Myst's theme for Antigua Carnival 2009 is "Unveil" , the unveiling of costumes (their band launch ) takes place on Sunday April 26. Now I am totally convinced that this band is owned by someone with shares in Island People mas, I mean second year, second time reusing Island People's costumes from Trinidad Carnival. This trend annoyed me last year and annoys me again this year.
I wonder how it works exactly, does Island People order extra costumes in anticipation for Myst? Do they sell the costumes that were not collected from Trinidad Carnival or do their suppliers in China keep materials on hand to produce costumes for Antigua when needed? Do masqueraders in Antigua know that the costumes are from Trinidad Carnival and if so does that affect their decision to play mas in Trinidad at all or do they simply wait for the same costumes (cheaper) and play mas at home in Antigua? I would really love to know how this process works.
Island People should offer their masqueraders with SO many issues a chance to "do over" by offering them a FREE all inclusive experience with Myst for Antigua Carnival once they played in any of the sections that will be recycled in Myst. Now isn't that a cool idea? And which sections do you think will be Unveiled next Sunday? My first guess is the obvious, TOUCH! I am also guessing Midnight Bloom and Chocolate & Caramel.....what are your picks and if you are an Island People masquerader how do you really feel about Myst Antigua?
I wonder how it works exactly, does Island People order extra costumes in anticipation for Myst? Do they sell the costumes that were not collected from Trinidad Carnival or do their suppliers in China keep materials on hand to produce costumes for Antigua when needed? Do masqueraders in Antigua know that the costumes are from Trinidad Carnival and if so does that affect their decision to play mas in Trinidad at all or do they simply wait for the same costumes (cheaper) and play mas at home in Antigua? I would really love to know how this process works.
Island People should offer their masqueraders with SO many issues a chance to "do over" by offering them a FREE all inclusive experience with Myst for Antigua Carnival once they played in any of the sections that will be recycled in Myst. Now isn't that a cool idea? And which sections do you think will be Unveiled next Sunday? My first guess is the obvious, TOUCH! I am also guessing Midnight Bloom and Chocolate & Caramel.....what are your picks and if you are an Island People masquerader how do you really feel about Myst Antigua?
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9 comments:
When IP masqueraders decided to pay to play with that band, what they paid for was not just the costume but the experience. It is not Myst Antigua's fault that for many masqueraders the experience did not live up to what was advertised. Also, Myst Antigua doesn't share management or ownership with IP (thank God because they were very professional last year and hopefully will remain that way), they have an agreement that allows them to use costumes from IP's portrayals, that is it. Therefore it is not Myst Antigua's responsibility to ensure that the many IP masqueraders who feel disappointed about their Trinidad carnival experience get a makeup session in Antigua. If they want to play with the troupe in Antigua using the costumes they had in Trinidad, I am sure they can talk to the management of Myst and that can be arranged. I saw that being done last year and am pretty sure it can be done again.
To answer your question, yes, Antiguan masqueraders do know that Myst Antigua reuses costumes from IP's presentations. Whether that deters them from playing with IP that year in Trinidad or not, I cannot tell you. The other questions about how IP gets the costumes to Myst Antigua, I really do not know and maybe someone else will be able to enlighten us.
I really don't see any thing wroung with the "reuse" of costumes once the designers agree. Trinidad has the largest Carnival experience in the Caribbean and it's impossible for everyone to share in this experience. So I see this as an opportunity for ppl who didn't make it to Trinidad to have a taste of what is was like. Also, since Carnival is not as big as Trinidad, many of these bands do not have access to much financial and other resources to design fresh costumes. It's just easier and many of the masqueraders feel that they are paying for superior costumes. For example, since Bacchanal Jamaica began using Harts designs you have seen a drastic improvement in the design and quality of the costumes. Some masqueraders are proud and boast of the fact that "they are wearing costumes from Trinidad". It's obvious that we are producing a superior experience so why not sell it to the world
What a way to make that money, honey. The only thing I'm mad at is that I'm not part of that making money ;) Say what.
If Mystic and IP have that agreement then so be it.
I just want to know if any IP mas playing in Toronto and New York (especially for New York) so that I can rework my Afrodisiac costume. If anyone knows, holla.
If I'd played in IP (or if TRIBE did something like this), I really wouldn't be bothered about the costume being cheaper, because I know where I would have preferred to play mas.
I agree with you Carnivalcocoa! If IP mas playin in DC let me know so I can reuse my Dream Costume still in perfect condition!
What really bugs me about this whole sharing of costumes thing is that WE paid for the whole Trinidad Carnival experience and most that I have read were dissatisfied. Now here comes this band paying IP for their designs/costumes or whatever you want to call it. There is NO WAY IP will learn their lesson! Because with things like this going on, if they lose the money in Trinidad, they will just make it back in Antigua!
I wasnt vex until now.
I know this is going to be an unpopular view but I am becoming a bit annoyed at the fact that some people are annoyed :)
If you had a great experience in Trinidad, enjoyed the whole fantasy of your costume and the band, why should it even matter?
I don't see anything wrong with it at all! I have looked at it from all angles, financially, creatively, economically, holistically, environmentally, and I can only see advantages. Anything that does not encourage wastage and promotes inter Caribbean-ness is cool in my opinion! For Rotterdam Carnival, one can also use costumes purchased for Notting Hill Carnival, and vice versa and so it continues.
I think sometimess we lose sight of the bigger picture. It should be an honour that bands are choosing to incorporate some elements into their own. It should be noted that they still have their own concept and own idea and that's the price we play for having more "abstract" mas- they can fit into another concept quite easily.
So all in all, I don't have any problem with it, and as long as IP masqueraders are happy to pay what they pay for their costumes and decide the experience is worth it, that should be the end of the story. :)
I totally agree with you CityChick. Last year, I was in Antigua for carnival and I saw their band...my niece and nephew played...and I thought that it was an innovative idea. I thought that they were definitely the prettiest mas on the road! Seemed like a very young crowd...lots of energy!
It was also my understanding that they do not go up for competition because it is not an 'original' mas or considered borrowed costumes or something like that. However that does not seem to bother anyone who plays with the band. They all know about it! We kept being told "...is Island People mas!" And I thought, great, they've raised the standard of mas in Antigua! :-) Trust me...a good time was had by all...and this year we have kids of our friends who will be going down to play!
So guys, I love reading the arguments, but I just don't understand why people are upset! Mas is Mas!
Mas is Mas! Why should it matter who is playing where? Why not think that other islands look up to TNT carnival, isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery? And Myst's theme for 2009 is Obsessed. Unveil was the theme for the launch.
Come play with us, Antigua carnival sweet!!!
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