Prevention Tips for Slaves to Mas

These very useful and excellent tips come courtesy JJ aka Angostura (because she is bitter about missing Carnival in 2008). I would like to say thanks to her for her contribution as masqueraders often overlook these areas in preparations for mas and her attention to the little details means invaluable advice to all:

When I first got into long distance ( 5-10K) charity races a few years back, I discovered all these behind-the-scene secret remedies and prevention formula walkers and runners use. Unfortunately, I forgot these tips after my first foray into serious Big Carnival and I came home Carnival Monday in Trini 4 years ago with all sorts of chafing, sore toes, blistered ankles. Man it WAS NOT PRETTY. Since then, I have always stocked my suitcase with an arsenal of preventative treatments,which if not sold in Trini, for the locals, can be ordered online.

Oh yeah, but first, I was catching up on the blog and saw the dilemma with the cage bra and potential nipple exposure. This would really only apply to those FHO and IHO in cage bras, but I have some Maindenform brand pasties that I use with backless evening dresses . But I did a search and discovered there are some silicone ones that may be better and longer lasting called Nipple Concealers

For chafing between the thighs, groin area, armpits, I suggest these products you put on BEFORE you leave for the road and if it can fit, would be great to keep a small amount in your pouch, backpack or wherever for emergencies, if needed:



The products are Body Glide, Runners Lube and Bag Balm (okay, this product is ordinarily for animals and was sold in feed and hardware stores b/c is was designed for cows udders when they chafed from milking machines, BUT since then, humans discovered that it is DE BEST for chafing and the company now sells the product in small canisters for humans. It’s made of all natural and safe for humans.)


For the Feet, especially for those wearing boots, it maybe essential to have the proper support to prevent and maybe ease the suffering from chipping 2 days straight.I remember having red blisters on my ankles and black toe one year. Black toe is the condition caused by your toes rubbing against the front of the shoes. VERY AKIN TO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CHIP ALL DAY. I discovered a product made by bandaid that is EXCELLENT for blisters and toes:


Finally, I am pro-nane and land on the front of my feet when I walk or run and for that my padding gets calluses and chafing often Dr. Scholls makes a product out of moleskin that you wrap around the feet.

D Krewe and Pulse 8 - Wekeend Recap

Back to back band launches kept the pace busy this weekend with D Krewe presenting the public launch of "Love Is" at the Hasley Crawford Stadium on Saturday and Pulse 8 unveiling "Marrakesh" on Sunday night at Zen.

D Krewe
I was looking forward to seeing the additional four sections that were not revealed at the VIP Fashion show held by the D Krewe in August so it was great anticipation that I made my way to the stadium. Once there the crowd was somewhat sedate, as if waiting for something to happen and soon enough Dil E Nadan took to the stage and the party got started! Dil E Nadan really impressed me with the range of material that they performed, delighting the crowd with soca, reggae, dancehall and even back in time classics. After a performance that woke up the crowd, the 19 sections were presented just after midnight.

It was interesting to note that some sections were revamped after the initial showing in August, TooToolbay for example added a frontline and removed the protrusions from the rear of the backline costume. The frontline headpiece for Fling was adapted and Music got a makeover. The costumes were much better for the upgrade and it shows that costume critiques were taken into consideration and instituted to make them better.



The most significant , and crowd pleasing, event was incorporating plus sized models in the launch who showed a realistic example of costume choices tailored to masqueraders who are not a size 4. My hats go out to the ladies who took to the stage alongside their skinnier counterparts and brought down the house as the crowd LOVED it, cheering every time one of the larger models took to the stage.



Of the new sections on show, Cloud Nine, Climax, Savage and Envy I like Cloud 9's frontline as well as the revamped Attraction and frontline Seduction are among my favourites. The one caveat with showing 19 sections, some of which I had seen before, is that it seemed like an endless parade of costumes and I was quite happy when it finally came to an end. Overall a good showing by D Krewe and I look forward to seeing them on the road, but catering to 350 per section it will be wise for other bands not to be stuck behind them!



D KREWE LAUNCH PICS CLICK HERE

Marrakech
If one thing Pulse 8 can boast is a very strong turn out for it's launch of Marrakech as parked cars stretched as far as the eye could see upon approaching Zen. I was somewhat skeptical about the return to Zen for the launch as last year the fog machine was a challenge to take proper photographs. This year the layout was similar but thankfully there was no fog ! The actual launch was slightly delayed but a tantalizing opening number by three belly dancers gave a stirring performance which was well received by patrons.



Although my personal opinion is that the costumes represented nothing of the theme with few exceptions, generally they were attractive for the most part. My peeve is that the theme Marrakech is such a great one for costume ideas and it is not difficult to infuse some Arabian and Moroccan design elements instead of using generic beads and feathers.



With that said I do like Berber Tribe, Aguadores and Henna Painters since I think those bright colours will really pop on the road. I will not reiterate my sentiments on Treasure Seekers but it would do detractors good to read some archives of a few weeks ago where another one of Peter's sections was put on blast as well.



The Pulse 8 Mas camp will be opened Monday to Friday from 4pm to 7:30Pm and 12 noon to 6PM on Saturdays. These opening hours are until November. December to February opening hours will be posted on the website.

PULSE 8 LAUNCH PICS HERE

Hmm..looks familiar too

Clearly one can see where Peter Elias got his inspiration for the costume he designed for Pulse 8, "Treasure Seekers". I am still quite baffled as to why Majorelle people have fairy wings as it is quite reminiscent of the wings of Titania especially paired with that long skirt!

Pulse 8- Treasure Seekers 2008


TRIBE - Sunken Treasure 2006



Pulse 8 - Majorelle People 2008



TRIBE - Titania 2008

Pulse 8 presents Marrakech

Pulse 8 showcased it's 2008 Carnival presentation "Marrakech - The Exotic Market Square" at the Zen night club last night. Models displayed costumes from 10 sections including one designed by Peter Elias called "Treasure Seekers", which bears more than a passing resemblance in the headpiece to TRIBE's 2006 Sunken Treasures. A full review is to follow soon, in the meantime these are the sections of Marrakech:

Henna Painters



Treasure Seekers



Majorelle People



Aguadores




Spirit of Marrakech




Berber Tribe




Gem Traders




Ras Al Hahout




Gahawa



Gypsy Caravan

The Oracle launches section IV

After a somewhat long wait,6 days to be exact, The Oracle finally publicized section IV, Section V will be revealed in 1 day and 15 hours.........

SECTION IV FEMALE
Life can be tough at times, it is especially in these times that we must recognise doubt for what it is, nothing more than an opinion, of course the logical mind can recognise real reason for doubt from the superficial kind that plagues us into believing that we cannot do or achieve something that in our heart of hearts we know that we can. I know this doubt too well, it danced with me all through the process of bringing this band. It was hard but I decided our dance must come to an end so I kicked up the pace and waltzed and hula hooped doubt right into a puffing helpless sack in the corner. That said, when I am tired or grumpy or affected by the nasty comments of others, I find myself spinning on the dancefloor again only to realise the experience for what it is and treat it with scant courtesy. A quick one two step and out the door for madame doubt.


SECTION IV MALE
The process of creating doubt usually has to do with two things, our own self perception and that of others. 'what you perceive you receive'. If your own opinion of yourself is negative,well than you are! simply because you believe it to be so, but if you just start changing that thought pattern you will in effect realise change, change in any direction you desire. Think of yourself as who you want to be and in that direction you will head. It is a difficult process because the other factor comes into play here, the others. Self doubt reigns supreme amongst us, millions and millions of us all not believing we can be who, or what we choose, and when you decide that you can and will be who you choose, be prepared, envy of your happiness will shout out loud from the depths of unfulfilled hearts. Sinply say to them 'thank you' for they offer you a point of relativity, a there and here situation by which you can guage your own progress, now, who are you?

Love Is...

D Krewe launched "Love Is.." their debut 2008 Carnival presentation last night. This follows a private VIP/Media launch which was held in August and I have to report that some of those costumes have been revamped and upgraded while other sections have been added on, bringing the total count of sections to 19!

Marriage will no longer be a section, however it will be the Queen of the Band. The new sections revealed were "Love is... Cloud Nine", "Love is... Climax", "Love is...Envy" and "Love is... Savage". Here are some photos of the launch, full review to follow:

Love is...Climax


Love is...Moods


Love Is ...Cloud Nine


Love is...Love


Love is...Illusion


Love is ...Seduction


Love is ...Lust

Evolution Meda Launch

Though I missed this one, photos from Evolution's Media launch of their 2008 Carnival presentation "Colours of Imagination" can be seen at Islandevents.com.

D Krewe Launches Love is Tonight

Traffik jams with D Krewe

On September 15^th 2007 D Krewe will unveil its Carnival 2008 presentation, “Love Is” at the south west area of the Hasely Crawford Stadium compound from 9:00pm.

Bandleader, Roland St. George, King of Carnival veteran contender, indicated that the crew is working feverishly to put together a party experience for its masqueraders. “It is because of their support over the years that we have this opportunity to become a band”, he said.

“The theme “Love Is” came about as a result of D Krewe’s desire to say thanks to our supporters, so we will be going all out ensure that the love flows on the night of the 15^th”.

The launch will be packed with entertainment; patrons will be getting a first taste of live bands, with performances by D Krewe’s road bands, Caribbean Traffik Jam and Dil E Nadan. Supporting them will be DJ’s Sound FX, Crosby Sounds and Joy Productions. To keep the jamming going will be the Siparia Rhythm Posse.

Naturally, the 19 section presentation designed by the talented Elwin Johnson and Keith McLean will be on show. As the theme suggests, “Love Is” depicts the many emotional forms of love and consequences as a result of matters of the heart.

Like the private viewing, patrons and masqueraders will be treated to another ultimate experience with the unveiling of each “love-ly” section.

And that’s not all, as for the price of a general admission ticket; patrons will receive two for one drink specials at the bars all night long.

Masqueraders’ and VIP tickets are available only at D Krewe Headquarters #62 Warren Street, Woodbrook. Advanced tickets are available at Crosby’s North and South; all Cache outlets and Tight Assets, Long Circular Mall and Trincity Mall.

Dream Team's Website is Up.

It seems to be a work in progress, however Dream Team has launched their website and one section is sold out already. Though there are no photographs of the sold out section "Emperor Butterfly" priced at $585.00US, there is an image that leads me to believe it might be a costume with large butterfly wings.

Two other sections are also missing from the line up of 12 sections; Tribal Fusion and Sunflowers.While trying to figure out what exchange rate was used for the prices I realized that for every US dollar you get a conversion rate of $5.96TT for some sections and $5.98TT or $5.99 for others.. I believe the pricing needs some adjustment!

Mc Farlane, the Review

The last time I made a journey to the city of San Fernando was in December 2006, a pilgrimage of sorts with a very dear friend who had returned to Trinidad from London. Yesterday as I made my way to San Fernando under grey skies the journey took me to San Fernando Hill, a spot I am ashamed to admit I never deemed worthy of a visit yet a fitting location for Brian Mc Farlane’s launch of his 2008 Carnival presentation “Earth- Cries of Despair, Wings of Hope”. San Fernando Hill, we were told, was once the site of a quarry until preservationist stepped in and reclaimed the Hill turning it into a one of the city’s most glorious landmarks. The significance of this echoes in Mc Farlane’s theme of the destruction of the Earth by elders with its salvation lying in the hands of the youth.

After a media briefing the production began with mud soaked characters playing the tambu babmu and leading the way.

Upon reaching the destination, there stood two more mud people holding a huge painted “Earth”, the backdrop a sea of muddied bodies rising out of mud soaked and painted brown cotton

Slowly the Earth lowered to the ground and a masked figure in white robes was revealed. As the mask itself was lowered the man of the moment, Brian Mc Farlane was exposed.

This signaled the narration of the story of the Earth and I was amazed that Mc Farlane had no script yet recited the story verbatim, accompanied by acoustics from a rapso band. Earth 2008 is a very deep, moving and touching presentation that is also globally relevant according to Mc Farlane. The band comprises of 18 sections, 13 of which are adults representing the Cries of Despair. Teaming up with reigning Children’s Band of the Year, Rosalind Gabriel, 5 children’s sections will portray the Wings of Hope marrying two genres of mas on the streets of Port of Spain.

On Monday masqueraders will be given staffs, yards of brown cotton and mud to wear; mud of the earth from where we all came and where we will one day return, the effect would be very much like the Earth characters that slowly revealed the sketches of each section from beneath the muddied cloth:

As Mc Farlane spoke his passion for the environment was made clear with each section of the Cries of Despair depicting the rape of the land and sea, Mc Farlane adding an anecdote to drive the point home. All is not lost as the Wings of Hope bring a New Dawn showing the Passion of Humanity and Paradise Reborn.

The skies grew threateningly darker as Mc Farlane's story came to an end, we were all then invited to take a closer look at the costumes as the mud people remained in character; solemn, silent and writhing.

Lots of little nibbles such as cassava sticks, mini coconut bake and the cutest cups of corn soup appeared as we milled around taking photographs, some partaking of the open bar as well.


Before I knew it however, the skies opened and the rain POURED! There is nothing more intimate than several strangers huddling under a shelter and the conversations flowed as freely as the rum punch. When the rains eventually stopped it signaled my departure, and a seemingly fitting end to the story of the day as the Hills were cleansed with a washing.

FOR PHOTOS FROM MC FARLANE's LAUNCH CLICK HERE

Mc Farlane's Website is up!

Following the media launch of "Earth - Cries of Despair, Wings of Hope" yesterday Mc Farlane's website was up and ready for registration at the the stroke of midnight.

In keeping with the theme of preservation the website is also hosted by a "Green" company"

We are proud to be web-hosted by one of the world’s leading Green Companies, who makes a strong commitment to help fight pollution and preserve our natural resources. Our web-host is the first and only 100% completely solar powered hosting company that does not use energy credits. As a result, they actively contribute to eliminating the production of thousands of pounds of Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, Sulfur Dioxide (acid rain) per year. The Company follows the Green Philosophy in everything from its building construction to its technology.