The Missing Ingredient ...

Spice, the all female led new band for Trinidad Carnival 2009 held their media launch last night on the rooftop of Club Zen. Members of the media and specially invited guests were feted with complimentary drinks and canapes for the evening, and though a brief shower put a damper on the rousing performance of fire breathers at the entrance to the club, the show went on as scheduled albeit a bit late!

I was particularly pleased that the introduction of Spice was not a protracted one. After a speech by band spokeswoman Anya Elias, who informed all present that Carnival was dictated by women, she reiterated that Spice was the "best recipe for Carnival" , with a focus on "fresh faces,concepts and innovative ideas" and that their goal was "making Carnival better!".Soon it was time to view the costumes:

Ocean Salt

Brown Sugar

Revealed at last night's briefing was that the band will have 10 sections, some of which are Paprika, Ocean Salt, Nutmeg and Brown Sugar. Sections are designed by Leasel Rovedas, Sandra Hordatt, and Richard Anthony productions and concepts. Spice intends to compete in the large band category.

The name of Spice's debutante presentation is "The Missing Ingredient..." with the launch scheduled to take place some time in mid- July.

After having seen the costumes up close and from every possible angle I have to say that I do like Ocean Salt a lot, especially the massive headpiece as I am partial to large headpieces. I also like the use of the jeweled detail on the bra, belt and headpiece instead of appliqués; you really have to see this one in person to appreciate the use of stones as embellishments.

The super sexy plunge bra for Brown Sugar, designed by Sandra Hordatt, is very sexy and different from the usual bras that I have seen for costumes, the only thing is that style is not suited for all cup sizes. I like Brown Sugar's headpiece and the model assured me that it was very comfortable to wear, even with the asymmetrical detail on the forehead. The entire costume is very well decorated, look closely at the seed beads on the bra, but something about the belt reminds me of TRIBE's "Machu Pichu" of 2005.

click on photos for large view

For a large view just click on any of the photos; more photos of the can be seen at my Facebook album here.

I can only hope that the other costumes are just as impressive. As a yet another new band for 2009, I am very interested in seeing what Spice is bringing to the table that sets them apart from the others that are also gunning for the same pool of masqueraders! The costumes shown last night are lovely and the marketing concept of the band seems to be not one of a "band war", guns blazing attacking other bands, but just a group of friends coming together to have a good time; I like that approach!

The media launch last night brought out the usual crop of photographers and media representatives as well as well known designers and persons from TRIBE, Island People and Kaotic:

My only critique is that as a "media launch" the press kit had no information on the band or the persons behind the band; yesterday's article in the Trinidad Guardian gave much more information than what was presented on two flyers. Maybe this is a deliberate move to keep that information secret, however it kind of defeats the purpose of a media launch when not even the title of the presentation is revealed! I had to go digging on my own to get more information than what was officially given as the press kit. Spice also seemed very excited by the filming of a reality show that focuses on the making of the band which will be aired locally and regionally; I too cannot wait to see that one!

Anyway, it was a nice night, very low key affair that was not a long drawn out event; timing was just right, even though the whole "spicy chef" concept was lost on most of the guests present. The costumes were on point and the star of the show, I was impressed! Looking forward to all that Spice has to offer and to see how well they can survive what is shaping up to be a VERY good Carnival 2009 for masqueraders offering LOTS more choices to spice up the selection...

Contact information for Spice:
www.spicecarnival.com
Raeann (868) 685-1766
Anya (868)725-8688
Nicholas (868)367 0774

Kaotic Media Launch Photos

From triniscene.com; full gallery of pics here.

New DC Carnival events

Check out the flyer for more info:

click to enlarge

Spice in the News

Today's Trinidad Guardian features an article on the "all female" band SPICE and seems as if the media launch is TOMORROW at Zen.. great..!

Women Add Spice to Carnival
Female Executive at helm of new Mas Band

Anya Elias, executive member of the all-female mas band Spice, is all smiles for the camera. Photo: Dilip Singh

By Cherisse Moe

It has been said that Carnival is all about women and now that saying has become literal. There is now a new Carnival band on the scene called Spice, which is run exclusively by the fairer sex.

“The band is produced and managed by females. We take care of everything from top to bottom, from the concept to the production, we are in charge,” said executive band member Anya Elias.

The executive team is made up of nine women, whose ages range from early 20’s to early 30’s. The identities of Elias’ eight sisters-in-mas is being kept a well-guarded secret until a reality TV show on the band premieres.

While Spice is set to come out for Carnival 2009, Elias made it clear that they are not trying to compete with the other established large bands.

“We try to marry the traditional intangible values of Carnival with fresh faces, concepts and ideas. However, we realise that we are not coming into the market as number one,” noted the Tobago native. “We want to live up to the standards that Tribe and Island People have set.

“A lot of new bands are trying to attack and compete with other bands. We are not doing that. We just realise there is a market and we are tapping into it.”

An idea becomes reality

So, how did such a brilliant idea materialise? Well, according to Elias, it began with a simple conversation among friends.

“My friends and I were just talking and the ideas began to flow. We started to play around with names and came up with all sorts of different things and then we came up with Spice and we just ran with it,” the Roytec graduate said excitedly.

Woman is boss

“Carnival is all about women. We decide what fetes to go to, we decide what costumes are hot and we decide what music to listen to. Every woman is the face of Carnival,” articulated Elias as she explained the idea to have an executive team comprising only women.

Elias did admit, however, that while women were at the forefront of the band, there were a few men involved...in the background. “We do have male involvement, but it’s the women who basically run the show.

She continued: “We also teamed up with a lot of business people so we have the business aspect of it as well. We tried to put together the perfect team.”

Something for everyone

Fellas, have no fear this band does cater to you as well!

“Our band is for everybody, irrespective of gender, size, colour and age,” said Elias. “We want to show the true colours of T&T. Carnival is supposed to be a presentation and we should be proud to showcase it to the world.”

The ball is rolling

Elias said Spice is coming along great and is roaring and ready to go for C2K9.

“We will be ready for Carnival and all is going well so far. We even got an offer to do a reality show based on the concept of an all-female mas band,” she stated.

Masqueraders choosing to play in Spice can look forward to “a show on the road.”

She said: “We are going to give masqueraders what they want.

“Spice is the best recipe for Carnival. People can expect one hundred per cent flavour for C2K9 and nothing less.”

Spice has scheduled an official media launch tomorrow at Club Zen, Keate Street, Port-of Spain.

Some of the sections in Spice include:

• Brown Sugar
• Sea Salt
• Garden of Sage
• Meditteranean Borage

The headpiece for the section named Sea Salt, designed by Richard Anthony Productions & Concepts.

©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Crop Over Bands Roundup!

Jump Barbados - Sand Dollar


Ooutraje - Jewel of Barbados


Berger Boyz - Goes to Hollywood


Contact - Essence of a Woman


Youth Explosion


Blue Box Cart/Harbour Lights


Jammers International - Fantasy


Village Styles

Reports are that Campuz Boyz are coming with "Gods and Goddess" and from the Nation News of Barbados, the costumes look exactly like what Genesis presented for Trinidad Carnival as "Tales":

PHOTO SOURCE: Nation News Barbados

Bands still to launch:

Baje International

Power-X-Four

Radikal

Refugees

Carnival Nationz Site is Up!!

Click the Logo Below to be taken to the website:

All 2007 returning masqueraders you can register yourself on either Wed 4th or Thur 5th June in your costume of choice. But from Saturday 7th June the camp will be open to the general public for registration.

Costume Registration begins:

* Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th June for CNz 2007 masqueraders ONLY @ FOSTER Pontiac Buick GMC 3445 Sheppard Ave E. (Warden & Sheppard)
* Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June for general public @ FOSTER Pontiac Buick GMC 3445 Sheppard Ave E. (Warden & Sheppard)
* Monday 9th June onwards @ CNz Mas Camp (533 McNicol Ave, at Victoria Park)

Full cost of backline/regular costumes is $155CDN
$80CDN deposit required (mandatory)
Frontline cost TBA by section leader at registration
Measurements required:
Female Male
Bra Cup size Waist size
Hip size Pants size
Bikini bottom size Meal Type
Meal Type Contact info
Contact info

At CNz registration FOSTER has plenty giveaways for each person registering:

* A VIP Foster card valued @ $1,750
* T-shirts
* Goodie bag

CNLC (2007 returning masqueraders ONLY):

*Registration dates: Wed 4th; Thurs 5th, 2008
* Registration time: 6pm-9pm (doors close promptly) @ 3445 Sheppard Ave E (Warden & Sheppard

General Public:

*Registration start date: Saturday 7th June, 2pm-7pm At 3445 Sheppard Ave E (Warden & Sheppard
* Registration continues: Sunday 8th June, 12pm-5pm At 3445 Sheppard Ave E (Warden & Sheppard

PIRATES Sections: Misty Dawn (white), Shipwreck (cream/turquoise/orange), Kacike (brown), Bullion & Baubles (gold/purple), Treasure Island (blue/silver), Sextant Horizon (yellow), Calico Jack & Anne Bonny (black/fuchsia), Captain Morgan s Wenches (red/gold), CAW CAW!! (green)

Pre Register with Myst

Antigua's newest Carnival band Myst is offering pre-registration on their website with a $50.00 discount for anyone paying 50% down by June 9th.

Section names listed are:

Blue Morph (Man o War $516.00US)

Fly Fox (Red Tiger $459.00US)

Iced Urchin (Zebra $543.00 US)

Sea of Thorns (Crocodile $483.00US)

Lickin Linx (Lion $476.00US )

Dam-Zel (King Fisher $549.00US)

Cape Cobra ( Dragon Lizard $499.00, frontline $665.00)

Prices range from $750.00 EC (283.00US) backline to $850.00EC ($320.00) US for Cape Cobra frontline which will be restricted to 20 females; this price also includes "Monday Wear"!

For more information check out the Myst Carnival 2008 Facebook group or their website.

Photos from the launch:

PHOTO SOURCE: Myst Facebook Group

Saldenah Launch photos...

You can view photos from the launch of Louis Saldenah's Caribana 2008 presentation "The Deep" on toronto-lime.com.

Interesting costumes but no hint of the theme whatsoever in any of the designs! Happy to see that the "green" costume uses what looks like a regular bra, it really makes a difference in the fit for the ladies.

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.