Congratulations to our Blingtastic Blogtastic Sweepstakes Contest #4 Winner

The winner of Trinidad Carnival Diary's Trinidad Events Sweepstakes is :

Andre Jevan Nanan 

Congratulations! You have won TWO  Trinidad Events Pan Lime Packages!

Winner selected by
 http://www.random.org/

Kirk Thomas Carnival Makeup Giveaway

Here is ONE of the ways you can win a FREE makeup application by Kirk Thomas for Carnival Monday, you can also win the same prize as part of the Trinidad Carnival Diary Blingtastic Blogtastic Sweepstakes in the coming weeks, stay tuned for it but in the mean time enter the first contest as per the instructions in the video below! To see the Carnival Collection looks check out the Facebook Fanpage Makeup Artistry by Kirk Thomas.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KIRK-THOMAS-MAKEUP-ARTISTRY/57188897348

The Word Presents Genesis I - Creation Costumes

Hi all we have relocated next to Fatima College we are just across the bridge.

62 Warren Street, Mucurapo Main Road.

We are open from 9.00am to 9.00pm daily.

Come and register in your section. We are all inclusive.

Bring a group of 10 and get 10% discount on your costume.

Call us at 868-331-0300 or visit us on our website http://www.thewordcarnival.com/, http://www.trinidadandtobagocarnival.blogspot.com/

Living Creatures (Animals)

Dry Land

Vault of Heaven

Light

Water

Lights in Firmament

Living Creatures (Birds)

Vegetation (seeds)

Living Creatures (fish)

Darkness

DesignsByNJL Black and White Collection

DesignsByNJL is a New York based jewelry designer who has created a Black and White Collection of accessories. An avid mas player and devout Mac Farlane masquerader, Natalie of DesignsByNJL created these handmade one of a kind pieces to complement costumes from Brian Mac Farlane's Humanity Circle of Life.

If you are interested in viewing or purchasing  any of the pieces,  DesignsByNJL will be based at Brian Mac Farlane's Mas Camp at 49 Rosalino Street Woodbrook starting Friday February 26 everyday from 4pm-8pm. For more information you can also check out DesignsByNJL on Facebook.

Guess how many Limes to WIN!

A 360 degrees view of the Lime Display that is presently in the Hyatt Regency Trinidad Lobby. The person who guesses the exact amount of limes in the display or comes closest to the amount without exceeding it will win something very special! ( I heard it's tickets to the Lime Fete!)

You can submit your guesses at the Hyatt  Regency Trinidad OR on Facebook at the Lime's Official Fanpage!

Bringing You Up To Speed In February

Today marks exactly one month before Carnival Tuesday! And SO much has been going on let me bring you up to speed!

HARTS is now officially SOLD OUT, and that includes the surprise section "Sailor" that they launched on the website very recently.

Spice has finally decided to update their website to reflect their SOLD OUT Sections,Vines of Syrah, Tuscany Female, Peruvian Splendor FL and Male, Haute Couture FL and Male SOLD OUT! 

Despite rumours that The Word Presents Genesis I ( aka the Catholic Band) is SOLD OUT, I have been informed that there is still room in most of the sections. Also a new section has been added for the differently abled and elderly on the Garden of Eden Float! For more information check out their new website     http://www.thewordcarnival.com/index.html 

Machel Montano shot the video to his Road March contender on Saturday and he even had a micro stage constructed  at the Savannah to lend some authenticity o the whole experience, some behind the scenes video from the shoot was released by the Machel Montano channel on youtube.com:

And if you enjoyed looking at THAT stage here is a shot of the real one under construction... fingers cross it is ready by next Saturday!

Finally masqueraders and band leaders may have the cloud of a proposed Costume Tax hanging over our heads as we all wonder what this means for costume prices next year. Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Winston "Gypsy" Peters as reported by the Trinidad Express today has this to say .

Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Winston "Gypsy" Peters will seek Cabinet approval to increase taxes on all imported Carnival costumes that are made in other countries in time for Carnival 2012.

Speaking at the launch of the People's Band at the foyer of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) yesterday Peters made clear his intention to preserve the culture by taking steps to deter the importing of Carnival costumes.

"I intend to put a screeching halt to the fact that we are importing most of our mas from India and China. As of next year there will be an enormous amount of tax for any costume coming into this country assembled. We do not want Trinidad and Tobago to be an importer of Carnival, we want to be exporters of Carnival," he said.

Peters said he did not want the local masmakers to suffer because of those bands which chose to import ready-made costumes and therefore the tariff on imported materials for the making of costumes locally would be decreased.

SOURCE
 http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Tax_hike_coming-115533929.html

I will reserve further comment least I spoil the excitement I have over Carnival 2011 and await further details on this proposed "tax". But, feel free to leave your comments on the Minister's idea.

Trinidad Carnival Diary Blingtastic Blogtastic Sweepstakes Contest # 4

ONE lucky winner will win TWO All Inclusive PAN  SEMIS LIME PACKAGES for you and a friend courtesy

  Trinidad Events!

http://www.facebook.com/trinidadevents

http://www.trinidadevents.com/

Your all inclusive package contains:

*************

Jerseys. We are going with Pink in support of Breast Cancer awareness

Trinidad Events Souvenir cup

Lunch

Snacks

Lollies to dip in your rum/scotch/tequilla

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

Scotch,Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Baileys, beers,smirnoff, soft drinks,

Wrist band for security and identification purposes

Security will be present

Rhythm Section

Give-aways (surprise surprise)

**Does not include cost of pan ticket**

To enter answer the question:
 Which band placed second in Trinidad and Tobago Panorama Finals 2009 (large band category)
email your answers to trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com 
with the subject 


TRINIDAD EVENTS.

Contest Rules:
1. One entry per contestant
2.Contestant Must Be 18 Years and older and provide valid I.D.to collect the prize.
3.Prize is non transferable
4. Entry must include full name, email address, telephone number and the answer.
5 Pan Package does NOT include the cost of your pan ticket.
6. Pan Lime is for Panorama Semi Finals on Sunday February 20th, North Stand Queens Park Savannah.
7. Registration for Pan Packages must be completed by Friday February 11, 2011
8. Contest Closes on Tuesday February 8 ,2011at 6:00PM
9. Winner will be selected by random.org
10.Winner will be announced on www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com on Wednesday February 9,2011

DJ Private Ryan Dirty Dozen Promo Mix 2

The Dirty Dozen Promo mix part 2 is now available for download. This should hold all soca lovers over until Soca Brainwash 2011 which may just launch this week. Features J'ouvert songs from yesteryear along with some of the latest soca hits.

Part 1 of this mix is located in January 2010 on the Podcast page.

To register or get information about this band check www.dirtydozenjouvert.com

TO DOWNLOAD

Go to www.djprivateryan.libsyn.com

Right click the direct download link located under the graphic

Select Save As/Save Target As/Download Linked File depending on your browser.

TO STREAM
Left click the direct download link

Presenting Shank The Unlikely Soca Star!

So I got this email from "Shank" who, by his own description is "a new soca artist out of Brooklyn, NY...not Trini, not West Indian and in appearance a rather unlikely soca star." Shank's first single is called "Right From Wrong" and is a his own style of "soca fusion". Making his official Soca Debut right here on Trinidad Carnival Diary, I present to you, Shank:

By the way Shank, I think I know exactly who you are, but we will keep it a secret between us for now! If you want to know more about Shank, or just happen to like his music or are just curious check him out on facebook HERE.

The Budget Friendly Fete List Part 4

Some new events to add to the list and you can always check out The Budget Friendly Fete List Parts 1, 2 and 3 for more fetes that are nice to your pocket. Click on the flyers below for more information:

All Inclusive - $400.00TT

All Inclusive - $500.00TT

Tickets now on sale - Combo tix for Blue Flame & Blue Range Cooler Fete on Carnival Friday also available. 

Please note that tickets are NOT available at TRIBE Mas Camp. TRIBE Carnival. 

This is a Red Ants fete not a TRIBE Fete. 

Tickets available from Red Ants Committee Blue Range Association or Blue Range residents

All Inclusive - $450.00TT

All Inclusive - $400.00TT

Date: Carnival Friday 4th March, 2011
Boat: PIER 1’s luxurious – PROWLER, Chaguaramas, T&T
Time: 2pm – 6pm (boarding from 1pm)
DJs: High Fidelity (T&T), DJ Dane (T&T), Soca Sweetness (T.O.) & Dr.Jay (T.O.)
Host: Eman
Tickets: $400TT (All-Inclusive) with PREMIUM BAR
(ft. Johnny Walker Blue & Black, etc…) LIMITED - only 200 tickets available!!!

Tickets/Info:
Bryce @ 416.985.8488
Colin @ 647.838.1625 or 735.2171 (T&T)
Jason (T&T) @ 681.4848
Brendan Clement (T&T) @ 687.6871
Lesley-Ann (Miami) @ 1.954.298.3381
Daryl (in T&T) @ 741.3292
Collin MacFarlane (Miami) @ 1.954.673.5734

Breakfast and Drinks Inclusive - $350.00TT

Congratulations to our Blingtastic Blogtastic Sweepstakes Contest # 3 Winner

The winner of Trinidad Carnival Diary's Carnival Basics Sweepstakes is :

Akilah Seecharan

Congratulations! You have a pair of Baby Phat  boots from Carnival Basics

Winner selected by
 http://www.random.org/

Carnival Or Bust Samba Girl Vs The Chicago Blizzard!

Hola from the Windy City-Chicago,

I LOVE your blog and find alot inspiration here in my quest to share the beauty of Carnival to Chicagoans. The funds to get to Carnival didn't come in like I wanted. So sadly, I will not be coming to Carnival yet another year. BOO HOO! Being mad mad mad, I decided to create my own stage to jump up on during the Chicago Blizzard that just pasted. We can dream, can we? Yes, my wonderful Trini friend, Tony Pacheco, said this was maddness, but sometimes we have to take advantage of moments in life and live outside of the box to show our love. This is to rep my love for Carnival and although I may not get there this year, I will surely be there in spirit. I say take a laugh on me and share my experience with your devotees and your beautiful island of Trinidad. I'll get there one day!

http://www.chicaribenadesigns.com/
http://www.ccd-chicago.com/

North and Grand Stands Update

So I paid a visit to the Queens Park Savannah yesterday to view for myself how the construction of the Grand and North Stands are coming along, especially since it is supposed to be ready for Panorama Semi Finals in the next 14 days! I don't know but I just cannot fathom how this is going to be finished on time! AND the stage also needs to be built! Let's hope they are working around the clock to pull it off! 

Back of the Grand Stand when entering the Savannah 

North Stand

Grand  Stand

Where is the stage?

Launch of The People's Band

“Mas For All” aptly sums up D’ Peoples’ Band.

The brainchild of the Hon. Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, Winston Peters, D’ Peoples’ Band will be launched at the foyer of the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Frederick Street, Port of Spain, on Monday 07th February 2011 at 11:00 am.

Since the idea was conceptualized, a Committee chaired by Errol Peru was established and has been working to make it a reality.

The only criterion given by the Minister is that the revelers wear costumes made in Trinidad & Tobago.

According to Mr. Peters: “One of the Ministry’s plans is to bring out a ‘people’s band’ where music will be provided and anybody could bring their costume and come”.

He added “Anyone interested can play mas in the band. The only requirement is that one wears some form of costume.

“I want the people to be creative. There will be no restrictions, no sections. This will encourage the return of traditional mas and I’m hoping people will pull out those antique costumes they have stored away, clean them off and come play mas.”

D’ Peoples’ Band is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism and the National Carnival Commission.

At the media launch on Monday which will be attended by the Hon. Minister, Officials of the National Carnival Commission and other stakeholders, plans for the most anticipated Carnival band will be revealed.

Bling Bling Bras!

These are custom Monday Wear creations by designer Akin Ross that he has branded "Bling Bling Bras"! I just love how the Divas are going all out for Monday!

Spice - Vines of Syrah 

Bliss - Caprica

Y.U.M.A. - Cancer

Trinidad Carnival Diary Blingtastic Blogtastic Sweepstakes Contest # 3

ONE Lucky winner will win a pair of boots From Carnival Basics! 

http://carnivalbasics.webs.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carnival-Basics/147637121567

Correctly identify the brand of boots in the photo below and  you can win it!  

Win these boots!!!!

Send your answer to trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com with the subject Carnival Basics to enter the sweepstakes!

Sweepstakes Rules:
1. One entry per contestant
2. Entry must include full name, email address and telephone number.
3. Collection of boots will be at the Wee International Mas Camp 30 Avenue Woodbrook.
4. Contest Closes on Saturday  February 5, 2011 at 6:00PM
5. Winner will be announced on www.trinidadcarnival.com on Sunday February 6,2011

Congratulations to our Blingtastic Blogtastic Sweepstakes Contest #2 Winner

The winner of Trinidad Carnival Diary's Carnival KIcks Sweepstakes is :

Mariella Maraj

Congratulations! You have won your choice of footwear from Carnival Kicks ( valued up to $35.00US)

Winner selected by
 http://www.random.org/

Celebrities on Twitter... Who is Coming for Trinidad Carnival?

So Idris Elba confirmed on twitter that he will be coming to Trinidad for Carnival, one day after Hyatt Regency Trinidad confirmed Idris as well as Hosea Chanchez aka Malik Wright and Wendy Raquel Robinson as guests at their Ultimate Lime Fete on March 2. One question, why the "ooooooooooh noooooooo" exclamation Idris?

Aaron Fresh also used to twitter to let his fans know that he will be at Trinidad Carnival with Machel Montano... if you are like me and wondered who is Aaron Fresh well, I was told he is a Trini who is like the "Black Justin Beiber, just not that famous". Ok then! Check out Aaron Fresh's video's here and here.

Women This Warning Is For You, Beware at Fetes!

There is a very important warning in today's PULSE column in the Trinidad Guardian from Peter Ray Blood; please take heed of the near abduction and possible rape of a young lady who attended an all inclusive fete last week. Don't let all inclusive fetes lull you into a false sense of security, ladies be on guard at ALL events!

click for large view

Friday Limes ....

The cooler lime is the most popular lime this season, even Mac Farlane is getting into the fray! Click on the flyer for more details:

At this Friday's Cooler Lime, the launch of Mac Farlane Carnival's theme song for Carnival 2011! 

BLACK & WHITE created and performed by Blaxx and Tony Prescott!

THIS FRIDAY 4TH FEB COME DONG to The Launch of

THE ALBUM - Re Evolution Time - Everytihng must change Everything in a timin'

THE VIDEO - Run The Riddem/I AM

THE 3CANAL SHOW - Re Evolution Time - Here comes the MLF*

3CANAL JOUVAY - I AM the Re Evolution - Power to the People

SHOWTIME 10:00PM!!!

Adm $40.

Also Gems Mas will be hosting a Friday after work lime at its Show Room down stairs in the Well Pub, Capital Plaza Frederick Street POS from 7pm.