After playing with TRIBE since 2007 I decided to take a break and switch bands. Some of my friends had played with YUMA in their first year so I decided to give this band a try. I was lucky enough to get into the section of my choice. As I do not live in Trinidad I had a local friend register for me, that being said I cannot comment on the registration process as my friend handled everything for me. When I arrived in Trinidad I picked up the costume from my friend who had picked it up from the Yuma distribution Ctr.
Costume construction - I was not impressed with the quality of work done on my costume. Globs of glue were visible all over the bra, belt and headpiece. For me this was a major turnoff. When I am paying over $600 US for a product I would expect to be thoroughly impressed and pleased with the workmanship on the garment. Beading was falling off of the belt as soon as I tried it on. I have worked for several popular mas bands in North America, never would I be allowed to give a client/customer a final product that is not up to the bands overall standard. Luckily I had travelled with my own "repair kit" and was able to fix the beading that had come apart from the belt.
Monday Wear - Overall I wasn't impressed so I wore my own attire.
Carnival Monday = Machel Monday. IMO I thought plenty Machel old and new tunes was being played. Again this is just my opinion. As I am not a Machel fanatic I would have liked a wider variety of artists played. Getting in and out of the rest spot was a DISASTER. One small area for entry AND exit was ridiculous! Anybody with half a brain should have known that Thousands of ppl going in and out of the same entry point would not work effectively! Food tents again DISASTER! Thousands of ppl and only Three food tents? Yuma all yuh can't do math or wha?
Carnival Tuesday - The vibes on the road were ok. Personally I didn't have to wait long for drinks. Rest stop & Food tents were the same as Monday. What turned me off with Yuma was this:
Shortly after we had passed where Fantasy's band was resting a man jumped in the band and tried to get a wine with my friend. Yuma security (in d dark navy shirts) were on him in a minute and escorted him out the band. This man started to cuss and carry on and wanted to FIGHT d Yuma security team. A man from Yuma band (I assumed he was a security supervisor as he was dressed differently from the other security members) went over to d stormer to try and calm him down...well what happened next left my group in shock and DISGUST. Mr. Blue shirt man (d stormer) pulled out a bundle of TT & US bills and handed it over to Mr. Brown shirt man and paid him off! Mr. Brown shirt man took d money and led Mr. Blue shirt man back into d band!!!! When the other security members again approached Mr. Blue shirt man, Mr. Brown shirt man told them that Mr. Blue shirt man is "ok to be in d band"!!!! What d ass is this? So anybody can BUY dey way into d band come Carnival Tuesday???
Overall I would give Yuma a 4 out of 10. All d quite vibes they boasted about on FB cause they were prepping d costumes etc etc my ass!!! They really need to work on the customer service and the overall experience for the masqueraders. My crew and I will not be returning to this band. I heard of many with great experiences and others with similar experiences to mine. To each is own I guess!
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