Harts "50" Costume Review

Only 23 of the 25 sections of "50"were on show last night, I double checked my photos against the actual sections displayed and still came up with just 23 as shown below:

Was This Greece/ Before 2000

Tribes/ Wild Thing

Total Recall/50

The Unknown/ Superstitions

The Etruscans/ Voyage B.C.

Polynesia/ Faces of Places

Persian Empire/ Mesopotamia B.C.

Out of This World/ The Realm

Oriental Fantasy/Utopia

On Stage/ Tribute to Broadway
\

Mexico/The Mayans

Mas Sweet Mas/ American Indian

Lights, Camera Action/

Adventures of the High Seas

Life in the Waters/ Earth Crisis

Lets Make Waves/ Whe Whe

Inferno/Witches Brew

Happy Hour/ Life Helluva Time

Come Leh We Dance/

Reflection of My Childhood Days

Colorsion/ Islands in the Sun

Butterflies and Moths/

Time for a Tale

Brazilian Fiesta/Latin Fire

Anthony & Cleopatra/ The Strip

A Medieval Dream/

Flag Wavers of Sienna

Each section is named after two of Harts presentations, including one for 50 which is among my favorites. I like that there are mostly pretty strong male costumes in Harts for the most part, the men have several options here for a real costume. I also like that the bras for most of the female sections look finished and very well beaded/embellished.

Harts used lots of different materials on their costumes this year, very little of the traditional beading that has become synonmous with Harts (oh how I loved those heavy swishy beads!). You can see the diverse beading on sections such as Anthony and Cleopatra, Mexico and Brazilian Fiesta:

Ok so on to my favorite costumes:

Total Recal/50

I love the photo of Wendy Fitzwilliams in this costume, the brown/bronze with a pop of blue looked stunning on her and she sold this costume for me. The headpiece is gorgeous, my favorite aspect of the costume.

Tribes/Wild Things

I like this costume because of the mix of white and brown, not a combination that is seen in mas costumes ordinarily. I noticed that several of Harts costumes use a type of intricate beading that looks as if it is done in a factory as opposed to by hand; this section is one of those. The effect is one of a completely decorated costume, no skimping on beads on the bra especially for this costume. I like the headpiece as well and the male costume is channeling an African vibe, I like it!

Brazilian Fiesta/Latin Fire

At the launch I noticed a collar option for this costume that is not pictured. I like that this costume used gems for embellishment on the bra and belt and I also like that the headpiece uses the dyed pheasant feathers, especially for the yellow.

Mas Sweet Mas/ American Indian

I love this Indian Mas costume, LOVE it! Harts has done Indian time and time again however I especially love this one with the bustle and the beading on the bra and belt. I also love the color options, fuchsia pink and teal are my picks. This male will be the first to sell out I am sure.

Mexico/The Mayans

I really like this section for the wooden beads used on the costume, it looks interesting and different as there is nothing sparkly or "bling". Love the headpieces and the colors, even though they may be a bit repetitious.... pink, yellow, teal.. all used in other sections as well.

Oriental Fantasy/ Utopia

I love the shade of green of this costume; love the headpiece though the gold projection to the top reminds me of a Christmas tree ornament. The shape of the headpiece and the peacock feathers are what I love most.

On Stage/ Tribute to Broadway

I like this one because it LOOKS like a showgirl costume, with the boa backpack as well as I am partial to the all female section in Harts because that was the section I always chose when I played with the band. The all female section was the "It" section back in my day, especially given the fact that they always had the showiest of costumes, closest thing to a frontline in Harts! This one is nice, not too spectacular, traditional Harts costume with the big feather headpiece and beads that they do so well.

Life in The Waters/Earth Crisis

There are several things I do not really love on this costume, the monokini for one looks great on Gabrielle Walcott in the photo, and will quite possibly look great on other masqueraders as well but this is a section that has to be chosen wisely to look as good on the right body; you know how I feel about a monokini! I also think the arm pieces look a little "Mulberry-ish" but arm pieces aside I am loving the color on this costume and the beading on the black sheer monokini; this is how it is done to avoid looking like lingerie!

The sections I think are ok/nice/cute but not really a WOW are:

Butterflies and Moths/Time for a Tale

Not partial to this shade of pink, however it is a well decorated costume, I think the arm pieces with the butterfly wing effect is cute.

Polynesia/Faces of Places

Really, really loving the male costume on this one, the female is pretty standard, nothing exceptional.

The Etruscans/ Voyage B.C.

Strong male costume of course, Harts always does a Roman type male costume very well. Overall a nice costume for the female as well, I like it just not the color so much; this one does not have as much impact as some of the other sections.

Happy Hour/ Life Helluva Time

Nice basic costume but again, nothing outstanding.

Persian Empire/ Mesopotamia

I am liking the headpiece, like the male not feeling the color...again, you know how I feel about burgundy!

Out of This World/ The Realm

I like the body of this costume, not feeling the shape or style of the headpiece though I will give that the style is something unique to this Carnival season.. still do not like it!

Come Leh We Dance/ Reflections of My Childhood

Pastel colors and a barely there costume with small headpiece; this is the section to appeal to the very young of the band!

Lets Make Waves/Whe Whe

While I am loving the idea of sailor mas for the men and the female costumes are cute, it looks a little more like a Monday mas option than Tuesday. Personally not enough decoration for me, but I can see it appealing to those who want a simple, unfussy costume and it is really cool to play mas in pants, no worrying about tights!

And my least favorite costumes:

A Medieval Dream/Flag Wavers of Sienna

This looks like a retro costume with the plaited headband and all that velvet, maybe it is meant to hearken back to renaissance days however I am not liking it at all.

Anthony and Cleopatra/ The Strip

I think the body wear for Cleopatra is interesting however that headpiece is not working AT ALL for me; it is clunky and unappealing. Major disappointment in this costume because the Egyptian theme could have been done so well!

Colorison/ Islands in the Sun

I do not find the pattern of this costume particularly attractive and the beads on the bra look as if it was added as an afterthought. The male costume headpiece is rather juvenile!

The Unknown/Superstitions

Maybe this costume is supposed to represent magic, mysticism or wizardry with all the black and gold and I do like the bustier/corset options offered however I just don't like the decoration of the bra OR the use of black velvet. Not to mention the lamé cape is just a little too tacky.

Light Camera Action/Adventures of the High Seas

Well, this costume certainly fits the theme; it looks like Pirates of the Caribbean! Pretty funky male costume, I can see some guys loving it. The female costume is sort of Halloween cheesy though, complete with the "dreads" on the hat. This will look cute just not a Carnival costume for me.

Inferno/Witches Brew

Another costume that does not go the bikini and beads route, I applaud Harts for trying something different at least with the long and short pant options. I simply do not like it for me, don't like the red satin, don't like the black and red headpiece or the little devil horns that come with the wig!

Was This Greece/Before 2000

Again, like the male costume but I cannot help but compare this female with Greece from Spice, especially since the monokini is cut in the same style. This is a much simpler Greece and unfortunately not one that that I find particularly interesting.

Harts Photos

Check out THIS link for lots of photos of Harts Carnival 2010 presentation "50".

Post Crash Update

So, seems like the glitch in the system is being worked on and so far these are the sections that reopened online:

Serica - Male & Female

Silkof Rajasthan - Male & Female

Habotai - Male & Female

Tyrian Purple- Male &Female

Eri - Male & Female

Mulberry - Male & Female

Xi Ling Shi - Male

From TRIBE's Website:

Online registration will resume at 6:30pm (local time) TODAY.

Online registration - Sat 15th - 6:30pm - 7:30pm (subject to availability)

Online registration - Sun 16th - 6:30pm - 7:30pm (subject to availability).

There will be no in-house registration on Sun 16th.

TRIBE Registration Update

Why does this remind me of registration in 2005?

Dear Masquerader,

We have had thousands of hits in the first few minutes of registration, many of these being simultaneous registration attempts in certains sections. This has resulted in these sections being oversubscribed.

We are presently adjusting the allocations while also making the technical changes to the system to prevent a similar occurence.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience at this time.

In-House registration is now closed. Please check the website at 6pm today for further online registration information.

TRIBE Management

Well last I checked only Threads of Morocco Male was showing as available online, but who knows what will happen after the"duplicate" processing have been updated. Hopefully online registration will resume with secitons open, though I really am getting a De Ja Vu of 2005.. after the counting TRIBE was sold out!

I paitently await news at 6PM!

TRIBE Sold Out Sections 2010

Ok so coming from TRIBE's twitter this piece of information:

Registration has been temporarily disabled both online and in house.

That was 28 minutes ago and so far these are the sections showing sold out online:

TRIBE Registration 2010

Another year, another set of early birds who made it to Cascadia for that ONE costume that they are taking no chances of getting. The young lady who was first in line last year has kept the title, once again arriving before sun up!

Unfortunately the person who spent the night at Cascadia did not make it down in time to secure the number one spot (she got number 9) but enjoyed the slides nonetheless as others patiently await the start of registration in about half an hour.

TRIBE staff got to the venue at 8:30AM, ready to issue numbers though one enterprising masquerader was already distributing a makeshift numbering system to ensure that no one jumped their turn! The top choices among those polled are Charmeuse and Zari, a few want Mystery of Loulan and Tyrian Purple, but those former two sections are the ones most in demand.

Surprisingly this year the crowd did not arrive very early, after 9AM a few trickled in, as always surprised that there were others before them, however more people started arriving as it got closer to 11AM.

The system this year is as usual, numbers drawn and then registration takes places in another room, the venue has changed to the ballroom as opposed to the conference room but TRIBE is super organized as always when it comes to registration, just check out the photos below.

Good luck to all those waiting online and those at Cascadia, hope all of you get your costume of choice!

Harts Sneak Peek.....

Here is a sneak peek of Harts "50" to wet your appetite....24 more sections to be revealed tonight!

Oriental Fantasy/Utopia

www.hartscarnival.com

ISLANDpeople Mas Launches ‘Kutchela’

Mail from Island People Mas:

ISLANDpeople Mas is creating quite a buzz around town with curiosity set on high alert about the upcoming launch of our c2k10 presentation ‘Kutchela’. “Ching ku-ching ching ching,” is a sound bite of what our trend-setting team here at ISLAND people Mas has in store for you on this, our fifth mas offering.

The launch of Kutchela is a celebration for our band members, supporters and party people like you, that is scheduled for Friday 21st August at 9:00 pm. The launch will see Harts-Cut Chaguaramas (a re-designed Anchorage) transformed into a crown palace called ‘The Taj’ where free drinks will flow all night long for you to enjoy.

Partnering with ISLANDpeople Mas to make our band launch possible are Bmobile, Johnny Walker, Stag, Blue Waters, Paramount Transport and Tropical Power.

Band members can purchase your specially discounted tickets to this free drinks experience at the Mas Camp, Stone Street, Port of Spain while other carnival lovers can purchase tickets at IF House (cor. Murray and Tragarete Road Woodbrook). For further info phone: 625-1FUN (1386) or 628-WISH (9474).

See you there!!!

Cotinga Part Deux

Since TRIBE never put up photos showing what the back of Charmeuse looks like, and it is a very popular section at the moment, much like Spangled Cotinga was last year, let me show you all what the back looks like:

Isn't it curious how TRIBE never shows the backs of the costumes that are VERY skimpy, like the 6 beads of Spangled Cotinga waist band or 2010's Mystery of Loulan,Charmeuse and Threads of Morocco?

And if you want to see JUST how skimpy Charmeuse is in action, take a look at this video of TRIBE's launch in N.Y. HERE.

You have been duly warned that all your ass is basically outside in Charmeuse as there is nothing covering your underwear. And if you take the regular small headpiece option there isn't even the illusion of fabric covering your butt as with the larger headpiece!

Now, hopefully there will be no surprised masqueraders come collection in February.

PHOTO SOURCE:

Trinidad & Tobago Carnival Costume Photos

VIDEO:

www.ivybez.com

"50" for Carnival 2010

I have my tickets in hand for Harts band launch on Saturday August 15 which takes place at the Country Club and I am so ready to see more costumes!

For Carnival 2010 the theme of Harts is "50" celebrating their 50 years of being involved in the history of mas in Trinidad and Tobago.

The launch will showcase 25 sections representing Harts' portrayals over the 50 years, and I was told to expect some surprises from sections that hearken back to the days of 1972! Of course we can also count on Harts for their signature brand of costume, lots of beads, feathers but I am most looking forward to how they costumes of yesteryear are represented in 2010.

For more information on Harts Band Launch log on to www.hartscarnival.com.

Pissed off at Pre Registration Rumors

Another year , another unhappy masquerader venting about the rumored pre-registration going on at TRIBE:

Dear Saucy,

I’m a big fan of your site and check you for updates almost every day. I know that you have stated on your site that you play in Tribe and have been playing with them for some time, hence the reason I’m taking the chance to write to you to air a BIG grievance that I have as a LOYAL Tribe supporter!

Why is it that being after supporting the band for SIX years now with my hard earned money (one in thousands mind you but still hard cold cash) that I cannot get into a section of my choice. This is the 2nd year that I have to put up with this pre-registration crap that Tribe is continuing to perpetrate.

They claim to want to improve their service to their TLC members but do not think to even send out pre-registration notices to those that have supported them for the last 6 years. That before anything else would be a cost effective and easy way to reciprocate their appreciation in an effective manner. But no they continue to allow committee members & external section leaders to pre-register their friends and others before those that contribute to their profits. They are registering people that have now started to play in Tribe sometimes zero or one year!!!

I am really saddened that this is the route they continue to take and feel sorry for other masqueraders who wait for Sat Aug 15 to do the right thing and maybe have to regulate to their 3 or 4th choice. It is unfair & I hope that those in charge remember that trinis are very fickle and will one day soon, get tired of the frustrations of registering in their “favourite” band!

S.A.

Dear S.A.,
while I empathize with your dilemma I can only say that if I had a section in a popular band and space was allocated to me to pre-register my family, friends and supporters I would do it too; that is the truth.

I can also say that the rumours of pr- registration have been going on for WAY before the past two years and it allegedlly occurs in ALL bands as well.

Inspite of this, I personally have always gotten the costume I wanted. While it may be frustrating to you, I hope you noted that TRIBE's infoblast did state that ALL SECTONS WILL BE AVAILABLE for registration.

Good luck on Saturday, hope you do get your first choice!

p.s. if registering online I suggest having ALL the information required (as per the infoblast) typed up in a word document so you can just CUT and PASTE into the form instead of typing. It would also do you well to register yourself first, friends can wait until later, and have a second and third choice. If you are going to Cascadia, remember the early bird catches the worm!

Spice Registration Aftermath

At the close of registration for Spice, well maybe that should be after the start of registration for Spice one section option is showing out of stock online and that is China - Warrior:

Some random thoughts/observations about Spice online system:

*User information from last year is not accepted, so how does Spice know who is a new masquerader or not?

*Prices listed on the website are in US dollars and at the mas camp in TT dollars, there seems to be a discrepancy in the exchange rate so it works out cheaper when purchasing at the mas camp.

*Prices are EXACTLY what was posted on the blog last week, with the exception of the male costumes , Rubies of Mumbai Frontline and Greece Backline which were nominally reduced.

*Online registration continues all day/night and not in tandem with the mas camp hours, so it puts those online at an advantage over those registering at the mas camp.

*Sizes are pre loaded and pre ordered so what is out of stock online in your size cannot be requested. There is no option to type in your size for the belt in inches.

*Several sections are already out of larger sizes, wonders how many were actually pe ordered?

*There is no size chart on the website so no knowledge of what S,L,XL, etc means in terms of belt size.

*The largest frontline costume goes to 36C (I was also told this when called the mas camp).

*Nothing on the website indicates that if your size is not listed that you should call the mas camp for more information.

*The shoulder pieces for Thailand Frontline and Backpack for Moroccan Heat are not shown.

*New masqueraders are able to register online even though it is supposed to be for past masqueraders only.

TRIBE 2010 - Important Registration Information

VERY IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION!

Please read ALL information below carefully.

click for large view

TRIBE LOYALTY CARD (TLC) REGISTRATION:

• In-House TLC registration: Masqueraders MUST present the physical card. Each person will be allowed to register a maximum of four (4) TLC holders, including themselves. ALL TLCs and IDs (or copies of IDs) must be presented.

• Online TLC registration: Your four (4) digit TLC code and username will be required. Online registration is valid and complete only when accompanied by an online credit card payment.

*It has been brought to our attention that TLC holders have been ‘selling’ their cards and/or use of their cards. TRIBE reserves the right to cancel any TLC for inappropriate use.

Please Note: Online Registration is NOT 24hrs a day. It coincides with In-House registration hours which are local times. (Check times above).

Important Advisory: When costume registration begins for TLC holders, please be assured that ALL SECTIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE. As usual there are independent inventories for online and in-house registrants.

We recognize that there is an increased demand for costumes this year and while we would like to accommodate everyone in their preferred section, we recommend that masqueraders have more than one choice, as each section has a fixed quota.

2009 MASQUERADER REGISTRATION:

• In-House registration: Masqueraders must walk with picture ID. Each person will be allowed to register a maximum of four (4) 2009 masqueraders, including themselves. ALL IDs (or copies of IDs) must be presented.

• Online registration: Your username and password will be required.

• 2009 masqueraders who have forgotten/misplaced their username and password can request them via e-mail by Friday 14th August by 4:00pm. Send e-mail requests to sales@carnivaltribe.com with subject "MAS UP 2009".

MINIMUM DOWN PAYMENT:

Floor Member - $1500 TT or $250 USD
Frontline - $3000 TT or $500 USD

MEASUREMENTS/SIZES REQUIRED TO REGISTER:

FEMALE:
Hipband (Belt) Size in Inches
Bathing Suit Type ( Bikini , Whole piece, Tankini)
Bra Size (34B, 36C, 38DDD, etc)
Bikini Bottom Piece Type (Regular, Thong, Hot Shorts, Tankini-cut)
Bikini Bottom Size (XS, S, M, L, XL)

MALE:
Waist Size (34”, 36”, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Carnival costumes are custom-made items therefore please be advised that once registration is complete there will be:

• NO exchange or switching of sections.
• NO refund of deposit.
• NO changing of measurements or sizes

REGISTRATION HOTLINES:
For queries and questions during registration, please call our registration hotlines

(868) 390-2081 or (868)323-3450

These hotlines are active during registration hours ONLY.

Spice's website is up!

So after a long delay the website is up, with some minor glitches, and apart from the fact that it is somewhat laborious to get to the section/costume you want to view by clicking so many options (click Catalog...click Sections..click Caspian Sea.. Click Male or Female or Frontline...) I think it HILARIOUS that none of the frontline costumes offer bra sizes past 32D. The backline costumes however go up to 38DDD and 40DD.

I think the website is cool, loved the intro, just wished it was a bit user friendly, at least they have back shots of all the costumes!

TRIBE Secret of Silk Prices

The Mystery of Loulan
Floor Member TT$3,750 (US$625)
Frontline TT$5,350 (US$892)
Male TT$2,950 (US$492)

Charmeuse
Floor Member TT$3,795 (US$633)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$200 (US$33)
Frontline TT$5,995 (US$999.)
Male TT$2,895 (US$483)

Eri
Floor Member TT$3,550 (US$592)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$300 (US$50)
Frontline TT$5,950 (US$992)
Male TT$2,775 (US$463)

Xi Ling Shi
Floor Member TT$3,695 (US$616)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$295 (US$49)
Frontline TT$5,495 (US$916)
Male TT$2,875 (US$479)

Habotai
Floor Member TT$3,575 (US$596)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$300 (US$50)
Frontline TT$5,975 (US$996)
Male TT$2,825 (US$471)

Lapis Lazuli
Floor Member TT$3,725 (US$621)
Frontline TT$4,250 (US$708)
Male TT$2,695 (US$449)

Mulberry
Floor Member TT$3,650 (US$608)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$275 (US$46)
Frontline TT$5,600 (US$933)
Male TT$2,795 (US$466)

Osage
Floor Member TT$3,625 (US$604)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$285 (US$48)
Frontline TT$4,295 (US$716)
Male TT$2,875 (US$479)

Serica
Floor Member TT$3,499 (US$583)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$200 (US$33)
Male TT$2,750 (US$458)

Silk of Rajasthan
Floor Member TT$3,550 (US$592)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$300 (US$50)
Male TT$2,795 (US$466)

Threads of Morocco
Floor Member TT$3,550 (US$592)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add TT$350 (US$58)
Floor Member (with Wings) Add TT$400 (US$67)
Frontline TT$5,250 (US$875)
Male TT$2,950 (US$492)

Tyrian Purple
Floor Member TT$3,575 (US$596)
Floor Member (Large Headpiece) Add $295 (US$49)
Frontline TT$5,595 (US$933)
Male TT$2,850 (US$475)

Zari
Floor Member TT$3,725 (US$621)
Frontline TT$4,795 (US$799)
Frontline (with Back-pack) TT$5,950 (US$992)
Male TT$2,850 (US$475)

Following on Spice's mas camp opening and publishing of their prices it was no surprise that TRIBE released theirs in the wee hours of this morning. Now, I have to tell you the Backline Babes who want the bigger headpiece and Males got shafted this year!

The cheapest floor costume is Serica (small headpiece) at $3499.00 and ALL the female floor options with the exception of Mystery of Loulan, Zari and Lapis Lazuli come with a small headpiece. Price wise, including the large headpiece those three sections all come in a couple hundred under $4000.00 while if you add the large headpiece option for the other sections you are looking at a BACKLINE costume clocking $100.00, or less, shy of $4000.00; that is $600.00 less than my frontline costume for the past two years. As for the male (with the most underwhelming male costumes in years) you also have the most expensive costumes, Loulan is just $50.00 shy of $3000.00!

Frontline prices however surprised me, this is the year to be frontline because you might as well "upgrade" from babe in that teeny headpiece; Osage Frontline is only $385.00 more than backline! Best bang for your buck frontlines are Mystery of Loulan, Xi Ling Shi, Threads of Morocco, Tyrian Purple and Mulberry as I really thought those would be priced more somehow, especially owing to demand!

So, what are your thoughts on the prices?

Spice Mas Camp Visit

Many of you were wondering if the prices I posted last week were official or not. So, here are the "official" prices in TT dollars:

Ratnapura
5395.00 FL
3495.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Rome
5095.00 FL
3495.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Rubies of Mumbai
5595.00 FL
3595.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Caspian Sea
5595.00 FL
3595.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Gates of Petra
4995.00 FL
3495.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Venice
4895.00 FL
3495.00 Regular
2550.00 Male

Greece
5995.00 FL
3695.00 Regular
2750.00 Male

Moroccan Heat
5295.00 FL
3595.00 Regular
2750.00 Male

China
4295.00 Dragon
3795.00 Princess
3395.00 Warrior
2550.00 Male

Wings of Isis
5895.00 FL
3795.00 Regular
2750.00 Male

Adulis
3795.00 Female
2750.00 Male

Thailand
5695.00 FL
3695.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Ceylon Pearls is a special section, catering to 75 persons and available upon request. There is a scaled down option for Ceylon Pearls with a smaller headpiece, strapless bra and a regular waist band (pictured below).

This section will be the premiere leading the band, and offering butler service for drinks, buffet style lunch under air conditioned tents and lots of other VIP extras. Ceylon Pearls will also feature a float. Contact the mas camp if you are interested in being in Ceylon Pearls as it is on a first come, first served basis and will not be open for registration on the website.

The sections that will offer a fully decorated corset , at an additional cost of $500.00TT, are Rubies of Mumbai, Caspian Sea, Gates of Petra, Greece, Thailand and Ratnapura.

On second look I have to say my top two costumes are still Wings of Isis which is SO detailed, the entire bra is AB crystals and the headpiece on the regular costume is just gorgeous and Thailand, that regular costume is also very well done with attention paid to every little portion of the costume, I especially like the chain mail falling from the waist band.

Rome, Ratnapura and Gates of Petra are still on my list of least favourites. Rome's bra is beaded with beads that are darker than the feathers, it looks like a dark currant while the feathers on the headpiece are burgundy. I think this will work well on some complexions and not others. I changed my mind on Moroccan Heat, it is lovely in person and is a combination of salmon, orange and gold, which gives nice contrast and looks much better than the night of the launch.

All in all, I like the new space, it is larger than the old showroom and you can get a view of most costumes displayed on mannequins very nicely. For photos from Spice Mas Camp check out the album below:

The Spice Route Close Ups

Tribe Launch NYC Review

Saucy I am an avid reader of you blog and had something to contribute. I'm way to lazy to keep up a blog of my own so I'll give you my review of the Tribe band launching.

I arrived at the venue at exactly 6pm. No line to get in and since I prepaid for my tickets all I had to go was give my name show my receipt and hubby and I were in.
The venue is an extremely well known upscale club called M2. It's know for big time house music parties and bottle service. I was very very impressed that the promoters were able to secure such a venue in New York

The launching was supposed to start at 6pm but of course it didn't start until about 8pm I believe. I think they did that so people would come on time. The launch was held in the main part of the club. Extremely high ceilings, plush couches and they even opened up the 2nd floor. They packed that place out! It was like it was a regular club night.

Anyway Back to Basics kept the crowd going with some nice music not to rowdy at first but a slow build. Good mix of classic favorites and road mixes.

Finally it came time for the launch. Now M2 is know for having aerial performers. All of a sudden there were two gymnast girls holding floor to ceiling pieces of cloth. As someone narrated the two women did a performance climbing up the long pieces of cloth (50 feet high) and doing acrobatic feats using them. It was very nice.

After that was done as an intro the show started. A few things to note. One, about 8 of the costumes were there, no frontlines and no males. The sections that were there were Charmeuse, Xi Ling, Habotai, Ossage, Lapis Lazuli (yuck), Mulberry, Tyrian Purple and Zari. Models to note Ms. Word Trinidad Gabrielle Walcott was the model for Osage and Camille from America's Next Top model was modeling a section I can't remember. The models did a great job showing the costumes. One or two you could tell thought it was a fashion show and were striking awkward poses. I had a decent spot hear the VIP and was elevated so my vantage point was good.

After seeing the costumes in person my favorite is now Osage, Mulberry and Habotai. The headpiece for Habotai was sparkling like crazy I didn't even notice the chopsticks and tassels. They added some sort of cape wings on Osage that was very pretty. After each model did her thing they all came out in a group and dances around the stage.

Then it was all over. Now I thought there would be some registration that night but I was told there was none. I actually had cash on hand just in case but I didn't see anyone lining up to register. I did see some familiar Tribe faces (cute Cabral sisters) and should have inquired directly with them but decided against it since I don't know what my crew is doing yet.

All in all a great evening. I left around 8:30 and the party was just really getting started. I hope Tribe does this again next year and does some registration, frontlines and male costumes as well. Those were the only things missing from a fun filled evening.

LP

Spice Registration Begins Today

Coming three weeks after their band launch, Spice mas camp opens today for registration of past masqueraders from 12 noon to 8Pm. The new mas camp is located on the corner of Robert and Rosalino Streets. Check out Afro Chic's blog for a photo of the location with the boat out front.

The website is also due to go live today, truth be told I was expecting the website to be up and running already to give potential masqueraders a preview of costumes AND prices, especially since the down payment information has not been made available. As far as I know the down payment is $1500.00TT on frontline costumes and $1000.00TT on regular costumes.

And when it comes to prices seems like people's call for lower prices was heeded, expect an adjustment of the prices by approximately $50.00US less than the prices I published last week, I am guessing costumes will start at around $3200.00TT, of course wait for the "official" prices from the mas camp/website for confirmation.

Look out for post Spice Mas Camp visit photos later day, hopefully with some very good close up shots for you guys.

Follow me on TWITTER for updates from Spice mas camp from 12noon

"D" Harvard Boys Clowns In TnT

For all those complaining about high costume prices, recession and space on the road for all your feathers and bling here is a band that is All Inclusive and the total costume prices is LESS than the downpayment on a costume in the big bands:

"D" Harvard Boys present "Clowns in TnT" for Trinidad Carnival 2010. All costumes are $995.00TT, the price includes lunch, sandwiches, rum, beer, vodka, scotch, bottled and coconut water as well as chasers.

Best of all the website is already up and running for registration. The mas camp is located at THE HARVARD CLUB,106 Tragarete Road.

Fire Silk Extinguished!

Well I got the news hot off the press yesterday, that we should all say R.I.P. Fire Silk as it has gone the way of Flamingo of 2009, and today it is confirmed; missing from TRIBE's website is Fire Silk:

Fire Silk has been scrapped, afterall it did have the least amount of votes on my poll! It was between this and Habotai, personally I think they made the better choice. Hopefully this means more room in the band for other in demand sections. So, who is going to miss Fire Silk?