Heineken the Beer of Choice for TRIBE

Beer lovers playing with TRIBE be prepared to have a "premium" beer added to the drinks menu, Heineken has singed a two year contract to be the premium beer of choice at all TRIBE/Red Ants related events for Carnival 2007 and 2008. Check out the advertisement which appeared in yesterday's Express:

Clkick on photo for larger pic:


Now, I was alerted to this new development in TRIBE's sponsorship by email, and the author was concerned that even though she was not a beer drinker when she does drink beer Heineken is not her beer of choice. In addition she sees it as another form of "exclusivity".

Thanks to a diligent beer drinker who called TRIBE on this issue, we now know that STAG and Carib will ALSO be available for masqueraders, giving them even more choice with the addition of a premium beer as well (hence the reason this post is edited at 8:36PM.)

By the way notice they used the Fireman hat in the advertisement!

I have to admit I also do not drink beer on the road (too many trips to the bathroom when I do) I love my Johnny Walker Black and coconut water, so if they replaced Johnny with lets say Dewars I will be quite peeved. However when I am drinking beer it is either STAG or Heineken, I really cannot stomach anything else.

So what do you beer drinkers think, are you happy with these new developments, do you prefer Heineken seeing as it is a "premium" beer and considered superior to STAG or Carib? Or with the money you are paying for your costume do you want the luxury of choice? Do you think exclusive sponsorship also translates to band exclusivity? I would love your comments on this issue.

The Million Dollar Question

My morning was spent trying to find out from the powers that be what plans are in place for masqueraders come Carnival 2007 and I have found out nothing. From all indications it seems as if there are no concrete decisions made as yet on whether there will be a stage constructed at some location or if we will be parading nonstop along a pre-determined route. I was assured however that Carnival will continue as normal for 2007, to which I replied "I know since I have already made a downpayment on my costume".

I guess I have to continue my investigations over the course of the next few months and report any new developments as they arise. Stay tuned for an answer to the million dollar question.

National Carnival and Arts Centre

I was able to get my hands on some of the drawings for the planned Carnival and Arts Centre.
(for much larger views click on the photos)

This is showing the existing facilities at the Savannah and the outline of where the new Carnival Centre will be located in relation to that:


Five levels, including a basement, make up the centre with the third level being the Public Concourse which replaces the Savannah stage. When the centre is completed this is where masqueraders will be parading.Note the seating terraces, food and beverage areas in red and V.I.P. area in blue:



The other levels include a V.I.P. Level above the Public Concourse and a Media Level to the top. Below the Public Concourse is the Undercroft level which houses a Carnival Mueseum as well as offices for NCC, TUCO,NCBA and Pan Trinbago.

And finally, here are some more drawings of the National Carnival & Arts Centre:






View from inside, imagine this is what we masqueraders will be seeing as we cross the stage:


Birdseye view of the roof:


Somehow I think the aesthetic looks incongruous in the Savannah To me the design is ambitious, wonderful to house a museum, concert stage for Diamanche Gras and artistes to perform but I just cannot see myself crossing that stage in an atmosphere that looks so sterile. Hopefully I will be playing mas the year this Centre debuts and will be able to judge for myself then. Here is hoping construction will be on schedule and that the final product does the designs some justice.