ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: A cloud of uncertainty hangs over Grenada’s Spicemas 2005, with the season drawing near there are still a number of issues such as venues yet to be dealt with. Caribbean Net News understands that the date for the launch of Grenada’s Carnival is June 4 and some believe that this is a late time to start the season. With the passage of Hurricane Ivan last September, a number of the venues, which included the main one -- the cricket stadium -- are now destroyed after being battered by the winds of Ivan. The only alternative venues available are the Tanteen Recreational Ground and other similar but yet smaller facilities. Speaking with some of the mas band leaders, Caribbean Net News understands that no subvention money towards mas band preparation will be paid out this year given the many financial constraints faced by the government at this time. But despite the withdrawal of subvention financing this year, it was reported that the government along with the Grenada Carnival Committee (GCC) intends to offer incentives to the Mas bands, whether traditional or fancy. Members of the Grenada Mas Band Association (GMBA) told Caribbean Net News that this is unfair for them, and they too have their share of work to make Spicemas a success, and help is definitely needed. The members stated that they are willing to cooperate with the GCC and the government. It was also noted that more and more people visit the island each year showing interest in fancy mas and therefore some emphasis should be placed there. The GMBA said that they are very much concerned that the GCC is reportedly thinking of focusing more on the traditional mas and broadening some of the carnival activities at the community level. One of the GMBA members said that is going to stifle the true essence of spicemas. “What will carnival be without fancy mas?” the member said. Caribbean Net News was informed by members of the GMBA that no substantive meeting was held to discuss carnival matters. “Fancy mas and carnival in general is expensive and the government ought to put more focus and energy on culture,” one of the GMBA officials said. Caribbean Net News was told by the association that some of the mas band leaders have already developed themes for their band and sketches, along with designs, have are being created. But will there be competition for the bands? That's a question the GMBA said is yet to be answered by the authorities. The competence of the GCC is also in question. The mas band association said that they have not noticed any heavy marketing being done and the website www.spicemasgrenada.com has little or no information for interested persons. So from all indications, the Carnival Queen Show competition will be eliminated from this year’s festivity. With regard to calypso, the Grenada professional Association of Calypsonian and Tents (GPACT) have on May 8 started the carnival build up. Speaking to Calypsonian, President of GPACT, Elwin ‘Black Wizard’ Mc Quilkin, said that this year will be a bumper year for calypsonians, and artistes have already started to produced their hits for the season. The GMBA is still encouraging carnival lovers to imagine themselves, drink in hand, moving to the pulsating sounds of the latest soca tunes, completely lost in the revelry and pageantry that is Carnival. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com