You will need the RealPlayer plugin to listen to this program stream. To download the plugin, simply click on the RealPlayer icon.

Carnival! Featuring the last five years of our annual Carnival coverage, we take you to the streets and behind the scenes in Brazil, Trinidad, Peru, Bolivia, and Haiti. Also check out our article on History of Carnival in Brazil

Carnival 1999 The sounds and stories of Carnival 1999 from Trinidad, Brazil and Peru.

Program Log: Georges sets the scene for a wet & wild Carnival 1999 in Port Of Spain, Trinidad. Reports from the Soca Monarch and Road March competitions. This year's Road March quickly narrowed down to two big songs… News from the calypso tents…many paid tribute to older artists in songs from Carnival 1999. David Rudder comments in song about relations between Trinidad's two main ethnic groups- people of African descent, and those of East Indian descent. Many groups returned to their roots for inspiration after years of flirting with other forms such as Jamaican dub, American rap, etc. A big hit this year was a "rapso" (rapping over a soca beat) by the group 3 Canal, which drew from traditional J'ouvert chants. Wayne Rodriguez, formerly of Machel Montano's group, transformed himself into a singer of socially-conscious calypsoes. Women rule! For the first time since 1978, a woman--Singing Sandra--captured the Calypso Monarch prize. And for only the third time, the Road March was also won by a female--Shanelle Dempster of the Blue Ventures. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The scene in and around the Sambadrome. We move to Peru, where the Carnival party gets even wilder, if that's possible… We move to Peru, where the Carnival party gets even wilder, if that's possible…

Carnival 1997

Program Log: Carnival 1997 highlights from Trinidad, Brazil, French Guyana and Haiti. The steelband Exodus in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Exodus were finalists at Panorama, Port-Of-Spain's legendary steelband competition. Road March is the annual contest for the most played song on the street during Carnival processions. Ronnie Macintosh and the Soca Monarch. The Calypso Monarch of 1997, Gypsy and the controversy over his song "Little Black Boy." Port of Spain's winners of Panorama, The Renegades. Carnival is celebrated all over the world. Salvador da Bahia, and Carnival in Brazil. Chiclechie Con Banana, sound trucks and radio stations. Jerra Samba and Eoucham. The all night drumming heard in Carnival in Cayenne, the capital of French Guyana. Though small in size, French Guyana is home to an active music scene. The Saturday before Carnival, Les Mesennes, the most popular dance band of Cayenne plays. The Tululu, the masked women who put moves on the male wallflowers before Carnival. The song on everyone's lips in Port Au Prince this year was "Grand Manger". "Big Eater," by Koujai spoke about government "fat cats", and how people are eating while others are suffering.

Brazil Carnival 1996

Program Log: Fresh from the streets of Salvador da Bahia, some of the hottest tunes of '96. Differences between Carnival in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. The "trio electrico". Georges gives out some dance tips… APWW checks in with Gilberto Gil, as he shares fascinating stories of Carnival traditions past. Violence in Sao Paolo, and strife in Bahia…but the beat goes on. More hits from '96. Olodum surges in popularity, and collaborates with the "King of Pop". Women break into the drum-corps boys' club. Back to Rio…two greats collaborate, and samba takes on the political themes of the day.

Trinidad Carnival 1996

Program Log: Headlines from Carnival 1996…the Bajan invasion, controversy (of course!) and Chutney. The legendary David Rudder gives us his take on the issues going on in Trinidad circa '96. The "Bajan Invasion": Artists from Barbados making a big splash in Trinidad. A sno-cone vendor came out with one of this year's biggest calypsoes, a paean to peace between Trinidad's Africans and East Indians. Unity was a theme of many calypsoes this year, though even this theme was able to spark controversy… Super Blue, the 1995 Road March king, showing some national pride… : And the 1996 Road March winner is…Nigel Lewis! Nigel gave everyone a history lesson in a year when sweet melodies made a comeback.