Sneakers versus Boots

While it may seem that I am pro-boots for Carnival, being the choice of footwear for me, do not overlook sneakers as a good choice if you cannot wear boots. Sneakers have been a very comfortable alternative for many masqueraders over the years, the only thing I would ask is to try and match your sneakers to your costume. Even if it means just spray painting your gym shoes silver or gold, it looks better to me than a gorgeous costume say like Cheetah of Island People or Mystique of Tribe worn with glaring white sneakers.

The idea of sneakers being guaranteed comfortable is not necessarily true, just as you need to find boots that fit properly and get adequate arch support by adding insoles, so too do you need to find sneakers that offer the same. Many people have complained that narrow Pumas, for instance, look cute but are murder on the feet. Thus, you need to try as many styles of sneakers as you can until you find a very comfortable pair and I do suggest breaking them in like any shoe.

Butterfly Bliss

Ideally I would love to see ladies in fabulously decorated boots for Carnival, I just love the look of the boots that match the costume, however as individuals each masquerader will have the type of footwear that suits them best. For more sneaker and footwear ideas visit my archive "Fancy Feet", as well as "Walk on the Wild Side".

SHOE SOURCE:
www.zappos.com
SHOE STYLE:
PUMA
Complete Cortlandt XC Road SKU #7297477
COLOR
Lime Punch/Crystal Blue
PRICE
$58.95

"The Carnival" Guestlist is Closed

For all of you who are planning on attending this Sunday's event "The Carnival" where Island People's costumes will be on show, please note that the guest list is now CLOSED and no more requests for RSVPs will be accommodated. Apparently many persons are still requesting to attend the event which has seen an overwhelming response; this is the email I received on Wednesday:

Thank you for the enormous response to the exclusive event THE CARNIVAL, featuring IP Mas’ 2008 - Animal Instincts. Due to our huge masquerader population here in New York City, we have already surpassed the capacity for RSVP’s on our guest list and it is now officially closed.

Island People Mas will be showcasing Trinidad’s Carnival in NYC in collaboration with Antilia Inc and the TDC, who also have guest lists for their select invitees, making this a limited accommodation event.

We hope to facilitate all RSVPs at the event, but please be advised that entry is on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis with current Masqueraders having priority over past masqueraders who have also RSVP’d. You must provide ID at the door and cannot use another person’s RSVP. CAIN has the right to refuse admission.

You can guarantee your admission by reserving a table. To do so, please email simon@antilia.com or wg@wyattgallery.com. There is a 1 bottle minimum for table service, which starts at $300 per bottle and allows for 4-5 people maximum per bottle (subject to change by the management of CAIN).

Please note that you cannot pay for a costume at the event.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Island People Mas

The following is the "official" press release regarding "The Carnival" , and for those who cannot be there you can read about what is in store for the lucky ones who will have the chance to hob nob with celebs and view supermodels strut their stuff in Island People's costumes:

Antilia, Inc., the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago and Island People Mas Give New York a Taste of Carnival 2008
Thursday November 8, 1:36 pm ET

'The Carnival' Promises to Deliver Authentic Cultural Experience At
Cain Nightclub

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Antilia, Inc. special
events production company in conjunction with the Tourism Development
Company (TDC) of Trinidad and Tobago and Ocean Style Magazine today
announced they will deliver an exclusive, invitation-only cultural
experience unlike any other entitled ``The Carnival,'' hosted by
Island People Mas, on Sunday, November 11, 2007, from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
at the elite Cain nightclub (544 W. 27th St.) in Manhattan's Chelsea
district. Trinidad and Tobago's premier Carnival band, Island People
Mas (http://www.islandpeoplemas.com) will transport their exotic
costumes to New York for an intimate viewing among specially invited
guests and celebrities at ``The Carnival''. This highly anticipated
presentation will feature some of the Caribbean's best known models,
along with select models from top U.S. agencies. The band's
provocative theme for its 2008 costume collection is ``Animal
Instincts'' and the exclusive venue portrays just that with its
upscale, African Safari decor.

With its massive masquerade bands, astounding costumes, pulsating
music and unparalleled energy, Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival is often
described as the world's greatest street festival. The annual Carnival
season reaches its climax on Monday, February 4 and Tuesday, February
5, 2008, when thousands of costumed revelers take to the streets in
sensational costumes to ``play mas.'' The explosion of color, music,
revelry, and creativity known as Trinidad & Tobago Carnival has
spawned similar celebrations around the world; but nothing on earth
can rival the abandon, euphoria and stunning spectacle of this
festival. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend Trinidad and
Tobago's Carnival in 2008.

Island People Mas, represented in New York by internationally renowned
photographer Wyatt Gallery, has long been the premier Carnival band of
choice, known for having the sexiest and most creative costumes -- the
likes of which have been featured in music videos by artists Sean Paul
and Rupee. Winner of the coveted 'Carnival King' award in 2006, the
band is also one of the largest in the country with over 4000
masqueraders each year.

Entertainment, music and tourism industry professionals, as well as
Caribbean and American celebrities alike, are expected to be in
attendance at ``The Carnival.'' Many of these specially invited guests
along with representatives from presenting and sponsoring
organizations will be available for interview on the event date.

Antilia, Inc. and the TDC, together with Island People Mas and Cain
nightclub, promise a thrilling experience and authentic representation
of Trinidad & Tobago's most prized cultural festival at ``The
Carnival''. It is certainly not the event to miss for the discerning
traveler in search of Island Paradise.

About Antilia, Inc.

Founded in January 2007 by Trinidadian entrepreneur Simon Khan,
Antilia, Inc. is the only special-events production firm in New York
specialized in pairing first-rate Caribbean talent entertainment, and
cultural elements with the very best of mainstream American nightlife.
Boasting strong relationships with media, entertainment industry
executives and celebrities, the company produced such high-profile
events as Caribbean Soca legend Machel Montano's 2007 album release
party at Jay-Z's 40/40 club in March, 2007 -- the official album
launch event following his massively successful Madison Square Garden
concert series. The website, http://www.antilia.com, is scheduled for
launch in December, 2007.

Contact:

Antilia, Inc.
Gian Wilson
gianfranco@antilia.com

Oracle Section 2 Pics and Latest Update

As I paitently wait for the full unveiling of Oracle's costumes it was a pleasure to receive the following update from bandleader Aaron; exciting days ahead as we finally get to see the months of hardwork it took to get this debutante band off the ground. I know all of you waiting for Oracle must be pleased with the progress thus far:

ORACLE SECTION II Wings

hey guys, I just want to let you know of the registration information, I have received everything necessary for registration online to be activated, i am meeting with the webmaster tonight, I would like to say tomorrow or the day after, as well,on site registration and the viewing of some costume pieces will be happening as of Monday coming, at 14 morne coco road maraval, i will post a map tonight, now please be aware that this space is merely a workshop space but it will be facilitating registration till we get the keys to our mas camp which will open its doors to the general public later next week, at first i did not want to start registration until we moved into our official administrative site, but with time passing, i have decided that it will begin as such, thanks to rommel and crew for your interest in section II, from the looks of it, that section is already sold out, but i won't say that just yet, please bear in mind that this is our first year, and so we took a little longer than the rest, but i was not willing to go ahead unless i was sure beyond a doubt that my masqueraders could be quaranteed the servise that they deserve, i am now sure of that, we are limiting the number to one thousand for this first year and after all the pressure of getting off the ground I am now extremely excited, because i know this is going to be amazing, full page full colour ads will appear in the papers as early as monday and you can pick up your free copy of our promotional dvd with all the design sketches at movie towne St. James as of sunday, I thank you all for your interest and cannot wait to be amongst you on the streets, i promise you trinidad is going to stop and pay full attention to us because our costumes, are sexy, colorful and they mean somethin, they mean something to me as this band is the culmination of my own process of 'gnothi seauton'.

Lets Talk About Fetes…

Have you noticed that almost EVERY SINGLE Carnival fete on the calender for 2008 takes place in January? The early Carnival season is just insane, I mean for those of us who live in Trinidad the reality is that in order to enjoy a fete every weekend, your December paycheck has to support that venture if you did not budget ahead of time. For Carnival lovers Christmas is most likely going to take a back seat this year! I have made the decision that my list of people getting presents will be VERY short, and I have already done my Christmas shopping to be honest. Thankfully I do not go wild over Christmas having to redecorate the entire house, or stock the cupboards with enough food to last two months; for me Christmas is really a time to relax before the hectic pace of Carnival, and not an excuse for excess.

My goal is to pay off the balance of my costume at the end of November, I already have my footwear therefore my main expense after mas will be the fetes I choose to attend. The philosophy on paying for fetes still stands for 2008; I am not looking to break the bank on going to all the fetes. In my opinion once I am playing mas the list of fetes I actually go to is pretty short, complimentary tickets not withstanding. Who can afford the cost of a costume these days AND the prices of all those fetes? So I am looking at the list of allllll these fetes for 2008, plus a few new ones on the Calendar and I am overwhelmed with choices!

For those of you arriving in Trinidad solely for Carnival your decisions are fairly easy seeing that most people arrive a week before Carnival when the pick of fetes are at the prime. The staples for many at that time being Eyes Wide Shut, Bacchanal Wednesday, UWI Splash, Beach House, Salybia Fete, Girl Power, Insomnia, Breakfast Party and Lara Fete. On the other hand the feteing season for us locals starts on January 1st with Soca in Moka, followed rapidly by QRC’s Outta de Blue, UWI All-inclusive, Amnesia and Hilarian’s fete, all the big guns that attract hundreds of people.

At the moment the only fetes I know I will be going to for sure will be Salybia Fete and the Breakfast Party, in addition to Panorama which is a genre of feteing all in itself. I cannot confirm any of the others since there are way too many fetes in January and I am not going into debt in order to attend all of them as many are all-inclusive at an average of $350.00TT per person, and I have to multiply every fete ticket by two. With both costume and fete prices steadily rising something has got to give, and I wonder how persons who are working for minimum wage in Trinidad can afford all these fetes and still play mas with just two more paychecks before Carnival, not to mention CHRISTMAS!

So the question for both local and foreign based Carnival lovers are, how many fetes on average do you plan on attending for 2008? Which fetes are on your “must do” list? Will the price of costumes and fete tickets affect your feteing habits and have you made contingency plans for the very short fete season for Carnival 2008 in terms of affording all the fetes you hope to attend? I am very interested in others approach to the dilemma of all these choices of fetes in January so feel free to leave a comment!

Makeup Services for Carnival 2008

Makeup artists Katrianna Latchman and Renee-Liza will be offering services for Carnival as follows:

We will be operating out of a very central and
convenient location in P.O.S.

* Professionally air-brushed make-up that stays beautiful all day, so u can spend less time touching up and more time jumping up!
$175

*Eyelashes
(provided or bring your own)
$25

* Permanent eyelashes that last up to 2 weeks! (provided or bring your own) (Appointments can be made for this type of eyelash application anytime during the Carnival season)
$100

* Face beads and sequins for extra Carnival glam!
(provided or bring your own)
$ 25

*Carnival Monday - 7am till
*Carnival Tuesday - 5am till

Book your appointments early!

Contact information:
katrianna@katrianna.com
http://www.katrianna.com/


Please check out the website for photos from Katrianna's portfolio and on Facebook Rene's work can be seen here.

So What Ah Miss?

I have been out of the Carnival loop for the past 9 days and now that I am back in form I am trying to catch up on all the bands at the moment.

Island People is having a private showing of costumes in New York for their masqueraders, hopefully this will give some impetus to persons still undecided to register as I don’t think any more sections are sold out. Talking about sold out sections while Harts has slowed down a bit (most of the cheap sections are gone) Pulse 8 has sold out the male of Gypsy Caravan and the whole suit option which is very nice. Oracle has promised registration this week which is great; Evolution has now updated their website with proper online registration and I also missed out on a little controversy in one of the Island People groups on Facebook.

Apparently one of the officers of the group sent out an appeal to masqueraders to hit the gym:

“personally am fed up of witnessing tires wrapped around people's stomachs first ting on Tuesday morning, and cellulite talking to me when some heavy duty woman winin in front of me.”(sic).

After getting hate mail for that statement there was a retraction and my name got called in there somewhere!! Don't ask me how, since I am not even playing in the band (LOL), anyway since the months are getting closer really and truly it is time to step up the exercise regimen!

Back to the Carnival countdown, controversies and comess!

My Boots De-furred!

Ok, so now that I am back in Trinidad and have more than enough time on my hands the first order of business was getting the fur off my boots. It was a very easy task, I did it while looking at the election results and fighting off tiredness after travelling all evening. The fur around the top came off in one piece and the fur that edges the boots clipped off with a pair of scissors. Quite simple to do! The next step will be to spray paint the boots gold and then move on to the decorating stage. Ideally I may fully glitter it as well since Afro Chic thinks the effect would be better.




The boots are very comfortable I must add, though I will need to break them in to make them more pliable. As is, it is a bit too stiff across the instep to jump up all day. I am also adding the Dr Scholls insoles for boots and heels since they are a bit thinner than the regular gel insoles and will not crowd your toes. Ideally if you are using the other insoles get your boots a half size bigger as the gel insoles are somewhat thick and you will need the extra space.

I know other bloggers are also working on their boots, I saw CB's de-furred and spray painted boots for Kingfisher that look VERY nice already. The finished product will be awesome! As I work on my boots in stages I will post more photos. Hope this gives some inspiration to you gals with the initiative to re work your own boots!

News From Oracle!

The long awaited date for Oracle's registration, both online and in house, is approaching soon with a scheduled start later this week (exact date will be confirmed once I am informed of it). Word is that costume prototypes are completed and are "gorgeous". Lord knows I cannot wait to see them myself!

"The Carnival" Event in NYC Nov 11th

From Island People Mas:

Hi

We hope you are doing well and are getting ready for a great Carnival season! We are working hard to bring you the best carnival ever. As well, we have an upcoming event that has been in the works for some time now and we are finally able to release the information and send you a personal invitation.

It is our pleasure to inform you that for the first time Island People Mas will be transporting our costumes to the US for a private costume viewing by select invitees! We are proud to collaborate with Antilia, Inc. and the Tourism Development Company for the upcoming event in New York City entitled "The Carnival" on Sunday November 11th at Cain - one of Manhattan's most sought after nightspots.

We would like to cordially invite our masqueraders tojoin us as we display our costumes and celebrate the joy of Carnival inNew York City style! The event is an exclusive showcase and gala to highlight the beauty of Trinidad and Tobago's carnival festival, and Island People Mas is proud to be the featured band for such a prestigious affair.

The costumes will be displayed through a model presentation featuring some of the most beautiful models from the Caribbean as well as select models from NYC. The event will feature media coverage from entertainment magazines, travel publications, and broadcasters and will make all of us all that much prouder to already be a part of the 2008 Trinidad carnival festivities.

As the venue capacity is limited and the guest-list will fill up very quickly, we prompt you to RSVP your full names plus 1 guest to info@islandpeoplemas.com and please type RSVP in the subject header. RSVP’s must be made before Friday November 9th. Admission will be granted on a first come first serve basis, and ID is required for entry as this invitation is open to masqueraders only.

To RSVP please reply to this email address with RSVP in the subject header.

For table/bottle-service reservations please email wg@wyattgallery.com or simon@antilia.com

This is an early event and begins promptly at 8pm. Dress to Kill.

Face Jewels for Sale

This one is for you ladies who cannot get to a craft store or Samaroos, Carnival Vibration is now offering face crystals for sale:

The cost of the crystals are $6.00 TT ($1.00 USD)for the small bag and $8.00 TT ($1.33USD) for the larger bag.

The colours are:
Clear, Pink, Blue, Nylon Pool, Red, Dark Pink, Dark Green, Purple, Orange, Multi Color, Black, Topaz, Multi Red, Light Green, Fuchsia, Gold & Light Blue.

So spread the word around before all is gone all interested persons can contact Marissa Telesford at (868)685-5517 (cell) or Phone: (868)628-7796 Ext. 4820. You can also e-mail Marissa at Marissa.Telesford@ghl.co.tt.

Payless Boots

As promised I am on the look out for any accessories for you Carnival Divas and these boots "Natalie Jogger" from Payless are VERY comfortable! The fur is not too overwhelming either and you can get away with wearing it as is or, remove the fur and spray paint them. At a cost of $22.99 it is a good deal.

Payless also has other styles of boots and even wide width sizes, so not a bad option for those looking for cheap boots at a location close to you.

Failure to Launch…???

The promise of new bands for Carnival 2008 is ripe yet two bands still have supporters patiently waiting. With Oracle at least costume designs have been seen along with a sneak peek at prototypes and pre registration is available on their website. However, the actual launch date had bandied about from October to November, and word has it that they would like to launch after the election fever.

As for Taboo, mum is the word on this band in spite of the fact that they do well on all the polls I have hosted on the blog. Apart from the one sketch of the section Walk Like and Egyptian, I have seen nothing else. From their facebook group I know things are still in the works for the band, or so it seems, but it would be nice to get some confirmation on a launch date! As far as I know they were supposed to launch the same night as Pulse 8… and now, nothing. I am looking forward to the rest of costumes from this band.

It’s the 1st of November, and we now have LESS than three months before Carnival so here is hoping these two bands, Oracle and Taboo, launch SOON.

Baby on Board

The one concern that many women have when registering for a costume months in advance of Carnival is not whether or not they will loose the pounds (though that is another concern some may have) but what happens if you get pregnant! With bands starting registration as much as five months in advance of Carnival anything can happen, even with the best precautions and contraceptives. Fact is this is a blessing of our sex and no one can predict to an exact science when conception will occur. Some of us will take lots of caution to avoid the “accidental” impregnation but what happens if despite all your efforts you find out you are pregnant after registering for the costume you fawned over for days before deciding THAT was the one that will adorn your body come Carnival?

This was the situation for a friend of mine in October of 2005, after registering in TRIBE she found out she was a few weeks pregnant. To be honest with you I have to say though she looked forward to having the baby she was a bit disappointed that her hopes of playing mas were slim to none. Friends we have in common thought she was crazy for even having that thought, but no one can really fault all the emotions that come with being pregnant and I for one did not judge her for feeling that way.

So, the plan for her was to wait until the very last minute to decide what she was going to do come Carnival Tuesday/. By that time she would have been 3 months pregnant and the possibility of still playing mas was very real to her. The practicality of such a move, however, became a concern after our first all-inclusive fete, Amnesia, where she did not have the energy to survive the fete and had to retreat to a seat for the night. That cemented in her mind that she simply did not have the endurance for playing mas in a pregnant state and she sold her costume. Suffice it to say she was annoyed when sitting at home on Carnival Tuesday she saw Wendy Fitzwilliam in all her resplendent pregnant glory playing mas in Harts! Usually an individual Wendy that year was a regular masquerader in her yellow whole suit playing mas not only in Harts but also Peter Minshall’s Sacred Heart.

Of course the decision to go ahead and play mas in spite of your pregnancy depends on many, many factors and I am not a doctor so if you find yourself in that position at the moment and really have that desire you can consult with your physician and see what the verdict is. Many women go to the gym and do walks while pregnant so we know exercise is not ruled out for some, and what is Carnival but one long marathon anyway. Now I am not advocating that you push for playing mas, nothing is wrong with sitting out one year as Carnival will always be there. Personally I would be very remiss to playing mas if I found out I was pregnant for fear of dehydration, people’s rowdiness and the inability to make that Carnival hike. Surely I would be taking full advantage of TRIBE’s resting bus if that were the case! I might add that there was one pregnant lady in my section this year who got her costume modified with a sheer piece of fabric covering her somewhat pronounced belly and she looked quite beautiful!

I know several ladies who got pregnant unexpectedly this year, one ruled out the possibility of playing mas from early on since she found she was pregnant just before band launching began in fervor, the other one recently found out and decided against playing mas and finally, we have Ms. Carnival superstar who went ahead and registered for a costume WHILE pregnant! And, she insists that she is going to be playing mas to her fullest as well. To each of these ladies the decision was a very personal one and kudos to them for dealing with their pregnancy in the way that suits them best.

If you are a masquerader who got pregnant after singing up with a band, take comfort that you are not alone, this happens to many women each year, do not let anyone make you feel guilty for being sad at missing Carnival and if you are playing mas while pregnant do all that is necessary to be safe on the road. The best way to get your costume sold at this point, if you need to, would be advertising on carnivaljunction.com and if you are with TRIBE check with the mas camp as well since there is a waiting list of persons wanting costumes. To all the expectant mommies congrats!! This must be an exciting time and I am sure you are all looking forward to the amazing months ahead.

Though some of you will be missing out on Carnival next year, lucky you have a chance to review all the bands for 2008, including the many new ones and will be in the position to pick among them for 2009! And since you are missing out on a fab costume for 2008 make sure for 2009 that you are a frontline H.O. in all her splendor! For my lovely super mommies playing mas with the baby on board, I salute your tenacity and see you on the road!

PHOTO SOURCE: www.hartscarnival.com

St. Mary's Carnival 2008 Orphanage Project

I was quite surprised to discover this facebook group geared to giving back something to the needy in Trinidad on their visit for Carnival. It is an excellent idea and I hope that persons who may not want to join the group can also find some charity in their hearts to donate something, as small as it may be to the many charities that are establihsed in Trinidad. For more information on the St Mary's Orphanage project you can visit this facebook group.

Trini Carnival 08: St Mary's Orphanage Project

Starting
in Carnival 2005, myself and a few generous friends and strangers have been
bringing toys, books, clothing, medical supplies, and anything extra we could
fit into our suitcases down to Trinidad for the orphans at St. Mary's Orphanage
in Tacarigua.

Carnival Saturday, after Kiddie's Carnival, the items are
delivered to the kids and some of us visit with them as well.

Plenty
people have said that Carnival is not a time for this kinda thing, and people
are too selfish to even think about doing something for these children . But we
have, of course, proven them wrong.

To date, we Carnival Junkies hailing
from the US Canada, the UK, and Caribbean, have donated close to $5000US in
goods to the children at the home.

It only takes a second to pick
something up that could make the difference in a little person's life. Also, we
will take donations of gently used items as well. Closer to Carnival time, there
will be drop off locations in a few cities, for those of us who can't make it to
Trini this year or dont have the room in our suitcases.

Besides with all
the slackness soon too ensue, you might want to think about doing something good
to even the score, lol.
Contact InfoEmail:
kktyson@yahoo.com

The Carnival Story

Few people know the roots of bands such as Poison which has now "birthed" new bands such as TRIBE, Island People, Pulse 8 and Dream Team. The following is an archive taken from the NALIS website which gives a bit of history into the fascinating dynamic that is Carnival!

THE CARNIVAL STORY

BIRTH OF HIGH MAS

By Terry Joseph

Episode 12

Express

March 3, 2000

Page 35



While pan and traditional calypso suffered from the post-1970 direction of the Carnival, which demanded more frenzied music and sound reproduced at deafening levels, mas meanwhile enjoyed an unprecedented boom.

Growth had been steady since the turn of the 1930s, when historical mas was a regular feature of the Tuesday parade. Mas had also diversified. J'Ouvert had defined among its mas options yard-sweepers, babes-in-arms, ghosts, cow mas and the dreaded blue devils and jab molassies (a mas that originally required the entire body to be covered in molasses). Bats and midnight robbers had also braved the daylight.

For the Tuesday competition at the savannah in 1932, presentations were judged in 19 categories (including best-decorated bicycle). The first prize overall was $60. Public participation had taken a leap by 1933, causing the authorities to schedule special trains to bring spectators and revelers into Port of Spain for the Carnival day parades. Patrick Jones put on a fireworks display that Carnival Monday night, which frightened more than a few people and the first amplified sound was heard at the Queen's Park Oval.

The growth pattern continued after the break for World War II. In 1956, more than ten bands crossing the Savannah stage fielded in excess of 300 players each. Among them was a young bandleader called Edmond Hart.

At the time he was rubbing shoulders with legends like Harold Saldenah, Irwin McWilliams, Stephen Lee Heung, Harry Basilon, Horace Lovelace, Bobby Ammon and Errol Payne. Men, who dominated the masquerading population, wore breastplates made from real metal (fashioned by the likes of Ken Morris) and carried regal capes of heavy plush velvet, when playing historical mas.

By the early 1960s, steelbands, which had concentrated on military mas up to that time, began to make their presence felt in the pretty mas league. In 1963 they were matching creativity with Saldenah's Controversy of Time, Bailey's Bats and Clowns, Edmond Hart's The Etruscans, Archie Yee Foon's Field of the Cloth of Gold and Irwin McWilliams' Festival of Moscow. The steelbands had answered the challenge majestically.

Cito Velasquez presented Splendour of the East that year and Desperadoes charmed the audiences both at the Savannah and Downtown with Land of the Zulus.

But it was Pat Chu Foon's designs that took the top mas prize. His drawings for Gulliver's Travels had been converted by the Silver Stars Steel Orchestra into a prize-winning presentation. It was the only time that a steelband would win the top prize at the Savannah and this one was particularly significant as it beat four-time winner George Bailey into second place.

By 1977, changes to the 1956 picture seemed to represent much more than 21 years of artistic evolution. Breakaway factions from the better-known bands were now producing their won full presentations, competing against their former mentors.

Morris' band split to also give us the Home Team; Raoul Garib had left Stephen Lee Heung to bring out his own band; Bernard "Frenchie" Clamens and Neville Hinds had parted company with McWilliams and Hart's band had spawned Mavericks.

Consider now that out of Hart's has since come Young Harts Ltd, Barbarossa, Poison and Legends, four of the largest bands at last year's Carnival. The 700 players that Edmond Hart fielded in the 1950s had grown to more than 17,000 over the period, comprising one-third of last year's Port of Spain parade.

These were not the only changes. The sheer weight of numbers, coupled with a number of social factors, had meanwhile altered the way mas would be played thereafter.

SOURCE:http://www.nalis.gov.tt/carnival/history_CarnivalStory_Part12.htm

Bon Voyage!

Just a little information for all you readers who visit daily. I will be on vacation out of the country for the next 9 days; my flight leaves in the next few hours actually. If possible I will try to update the blog as usual, if not I will update as I can. Of course getting all the news from Trinidad might not be an option so any questions or comments will be answered when I get back!

Enjoy the hiatus and remember to keep checking daily as you never know when I WILL update! I shall also be on the lookout for Carnival accesories, boots and Monday wear options for all you divas to look fabulous! Keep up the workouts and preparations for Carnival 2008.

Sayanora!

Shine!

Glitter has always been a part of my Carnival from as far back as I can remember. There is just something about dusting yourself with gold flakes that says I am ready for mas!

As a child my mother would smear Vaseline on my face and arms then apply the glitter, the Vaseline base ensuring that the glitter stuck and stayed on. Nowadays Vaseline and glitter equals a very bad sunburn, so I have taken to using glitter spray.

The glitter spray comes out in a fine mist and leaves your body, or hair, with a nice shimmery glow. I buy my Jerome Russell spray at Wonderful World in Trinidad for around $35.00, it is the one pictured below in the red can. One can is finished by the time I spray both myself and a friend on the arms, back and stomach. It does not last all day as the coarser, traditional glitter, but both of them rub off anyway with sweat and rubbing against other people.

Other sprays by Jerome Russell are also available, though a bit more expensive than the one in the red can; the Punk Spray sells for $45.00TT and the Bwild for $50.00TT. I have found online prices are comparable at around $7.00US.

Hair and Body Spray



Punk Spray


BWild

Alternately if you just want a head to toe glow and do not want to have the obvious shine of glitter, you can try shimmer powders or shimmer lotions. Most of these products are a bit subtle if you ask me and are more used to simulate a tanned look on paler complexions, however Jergens Soft Shimmer lotion is pretty good for shimmer factor! It actually has glitter in it and for every day use might be too much, for Carnival it is perfect providing a dewy glow with a hint of shimmer.

So don't forget to add these items to the list of "must have" Carnival accessories if you are looking to complement your costume with radiant skin!

Sold Out Section Update

BRIAN MC FARLANE
Winds of Horror
Demise of Oceans
Fires of Rage – Female
Pestilence – Female

ISLAND PEOPLE
Female:
Lioness
Kingfisher Bird
Silver Fox
Dragon Lizard (Frontline)
Great Egret

Male:
Kingfisher Bird
Silver Fox
Zebra
Great Egret
Polar Bear

TRIBE
All sections sold out

HARTS
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Apocalypto
Jewel of the Nile
Geronimo
Sahara
Pirates of the Caribbean
300
Karma Sutra
Prince of Egypt
Queen of Sheba
Chicago
Troy
Sampson and Delilah

EVOLUTION
African Gold (frontline)

DREAM TEAM
Emperor Butterfly
Wild Orchid

No Love yet

It has been one month and 17 days since D Krewe's launch on September 15th and the website has been "under construction" all this time. Daily I do see progress as 12 sections with prices are now available for viewing, however you still cannot register. Since there are 19 sections in the band "Love is" we await the other seven sections to make it unto the website. Sources have indicated that registration starts this weekend, we shall see.

As for the layout of the website, I would have liked to see bigger close up pics when you click on the links for headpiece etc. Personally I think the photos are too small and you do not get to see the detail of the costumes. In addition to the main D Krewe website several of the "outside" sections also have their own websites; thus far I have found individual links to the sections "Love", "Fantasy", "Tantric" and "Lust". These website provide more photos, contact information for section leaders and even the option to register outside of Trinidad and Tobago.

Mau Brothers - Fantasy


Pois Doux Productions - Tantric


Utopia International - LOVE


Sound FX - Lust

When outside sections are presented this way and not under the umbrella of the band it reminds me of the Poison days. On one hand it is great to be able to communicate with the section leader, and on the other you are not sure if all sections will meet the same standards. It was my experience in Poison that your total satisfaction really depended on the section you chose, especially in such a large band. The quality of costume construction differed from section to section as well as what your "all inclusive" package entailed and even what goodies were in your goody bag.

The trend with the other more popular all inclusive bands to have uniformity with all sections meeting the same standard in terms of everything provided such as lunch, drinks and goody bags ensures that each masquerader will get the same service and amenities. This is a trend I hoped to see newer bands adopt as well, but I guess variety is what makes Carnival so refreshing.

Here is hoping we get some Love this weekend and all sections are finally revealed to those who patiently awaiting D Krewe.

Spoilt Rotten Kids 2008

Kiddes Carnival band Spoilt Rotten Kids will be portraying "The Casbah" for Carnival 2008. There are seven sections catering to ages 2 to 14 in this medium sized all-inclusive band and prices range from $950.00 to $1600.00.

Evil Eye


The schedule for competition 2008 is as follows:

Saturday 19 Jan Flying Fish Kiddies Carnival TBA

Sunday 20 Jan St. Anthony’s Kiddies Carnival St.Anthony’s College Grounds

Saturday 26 Jan Red Cross Kiddies Carnival Jean Pierre Complex

Sunday 27 Jan St James Children’s Parade Western Main Road, St. James

Saturday 2 Feb Sunshine Snacks Parade Streets of POS

Sunday 3 Feb Downtown Children’s Carnival Downtown POS


For costume sketches, photos of past presentations and more information on Spoilt Rotten Kinds visit the website :http://www.carnival-children.com/