Since then I have made the decision that unless I am getting a complimentary ticket to any of the “high priced” all-inclusive this month I am quite content to stay at home; after all I would very much prefer to use that money to pay off the balance on my costume, collect my boots or purchase my other Carnival accessories. It may seem like a drastic move, but trust me, there will be much more fetes in the coming weeks!
Some lucky bloggers like Carnival Jumbie have scored free fete tickets already and you can read her review of B.G. all-inclusive at her blog. That’s the spirit right there, I don’t think I have ever enjoyed an all-inclusive more than when the ticket was free! Over the years I have scored my share of “complimentary” tickets or have had some willing sponsors to fetes. Thus, it is very hard to adjust to the idea of paying to party. I even had a hard time paying $150.00 for Panorama last year, imagine, all the years I have stormed pan semis and over the past two years I actually had to pay!
Next month I might be more inclined to pay for a few fetes, especially during Carnival week however, even then I am not killing my pocket to fete this season. Yesterday’s Newsday featured a piece on the cost of all-inclusive fetes this Carnival season, highlighting the exorbitant prices. Now I am not too sure where they got the figures, but the article might be of interest to those enquiring about prices for some of the more popular fetes:
Ticket to ‘ultra inclusive’ fetes — $700
By JOAN RAMPERSAD Sunday, January 7 2007
Fete admission prices for Carnival 2007 will be hotter than ever.
Promoters have now introduced “Ultra All-Inclusive” parties. Entry to one fete can set back an individual up to $700.
The prices have been heading up for the last five years, so much so that public parties are becoming somewhat extinct, especially given the high crime rate in the country.
People from just about every walk of life may opt for these all-inclusive fetes, this year. As a result some promoters have now gone the step further coming up with what is now called “Ultra-Inclusive fetes.”
For the ordinary citizen who would like to party in a peaceful atmosphere, they will be at pains to attend more than one or two of the $150-plus parties that are currently being advertised for Carnival 2007.
A quick check on the prices of some of these parties revealed that they are averaging about $400 per person.
When Sunday Newsday questioned what the “ultra” was all about, a fete promoter responded that they had decided to make their party bigger than an all-inclusive, by adding champagne, caviar and escargot to attract more exclusivity.
The cheapest all-inclusive fete is being held by the Trinidad and Tobago Associ-ation for Responsible People (TTARP), where a ticket to that event is $150. But for the so-called ultra-inclusive fete, patrons will have to fork out at least $700.
However, the schools that have grabbed at the opportunity to raise their own funds for improvement of their learning institutions, with the exception of Bishop’s Anstey High School, the price range of those school fetes is between $300 and $400.
These schools include St Francois Girls’ College and St George’s College at $300, St Mary’s College fete costs $375, and both Fatima College and QRC fetes will be going at $400.
For a regular Bishop’s all-inclusive ticket, it will cost $450 but to get to the champagne area patrons will have to pay $700.
Some of the other all and ultra-inclusive fete tickets include St Augustine East Lions’ Heartbeat — $350, Blood Bank — $400, Tribe’s “Bliss” Ultra-Inclusive — $399 (for members) and $450 (non-members), Celebrity All-Inclusive — $450, “Chillin’ In South” by Karamboully Kreations and UWI — $500, Hilton — $600 and “Dancing in the Sanctuary” — $600, “Friends To The Max” and “Playa Del Este” — $700.
42 comments:
But like they really trying to buss we pocket eh?
But to be honest, I would prefer to go to an All Inclusive that is held by a school, as it is for some purpose/fund raiser. Most other fetes are just about filling the promoters' pockets.
But that doesn't mean I don't mind getting comps eh!!!
Gosh boy they out for a killing. I understand that the cost of living has gone up considerably but that i sreal money to be paying to party. To be honest what I like that count on is the exchange rate when I go away/back home. And this partying is EXPENSIVE no ass! My friend was even telling me that movietowne gone up to $45 for lobby entrance fee??? that is a next barage. But its still cheaper than what I pay here for cinema anyhow. £6.50 unles I go on a wed with friend then its £6.50 for 2 people.
Machel fete up here in August cost £25 per person. And that is REAL expensive for a party here. I must say I that getting into places here cheap in comparison. Clubs its like £3-5. never over £10. If I take £20 on a night out that is plently cause I don't drink much. steupse
I can see this is going to easily cost more than my last flipping holiday. steupse
I already asked for comps for Tribe fetes for when I'm there - NO I don't have no shame. And I'll have to pay for every other one. Which i imagine I'll try and go to 5-8 fetes roughly. steupse
icahwait as I tell people residing overseas, it makes no sense converting.. £6.50 is still £6.50 if you are converting Movietowne prices and comparing it to what you pay remember it is still dollar for dollar.If you are working for £2000.00 and have to pay £6.50 to go to the movies it is still much more than someone here working for $2000.00 and paying $45.00 to go to the movies.Similarly paying £25.00 to go to a fete while we would pay $150.00.
To make it even you would have to multiply our salary by 12.So that person would be working for $24,000.00 (£2000.00) and paying $78.00 (£6.50) to go to the movies... not THAT expensive when you look at it that way eh!
meant to say much LESS and not much more.
Great point Saucy.
Just look at the monthly salary for a local Trini and see the percentage of an item's cost as comparing to what a foreign percentage is. T&T people are paying the equivalent foreign costs on much less monthly pay. That really SUCKS. The cost for each fete for a local IS a FORTUNE.
On another note: I don't like the idea of an "ultra-inclusive" because it is perpetuating class division. What they REALLY MEAN to advertise is ultra-EXCLUSIVE. And that SUCKS. "We" Carnival is about bringing people together, not finding ways to separate us.
By the way Saucy, did you forget the "Trinidad Carnival Diary, love inclusive" idea? String, wrist, remember?
Yes girl, I am well rested and will be on vacation till the end of January, so I can focus on this body of mine.
Saucy I agree, the conversions don't really make sense.
Everything multiply x 6, but in Trinidad we don't make x 6 money, so the notion of conversion just don't fit.
I have decreased my all inclusive list significantly. I'm going to Bliss, Bishops and Fatima. That's it!! That's $1250 right there! After that, I'll go eh, but I must be going for free!!!
They can't keep going on the up and up with these prices.....it's out of control.
Saucy it is so true that the fetes you want to go to because you feel you will be safe and will have a good time without any incidents does be these all inclusives. These promoters are profiting ont he crime situation and people's fears. Really do we need caviar and escargot in a fete?? I understand is ah business and they are there to make a profit but oh gosh at $700 a head??? That is crazy to me.
My friends and I really trying to figure out which one we're going to. Saucy and bloggers, I have a poll and I need your help. We are trying to decide which one to go to on Carnival Thurs - Headley's fete in Salybia or Beach House fete in Maracas? We have never been to either and have heard good things about both. Please give opinions - thanks!! Saucy sorry is ah take over the comments section but after all your reviews and the other bloggers, I trust all your opinions. TIA!!
Salybia is a great fete (the variety of foods dropped off slightly in 2006), but it is still great for the "unlimited" variety of drinks, the music, and the multi-level, open air, close to the beach setting is always a huge bonus. I have been to Salybia three years in a row with the London crew, and this year they are going to the Beach House fete in Maracas (for the first time, I have no reference on this one yet), and I am with them on that.
i've already said about a million times and I'm sure yall tired read this BUT I can only afford one fete and i've decided that'll be Blue Range All Inclusive...I'm on a tight budget plus I went a buy a new computer and still have to pay $2000 on my costume!!
This may actually be the last year I'm playing mas....Sad to say but might be true!
I don't like escargot or caviar and it depends on the brand of champagne, cause I am not a fan of it either. Ultra exclusive is just to keep "certain" people away from the all-inclusives which are becoming more attractice and accesible to every and anybody.
Warrior you well feteing girl!Bishops should be good, dunno bout Fatima and well Bliss is Bliss :D
sweettrini I never went Headly,my aunt and her crowd does go to that fete and sorry to say that to me is like feteing with my mom :D Plus the distance jed, I would have to stay over at Salybia Resort; who wants to make that drive back home?
For me I would take Beach House younger crowd, cool venue (though not by the beach) and closer to home. But Salybia from every single review does be real good.
You can't loose going to either one.. or you can base it on price and go with the more affordable one.
Sweettrini, I've never been to Salybia but I have been to Beach House and it is a NICE fete. No setta big variety foodwise though (and maybe this is why it's cheaper than Salybia). The change in venue from Blanchisseuse (beach house) to Ortinola estate was a dampener the first year but they've made the venue work and I like the vibe. Though I haven't been to Salybia I also feel as though the median age of the Beach House patrons is lower than that of Salybia.
I would go for Beach house as well. I have been to Salybia a few times and although you get alot of good food and drinks for your money and the atmosphere is nice...the crowd is significantly more mature. That is a party I literally only go with my parents.
Beachhouse is a younger crowd meaning 25-35 age group and not 35-60.
Well saucy. Ah take mih fast self and wentto 2 all inlc. this weekend..ah pay for 1 and ah get a comp for the other but girl dem promoters rippin off people...ah find yuh aint getting yuh $$ worth..food run out, no johnny only double dog..steeuuppsss, de bake and shark small small and dey giving u little food like ah begging dem. Everybody want to make a huge profit on people. Needless to say i prefer to give my $$ to a school all incl than dem damn promoters who doh wk ah damn place after carnival and living in a nice house driving an SUV or a fancy car. Yeah ah knw is a business but oh gorsh man..make sure yuh patrons satisfied so they will come back next year
girl these paprties are getting more and more overpriced. My all inclusive list will the short this time around, last year i parited every weekend and had a bawl, this yr i going Tribe, bishops,CIC {free ticket} and i will b in d pan. I need to spend that extra money on rabbit food to look good in my WARRIOR COSTUME.
Ok yuh know how i feel about the social division in carnival, staying true to that belief so no over-priced fetes this year.
Outta de blue/Amnesia weekend used to be like a pilgrimage to Mecca for me. Two guaranteed hot fetes. After that is pan and breakfast party, then wait for j'ouvert.
I want to put my IP comp up for sale on carnivaljunction or ebay just cause i'm curious to see how much it's worth. It's really amazing to see someone buy a ticket marked complimentary at door price.
Financial planners need to include "carnival budget" in their portfolio these fetes too expensive!
Oh and saucy i found out what the "moving experience" it deserves a big steups cyah wait till next monday i hope Diva or someone does a review!
I am surprised folks are even planning to attend "ALL INCLUSIVE" after paying $1,500 - $5,000 for a Costume.
Mas players should "Begin Boycotting" bands that charge these outrageous prices for 2 days for a bra and panty and drinks which are never consumed by the players.
Find a "Steelband" and enjoy yourselves. Do the math 3-5 years out costmes will be costing a lot more if folks do nothing about it right now.
I think we discussed this already but I will say it again.When I reach the stage to boycott I will boycott and find a band that suit my pocket; steelband is not my thing, sorry, might be for others but I do like my "pretty" mas.
Right now I comfortable playing my mas, I was prepared for it 4 months ago, I know how much the costume cost and make meh arrangements accordingly.All who can't afford or doh feel like supporting free to do so, but I DO consume meh drinks on the road and I like meh costume panty, bra, hat and back pack! I have a time for Carnival, love the experience, love the two day "fete" and right now it is worth it to me. Cyar say how I will feel next year or the year after but right now I playing meh mas!
As for the parties I made my statement on that already. No need to repeat myself.
well, well, well, now they gone "ultra," carviar, escargot as much as I do eat them, I will not pay $700 to pose in no party to say I eat carviar & escargot, I could do that any other time in the year. As for champainge I hope its the best of the best like Moet.
The most important thing for me in a party is the music and live band, nice crowd, my safety, secured parking, crowd control, nice simple food, nice drinks.
what band is that yuh bringing in '08?
There was champagne last year at Amnesia.. can't remember the brand but not Moet for sure, which is one that I do prefer btw.
Really,who wants escargot and caviar at a fete? steups
Bringing my own band for 08..i agree 100% with u, music and live band, nice crowd, secured parking, crowd control, nice simple food and nice drinks, that is all it takes to have a good all incl. we aint need no damn moet and all dat shit...we used to party without all dat and have fun fuh so.
Yuh know is $20.00 for a bake and shark now, and curry crab and dumpling is $45.00 dat is "gourmet" food right there 'cause it damn expensive to me! :D
I used to be a huge fan of all-inclusive fetes. Between paying for my costume, the flight to Trini, fetes, after carnival limes, and other incidentals, I would literally spend upward $3,000 USD on carnival alone.
One year, I invited a dear friend to experience carnival. A divorced mother of 3, her budget was tight. I opted to pay for her mas, but I chose to forgo the fetes, because I simply could not pay double for every fete that I wanted to attend.
One evening, we were in Woodbrooke browsing mas camps, and made our way to Ariapita Avenue to get something to eat. A group of Venezuelans who had come over for carnival had invaded the street in front of the restaurant and were having a grand lime. People in the neighborhood began to join in. The people from the resturant set up some speakers outside and put on CDs. The crowed continued to grow. About an hour later, some guys showed up with some pans,irons, bottles, and spoons, and things really escalated. Shortly after, a guy came and set up some Dj equipment, and the bachannal really started. The only glitch came when the crowed began to block the already crowed Ariapita Ave, and the police showed up and told us to not block the street.
I know there are issues of safety when partying in an unsecured environment, but I just kept my eyes open and used my common safety sense.
At the end of the day, my friend had a ball and fell in love with Trinidad. This turned out to be one of the best times I had ever had during Trinidad Carnival. It was a celebration of the locals just being us, and IT WAS FREE!!
TOG
Saucy, just been thinking about going back to basic for carnival, how it use to be (not way way back) but u know without the wee wee trucks,(can't stand them things following me for 2 days) and you know have normal food like pelau (ain't nothing could beat that) and well sensible drinks.
don't know how many ppl will go for that, but I putting security first, and good music.
And I already have a couple of designs. I have the name of the orangization and the name for 08 presentation already. And it will be a small band probaly just family and friends.
But this is only on paper right now.
BMOB'08 check "Iz We Ting" they are attempting to do the same thing this year. I wrote about the band last year, think it was in December so you can check the archives.
I think it is a great idea btw!
How about I just find out Beachhouse will be priced $475 to $500!! WTF , WTMC,WTRH,WTBC etc etc!!! Well back to the bedget book to revise my plan!
trini orisha gyal, and bmob08, you got it!!! It's BACK to the future, and those are the REAL alternative concepts. It's about US (T&T) and NOT being AFRAID of US. Escargot, champagne, caviar, NONSENSE...it's about rum, johnny, coconut water, pelau (roti if yuh like), bottle and spoon, and iron....LoL
bmob08, my best hopes that you will follow through on your vision, and make it work real big. Godspeed.
Kudos to "Iz We Thing" also.
somehow it seems the spirit and organic beauty of 'we carnival' is being asphyxiated...
Back to my conversion thing sorry. I still need to know how much money to walk with and spend. And I don't want to end up spending half my salary. I don't get to earn £2000 a month( i know it was an e.g). I work part time and even though its 10-1, the fetes alone at their avg price are just under 1/2 my salary, my other half are bills, so what does that say? Which hasn't yet included food, transport, shopping, and going out outside of the fetting. I wouldn't really bother sooo much if it was an outside of carnival trip. BUT it so does matter to ME.
Even though my husband won't tend to even blink at these prices, I like to try and pay for my half of things (even though he prob doesn't notice) and just looking at these costs I'm not going to be able to do that for most fetes. Everything else that has nothing to do with Carnival will be fine though. I'm not a complete pauper lol
icahwait I think it is about 12.3 to 1! work out which fetes you are interested in going to and average the prices about $50.00 to $150.00 more than last year's prices.
well i'm not going bliss but i'm going QRC and at least they have machel, i'm only going 2 other all inclusives beside that and thats it, anything else someone has to be sponsoring me
Off topic:
The section 'Arcadia' in Harts is now sold out.
I think people took one look at those all-inclusive fete prices and started rushing the 'cheap' band. LOL
Saucy when can we expect to see prices for the popular carnival fetes like Bacchanal wednesday and Girl Power etc
The general idea for anybody is yuh can't go to every fete yuh could think of (if yuh can, that's nice).
Fix a budget, knowing the prices have increased from last year, and other events yuh want to hit like Panorama, then see how many fetes that could handle.
For Saucy, I believe she said she can only go to ONE all-inclusive and it has to have Machel in it, yuh know the "zabocar in her pelau." And who can blame her. Machel (or one great fete) does put her in the mood to take her self to the streets with passion on Monday and Tuesday. And for her the streets (and the stage, not this year) provide that very intoxicating, life affirming, and wonderful turn on in her entire being, which certainly includes making her quite amorous with her hubby. THIS to me IS the wonderful joi d' vivre of Trinidad's Carnival that I always try to describe to others, as I know it so fondly myself. Like Saucy said this year "I playing meh mas!" And she means it with all sincerity. She had purposefuly planned for it some FOUR MONTHS ago (with what ever little sacrifice she could do like SAVING, for dem TWO DAYS in the Streets of Port-of-Spain in the quality band she likes and can AFFORD, in a costume that makes her feel wonderful. For Saucy this year it is "Fireman" (Firewoman) in TRIBE's "Old time something...Come Back Again." And she is determined to look the best she can in one of the SEXIEST costumes that excited her imagination when she saw it at the band launching.
WOW! Folks this a Carnival love in flow as Saucy has opened her Trinidad Carnival Diary to us, and it has nothing to do with exhibitionism. I truly believe that the lady, Saucydiva is communicationing her commitment to show us the details of her Carnival passion. This to me is also the essense of Trindad's Carnival. It is the COMMITMENT to WANT to PLAY yuh MAS in the street to the MAX with joy and zest (and safety, and comfort, etc. ) It IS a wonderful life moment, and we go try to make it again next year as our destiny moves forward.
So, yuh see yuh may not go to every fete, but yuh go "PLAY YUH MAS!" Live the joy!!! :D
(s/p) communicating
dougla_1 you not easy I like your synopsis!
Well, I usually go to more than one all-inclusive, with the first fete I go to being an all-inclusive hence. But this year everything went up including the costume prices so I had to make a choice...costume or plenty fetes? Even if I can afford to do both, there is life after Carnival and I have to be sensible, the money doh grow on trees yuh know!
From my experience is either yuh feteing or playing mas; people who playing mas doh really run down fetes like those who not.. those who not tend to party more.
This year I am really planning on not paying for any all-inclusives this month, not saying I won't go to any other type of fetes.. there are 2 already that I am thinkng of going to that are non-all inclusive.
Then next month I still have pan semis and the whole crop of fetes that kicks off with Jamboree. I will go to an all-inclusive in there, well I will PAY for one.. if someone giving meh a h comp. or buying meh a ticket otherwise I will not refuse.
:D
ya this all inclusive thing is madness yes...I wonder how much Lara is gona be this yr...My Goodness...what gives them the right??and Once "we" keep going the prices will keep going up...
Off Topic-Is Island People slated to have a fete on Thursday Feb 15th?some peeps were tellin me so but Im not seein that anywhere!...
anon every year they does put that IP fete on Carnival Thursday on the calender; I eh think it having no IP fete I know of then..
Aye Jumbie,Beach House is really $475.00 - $500.00?? Well look how I go have to change plans too since I done "order" meh tix already! Without knowing price..LOL.
Thx Saucy but what Im saying is Im not seeing that IP fete anywhere for that Thursday....Can you pls check the fete schedules you have and tell me if you see it slated anywhere for that day??Thx..
Doug, you weren't around when the high fete prices = classism was 1st discussed here, but I see it's come up again with increased $$$ fetes ("ultra" inclusive? Oh man!!!!!, gimme a freakin break!)
You know, a $700 fete would be insanely expensive for foreigners, do you know the most expensive fete in TO is $40? Hah, yes, true!
Cos, dare I ask, you know which ones we going to? :O Don't be afraid now, Hubby says we only live once!
:)
Saucy - the Beach House fete IS $550. Found this out from a reliable source. I too ordered some tixs...now I thinking this is a little too crazy...I had a great time last year but it is not worth $550...
anon 9:39am I don't know of Island People having any fete on Carnival Thursday.
Thursday is usually Salybia and Beach House during the day, then UWI and TRIBE Fete at night.
gtwarrior there was a day fete last year at Normandie on Carnival Friday that had Machel. heard it was good!I am thinking that Beach House price is really too high so I am looking out for the other fetes like that fete which was priced less than $300.00.
sorry, fete was at Ambassador not Normandie!!!
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