Bogus Fete Listing!!!

Today's "Pulse" in the Trinidad Guardian notes Peter Ray Blood as saying the following:

The C2K7 events diary

"These past few weeks I’ve been besieged by calls and e-mails from irate promoters concerning a 2007 Carnival diary of events posted and circulated on the Internet.

Apparently, the schedule is terribly flawed with a lot of misinformation. But, to my faithful, locally and abroad, keep the faith until Christmas Day when I shall publish the most sought after, and accurate T&T Carnival diary of events on the planet......."

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

To read the rest of the article click on this link . I have to apologise to everyone for perpetuating the transmission of misinformation, as I got the fete listing from both an email and from islandmix.com. When I saw that all the fetes were the same as this year I thought to myself, wow, little has changed for 2007, not knowing the list was inaccurate.

Now, we have to wait for Christmas Day to get a nice present from Peter Ray Blood, the accurate fete listing for Carnival 2007.

Sneak Peak of India.........

Mc Farlane has provided us with a preview of his 2007 presentation "India: the story of Boyie", with sketches of three out of his fifteen sections posted on the website now!The media launch will be held on Tuesday December 19th followed by the launch of the website on December 20th.

The images on the website have only served to whet my appetite, leaving me wanting for more! The costumes presented so far are beautiful, I must say, and once again I am loving Mc Farlane's costumes; the blue one looks gorgeous as well as the burgundy and gold.

Looking forward to his launch and more costumes!

Calling all Jamettes

If you are registered with the section Jamette in TRIBE be prepared for a phone call soon, that is if the mas camp can get ahold of you. Someone sent me an email concerning the corsette option of Jamette and I promptly followed it up with a call to the camp myself, to verify the information I received.

The situation is this, apparently TRIBE is calling those who registered in the CORSETTE option of Jamette to advise that for those needing additional support a strapless bra (of your own) might be needed. Apparently the corsette is made from a spandex fabric with boning to the front, and the ability to lace up and tighten the back BUT there is no cup support. Therefore the corsette does not fit like a "bra" but more like a tight tube top. Looking at the photos that little detail of it having no cups might escape some, but it was one of the first things I noticed when viewing the costume, and when I was considering Jamette I preferred the bra option. Imagine a D cup or DD wearing a tube top bra less, see how uncomfortable that might be, especially jumping around all day?

I think TRIBE is trying to put damage control in place before masqueraders collect their costume and are left fuming when it does not fit the way they expected, hence the reason of calling as many people as they can. Now, honestly, if I were registered for the corsette option thinking that it would fit properly I would be quite upset to get a call informing me otherwise, I mean, the costume is NOT cheap. Possibly some compromise can be reached if you think you will not be happy wearing a bra under the original corsette, maybe taking the bra option instead or having them decorate your own corsette.

So, for those who have not gotten the call and need more clarification on this issue you can email or call TRIBE yourself for more information.

Three Sections Remaining in Island People

For those still looking for costumes, Island People only has three section left. At the mas camp the sections still available are Cacti, Sahara Jumbie and Nubians, all female only.

Online registration is still open but you only know which sections are open when you try to register; on that note some people who tried to register online and the costume was not immediately available, were sent an email stating that they will be put on a waiting list in the event that persons holding registrations do not make payment. So, overseas masqueraders still have a small chance of getting a costume online.

Fireman costume wanted

Remember my girl friend who registered in Le Soleil Brule, the same one who was in New York when registration was taking place at Island People, procrastinated and her first choice of Sacred Sand was gone; the same person who ended up in Le Soleil Brule and had issues with the bra sizes? Well, she attempted to switch her Le Soleil Brule costume for Sacred Sand by placing and advertisement over at Carnival Junction, but that did not work out. Then she came to the conclusion that she was going to sell her costume since she was so disappointed with not getting her first choice; when the buyer did not come through she changed her mind and said she would play mas after all. Now, she has yet again announced that she would not be playing mas in Island People and is looking for a Fireman costume in TRIBE! Imagine, just a little over two months to go and some people are still having costume issues, that's why these things need to be trashed out early!



When she found out Sacred Sand was sold out, I did suggest her registering in Fireman as it was her favourite section in TRIBE, and there was still some space available in Fireman at the mas camp and online. But at that time she did not see my logic and it is only now that she has come to a conclusion that she really likes Fireman and felt like she was just settling for Le Soleil Brule. A costume which is not her first choice, and she feels that she would be disappointed come Carnival knowing that she does not like her costume very much. The conclusion is that she is ready to ditch the other girls she registered with in Le Soelil Brule and come join me in Fireman.



So, if anyone knows of or has a Fireman costume for sale, please send an email at trinicarnivaldiary@yahoo.com.

My religion, My mas

As a catholic who participates in Carnival I once had a discussion with my priest on what the Church thinks about its parishioners enjoying the festivities at Carnival time. He said to me that he personally sees no reason why a Catholic cannot enjoy Carnival once they are conscious of their own behavior, does not succumb to the wanton vulgarity that is often splashed across the media and does not abuse alcohol to the point where you loose all self control.

What I got from him is that as an individual the onus is on me to enjoy Carnival within reason, always keeping at the back of my mind that I should not be doing anything Our Father would frown upon, or to make it more relative, I should say anything my MOTHER would frown upon because the Lord knows my mother is not as forgiving as him if she sees me misbehaving for Carnival. Other Catholic priest do not stand by this conviction of course, but I am going with what my priest said to me and therefore enjoy Carnival as a Catholic believing that I am not doing anything wrong, afterall there is much more to Carnival than just mas and there are many facets of the festival that is good, creative, constructive and can be enjoyed by Christians and none Christians alike.

History says that the origin of the word Carnival comes from a combination of Latin words meaning Carnevale or “to put away meat” which in modern translation also means a “farewell to flesh” since Catholics are not supposed to eat meat during lent. And while other Carnivals do not always occur before lent, Trinidad Carnival does and the history is deeply rooted and tied in with Lenten celebrations. While Carnival is a season of excess, lent is a time of fasting.

The idea of religion and Carnival has always been at odds, and I know other Christians look at me as some sort of “hypocrite” since I do enjoy Carnival but fast for lent which immediately follows. I am not one to participate in the ritual of getting ashes on Ash Wednesday simply for the fact that I don’t want to seem like I am doing it for show, but I have kept away from Ash Wednesday “cool downs” because for me it signifies the start of lent and not just another day of prolonging the Carnival festivities. To those religious persons that frown upon Carnival I believe they see it as being of the world and embracing all the “sins” which does not bring you closer to God.

The number of people who do not participate in Carnival for religious reasons is high, I do not have statistical data to back it up, but I know many Christians who go on retreat or go camping in Mayaro to get as far away as possible from Carnival and it’s “sinful behavior”. While I am educated to know that sin can take all form and fashion and does not only occur during Carnival I am not going to debate with anyone on that fact, however it is interesting to me how some Christians are always ready to judge others, which to me is not Christianly behavior in the first place!

What sparked this topic today is the fact that a young soca entertainer by the name Jadee, who is now singing gospel and won a COTT award for his song “Baptize”, intends to sing his brand of soca/gospel for Carnival spreading his message for the Carnival season. I have already started hearing critics saying that gospel has no place in Carnival, however these are the same people who criticize soca music as being too “vulgar”. One would think they would welcome more postivie, uplifting soca music.

While I do not consider myself to be a devoutly religious person, I do believe in God since religion is not going to take me to heaven, only my morality and repentance can do so. Thus, I am comfortable playing mas knowing that the man cannot "judge" me and my actions. Thus, when I listen to the opinions on some religious persons on Carnival, I have to wonder if they are being fair when passing criticism on the entire festival based on some of the immorality that occurs during the season. I know I am biased because I do participate in Carnival, but to be fair it does extend beyond the bikini mas and really reflects the creativity of our people, and I cannot see how that is evil.

Take for instance the pan, is that immoral? We should be proud that it is the only instrument to be invented in the 20th century, an instrument that is now used beyond Carnival, performing other genres of music such as jazz and classical all over the world. When I look at kiddies Carnival and see the younger ones beautifully costumed and enjoying participating in the celebrations I see nothing wrong with that either, nor do I think that our music is bad. There are so many calypsos that reflect the state of the country with political and social satire, as well as soca music that is not all about “wine and jam”; we really do have artistes that write lyrics that have meaning!

So while the critics have a point speaking out against the immorality that comes with Carnival, it is not something that comes from Carnival itself but the behavior of those individuals who revel in that side of their personality, using Carnival as an excuse to “break away” and commit a variety of sins for the season . The question needs to be asked though, if we associate with people who behave like this, are we then guilty by association? For the answer I look to religious leaders who have fallen, like Jimmy Swaggart, when he committed his “sin” was the entire church to be faulted for his transgression or just the one man?

I truly believe what my priest said, each of us are responsible for our actions come Carnival time, and as someone who believes in God but also loves their culture, there can be a medium where the both can exist. Afterall, a Catholic priest did play mas once, and as the 1967 calypso by Cypher goes “If the priest could play, who is me!”

Minshall to return for 2007?

The rumor mill has tongues wagging on the possible return yet again of Peter Minshall to Carnival 2007. I have heard that the Callaloo Company is bringing a presentation for 2007, however this has not been confirmed though the announcement was made on a local radio station during a conversation about Carnival.

The fact that Minshall might be bringing a band so "late" in the game should come as no surprise since as he dropped the news of "Sacred Heart" this year in January and the band was still well supported by his fans and won the title medium Band of the Year. If the rumors are true it would mean that after a hiatus of two years Minshall is back in the game.

Only time will tell I guess, we shall see!

Mc Farlane's Launch Postponed ..again.

Well I was looking forward to Mc Farlane's launch this evening however I have been informed that it is postponed and a press release is expected to follow as no alternate date for the launch was given.

Hopefully, I will get some more information on this soon !

Harts update

More Harts sections are listed as "sold out", the sections are Olympus , Paradise and my favourite Cokaigne! I can't believe that three more sections are gone since last Friday, that's three sections sold out in three days! Seems like the pace is really picking up over at Harts, maybe a lot of people asked Santa for a costume and got their gift early!

Additionally, I was informed that the section Imagine is not sold out but it is no longer being offered due to slow registration. Masqueraders already registered in Imagine have been offered an alternative in another section.

Blue Sapphire

Ever since the first photos of D Krewe surfaced from their media launch I have liked their costumes; I think they bring an element to Trini Revellers that appeals to a younger masquerader looking for costumes that appeal to their sexier side. My personal favourite all along has been Ruby, however I do like Blue Sapphire and especially this version of the frontline which I only recently discovered at Utopia's website.

The headpiece I am totally in love with since I am a fan of a huge, feathered headpiece and I even like the waistpiece ,though it looks as if it will interfere with the ability to put down one of Dolli's cheesecutter wines!

click for larger pic

Utopia International has partners in Canada, Trinidad and the U.S. and have been participating in Caribana over the years, making their first foray into Trinidad Carnival with their presentation "Blue Sapphire" under the banner of D Krewe, a section in Trini Revellers. This section within a section has it's own website and is being marketed in internationally.

And for those thinking that to fulfill a dream of playing frontline it costs an exorbitant sum, this version of the frontline is $2500.00 TT while the frontline with backpack costs $2700.00 TT.

Taking a page from D Kerry they also have a model in the one piece version of the costume, which I thinks goes along way in assisting those thinking of choosing the one piece. I am very excited to see this section and all the costumes from D Kerry on the road for 2007, the rate they are going at I will not be surprised if come 2008 D Kerry launches a band, they certainly have the ideas, creativity and a market for reasonably priced, beautifully made costumes!


disclaimer: Permission was granted by D Krewe for use of all photos in this post.

Birth of a Blog

As I approach 65,000 hits to this blog in less than four months, no one is more surprised at the longevity of this “diary” and the fact that so many people still visit daily. It all began quite by accident, this blog I mean, borne more out of a need to have a place to put some photographs I had taken at TRIBE’s band launching than to broadcast a constant stream of Carnival information. What it has done however is to illustrate to me how many people love Carnival and the deficit in information that was being relayed, especially to those not living in Trinidad. And I am often reminded of the diversity of visitors I have popping by ever so often, persons who contribute to this blog as well with their commentary, ideas and even suggestions.

For those who visit islandmix.com you might remember me posting on that forum under the sobriquet “Saucy Wow”, now choosing an alias says a lot about yourself, well at least to me since I believe in a psychological connection behind the unconscious choices we make, hence I took on the title “saucy” not because I look like Denise Belfon (or have her wining skills), but because I have been always accused of having a “hot” mouth. Never one to bite my tongue I was the same on that forum, often posting whatever I had to say without censor, that is until I was censored by the powers that be. In addition, when I went to TRIBE’s band launching last year I took lots of photographs because those persons who reside overseas and visit Islandmix really did not want to wait a few days for triniscene or carnivalscene to post photos, they wanted to see the costumes almost as if they were at the launch themselves:


TRIBE launch August 2005, photo by "Saucy".

As a consequence, I did the same thing when I went to the launch this year, and I especially wanted a friend of mine to see the costumes so the idea popped into my head to create a blog, since I also have experience writing another blog for the other passion in my life, travel. From there everything evolved to where I am now. Like I say in my blog profile, I am a Carnival baby, if I were not documenting my obsession with Carnival on this forum, I would still be doing the same things I do daily. I would make a cursory check of the mas band’s websites to see if anything is new, which costumes are sold out and if they have posted any news. I would visit mas camps to get a look at the costume in person, read the newspapers paying attention to all the articles that are Carnival related plus I would be on the phone with my other mas cohorts discussing mas constantly because that is just how nuts we are over Carnival.

What this blog has done moreover is to broaden my Carnival experience and for that I am ever grateful. I am appreciative for the emails I get from the smaller, lesser known bandleaders, sending me photographs and information about their band which I gladly share on this blog with others, who might be ignorant of their very existence. See, apart from my photographs and those I have clearly linked to other photo sites such as carnivalscene.com or islandevents.com (who by the way not only know of this blog but I have stood side by side with their photographers taking photos at events) many people send me photographs with instructions that I can use them on my blog if I desire. Therefore the network of individuals that I come in contact with has broadened and by extension those who visit my blog also share in my erudition.

Finally, I want to say thanks to all the personalities that stop by my little space daily sharing a small piece of themselves and adding to the overall feeling of community on this blog. So many of us are from different walks of life, even separated by continents and yet we all come together to share a love of a festival that symbolizes the truly all inclusive nature of our society. Thanks for all your emails, I am never too busy to offer advice or try to assist in anyway that I can so keep writing, thanks to all those who I have met so far (though it might have been unexpectedly getting a cup of coffee a Rituals or at Jebelle in West Mall) and thanks most of all for your support.

I want to leave you with a quote by F.Scott Fitzgerald which sums up my entire motive behind Trinidad Carnival Diary: “You don't write because you want to say something, you write because you've got something to say.”

When people boldface...

So, there I was checking out Carnival Junction when I saw a "Dragon" costume for sale and the author of the advertisement had her website/myspace account posted under "contact info". Naturally I checked out her myspace page only to realise that my girl has set up on her front page a very nice streaming slideshow of photographs from TRIBE's bandlaunching and guess whose photos she is using? Yes, my photos, complete with date stamp! The very ones I stood in front the stage braving dry ice, fireworks and flames to take , the first photos which started this blog:

screen shot of tntpebbles myspace page:


Now, I don't mind Ms. tnt-pebbles using my photos for her myspace, but at the very least she could have emailed me and asked for the right to do so or put a link to me and my blog, giving me credit for the pictures. I try my best not to use too many photos from other websites and when I do I always link to the origin of the photographs, whether it is from a website or photo album giving credit to the photographers. On one occasion some one emailed me photographs that they took at TRIBE's mascamp, which I stated. And the time I "leaked" Island People's costume photos before the website was launched someone advised me in the comments that I had unwittingly infringed upon copyright since even though it is not stated on Island People's website once photos are posted on their website it is copyrighted, hence my photos are also copyrighted.

The cherry on the cake though is that the myspace page is being run for profit, it is actually an advertisement for her business "Constep Travel and Events Management Production", so in fact my photos are being used as advertisement for this business and I am not being paid the rights for the usage! And the irony of the situation is that the very fact that I am even making this post is publicity for the business as I, and I am sure other people who visit this blog, would have never known that it existed. Do I hear cash registers a ringing?

With the case of celebrity "gossip gangsta" Perez Hilton being sued for doing the same exact thing tnt-pebbles is doing, which is stealing other people's photos and using it on their website for profit with out credit or consent, do you guys think I should send tnt-pebbles a little note of my own letting her know that she is using my photos without my blessings? I know there are many people who have used my photographs without my consent, last year I found an entire website with photos from TRIBE bandlaunching that I had taken and I did send the webmaster an email and he apologised giving me credit for the photos he so unabashedly stole! However, it's the fact that these photos are being used in marketing her business on myspace that I have a problem with.

Not that I want any remuneration or even any drama, but I just can't get over the fact how some people can be that boldface!

Nothing holding me down!

Facing the uncertainty of exactly where I will be parading in my Fireman costume come Carnival Monday and Tuesday, I have noticed many people having unsure, negative and worrisome feelings about what their Carnival 2007 experience is going to be like, especially with the latest developments in the Savannah Saga. Now, I will admit at times I do get annoyed at our Government for not giving the Savannah a last lap for 2007, but you know what I have faith that when all is said and done Carnival 2007 will be amazing!

We are Trinis, God made us resilient and though we may suck our teeth at change, when all is said and done we embrace it and find a way to make it our own. For those who left Trinidad for whatever reason, journeying to another country where memories of home are all that makes the day bearable sometimes, don’t you find a way to adapt? And not only adapt, but still retain the core of what it means to be Trini. You know exactly which shop sells the West Indian groceries, you can make callalloo from spinach leaves and you have all the Carnivals across the United States of America, Canada and even across the pond in London, marked on your calendar. Just the fact that there are so many statewide and worldwide spin-offs of our Carnivals should say something about us, about the fact that we might be in “their” country, but that does not mean we have left “our thing” behind. Our culture is something that has bridged the gap across oceans for West Indians everywhere.

So, when other islands are now boasting about and promoting their 2007 Carnival, I get the sense that they think Trinidad Carnival in 2007 is in some sort of jeopardy from which they will benefit. But, and no offense to any other “small island”, even if the worse predictions for Carnival come true I will still have 100% of a better time than celebrating Carnival on any other island. You know why, because I LOVE my culture, I LOVE my country and nothing anywhere else can come close to our Carnival; even with all the bacchanal and all the drama Trinidad Carnival is still a festival so unique, spellbinding and exhilarating that it can never be replicated or duplicated by any other country. Nevermind there are Carnivals all over the world, there is only ONE true Trini Carnival.

Today I am confident, I am confident that picking up the newspaper and reading another headline about the NCC or NCBA is not going to get me down. I take comfort in the fact that change is inevitable and with it comes an opportunity to make history. In 2006 for many of us, we were part of the generation that crossed that Savannah stage for the last time, and in 2007 we will again go down as legends. We will be the first to experience this “mas on the move” and each and every masquerader has a duty and a responsibility to inject all their Carnival spirit into this parade and make it work. And even though we may not wholly embrace this change, it’s time to start looking at it as something positive; lets begin to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty.

When I am too old for the bikini mas, swathing my body in some sort of fabric in a band that has “meaning”, I want to me able to tell my children that the very fact that they can enjoy Carnival as it will be then is because I was one of the troops that took up the challenge in the face of uncertainty and charged forward knowing that I only had that one chance to contribute in making Carnival 2007 a success.

Panorama in south means big money for winners!

I have to say I commend the spirit of the San Fernando Carnival committee who should all get a job to plan Port of Spain Carnival; not only have they jumped on the suggestion of hosting Panorama in Skinner Park they already have plans in the works to modify the venue as well as they have put on the table a prize of one million dollars to the winner of the competition! Now, who could argue with business smarts like that! What Panorama, and possibly Dimanche Gras if they have their way, will mean to the southern city is an influx of visitors for Carnival, as Port of Spain normally gets all the attention, and consequently a boost in their revenue for the Carnival season.

You can read the following article on this subject in today's Trinidad Guardian:

One Million dollars.

That is the figure the San Fernando Carnival committee has proposed as the first prize for the Panorama 2007 champion, once it gets approval to host the 2007 National Panorama finals at Skinner Park.

Alderman Junia Regrello, Chairman National Days, Festival and Arts Committee and Convener of San Fernando Carnival, under whose responsibility this project falls, said if government cannot raise the prize money, “Corporate San Fernando will.”

“This is the industrial capital, the energy city, we will raise the money,” he said, adding that the entire south is behind the committee to ensure this project is successful.

With the Queen’s Park Savannah unavailable to host Carnival 2007, Regrello, a former King of Carnival, said the Committee may also propose to Culture Minister Joan Yuille Williams that the King and Queens of the Bands finals be held in the south as well.

Regrello also made a special appeal to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Yuille Williams and other decision makers, to “not to leave us in limbo.”

“We are aware of our culture to do things at the very last minute, but we are an efficient Corporation ready to put things in motion, once we get the go ahead,” he said.

He added that modification to Skinner Park, which is estimated to cost in the vicinity of $8 million, will take approximately four weeks to complete, in time for the Calypso Fiesta and Panorama.

Regrello showed an architectural sketch of the proposed venue, complete with changes to the existing structure. These including a massive stage, traffic arrangements and the ambience of a “drag” that is to be created along the Rienzi Kirton Highway.

He said the main stand will be dismantled and replaced with three-tier steel structures from the Mayor’s Box around the curve, and the current concrete stands and vending court upgraded.

The plan,was first revealed and discussed with the executive of Pan Trinbago and the South Central Region last Saturday.

“We got a nod of approval from the Region and acceptance from the central executive,” Regrello revealed.

He said they have gone through the feasibility of staging this competition in San Fernando with the City’s Engineering department and they are satisfied that it can be done.

The plan calls for Todd Street and the western side of the Rienzi Kirton Highway to be closed off to vehicular traffic.

“We propose to utilise the second class ground (just behind the main venue) as a loading bay for the equipment.

Tents measuring 40 by 40 feet as well as portable toilets will be placed along the northern side and the pavilion will be upgraded to provide seating accommodation.

“From the second class grounds, the bands will exit on Todd Street going left onto Rienzi Kirton and that stretch would become the drag as the steelbands know it.”

Bleachers will be set up between the islands of the highway for patrons who do not wish to enter the Park, and a food and vending court would be set up on Lady Hailes Avenue.

Regrello said performing bands will turn left onto Cipero Street and enter the Park through the Neal and Massy gate.

“We propose to build an adequate stage similar to that at the Queen’s Park Savannah, on the northern end of the ground almost parallel with the entrance, and exit on the western end.

“So as the bands enter Skinner Park, they will mount the stage, perform and exit straight out of the western gate with two options,” Regrello explained.

At this point he said the bands can either go back to the second class grounds and take up their transportation on the Udecott ground on the opposite side, or on Park Street where trailers will be lined up in an orderly fashion.

The direction of Park Street, which is a one way street ,with traffic running from west to east will be reversed, to allow the trailers to access Scott Street on to the San Fernando bye pass and up the highway.

To detractors who talk about San Fernando being too hilly, Regrello noted that “that entire area is flat.”

“If pan men and patrons feel the area is not long enough, we have the entire Lady Hailes Avenue from King’s Wharf to the Park to spread it out.”

In terms of parking facilities, Regrello said the Udecott ground (formerly TSTT ground) will be cleared for trailer and public parking.

He said the Committee intends to negotiate with the three schools in the immediate vicinity to allow parking on these compound, which could be seen as a way of raising funds for the said schools..

Similar discussions will be entered into with corporate citizens along Lady Hailes Avenue, he said.

– With reporting by Yvonne Webb
©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Trinidad’s celebrity soca couple to tie the knot later this month...........

Ian “Bunji” Alvarez and his fiancé Faye Ann Lyons were to be wed yesterday, however sources have informed me that the wedding date has been changed to December 23rd, 2006.

Dubbed the “wedding of the year”, over 300 guests are expected to attend the gala affair which will be hosted at an undisclosed venue in Eastern Trinidad. Among the invited guests are other soca stars such as Maximus Dan, Lil Bits, football star Russel Latapy and dancehall artistes.

Attending the bride will be 13 bridesmaids, dressed in cerulean blue, matte satin gowns and accompanied by the same number of groomsmen. The Bride’s dress has been described as “amazingly gorgeous”.

I also want to add that I have seen a photo of the engangement ring which is stunningly ostentatious with 32 Canary diamonds and baguettes of blue princess cut diamonds!

Wonders of the World

The website for Gerad Kelley's 2007 children's band "Wonders of the World" is up and running. You can view actual costumes, not drawings, as well as learn a bit more about the band. For instance, the band has it's own music truck and it totally "all-inclusive" providing the kiddies with eats, drinks and snacks on the road all day long. I guess it was only a matter of time before kiddies mas started going the way of adults in that respect!

The costumes are cute, I am sure the kiddies will enjoy being a "Great Wall of China" or "Sahara Desert". My one observation is that it looks as if the photos have been doctored to make a black background, and thus there are some spaces that were not properly coloured in ! Check out the the photo of Paracutin Volcano below to see what I mean:



And finally, have a look at the gallery with photos from the bandlaunching, looks like it was again fun for the kids with pony rides and face painting.

Uptown Carnival body suggests: Parade on the ‘Greens’

While I am glad that options for alternative parade venues are on the table, I have to say that I personally have a problem with Piccadilly Greens. Yes, I am going on all the negative stereotypes that have perpetuated about the area, even my mother cringes when I take a short cut through there on evenings to get to the highway. The stigma of it being a crime riddled area is not to be taken lightly, a co-worker of mine had her chain snatched from her neck as she sat in a car one afternoon, right "behind the bridge". I simply would not be comfortable parading there.

The following article was taken from today's Trinidad Guardian:

BY CORDIELLE STREET

Piccadilly Greens, East Port-of-Spain, is being offered as an alternative “big stage” for Carnival 2007 pending the Government’s decision to keep the Queen’s Park Savannah off limits to mas.

Chairman of the Uptown Carnival Improvement Committee Winston Brown said yesterday that Piccadilly Greens “behind the bridge” is a perfect choice for one of two mandatory judging points for the Parade of Bands.

South Quay, downtown PoS, and the Queen’s Park Savannah were formerly the two mandatory judging points for mas bands.

But with the pending construction of the $400 million Carnival Cultural Centre at the QPS and an expected announcement by the Government to bar Carnival events being staged there, an alternative compulsory judging point is now needed.

“We want to encourage more bands to come and in addition to that we offer very nice trophies and prizes and it is good to keep Carnival in touch with its roots,” said Best.

In a news release the organisation said the Greens was not only the birthplace of Trinidad Carnival but, “is also the only venue in Trinidad which sits in the middle of a highly populated residential area, creating a natural amphitheatre.”

Best added that while: “The National Carnival Commission from time to time declared an official route, they didn’t always highlight Piccadilly as a venue.”

He said crime was not a deterrent as no incident was ever reported in the area during the Parade of Bands.

However, the Greens has seen traffic lessen over the years as mas bands often circumvent the area.

The National Carnival Bands’ Association (NCBA) and the National Carnival Development Foundation (NCDF) have both submitted proposals concerning mas routes for next year.

The NCBA continues to be tight-lipped concerning their proposal to the Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Joan Yuille-Williams while NCDF has in its proposal included a suggestion for stands for spectators and judges to be built on the Princess Elizabeth grounds which can be used as a mandatory judging point.

Best is requesting an urgent meeting with the NCC, NCBA, NCDF and the Ministry.
©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Two down at Harts

Harts now has a total of six sold out sections; Nevada and Imagine are sold out!


Nevada


Imagine

Both sections are "all girls", female only and Imagine is THE most expensive section in the band at $3050.00, the entire bra and belt is covered with large rhinestones and I have to say it is one SKIMPY costume (minus the cape of course).

Sixteen sections are left this first day of December, two months to go and the race is on!

House of Hapsburg Online

The Royal House of Hapsburg, a private section with Trini Revellers, now has a website where you can view all options of the costumes offered.

Interesting to note that Trini Revellers requires payment in full for online registration as stated on Hapsburg' website. And while I do appreciate having the additional knowledge, I think the website is still in stages of being updated as it is somewhat difficult to navigate, with too much information "floating" around without being linked to the costume it refers to.

All in all, if you want to see more photos and get costume specifics, check out the website!

Reflection of self

Someone asked me a question yesterday; “How do you choose a Mas band?” simple question it seems but to give a proper answer I had to think about the question for a while which lead to me questioning myself. What really drives us to associate with a particular band,. is it because we see a representation of ourselves in the overall composition of the band and thus we choose a band that we feel we “belong” to?

My advice to the person who asked the question was to choose a band they would be comfortable playing with, but honestly that was just a superficial answer. What I really should have said was that there are so many diverse mas bands to date and each one caters to a specific type of masquerader that to first choose a band you have to understand yourself.

With this understanding you can then choose the band that fits you; your lifestyle, your personality, your age as well as your pocket. The thing is though, that lots of people have pre conceived notions about mas bands so sometimes trying to select a band that truly represents you might also be an effort in separating fact from fiction. I have a very good friend who would not play with me in TRIBE, her reason being that the band is too “red”; what she really means is that her perception is that the majority of masqueraders in TRIBE are of a complexion that she determines as “red” or light skinned for those who are not familiar with the Trini way of describing someone of a lighter complexion.

But, you want to know the weird thing about her analysis, she considers ME “red” (which is not the case since REVLON told me I am Caramel) and she and I are the same complexion. In addition, I have seen masqueraders of all colours enjoying themselves in TRIBE, not only the one dimensional view that my friend sees. As a result since she cannot “see” herself in TRIBE so she chose to play with another band, a band with which she identifies.

So it just goes to prove that basing our decisions on an impression might rob us of experiencing something and then having the power to make an informed decision. Which brings me to my rationale for choosing a band to play with. Coming from a background of playing with Harts I have to admit I too had my own ideas of what playing with Poison would be like and held off trying it myself for a few years. Upon playing with Poison my first experience was not that great, but I decided to give it another try and had a good time. In all honesty I think that from then on my personality as a masquerader changed, I identified more with the Poison slogan that “we have more fun!” than what I thought I wanted with Harts. I guess at that point I learned more about myself and got a self awareness that led me to where I am now.

My choices for playing with the band I eventually chose does say a lot about me, who I am as a person and to some they might associate everything they have heard about such band (both good and bad ) with me. I consider myself to be a smart, young(ish), savvy, fashionable, young woman who has reached a station in life that I can enjoy the fruits of my labours and yes, I can see that reflected in my choices when it comes to playing mas.

So, I ask of you, do you believe that you choose band that is a relfection of yourself and what characteristics do you identify with in the band that leads you to say yes, this "fits" me?