TABOO speaks!

The bandleader for TABOO,one of the many new bands to debut for Carnival 2008, left this message in the comments of the post entitled "TABOO....The Band":

I have just come across this blog. I am the TABOO BANDLEADER. I am glad to hear all of you who are interested in the band and the theme.

Firstly, I am a child of the 80's and I must admit that the 80's was tacky, but you must admit we had fun in your tackiness.We just decided that it was time that the vision of Carnival evolved, bringing something new and fresh to the smorgasbord.
The costumes are symbols of 80's pop culture, translated through our Carnival costuming.

Some of the Sections include:
MOONWALKER
PURPLE RAIN
THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO
VOGUE
PRETTY IN PINK
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
Now we also highlighted the local 80's scene with:
SOCA BAPTIST (roadmarch of 1980)
CARNIVAL IS COLOUR(tribute to Minshall's band of 1987)
and also we have a section based on the World Cup efforts of the strike squad in 1989.

I am an experienced designer firstly, and the chances are, that you have already played in a costumed that I had either designed, produced, or assisted on already.
I have worked with ALL the major bands(and some of the smaller ones) in T&T. I have also worked in Caribana, Crop Over, carnival in DC & Cuba and also in Sao Paulo & Rio (BRAZIL). I am also an assistant designer at Calvin Klein New York.

I am willing to answer any questions that concerning TABOO, or the presentation that you may have.

ADDAE

First of all it is quite a pleasure to have a Band Leader actually visiting this blog and talking back; I really appreciate the comment that you left ADDAE and decided to share it with everyone who visits the blog.

My questions for ADDAE of TABOO are

1. Is the band going to take the "traditional" route with costuming in bikini and beads or will it be more Avant Garde, say a nod to Minshall and Mc Farlane?

2. When is the band launching?

3.Who are the other persons involved in TABOO ?

4. Why should a masquerader chose to play with a new band such as TABOO over more established veterans in the business?

ADDAE I do hope you will return to answer my questions and I also invite other persons who may have questions of their own to leave a comment with their query as well.

Big News for Mas in 2008

Exciting developments are taking place in the mas world for 2008! We have already heard that their will be two new bands making their debut next year, but a third new band has been formed. Sources have informed me that several female designers from a wildly popular large band have left and will be bringing a band of their own for 2008! The reason given for the split is that these very talented designers, known for their beautiful costumes, are disappointed by the numerous complaints by masqueraders who, for a second year in a row were left wanting and disappointed by the band in question.

Well, all I can say about this is that the three designers who are coming together will surely show what woman power is all about and I am very excited to get more information. As for pulling out of the band they were associated with, I think I saw that one coming as one designer is very particular about how "her" masqueraders are treated and word is that she was highly disappointed with her merger with that band and all the problems that ultimately reflected on her. If the ladies produce as beautiful costumes as always coupled with the experience and customer service skills they displayed in the past with sections of their own, look sharp as they will give both their former band mates and the other popular band out there a good run for their money!

Carnival is always good bacchanal, and if you want to read more of the bacchanal check out this link.

Who let the cat out of the bag?

Well, so many exciting developments are surrounding Carnival 2008 I can hardly wait for band launching season to begin! Someone whispered to me that in the next few weeks a VERY popular band will make an announcement of the date of their band launch so that their overseas masqueraders will be able to attend the event. It seems like they are paying attention and have realized that many of their loyal customers are eagerly looking forward to a first look at costumes and are willing to make the trip back to Trinidad JUST for the launch. If the date of the band launching is released early it gives those so inclined enough time to get their flights booked! I guess we will all have to wait and see if the early bird does catch the worm!

Said same band has already begun preparations for their 2008 presentation and the “buzz” phrase is that they are BRINGING SEXY BACK!! I hope you ladies have started to hit the gym, since the costumes will be super sexy (read skimpy) and promise to satisfy all the needs we women desire; lots of feathers, lots of beads, lots of glam …and maybe a few hot men thrown in for good measure! Expect lots of fabulous frontlines as well!! Who knows, I won’t be surprised if they plan on giving us a “teaser” by changing that billboard to a “hint” of what to look forward to in 2008.

Finally for those going to Crop Over, look sharp a new band just might be debuting this year! If all goes well and plans do work out, seems like Barbados might be in for the ultimate experience on Kadooment Day! Now imagine that, what a cure for the Carnival blues! You strut your stuff in Trinidad then off to Barbados a few months later with the same band to do it all again; I am hoping this one comes off the ground for 2007…if not…2008!

New Bands Alert!

Rumour has it that there will be TWO new bands making a debut in 2008! Apparently one section has outgrown the already large band they are part of and another designer is contemplating making the move to a solo act after being part of a popular outfit for 2007. Personally I think the first section mentioned had absolutely beautiful costumes this year and that the variety offered would lend itself to a band of it's own. And, I always thought the designer rumoured to be thinking of leaving the band that they are now attached to would do well in bringing a band of their own as the costumes are always quite creative, though not always my style.

One young designer who I personally think would do well with a band of her own is Crystal Amming, the woman responsible for Lanatana in Poison as well as Pride in Island People's 2006 presentation and Nubians, Jumbie and Mirage this year. Not only does she design beautiful costumes but with all my interactions with her she has been quite pleasant, and every single one of her masqueraders who supported her section in Poison have nothing but great things to say about the service and treatment that was delivered. I will also never forget that she was one of the few willing to bend over backward to assist overseas masqueraders in registering with Island People last year. It's one thing to decide to have a Carnival band and a something totally different when the persons involved know very little about customer service which to me is one of the most important things when I am paying my money; no one is to toss a goody bag over the wall for me when I just spent $3000.00 on a costume!

So here is hoping that 2008 brings some exciting new developments on the Carnival scene. Everyone is whispering all sorts of juicy rumors to me and if only half of them turn out to be true I think we are in for a stellar Carnival season next year. My mantra for 2008, please bring the SEXY back!

Carnival 2008

Yes, you read right! Carnival 2007 is over and if you though this blog would roll over and die think again!! We officially have 11 months before Carnival 2008, which falls on the 4th and 5th of February however band launchings start in August, leaving us with only 5 months to start the first rounds of preparations. For all those who missed out on cheap flights, a place to stay or even vacation time off now is the time to start planning!

Firstly, organize your finances. Every one has an idea of what prices for flights, costumes, fetes and accommodation were this year so give or take a 10% increase for 2008 and start working on that budget. List everything you need at an estimated cost and work out a financial plan so you will not be broke this time next year! If you have plans on joining a sou sou, putting aside a fixed amount monthly or using a bonus to pay for your costume do the necessary.

For those coming from overseas note the ridiculous prices for airfare that was quoted a month or two before Carnival; prices rose to over $1000.00 US and that includes those inter Caribbean flights as well!! When it comes to travel I always look for deals, bargains and sales. Keep on the look out for cheap airfare by registering for the “fare watcher” service at Travelocity.com or the “buzz alert” at kayak.com which will send you an email when airfare prices to a specific destination drops. I know of persons who purchase their air fare from as early as April for the following year! Of course this will only work if you know the specific time you will be in Trinidad, no use buying a ticket and you do not have approved vacation time off.

This brings me to my next topic; apply for your vacation leave in advance! My company has a roster that they send out each year for employees to indicate when they want time off and I know other companies do the same. Even if your company does not have this policy in place it does not hurt to inform the Human Resource department or your supervisor that you will be applying for vacation late January/ early February 2008. Mark it big and bold on a calendar and stick it on your desk so that when the time comes he or she cannot pretend that they were unaware of your plans, looking for excuses to deny you leave.

You can safely book accommodation in advance as most hotels allow you a window for cancellation, so it does not hurt to make a tentative reservation when you have your dates confirmed. Some of the more popular places are booked way in advance and especially those guest houses and apartments which see repeat customers every year. In 2008 the new Holiday Inn express close to Trinicty Mall and the air port will be opened. A good idea as well, if you are planning on visiting Tobago after Carnival is to book early, remember many Trinidadians escape Carnival and head to Tobago! If you look at some vacation villas, like Villa De Lena, it is already booked for 2008!

You know how we all like to wait LAST MINUTE to try and get into shape, myself included, how about starting the eating right and exercise program from now. That will give us all enough time to not only meet our target weight loss goals but also the extra time to try and maintain it. Then when we succumb to the occasional temptations like at Thanksgiving or Christmas our waistlines will be much more forgiving seeing as we would have already lost weight. One blogger and I already have a challenge on, the goal being which one of us could loose more pounds by Easter. All the hard work, diet and exercise for Carnival is not going to be thrown by the wayside for me, my goal is to continue eating sensibly and working out.

All of you suffering through winter time at the moment can barely think about spring far less summer, but keep in mind how difficult it was for some of you to get boy shorts in January. Therefore, when summer rolls around this year start shopping for Carnival. You don’t have to get all the trendy stuff but at least get items that are seasonal like sandals, flip flops, shorts, tanks and swim wear.

Though it may seem like 2008 is so far away, soon enough we will all be obsessing over costumes, waiting to register and going through the drama we love so much!