For the past few years Miami's Carnival popularity has increased exponentially securing Miami a place on everyone's Bacchanal calendar. In 2000 there were so many New Yorkers here that the MC's had to call out by boroughs "anybody from Brooklyn?" This year it seemed uncertain if the carnival would maintain its momentum or crash as a result of in fighting and the extra-ordinary, unfortunate circumstances that we faced in September. To begin with the Carnival split into two rival factions, one group decided to have its own Carnival downtown, and the Western Union Carnival remained at last years location by the Opa-Locka Airport. And so the question was which carnival should I attend? Of course we West-Indians would be in two places at one time if we could. Ironically the rival factions both claimed to have certain performers booked for their carnival. At one point both the uptown and downtown carnivals claimed to have Byron Lee and the Dragonaires on their schedules. Uptown did in fact have the Dragonaires but some how Byron Lee was not on stage. Does he still perform with the group? Roy Cape was not on stage either with the Roy Cape Kaiso All-Stars.

Anyhow fighting and backstabbing is the West-Indian way, especially when money is concerned, but nobody could have been prepared for what happened next. On September the 11th as we all know by now America was attacked by terrorists and the most brazen of the attacks was the incident at the World Trade Center in New York City, home to largest West-Indian American community. The attacks had a profound effect on the economy and travel industry, and organizers everywhere began canceling events. The Organizers in Miami decided not to cancel and provided much needed relief by becoming the first major Carnival to take place after the incident. Nella Williams from New York told us how she took the bus down with a group of people that would usually fly into Miami every year. Her group was not as large as usual; she said it was more economic concerns rather than fear of safety that caused several of her friends to stay back in NY.

Saturday the Kiddies Carnival and Hip-Hop meets Reggae and Soca took place at the Opa-Locka airport. T.C. from Barbados backed by the Roy Cape Kaiso All Stars performed her hit tune 'Kim' and was well received especially by the ladies. T.C. was followed by last year Miami Road March King Rupee. Shadow also performed singing his hit "somebody will horn you". Andy Armstrong from Barbados also performed. The carnival this year truly reflected the diversity of Miami's Caribbean Community as several reggae artists headlined Saturdays concert. Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley put in a solid performance with his band singing the hit "Still Searchin" from his upcoming album "Halfway Tree" and obliging the audience with "Crazy Baldheads" and a few of his fathers other songs. Popular local DJ Waggy T kept the crowd going between live performers. Foxy Brown took to the stage as the sun went down rapping her latest hit "It Taste Just Like Candy", she was joined on stage by her beau Spragga Benz who made a spectacular stage entrance on the back of a motorcycle. Spragga called on stage Red Rat and Buccaneer and together they kept the audience entertained with their hardcore dancehall reggae and wild stage antics. The kiddies carnival had only a few bands participating this year and they were in very small numbers.

The main performer Sunday was the super group Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and they demonstrated their versatility performing the latest soca and reggae tunes. A medley of Bob Marley songs was dedicated to the victims of the New York attack. They picked up the pace leading the audience through soca aerobics and soca tae-bo, talk about audience participation. On the road the bands appeared to be lighter in numbers than last year, but that did not stop the crowd from enjoying themselves following trucks with Visage out of the Bahamas, Gary Enforcement, Burning Flames and others. The only standout Mass Band this year was D Gathering with their theme "Out Of Africa."

The Opa-Locka Carnival was a success despite its lack of significant mass bands. The theme this year appeared to be diversity, I have never before seen such a diverse turnout of nations, there was even someone flying a Mexican Flag! Reggae, Soca and even the Junkanoo sounds from the Bahamas were all celebrated as equally important contributions to the Caribbean Culture. The only community that did not seem well represented was the Haitians, however the Opa-Locka Miami Carnival provided a much-needed diversion while showcasing the unique and dynamic culture of the West Indies.

Band of the Year
CHINA MAS GROUP
"Mardi Gras Band"
(2) ~WASSI ONES
"Colours"
(3) ~D'GATHERING
"Out of Africa"
Best Playing Band on the Road
BURNING FLAMES
(2) Visage