Trinidad Carnival 2012 Updates

Seems like you have been inundated with Cropover Coverage as I countdown to my Cropover 2011 experience next month but, have no fear I am here to give you some updates on all the news and gossip on Carnival 2012!

Dream Team has announced the launch date of their Carnival 2012 presentation "Untamed", mark your calenders as it takes place on August 6th.

Many people have been asking for a launch date for TRIBE/Bliss especially as we draw closer to July when their launch is traditionally held. Well since they have yet to release a theme and I have been informed that everything is being kept under wraps including costume critique/viewing we will just have to wait a while longer for a confirmed date. I am going to guess it will happen on July 23rd, the Saturday before Cropover weekend, which has been the usual time period in the past. I have to admit all the secrecy surrounding TRIBE/Bliss is just making me more excited to see what they have in store! 

YUMA held their costume critique/viewing over the weekend. I was told that the "sounds of jaws dropping could be heard from outer space" and that costumes surpassed the designs from 2011. Between me and you I have gotten a teeny sneak peek of what is to come and I can say expect glorious wings, fabulous colour combinations , a little bit of edginess and LOTS of feathers! The "Bling Kings" are going to kill you with bling again! 

Band launches on the cards are D Krewe in 10 days, word is their costumes are also something to get excited over; I have been told to look out for metallic bronze, purple pink and silver, white with hints of gold and silver and  green. orange and pink. You can also expect plus sized models at the launch, always a nice touch from D Krewe, representing all of their masqueraders. Spice's launch of "The New World" on July 9th I am also looking forward to as I have heard they have new designers on board as some of their previous design team have migrated to other bands. 

And finally there is a new band hitting the streets for Carnival 2012, from what I have heard it is going to be run by the same group that brought you "Fantasy Jouvert" . Costumes are designed by Richard and Anthony Productions and it is going to be committee ONLY registration in the same vein as Bliss. Sounds like an interesting concept for a brand new band. I know they are not trying to garner too much publicity and are hoping to attract a certain clientele so good luck to Fantasy.

Welcome to Crop Over! A Calendar/Guide For The Trinis

The following guide is by Trple Fdesigns a destination management service specifically for your Cropover Event tickets as well as accessories, to contact Trple Fdesigns:

Email: fanaht@gmail.com

Facebook Page: Trple F Designs and Services

For the first-timers and even so-called veterans, a handy guide so you know where to go, what to do, what to wear(??), and how to party in our little island paradise. It begins!

Dates and times according to info available at press time :-)

Thursday 28th July

Frazzled by Bash Brothaz Bim Mug Madness

Advanced tickets include mugs and other goodies. What to compare to hmmm...the atmosphere=zero stushness, crowd=hardcore limers, vibes=cooler fete-ish...shall we say a Bajan version of any good cooler fete – Blue Range maybe. First it was on a tennis court. Then it was at Cricket Legends. This year...never mind where it is, just BE THERE. Be there or be sober - TrpleF approved!

Dress: casual

Friday 30th July onwards:

Daytime:

Bridgetown Market-Price: free free free

Soak up the atmosphere on Spring Garden before it gets inundated with sweaty bodies on Monday, stalls abound where you can experience an authentic Bajan day out. Check out the Brewsters Road Crew stall while you’re there.

The Bathsheba Experience

4:00 PM - 11:00 PM

The Ultimate Cropover All Inclusive

Dress: it’s an all inclusive, and not one where you stand up and pose either

Casa Blanca

A POSEIDON PRODUCTIONS ADVENTURE COOLER PARTY-FREE POSEIDON SHOTS

6pm - midnight

Farley Hill

Dress: hmmmm let’s leave it up to you

Saturday 30th July

**Foreday Morning Jam**

Saturday night intoSunday morning approx12am to 10am

Dress: formal(it’s jouvert! What do you think!)

Some foreday/jouvert options include:

Baje Jouvert

If you like your jouvert not on the road. Baje is known for having a bar as long as 50ft-this fete is drinks inclusive of course

Mojito by Allure Ent

Includes private party 10pm Friday to 6am Saturday. Anything that includes a pre-party too is a-ok in my books-2 for the price of 1!

Collision Jouvert

For the locals, this band includes a month's membership with Surfside Gym...not bad if you ask me. So if you decide you're not going back to Trinidad after Crop Over, at least you've got a gym membership!

Casear’s Army Jouvert

It's the first time I'm hearing that they're in Barbados-could be wrong but Casear's Army...nuff said.

Colorz Entertainment Jouvert

Theme: pitch black includes FREE PRE JUMP UP PARTY Again, you can't go wrong with that.

PIRATES OF THE JOUVERT STREETS with DMD ENTERTAINMENT

'BATTLE AGAINST MR.HARDING' (aka the Redjet of Jouvert bands) only $90!!

Any DMD party is bound to be bashy – if you don’t understand the meaning of bashy, attend this and find out

Island Fusion Jouvert (Safari)

Is sold out but will advise if availability occurs. I can’t even say there’s a Trini equivalent of this...but think Red Ants Jouvert

Wadadah Morning Brek Out

The jouvert party. Water, foam, paint and mud zones

This is the party you go to after jouvert-that's right! No sleep! Another TrpleF favourite. Haven't had confirmation this year of date and time, but will let you know.

Bliss

The all-inclusive to end them all.

Think Beach House, Soka in Moka, etc.

Dress: buy a new outfit. Trust me. The girls don’t play at this one. Guys: try and shave at least.

10-10

10:00pm Saturday to 10:00 a.m Sunday

Think Soca Monarch combined with just about any open air fete like Insomnia. You're guaranteed to find the hottest acts, international, regional, local, just bring some stamina.

Dress: VIP is available, and probably advised if you don't like standing for 12 hours, but enjoy yourself in some flats and casuals in the General - you'll have just as much fun.

Sunday 31 July

Booze Cruise

That is all. .........................

Limerz Cruise

10am-4pm

Fully inclusive, catamarans instead of the regular boat-this is not your Treasure Queen boat, think MUCH more luxury. Limerz is also a TrpleF fav. Good time all around.

Island Mas breakfast party

07:30am - 02:30pm

George Washington House

Still the only real 'breakfast party' and a great setting, usually at the Barbados museum but this year it'll be at a new equally beautiful venue - Live performances and a great cause being supported in Ms. Barbados World's HIV assistance program.

Cohobblopot

8pm

Also similar to Soca Monarch, creme de la creme of artistes perform, just don't stay till morning if you're jumping the next day (and FYI 'jumping' is the Bajan equivalent of 'playing mas'-always good to get your vocabulary straight :)

Monday 1st August

Grand Kadooment

Spring Garden Highway

If you have any last minute vibes and feel like joining a band, contact me.

**Disclaimer** this is not a comprehensive list, just the things TrpleF endorses to some extent. Although if you hear about something not on this list, it’s probably not that important.