Spicing things up this month..

Following on the heels of new band "Kaotic"'s media launch I have been informed that "Spice" (the other new band making a debut for Trinidad Carnival 2009) will hold it's media launch on June 19th (Labour Day Holiday).

Unfortunately I will also be missing that one as I will be out of the country! Who would have anticipated that all these "media launches" for Carnival 2009 would start as early as April (Elements), May (Kaotic) and June (Spice)??! !

I guess all these new bands need to start the hype from early because next month is the official start of band launching season in Trinidad and Tobago.. and what an interesting season it will be!

Red International's New Costume...

So, after my post entitled "Is this a new trend" pointing out the fact that Ronnie & Caro's costume from Trinidad Carnival 2008 ,"De Mang", showed up at Red International's band launch for St Lucia Carnival 2008, this new costume called "Breathtaking" showed up on their website:

Curiously absent from the line up of sections is this costume, which can still be seen in their launch photos however.

It seems as if Red International got rid of the controversial costume in favor of the new one called "Breathtaking"! Now see, getting a brand new costume wasn't so hard right? And the new costume is still pretty cute!

Edited to add:
Dulce 7 also wrote about Red International's new costume on her blog and mentions that an insider from Red informed her that the costume was sold to them as "new designs"! I am glad that they decided to go with a new costume as if it is indeed true that the initial costume was sold as an original, that designer should be ashamed at the dishonesty!

Antigua Carnival Bands Online...

The websites for both Solid International and Xtreme Mas have been updated. Solid's costumes are looking pretty good, while Xtreme has some interesting costumes and section names to say the least!

Click on the band photo to be taken to the website:

Solid International


Xtreme

House for rent...

One of the readers of my blog will not be making it to Carnival for 2009 and has indicated that they have a house available for rent for those who might be interested:

It is called "Papaya House" located in Tunapuna with 4 bedrooms and a pool:

For more information on amenities as well as rental rates visit this website.

Carnival Nationz Launch Photos

Triniscene.com has a gallery of photos from Carnival Nationz band launch for their Caribana Presentation "Pirates".

The models' makeup is a bit distracting and bizarre in some cases, however my favorite costume is "Kacikie" pictured below:

Kacikie:
Love the browns and copper


Misty Dawn:
nondescript white costume, very generic.


Shipwreck :
for some reason I want to like it,
but not liking the bra fur.


Sextant Horizon -
I don't like this one at all!
What is up with the mask?
Bra reminds me of last year's Aerialist; despise that belt.


Captain's Morgan Wenches:
Not to sure about the feathers on the bra ,
but another decent costume


Treasure Island :
hmm blue and black, interesting combo.
Not too sure if I am liking it but I do like the bra top!


Calico Jack and his Lover Bonny:
The pink and black does not look bad together.
Love the headpiece.


Bullions and Baubles:
Another costume I like.
Interesting headpiece and bra/belt design.


Caw Caw:
Very green! Not liking that bra AT ALL with
the profusion of feathers sprouting from the breasts.
Ode to Island People's Kingfisher with the arm pieces.

Life Unleashed .. professional photos..

These costume photos are from the Press Kit that was given at Kaotic's media launch last night:

Kaotic.. Life Unleashed

So, word from my friend who attended Kaotic's media launch last night is that the experience was very nice as the guests were feted with canapes and cocktails at the Queen's Park Oval Banquet Hall; I was told especially to mention that the food was great!Apart from invited media persons other attendees included Dean Ackin from TRIBE, Colin Murray, Sherwayne Winchester and Peter C Lewis.

Kaotic's founder is Hayden Harbin, with the designer and creative director of their 2009 Carnival presentation "Life Unleashed" Ricardo Gomez. Other persons on the committee include Rene Holford (Barbados), Rene Ortiz (DJ Rene), Francis Woon Sam, Yasmin Charles with photography by Calvin French. Three costumes were on display last night, one being the Grecian inspired burgundy and gold "Beau Jolais" a section led by Ricardo Gomez and Kano Carpette. The band launch is slated for JULY 13th and from the information given costumes will be under $3000.00TT.

The other nine section names and section leaders are :

Earthly Passion - Rene Holford & Reanne Allum
Deja Vu- Christopher D'Abreau
Hot Oil- Adrian & Maillard Howell;Russel Manswell &Sieske Roberts
Mythical Freedom- Aldrin Alleyne &Renate Charles
Copia.. Goddess of Wealth - Kesha Quash
Horizon - Hayden Harbin
Emerald Viper - Francis Woon Sam
Extreme Fury - Rene Ortiz &MArisa Cipriani
Aqua Abyss - Yasmin Charles

Some more information on Kaotic:

"We are the newest, ultimate Carnival band for 2009. KAOTIC is full of passion and adrenaline, a renaissance of vibrant movement and sensation. KAOTIC is life unleashed"

The band house will be located at 15 Ana Street Woodbrook.
Website: www.kaoticcarnival.com
Email:kaoticcarnivaltt@hotmail.com

Photos are coming soon!

Kaotic Media Launch

Unfortunately I was unable to make the Kaotic media launch last night, my flight was delayed by an hour and the launch was scheduled for only 8pm to 10pm so I missed it! However my friend was able to get me a press kit and photos so will be posting that information as soon as I get it.

Still looking for accomodation?

Here are some links to bed and breakfast accomodation in Trinidad and Tobago!

Bed and breakfast Trinidad and Tobago 1 .

Bed and breakfast Trinidad and Tobago 2.

Happy Memorial Day!

To all the bloggers in the U.S. enjoying this long weekend and the bloggers in the U.K., enjoy your bank holiday as well.

Colours Colours Colours!!!

Wow, so a little bird whispered in my ear some colours to look out for, we have peridot, turquoiuse, red, green, yellow, pink and "nude" among others!!!

Also, wings in all forms and fashions so stop thinking standard generic wings and think outside the box! I have also heard we are in for some super sexy costumes with new bra designs and LOTS and LOTS of feathers!! Look out for our national bird, of course, and some other birds from the Brazilian rainforest as well as birds native to England!

July 26th cannot come fast enough.

Hola!!!

Buenos Dias todos,

I am enjoying some Mamajuana at the moment and it is really hard to type on a Spanish keyboard after you have had a few drinks in!!! See you all on Tuesday when I am headed straight to the Kaotic media launch from the airport.

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!!!!!

Taking flight....

As this bird prepares to take flight in a few hours I leave you with some pics to tantalize your imaginations!

p.s. Guess which diva of a designer is rumoured to be bringing a section that features a local bird that gravitates towards the "Labasse"!!!!????? I know for one you will not be catching me in black but sources have said the costume is "very nice".

Humph, I just can't see myself parading as a vulture through the streets of Port of Spain come Carnival Tuesday, however this local stylist and fashion designer will have their fans eating up their designs as usual !!!

The Taboo Party

D.C. Carnival's very popular mate fete "The Taboo Party" takes place this year on Friday June 27th at the Broad Water Estate .Tickets go on sale from June 1st! Take note of the date and check the official Taboo website for details!

Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival celebrates 16th annual event on June 14-15

ST PETERSBURG, FL - The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival is celebrating its 16th year and will take place at historic & scenic Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg, FL, June 14th and 15th, 2008. A Caribbean experience like no other, come enjoy the sights, sounds, culture and food of the islands. Events for the weekend include live steel band performances from around the Southeast U.S. on Saturday afternoon and a Mas Costume parade on Sunday. Exhibits, arts and crafts, food, kid’s area and live Caribbean music throughout the weekend will surely please everyone. The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival is Fun for the entire Family!

Headline artists Ivy Queen & Collie Buddz takes the Stage on Saturday evening and Bunji Garlin, Faye Ann Lyons, Hunter & Leon Coldero will round out the weekend on Sunday evening.

The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival draws visitors from throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival Committee, a not-for-profit 501.c3 corporation, which promotes the culture, music, and community of the Caribbean Islands, produces the Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival. As proud members of the International Caribbean Carnival Association their vision is to bring together Florida's multi ethnic diversity to experience the unique cultural tradition called Carnival. The Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival, a refinement of the traditional West Indian style Carnival presentation, is a spectacle of pageantry, color, and fantasy depicted through a kaleidoscope of incredible costumes, steel bands, calypso, soca, and reggae music.

Fun for the Entire Family! Crafts, Food, Music, Soca, Calypso, Reggae, Moco Jumbies, Local and International Entertainment!

For more information about the 16h Annual Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival, call (727) 327-1277, or visit us online at www.tampacarnival.com

Exporting the Greatest Show on Earth......

The growing trend of reusing Trinidad Carnival’s costumes in Carnivals internationally and regionally has got me thinking; thus far Island People’s costumes will be available in Antigua, Pulse 8’s for D.C. Carnival, Wee International for Orlando and Ronnie & Caro for St Lucia Carnival. With the accessibility of Trinidad’s costumes and, in the case of Antigua, on road all inclusive amenities, will it eventually become unnecessary for foreigners to make the trip to Trinidad Carnival as they can get the same experience at home without forking out top dollar?

If you were not one of the enterprising persons to book your ticket to Trinidad for Carnival 2009 early, expect to pay in excess of $500.00 depending on the destination you are coming from. I know that flights from London are particularly expensive at that time of year, even on the charters. Unbelievably regional travel between islands are now pricing at more than an international destination, thus making it even more expensive to visit Trinidad coming from the neighboring islands such as St Lucia and Antigua.

Trinidad is feeling the economic global crunch with rice and flour shortages, higher prices for food, electricity rates and real estate; rental. The inflation rate is projected to hit double digits before the end of 2008, masqueraders and Carnival enthusiasts can expect the costs to increase yet again for accommodation, costumes and fetes as prices keep rising. In 2008 masqueraders and Carnival lovers making the trip to Trinidad for Carnival easily spent in excess of $3000.00US for accommodation, airfare, costumes and fetes. How much will this figure be for 2009?

Will there come a time when masqueraders and Carnival lovers who have been making the trip to Trinidad annually, simply cannot afford to do so? This scenario seems even more of a possibility as costumes and amenities from Trinidad’s Carnival are being exported; if you as a foreign masquerader can get the same costumes and same all inclusive on road experience at home, why bother to make the trip to Trinidad? Maybe it will not be necessary to visit every year, skip one year of Trinidad’s Carnival and you can get a costume from that year showing up in Orlando or Labor Day Carnival for much less, right?

It used to be that Trinidad’s Carnival was “unique”, the “greatest show on Earth”, but it disturbs me when our “experience”, of which we pay a high cost for, is being transplanted to other islands and countries for much less! While it may seem unreasonable to compare say Antigua’s Carnival with Trinidad’s, surely one can see that with the new band “Myst” Antigua is moving forward to offering an experience that is as close to Trinidad’s as one can get. First our fetes made the migration, events associated with Trinidad’s Carnival such as Glo, Insomnia, UWI Fete and Brian Lara’s all inclusive can be enjoyed in countries from Barbados to Miami. Now our costumes AND all inclusive on the road experience is making the migration as well!

To me there is nothing wrong with tapping into Trinidad’s talent and expertise for making unique costumes which will be used in Carnivals globally; this is already a business for bands such as Harts and Legacy who produce costumes for Carnivals all over the world. However, selling costumes wholesale AS IS from Carnival presentations of the same year is really a slap in the face to all masqueraders who thought they were paying for a unique experience that they could have only gotten in Trinidad. I fear that in the near future the large foreign contingent that mas bands and fete promoters depend on to pay the higher prices that the average Trinidadian cannot, will start dwindling in numbers as the greatest show on earth turns into the greatest * “pappy show” on Earth.

* pappy show To call someone or something a pappyshow is a. form of mockery and derision

Myst comes to Antigua Mas ...

And along with it Island People's costumes from Animal Instincts!

The names associated with the band Myst are Marlon Rawlings and Michael Freeland and I was told that they will not be competing for band of the year during Antigua Carnival but will be offering masqueraders all of Island People's amenities on the road as well as the sections Zebra, Black Widow Spider and King Fisher.

Word is that prices will be range from $300.00 to $450.00US, though this is priced more than the standard rate for costumes in Antigua I have been told that some Antiguan Carnival lovers are excited by this prospect and the fact that they do not have to journey to Trinidad (and spend extra money) to get the Trinidad costumes and services right at home!

I don't know if to be surprised at this turn of events or accept it as the growing trend of recycling Trinidad costumes regionally and internationally. Surely Island People did not have an excess of costumes from this year's mas to get off their hands right? And, I wonder how their masqueraders feel about this, having paid much more than what the costumes are rumoured to be priced at in Antigua! Carnival in Antigua is just as in Trinidad, two days of revelry, so why the cheaper prices I wonder? Anyway, I will reserve further comment until after their private band launch which takes place this Sunday, May 25th!

First look at "Kaotic"

Something about that flyer reminds me of Evolution.. maybe it is the model Kaotic is having a media launch for their debut Carnival 2009 presentation "Life Unleashed" on Tuesday May 27th at Fiesta Plaza Movietowne from 8:00PM to 10:00PM. I have heard that costumes were on show at a private launch already so hopefully they will give those in attendance a little tease of what is in store.

Jewels de Carnaval Section Launch..

Jewels de Carnaval is holding it's private section launch for Notting Hill Carnival 2008, details are on the flyer below:

click for large view

The section's name is "Cirque du Soleil" and the band is Arawak whose 2008 Notting Hill Carnival presentation is "Viva Las Vegas". For more information you can visit Jewel's website or email islandcarnival@gmail.com. Interesting to note is that on the spot registration will be available on the night of the launch.

Classy or Common??

Common
com·mon [ kómmən ]
adjective (comparative com·mon·er, superlative com·mon·est)
Definition:
9. vulgar: considered to be ill-bred, or vulgar
common behavior

Classy
class·y [ klássee ] (comparative class·i·er, superlative class·i·est)
adjective
Definition:
stylish: very stylish and elegant ( informal)

My first recollection of the ever popular sexy wire bra being worn on the streets of Port of Spain has to be with Nina Mc Kenzie of Legends who created quite a stir with the sight of her breasts titillatingly displayed for all and sundry to see. Some have even cited this incident as being the catalyst for the spilt between Big Mike and his partner Ian Mc Kenzie, whether that is true or not, the sexy wire bra has always drawn critics, detractors and supporters who either love it or hate it.

Island People

This uber sexy take on the already skimpy costumes in the bikini and beads genre has become a staple of some bands each year for Carnival, and while I personally see nothing wrong with the bra being worn on the right body type some have deemed this type of bra “un classy” and not an option for the standard of what certain bands want to portray. Looking at the argument against the bra I can see how it might be seen as just an excuse to go naked on the streets without adding any “creative value”, aping Rio, if you will. And while it is obvious that this type of costume is not suitable to every masquerader, the fear could be that masqueraders themselves may not use common sense and good judgment when choosing a costume to complement their natural assets. Not to mention many a “nipple slip” has been caught on camera, unsuspecting ladies without the hindsight to wear pasties, succumbing to a wardrobe malfunction under the glare of the media.

D Krewe

Though I will not choose a sexy wire bra as an option for Carnival (my bra cups runneth over way too much for it to even be a consideration!) I have seen it worn by masqueraders in several bands and on the right person with the right breasts, to me, it does not look vulgar and can look quite sexy; if you got it, flaunt it right? Who knows how long "it" will last! However, there are a few ladies who obviously choose this particular bra which is not suited to them. I have seen the wire bra looking painfully small, cutting into ladies skin and dare I say that some breasts are just not made for a bra held up by metal and jewels! This year I noticed several ladies in Island People’s King Fisher embellishing the wire bra with added fabric so that it gave the effect of nudity without being overtly so. Maybe this can be a happy compromise for those who desire the sexy wire bra and the skeptics who do not think it is classy enough for mas in Trinidad?

If the band of your choice were to offer the sexy wire bra as an option or alternative to the regular bra, will you be in favor of this, even though you may not choose this option for yourself? Do you think that the sexy wire bra is sexy or “skanky”? Does the potential of having masqueraders in the band wearing sexy wire bras diminish the “classiness” of the band? Thoughts!

Dream Team