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Infernos Win Their Ninth King and Queen of the Band Title

April 17, 2008 — Celebrating their 10th anniversary in style, members of the Infernos Carnival Troupe won their ninth King and Queen of the Band title during competition held Wednesday evening at Lionel Roberts Stadium.
Dressed in a towering Monarch of the Butterflies costume decorated with hot pink, black and green sparkles and plumes, Infernos' Nicole Simms was the only competitor in the Queen of the Band category. Her counterpart, Darryl Donovon Sr. — dressed up as "Phantom of the Garden" in an equally tall outfit topped off with gleaming gold skulls — beat out one competitor from the Party Lovers Carnival Troupe to take King of the Band.
"We've won the title nine times since our inception in 1998," Donovon, Infernos' president and chief executive officer, said before going on stage. "The only time we lost was in 2001, and that was because we didn't participate."
The troupe's theme this year is "In Full Bloom," Donovon said.
Representing the University of the Virgin Islands' 4-H Carnival Troupe, 8-year-old Nyere Francis Jr. and 9-year-old Sandara Martinez took the Junior King and Queen of the Band titles, respectively. The two also won the competition last year.
Though the competition was scheduled as the last event on Wednesday's roster, the previous two hours were filled with the sounds and sights of V.I. history. Cultural Night started at 8 p.m., and featured the renowned Milo's Kings, performances by the St. Thomas Majorettes — doing a 1960's inspired routine from the movie "Grease" — and appearances by this year's Carnival princess and queen contestants, who came on stage in their cultural/historical costumes.
Decked out in full madras, the St. Thomas Cultural Heritage Dancers and members of the Lockhart Elementary School's Quadrille Dancers showcased the rich musical history of the Virgin Islands, while Kahmoi "Singer Boy Kahmoi" DeSilvia performed the song that earned him this year's Junior Calypsonian crown.
This year's Carnival events continue Thursday evening with Latin Night, which kicks off at Lionel Roberts at 8 p.m.

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