Poudre focuses on women’s wellness for Sando J’Ouvert
Written by Rishard Khan on March 3, 2025
Poudre J’Ouvert used its 2025 performance to raise awareness of women’s health issues, gender-based violence and their overall wellness at the San Fernando J’Ouvert stage at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, Rienzi Kirton Highway, San Fernando, on March 3.
Titled The Spirit of the Dame Lorraine – Dancing Through Adversity, the showcase featured moko jumbies, dancers and, of course, the traditional Dame Lorraine character, all revelling to Machel Montano’s Pardy as band staff sprayed coloured powder in the air through fire extinguisher canisters.
Within the display, masqueraders held up signs to raise awareness of women’s health issues.
“Protect your chest, check your breast – early detection is always better,” one read to raise breast cancer awareness.
Addressing cervical cancer, another said: “Don’t take a chance, do the test – keep your cervix at its best.”
Speaking about endometriosis, one poster read: “Endo’s real, it’s more than pain. Hear our voices, don’t explain.”
Tackling gender-based violence, one poster held by a male reveller read: “Strong men lift, they don’t oppress – respect a woman, nothing less.”
A female reveller also held a sign saying: “Respect’s not earned when she says ‘No,’ It starts from ‘Hello’ just so you know!”
In 2024, the band also placed a modern twist to traditional Carnival characters, this time, a Whip Master.
The display was followed by the band’s large crowd who crossed the stage dressed in an orange t-shirt and shorts to show their best whine for the judges.
Crossing around 8.45 am, they were the tenth band to take the stage. They were preceded by Rize J’Ouvert’s Dawn of a New Day, Black Heart Production’s Flag Nation, Anemics Carnival’s Beyond the Milky Way, Jama Production’s Remember When, D Image People’s D Colours of Aura, CIP’s Colours of Change, B Man and Lord Street Fusion Family Events’ True Talk, No Effin Lie, and Phillip and Friends’ Believe It or Not.
Bunji Garlin’s Carry It joined Montano’s Pardy as the bands’ favourite song to cross the judging point with almost an even distribution among them for plays. Also being played was Blaka Dan’s Blessings, albeit significantly less frequently.
Members of B Man and Lord Street Fusion Family Events take part in the group’s presentation of True Talk, No Effin Lie during San Fernando J’Ouvert at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, Rienzi Kirton Highway on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
A member of B Man and Lord Street Fusion Family Events takes part in the group’s presentation of True Talk, No Effin Lie during San Fernando J’Ouvert at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, Rienzi Kirton Highway on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Rize J’Ouvert take part in the group’s presentation of Dawn of A New Day during San Fernando J’Ouvert on March 3. – Ravi Lakhan’s portrayal of the Midnight Robber – Lord of the Darkness in the original category of the senior King of Carnival competition earned him fourth place. – Photo by Innis Francis
Poudre J’Ouvert portrays The Spirit of the Dame Lorraine – Dancing through Adversity during the San Fernando J’Ouvert at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, Rienzi Kirton Highway, San Fernando on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
A spectator laughs as she is doused with mud during San Fernando J’Ouvert on March 3. – Photo by Innis Francis
Culture Minister Randall Mitchell, centre, celebrates San Fernando J’Ouvert with Glam Jam J’Ouvert at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, Rienzi Kirton Highway, on March 3. – Photo by Innis Francis
San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris, right, looks on at Dev’s Barbershop Crew’s presentation of AI Generation at San Fernando J’Ouvert on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
A member of Jama Productions is sprinkled with mud as he rolls across the stage at the start of the band’s presentation of Remember When during San Fernando J’Ouvert on March 3. – Photo by Innis Francis
A member of CIP J’Ouvert takes part in the group’s presentation of Colours of Change during San Fernando J’Ouvert at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts, Rienzi Kirton Highway on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of CIP J’Ouvert take part in the group’s presentation of Colours of Change at San Fernando J’Ouvert on March 3. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Camboulay J’Ouvert take part in the group’s presentation of Dawn of the Phoenix during San Fernando J’Ouvert on Carnival Monday morning. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Camboulay J’Ouvert take part in the group’s presentation of Dawn of the Phoenix during San Fernando J’Ouvert on Carnival Monday morning. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Black Heart Productions Team RR take part in the group’s presentation of Ah Flag Nation during San Fernando J’Ouvert on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Black Heart Productions Team RR take part in the group’s presentation of Ah Flag Nation during San Fernando J’Ouvert on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Dev’s Barbershop Crew take part in the group’s presentation of AI Generation during San Fernando J’Ouvert on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Anemics Carnival take part in the group’s presentation, Beyond the Milkyway during San Fernando J’Ouvert on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Anemics Carnival take part in the group’s presentation, Beyond the Milkyway during San Fernando J’Ouvert on Carnival Monday. – Photo by Innis Francis
Members of Anemics Carnival take part in the group’s presentation, Beyond the Milkyway during San Fernando J’Ouvert on March 3. – Photo by Innis Francis
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