DJ Private Ryan Soca 2009 Sample Mix

This is a great mix of the 2009 Soca releases from DJ Private Ryan; click the links to download and yes, it was perfect for doing my morning cardio!

Here is a mix a lot of people have been begging me for although I said I wont do any 2009 mixes till the first week of February. This is a 30 minute sample of the soca 2009 songs so far. It definitely does not include ALL the hits that are playing right now and is meant to just give you a taste of some the stuff out so far hence the reason it is mixed faster than usual. I'm sure some of you can use it as motivation for the cardio workouts in the gym.

Look out for the real megamix in February.

* includes two remixes of two of last years popular songs out on the road by Zan and oil and music by Machel.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/w77tjw

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ik4gne

Track listing
1. Bum Bum Ville - Shal Marshall
2. Hold you down - Zan
3. Not Drunk (Illusion Mix) - KMC
4. Wuk Me - Tizzy & Richard Trumpet
5. Belly Dancer - Farmer Nappy
6. Sweetness - Shian Bailey
7. Wine on me scracth master remix - Zoelah
8. Block to Block - Machel & Umi Marcano
9. Oil and Music Remix - Machel & David Rudder
10. Out n d road remix - Zan & Machel
11. Drunk Again - Benjai
12. Heavy T - Fay Ann Lyons
13. Banana - Bunji Garlin
14. Thunder - Kess
15. Obsessive Winers - Destra feat. Alison Hinds & Denise Belfon
16. Bumpers Rule - Nadia Batson
17. Yeast - KMC
18. Plenty Gal - Buni Garlin
19. Minis Pumps - Kerwin Dubois
20. Sassiness - Destra
21. Floor on Fire - Machel Pitbull & Lil Jon
22. Ready - Iwer
23. Meet Super - Fay Ann Lyons
24. Bacchanal - Destra
25. Ravin - Machel Montano
26. Sway in D Mas - Patrice Roberts
27. Living Water - KMC
28. Tusty - Blaxx

Carnival Faces 2009 ............

If you are still looking for a makeup artist here are two more who will be doing faces for Carnival and one I can personally recommend.

The first is Dixie-Ann John who is a professional airbrush makeup artist. You can view her portfolio at her website www.dixieannjohn.com. Dixie-Ann can also be contacted at 868-687-7556 or email: pro_airbrushmakeup@yahoo.com

Next is Trudy Young of Carnival Faces, a team of makeup artistes who visit ever year for Carnival. Several of us used Trudy last year, you can read my review HERE, albeit I was hesitant to reveal who I used lin 2008 for fear of her popularity overwhelming the demand. Trudy also has an online portfolio that you can view at her website The Butterfly Beauty.

Trudy Young of Carnival Faces

Horse and Hilarians

So, I was just checking out the menu at Hilarian's all-inclusive fete, what is in store for the price tag of $650.00 when the word HORSE jumped out at me... are they serious?

Just to let you know SOME of the fantastic food we'll be offering at the $900 fete....that we ONLY chargin(sic)$650 for...

Souse/Chow Bar (including chicken foot, pig foot, cow skin, fig, pineapple chow...etc.)

Hops Station...Hops and whatever your heart desires....

BBQ Extravaganza (including Wings, Pigtail)

Wild Things - (including Goat manicou styly(sic) and Pork wild hog style and of course Stewed Horse...

We also introduce this year a different type of curry to the fete...mouth watering curry from Bombay Duck as well as a little spanish(sic) flair - Fajitas

Of course there will be ALL the usual foods...Creole meal, Haagen Dazs ice cream for those with a sweet palate and lots more...

Now I won't even go into the drinks....I'll just whisper that Johnny Blue and Moet will be greeting you at the door...along with Baileys, an endless Cocktail Bar and a special sumting from Carib that you must be there to experience. Since there is no champagne lounge we have put champagne in the bars. There will be the usual premium drinks. We ensure food or drink never run out..

Believe me, we won't disappoint. Hope to see you all there!

That has got to be the most unappetizing menu I have seen advertised at an all-inclusive! I don't eat souse or wild meat or pigtail though I am sure some people will be more than happy to indulge in such delicacies! As a matter of fact I am hearing talk that the stewed horse last year was "melt in your mouth good"; no thanks! And just what is hops and "anything your heart desires, suppose I want hops and caviar? These people must be careful how they word their "enticing emails".

I must say, however, that the Johnny Walker Blue and Moet salvaged that menu, I hope they won't only be on offer at the door and curious that they never stated WHAT champagne will be available at all the bars.. sparkling wine is not champagne eh!

It's a good thing this fete is for charity!

Buy 2 Get one Free....

The Trinidad Express is reporting that Mas Bands in San Fernando are employing some gimmicks to boost costume sales:

A unique sale is on at the Jazz and Calypso Lounge, corner Cipero and Robertson Streets, San Fernando: buy two elaborate Carnival costumes and get one free. .........

An almost similar sale is taking place at veteran bandleader Owen Hinds's mas camp at nearby Rushworth Street. Titled Babylon, the band, with 19 sections, has costumes priced at $600 and $700. Curtis Hinds said the offer was buy three and get the fourth free.

There are also major discounts at both mas camps, and sales were reported to be "doing quite well". Dawad Phillip, one of the leaders of Paradiso, described the sale as a "session buster" to keep masqueraders in San Fernando.

"We are answering the call of those who cannot afford to play mas this year," he said, adding that costumes will be sold at a fraction of their cost for the first time anywhere in Trinidad.

This report follows one in the Trinidad Guardian which stated that Mas Bands are being forced to downsize sections, specifically Masquerade and several Kiddies Bands. Even costume re sales are being affected, while some bands can call a 100% mark up on the original price of costumes (though I wonder if they are getting sold) others are forced to offer costumes at a reduced price; I have seen costumes for both Spice and Kaotic selling at a discount.

Only time will tell how some bands will survive Carnival 2009 and the global financial crisis, but I think the true testament to how badly people are affected and how much they are willing to spend towards Carnival will be in the year 2010!

SOURCE:
www.trinidadexpress.com
www.guardian.co.tt

My ONE Fete Non-Review

The only reason that I am commenting on the fact that I did not attend ONE fete is because I had so many people asking me why I wasn't at the Oval last night. Listen, as much as I would have loved to start of my feteing with ONE fete as I have done over the past few years I simply decided that I was not paying the price of $600.00TT for a fete where I paid $250.00TT in 2007 and $400.00TT in 2008. The scalpers were having a field day with this one though as ONE fete was sold out early, tickets were being scalped from $800.00 to $1300.00 I was told!

With the prices of fetes for 2009 pushing 100.00US on average I have taken the stance early on that I am simply not busting my pocket and will carefully choose which fetes I do decide to patronize. For example, ONE fete was off the list but Blue Range All Inclusive at half the price of ONE fete (with Machel and the same price as 2008) seemed like the better deal!There is life after Ash Wednesday and I do not go into debt to hang my hat higher than it can reach. Post Carnival I do not have to worry about all the bills left unpaid just so I can hob nob with certain folks at certain parties, folks who are getting complimentary tickets to these parties I might add, that is the irony of it all. While the "average" man is spending his entire paycheck to afford two fetes for the month the who's who of Trinidad celebrity are not paying a cent to attend all the fetes you see them pose up smiling at!

Carnival overall is an expensive event and I have allocated my money to priorities that are a necessity; going to a particular fete is not a necessity. My costume is already paid off, that is a "necessity", my footwear is in order that is a "necessity", makeup artist booked, lashes booked... those are my "necessities". Getting ready to hit the road is an additional expense that I personally do not mind as it is all part of my adopted Go Big or stay home mantra and this gives me much more satisfaction than a few hours at a fete where I won't be drinking and trying to avoid the food temptation as we are all on a Carnival diet!

So in conclusion to my non-fete review I really want to emphasize that I will be picking and choosing which fetes get my hard earned dollars for 2009 because frankly as long as I am playing mas fetes are secondary and if I do not go to a particular fete that "everyone" else is going to I will survive. Like I said before it isn't THAT necessary; having a ball on the road Monday 23 February and Tuesday 24 February , goes without saying that is priority #1!

Makeup by Missy new packages

Makeup by Missy has added some more packages to the ones she has created for Spangled Cotinga and Caged Canary :

Green Honeycreeper



African Love Bird



Brazilian Macaw



Ocean Whispers

There will also be a package created for Hummingbird which I guess can also be used for Island People's Paradisus., and remember Missy is taking orders according to the demand so the more masqueraders requesting customized makeup for a particular section is the quicker it will be added to the list.

The prices are:
$155 TTD without the spirit gum
$ 25 TTD additional for the spirit gum

And includes:
1 Tsp of each individual colour pigment ( 3 colours are included)
60 Gems

Missy can be contacted through her Facebook group "Makeup by Missy" or via email makeupdean@gmail.com

And for ideas of Carnival Makeup Looks check out the group "Carnival Makeup Ideas" for lots of photos.

Faces by Ria

Here is another makeup artist doing Carnival makeup for 2009:

Faces By Ria & Marcy will be doing makeup for masqueraders on carnival Monday and Tuesday.

All inclusive package - Makeup, Black/Coloured/Jeweled Lashes, Rhinestones to match costume, Body Shimmer, Full Breakfast (sandwiches, fruits, pastries), Hot & Cold Beverages, Wine, Secured Parking, ABSOLUTELY NO WAITING and a surprise gift.

Location - West Moorings

Call 680-3933 for further info. and early bookings...

Down payment required before 5th February 2009.

Makeup will also be on sale.

You can check out Ria's portfolio on her website .

Beach House 2009 Venue........

Sources have informed me that Beach House 2009 will be held at The Sevilla Club at Brechin Castle Golf Course in Couva.

Price for Beach House is $700.00TT (same as Salybia) with tickets sales starting from Monday.



The Sevilla Club has been used as a venue for the "Comess All Inclusive Fete" in 2007 and 2008, photos of those events can be seen HERE and HERE.

And for those of you who have no clue where Couva is here is a map of Trinidad; Couva is right by the square next to the "Trinidad and Tobago" written in yellow:

click to enlarge

Well, at least the traffic will not be much of an issue once you beat the afternoon rush heading to "south"!

Under The Trees Carnival 2009

Here is this year's schedule for Normandie Under the Trees: click on photos to enlarge:

Makeup By Missy

This is a follow up post to "Customized Make Up For the Birds". Due to the overwhelming response on the pre packaged makeup kits for Spangled Cotinga and Caged Canary, more sections have been added; the makeup artist will now be creating packages for Green Honey Creeper, Kiskadee, African Love Bird and a few sections for Island People and Evolution.

The price of the packages and what it includes are as follows:

$155 TTD without the spirit gum
$ 25 TTD additional for the spirit gum

And includes:
1 Tsp of each individual colour pigment ( 3 colours are included)
60 Gems

To place your order, ask questions or make a request email: makeupdean@gmail.com OR you can visit her facebook group "Make up by Missy" and request to join.

Obamarama Jouvert

click to enlarge

“ Outside the Box” promotions would like to invite all locals and foreigners to the LAST INAUGUARATION BALL. OBAMARAMA – JOUVERT 2K9 will celebrate the victory the best way trinis know how to. At 4am Jouvert morning we start the mas in uptown POS. Come follow the 40ft big truck powered by TANK sound system . Come and Drink Johnny, vodka ,baileys, beers, rum and chasers. Come and paint yourself red, white and blue ! Come , bring your crew and lets have a BALL !!

Makeup Looks!

I stumbled upon this Make Up Blog called "eVaDiVa's Make-up Bag" and I am loving the looks, some of which I can see working with a few costumes for Carnival, just add your face jewels or a little glitter/shimmer and you are good to go!

Ocean Whispers

Spangled Cotinga


Kiskadee


Blue Tanager


Scotch Bonnet


Rays of Light

What I like about the blog is that the looks are tailored to black women as many times there are awesome makeup looks but they are done on lighter complexions.With Eva you can visualize what the colours would look like on a darker skin tone.

I also like that she lists the products that she uses (favors M.A.C.) for her own looks as well as she tells you how to recreate other makeup looks as well. Not to mention that Eva does product reviews and has a question and answer segment of her blog that is worth reading.

New Section for D Krewe

This one is called "Rainbow":





SIX more weeks, I wonder how many more changes are in store for D Krewe?

Customised Makeup for the Birds!

Many of you are probably giving a pass on the makeup artist this year, either not being able to find one at this stage or you dread waking up at ungodly hours of the morning to have your face "done". So, if you would like to do your own makeup but are looking for the exact colours to match your costume one enterprising lady has put together pre-packaged makeup kits to make your life easier for Spangled Cotinga and Caged Canary (other sections can be accommodated upon request). For where to purchase and for more information on the products email makeupdean@gmail.com

Spangled Cotinga comes with :



3 colours ; An Icy white ; Winter Blue; and a metallic silver

60 gems total; 20 of each colour above.

Spirit Gum optional -for an additional fee .(you can also use eyelash adhesive to glue the gems onto face)

Caged Canary comes with:




3 colours of pigments : A Gold, Sparkly Orange ; Fuchsia Coral

60 gems total : In Fuchsia and Orange

Spirit Gum optional -for an additional fee (you can also use eyelash adhesive to glue the gems onto face)


These colours were mixed by the artist herself and WILL NOT BE FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE!

The price for the entire package is:
$155 TTD without the spirit gum
$ 25 TTD additional for the spirit gum

And includes:
1 Tsp of each individual colour pigment
60 Gems

Harts is SOLD OUT

News reaching me just a few minutes ago is that Harts is now OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT (all 23 sections)!

I noticed recently that there were very few sections open so it was only a matter of time.

Now lets see which band will be next...

What a difference a week makes!!

Last Monday I was bemoaning the fact that we had six weeks left until Carnival and I was still
unprepared. Well within one week I was able to book my lash appointment, pay off for my costume, get materials to decorate my boots, source my accessories (yay!) and I FINALLY have a plan for Monday wear now it is just to get it executed (thanks Richard).

I still haven't bought my tights but Carnival Jumbie was able to secure hers by going downtown at Micles, since West Mall branch has not received their Carnival stock as yet. You can read about her adventures here. Tights is #1 on the list this week since I, like her, am not taking any chances on waiting "closer to Carnival".

While out and about this weekend getting organized, I saw Brian Mc Farlane downtown at a popular fabric store getting materials for his band Africa. There was also another kiddies band leader there who was chatting with a costume producer and I overheard her saying that things are slow this year, parents are not spending as much so they had to simplify the costumes to keep costs down and meet their targets. That echoes what another adult band leader had told me over Christmas, fears are that people are going to be holding on tightly to their purses.

I also read in the Business Express that one band so far has instituted some incentives to get masqueraders to register, Masquerade "has cut at least ten per cent of its original prices off the 2009 tag, bringing all its sections to TT$2,000 and less, all-inclusive"..wow!

Anyway, this week on the list is getting the Monday Wear outfit sorted out fully and getting my tights and I think I am ALMOST ready; I hope you are too!

Carnival Accomodation Still Available!

A search at the Trinidad Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott and Hyatt hotels for a weeks stay during Carnival 2009 will turn up rooms, amazingly, still available! Many of the smaller guest houses have been booked solid since early 2008 as well, however I have found that "Best of Trinidad and Tobago" still has several properties still open for booking:

All these accommodations are still available for carnival 2009, but at this time of the year, close to carnival, places go fast, so whoever comes first with the down payment will get the place.

So, if you are STILL looking for a place to stay, check out Best of Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival Accommodation listing HERE.

The Journey Begins

Last December I wrote about "Another New Mas Band" whose launch was featured in the Trinidad Guardian, a launch I happened to miss as I was not in the country. Since then I have visited Carvalho's Mas Camp at Alaska Bar in Woodbrook several times and they were not ready for business. Well finally, I was able to view costumes yesterday as yet another visit was rewarded with the sight of the mas camp for Carvalho's 2009 presentation "The Journey Begins" wide open to the public.

Costumes for the presentation for the 9 sectioned all inclusive band have been designed by Christine Sadler and Tracy Julien. Prices range from $2495.00TT to $2750.00; surprising as when I first called to get information on the band I was told that costumes would be priced at "under 2500.00".

Costume photos of "The Journey Begins" can be found HERE, please note that I was unable to get a photograph of one section as the costume was not fully displayed.


The mas camp for Carvalho Mas is located at Alaska Bar at 73 Ariapita Avenue and for more information call 868-622-8811.

Deadline for TRIBE Fast TRack Fast Approaching..

Just a reminder for those who want to be able to join the "fast track" line for costume collection:

Deadline for Fast Track Costume Payments

Senvia via www.senvia.com - Sunday 11th January, 2009
Cash & LINX at TRIBE Mas Camp - Friday 16th January, 2009

N.B. No payments will be received at the camp after 6pm Friday 16th January, 2009. All outstanding balances can be paid at Cascadia Hotel (Cash & LINX only) just prior to collecting your costume.

Visit http://www.senvia.com/carnival/masbandinstructions_tribe.pdf for instructions on how to pay using Senvia

TRIBE is open this Saturday (Jan 8th 2009) from 11am - 3pm!

"Socacize" for those of you in Toronto ......

Just last night I was reading an article called "No Body Left Untoned" on the dedication that goes into the Samba Queens preparation for Rio Carnival, part of which involves a carnival boot camp and dancing for hours in five inch heels and also the extreme of plastic surgery to get the "perfect" body. And this morning I got some information on a Carnival bootcamp of sorts for those masqueraders in Toronto called "Socacize" designed to get you in shape over the next six weeks... now why hasn't anyone thought of a Carnival bootcamp in TRINIDAD?

Anyway, here is the information for those interested and you can also check out the Socacize website HERE:

SOCACIZE™
Is a creative blend of high/low African and Caribbean dance movements performed to calypso, soca, zouk, reggae, dancehall music and on occasion to drums music. The exhilarating mode of the work-out focuses on cardio, weight and strength training targeting all age groups. The ultimate goal of the program is to work-out with emphasis on carefully selected music and movements to synchronize with the mind and body to result in burning calories fast (up to 1000 per 60 minute session) while totally enjoying a session that truly makes you liven up and get fit at the same time.

Socacize™ Boot Camp program is designed for Carnival masqueraders & revellers!

A six-week vigorous and exciting workout with rhythms to Make you dance, exercises to help build stamina, tone muscle, lose inches and boost your confidence.

Featuring a special session with
Dr Jay de Soca Prince

SOCACIZE™ Trinidad Carnival Boot camp Schedule
Tropicana Community Services
670 Progress Avenue, Unit 14 (Progress & Consillium Place Dr.)

Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm
January 6 | January 13 | January 20
January 27 February 3 February 10

Scarborough Youth Resource Centre (SYRC)
300 Borough Road (Inside Scarborough Town Centre Near Children’s Place)

Saturdays 10:30-11:30am
January 3 | January 10 | January 17
January 24 | January 31 | February 7