An Interesting story idea

This is a press release from the UWI St. Augustine Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA). I thought that it might be a good source of unique story ideas for you all.

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, ST. AUGUSTINE

Faculty of Humanities and Education

Department of Creative and Festival Arts

Presents

The Old Yard

(formerly Viey La Cou)

February 7, 2010

In the Gayelle, Department of Creative and Festival Arts, UWI,

St. Augustine

12 noon

Tickets: $50.00 - adults $20.00 Children

The Mardi Gras Black Indians at Creative Arts

The Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA), Faculty of Humanities and Education, UWI, St. Augustine, will be hosting The Old Yard (formerly Viey La Cou) on Sunday 7th February, 2010, from 12:00 noon. Situated in the Gayelle at DCFA, Agostini Street, St. Augustine - an actual yard - complete with an architectural style reminiscent of long ago, this new event promises to offer a dynamic mix of a journey into cultural history and a carnival masquerade showcase within the format of a heritage fair.

A special feature of this year’s installment of The Old Yard will be Guardians of the Flame, the Mardi Gras Black Indians from New Orleans, USA. Guardians of the Flame will take patrons on a journey of the heritage traditions of the Carnival masquerade of New Orleans. The spectacularity of the Mardi Gras Black Indian costume is derived from its intricate bead work and detailed colourful design. Opportunity to witness the performance of this masquerade within the Trinidad landscape will be a phenomenal experience.

Also to be featured will be our very own traditional Carnival masqueraders – the Bats, the Minstrels and Burrokeets, Midnight Robber, Dame Lorraine and many others. As in the days of old when the masquerade would be made and prepared in the old yard before spilling onto the streets of Port of Spain, The Old Yard gives patrons a slice of this cultural history. In essence, The Old Yard offers a showcase of Carnival masquerade traditions beyond their historical location while stimulating contemporary imaginations. The young and old are therefore encouraged to come and experience the meeting of masquerade traditions in The Old Yard.

Tickets for The Old Yard priced at $50.00 for adults and $20.00 for children can be purchased from Department of Creative and Festival Arts at 663-2222 (direct line); 662-2002 ext. 3791/2510/2376 or email Marissa.Brooks@sta.uwi.edu.

Contact person - ROBERTA QUARLESS