Harts Carnival 2010 Review

Another Carnival has come and gone, and yet another Carnival experience. My heart was set on playing with Spice because the service was great from registration, to collected, to the road experience. However, the whole Pay Pal issue and me having to run down Spice to find out about my registration did not sit well with me; so I made the ultimate decision to change bands. Band of choice: Harts, section of choice: Brazilian Fiesta (Orange). Now I have heard the stories of Harts being uppity, and me with my dark self I was worried. But I always say it is up to the person that to the experience worth while.

REGISTRATION AND COLLECTION

I must say registration was an ease. I did mines online since I currently reside in Arkansas. The day after I submitted my registration online, I was contacted via email to confirm that my registration was received and that my selected costume choice was secured. The only thing I did not like was that after the money was withdrawn from my account, a second transaction was done to make up the difference for what was not taken out during the currency conversion. Since it was nothing more that about $14.00, I made no fuss. Anytime I sent Harts an email regarding costume options and remaining balance, I received a prompt reply answering all my questions. Collection was also an ease, paying off my balance and making sure I had everything took about ten minutes. When I saw my costume, I fell in love.....not only was my head piece humongous, but the costume itself was beautiful. My only problem I had with my costume was after having a baby three months prior, my breasts was slightly too large for the bra but I came prepared with some bra extenders...so that and all was small thing.

CARNIVAL MONDAY

The band left promptly from its designated location at 10:30 AM. Music was nice but I did not like the fact that they played each song twice in a row before going on to the other one. I must say that Harts knows how to party, I do now know how these people found they way on top of roofs and walls as any building along the route was subject to be dance on. That one I cannot blame on Harts, as some homeowners were having problems with this. After making circles (yes I said circles) we finally stopped for lunch at the square (sorry I don't know the name of it), and it was every man jack and woman jack for themselves to find a space to sit and eat. I was apart of "D Rum Shop" and the selection for lunch was beef pelau, which just was okay. I am not a big drinker but their selection was some of the best, and the bar never buss. The only thing I could not understand is how you don't have coconut water (the ultimate chaser). The rest of the day was okay, the only thing making it exceptional was the motivation from the crowd, the fact that we circled a block before we moved on was quite irritating and the stopping for long periods of time drained my energy.

CARNIVAL TUESDAY

By the time I met up with the band they were crossing Park and Frederick Street. We chipped all the way to Queens Park and the only time they started to play palancing music was right before we crossed the "stage." Getting people into their respective sections was a hassle as they did this about 15 minutes before crossing, and it was quite annoying to hear the announcer repeat all 25 sections (with a detailed description of the costume) about six times in an attempt to get everyone situated. After the Savannah it was a free for all, stormers had a time enjoying the experience that I paid for. The route became a drab, and after a while I became quite bored with the band. If it wasn't for the masqueraders who kept the energetic vibe going, I do not think I would have enjoyed myself as much. Lunch on Tuesday was very disorganized, as it took almost half an hour before we could get lunch. It also pissed off to see that people who were not apart of D Rum Shop eating lunch and enjoying drinks that I paid $700.00 for. Another issue that I had was the as the stormers stormed, security selected who the wanted to storm and who they wanted to put out the band. In my eyes a stormer is a stormer and all should have been put out, aint no pick and choose about it.

I must highlight this (since I see it as unfair and not putting the mas player safety first):

I played with my friend from Haiti and during the course of Tuesday, she strayed from me some how. Now keep in mind that this is her second time in Trinidad and she does not know Park street from Princess Town. Went to the first truck and informed the security that I needed to make an announcement to find a person. He directed me to the second truck. Gone to the second truck now and ask another security personnel and he took me to the mike man on the truck who said that they did not do announcements (mind you all day they paging people and what not). I flipped the mike man off, verbalized and expletive and as I was walked off, a female security who was apparently aware of the entire situation came to me, apologized for the rudeness of the mike man and took me to the proper truck (holding my hand throughout). Now the man on the third truck assured me that he would make the announcement.......lets just say that I am still waiting. Now how fair is that to me?

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

All in all Harts was just OKAY. Would I ever play with them again: maybe but it would not be my first choice of Carnival bands. I could not help but feel a certain "vibe" from other masqueraders and the photographers, lets just say that I was not the first, second or third choice when it came to Harts photographers. Crap, I know I am not the skinniest (shoot I love my baby fat and how it made my bumper spread) or the lightest thing alive but I do think my personality was vibrant enough to take a couple photographers. The feeling was very uneasy and it made it uncomfortable at times. The other thing I do not understand is why parade beautiful costumes that no one can see other than the Savannah crowd....I would have loved to parade and get on bad for spectators along the Avenue or even down town. But now I know that Harts is not the band if you are looking to do this. I still cannot get over the "stares" that I felt as I paraded through the band, but you know what I could care less because I pay my money and I played my mas.

First Look At Brazilian Fiesta

Hi Saucy, Dimples here. 

After a much anticipated Carnival 2010, today I was able to collect my costumes from Harts in Brazillian Fiesta/Latin Fire. I got to the mas camp at about 5:30pm, and the entire collection process took about 10 minutes. When I got to the mas camp, there were no lines and only one person was leaving as they just colleted their costume.

There were three windows, one for each section that is scheduled to collect. When I got to the window assigned for Brazillian Fiesta, I was greeted by three men who checked my ID, got my costume and head piece and also complete my carnival order. The gentleman who took my payment was extremely helpful, as he made out my receipt for me (because I was paying for my costume and someone elses'), and advised me that Harts gave everyone bigger bra sizes when they realized the bras were small fitting. He also took out everything in the box and showed me that i had everything.

I must say I am very satified with my costume and the money I spent. My only complaint is that the head piece is too small and since it is a short elastic band, there is no room for adjustment.

There was also a flyer in the box stating the following rules:

1. you are not allowed personal security unless approved by Harts prior to Carnival

2. on carnival monday you must wear enough of your costume so that you are identified by security

3. men must wear their shorts printed with Harts 2010 logo on both days

4. wristands are to be worn Tuesday ONLY along with full costume

The band leaves from Gray St. and Tragarete Rd St. Clair on Monday 10:30am and on Tuesday at 6:30am.

I have include pictures of my costume and goody bag for you

Prototype

Finished Product

Harts Sold Out Costume Update

Three more sections are closed in Harts, people!

Butterflies and Moths/Time for a Tale

Anthony& Cleopatra/The Strip

Tribes/Wild Things

That leaves 12 more sections and almost half the band SOLD OUT!

Harts Sold Out Update

Harts is very quietly and quickly selling out! The section Brazilian Fiesta/Latin Fire is now completely SOLD OUT and the following are sold out in either male or female and in different colour options as well:

Brazilian Fiesta/Latin Fire

MALE SOLD OUT

Come Lewee Dance/Refleciton of My Childhood days

American Indian/Mas Sweet Mas

Polynesia/Faces of Places

FEMALE SOLD OUT

American Indian/Mas Sweet Mas - Jade, Fuschia, White

Wild Things/Tribes

On Satge/Tribute to Broadaway - Turquoise,Fuschia, Jade

At this rate, Harts will be the next band to be SOLD OUT after TRIBE!

Harts Missing Section

Presenting Local Sights & Delights/ Local Motion, the Karen Hart section of Harts "50".

This is a special section that can only be registered for through the section leader, Karen Harts is reknowned for having the "budget" section in Harts, as you can see the prices are quite reasonable.

Prices are as follows:

FEMALE

( A ) $ 2500.00.......

( B ) $ 2600.00......
DEPOSIT: $1000.00

MALE

$ 2100.00.....
DEPOSIT: $800.00.....

On another note the section "Lets Make Waves/Whe Whe" is now SOLD OUT in Harts!

Harts Online Registration Is Now Open

For all those patiently awaiting the start of Harts online registration please be advised that you can now do so, as the website is fully functional now.

Interesting to note that that not all the prices are shown , some are still saying "coming soon". I would really like to see the smaller headpiece options for the sections that offer this.

Also, "Was This Greece/ Before 2000 " can be added to the SOLD OUT list.

Some more section pics:

Sold Out In Harts

First section to go, and it is also the most expensive, "Life in the Waters/ Earth Crisis" is SOLD OUT.

As for online registration, I was told it should be up and running by tomorrow. Still no price on American Indians/ Mas Sweet Mas

Edited to Add (6:25pm):

Total Recall/50 is also now SOLD OUT!

Harts Website Is Up!

No prices or registration information is on Harts website as yet, registration begins on Friday August 21st, however the fully interactive website is up for you to view costumes.

I especially like the photographs showing Harts' 50 years of mas, starting with Flag Wavers of Siena in 1962! It's great to see how costumes evolved and changed over the years.