New Band for Caribana!

The Phoenix rises on May 18th, click on the following images for more information on this new band for Caribana 2008:

2009 Carnival Presentations

* Brian Mac Farlane — Africa
* Ronnie & Caro — Bakkanal
* Island People Mas — Heaven & Earth
* Trini Revellers — Sweet TnT...Tribute to T&T
* Genesis — Glitz & Glamour of Vegas
* Legacy — Shanghai Dream
* D’Krewe — Iere
* Masquerade — Let the Music Play
* We People International — Paradisio
*Pulse 8 - Hot, Hot, Hot!

Bush Lily Wins Toronto Revellers Contest

Despite all our voting and the drama that ensued yesterday when the polls were closed early due to alleged "cheating" Bush Lily beat African Coral by 45 votes!!! Congratulations to the winner, though I was and still am rooting for African Coral which I think is a very nice name for a section.

Anyway, I see Toronto Revellers has no hard feelings over the ideas to circumvent the non rules of the contest and will be holding another one in future. So, I think it would do them well to actually put up OFFICIAL rules for the contest so that voters will know 1) they can only vote once a day b) when the actual voting starts and ends and c)that one could have actually voted every day!. Apparently there were some rules regarding the contest but they must have been taken down because I searched the site and found none! Finally, it might be an idea to have potential voters register as a member before they can vote, thus preventing the multiple votes that THEY considered cheating!

African Coral will always be a winner to me, congrats Kara for second place!

VOTE!! VOTE!!! VOTE!!

After a marathon voting session last night, thinking the polls closed at midnight, African Coral has FINALLY regained the lead! The caveat is the polls are still open so we need to vote, and vote, and vote ....rouse your friends, co-workers,family members and tell them their vote is needed!!! Go to THIS LINK and vote for African Coral!! Thanks,on behalf of Karabana, to all of you who have voted so far.

Brazilian Float for Caribana!

Check this out:

THIS YEARS CARIBANA WILL BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER BECAUSE WE WILL BE INCLUDING, FOR THE FIRST YEAR EVER.....................

**********"A BRAZILIAN FLOAT "***********
INTO THE PARADE.

WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE ON THIS FLOAT FOR CARIBANA 2008.

WE PROVIDE COSTUMES, BODY PAINTING, DRINKS, ETC FOR YOU WHILE ON THE FLOAT.

WHAT DO YOU DO?:

YOU MUST PAY A FEE FOR YOUR COSTUME TO BE ON THE FLOAT. EVERYONE ON THIS FLOAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE ONE OF OUR BRAZILIAN COSTUMES.

FURTHER PRICING DETAILS ARE STILL BEING NEGOTIATED. APPROXIMATE RANGES ARE BETWEEN $80-$150.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR APPROX. 350-500 PPL TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MASSIVE FLOAT.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS AT THIS TIME TO JOIN OUR TEAM.

IF YOU REQUIRE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION YOU CAN CONTACT US AT (647) 686-7528

SEE YOU THIS SUMMER AT CARIBANA 2008!

ITS GOING TO BE WILD!

For more information on this float email:CONCRETENETO1@HOTMAIL.COM

Or visit this group on facebook.

Louis Saldenah for Caribana 2008

Louis Saldenah presents "The Deep" for Caribana 2008; one of the sections is being lead by Bryant Sinanan and it is called VAILULU (under water volcano off the coast of Samoa) with costume colours of yellow, orange, turquoise and gold. Costumes are promised to be firey hot!The band launching takes place on May 31st. More information to follow!

Vote every day until Monday!

Do not forget that you can continue to vote for African Coral EVERY DAY until MONDAY, so KEEP VOTING!! Right now, thanks to many of you, African Coral is in the top 3 (lost the lead today) and we hope to make African Coral #1 and only #1. To vote click on this link, the poll is to the bottom right of the page.

D Krewe says thank you to their masqueraders...

On Friday March 29th D Krewe will host a Thank You soirée for their masqueraders on Saturday March 29th at the Coliseum II car park on Long Circular Road, St James. The event starts at 6pm and is scheduled to go until midnight. Masqueraders can R.S.V.P at 622-8834,622-1716; non masqueraders pay $100.00 at the door.

click on photo for larger view

Machel at Six Flags!

On July 12th 2008 Machel Montano will be performing at Six Flags, Great Adventure, Jackson New Jersey. Tickets start at $40.00 (until June 1st) and that includes the Machel concert as well as admission to the park, Wild Safari and rides. For more information on ticket sales check out the advertisement below:

Click on photo for large view

Vote for African Coral!

Toronto Revellers currently has a name that section contest for their 2008 Caribana presentation "Alkebu'lan". One of the blogging "family", Karabana, submitted a section name which has made it as one of the 6 finalist; her submission is "African Coral":

African Coral I picture a sumptuous flowing costume that represents the salmon coloured coral that shimmers and sways in Africa seas.

Your votes are needed to ensure that African Coral comes out as the winning entry, so vote on the homepage for "African Coral" ( poll is located on the bottom right) and make sure all your friends vote as well! You can vote EVERY DAY so continue to vote until Monday!

I cannot think of someone more deserving of winning two free costumes, Karabana kept everyone quite informed about Caribana through detailed entries on her blog last year; she was the unofficial Caribana correspondent for 2007 and will be blogging about all the events leading up to Caribana 2008! S

Good luck Kara!!

Pulse 8 2009

Here is a little teaser of what to expect from Pulse 8 for 2009:

Pulse 8's presentation for C2K9 'HOT! HOT! HOT ' is a fiery expression of the explosion of the hottest tastes; the hottest places; the hottest happenings as it relates to the heat sensation.

In extension the music 'Hot Hot Hot' is to be mixed into the presentation.

Outline of Section Names to include:

Malagueta Chile

Hot Ice

Flaming Sambuca

Kalahari Desert

Volcano Lava

Fire in Cairo

Tombouctou

Pyrotechnics

With More to follow!

International Carnival Calender (revised, with links!)

Mar 1-30, 2008………. Jamaica
Apr 6-26, 2008………. St. Thomas (V.I)
Apr 17-May 3, 2008……….St. Maarten
Apr 27-May 3, 2008……….Cayman Islands
May 3, 2008………. Pt. Fortin Borough Day
May 17, 2008……….Honduras
May 17-19, 2008 ……….Oakland, CA
May 23-25, 2008 ……….Orlando, FL
May 23-25, 2008 ……….San Francisco, CA
May 23-25, 2008……….Atlanta, GA
May 24, 2008 ……….Bermuda
May 25-28, 2008……….Berlin Germany
June 8, 2008……….Hartford, CT
June 14, 2008……….Philadelphia, PA
June 28-29, 2008……….Washington DC
June 14-15, 2008……….Tampa Bay, FL
June 27-July 8, 2008……….St. Vincent & the Grenadines
July 3-6, 2008………..Houston, TX
July, 2008……….St. John (VI)
July 5, 2008………Montreal,Canada
July 18-19, 2008……….Norfolk, Virginia
July 20, 2008 ……….Jersey City, NJ
July 21-July 22, 2008……….St. Lucia
July 25-26,2008.......... British Colombia, Canada (Caribbean Days Festival)
Aug 2, 2008 ……….Toronto (Caribana)
Aug 4, 2008……….Barbados (Cropover)
Aug 4-5, 2008……….Antigua
Aug 8-10, 2008……….Hamilton, Canada
Aug 8-10, 2008 ……….Edmonton
Aug 8-10, 2008 ……….Detroit, MI
Aug 11-12, 2008……….Grenada (Spice Mas)
Aug 15-17, 2008 ……….Chicago, IL
Aug 18, 2008………..Ottawa
Aug 23, 2008 ……….Boston, MA
Aug 24-25, 2008 ……….Notting Hill (London, UK)
Sep 1, 2008 ……….New York (Labor Day)
Sep 6-7, 2008 ……….Baltimore, MD
Oct 24-26, 2008……….Jacksonville, FL
Oct 12, 2008……….Miami, FL
Oct 10-12, 2008……….Los Angeles, CA
Oct 18, 2008……….Sydney (Australia)
Dec 24, 08-Jan 2, 2009……….St. Kitts
Dec 2008……….Montserrat
Dec 24, 08-Jan 2……….St.Croix (V.I)

Vacation Mentality!!

So, now that Carnival is now long behind us (feels like years ago instead of just a month) what is there to look forward to between now and band launching season which kicks off in June? Well, for me I have been in vacation mode, seriously lapsing on my usual Carnival obsession, since I am going on a trip to Punta Cana in May and have been planning for that wholeheartedly, not to mention we have THREE holidays in Trinidad between this week and the next!

I know many of the bloggers are also going off to some "exotic" locale soon. There is one blogger in India right now (lucky dog!) and several going different ways for Easter, including London, Barbados, Dominica and St Lucia. Next month one is going to Hawaii another Cuba and in May it's Antigua, Mexico, Costa del Sol,Bermuda, in June China not to mention those who are going on a cruise,St. Maarten and Anguilla. Then there are a few making the trip to Caribana, Spice Mas, Crop Over and Miami Carnival!! I tell you we have a whole set of globe trotters keeping active now that Carnival is over.

For those of you returning to Trinidad soon however, fear not, there are some happenings that you should take note of. Next month is the Tobago Jazz Festival with the headliners being Whitney Houston and Rod Stewart, this takes place from Friday April 25th to Sunday April 27th. If you do not have accomodations and a plane/ferry ticket booked by now you might as well stay home! Also in April there are two One Day Internationals (cricket, people) taking place on April 10th and April 12th; tickets to the all inclusive Trini Posse Stand are $600.00 and if you need to know who to contact to get your ticket send me an email!

In May there is the Point Fortin Borough Day festival taking place on May 3rd, but the entire weekend is one big fete, just like a mini Carnival. Those of you who played with Legacy can use your costume at Borough Day as Legacy makes an appearance. There are other bands that you can join for Jouvert in Point such as Radical Promotions :

I know some of you have emailed me for accomodations in Point Fortin for Borough Day and these are a few I have found listed:

South Western Court Hotel
14-16 Guapo Main Rd, Point Fortin, Trinidad
Tel: (868) 648- 4734 or (868) 648- 0075

Cinnamon Court 148 Clifton Hill
Point Fortin
Tel: (868) 648-0752

118 Cinnamon Drive
Point Fortin
Tel: (868) 648-2349

Flynns Black Gold Guest House
La Brea Village
Tel: (868) 710-1622

For more information on Point Fortin Borough Day visit the Point Alive website.

Soon enough there will be a full roster of band launchings taking place one behind the other, June is only 2 months away! But for all of you jetting off soon, safe travels and remember to check the international calender to see if a Carnival is taking place where you will be, and if there is, take pics and send me a review! Next up is Jamaica Carnival.

$1.00 Bus from NY to DC!

Thanks to JJ for the link to Bolt Bus, the $1.00 Bus (yes that is the real price, not a typo) which leaves from New York, destination Washington D.C. The service begins on March 27th and when I checked the dates for D.C. Carnival the fare is available at $1.00!!!

D.C. Carnival takes place on June 28th and 29th, the official website is not updated as yet but keep it bookmarked. TRIBE's fete Ignite will be taking place for D.C. Carnival again this year and the date is Thursday June 26th.

So, if you were planning on going to D.C. Carnival from the New York area this $1.00 Bus is worth checking out... it is cheaper than driving there yourself!

A sign of things to come???

The National Carnival Bands Association (N.C.B.A.0 has a new poll on their website:

"Will you be willing to play mas without a stage for Carnival 2009?"

The available answers are:

1. Very Willing. No need for stage.
2.It Doesn't Matter
3. Not Willing.Bring Back the Stage.

I don't have to tell you which one I voted! So far there are only 29 votes total since the poll went up on February 14th so START VOTING!!!

Hopefully the N.C.B.A. will make good use of this feedback because WE WANT A STAGE for 2009.

Brass is Back for 2009!

On Carnival Saturday 2009 "Caribbean Brass & Soca Festival" is carded to take place. Plans are already afoot with a joint production of Village Productions and Randy Glaswgow to produce this event which will "take up where Brass Festival left off".

Changes to the event will see the top 15 brass and soca bands from across the region, as well as international chart toppers invited to be part of the show which is expected to be broadcasted live to more than 40 countries.

The Caribbean Brass & Soca Festival will also feature a Caribbean Food Fair, featuring cuisine of islands from Cuba to Panama!

Win a chance to see Machel at Madison Square Garden!

If you think you have the writing skills, try your luck! The contest looks interesting, you win two tickets to New York, hotel accommodation and two tickets to see Machel Montano live in concert.... but what about spending Money?? steups. Check out the contest rules below or at caribbeanfever.com.

CaribbeanFever.com invites you to come Blaze the Trail with Machel Montano @ MSG

Win FRONT ROW SEATS and an ALL EXPENSE paid trip for TWO to NYC!!

Sponsor of Caribbean Airlines

You are traveling on a Caribbean Airlines flight headed for NYC to be part of the Machel Montano experience at Madison Square Garden. You end up sitting next to your boss. After a while he/she falls asleep and is constantly tossing, turning and nodding on you. Suddenly you feel your shirt/top wet and realize that your boss is leaning on

In 200 words or less, tell us what you would say and do to get your boss off your shoulder.

You must be a registered member. If you are not a registered member, click here to register http://caribbeanfever.com/forum/index.php?action=register

The winner will be announced Wednesday, March 19th at 12:00 Noon, Eastern on www.musicfeverinfo.com.

Rules:

---

The following rules (hereinafter referred to as "Rules") represent the official Rules for the "Caribbean Fever & Caribbean Airlines Blaze the Trail with Machel Montano @ MSG in NYC" (hereinafter referred to as "Contest").

A. Entry:
1. Post your story (200 words or less) “what you would say and do to get your boss off your shoulder”.
2. Contest runs from: 9:00 AM ET Friday, March 14 through 6:00 PM ET Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
3. Entries must be posted by 6:00 PM Eastern, Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
4. Only one entry per person.
5. Neither Fever International, Inc. and/or Caribbean Airlines, (hereinafter "Sponsor"), nor their respective subsidiaries (caribbeanfever.com) or any entities used for the promotion of this contest directly or indirectly will not be held responsible for lost, illegible, or late submissions.

B. Eligibility and compliance of Winners:
1. All legal residents must be 25 years and older.
2. All legal residents must have a valid passport and required documents to re-enter your originating country and enter the USA.

C. Prizes:
The following prize will be awarded: Grand Prize: One (1) grand prize-winning person will be selected and will receive:
Round-trip (coach) air-transportation for two (2) to NEW YORK. One (1) room for 3 days/2 nights at a hotel in NYC and a pair of tickets to see Machel Montano at MSG.

D. Winner:
1. The Grand Prize winner shall provide his/her contact details including email address, postal address, and telephone number.

2. Grand Prize winner agree to hold Fever International, Inc., Caribbean Airlines and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, and employees, and all promotional partners, advertising agencies, and their employees harmless against all claims, demands, obligations, causes of action, and lawsuits, and all damages, liabilities, fines, judgments, costs (including settlement costs), and expenses associated therewith arising directly or indirectly from the Contest, any services performed or actions taken by Sponsor or Fever International, Inc. incidental thereto, or any trip awarded as a prize, or any other prize winning.

3. The Grand Prize winner shall be fully responsible for determining, complying with, and satisfying any and all travel regulations. The Grand Prize winner shall be solely responsible for: abiding by all local laws, rules, and regulations of all jurisdictions through which the Grand Prize winner will travel for the duration of the trip awarded pursuant to the Contest.

E. Miscellaneous:
1. The Grand Prize winner is solely responsible for all taxes, including federal, state, local, income, sales, and port taxes associated with prize winnings and travel.
2. The Grand Prize winner consent, except where prohibited by law, to the use without compensation of his/her name and likeness for promotion and advertising purposes in connection with the Contest, and may be required to complete an affidavit of eligibility and release in order to claim any prize.
3. By entering the Contest, each entrant agrees to and accepts these Rules. Fever International, Inc. shall have sole responsibility for interpretation and implementation of the Rules.
4. The decision of Sponsor is final in all matters relating to the Contest and the Rules.

So I thought you should know....

Ronnie and Caro's presentation for 2009 is "Bacchanal" with the band launch slated for August 1st 2008, while Pulse 8's theme for 2009 is "Hot, Hot, Hot".

In other Carnival related news, rumour is that Stacey Des Vignes will be parting ways with TRIBE and bringing her own band for 2009; Ms Des Vignes has been the section leader for Sea Whips, Majorette and Luna during the years . If this latest RUMOUR turns out to be true we can look forward to yet another new band for 2009, hmm, I wonder which section will bring up the rear of TRIBE if that's the case?

Edited to add:
Rumours of Stacey Des Vignes leaving TRIBE have turned out to be..... just rumours!

Hot!! Hot!! Hot!!

So, I have been asked to poll you blog readers on "the hottest male and female bodies on the road for 08" (sic). Since "hot" or not is quite subjective, I shied away from actually doing a poll, however as I was looking through the photo galleries of the numerous photo websites I realized many masqueraders did indeed look very well put together on the road, with some looking quite outstanding. Whether they were blessed by superb genetics or the bodies are a result of months of hard work, this is the chance to give your picks a bligh.

Have some fun looking through the galleries that I have linked, and leave your two top choices as a comment, with the link (url) of the photograph included. Remember, we are voting for your choice of hottest MALE and FEMALE on the road for Carnival 2008!

Carnival Scene

Trini Stars

Trini Jungle Juice

Play Carnival

Watever

Lizzard Blizzard

Trini Pulse

Trini Crew

Toronto Lime

Carnival Power

Trini Soca

N.Y. Caribbean Vibes

Triniscene

Now, I did not have time to look through EVERY photo gallery of Carnival 2008, but here are my picks for Male and Female:

PHOTO SOURCE:
Triniscene.com

Trinipulse.com

Second out the gate?????

Hmm, so we have rumors of a theme now rumors of an actual band launching date for TRIBE and I have been told it is going to be two weeks after Evolution’s launch. If you don’t know when Evolution’s launch is going to be you have not been paying attention!!!! If this is true TRIBE is launching 3 weeks earlier than last year, amazing! I wonder when Harts launch will be since traditionally they were always first. Anyway, all this talk of Carnival 2009 is making me excited! I can’t wait to HEAR what the possibility of a costume might be like… I have already heard some of a few colours that will be used, one actual section name…and that Super Mo Mo has started designing costumes and they are looking “HOTT”. How many more days until July?