TRIBE Las Lap 2012

TRIBE Las Lap Cooler Fete!

Ltd. Adv. $200s available from committee members.

No glass bottles allowed | Designate before you celebrate

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Aeron Kalloo 737-4077 | Brendon Clement 687-6871 | Cherrise Alexander 756-6865 | Chike Philip 460-2965 | Danielle Boucaud 682-9766 | David McCartney 469-7707 | Dexter McShine740-6088 | Gabriel Telfer 360-0873 | Gillian de Freitas 758-7477 | Greer Iton 465-6618 | James Phillips 683-0822 | Jamie Aqui 753-5154 | Jason Mollineaux 744-8195 | Joel Lynch 678-6172 | Kandace Price 689-6087 | Kearlene Crosby 758-5022 | Kendal Latchman 361-2447 | Kendall Sharpe 680-9456 | Kevin Homer 687-0501 | Kimberly Ella-Tang 755-0428 | Kristi-Anne Chin 682-8835 | Mark Deane 740-2551 | Marvin Carmino 770-8315 | Nicholas Patrick 781-7781 | Quelita Pierre 795-9896 | Rebecca Elias 313-2006 | Rhiannon Pemberton 685-3656 | Rian Ramrattan 714-4309 | Ryan Henrique 744-2257 | Tara Koon How 469-2329 | Zikomo Townsend 720-1732

Boots by Daryl Review - The Runway Frontline: TRIBE

 I heard about “Designing Daryl” from various persons who have used his services over the years (including reviews on Trinidad Carnival Diary).  Last year, I decided to engage his services to decorate my boots for the section “Persian Gold” in TRIBE’s Warrior theme.  Daryl and I emailed back and forth to determine my style and to ensure that his ideas meshed with my vision of how I wanted to look.  

Although we kept in touch over the months, due to a situation beyond my control, I was unable to play mas and had to sell my costume.  The plan was that Daryl would decorate the boots when he came to Trinidad a few days before carnival. When I emailed him informing him that I would no longer need to have the boots decorated, he was very gracious and understanding.  I thanked him for the time he had spent collaborating with me and assured him that I would be contacting him for Carnival 2012.

For Carnival 2012, I contacted Daryl quite late.  He responded right away and agreed to work within my budget to decorate my boots.  My budget was clearly much smaller than he was accustomed to working with and he indicated such.  I agreed to go to Samaroo’s to choose the covering material and Daryl gave me very specific instructions on what to look for.

When he arrived in Trinidad a few days before carnival, I dropped my boots and material for him and two days later they were ready.  I was a bit apprehensive because my budget was small (the budget was actually not small but certainly small compared to what Daryl usually charges for his services).  As I drove to collect the boots I worried that he would have just covered them and use one or two gems to finish off.

I was pleased, happy and ecstatic when I collected my boots.  The foot pieces for The Runway Frontline were very elaborate so I wanted a pair of boots that would not take attention away from the foot pieces but would stand on their own as a “statement” on Carnival Monday.  The gems were carefully and perfectly placed, the styles of applique used on the rim were extremely tasteful and the boots overall sparkled in the sunlight!

The boots held up amazingly well on both Monday and Tuesday.  In the photos attached, these are the boots AFTER two days of serious prancing on Monday and Tuesday. In all, only about four gems fell off and it’s hard to even tell exactly which parts of the boots they fell off from. 

I received many compliments on the boots and other masquerades wanted to know who decorated them.

I would use Daryl again in a heartbeat.  He is quick to respond and is an amazing designer.

Review of Carnival Divaz's Services

Hi TCD,

Thanks for taking our reviews and posting them!

When I initially signed up for my costume, I couldn’t get register for frontline because they didn’t make the wire bra in my size. So I commissioned Carnival Divaz to get a custom wire bra. I had read glowing reviews on TCD and having spoken to her, she was very sweet. She answered all my questions relatively quickly at the beginning. When she started taking orders, I asked that the wire bra be like the one designed with the frontline to my costume; she gave me an estimate (of which I paid half) and got to work. Within a month or so, she had emailed me to know that she had finished the initial process of the bra and it just needed to be decorated. She sent me a photo and I was excited. I hadn't expected her to work so quickly and was anticipating getting my bra sometime soon.

I got caught up in the whirlwind of Christmas and then realized that about 2 months had passed and I hadn’t heard from CD. I emailed her to find out if the bra was done; she let me know that it would be done in the next week. When it was finally done, she let me know that I could go on Facebook to see the picture. Since she had originally emailed me pics of the bra, I was a bit confused as to why the process had changed. After difficulty finding her, I realized she had created a Facebook group so that customers and friends could see the items she had made for them. I understood the idea of a Facebook group; I just wish more explanation had been given that there is where would be directed. When I saw my wire bra, I wasn’t as excited as I thought I would be. I liked it but it wasn’t the same as the frontline bra to my section. I had people comment to me that I ordered something I didn’t ask for but I still liked her design and didn’t make a big deal of it.

The next step was getting the bra to me. I realized that it would have to be shipped and asked for a shipping estimate. She initially said that I could go find out how much it is; that confused me because, being from another country, I wasn’t able to see the prices or options that she could see. I got back to her and asked if she could set it up and I sent the money. She was okay with that and I sent the shipping price through Paypal. I then waited for my item to be shipped. She said it would happen the next day. The next day came, and I had no correspondence about my item. I emailed her and she said she had forgotten to bring the straps with her to work and would have to mail it the following day. I waited and still didn’t get any correspondence the next day. I waited till the following Tuesday to contact her and she told me she had mailed it out Monday and that I would get a confirmation from the shipping company. I waited several days and still didn’t get a confirmation. When I emailed her again, she finally forwarded me the confirmation. Upon reading it, I saw that the package had been sent out at least 2-3 days after she had said and that the confirmation had been sent to someone else initially. Even if that was by mistake, I feel slightly uncomfortable that a random person had my shipping information and that no explanation was given from CD about it.

When I finally got my package in the 1st week of February, I realized that, although she had included complimentary earrings, there were no straps in the package. I emailed CD and she apologized for it, asked me if I was sure and then said she would bring them down to Trinidad. I was disappointed because part of the shipping holdup was due to the straps and they still had been forgotten. I appreciate the earring s but earrings are not going to hold me up on the road! I couldn’t try on the wire bra without the straps so I ended up having to buy a backup option at a local craft store. When I did get to Trinidad, I was able to meet up with her at her residence; she spent awhile searching for the straps (which I realize was just ribbon) with absolutely NO words or even apologies for our wait.

CD started off good but I felt that getting closer to Carnival, I was disappointed with the correspondence and professionalism. I understand that in running a business of this nature, things will come up but many situations could’ve been avoided had I had proper communication. For example, I know it’s difficult to give me an exact replica of a band’s design; but I would’ve appreciated knowing that beforehand and being given the option to go with her design or not get anything made at all. It was my first time ordering with CD and it will definitely be my last time ordering.

Carnival Magazines

Available at TRIBE Mas Camp and MiniCity, ValPark, Kam's, Long Circular Mall and Piarco Newstand, Piarco Airport.

Available at all newsstands for $10USD • $60TT.

Magazine now available at
Harts Mas Camp
Piarco News Stand
Adam's Bagels
Hi Lo - Maraval
Hi Lo - Deigo Martin
Kappa Drugs - Glencoe
Kappa Drugs - Woodbrook
Peakes
Mini Citi - Valpark
Starlite Drugs
Super Pharm - Westmoorings
Super Pharm - Maraval

Super Pharm - Gulf View

PIARCO NEWS STAND, DOWNTOWN NEWS-VENDORS (HENRY STREET, FREDERICK STREET ), MARITIME ROUNDABOUT, 

BOOKSTORES: (NIGEL KHAN, R.I.K., MOHAMMED), MEDICINE PLUS ( ELLERSLIE PLAZA), PHOTOWORLD (LONG CIRCULAR MALL),

 YOUNG'S PHARMACY ( MARAVAL),

 HI-LO LOCATIONS: (MARAVAL, ST.ANNS, WESTMALL &; GLENCOE )

Glenn Carvalho Theme 2013

Carnival 2013 falls even earlier than Carnival 2012 (11th and 12th of February) and I know several bands are already hard at work on next year's presentations, but the first band to officially put their theme out there is Glenn Carvalho with "Dance Zulu Dance":

Triniscene Carnival Tuesday Galleries Are Up!

Island People 

http://triniscene.com/tsv7/galleries/?page=display&id=GALAB3047

http://triniscene.com/tsv7/galleries/?page=html&id=GAL9E0D7B

YUMA

http://triniscene.com/tsv7/galleries/?page=html&id=GALF9BFD1

http://triniscene.com/tsv7/galleries/?page=display&id=GAL7CB4B8

Bliss

http://triniscene.com/tsv7/galleries/?page=html&id=GALB0D71D

TRIBE

http://triniscene.com/tsv7/galleries/?page=html&id=GAL67E0B9

DJ Private Ryan Post Carnival Relief Mix 2012

FINALLY the cure for Post Carnival Depression is here. Post Carnival Relief is now available at http://djprivateryanmusic.com/index.php/mixes/view/132. 1 hour 20 minutes of strictly the best from this year.

Pump your flag – Machel Montano
Pump your flag (Precision Road Mix) – Machel Montano
Jab no pain – Iwer George
Terrible – Erphaan Alves
Terrible (Threeks Rd Mix) – Erphaan Alves
Bucket – Swappi
Bucket Scrach master road mix – Swappi
Born Ready – Bunji Garlin
Born ready (Precision Road Mix) – Bunji Garlin
Explode – Alison Hinds
Explode Bubba Road Mix – Alison Hinds
Miss Behave (Precision Road Mix) – Fay Ann Lyons
Miss Behave – Fay Ann Lyons
Inna Band – Blaxx
Ah Tink Ah Drunk – Talpree & Problem Child
Throw Wine – Prophet Benjamin
Revellin Road Mix – Machel Montano
Revellin – Machel Montano
Make you rock – Machel Montano
Stress Away Remix – Kes & Snoop Dog
4D Gyal - Swappi
Over You – Kimba Sorzano
Gyal Wuk – Machel Montano
Wine for your lover – Ziggy Ranks
Drinkin Partner – Dev & Klassy
Comin Over – Kes
Roll yuh Bumpa Road Mix – Hypa Sounds
Roll yuh Bumpa – Hypa Sounds
Whine – The IZ feat. Machel Montano
Wining Addiction – Shurwayne Winchester
I am soca – Patrice Roberts & Kerwin Dubois
Surrender – Farmer Nappy
You make me – Farmer Nappy
Touch it – Chucky
Single Forever Remix – KI & Machel Montano
All Over – Fay Ann Lyons & Baron
Bottle of Rum – Machel Montano
Peoples Champion – Benjai
Runaway (Marcus Williams Roadmix) – Bunji Garlin & Kerwin Dubois
Baddist – Destra & kerwin Dubois
No Pressure – Nadia Batson
Action SMJ Road Mix – TC
Action – TC
Right Now – Lil Rick
Irregular – Bunji Garlin
Gimmi D Wine – Devon Matthews
Rave out – Skinny Fabulous & Busy Signal
On the Avenue – Machel Montano
Nothing Less (Road Mix) – K Rich
Bartender – Makamillion
True Story – Benjai
Garlic Sauce – All Rounder
Bubble on a dj – Swappi
Eh Yo – Lil Rick
Jones & Wuk Up – Lil Rick
Doh Fraid – Machel
In Charge (Marcus Williams Rd Mix) – Machel Montano
We Time (Marcus Williams Rd Mix) – JW & Blaze
Rude Gyal – Kimba Sorzano
Call me – Olatunji
Shiver – Nadia Batson
In Your Eyes – Erphaan Alves
Bacchanalist – Kerwin Dubois
Vibes Cyah Dun – Machel Montano
Mr Fete – Machel Montano
Represent – Machel Montano
Precision Wine – Kes
Leh We Wuk – Jah moun & Umi Marcano
So & So – Bunji Garlin
Type of wine – Shal
Head Bad – Michelle X & Kes
Cosmic Shift – Bunji Garlin
Trouble Tegareg Remix – Shal
Drink – Machel Montano Lil Jon & LMFAO

--
Ryan Alexander
Dj Private Ryan
Twitter: www.twitter.com/djprivateryan
Website: www.djprivateryanmusic.com

It Aint Over Till Its Cropover... The Review FINALLY!

So, I realized I never gave a review of my Cropover 2011 experience, the problem with getting it done was that I came back and dove straight into a slew of band launches and just never found the time to focus on my Cropover review. 

Well, since I will be returning to Barbados for Cropover 2012  I am finally going to do my LONG overdue Cropover 2011 review.

FLIGHT:

I flew Caribbean Airlines and thought the flight itself was uneventful it was on time both departing and returning to Trinidad. I paid around $1200.00TT for my ticket but I booked early.

HOTEL:

We stayed in a one bedroom apartment at Worthing Court. Nothing fancy, a basic older hotel but it was CLEAN, priced within budget,  well maintained and in a great location. There were also kitchen facilities if you wanted to do your own cooking  and a separate living area with sofa bed.We were walking distance to Worthing Beach , 5 minutes tops driving to Accra or the Gap, there were restaurants, shops and a supermarket within walking distance. The only thing that faulted the hotel was that WIFI was unreliable with spotty service the entire time we were there. They assured us it was an issue they were trying to rectify and that the problem was isolated during our stay. If they were to address this issue I would not hesitate to stay here again.

FETES:
Bathsheba Experience (All Inclusive)

Advertised as "Sea Side Glam" we were really looking forward to this fete as we were told it was one of the must go to events on the Cropover Calender. It is a somewhat long drive to Bathsheba from the South Coast where we were staying but we went with a local who knew all the shortcuts to get there.

Parking was at a school and we were shuttled to the venue. I have to say I was very surprised at the location, it was in a rural area so we arrived to the residents liming outside in their shower caps  taking in the night's entertainment of patrons and the party.

The "villa" apparently had an ocean view but since we got there at night we did not see anything but the tops of coconut trees. The villa itself was nothing fancy, the VIP area was located rooftop with the main party area below. In VIP we had Nuvo and Moet and Johnnie Walker at the main bar. The menu was pretty limited for an all inlcuisve in the $100.00US price range. There was spaghetti, rice, chicken available in VIP and the other food tent downstairs offered in addition to the aforementioned items mini spring rolls and pot stickers. I had to remind myself we were not in Trinidad anymore and therefore could not compare to the All Inclusive parties at home.

Overall vibe and crowd of the party was a bit sedated, people were liming around while others were having a good time dancing but for us we pretty much limed and lounged until it was time to leave. Maybe it was the fact that it was our first fete and we were still getting used to the music. 

The chaos ensued leaving the party, the shuttles that got us there stopped working for some reason. Now, we left the party earlier than planned and at that time there were shuttles showing up sporadically, I was told later on that there were no shuttles at all. So after a very long wait we decided to walk UP hill , along the way we were lucky to get a shuttle which took us back to the car park.

For 2012 I will give this fete a miss. The drive was rather long for a mediocre fete and for the price I did not think what was offered was worth it for me. To their credit the organizer of Bathsheba did call and apologize for the issues that we had which was very nice of her. Hopefully they are addressed for Cropover 2012 and I do wish her luck with Batsheba Experience 2012.

Scorch Cruise

I have a problem with a departure time being advertised and when you show up on time it takes another two hours before the boat leaves! Knowing that we were also going to Bliss later on that evening we were very anxious to get this cruise started so we could return in time to get ready for our other event. To say the wait was annoying would be an understatement, we were totally fed up until we got on the cruise.

What can I say about Scorch? It was amazing! Had a great time because EVERYONE was having a fantastic time jamming in the blazing sun at sea to D.J. Private Ryan and consuming copious amounts of alcohol. This is a cooler cruise/walk with your own drinks. You are provided with chasers, ice and cups and everyone was pretty generous in sharing their drinks as well as waist!  Eye candy GALORE, at one point I asked the guys if they all went to the same gym! I don't think I stopped dancing on this cruise until we docked. 

A definite must do for Cropover 2012 if it is the ONLY event I go to, it was that good.

Bliss All Inclusive 

The ONLY thing I regret with Bliss is that it was on the same day as Scorch and I honestly needed more time to recover as well as we got there at night with only a few hours to party. This event started at 3PM so we missed a lot of the good stuff owing to the fact that Scorch cruise departed late and returned late.

The venue was absolutely beautiful, a tree lined driveway led to a gorgeous villa with sprawling grounds. It was nicely decorated as well with decorated tents, ambiance lighting , Chinese lanterns and out door seating with couches set up on the lawn. 

There were several food tents and I did sample the Caribbean and Pasta which were good. There was a main bar where I had lots of water (had enough alcohol for the day). Like I said I was recovering from Scorch so after mingling , dancing and liming with some of the Trinis I saw I just chilled out on one of those lovely lounges on the lawn until I was ready to leave.

For 2012 I hope I can do Bliss again as it was on par with one of the nicer All Inclusives in Trinidad,  however if it is the same day as Scorch I am going to have to think long and hard as I felt as if I missed out on the total Bliss experience. 

You can view photos of Bliss HERE and HERE.

Booze Cruise

This was the most anticipated event for me based on previous reviews as well as the fact that securing tickets were a nightmare. Luckily Triniscene stepped in and got my tickets for me. The cruise was so popular that it was split in two; Caesars Army and crew were on a Booze Catamaran while we were on the original Harbour Master cruise.

For the price you got breakfast at the Boatyard, I liked the set up with coconut man and breakfast made on the spot. You also got lunch and drinks were included. 

The weather was not the best so the vibes on the cruise was a bit slow in the beginning I could not help comparing to Scorch which was crazy from the moment we dropped anchor. However after lunch the party picked up on the top deck with performances by Allison Hinds and Swappi .

Once we came back to land the after party continued at the Boat Yard and I have to say I enjoyed this much more than the actual cruise as we had several performers give a mini concert in the rain. Overall I would do Booze Cruise again just to see if with better weather it could live up to its reputation.

Baje International 

I played in the Island People section in Baje International, Flashing Lights. From registration to costume pick up I had zero issues with service. Registration at Island People's mas camp was very easy and efficient and pick up in Barbados was also hassle free.  We even got a "goody bag" with a cup and bandanna in it. The costume fit out the box with no adjustments needed and was pretty cute; came with all the accessories as pictured. Again, I was not expecting costuming on the level I am used to in Trinidad but was pleasantly surprised that it did indeed fit well and looked good. The only complaint was that my bra was bare at some point during the day as the decoration to the top fell off, and it was a problem with most of the bras in that section from what I saw. I guess glue on spandex plus rain means that the decoration just does not stick.

We started off with sun when we met the band but by the time we reached the Stadium the sky opened and DRENCHED us as we crossed the "stage". You would think the rain would put a damper on things but no, we just drank more rum and wined some more. It was the best! Eventually the rain stopped , feathers dried and the band continued along the parade route (I am not familiar with the exact route we took). Masqueraders in Baje were a fun bunch, no inhibitions and plenty wukking up, also there were many Trini faces in the band.

All too soon we were at the end of the route and headed for lunch... which signaled the end of Kadooment for Baje. The lunch tents were pure chaos for food,one of the guys I was with had to get my lunch for me. Plus rain started to drizzle again and this was not Trinidad, so no blankets, no tents nothing but grass and open sky. As much as I enjoyed Baje and would play with them again I wish they offered scotch in addition to the rum and Banks, that the parade could continue after lunch and the actual distribution of the lunch was not such a mess.

Here is looking forward to Cropover 2012.. the countdown is on!

Review #2 Concierge service – TheCarnivalConnection (TCC)

This was my third carnival in Trinidad as a foreigner, but the first time I was taking people from abroad with me, and since I was coming with one carnival newbie, I thought to myself that I should better get some organisation behind the band registration, the tickets for the fetes, the transport in Trinidad and the accommodation otherwise the whole experience would become a nightmare.

So I decided that I’d try a concierge service at least for the band registration in summer 2011. At first I sent an email to two concierges I spot on TCD’s page. The first one to reply was TheCarnivalConnection with precise and detailed emails and the form I had to fill in. My choice was done and I would not regret it.We both got all registered in the same section (with receipts and all…) which was a pretty good start.

Then my crew size suddenly increased by two but the band was already “trying” to be sold out, so we had to look for another band. TCC sorted us all out with “panache” and sold the two costumes we had registered already.

TCC told me she could also provide us with tickets and transport for the fetes (via her associate Trinicabby) and even find us the accommodation. Needless to say that the whole thing worked like a charm (She even booked us the tickets for the ferry on Ash Wednesday).

One of us was arriving 5 hours earlier than the others at the airport. I personally didn’t care that much and told him to bring his ipod lol but TCC and Trinicabby took him in charge at the airport so he wouldn’t feel the waiting!

We received all our fete tickets in an envelope when we arrived. The transport to all the fetes was pretty good and very convenient (You can drink and don’t have to think about driving back home).The prices that TCC charges were very good for the services she provided us with. Tcc’s emails are always friendly and her responsiveness is unmatched which is critical since people definitely don’t stick when carnival is involved.

I must say I was VERY impressed and I will definitely use TCC again next year

Big up to TheCarnivalConnection ! (from the French team ;) )

Ronnie and Caro Carnival 2012 Review

I played with Ronnie and Caro; it was their first year playing as a large band. They were previously a medium band.

From the beginning the band was disorganized. Picking up my costume should have been easy but when I arrived at the mas camp my costume wasn't there. They claimed to have called all frontliners to notify them of the delay but I guess they missed my number and the other 10 people or so who showed up while I was there.

I missed Monday mas because I got home from Jouvet at 3pm...lol. But my sister and friend went; they said it was also a disorganized mess. People were not lined up nicely for lunch and they were pushing through the crowd etc.

Tuesday: There was no shuttle service to the band. The band was supposed to leave at 6:30am. We got there late (8am) and masqueraders were still just standing around independence square. By the time we got there we got what was left of breakfast (bake and cheese or ham), the bake and salt fish was finished.

We only had two drinks trucks and one weewee truck. At one point the line to the weewee truck was so long my friend and I walked through Port of Spain and found a bar, bought drinks so we could use their bathroom. When we previously used the weewee truck they had people there to hold your headpiece and give you soap and towels.

When we were going through Port of Spain the music and vibes were nice. Security sort of let people in and out of the band. I was supposed to have a liaison to get my drinks for me since I was frontline but she was useless. Only got me water once. I got my own drinks for the day.

Around 12 noon we lined up by the savannah to cross the stage and we didn't cross the stage until 6-6:30pm that evening. While we were waiting to cross the stage. We had no food, drinks or weewee truck.....a complete disaster. What added to this was no body in the band directed us to the drinks/food. The band leaders kept telling us to line up and get in our sections. Being stuck in line to cross the stage was the worst. Had I known it would have taken that long I would have left and went back. Instead I listened to the band leaders and kept waiting.

After we crossed the stage we went to the savannah for lunch...which was actually dinner. We had tents set up for every section and you went to that tent to get food. There was only one choice. Chicken, lo mein and rice. There were no blankets, I was so tired and fed up I just sat on the grass. Then after 1/2 hour....they started announcing that we would be moving in 10 minutes!!! At that point, me and the group I was with gave up. We just ate and left.

And the question everyone asks "why did I play with Ronnie and Caro?" My friends daughter played with them last year when they were still a medium band and they were pretty good. I guess being a medium band and a large band is very different. I will never play mas with Ronnie and Caro ever again.

KJ

Island People Mas "Heroes" - The Review

This was my first time playing mas with IP and I was extremely excited. I played in the section INKA. I’m sorry to hear how much torture other people went through to pick-up their costumes because my costume pick-up was a breeze. I was in and out in 20 minutes. I picked up my costume on the Wednesday before Carnival around 4pm. I paid for my costume then went into the next room to pick it up. The woman walked me through each piece that was in the box. I have to admit I was not happy when I saw the Monday wear. Especially the “Super Hero” shorts. They were ridiculously tiny. I don’t know who they thought was fitting into them. I got a BMobile mug, a deodorant and some type of protein bar as I left the costume pick-up room. Luckily I’ve played mas before both in T&T and at home in Toronto so I had packed various shorts options just in case something didn’t fit. Besides the Monday shorts being tiny, the costume bikini briefs for Tuesday were too small and the bra had no type of support, but when I read on FaceBook about the long wait times, I decided not bother going back to try to exchange sizes. I ended up wearing my own shorts on Monday and my own shorts and bra on Tuesday.

On Carnival Monday I saw some people with IP pouches and women with IP t-shirts on. I don’t know if these were given out in compensation for something else, but if they were available at the time when I picked up my costume, it would have been nice to be offered one or at costume sign-up be offered a choice of a t-shirt instead of the one-shoulder top that the women were given to wear on Monday. But that’s neither here nor there, it didn’t stop me from having fun.

Carnival Monday went well. My friend and I met the band at the stadium and headed out onto the road. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. The music on truck #3 (truck with the pink banner) was wicked! It was pure vibez the whole way. Drinks were flowing. We did have to buy food along the route on both days though because we didn’t see any signs of snacks being handed out. Maybe we were too far back from the food truck? On Monday we crossed the stage at a perfect time because it allowed us to walk back to my guest house which was right by the Savannah. However, apparently we left too early because we missed the announcement that the meeting time for Tuesday had been changed from 7am to 6am. So when my friend and I got to the stadium at 7am on Carnival Tuesday, there were a few people there, but no trucks or security in sight. After some walking around and asking questions, we realized that the band had already left! Luckily we got into one of the “meet the band” shuttles that IP provided, however that turned into a joke. When the shuttle bus was full, the driver turned to us and asked “do you know where the band is?” Huh?! I thought he was supposed to know!! How can you take us to meet the band if you don’t know where it is? Someone in IP on one of the trucks should have had walkie-talkies or some kind of communication going with the shuttle drivers so that they could let them know where the band was. We ended up driving around POS asking police officers if they had seen the band. Eventually someone in the shuttle called their house and had a relative give them the code for IP and they texted the “Find ah band” phone number which texted back and let them know that IP was on Abercromby St.

We finally met up with IP and the fun began. We ended up having a block party on Abercromby St. because we were there for probably about 2-3 hours. But it was all good. I like the route that IP took on Tuesday. It was perfect for us. Cross the stage then head for a rest stop. We left the band after the rest stop at the Oval. It was just enough for us.

I would play with IP again, but I would have to really take a long hard look at the costumes. I personally wasn’t excited about how my INKA costume turned out. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but somehow it didn’t excite me when I got it. I actually preferred Monday’s wear! But costume aside, when it comes to vibez and customer service, I wouldn’t hesitate to go with IP again. Any time I had a question, I would send an email to IP and I would usually get a response within an hour or two. The bathrooms were really clean for being port-a-potties, and there were always drinks available. My suggestions for improvement would be to start costume distribution earlier than they did in order to avoid the long lines and hassles; have some type of communication with the shuttle drivers; and send a mass email the night before if there are any changes to what’s printed in the schedule book (I had my BlackBerry with me so I would have gotten it). But other than that, I had a great time and would do it again!

YUMA Press Play Review #2

After playing with TRIBE since 2007 I decided to take a break and switch bands. Some of my friends had played with YUMA in their first year so I decided to give this band a try. I was lucky enough to get into the section of my choice. As I do not live in Trinidad I had a local friend register for me, that being said I cannot comment on the registration process as my friend handled everything for me. When I arrived in Trinidad I picked up the costume from my friend who had picked it up from the Yuma distribution Ctr.

Costume construction - I was not impressed with the quality of work done on my costume. Globs of glue were visible all over the bra, belt and headpiece. For me this was a major turnoff. When I am paying over $600 US for a product I would expect to be thoroughly impressed and pleased with the workmanship on the garment. Beading was falling off of the belt as soon as I tried it on. I have worked for several popular mas bands in North America, never would I be allowed to give a client/customer a final product that is not up to the bands overall standard. Luckily I had travelled with my own "repair kit" and was able to fix the beading that had come apart from the belt.

Monday Wear - Overall I wasn't impressed so I wore my own attire.

Carnival Monday = Machel Monday. IMO I thought plenty Machel old and new tunes was being played. Again this is just my opinion. As I am not a Machel fanatic I would have liked a wider variety of artists played. Getting in and out of the rest spot was a DISASTER. One small area for entry AND exit was ridiculous! Anybody with half a brain should have known that Thousands of ppl going in and out of the same entry point would not work effectively! Food tents again DISASTER! Thousands of ppl and only Three food tents? Yuma all yuh can't do math or wha?

Carnival Tuesday - The vibes on the road were ok. Personally I didn't have to wait long for drinks. Rest stop & Food tents were the same as Monday. What turned me off with Yuma was this:

Shortly after we had passed where Fantasy's band was resting a man jumped in the band and tried to get a wine with my friend. Yuma security (in d dark navy shirts) were on him in a minute and escorted him out the band. This man started to cuss and carry on and wanted to FIGHT d Yuma security team. A man from Yuma band (I assumed he was a security supervisor as he was dressed differently from the other security members) went over to d stormer to try and calm him down...well what happened next left my group in shock and DISGUST. Mr. Blue shirt man (d stormer) pulled out a bundle of TT & US bills and handed it over to Mr. Brown shirt man and paid him off! Mr. Brown shirt man took d money and led Mr. Blue shirt man back into d band!!!! When the other security members again approached Mr. Blue shirt man, Mr. Brown shirt man told them that Mr. Blue shirt man is "ok to be in d band"!!!! What d ass is this? So anybody can BUY dey way into d band come Carnival Tuesday???

Overall I would give Yuma a 4 out of 10. All d quite vibes they boasted about on FB cause they were prepping d costumes etc etc my ass!!! They really need to work on the customer service and the overall experience for the masqueraders. My crew and I will not be returning to this band. I heard of many with great experiences and others with similar experiences to mine. To each is own I guess!