut off deadline for registration,” he said.
Marketing director of the Kalicharan Carnival Ayana Kalicharan also said sales started of slow for the band’s 2015 presentation Bazodee, but had started increasing.
“Initially it was slow, but things have started to pick up, now it is in a positive light. Three of the sections are sold out. Due to the shorter season we would have predicted that this would have happened,” she said.
The band has eight sections and three all-inclusive sections and preparations are well underway for last minute masqueraders.