The Oracle is no more....

On the heels of a much anticptaed mas camp opening tomorrow, I got this email which has left me both saddned and shocked as I had alot of hope that for 2008 we would see The Oracle make an impact for Carnival:

Hello Everyone, well it is with a heavy heart but still steely eyed determination I write to tell you the 'The Oracle' is officially off for this carnival.

I want to thank each and everyone of you for the support you have given to this venture and also offer you an explanation that I believe you more than deserve. Before I go on let me inform you that this 'failure' for me is a wonderful thing, it strengthens and tests you to see just what you are really made of,I could go into a corner and weep, but instead I am even more determined now, I have a story to tell and no matter what obstacle is placed before me (feel free to test that theory out), The Oracle will take her place firmly in Trinidad Carnival!! maybe not this year, but she is coming and when next you see her, you will understand her evolution.

Now to the reasonings:-

I can assure you that we fought this down to the very last minute, but there have been certain circumstances surrounding the band that made it impossible for us to 'successfully' mount the sort of presentation that we believe to be fitting to our story. The major reasoning for the postponing of the band is a very untimely delivery of necessary funds for us to be able to guarantee the time we offered. I am a firm believer in doing something as best you can or not doing it at all, and with the short season, elections, prototype issues and others that we were faced with this year it has come down to this, I could do a band, but I would not be able to guarantee my product, and I would not be able to efficiently deliver the beauty and wonderment that I envision in the given time and since my main intent with this band is not for monetary gain, I have decided to cut my losses and allow her another year of growth. So if I cannot be sure of it, I am not going to take the public's monies or trust.

The naysayers

There have been several things said about us and several harsh remarks made by surprising peoples and to this my response is simply, we are killing our own, we are our own biggest enemy and as time passes it gets worse and worse, we really, really need to recognise ourselves and find that highest vision of ourselves, we need to stop the 'fight down' the 'naysaying' and the 'backstabbing' there is enough for all of us, and we cannot stop time from unfurling before us, the most we can do is work with her,we will age, none of us can be the princess forever, unless we find the true secret to eternity, let it pass through you, do not let it stop at you. Art in Trinidad is already so very difficult, so instead of fighting down each other we need to learn to appreciate each other, a lot of us preach it, but we must practice it as well.I wish all the naysayers the peace of the promise and hope for you to become the best most highest vision of your own selves, I know I am extremely excited at the opportunity to spend the entire year creating instead of jamming it all into an impossible six week period.and thank you for making yourselves available for me to test my determination out on.

London

South Connections of London has invited myself and team to design and produce their upcoming presentations in Nottinghill London (once again what is ours is quickly swept up by another man's land) so the mas will continue to grow through the year, but 'The Oracle' is a trinidadian band and she will be known as such, in London it will be myself doing some designs, but 'The Oracle' don't want to come out anywhere else, so she will rest a bit!

All in All

All in all, I can say I do not regret this decision, things happen for a reason, and if you believe in sending out to the universe what you expect to get back, you are already half way there.

Thank you's

In this process certain souls found themselves aligned with us and volunteered to stay in that position to these people I say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you

Thank You

Trini Orisha gyal,
your heartfelt wisdom and guidance and Orisha blessings have reached us giving us the directions of a higher hand.

Lesley Ann-Bernard,
for believing in us and this and adding your expertise and guidance and pulling the strings I was too afraid to pull myself

Afro Chic,
If it were for your faith alone we would have delivered a thousand magnificent bands, and I do not for a moment forget the promise I made to your son, he is free to call me on it and if he doesn't i will call him on it.

Mystie Thongs
Mystie, Mystie, Mystie,girl go strong girl go strong, big things ah soon come from this daughter of the soil (A A but like I have a little rapso in me)

Rommel Lai Khan,
this place have to watch out for you yes, your ambition is scary!

Matthew Jon Ward,
From day one to day now, you waved the flag hard hard, thanks Matthew!
Saucytrini,
for telling the world our story with an impartial voice

This list could go on and on and as I am sure you guys must be tired of reading I will end it here for now, to every single one of you,thank you, thank you and to your own self be true!

(you would swear I won some sort of award, you know what though? I did, I realised some self, I can do this band and realise this dream, not this year, but I can and will, don't worry you won't miss it)

gnothi seauton,

Aaron Schneider, The Saldenah Legacy and the team of 'The Oracle'

Oracle Mas Camp Update

On December 10th Oracle will open the doors to it's new mas camp at 8-10 Herbert Street St. Clair (old Lonsdale building). In the interim the mas camp at Morne Coco Road Maraval continues operations. Looking forward to visiting the new location soon!

Section III

I was thinking recently that though we are all clamoring for prototypes of Oracle's costumes, to match the vision with the reality, bands that are more "artistic" than the regular bikini and beads might find it wise not to reveal entire costume.

See, when constructing bikini mas with beads, feathers and sequins bought wholesale which is then hot glued to a bathing suit it is easy to replicate the prototype displayed at the band launch. Many of these costumes are even produced outside of Trinidad and Tobago in countries like India and China. But when one has to create each piece of a costume by hand, there must be room for artistic license, think of it as each costume being an exclusive piece of art with the designer tweaking the final product to create an exact vision which might differ slightly from the original product.

Neither Brian Mc Farlane nor Peter Minshall is big on revealing costume prototypes either, so just some food for thought this morning.

ORACLE SECTION III

Oracle Mas Camp Visit

It was quite easy to find Oracle's Mas Camp at Morne Coco Road Maraval from the directions given. On arrival we were greeted by the young lady holding the fort who answered all my questions, and informed me that bandleader Aaron was not there at the moment as I was hoping to meet him. Basically the camp features the costume sketches and I have to agree with Afro Chic that the colours are brighter in person than they translate on the website.

It would have been nice to see some piece of the costume, like the accessories, and judging from the fact that I was told they would be bringing such items to the mas camp, other people also want to get a closer look. I think I went a bit too early!The complimentary DVD was a nice touch.

Overall the mas camp has a very homey, welcoming feel which I hope is retained when they move shop.

Here is a photo of the necklace for SECTION I which is posted on the Facebook group:

Oracle Sneak Peek

So, I had all intentions of visiting Oracle's mas camp on Saturday, but the practical side of me decided to call first since I had more than one place to be at that time. Well I was informed that the costume prototypes were not on show and made the decision NOT to visit since I really wanted to see the actual costumes.

In retrospect I should have gone regardless since Afro Chic did make the visit and gave a glowing report of having met Aaron who was very nice to her, she also liked the vibe and layout of the "temporary" mas camp and she got to view pieces of the costumes which she says is very detailed! So after I kicked myself for not making the trip, I felt a little better to know that the mas camp is scheduled to move to it's permanent home on Ariapita Avenue by this Friday and it is expected that costumes will be on show! In the interim, before my actual trip to the mas camp as I promised, here are some photos of the accessories for section IX and section I compliment's Oracle's Mas Camp:

SECTION IX Necklace




SECTION I Bracelets

The Oracle is Here!

Online registration for The Oracle is now available. I know some of you have been waiting for feedback of the costumes from the mas camp (and possibly a few photos) before making up your mind on a section and I do hope to visit the mas camp myself soon to get as much information as I can. In the meantime you can check out the updated website for more information.

I am pleased to announce that online registration is officially up and running.
at the website

http://www.oraclett.com/

All prices are all inclusive of food and drinks both days and snacks, we are limiting the band as we want to make sure that we can guarantee the service that is so important to us, thanks to those of you that made your ways to the mas camp and registered, section II is obviously the favorite amongst the younger crowd. thank you again for your interest and i hope to repay you with an amazing carnival experience it will certainly be different!

gnothi seauton,

aaron

Registration Starts for Oracle

In house registration for new band Oracle began yesterday at their temporary 14BMorne Coco Road location (a map will be posted on the website). Online registration will commence at midnight tomorrow, Wednesday, and the mas camp will be moving to it's permanent headquaters on Ariapita Avenue shortly!

Oracle Section 2 Pics and Latest Update

As I paitently wait for the full unveiling of Oracle's costumes it was a pleasure to receive the following update from bandleader Aaron; exciting days ahead as we finally get to see the months of hardwork it took to get this debutante band off the ground. I know all of you waiting for Oracle must be pleased with the progress thus far:

ORACLE SECTION II Wings

hey guys, I just want to let you know of the registration information, I have received everything necessary for registration online to be activated, i am meeting with the webmaster tonight, I would like to say tomorrow or the day after, as well,on site registration and the viewing of some costume pieces will be happening as of Monday coming, at 14 morne coco road maraval, i will post a map tonight, now please be aware that this space is merely a workshop space but it will be facilitating registration till we get the keys to our mas camp which will open its doors to the general public later next week, at first i did not want to start registration until we moved into our official administrative site, but with time passing, i have decided that it will begin as such, thanks to rommel and crew for your interest in section II, from the looks of it, that section is already sold out, but i won't say that just yet, please bear in mind that this is our first year, and so we took a little longer than the rest, but i was not willing to go ahead unless i was sure beyond a doubt that my masqueraders could be quaranteed the servise that they deserve, i am now sure of that, we are limiting the number to one thousand for this first year and after all the pressure of getting off the ground I am now extremely excited, because i know this is going to be amazing, full page full colour ads will appear in the papers as early as monday and you can pick up your free copy of our promotional dvd with all the design sketches at movie towne St. James as of sunday, I thank you all for your interest and cannot wait to be amongst you on the streets, i promise you trinidad is going to stop and pay full attention to us because our costumes, are sexy, colorful and they mean somethin, they mean something to me as this band is the culmination of my own process of 'gnothi seauton'.

News From Oracle!

The long awaited date for Oracle's registration, both online and in house, is approaching soon with a scheduled start later this week (exact date will be confirmed once I am informed of it). Word is that costume prototypes are completed and are "gorgeous". Lord knows I cannot wait to see them myself!

Failure to Launch…???

The promise of new bands for Carnival 2008 is ripe yet two bands still have supporters patiently waiting. With Oracle at least costume designs have been seen along with a sneak peek at prototypes and pre registration is available on their website. However, the actual launch date had bandied about from October to November, and word has it that they would like to launch after the election fever.

As for Taboo, mum is the word on this band in spite of the fact that they do well on all the polls I have hosted on the blog. Apart from the one sketch of the section Walk Like and Egyptian, I have seen nothing else. From their facebook group I know things are still in the works for the band, or so it seems, but it would be nice to get some confirmation on a launch date! As far as I know they were supposed to launch the same night as Pulse 8… and now, nothing. I am looking forward to the rest of costumes from this band.

It’s the 1st of November, and we now have LESS than three months before Carnival so here is hoping these two bands, Oracle and Taboo, launch SOON.

Oracle.. do you believe the hype?

Ever since the first designs from Oracle have been released the debutante band has been creating quite a stir among potential masqueraders and masqueraders, even those who had already selected a costume in other bands.

The one skepticism being bandied about is if the actual costume prototypes can live up to the fantastic sketches we have seen thus far. Well, judging from these photos that were taken inside the design studio the interpretation of costume from sketch to actuality looks pretty darn close!

SECTION II MALE


The foot pieces are pictured incomplete
and were added on as is for the photo:


SECTION X


The mask that will form
part of the backpack


SECTION III FEMALE


Work on the skirt in progress

Now, I am even more excited to see the rest of the costumes, the real deal, and these "preview" photos should put all doubts that the costumes will not live up to the hype to rest. For those of you on Facebook the Oracle group also has more behind the scenes photos as well as a very stirring video presentation on Gnothi Seauton.

Oracle update!

Oracle will open the doors to the mas camp "sometime next week" according to sources and prototypes of actual costumes will be on show! Rumor has it that the mas camp will be located at Mc Farlane's "old" mas camp on Ariapita Avenue.


The band launch is slated to take place at the end of October. Persons interested in playing with Oracle can pre-register online for a discount and access to all information as it becomes available. The final section of Oracle's 2008 debut presentation "Gnothi Seauton" will be revealed soon.

Oracle Section XI

11 sections have been released thus far from Oracle with ONE more to go, the "Secret" section which is to be revealed "soon" as intimated on the website....

SECTION XI FEMALE - $2,750

'Gnothi Seauton' to you, realising 'self' goes hand in hand with the personal recognition of 'peace'.This of course opens up an entirely new arena in this supposed quest that we all traverse. Is 'peace on earth' possible?


SECTION XI MALE - $2,550

Even doctors can tell you that a mind that is at peace is the onset of the alzheimer's disease. If all the questions have been answered, all the complaints dealt with,every worry we ever had, met with its own solutions, What would we do? what then would be our purpose here? If we had fed all children, saved all battered women, stopped every war and equally distributed the wealth of the world to the hands of every man, woman and child, what then? Maybe tyhis is why we invite bacchus into our dealings, maybe we like an unperfect world, maybe the world is exactly in the state at which we want it, because with all the knowledge,there is still the bacchanal, with all the goodwill there is stuill the killings, suffering and hunger, we could end world hunger in a week maximum, but do we want too? this is the real question, is gnothi seauton a place we really want to get to, or are we deliberately playing it out for fear of boredom?

ORACLE SECTION X

Only two more sections of the Oracle to be revealed; section XI in 1 day and 18 hours!

SECTION X FEMALE (option a blue/green or option b red/orange) - $2,650


After the wreckage, there remains only the most vital of information,knowledge that will ultimately help in the designing of the highest image we hold of ourselves. For a time there will be a peace and serenity in this new found light of 'gnothi seauton' we have weathered the storm and found our truths in the process,we have also found many things that require urgent attention.


SECTION X MALE (option a blue/green or option b red/orange)- $2,550

Many things remain to be done, but knowing who we are is a giant step, if only it is to find out that who we are now, is not who we will be tomorrow, then the process must begin again, for some this process will be a cycle that finds it's end in theirs, for others this process will not even be visited, either which way, we will all one day return to the full knowledge of who we are, everything else is just the makings of a good story.

Oracle Section IX

They are making it hard to choose a favourite but I am LOVING this costume! Only three more sections to go, the next one will be revealed on Monday.


SECTION IX FEMALE - $2,450


There lives within each one of us a being of light and splendour, a being that has the power to do whatsoever it pleases, a being with all the power of the universe at it's fingertips. Hallowed be the day when we realise this being is us, the essence of who we truly are, the memory of our amazing heritage is remembered and upon this new information we act.


SECTION IX MALE - $2,450


The more we remember, the more we will dance, for this realisation this, 'self - realisation' can come only long after we have travelled the roads of our own emotional development. We constantly set ourselves points of relativity by which we guage our own place in the universe, you are only rich if you are richer than....pretty if you are prettier than....tall if you are taller than.... fat if you are fatter than. The realisation of self discards this need for points of relativity and allows us to just be, so let's explore just being. Be short,fat, skinny, poor, black, white, unc, pnm, cop, it does not really make an iota of difference, because the essence of you can never be changed or altered to have a different repercussion on the universe, you can only be you,and that is much much more than you can currently account for.

Oracle Section VIII

Section VIII comes in three colours, I have chosen to highlight the blue. Prices have also been posted on the website for all the sections released this far and for an all-inclusive band with the caliber of costuming represented in the sketches I think the prices are quite reasonable.

Female costume prices range from $2650.00 to $3000.00 and males from $2450.00 to $2750.00. And a little tid bit for those contemplating playing with the Oracle is that if you pre-register on the website this allows you a discount on the costume as well. Since the band is going to be LIMITED in numbers it probably wise to do so anyway.

The countdown is now on for section IX





Section VIII
female - $2,850.00 male - $2,550

Section VIII takes us through, what we call 'the reckoning'. It also runs a strong metaphor indicative of mankind's collective fight against, AIDS,global warming, and mostly, mankind's fight against himself, red turns into yellow, yellow turns into orange, orange is washed by blue.Blue is triumph, it is the recognition of what is and what needs to be.

Oracle Section VII

Section VIII in 18 hours..................

Section prices will be listed and made available to the public on the evening of Thursday 20th September 2008 we apologise for the delay.

SECTION VII FEMALE


The middle of a mess is a dark and burning place. Not knowing where or how or when, can be so excruciatingly painful, The answers to our questions are always so close and yet so indistinguishably far away. Spinning round and round we search for answers, redemption, love, whatever it is at that stage of our life that will bring us solace. But the very definition of searching requires a target, that which cannot be found. Being lost is a frightening experience and the only hope remains in an ambiguous future, somehow though just believing that things will work out is sometimes all we need.




SECTION VII MALE


At this time, this nerve racking, soul searching time, we pray to whatever god is most in our fancy for answers.
Lord send answers.

The Oracle Prophecy of the Mas

The newest addition to Trinidad and Tobago’s list of mas band, The Oracle, is anticipated to make quite an impact when it hits the streets of Port-of-Spain for C2K8.

In the large band category, the band’s presentation, titled Gnothi Seauton (Know Thy Self), is led by Scott Saldenah, grandson of mas legend Harold Saldenah, and co-leader/designer Aaron Schneider, who despite his youth is a veteran mas designer.

Packed with talented people, the Oracle’s committee includes some of the most recognizable names in theatre, including production manager and veteran Callaloo Company official Cecilia Salazar; former National Drama Association of T&T president Christine Johnston; renowned theatrical director Helmer Hilwig, DJ/ announcer and son of the late mas legend Harold Saldenah - Junior Saldenah and production manager Ronald Guy James who is also a veteran of Callaloo Company. And obviously with this talented crew on board mas players and spectators can expect a truly dynamic, memorable presentation in carnival arts ‘on d road’.

Gnothi Seauton, which will be launched in November with an Awareness Concert and show at the Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain, is already garnering heavy local and foreign interest with the release of six costumes via its website www.oraclett.com.

“Gnothi Seauton is the story of the human cycle. Every person’s life is interrupted by the choices they make along the way. Our presentation will examine ten major aspects of life and how the decisions we make affect us and the people around us,” explains Schneider.

The issues of Aids, hunger, global warming, war, racism and crime are among the major challenges to be highlighted by the band’s presentation.

Despite the November launch, registration for the band will begin with the opening of the mas camp in October.

The Ariapita Avenue mas camp will be officially opened to the public on October 1 from 8 am to 9 pm each day. (Tel No: 868 490 9828)

However, in the meantime, pre-registration is currently taking place on the website www.oraclett.com.

For further information contact Janelle Forrester on Tel (868) 746 6287.

Email: Janelle@socalypso.net

Oracle Section VI

I absolutely love this section and cannot wait to see the real thing! Prices will be revealed tomorrow along with section VII.

SECTION VI FEMALE


We are allowing a simple process of good or bad decision making to turn into a world wide problem.This section represents bad decisions we make about our own future, usually fueled by the experiences of sections III, IV, and V. As well we use this as a metaphor for the victime of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, our thousands of brothers and sisters who may ultimately face death from the same process that brings us life. Every effort need be put into finding not just a cure, but a way to heal the mindset that allows this sort of decision making to prevail. the medicine will cure the disease, but what will cure our minds?

SECTION VI MALE


Sticking our heads in the sand and pretending that all is well, is one option. The other is to accept what is, throw away the stigmas and embrace, realistically, openly, honestly embrace the problem. What are we leaving behind for our kids? what role are we going to play in their futures? Section VI focuses on the repercussions of decisions that we make which clearly do not serve us, decisions that we regret. Funnily though, decisions which we were almost sure we would regret before making them. we damn our subconscious with these actions and then feign surprise when we meet up with the ramifications.

Oracle Section V

This one is female only and the sections are being revealed faster, almost as an exciting lead up to the launch! Next section coming in 13 hours! Stay tuned to the website.



SECTION V FEMALE

We are usually responsible for the messy situations we get into, yet from the depths of our own self doubt and insecurities we sometimes find it difficult to allow others to be happy. We tear them down in whatever way we can just so we can feel a little better about ourselves. This 'method' of dealing with insecurity only harms our progress even more. How poorly we must feel about ourselves if the only 'good' we can 'experience' is in the down crying of others, who, more often than not, seem to have achieved that which we wish we could, bless them and continue on with the journey.