New Blog on the Block...

Islandsista, the spirit of the Caribbean woman ...online is a new blog to watch for Carnival chatter and gossip!

Islandsista has a photo of the first band to launch for Crop Over 2009, Ravurz, whose website is already up and running! In addition she provides some gossip about Baje International:

In some suss, we have been hearing that one of Barbados’ premier bands, Baje International may not even be holding its regular weekly band fetes this year. We have heard that they will just hold a few of their ‘major’ parties that are crowd-pullers, like their Paint fete for Foreday Morning.

Though they would probably deny it publicly, Baje has been having a rough time of it the last two years. The awe that other bands and party-goers used to hold them in, is long gone and it is starting to show.

For the full scoop check out Islandsista now!

Nine more months, are you body ready?

It is exactly nine more months until Trinidad Carnival 2010, and though there may not be much excitement as yet with everything still under wraps (note we have yet to receive an infoblast or email with band launch dates or 2010 presentations) you, yes YOU, can start getting ready for the fabulous costumes in store by putting that fitness and diet plan into action.

I don't know about the rest of you guys (since there are some die hard gym bunnies who are working out 365 days a year) but each year I make the promise to myself to start getting Carnival body ready as SOON as I have laid eyes on my costume of choice. Following band launch I have all these lofty goals of hitting the gym and carefully starting a diet plan that would help me achieve my goal of losing that magic number of pounds that I think would make me happy enough to sport my thong all over town.

What REALLY happens is that I procrastinate, life gets in the way of my plans, and I make excuses. I am too busy with band launches or traveling or just celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, relaxing at some all inclusive resort stuffing my face as if there is no Carnival in a few months. And then by the time I know it, Christmas is around the corner and you know dieting at Christmas is near impossible so what results is a frantic, over ambitious plan to lose the weight just two months before Carnival when January hits.

I have done it before and I continue to do it, getting caught in this vicious cycle, putting my body under unnecessary stress! This year I embarked on the South Beach diet hard core, to be honest I started before Christmas and then the diet got derailed and I had to start all over in the new year. Of course I saw GREAT results when I started, the numbers on the scale went down impressively in the first two weeks after the induction stage. However being on a low carbohydrate diet has it's side effects and cons. The numbers on the scale were going down and so too was my energy!

To even get the willpower to get on the treadmill was torture, but with the pressure of Carnival right around the corner I did manage to squeeze in SOME carido activity while on the South Beach diet. Let me tell you, it was hard but I did manage to come closer to my weight loss goal in such a short space of time. In addition, I did something that is not recommended, but was motivated by pure vanity. Since I was feeling bloated (note I did not say I looked bloated) as I was expecting my gift from mother nature right after Carnival, I got advice from someone to try a diuretic pill. Now I had never taken a water pill, as they are commonly known, before but I read up on the side effects and decided I would try it anyway.

The result was the bloated feeling evaporated and in no time at all I thought I LOOKED smaller and was quite pleased. However this meant the days prior to Carnival I could not be far from a toilet as the pill made you urinate constantly and on the road I had to drink lots, and lots and lots of water which STILL did not make me feel any less dehydrated! I was like camel, even after Carnival, with an insatiable thirst.

Looking back I think it was a stupid thing to do especially as I know of another masquerader who was so extreme with their weight loss plan that they were not eating, taking diuretics and got ill on Carnival Tuesday having to leave the band very early. So my point is that instead of waiting until January to do the impossible with crazy diets, diet pills and dangerous diuretics, why not start by putting plans and goals in place now? I know, it is a rhetorical question, but seriously 9 months is more than enough time to lose weight the RIGHT way with diet and exercise so what are you waiting for!?

In the end I was okay with the weight I managed to lose for Carnival, but of course it was not a weight loss that remained as I put those pounds right back on;I have not gone on a scale since then! I am proud of my friends and fellow masqueraders who have continued with the Zumba classes, gym and yoga even after Carnival is just a distant memory to us all and I have finally taken the steps into losing the weight for 2010 the proper way. I have been advised to get at least 3 days of exercise in for the week for now, as well as to do a meal plan at mypyramid.gov to jump start this fitness plan. I have two weeks to start this and report back to my advisor so I will let you all know how it is working for me.

Which brings me to the inspiration for today! This is a masquerader who lost her weight through exercise (religiously going to the gym) and a sensible diet plan, over the course of 6 months; her starting weight was 210 lbs in September 2008 and she reached 167 lbs in February!

Before @ 210 lbs




After @ 167lbs




I hope her journey can be as much as an inspiration for you as it was for me! Way to go girl!

It's getting Toxik!

So, I was informed that Red Unlimited does not compete in St Lucia Carnival hence the reason they reuse costumes from Trinidad Carnival and I also got confirmation from Spice that Sea Salt Frontline was sold to Red under the conditions that the design be modified.

I am not going to get into any long debate about the reuse of costumes from Trinidad in other Carnivals, especially since the overseas masqueraders do not seem to mind wearing recycled costumes and the Trinidad bands are trying to recoup their losses; who am I to decry them for making a dollar?

However, I thought it interesting that St Lucian Carnival band Toxik not only has TWO sections from Pulse 8 Trinidad Carnival 2009 as sections in their presentation "Dreams...Living the Impossible";

Pulse 8 band launch, Trinidad Carnival 2009


Toxik, St Lucia Carnival 2009




BUT they also recycled a costume that has already been recycled in 2007 by the band Just 4 Fun!!

Wicked Waitress, Pulse 8 2007


Just 4 Fun St Lucia Carnival 2007

Wicked Waitress (Pulse 8 2007) is brought to life yet again as "De Javu"...de ja vu indeed!!

"De Javu"
Toxik St Lucia Carnival 2009



TOXIK PHOTO SOURCE:
www.thesweet7.com

Caesar's Army Cruises to Crop Over

Since Triniscene's Destination Crop Over is now defunct, party outfit Caesar's Army has put together a Crop Over package especially for Trinidadians:

CAESAR’S ARMY:
CRUISES TO CROP OVER ‘09
JULY 31ST TO AUGUST 4TH


ACCOMMODATION:
ACCRA BEACH HOTEL AND RESORT

4 NIGHTS
(Based on Double Occupancy)
(Includes Breakfast)
(30% off Spa)

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $300 USD
(Individually occupied): $600 USD
================================

KADOOMENT COSTUME:
COSTUME IN BAJE INTERNATIONAL
ALL INCLUSIVE TRINIDAD SECTION
===========================================

FLIGHT:
TOTAL COST: $260.00 USD
-RATE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON DATE OF RESERVATION-
===============================

PACKAGE OPTIONS:
Crop Over Experience.
We are aware that all requests would not be the same thus we have put together all possible options.


(Prices are quoted in both US dollars as well as TT dollars)
The 2 hotel rate options are from July 31st to August 4th (4 nights):
1) If you will be splitting the cost and sharing the room with someone else (option 1)
2) If you will be occupying the room ALONE (1 person) (option 2)
3) Not in the cost is the option of a 3rd person in the room, an additional $50USD per night


PACKAGE OPTIONS:

1)
COSTUME+FLIGHT+HOTEL:
$820(shared occupancy)USD
$1120(individually occupied)USD
____________________
2)
COSTUME+FLIGHT:
$520USD
$3280TTD
____________________
3)
FLIGHT+HOTEL:
$570(shared occupancy)USD
$870(individually occupied)USD
____________________
4)
COSTUME+HOTEL:
$550(shared occupancy)USD
$850(individually occupied)USD



HOTEL: ACCRA BEACH RESORT AND SPA (BREAKFAST INCLUSIVE & 30% OFF @ SPA)
COSTUME: BAJE INTERNATIONAL (TRINIDADIAN SECTION)
FLIGHT: CARIBBEAN AIRLINES (FLIGHT DATE IS FLEXIBLE AND CAN BE DECIDED BY YOURSELF)



(Prices are quoted in both US dollars as well as TT dollars)
The 2 hotel rates are from July 31st to August 4th (4 nights):
1) If you will be splitting the cost and sharing the room with someone else
2) If you will be occupying the room ALONE (1 person)
3) Not in the cost is the option of a 3rd person in the room, an additional $28USD per night


DEADLINE DATE:
FLIGHT: MAY 22ND
COSTUME: JUNE 8TH
HOTEL: JUNE 8TH

NB. Any bookings for FLIGHT after the stated deadline date cannot be guaranteed as they are based upon availability.


Caesar's Army will be taking bookings for Costume and Accommodation at the premier beach resort in Barbados.
Fetes are decided by yourself and are your sole responsibility.


Requests for booking accommodation need to be in by June 8th 2009.

LOOK OUT FOR OUR PRE CROP OVER ADVENTURES AND LIMES

You can find out more about Caesar's Army Cruises to Crop Over HERE. Or email julius49@gmail.com

Kirk Thomas in the Caribbean...

My favourite makeup artist, Kirk Thomas, is making movements in the Caribbean at the moment having done makeup for photoshoots and band launches in St Vincent and St Lucia (he did the makeup for Red's photo shoot) . Kirk is now in Barbados ,a s I have been informed ,to do work with Baje International!

Here is a look at the work Kirk has done for the Hot 97 Section in St Vincent:

And Red Unlimited, St Lucia Carnival:



Also, take a look at the modern Geisha look done by Kirk, I LOVE it!

This is gorgeous , I am seeing this as dramatic makeup for Carnival 2010... ideas, ideas, ideas!



Some more makeup artistry by Kirk that will fit the Asian theme for 2010:

To get up to date information on Kirk and his work join his Facebook Fanpage, Kirk Thomas Makeup Artistry where you will be kept in the loop.

Spice is this you?

So leaked photos of Red Unlimited's "Reflections of Rio" hit the internet ahead of their St Lucia Carnival 2009 launch last night .

The unedited shots showed a costume that looks VERY much like Spice's sea salt with a wire bra and admittedly different headpiece:



And here is the section "Costa El Silver" poster as seen on Red's website:

The costume surely fits Red's theme and it is a nice version of Spice' s Sea Salt, however last year Red also showed a costume from Trinidad Carnival 2008 at their launch, "D Mang from Ronnie and Caro. Consequently that costume was replaced after both Sweet 7 and I wrote about it.

I am still awaiting official confirmation from Spice as to if this costume is an unauthorized copy since some people seem to think that the costume is a Sea Salt rip off.

However I have been VERY reliably informed that the designer of the sections for Red did indeed get the costumes that did not sell as well as materials from SPICE!

PHOTO SOURCE:
www.redcarnival.net

Toronto Revellers Band Launch

Once again Karabana is working hard as she has your first look at Toronto Revellers "Brazil .. Bacchanal in Rio" presentation for Caribana 2009, check out the band launch pics on her blog here.

And yes Kara, one cannot help but notice the feathered arm pieces on that fuchsia pink costume, this is the third Caribana band to copy a costume element from Trinidad Carnival 2009.

And while I no doubt understand that inspiration comes from many places, I would still point out the similarity in design in any band, even one in Trinidad. As I said before, imitation is probably the sincerest form of flattery and in 2009 the designers from TRIBE should be overly flattered!

PHOTO SOURCE:
karabana.blogspot.com

Saucy Speaks!

I will be the first to the admit that there has been a dearth on information surrounding Trinidad Carnival 2010 , and as much as I have been hearing bits and pieces of information it comes with me being sworn to secrecy as it seems everyone wants to keep their designs and ideas under warps!

Anyway, it is mind numbingly boring having nothing to talk about when it comes to Trinidad Carnival, especially with SO much gossip floating around , gossip that comes with the caveat "don't say I say", so, just to spice things up a bit I WILL say this:

• There will be an “India” section in one band (not going to say which one) but I heard it will be absolutely gorgeous, and with this designer one can expect LOADS of accessories and jewelry for the costume. I cannot wait to see it!

• Word on the street is that is that an Island People designer who always leads the band is leaning towards turquoise and fuchsia , interesting combination…..

• I have been most distressed that “not a lot of feathers” are going to be used throughout TRIBE due to the theme, I mean after practically plucking all the feathers for the birds this year are we to go back to circa “What Lies Beneath” with abstract wire headpieces? Say it isn't so!!! And while I can clearly see that SOME sections will possibly try to do more ornate headpieces, throw us feather lovers a bone and at least offer an option for LOTS of feathers! I know SPICE is doing a similar theme and THEY are surely having feathers on their costumes.

• On that note, why is it that I am hearing a certain dynamic design duo have been asked to “keep their designs simple” to give a certain band a fighting chance? Hello, I am not paying for simple! And besides, if said band wants a fighting chance why not hire certain dynamic duo instead of the defector “band leader”? Surely with the accumulation of designers and "talent" in said band they can whip up some designs to compete, not so ? I am so getting a feeling that 2009 was the peak of costume creativity and gorgeousness and 2010 will be a repeat of the years when the costume was "complimentary"!

• And finally guess which band is SUPPOSEDLY only doing only 10 sections for 2010? Is it possible that they FINALLY heeded masquerader’s cries for a smaller band? Only time will tell!

Carnival Nationz Photos on Triniscene

MUCH better photos of Carnival Nationz launch, with close ups and full views of the costume, than those currently on the website can be seen on TRINISCENE.

Click on the photo below to be taken to the gallery:

News from Myst Antigua, Carnival 2009

Got this Myst update in my in box and since their website is not up as yet I have decided to share the fact that registration begins tomorrow for all past Myst masqueraders as well as share photos of the various sections, please note the prices are in EC dollars not US!

Registration begins on Saturday May 9th at the MYST MANSION exclusively for existing MYSTICS from noon till six.

Prices in EC Dollars:

Hope (Exclusive)
$ 850.00


Mystery (Frontline)
$ 850.00

Mystery
$ 750.00, $ 700.00


Life
$ 750.00, $ 700.00


Bachanal (Frontline)
$ 850.00

Bachanal
$ 750.00


Candy (Frontline)
$ 850.00

Candy
$ 750.00


Fantasy
$ 750.00


Nature
$ 750.00,$ 700.00


Bustiers for all sections available at an additional cost $ 100.00

For more information contact :
268-46-4MYST OR 268-78-4MYST

PHOTO SOURCE:
Antigua Carnival Group

Mas Camp Centre

Last May Anton "Bootsman" Gabriel of Toronto retired from corporate life and started an organization called Mas Camp Centre , a Carnival museum of sorts where 15o donated costumes are on display.

Mas Camp Centre will be celebrating it's anniversary this May with a free open house, so those of you who are interested in viewing the costumes over the years this is a great opportunity.

Some more information on Mas Camp Centre:

Mas Camp Centre
History:

Trinidad & Tobago carnival is now celebrated in over 100 countries worldwide.

The hub of carnival related activities is the mas camp. Here, band leaders, costume designers, mas players and volunteers gather to produce costumes for competitive display.

Mas Camp Central (MCC) opened in May 2008 to showcase past, present & future carnival costumes, with the aim of keeping the spirit of carnival alive as viewed from a mas camp perspective.

Masquerade is the essence of carnival, and a mas camp is the factory for producing intricate costumes that provide the visual feast of carnival.

The atmosphere of a mas camp in full production is overflowing with passion, energy & commitment to the art & culture of carnival. MCC captures this atmosphere for visitors to experience the traditions, skills & creative processes that make carnival activities so engaging.

MCC is currently situated at 130 Dynamic Drive, Unit 13 Scarborough Ontario Canada with 800sq’ of showroom space and seating for twenty persons.

MCC started life with a simple aim of getting more people involved in Caribana. Over the past six months MCC has expanded the showcasing of costumes from ten to over one hundred display mannequins with costumes covering the past 15 years from Toronto & Trinidad carnivals. Also on display are books, magazines, DVD’s and photos of carnivals.

MCC began exploring the role of being the crossroad where business & carnival activities can meet & exchange ideas. This role further expanded to include schools & individuals participating in the varied aspects of carnival.

Today, MCC has the support of many masqueraders, mas band & section leaders, school teachers, Governments & community leaders.

MCC started a new direction in 2009 which is to acquire registration as a Not for Profit organization in Ontario Canada.

MCC began the process of welcoming cultural ambassadors, patrons, supporters, mentors & stakeholders in all aspects of carnival arts & culture to participate in this journey.

Anton Gabriel
Mas Camp Centre
130 Dynamic Drive Unit 13
Scarborough Ontario
416 524 1782

Pre-registration woes

Dear Saucy,

I was at the Carnival Nationz band launching on Saturday. I enjoyed the display of costumes and fell in love with one section in particular. However, even as the costume was being paraded on stage, I was informed by a little birdie that the section was already sold out. Rumour has it that this particular section leader only made 25 spaces for the section that had already been "reserved" for friends. I've also heard from another source that she was harassed by another 10 people and now the section is at 35 people only, again all her friends and some work colleagues. Why do section leaders do that? What is even the point of showcasing a costume that you are only reserving for you and your people? I thought maybe you would know the politics behind it if there is an actual point to it, because it's not fair to the rest of the masqueraders.

Thank you,

The issue of pre-registration is not a new one nor is it only something that happens with bands at Caribana. Rumours abounded before the start of TRIBE’s registration last year that the band was sold out, causing panic and hysteria evident on the Facebook group “birds of a feather”. And while I can understand the frustration of a masquerader wanting to be in a particular section and hearing unconfirmed reports that the section has been pre-sold out, I also think as a section leader they have every right to pre-register persons in their section, the problem lies, however, when the bandleader does not measure some control to ensure that ALL the spaces are not pre-reserved!

Being a section leader is not something that is done independently, usually there is a support network of family and friends that provide advice, assistance and even help in building the costume. So, I believe that the section leader should be given the choice to ensure that the persons who have been providing assistance, in whatever form, be accommodated in their section if they choose to do so. Then there are the masqueraders who have formed a relationship with a section leader by staunchly supporting that person, loyally playing in their section year after year. I know that others will not find it fair, but my personal belief has always been to reward this loyalty and if that means pre registration for the section faithful then I have absolutely no problem with this either.

I have always said if I fall in love with a particular costume, and there is ONE costume left when registration opens I will be first in line to make sure I get that spot. To me the problem is not with pre registration, something that happens in every single band, but the fact that the entire section is “reserved” so that there is not even one costume to allow hope. As a band leader there should be a limit given to section leaders on how many spaces they can reserve; even if they leave just five of 35 spaces open to the public at least there is a chance for five people, unrelated to the section leader, to get the opportunity to play in a costume that they love.

Hopefully the band leader for Carnival Nationz will ensure that there are spaces open in each section come registration since the notion that the section in question is sold out is based on a rumour. And my advice to the letter writer is if you really want to be in THAT section to make sure you are the first person in line come registration day to claim your costume! Alternately, there are other bands and other sections; the power is yours in choosing to support the idea of pre registration if you think the practice is unfair or choosing a band that it is easier to get in to!

Luton Carnival Centre Featured

There is an excellent feature on the Luton Carnival Centre in the Guardian:

For a £7.5m building, the new arts centre in Luton has been a tip for the last week, littered with wire, fabric, artificial flowers, foam rubber and braid, with patterns being cut out on every level surface.

Today, out of the chaos, dragons and demons, huge masks and oriental maidens in cherry blossom, and a giant white woman with scenes of heaven and hell and an ancient milk float hidden under her skirts, erupted on to the streets of Luton, Bedfordshire, as the country's first dedicated permanent centre for carnival arts formally opened for business.

"Madness, that's what carnival should be," Paul Anderson, director of the centre said. "Safe madness," he added quickly, since his centre will not only house and train dancers, drummers, and the geniuses who can make a 6 metre (20ft) goddess out of foam rubber and sequins, but is also training people as carnival security officers and stewards. The cost of policing the Luton carnival has risen to £68,000.

Carnival in Britain has become a multi-million pound industry, evolving from back lane amateurs, to professional teams working year round for a few raucous hours. One recent survey suggested the Notting Hill carnival generates more than £90m a year for London and the equivalent of 3,000 jobs. The centre, and the town's carnival, are predicted to generate more than £34m in Luton over the next decade. Funding for the centre came from the Arts Council, the local authority and university, and the EU. Luton has the largest one day carnival in the UK, more than 2,000 in the parade and 150,000 spectators. It grew out of the Hat Parade, a long tradition in a town once famous internationally for its hat making industry. "Hats, cars, now it's carnival", Anderson said...................

For the rest of the article click HERE.

I am pretty impressed by the Luton Carnival Centre and how focused they are on making their Carnival into a legitimate standardized business with trained professionals, I mean they are even training the SECURITY officers that will be working for Carnival!

Hopefully one day the NCBA (National Carnival Bands Association) will fullfill it's dream of having something similar in Trinidad, in the meantime they had better send a team over to Luton to see how it is being done!

PHOTO SOURCE:
www.guardian.co.uk

Sunny Side Up - The Review

Greetings peeps, Kermit here bringing you coverage from Sunny Side Up 2009, one of the premier fetes (breakfast or otherwise) for the carnival season. Since I was not in Trinidad for carnival in 2008, I missed SSU and all its revelry so I was determined to make up for lost time this year.

I have been a staunch supporter of Sunny Side Up since its inception and I have not been disappointed by any of their events but to me, the breakfast fete is the principal fete for carnival and it is certainly the one I look forward to the most. Maybe it is because it is kind of related to J’Ouvert but not as intense or maybe it is because it sort of warms you up for duttyness in the streets by giving you a taste of early morning-going-into-noon jamishness the night before, who knows. While it is true that there is no mud or paint at the breakfast fete and obviously the fete is in one place and not roaming through the streets, make no mistake, there is plenty jamishness here and that is what I will comment on this year.

If you have read any of my previous posts about Sunny Side Up breakfast fetes, you will already know about the major features which can be found at this fete. You will no doubt have heard about the several well stocked and well manned bars that are to be found up and down the fete area. You will also have heard about the live entertainment which is somewhat of a novelty at a breakfast fete but works very well at this venue and with this crowd. Of course you will have read about the sprinkler section in the fete as well as the fact that it is located next to the foam section which is a source of much wildness. It is because the aforementioned features are of the same high quality now as they were when SSU first began that there is no need to expound on their virtues yet again. What I will instead touch on today is a perceived shift in the Sunny Side Up demographic.

When it first began, SSU’s attendees were a pretty well defined set. Everyone seemed to be roughly in the same age group and most even looked like they would party at the same fetes and move in the same circles which was not too surprising since, as the expression goes, birds of a feather flock together. One of SSU’s greatest strengths was that you were never really too concerned about your safety while you were at their fete. This was a party where you could eat and drink all you want and feel comfortable without having to keep an eye open for a fight, a bandit, or some other random assness that usually takes place at many of the other carnival events. You felt like you were at a family reunion and while you really didn’t know everyone present all that well, you knew that they were family no matter how distant the link. A cousin is still a cousin even if you’ve never met before and since family is after all, family, you could relax a bit and somewhat let down your guard around them. Well, that was then and this is now and while the family feeling is definitely still in full effect, not only are we liming with the cousins that are our age, several new generations have now found their way to the party and have apparently settled in nicely.

Yes peeps, the whole family is now up in the fete jumping and wining and waving, elbow to elbow with us and giving us a look as if to say “Whaappen? Yuh didn’t think ah like tuh wine too or wha?” Maybe this trend started last year in my absence, but I noticed it fairly early into the morning and as the sun rose, I realized that the many of the subjects of my pictures were not the same as in 2007. The hotties were there naturally, as were the lukewarmies (ones that look like they look hot but when yuh check the pic after yuh take it yuh realize nahhhhh, not so much eh), and even the posers, maccos, horners (usually wrap up in one of de yards away from the general feteing population) were present but the more pics I took, the more I realized that the crowd had added two distinct groups: the Nephew and Niece Crew (NANC) and the Aunt and Uncle Posse (AUP).

The NANCs are characterized by their youthful appearance and their exuberant, joyful partying. I dare say that we were all part of a NANC at one point in time, but I don’t ever remember doing my fete thing at an event where so much of an older crowd was present and was doing their fete thing too. I will say that their partying enthusiasm was off the charts and as I watched them form groups, gyrate and jump with each other only to separate, form different groups and do it all again, all morning, even I was impressed by the energy they expended and the apparent ease with which they did so. Sheer delight was all over their faces and they seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves which of course is the point of any fete. The AUP however, was on a different scene.

AUPs have a slightly different purpose in a fete. Yes they are there to enjoy themselves and to see and be seen, but with their age and fete maturity comes an added responsibility: they are there to make sure that the youngsters i.e. NANCs have an example of what good feteing technique looks like and the AUPs took this responsibility quite seriously. It seemed that wherever there was a NANC getting on bad, there was an AUP not far away getting on worse but doing so not in a showing off kind of way, but in a “here-is-the-right-way-to-wine-on-a-tree-and-use-one-foot-to-brace-yourself-on-it” instructional kind of way.

Peeps, it was a scene straight from a National Geographic special (in HD of course) and I could even hear the narrator in his hushed, authoritarian, BBC announcey-type voice saying: “And here we see the young ones full of energy and activity but wining in a most inefficient way. See how not all their bottoms are being wined upon and look there, someone has spilled a drink. Ahhh. What a shame they are not heeding the examples being shown by their elders just a few feet away. Notice how one elder can wine in an almost horizontal position by leaning against a wall, keeping one foot on the ground, while having the other foot wrapped around the waist of her partner. Amazing skill. Meanwhile, her partner, while not only focusing on the foot wrapped around his waist, is also focusing on the pair of gyrating hips on either side of him not to mention the 4 drinks he is carrying. It looks like this poor chap doesn’t even know who these people are. He was just returning from a trip to the bar and got lost but it would be rude not to wine back and so he does.”

When the foam and water flowed everybody got involved, from the young and restless to the bold and the…..ahmmm, well ....yeah, just the bold. When the tustyness started up on stage and off, NANC, AUP, and everybody in between joined in whole heartedly and I realized that maybe, just maybe in a kind of distant (but not very) future, somebody would write about my generation’s fete habits in much the same way that I am doing now and the circle of feteing would revolve yet again. I say circle because as we all know, a circle has no end and since feteing is the true fountain of youth, I see no reason why we should ever stop feteing no matter what age we happen to be. Judging from the actions of the AUPs at the fete, when the sun rose on Sunny Side Up they were definitely made young again and they were happy to share that regeneration with all present.

Congratulations SSU crew for hosting another wonderful fete and I look forward to doing it again in 2010.


Enjoy the pics peeps, J’Ouvert is next…..

Ps. Even though I have been doing my best to condense the number of pics I share, this album is a bit larger that my previous 2009 carnival albums and I fear the final two will be even larger. J’Ouvert will not be too much bigger than this one but Carnival Tuesday will be massive. You have been warned. Ribbit.

Carnival Nationz Launch 2009

For your first look of costumes from Carnival Nationz Caribana 2009 presentation "Fruits and Flowers" please visit Karabana's blog.

The costumes are worth checking out and I am holding my tongue though I want to say something SO bad. Anyway, let the photo speak for itself!

PHOTO SOURCE:
http://karabana.blogspot.com

Two Months until Band Launching Season!

It is amazing how time flies, just a little over two months ago we we were all enjoying parading in our costumes during Trinidad Carnival and now just two months away we can expect the start of band launches in July!

Already there has been one media launch for a new band making it's debut for 2010., and I expect other media launches before we start band launching season. Amidst all this I have been informed that costume protoypes are being feverishly worked on and colours we can expect are red (of course), yellow (again), and BLUE being the popular choice among MANY designers!!

So what do you think, are you feeling the blue or do you think it is a colour we have seen too much of in recent years? Personally, it has been ages since I have played in anything remotely blue so I say bring it on, just make sure the costume is stunning!

Awaken in Africa - Antigua Carnival 2009

Solid International has revealed the artiste line up for their Antigua Carnival 2009 band launch taking place on May 16th:

click for larger view

I really like how the Antigua Carnival bands are all launching 3 months ahead of their Carnival which takes place the same weekend as Cropover in Barbados. Now, if only the Bajan bands would only give a hint of what is to come and not have masqueraders waiting until June and July!

Myst Antigua unveils "What's Your Obsession?"

So, Myst Antigua unveiled their costumes on Sunday and sure enough Touch (Obsessed with Candy) , Carnival (Obsessed with Bacchanal) , Heavenly Skies (Obsessed with Hope) and Midnight Bloom (Obsessed with Mystery) from Island People Mas 2009 along with three "new" costumes were shown as sections of the band.

According to reports on Caribarena.com Myst Antigua will be offering the costumes in a tankini option, with boy shorts and tank tops for Monday, with the cost of costumes between $700.00EC to $850.00EC (260.00US to 316.00US) and will be catering to 750 masqueraders, preference for registration given to those who played with Myst in 2008.

For photos from Myst Antigua's launch you can visit THE OFFICIAL ANTIGUA CARNIVAL FACEBOOK GROUP.

Tribal Nights Bird of Paradise.....

Tribal Nights launched their Caribana 2009 "Bird of Paradise" on Saturday and these costumes are STRIKINGLY similiar to TRIBE's Brazilian Macaw and Pheasant.

I guess it is true what the say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!!!!

A Tribute to Harold Saldenah

Louis Saldenah Mas Band is doing "A Tribute To Louis Saldenah" as their Caribana 2009 presentation. The 1o sections of the band will each represent all the Band of the Year winners that Harold created in in Lifetime.

The section names include:
1. MEXICO 1519-TO 1521
2. GLORY THAT WAS GREECE
3. PSYCHEDELIC LATIN AMERICA
4. CREES OF CANADA
5. EL DORADO THE CITY OF GOLD
6. MASQUERADE TO CARNIVAL
7. FESTIVAL OF JEWELS
8. PACIFIC PARADISE
9. JULIUS CAESAR CONQUEST OF GAUL
10. FESTIVAL OF THE TEMBU WARRIORS

Saldenah's band launch takes place on May 3oth check out the information and flyer below for more details:

SATURDAY, MAY 30TH 2009
LOUIS SALDENAH MAS K CLUB & WESTERN UNION PRESENTS
THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE 2009 CARIBANA PRESENTATION OF
“A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD SALDENAH - THE GOLDEN YEARS”
POSITION #2 IN THE PARADE!
Inside Embers Banquet Hall
781 Warden Ave. Scarborough Ont.
(South of Eglinton Ave.)
Music By:
• Dr. Jay
• Wukup Productions
• Soca Vibes
• Soca Prophets
• Soca 101 Entourage
Hosted By:
• E-Man De Man With De Steel
Admission - $15.00 In Advance!
19+ Event - ID A Must!
Strict Security In Effect
TICKET OUTLETS:
• Printing Press (Scarborough) 416-291-3292
• Mona’s Roti (Scarborough) 416-412-1200
• Carib101.com (Mississauga) 905-625-5249
• Louis Saldenah (Central) 416-560-4419
• TicketGateway.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
416-560-4419 | www.SaldenahCarnival.com