The Show Must Go On- Machel Opens For Beyonce

Fete promoters must be seething at the latest announcement that Machel Montano, currently taking a hiatus from Carnival 2010, will be the opening act for the Beyonce "I Am" concert on February 18th.

Confirmed in a press conference with TSTT executive vice-president of mobile services Lisa Agard and the soca superstar, all plans for the concert are going full steam ahead despite the controversy and protests that have arisen since the announcement of the fact that TSTT is the sponsor of the concert. Machel Montano will have an hour long opening set while Beyonce is scheduled to perform for 90 minutes.

Other rumours of Beyonce participating in Trinidad's Carnival was also put to rest as Lisa Agard also stated that Beyonce will not be in Trinidad during Carnival Monday and Tuesday as she is scheduled to perform in Peru on Tuesday night.

Interesting developments, especially since Liz Montano denied that Machel was hired for Beyonce, five days ago. Lets see how many people are going to boycott Carnival  fetes to attend Beyonce with this latest development!

Natasha's Professional Makeup & Aesthetician Services

Today's featured makeup artist, Natasha's Professional Makeup & Aesthetician services:

Airbrushing

Makeup only carnival monday is $150.00TT

Makeup Only on carnival Tuesday $275.00 TT

Makeup and Eyelashes or Jewels only $300.00TT

the works on Tuesday is $375.00 TT ,
(eyelashes, design ,jewels, glitter)

Gems $45.00 TT ,eyelashes ,$45.00TT ,

makeup and eyelashes for sale also

Located in ST James

Contact: natashamakeupforyou@yahoo.ca or Facebook Group.

Mc Farlane's Crew RE'JOUVERT

Here is something new coming from the crew working at Brian Mc Farlane's Mas Camp; a j'ouvert band called "Re-Jouvert" and their Carnival 2010 presentation "Re J'Ouvert-Nation":

There is little information on where the mas camp is located and how to get in contact with the band leaders, however you can check out their Facebook Group if interested.

Carnival Makeup by Dixie Ann John

Today's featured makeup artist is Dixie Ann John who is providing airbrush services as well as Carnival Makeup:

Full Airbrush Makeup Application - TT$300
(This includes eyelashes, airbrush design and jewels/glitter)

Airbrush Application without eyelashes - TT$250
(without airbrush design, other items remain as above)

Airbrush Application without eyelashes - TT$200

Coverage of Stretch Marks - TT$150 and up

Regular Airbrush Makeup for All-Inclusive fetes - TT$250 (do make house calls - travel fee to be included)

Special requests such as mehendi or special designs, please contact  via  website www.dixieannjohn.com or proairbrushmakeup@gmail.com to get final quote.

Note - a light breakfast and beverage station will be available.

Cosmeticon Prime Makeup Services

Today's featured makeup artist is Cosmeticon Prime with makeup looks for Carnival, here are some shots from her updated portfolio:

Carnival 2K10 Services Price List:

For the benefit of clients who need makeup services performed for parties, fetes and other events, at Home makeup services are being offered from mid-January to Carnival Sunday night. Clients who are unable to meet appointments on Carnival Monday and Tuesday mornings and wish to have their makeup services performed at home (Carnival Sunday night or Carnival Monday night) will also receive a 'Carnival Pack', this would include: Jewels, Adhesive and adhesive remover and fix-it spray. Any Carnival Pak can be customized to meet the clients' needs. At Home services for events can be made by appointment for the Carnival Season beginng mid-January - February 2010, cost based on nature of service requested.

Eye Lashes : TT$50 per person (Basic Lashes) - TT$125 and up per person (Premium Lashes).

Stretch Mark Cover: TT$150 and up

Full Makeup application (including all the above services) TT$350 and up.

Face Makeup only TT$250
* All makeup services are airbrush*

Carnival Monday and Tuesday Services include: Airbrush makeup, Jewels, Body glitter, Basic False Eye Lash Application. Stretch mark and scar cover available at an additional cost to Basic services, and only by prior notification when making initial appointment.

Airbrush makeup for both days : $375

Airbrush makeup for 1 day $225.

All applications include, jewels, glitter and eye lash application.

There will be Custom/Premium Eye Lashes available for an additional cost e.g. colored and metallic, the lashes included with the eye lash application will be basic lashes.

To contact Cosmeticon Prime:www.cosmeticonprime.com or check out the Facebook Group.

*Please note, if you are a makeup artist with availabilty for Carnival and would like to be featured send an email with photos of your work as well as what your price and package entails to trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com

All Spice Clearing The Air

With rumours that TRIBE Toronto is the band formerly known as All Spice and that Curtis Eustace is somehow involved comes a press release from All Spice informing everyone where their affiliations lie for Caribana 2010. Imagine Trinidad Carnival is not even over, and the Caribana bacchanal has started already!

NEW YEAR NEW BEGINNINGS

THE ALL SPICE family hopes that everyone and their families had a bright and prosperous 2009 and wishes the best for 2010.

We would like to thank each and every one of you for sharing your 2009 Mas experience with us and look forward to the forthcoming years. As the All Spice family grows, we continue to enhance our relationship with you, fostered on trust and open communication. On this premise we wish to update you on some exciting news.

The All Spice team (excluding Mr. Andre de Freitas) has merged together with the well renowned Saldenah Mas K Club to bring you 2 Exclusive sections in the band for the upcoming Soctiabank’s Caribana Festival. Others to follow include - but are not limited to: Soca Vibes, Tiptronik, Huey Flex and Jugglers from Trinidad & Tobago (Mr. Barry Perryman). We would like to extend a warm thanks to the Saldenah Mas camp for giving us the opportunity to join the organization as we look forward to a picture perfect 2010 Caribana!

This year {in May}, Saldenah launches with the theme of “Portraits” and although they say ‘pictures are worth a thousand words’, we promise All Spice’s two special sections: Portraits of Indonesia & Portraits of India, are guaranteed to leave you speechless. With the brilliant and vibrant designs of Mr. Darly Cox, the same individual who hand crafted our beautiful line-up for 2009, will yet again capture your eyes with a glistening array of explosive colours as we paint a new legacy into 2010.

The All Spice team extends their best to you and your families and hopes to see you at the band launch.

Again many thanks for your continued support, dedication and loyalty to All Spice Mas family.

Warmest Regards,

Curtis Eustace, Godfrey Wickham

Rodney Minguel, Daryl Cox (Boston)

Fall In With Fall Out

 FALL OUT ((Friends Are Long Lasting) takes place on Tuesday February 9th at Santa Margarita, St Augustine, tickets cost  $425.00TT.

Always good to see new options for fetes in the East! Check out the flyer below and Facebook Event for more details:

click for larger view

Makeup By Risse

Though she is fully booked for Carnival, today's featured makeup artist, Makeup By Risse (Cherisse Amoroso) is sharing her looks for TRIBE's Zari:

Zari Floor Member

Zari Frontline

Cherisse does makeup and eyelash application for every occasion but has intimated that it is her desire to see women have their makeup done professionally for fetes as it is her belief that makeup completes the look of perfection from head to toe. Consequently, Make Up By Risse will be offering the option of  fete makeup throughout the Carnival season.

For a view of her portfiolio with even more makeup looks check out the facebook group Makeup By Risse.

Bookings can be made by contacting (868) 468 -3360 or via  email:  risse_makeup@yahoo..com. Cherisse works out of Westmoorings but is also available for house calls upon request.

Photography by Laura Ferreira; www.lauraferreira.com

Beach House 2010

The price has been revealed and confirmed at $750.00TT..I am thinking I might just go this year!

click for larger view

Faces By Ria

Ladies, if you are still looking for a professional Make Up Artist for Carnival there are still a few with spaces available. Try out the new search feature on the blog, powered by google, to get a listing of previous posts done on makeup artists for Carnival. Today I feature Ria Singh of Faces By Ria.

All-inclusive package which includes sandwiches, pastries, fruits, drinks, tea, coffee, makeup, rhinestones to match costume, feathers, lashes (all kinds), artwork on face, free parking, a comfortable & secure venue and ABSOLUTELY NO WAITING!!!

The cost is $375.00 per day OR $700.00 for both days.

A downpayment of $300.00 PER DAY is necessary to secure your spot

Contact: Ria - (868) 680-3933, singh_ria@hotmail.com or visit the website www.facesbyria.com

Carlton Savannah Carnival Rates

Carlton Savannah now has reduced rates for Carnival, no minimum number of nights required for booking, click on the flyers below for more information:

Fete Calender - Updated

Ticket Federations boasts that this is THE most accurate fete calender out, click here to download it from their website:

Caribbean Carnivals - British Airways Commercial (the other version!)

I love it!!!

Carnival Designated Driver

I thought this might be of interest to those of you needing taxi services over the Carnival period:

Carnival Designated Driver

This service is geared towards safely transporting party goers to and from fetes during the carnival season. With the implementation of the breathalyser and the hefty fines associated, this service will be of great value for those who will be drinking at parties.

It's also excellent for those who do not have their own vehicles, or who prefer not to drive.

Below are the standard rates that apply for pick up and drop off (return trip):

4 persons - TT$300

3 persons - TT$250

2 persons - TT$200

1 person - TT$150

Please note that this service is geographically restricted as follows: East up to Trincity; West up to Glencoe; and Central up to Chaguanas.

All bookings must be made at least 72 hours in advance to determine availability, provide directions and discuss any other pertinent information.

Please note that all persons requesting this service will be thoroughly screened for security reasons.

CDD is run by a full-time working professional female driver. She has a clean driving record with no accidents to date

Please email us @ carnivaldesignateddriver@gmail.com to book your service for the upcoming weekend. Or call 1-868-301-7613.

Vale Breakfast Party Is Sold Out

If you were hoping for tickets to The Vale Breakfast Party unless you already have them in hand please note the fete is SOLD OUT and I heard, through unconfirmed sources, that there is a waiting list of 4000 people! So, who got their tickets and who is on the waiting list?

TRIBE Toronto

Guess who is going to Caribana?

Every summer thousands gather to celebrate Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival (CARIBANA) festivities. To no surprise 2010 is shaping up to offer the most illustrious surprise yet. As if the multitude of upcoming festival events was not enough to stir excitement, a long awaited band will be making its first ever appearance down the Lakeshore. The Trinidad Mas band known as TRIBE has announced its grand entrance into the festivities for CARIBANA 2010.

Bringing their inimitable Carnival experience from the streets of Trinidad, TRIBE challenges Toronto to envision a Carnival which redefines the possibilities and offers the unexpected. From prestigious parties, flavorful concerts and luscious costumes, TRIBE has come to reshape the very essence of CARIBANA. Although launch dates have yet to be released, the anticipation is in the air.

Plum Flower Creations Carnival 2010 Collection

I am loving the headbands by Plum Flower Creations as part of the Carnival Collection!

Perfect for Monday or even Tuesday as an additional accessory to your costume.

Check out Plum Flower Creations online or the Plum Flower Facebook Group for more head bands and accessories to match your costume or oufit.

Triniscene Live Feed Back

I must say that I totally enjoyed Triniscene's live coverage of Amnesia last evening. Imagine being able to "go" to a fete, live, whether you are freezing your butt off in Orlando or New York and share that experience witrh friends around the globe. So, do you want more live coverage of events?

Vote in the poll now!

Live Stream of Fetes..
	Not feeling it, live stream sucks
	Feeling it.. bring on more fetes!
	Don't care
pollcode.com free polls

Amnesia Coming To You Live on Triniscene!

Last weekend Triniscene brought you live from TRIBE Ice and d this weekend you can tune in for more live coverage of the fetes as they bring you streaming video from Island People's Amnesia. Check out  Live.triniscene.com at 5:00PM (local time), today January 10th.

 I think this may be the only way some of us would actually be able to afford these fetes!

click for larger view

Spice Up The Sauce!

I had decided not to mention anything about Spice on the blog anymore since their masqueraders are getting all upset over COMMENTS left on the blog by alleged TRIBE supporters (as if there are not comments left  by masqueraders in other bands as well ) however it is getting pretty tiring now that I have to keep repeating myself on their Facebook group to have the entire post deleted by Administrators so I will say this here in response to this new Anti -Saucy -Anti -Spice sentiment:

click for large view

Let me be clear  in my response to "Tisha So Classy Johnson" since me and my blog have been a hot topic of conversation on Spice's Facebook group the past few weeks.

In response to the rumour that Spice has 200 people that was NEVER stated by ME, Saucy Diva aka The Sauce. In the comments section someone who goes under the name "Mas Jumbie" was the first one to bring up Spice registration  figures. I do not know who Mas Jumbie is or what band, if any, they are affiliated with. As with all comments that are posted on this blog for ALL bands once they are not advertising, spamming,derogatory,disrespecting the owner of this website, inflammatory,irrelevant,rude,profane, verbal attacks and/or defaming anyone's character they get equal opportunity to be aired, I do not censor them.

If you, the masquerader/supporter of the band in question are upset by the comments you are free to feel that way , but when ranting and raving about the comments do not get confused and misdirect your accusations that I  am maligning your band and numbers registered.

I think every single band has gotten their bit of spicy fire from The Sauce, including my "beloved" TRIBE who got the worst costume review of Carnival 2010,so if you cannot stand the fire get out of the kitchen! As for the "declining popularity" of this blog; listen Miss Classy, not only has the readership of this blog grown in leaps and bounds, but I get more hits, visits and page views per day than there are masqueraders registered in YOUR band, so marinate on that fact for a while.

If each visitor to Trinidad Carnival Diary yesterday signed up with Spice the band would have been sold out in one day!  It is also amazing to me that this BORING blog could ignite so much  furore over at the Spice group on Facebook! Well, there is nothing like BAD publicity so here is hoping Spice The Band , who by the way have never had anything negative to say about The Sauce, gets something positive from all this misdirected hoopla by their masqueraders and free publicity on The Blog and that  they do reach their targeted number of masqueraders for Carnival 2010!

The Sauce is over and out and will have nothing more to say about this topic!

Sweatproof Your Carnival Makeup

One of the readers of my blog, who plays with Harts and also owns a very successful business designing Competition Suits for body building women called Passion Fruit Designs,sent me this youtube video to share with everyone:

In the tutorial  she tests out her makeup at the gym to see how well it holds up to sweating and I am loving that she is even wearing her Carnival Hair in the video!

Bar Tenders Gone Wild - Monday Night Mas

Monday Night Mas is back on the agenda, after a long haitus, for Carnival 2010 and here is the first band I have seen advertised taking part. It is called Bar Tenders Gone Wild and you can even register online at their website.

click for larger view of flyer

Silent Morning Breakfast Cruise

click for larger view

NYCV and Back 2 Basic Ent. PRESENT

SILENT MORNING TRINIDAD

Carnival Friday Breakfast Boatride

FRIDAY FEB 12TH 2010

TREASURE QUEEN

Pier II, Chaguaramas, Trinidad

BOARDING TIME: 8 AM

SAILING TIME: 9 AM

MUSIC BY:

JUGGLERS

BACK2BASIC

PRIVATE RYAN

$200 TT/ $35 US

Casual and Sexy Attire

COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST SERVED 8 AM- 9 AM

MORE INFO

718 | 496 | 5903

917 | 214 | 3647

868 | 329 | 4302

868 | 785 | 3900

868 | 766 | 8199

868 | 466 | 8132

* Vessel departs promptly. Boarding commences one hour before departure.

* WE reserve the right to refuse admission.

* Each ticket holder is allowed to B.Y.O.B. (bring your own bottle).

*NO Glass Bottles, Metal Cutlery OR Coolers.

Don’t Forget Your Sunglasses...

Spice Sold Out Online

Spicy news from Spice, they are SOLD OUT online:

Hello Spice crew,

The Spice Online Store is now SOLD OUT!!! We would like to thank our international masqueraders for your continued support.

This year we welcome our international Spice crew from The Caribbean, U.S., Canada, England, Australia, Japan, Dubai and New Zealand to mention a few.

If you missed your opportunity to register online, you can still registerby simply contacting our office. For further information, feel free to contact our office @ 1 (868) 222-0475 or email us at admin@spicecarnivalband.com.

See you on the road as we take The Spice Route!!!

The Rich Man's Carnival

When it comes to Carnival I have always been an eternal optimist especially when challenged with criticism that the celebration has become too commercialized and nothing resembling the grass roots celebration borne from slavery. In the face of protests against rising costume prices, allegations of classism, racism and elitism in Carnival I have defended the concept of a place and space for everyone arguing that you can still enjoy mas in a band that meets your budget or choose not to support expensive all inclusive fetes over the non inclusive. However today I am eating my words with a second helping of resignation that Carnival today is no longer everyone's Carnival but the rich man's Carnival after reading on the Trinidad Express that not only have prices for Panorama increased again for another year, but that even the man who is going on the "drag" (track area by the stage) will be charged a fee! The last bastion of freeness, a man being able to actually enjoy our national instrument supporting his band of choice and participating in Carnival is over.

I may be dating myself here by telling you that I remember the days when Panorama Preliminaries was free, that's right, the North Stand was a place where you went for the lime with the people and the Grand Stand was where they charged you to hang out with the bourgeoisie and officials. The year they started charging $20.00TT to enter the North Stand my friends and I developed a strategy to storm (get in for free) and storm we did for the following years until the fence got higher and the price reached $100.00TT; I guess when the President of the country no longer wanted to hang out in the Grand Stand and chose the North Stand instead it became "grand" and we got charged "grand" prices. In the last few years I have watched Panorama prices steadily increase for the preliminaries and semi finals , leading to a whopping $300.00TT entrance fee in 2010 if you choose the North Greens. The paddock stands are $260.00TT and the track will be between $60.00 to $80.00TT. Apparently the track will now boast stands and washrooms so I guess the public has to be charged for these amenities that should have been in place all along.

Going to Panorama Preliminaries will now cost you the price of an all inclusive fete if you choose to patronize one of the popular social outfit's "pan limes" that can run you an extra $250.00 to $400.00TT (excluding the cost of your ticket) to party with the likes of Red Ants, Cesar's Army or Insomniacs. This gets you a t shirt or tank top, drinks, food, snacks, a goody bag and your own rhythm section, depending on the lime, making what was once a bring your cooler and pot of pelau type of event into an all day all inclusive party affair. I have never subscribed to the philosophy of paying for a pan lime because I was never inclined to pay extra for food and drinks at Panorama when my friends and I could walk with our own for MUCH less. I am very much old school in that respect as Panorama for me was more about the pan and the people than about the party, because frankly the true pan lovers are not found in the North Stand.

It makes me feel very jaded that I have to admit the critics were right, it is all about money. I held no illusions on that fact but I still had hope that even the poorest lover of Carnival could still find something to enjoy that did not cost a cent or a television. Carnival 2010 we see no free concerts held in Woodford Square, the end of getting into Panorama free;what will 2011 and 2012 bring? Will they make Jouvert an affair for the Stadium and charge you to enter?And when the Carnival Centre gets built will you have to pay to view mas as well? No more spectator stands on the street? Sounds insane to think this way but  never would I have I believed that the man who sweats over pushing  the pan would be standing  outside the tracks for Panorama, while the rhythm section drowned out the sounds of steel in the exclusive all inclusive stands, and he will not be allowed in without a dollar in his pocket. 13 years ago I would never have thought it and look where we are today... a sobering preview of the future of Carnival in the 21st century and beyond. Carnival has become once again, the rich man's Carnival.

Answers To Your Frequently Asked Questions

As it gets closer to Carnival 2010 many people are finding their way to this blog in search of some bit of information or the other pertaining to their preparations and apart from emails I receive interesting web searches that lead them to the blog. People are looking for information on  "What Should U Bring to Carnival TT" to "What To Expect In Trinidad" to "What to Wear to an All inclusive Fete", all topics covered before and listed under the Carnival Tips and Advice section on the right of the blog. So here is a direct link to some of the more popular answers to your questions.

10 Commandments of a Backline B.A.B.E.

Carnival Check List

Carnival fetes - how to dress for the different types of fetes

Carnival Packing List

Carnival Tights - to wear or not to wear?

Carnival Virgin Survival Guide

Decorating Boots Yourself 1.0.1.

Fete Footwear

Frontline H.O. Commandments

Grooming Tips For Men

Hairstyle and hair care tips

How to Clean and Protect Your Costume

How to Spray Paint Suede Boots

How to water/sweat proof your makeup

How to waterproof costume feathers

Makeup tips for Carnival

Mas Footwear

Monday Wear Ideas

New to playing mas, what to expect

Prevention tips from feet blisters and body chafing

Where to buy boots online?

Where to find body glitter?

Image Nation Savannah Party

Though there were some hiccups getting online since the band launch last year,  Image Nation's Carnival 2010 presentation "Savannah Party" can now be viewed on their website.

And I am  happy to see that once again the band is steering away from bikini and beads, wish more bands could also add a diversity and mix to the Carnival landscape.

Fete Promoters Worried About Beyonce

With TSTT being one of the biggest sponsors of Trinidad Carnival events and artistes it seems like the Beyonce Concert is causing some strife among Carnival stakeholders even though TSTT is saying that they will continue to support Carnival with millions of dollars in sponsorship. TSTT is a major sponsor of " Kings and Queens preliminaries and semi-finals, Dimanche Gras, Panorama, Champs in Concert, the International Soca Monarch and the Chutney Soca Monarch competitions, bmobile Soca School Tour and carnival band Island People. They also sponsor over 25 fetes and all-inclusive parties which include Trinity College’s Soka in Moka, QRC’s all-inclusive Outta de Blue, Island People’s Amnesia, UWI’s annual all-inclusive, Bacchanal Friday (Bazodee Friday) and the Central Bank all-inclusive."

As reported in today's Trinidad Express (full article HERE):

Don’t bring Beyonce to Trinidad and Tobago now.

That’s the cry of fete and Carnival show promoters as well as panmen and calypsonians who are also calling on TSTT CEO, Roberto Peon, to explain what is the company’s intention towards Carnival 2010 and beyond in light of the concert featuring the American R&B singer immediately after Carnival on Thursday, February 18.

The concerned parties are today delivering a petition to Peon requesting a meeting with him signed by among others, promoter Frank Martineau, mas bandleaders Big Mike Antoine and Ronnie MacIntosh, Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation general secretary Lutalo ’Brother Resistance’ Masimba and former CEO of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation, Gregory Fernandes, who is spearheading the move to secure the sitdown......

’We have nothing against Beyonce. We are just saying that it is insensitive to bring her at this time. It will affect all Carnival stakeholders because you know it’s not just a case of people forgoing fetes and shows to buy tickets. What about those who depend on Carnival to earn income? No patrons at events or no events mean that all service providers are out of a dollar.

Now, I do not know about the general public and how they feel about the massive amount of money TSTT has always doled out to support Carnival but fete promoters especially ticked me off with their complaints about the Beyonce concert especially when I see fetes listed under TSTT Sponsorship that have raised their prices for Carnival 2010. Is TSTT to be the ONLY sponsor of all these fetes  every single year for Carnival, and untop of that fete promoters want to jack up the prices as well? I am still wondering why the price increase for so many fetes when they no longer have to pay HD price for the HD band as Machel is taking a backseat this year. As we say in  Trinidad, "they well boldface!" worrying about their cash cow getting milked. Where are the other corporate sponsors?

One point of view is that tax payers' dollars are being used for the 10 million dollar concert as the Government has a 51% share holding in TSTT. As a tax payer I want to know why my tax dollars are being used to sponsor all inclusive fetes! I have no problem with the sponsorship of Bmobile School Tours or Dimanche Gras or even Panorama as the Government already puts a lot of money into these events that do not turn a profit, however if you want to argue about spending tax payers' money also argue when fete promoters and band leaders are sitting pretty after Carnival driving their new Benz courtesy TSTT.

Maybe people would NOT be inclined to buy tickets to Beyonce's concert or might be able to afford both the ticket and fete tickets if the prices of fetes were not so expensive! I for one never even considered the Beyonce Concert as an event I would attend BUT as per my post yesterday I have been thinking of which fetes would make the list this year. The other thing fete promoters fail to realize is that a great percentage of Trinidadians do not play mas or even participate in feteing for Carnival, so there is a market for the concert that will not even cut into the market of Carnival enthusiasts.  Instead of complaining about a concert that will go on, fete promotes should take the sponsorship money they are getting from TSTT and try to keep their fetes affordable for the persons who do participate in Carnival. A more worthwhile protest for me would be against the the prices of fetes... one can dream right?!

This Is Not a Fete in Here, This Is Madness!

Never before have the prices of fetes been such an issue among my group of feteing friends, so much so that they are putting limits on how many and which fetes they are attending for Carnival 2010.The major concern is being able to afford the fetes, playing mas and surviving post Carnival as all inclusive ticket prices for fetes seem to be within the $500.00-$700.00TT range as a norm, not an exception! Non inclusive fetes are now being thought about as the middle ground option, as ticket prices for these events, such as TRIBE ICE and Wicked in White seem to be the only affordable fetes for fete goers.

I will admit that when it comes to Carnival fetes I am not the type that has to go to every event, every weekend, as long as I am playing mas if I go to three fetes for the season I go to plenty, and I tend to prefer going to fetes later in the season as Carnival nears. When I was younger my Carnival week line up kicked off with Jamboree, followed by Eyes Wide Shut, then Bacchanal Wednesday, Trini Posse/Insomnia and Mania to top it off. All non inclusive events that did not break the pocket. I would go to one or two all inclusives in January, and of course Panorama Prelims was a must. As I got older I became more selective with my fetes choosing more all inclusives over the line up on Carnival week, example Beach House was now added to the agenda.

For Carnival 2010 however I have now decided that I am only going to possibly two fetes, one in January and one in February, Panorama Prelims/Semis not withstanding. The fact is that it would be unconscionable to think of just how much money I will be spending to afford two costumes, all the extra accessories as well as fete tickets multiplied by two; as much as I love Carnival it is not going to make me broke come March and lots of my friends have expressed the same sentiment.

With those of you landing Carnival week the sentiment might be different, as a visitor and Carnival being a vacation of sorts you want to do as much as possible in the limited time you are spending on the island. This is the reason that fete prices will go up for the "must attend" events and scalpers make a mint even though when  you go to every single fete Carnival week you basically see the same people and hear the same bands perform the same routine!

So, simple question to all of those planning your fete schedule; are the fete ticket prices affecting which events you plan on attending? How many fetes for sure you will be going to this season and if you could only pick ONE fete to go to which would it be?

For the record not all fete prices have gone up for 2010, St Francois All Inclusive is actually less than last year at $375.00TT,Old Hilarians All Inclusive is the same 2009 price at $650.00TT, as well as  AWOL (which is now being called Zante) kept their price at $425.00TT. For all inclusive fetes under $500.00TT, Blue Range All Inclusive is $400.00TT, Yorke is $475.00TT and Love Up The Arts $475.00TT.