Evolution fails to tempt with Temptations.....

Evolution kicked off the Trinidad Carnival 2009 band launch season last night with their presentation “Temptations” at Club Zen. After that showing of costumes Evolution need not have rushed to earn distinction of launching first as the costumes need much more work to compete with the caliber of other costumes I have seen for 2009 thus far!

I am still in shock as to what the designers behind Evolution were thinking putting together these 16 sections; with the exception of a few costumes that are fairly decent, the rest are a blur of tinseled, garishly decorated, stingily beaded, horribly matched colours!! The white costume inexplicably has a tuft of feathers sticking out the butt not to mention one section saw life LAST YEAR at Caribana as “Lion Tamers”; they replicated the exact same costume! This is a huge, huge disappointment following Evolution’s 2008 debut which saw some very attractive costume offerings; the hopes of masqueraders expecting even more spectacular costumes for 2009 have been trampled upon by the new crop of designers.

Regrettably I do not have the names of the sections as curiously there were no booklets being distributed up until the time I left. The costumes I like are the very first section on stage led by Shenelle (the emerald green one) and also the third section on stage (the blue with black.). From there the costumes got progressively worse in design until I saw that last section and words failed me.

Tell me, are you Tempted???

please click on any of the photos for a larger view:

Carnival Nationz Lion Tamers,
Caribana 2007

Maybe Curtis needs to take a page from Caribana, again, and go back to the drawing board, making some changes like what was done with "Treasure Island"; however please do not confuse Trinidad's Carnival with Caribana (where these costumes would fit in nicely actually) Evolution is playing with the big guns now, this is no time for small time mas!

Happy 4th of July!

To all those in the U.S. of A!

Miss USA Crystle Stewart during the National Costume Show.
Contestants will compete in the Miss Universe pageant held in Nha Trang, Vietnam on 14 July 2008

Get on the bus!!!

Seems like the latest promotion vehicle for new mas bands in Trinidad these days is the "bar hopping party bus"! From my recollection the first time I heard of bus limes specifically geared to Carnival bands is the Red Ants Bus Lime, which has been ongoing for the past 5 years. Since two ex -Red Ants committee members are now with Elements possibly the idea for the bus lime migrated over to this new band which has been setting tongues wagging with their inebriated cliquish melanin challenged all girls party bus!

No press is worst that BAD press, so in spite of the many critics of this seemingly pointless and tasteless form of promotion/advertising another band has now jumped on the bus band wagon. Kaotic is having a bus lime tonight!!!

To all KAOTIC Crew. We going on a bus ride, bar hopping and eventually to PRIVE on Friday 4th July from 7:00pm. We are meeting at St. John's where there will be secured parking and we moving to Crow Bar, etc. Call Wendell @ 340-5534, Junior @ 684-2290.

Well, at least Kaotic is extending an open invitation to their bus lime!

Anyway, the Elements' girls will also be hitting up club Prive tomorrow July 5th so all signs point to the South land for the new bands this weekend.... "we going down San Fernando down dey have plenty tempo!"

SOURCE:
KAOTIC

ELEMENTS

EDITED TO ADD:
"RED ANTS" is not affiliated with Elements, the committee is still intact (minus two "Red Hoes" who are now with Elements) with Dean Ackin and Dwayne Nobrega still on board as two of the major directors.Sorry for any confusion this may have caused to parties involved lol.

TRIBE news!

So, last night I was channel surfing and what should I happen upon but Dean Ackin and Danielle Boucad on Synergy Nights Live. They were interviewed for about five minutes and the following information was revealed:

* The first screening for the Face of Tribe brought over 200 potential models, with a record number of males turning out.

* There will be several fresh, new faces as models this year.

* The Model(s) chosen as the Face of TRIBE will be the band’s Ambassador for the next year.

* Three female faces (1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners) will be chosen as the Face(s) of TRIBE with one male Face of TRIBE and these models only will be exclusive to TRIBE.

* A second screening was held at the mas camp where 50 to 60 models were called back and the Face of TRIBE will be revealed next week

*To celebrate the fifth anniversary of TRIBE the band masqueraders can expect lots of surprises on the road as the theme is a “rolling road party” (no details were revealed as to what surprises to expect!)

*The band WILL be decreased in size for 2009; this is to create a more “intimate experience” for masqueraders.

* On a side note, TRIBE’s sister company “Ultimate Events” (event management) managed the recently concluded Antigua Music Festival, handling the layout and décor.

Myst Website Updated...

The newest mas band to hit Antigua Carnival, albeit the costumes are not new to a Carnival this year, has updated their website! Here is a little bit about Myst:

ABOUT US

Myst Carnival is Antigua’s newest all inclusive party band. Myst Carnival delivers a priceless experience where the costume is complimentary and what you pay for is the ultimate, ultra, all inclusive carnival experience.

The experience is a mix of:

* Hyped Entertainment
* Premium Drink & Food Bar
* The real All Inclusive
* Beautiful People
* Sexy & Stylish Costumes
* Superior Service
* On time delivery of costumes
* Tons of Giveaways
* Monday wear
* Myst Events – Fetes; Afterwork Limes; Mas camp lime; Costume Pick-up Lime
* The experience is not limited to Monday and Tuesday! The experience is a 3 month one! It begins tonight and ends 30 August.
* Memories to Last a life time
* Exclusivity. Quality over quantity. 500 persons only
* Bragging Rights “I am a mystic” “I played with the only real ultra exclusive All inclusive Band in Antigua”
* Myst Membership which entitles you to first right of refusal in subsequent years

Myst Carnival consists of 7 zones and 500 masqueraders. Its mas camp, the Myst Mansion is located on Factory Road.
We are an intrepid band of mas players eager to excite and entertain…

That description of Myst sounds awfully familiar! Remember when TRIBE used to use as their slogan that the costume was complimentary? Looks like the costumes are not only what is recycled from Trinidad!

Spice Scotch Bonnet

Someone got hold of a camera and sneaked some pics!!! Not the best quality and you can barely make out the details, but message to the person who took these shots, when you "snag" some pics do not send out a mass email on facebook as they will end up here:

Scotch Bonnet

Scotch Bonnet

SOURCE:www.facebook.com

Question and Answer With Band Leader

1.Do bands:
A) Sell unsold costumes to carnivals overseas

Yes it happens from time to time.

or
B) Agree to make more than needed to supply their Trini band and the overseas band

Sometimes, yes this is also done.

If the answer is A: why do you have leftover costumes? Shouldn't they be made to order by masqueraders?

The reason for left over costumes is, you cannot wait for a section to sell out before you order the material needed to make it. In fact these materials are mostly ordered before a costume is sold. Carnival goods need to be ordered early so hopefully your stock will be here in Trinidad no later than October to start producing, Most importantly avoid the back log of Christmas cargo that always slows down the clearing of goods And here is one of the main reasons that investing in carnival is risky. Most times you make costumes based on past knowledge of what your`clients like, and what average sizes they order.So if you misjudge, you end up with extra costumes.

If the answer is B: is this compromise worth it? Is the money it brings in worth annoying Trini masqueraders? How can designers justify it artistically when their costume is sold with a different section name and theme? Isn't it against the whole spirit and tradition of mas?

Most times foreign band owners who may buy costumes from certain local carnival bands may request a section used that same year in Trinidad.. Also it is not always the same people that own the local bands, own the foreign ones, but it maybe a franchise. In any event I agree that on the surface, it seems unfair, but as any manufacture will tell you, it cost less per unit to produce any item the more you make all at once. In other words if I made 200 costumes each would cost less, than if I made only 25. Foreign Carnival bands are small and most times struggling to survive. There just are not that many numbers to make it really profitable. So sometimes we make extra costumes, or sell extra ones during our carnival season, so as to promote our brand in another country. Remember a lot of these people who live and play abroad ,will come to Trinidad to also play mas.. Do not be confused you are not paying for, or aiding financially in anyway, foreign costumes. Costumes are priced and paid for on a per unit basis, (labor & material) and it would not make any business sense having one pay for the other . Each must stand on it's own profit.

2.why is it so difficult for new masqueraders to register with a band when costumes are already sold out to people who have already played with the band in previous years?

I think you sort of answered your own question .There are only so many costumes that can be produced in the time frame of carnival.Therefore it is only logical that you reward your loyal masqueraders who have been with you for years with first choice. This does not work out so hot for first timers.But there are lots of bands out there to try, and would welcome the first timer with open arms.

3.As costumes continue to get skimpier, why does the cost continue to go up?

Actually bathing suit costumes are expensive because they are quite labor intensive.Costumes with lost of cloth are for the most part done in sewing factories. while lets say with bra tops, each cup is covered and braided individually. In addition, every year the cost of materials, labor ,duties and shipping jump tremendously, these cost are always passed on to the consumer.But for quick reference here are some prices on average that items cost. grade 1 36' pheasant tails $100 USD for one, Ostrich Plumes $48 USD, bugle beads and assorted braids can cost $30 USD per yard on average. then add shipping , duties and VAT. Government gives no concessions to carnival bands.THATS SUPPORTING YOUR CULTURE!!!!!

4.Does the bandleader or some sort of music committee have any say as to what type of music is played on the road by the DJ? I thought the idea was to keep the masquerader hyped and excited on the road, but at times it seems that the same songs are being played over and over creating a very boring experience (not referring to crossing the stage). There are so many soca artists as well as soca songs and it frustrates me to no end to have to jump to the same tunes over and over. It's also very frustrating to hear a classic being played only to have it abruptly interrupted and another song start playing.

I know exactly what you mean. I suggest you complain to the bandleaders as well as the D.J.'s . As a band leader I hire a dj for their expertise, and don't like micro managing everything. But I have also expressed to the dls complaints from masqueraders, I must admit.it's sometimes hard to please everyone. But a dj is on a truck, and should be able form that vantage point, to see the crowd response, and use that to measure how well he is doing.. You should recommend a dj to the band leaders. I know I would certainly entertain your suggestions. Maybe Saucy should let you all vote for your favorite dj and say why you like them.

5.A few disgruntled committee members of a particular big band who is about to celebrate their 5th anniversary next year told me that they were asked to sign contracts stating that they must promote their tribe only (hint) and nothing else. These committee members from this existing big band are very unhappy especially since the band does not pay them a salary and has no rights to restrict them. Some of these committee members have now left the band and the word is that much more are to follow. This comes to my question: Should a band have the right to RESTRICT their committee members from selling tickets for other parties even though there are no conflicting dates. Keep in mind that these committee members are also committee members for other promotional groups.

I don't have a problem with committee members supporting other parties, but not rival carnival bands or band launchings. This would defeat the purpose of having a committee in the first place. That being said, the Carnival band must compensate their members adequately to reward their loyalty. So in the end you have to decide what is fair for you, remember in business there will always be compromise. Look for the compromise you can live with.

p.s. the question re: bringing a band from the "small islander" was answered directly by the band leader via email.

Keep the questions coming, next Monday!

Evolution launches this Friday...

This Friday is the official band launch for Evolutions presentation for 2009....Temptations, this Friday at the Zen Nightclub Keate Street Port-of-Spain.

The presentation begins promptly at 11:00pm, be there early ladies complimentary till 11:00pm.

So this friday u know where you have to be at the Zen Nightclub for the official launch of Evolution Mas Band's presentation for 2009...Temptations.

See you There

And does anyone know where to get a ticket? This was the same issue I had with Evolution's launch last year, the fact that it is held in Zen on an "ordinary" party night. Even though my friend eventually got my name on a "list" of some sort to go to Zen for the band launch I did not go due to reasons I cannot recollect at this time.

The problem for me with showing up on a "ordinary" party night, mind you on the last school day of the term, is having to line up outside Zen with the throngs of teeny-boppers who see no issue with waiting HOURS to get into a club and all trying to beat the 11 o clock deadline for "ladies first". And while some people might know someone to get their name on a list what about others that do not have the hookup? I have NEVER been to Zen outside of a specific event that I was attending and had tickets or an invite to, since I have no desire to stand up outside anyone's club for entry nor do I have any desire to pay "premium" for "V.I.P." access, sorry. Does Evolution even say what the cost of this launch will be? What price should one expect to pay when they show up at Zen.

Now, having a ticket would make life easier right? Pulse 8 has done it for both their band launches at Zen, where the sole objective of going to Zen was for Pulse 8's launch. I just don't see the reason for having the band launch in the midst of a regular party; what sense does that make when you have persons interested in seeing costumes and persons interested in just partying trying to get into the same venue? I already dislike Zen as a location for a band launch as getting proper photographs of the costumes is a nightmare in addition to the fact that the space is just TOO SMALL. Thinking about having to line up outside the club on Friday is NOT endearing me to the idea of being at the first band launch of the season at all. I am afraid I just might be skipping this one!