In spite of the fact that there is one remaining section on Harts' website this notice appeared in today's Guardian (yes I finally saw it!):
My guess is that in house sections are completely sold out hence the reason for the notice. Well, the theory is that with no Skandalus this year many of the ex- Harts members who migrated to that band have now found themselves back in the fold. The other possible reason for the band being sold out is the fact that the prices are very reasonable compared to other big bands plus the costumes for the most part are gorgeous though a bit dated and formulatic. Whatever the reason for this latest development Harts launched first and have finished first proving that their 40 something years in the business makes them a force still to be reckoned with.
I hope all those masqueraders who shied away from Harts in the past because of preconceived notions might look at the band as a viable option in 2008. To be honest with you if costume prices keep going up Harts is my "fall back" band, since I played with them many years running and would not mind going back if I am priced out of TRIBE and Island People in the future.
Well, Harts was not the only band appearing in today's paper.
Pulse 8 took
my advice and not only did a full page advertisement this time they are also doing some sort of promotion it seems. Further details are still forthcoming, however they did not listen when I said a FULL COLOUR advertisement. Two out of three isn't that bad I guess!
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21 comments:
Even though I'm very excited that 'my' band was the first to sell out, I'm still somewhat disappointed about some of the other bands sales so far. I'm very much in support of more choice and more variety, but I think that the high cost of playing mas' has caused many people to take a step back, and weigh their options more carefully.
I wonder if this will mark a turnaround to a more simple level of service and a scaling back of band size, or maybe things might swing in the opposite direction with bands offering more ultra-inclusive amenities. When you think of it, what more can bands really offer? And how much more will people be willing to pay?
At any rate, I hope to see many more SOLD OUT signs on other band websites in the coming days.
Wooo hoooooo!!!!!!!!! GO HARTS AND THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL COSTUMES AND KEEPING YOUR PRICES REASONABLE. Tribe and Island People jump the gun and decided to launch before Harts this summer.
Harts still came back from behind to show them who is boss and stayed loyal to it masqueraders by not trying to overcharge and take out loans just to play pretty mas.LMAO Thank you again Harts for making carnival posibble to more! See you on de road. We love you!!! I hope this is a lesson to the other bandleaders that if they think they can band together and come up with their prices. We the masqueraders will have the final say and will play them come 2008 if they keep coming up with crazy prices.
Harts launched BEFORE Island People and TRIBE, their launch was the night before TRIBE on the Friday at Country Club.Harts is always the first to launch, even when launching in August was unheard of Harts would have their launch then. I know cause I would come back from crop over and go to Harts launch the same month.It has been this way for years.
Funny, Harts was never a band people raved over, especially when I played with them. People would look at me weird when I said I was playing with Harts, as if it was some foreign band. I am sure the people who ended up playing with Harts this year are loyal masqueraders, Skandalus masqueraders and a FEW new people. I wish more people who are skeptical of playing with the "white band" would venture into new ground and try it.
Squeezle I think all-inclusive will stay, many people love the idea of it. What I think this shows is that it does not hurt to offer the option of AI or not with a reduced costume price for those not wanting AI.
Trini Revellers is also one the cheapest bands for all-inclusive with non AI sections as well. Two secrons have sold out of female costumes so far. I think in the coming weeks we will see some sections selling out in bands all round.
I'm a harts girl all the way. You can't beat their overall organization and security. Costumes are the same year after year, but i guess it's what sells! Squeezle - what section you playing in?
anon 10:16
I'm in Shangri-la blue.
Saucy, I know all-inclusive is certainly here to stay, but I'm just saying I don't see how much more luxurious they can make this service without the costs becoming prohibitive. You know a lot of these bands will be trying to one-up each other. They might end up pricing themselves right out of the market.
anon 10:16
I agree with you! Harts is very well organized. i glad for them yes. Btw, what section you in? I'm in shangri la blue. I want people's opinion's here. Which do you prefer, aztlan or shangri la blue?
I think both are nice;I prefer Shangri La Blue, the beading is nicer imo and I LOVE the headpiece!
squeezle I don't know what else they can offer!!! We have seen it all already and most of it we masqueraders do not even need.
yeah saucy, the beading , i find is somewhat different to the usual harts costumes. Not the usual looking beads.
I would play Harts - how the security Saucy??? That is one of the main reassons I choose Tribe, for the security.
Lots of security in Harts squeezle.
There is also the option to pay for a drinks cart, and I think you are also getting a lunch included this year.
This is "anonymous2" - just to differentiate from the anonymous already raving about Harts. I have played with Harts for years and years - That's how I know that most of Skandalus is going to Harts. However - the point is, same old type of costumes or not....Hart is endeavouring to keep their costume costs down by polling their regular members regarding price. These other bands have to realise that paying $2600 average for a costume for 2 days of feteing on the road is ridiculous!!!!
All I need is a pretty costume...good music..security and good people around me enjoying themselves as much as I am and I am cool ((+: .. Who needs to drink heavily on the road? Not me!! Who needs to eat huge meals on the road especially after being on a diet for the past 2 months with mih stomach shrunk - not me!!
These bands need to re-think their costumes...creativity has to start coming out in keeping with low prices. Then they will keep members like Harts has done. I am looking forward to enjoying 2 weeks in the heat from the cold in TO - partying and playing mas with a good band with good people. Come and join us next year - trust me there are definitely not all "white people" in the band!!!
This is "anon2" again - I'm in Nevada section.....jes call me John Wayne!!!!
squeezle, anon 10:54pm, Harts is a cool band, doh rub it in nah...:D
Harts is a great band with a storied history steeped in the evolution of the "beautification" of Trinidad's mas. Lil and Edmond (much more Lil) made Harts into the defacto "status" band of Port-of-Spain (though I sincerely believe not purposefully at all).
The consistent quality of mas designs, whimsical themes, and costumes that hugged the body and showcased the female form can be considered their best contributions to the growing body of work of different earlier mas designers/producers. It is with their attention to quality, thoughout the years more of the affluent of Trinidad gravitated to this band, and the "young" Harts have certainly maintained that stature.
Practically, all of the "sexy" (bikini mas) bands owe a direct lineage to Harts.
Also, I believe the first all-inclusive CARTS were initiated in Harts as well. There are both positives and negative to this. One obvious negative is it validated a nagging perception of their disconnect from the average people and vendors on the streets, where as on the positive it was just a matter of convenience. Perceptions are such that, unfortunately, a lot of folks have shied from playing in Harts in the past, as Saucy said, including the notion "dais a white band." Silliness, there is no white band in Trinidad Carnival. "All ah we is one," period.
But, I could imagine, if you will play in Harts for the first time, register 5-8 people you want to be with, EARLY. Then feel their vibes on the road. Just the mere fact you are having fun with your group, your circle will widen in the band, and some familiarity will be established. Try it for two or three years; you probably will never want to play with another band again (the comradery in the band is there but I suspect many people will feel like outsiders on their first outing). Also, you may feel out of place if you are not fit body wise (the men could pass, but ladies there are very few "slackers" in this band).
The BIG disadvantage for me, of course, is their designs are too formularize (I agree with Saucy here, as well) at this point, but certainly still quite successful for them. I am drawn on my quest for mas that is filled with symbolism, theatrical flair, and innovation. Harts cannot satisfy these for me, but no doubt, I do applaud their consistently "clean cut" bands. Someday, they may surprise me with theatrics and unusual designs that capture my imagination.
For what they have now (and squeezle, saucy, and anon highlighted cost), I must say, Bravo to Harts!!!!
dougla_1 thanks for that lil recap!
John Wayne tell them nah, Harts has all kinds of people. My crew had a mix of black, Indian, Syrian,CHinese and Caucasian.
Thing is I never paid for one drink in Harts and was always well liquified throughout the day. Plus the lunch stop has nuff vendors to get summtin to eat.
I am waiting to see if costume prices raise again for 2008!LIke I said, I doh mind going back to Harts.
I like the all-inclusive eh, and all the lil stuff that they do extra but is only so much I am willing to pay for a costume. And the prices can't keep going up and we getting the same damn ting!
What I would love is my bra to me made specially for me.. couture styling.. where I am measure, fitted and am involved in the making of the costume. Personal attention nah. And boots and stockings included.. and make up artist... yeah dat go justify the over 3K price for me lol.
This year I am at the end of the budget ( I eh going over 3K) and next year I won't be going over that!
HARTS always and forever. always the ebst looking women and the most fun on the road.
Yes, dem harts chicks not easy. I weigh in at 120lbs but on the road with harts I well conscious of the love handles! Anon I love Aztlan -- the color, the feathers and beading and the AMAZING headpiece. I was sold on the idea of Tribe from early, but if Aztlan was available online I woulda have to think twice. With most of the other costumes though I would have just felt like I was playing the same costume as the prior year -- just with a little different color. That said, shangri-la blue was my second choice!
Big up to HARTS!!!! another loyal harts masquerader! Never fail to have a great time in harts yes. This year i in shangri- la . de turquoise one . I absolutely LOVE it. But need some tips for de makeup for this costume , as i not getting my makeup done professionally this year.And de footwear part too. So anybody who has anything to share who is in de same section, lemme know!!
nomad,
well yes aztlan is very nice, but in my opinion, the beads, and structure of the costume is the same really, as the costumes in the prior years. Shangri-la , however, is a little different with regards to the beading, and whatnot. But regardless, both are pretty.
Wow the entire Harts Shangri-la blue crew up in here today. LOL See allyuh on the road.
anon 3:53
I think I'll be going with gold boots this year (mid-calf, very low heel NOT FLAT). Otherwise I will spray some sneakers gold.
I probably won't decide on eyeshadow until the last minute because I want to see how the costume colours play against my skin in real life.
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