Troupes Bring the Heat During Alvin Burke’s Best ‘Carnival Meets the Runway’ Yet

Outside the Caravelle Hotel in downtown Christiansted is no stranger to a good party. Bands and artists — both local and International — perform at the spot often.

But before Saturday night, never had the area been graced with such a surfeit of alluring Crucian women adorned in an array of carnival costumes, strutting down a runway with poses that captured and held the gaze of an enormous crowd of onlookers — both men and women — as they danced seductively to a variety of Soca and other genres of music.

It was Alvin Burke Jr.’s sixth annual Carnival Meets the Runway, a show that brings together troupes participating in the Crucian Christmas Festival Adults Parade, while providing a solid mix of entertainment between segments. The event has served to help potential Adults Parade participants make up their minds on which troupe to join. It is also viewed as the beginning of the festival season on St. Croix.

What was special about last night’s affair was the show’s high level of quality. Equally as impressive was participating troupes’ costume designs. From Regal Dynasty’s always-stunning presentation, to new entry Sanctuary Festival Troupe’s unique yet show-stopping display of costumes that sought to fuse more cultural wear into the mix, Carnival Meets the Runway on Saturday was Mr. Burke’s best yet.

When troupes were not wowing onlookers, bands — Vio International and Poizon Band — kept eventogers entertained. And when world renowned violinist, Mapy, appeared on the runway, she amazed both the online and on-location audiences by performing a wide range of Soca, Afro Beat and Dancehall music.

Though the event appeared to be a resounding success, Mr. Burke told the Consortium that he always sees room for improvement. “Though it might be a success in the eyes of many, I’m always hard on myself and that helps me to stay humble and motivated to always get better,” he said.

Troupes that participated last night include Regal Dynasty, Prestige Troupe, Savage Festival Troupe, Pure Mas Fun Troupe, Lockhart & Associates Festival Troupe, the Ten Sleepless Knights Cultural Troupe, Prestige Carnival Troupe, the People’s Band and Sanctuary Festival Troupe, according to information gleaned for the event’s flyer.