Spice Mas Camp Visit

Many of you were wondering if the prices I posted last week were official or not. So, here are the "official" prices in TT dollars:

Ratnapura
5395.00 FL
3495.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Rome
5095.00 FL
3495.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Rubies of Mumbai
5595.00 FL
3595.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Caspian Sea
5595.00 FL
3595.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Gates of Petra
4995.00 FL
3495.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Venice
4895.00 FL
3495.00 Regular
2550.00 Male

Greece
5995.00 FL
3695.00 Regular
2750.00 Male

Moroccan Heat
5295.00 FL
3595.00 Regular
2750.00 Male

China
4295.00 Dragon
3795.00 Princess
3395.00 Warrior
2550.00 Male

Wings of Isis
5895.00 FL
3795.00 Regular
2750.00 Male

Adulis
3795.00 Female
2750.00 Male

Thailand
5695.00 FL
3695.00 Regular
2650.00 Male

Ceylon Pearls is a special section, catering to 75 persons and available upon request. There is a scaled down option for Ceylon Pearls with a smaller headpiece, strapless bra and a regular waist band (pictured below).

This section will be the premiere leading the band, and offering butler service for drinks, buffet style lunch under air conditioned tents and lots of other VIP extras. Ceylon Pearls will also feature a float. Contact the mas camp if you are interested in being in Ceylon Pearls as it is on a first come, first served basis and will not be open for registration on the website.

The sections that will offer a fully decorated corset , at an additional cost of $500.00TT, are Rubies of Mumbai, Caspian Sea, Gates of Petra, Greece, Thailand and Ratnapura.

On second look I have to say my top two costumes are still Wings of Isis which is SO detailed, the entire bra is AB crystals and the headpiece on the regular costume is just gorgeous and Thailand, that regular costume is also very well done with attention paid to every little portion of the costume, I especially like the chain mail falling from the waist band.

Rome, Ratnapura and Gates of Petra are still on my list of least favourites. Rome's bra is beaded with beads that are darker than the feathers, it looks like a dark currant while the feathers on the headpiece are burgundy. I think this will work well on some complexions and not others. I changed my mind on Moroccan Heat, it is lovely in person and is a combination of salmon, orange and gold, which gives nice contrast and looks much better than the night of the launch.

All in all, I like the new space, it is larger than the old showroom and you can get a view of most costumes displayed on mannequins very nicely. For photos from Spice Mas Camp check out the album below:

The Spice Route Close Ups

Tribe Launch NYC Review

Saucy I am an avid reader of you blog and had something to contribute. I'm way to lazy to keep up a blog of my own so I'll give you my review of the Tribe band launching.

I arrived at the venue at exactly 6pm. No line to get in and since I prepaid for my tickets all I had to go was give my name show my receipt and hubby and I were in.
The venue is an extremely well known upscale club called M2. It's know for big time house music parties and bottle service. I was very very impressed that the promoters were able to secure such a venue in New York

The launching was supposed to start at 6pm but of course it didn't start until about 8pm I believe. I think they did that so people would come on time. The launch was held in the main part of the club. Extremely high ceilings, plush couches and they even opened up the 2nd floor. They packed that place out! It was like it was a regular club night.

Anyway Back to Basics kept the crowd going with some nice music not to rowdy at first but a slow build. Good mix of classic favorites and road mixes.

Finally it came time for the launch. Now M2 is know for having aerial performers. All of a sudden there were two gymnast girls holding floor to ceiling pieces of cloth. As someone narrated the two women did a performance climbing up the long pieces of cloth (50 feet high) and doing acrobatic feats using them. It was very nice.

After that was done as an intro the show started. A few things to note. One, about 8 of the costumes were there, no frontlines and no males. The sections that were there were Charmeuse, Xi Ling, Habotai, Ossage, Lapis Lazuli (yuck), Mulberry, Tyrian Purple and Zari. Models to note Ms. Word Trinidad Gabrielle Walcott was the model for Osage and Camille from America's Next Top model was modeling a section I can't remember. The models did a great job showing the costumes. One or two you could tell thought it was a fashion show and were striking awkward poses. I had a decent spot hear the VIP and was elevated so my vantage point was good.

After seeing the costumes in person my favorite is now Osage, Mulberry and Habotai. The headpiece for Habotai was sparkling like crazy I didn't even notice the chopsticks and tassels. They added some sort of cape wings on Osage that was very pretty. After each model did her thing they all came out in a group and dances around the stage.

Then it was all over. Now I thought there would be some registration that night but I was told there was none. I actually had cash on hand just in case but I didn't see anyone lining up to register. I did see some familiar Tribe faces (cute Cabral sisters) and should have inquired directly with them but decided against it since I don't know what my crew is doing yet.

All in all a great evening. I left around 8:30 and the party was just really getting started. I hope Tribe does this again next year and does some registration, frontlines and male costumes as well. Those were the only things missing from a fun filled evening.

LP

Spice Registration Begins Today

Coming three weeks after their band launch, Spice mas camp opens today for registration of past masqueraders from 12 noon to 8Pm. The new mas camp is located on the corner of Robert and Rosalino Streets. Check out Afro Chic's blog for a photo of the location with the boat out front.

The website is also due to go live today, truth be told I was expecting the website to be up and running already to give potential masqueraders a preview of costumes AND prices, especially since the down payment information has not been made available. As far as I know the down payment is $1500.00TT on frontline costumes and $1000.00TT on regular costumes.

And when it comes to prices seems like people's call for lower prices was heeded, expect an adjustment of the prices by approximately $50.00US less than the prices I published last week, I am guessing costumes will start at around $3200.00TT, of course wait for the "official" prices from the mas camp/website for confirmation.

Look out for post Spice Mas Camp visit photos later day, hopefully with some very good close up shots for you guys.

Follow me on TWITTER for updates from Spice mas camp from 12noon

"D" Harvard Boys Clowns In TnT

For all those complaining about high costume prices, recession and space on the road for all your feathers and bling here is a band that is All Inclusive and the total costume prices is LESS than the downpayment on a costume in the big bands:

"D" Harvard Boys present "Clowns in TnT" for Trinidad Carnival 2010. All costumes are $995.00TT, the price includes lunch, sandwiches, rum, beer, vodka, scotch, bottled and coconut water as well as chasers.

Best of all the website is already up and running for registration. The mas camp is located at THE HARVARD CLUB,106 Tragarete Road.

Fire Silk Extinguished!

Well I got the news hot off the press yesterday, that we should all say R.I.P. Fire Silk as it has gone the way of Flamingo of 2009, and today it is confirmed; missing from TRIBE's website is Fire Silk:

Fire Silk has been scrapped, afterall it did have the least amount of votes on my poll! It was between this and Habotai, personally I think they made the better choice. Hopefully this means more room in the band for other in demand sections. So, who is going to miss Fire Silk?

Island People's Launch Postponed...

Note the new date people! Friday August 21,2009.

What’s in the ISLANDpeople Mas ‘Kutchela’?..

Maybe it’s what you think

Maybe it’s far removed from what you think

Still curious?

Then let that impulse guide you…on Friday, August 21…Western Peninsula… it will all unfold.

Come celebrate your curiosity!

Ching…ku ching ching ching…..

KUTCHELA… The Launch Party

Tickets: ISLANDpeople Mas Camp- Stone St., Woodbrook
Tues-Fri: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sat:12 noon- 4:00 p.m.

ISLANDpeople , 105 Tragarete Rd. Woodbrook
Tues-Fri: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sat:10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

IP Mas Members you get special discounts.
Call 625-1Fun for the info.

About those Spice Prices

So, the price preview of Spice generated lots of feedback from potential masqueraders and I hope that the band is taking note as the mas camp and website is due to open to the public on Monday with prices.

I have been informed that the prices published on the blog are not the final prices, that SOME are correct (mostly the frontline) while others are not. We shall see on Monday how close they are to the actual/final price or not.

In any event you masqueraders have been quite vociferous in your opposition to the higher costume prices when it comes to Spice, though to tell you the truth I am still quite amused that Isis is priced cheaper than Threads of Morocco, when the former costume has a much bigger headpiece and is dripping with diamante! The entire bra of Isis is embellished with crystals!

Also apart from some of the frontlines, I personally think the prices are fair with ALL those feathers, jewels and diamante. Caspian Sea has a lot of detailed diamante work as well as feathers and it is priced less than Spangled Cotinga! The way pricing seems to be going frontliners are getting more bang for their buck when it comes to costume!

Anyway, I await the OFFICIAL prices Spice on Monday, followed by TRIBE on Tuesday...isn't it cute how the bands are playing a game of "you go first?" Very interesting!

Zari Frontline

These are photos, yet to be displayed on TRIBE's website, of Zari's frontline (click on photos for larger view):

Headpiece

Without Backpack

With Backpack

The additions since the night of the launch are a foot piece as well as an asymmetrical backpack which hugs the shoulder and ends on the hip. I would really love to get a 360 view of how that works!Is the back pack two pieces or just one unit and where does your arm go? From what I have been told you can get the frotline with or without the back pack.

Since I have been accused of bias when it comes to this costume I will reserve sharing my opinion, however, what are YOUR thoughts on the completed Zari frontline? The floor is open to your comments!

Spice Price Preview!

Well, what an interesting day! This info just came to The Sauce, hot off the press; how I get it, is how I am SELLING it (click on photos for large view):


Caspian Sea
Frontline - 933.00 US
Regular -600.00US
Male - $450.00US


Merchants of Venice
Frontline - $816.00US
Regular- $583.00US
Male -$466.00US



Thailand
Frontline- $950.00US
Regular - $616.00US
Male - $483.00US



Rome
Frontline - $850.00US
Regular -$583.00US
Male - $483.00US



Ratnapura
Frontline - $900.00US
Regular - $583.00US
Male - $466.00US



Gates of Petra
Frontline - 833.00US
Regular - 583.00US
Male -483.00US


Rubies of Mumbai
Frontline - 983.00US
Regular 600.00US
Male 483.00US



Moroccan Heat
Frontline 883.00US
Regular 600.00US
Male 483.00US



Greece
Frontline 1000.00US
Regular 616.00US
Male 600.00US


Isis
Frontline - 983.00US
Regular -633.00US
Male -466.00US



China
Frontline - 716.00US
Regular -633.00US
Male -450.00US


Adulis
Regular -633.00US
Male -466.00US

Spice mas camp opens on Monday and I will be sure to verify these prices, but from what I HAVE heard, they seem spot on!

And we have a price preview..

Even though TRIBE's website says prices will be up by TUESDAY, one designer has published prices for her section Threads of Morocco on Facebook (all prices quoted in TT dollars):

Backline - regular headpiece option - $3,900.
Without headpiece $3550.
Wings - $400 (optional)

Backline costume - $3550.

Frontline
$5250

I cannot believe that the BACKLINE costume with that small headpiece is ONLY $600.00 LESS than what I have paid for my FRONTLINE costume for the past two years.

*makes the sign of the cross*

I await the rest of the prices now!

TRIBE's Website Is Up!

For all those who were anxiously and impatiently awaiting TRIBE's The Secret of Silk Website, it it now up:

As I predicted the website is up but minus prices so for me, at least, the website being up is really no big deal. And if you are hoping to see the back shots of costumes, well only some costumes show the back; there is no back shot of Charmeuse though many of you are wondering what it looks like. I do like that they have photos of the smaller headpiece options as well as the different frontline/individual options for some sections as well. The men finally have costumes to mull over !

But I am puzzled as to Mystery of Loulan's strapless option label of an "Individual" costume when I thought that was just another option for frontline, so does this mean only ONE of that costume will be made? It is the same with Osage; Osage has a huge feathery headpiece labeled as frontline while the option with the large collar is labeled as an "Individual".....again, will only ONE be made/sold?

The photography is beautiful, some of the costumes look really good on the website. Interesting to note I cannot view more photos of Fire Silk and Zari's frontline is not there either. The reason for the latter is, I was informed, because Zari has a new frontline which will be up on the website soon; cannot wait to see it. Random thought, is Threads of Morocco Frontline bra strapless? Hurry up with prices TRIBE!

Relive Triniscene's Live Stream of TRIBE Launch

This is for those of you, like me, who missed the live streaming of TRIBE's launch on July 25. Triniscene has broken it down in segments, first up The Mystery of Loulan, enjoy!

More videos HERE !

Red Army Notting Hill Carnival

Taking a break from the Trinidad Carnival talk to share some information I received on Red Army, a Notting Hill Carnival Band:

"Notting Hill Carnival is a spectacular annual event, held each August Bank Holiday- last Sunday and Monday being the major carnival days.

The festivities started as a local event in the 1960s and were initially started by the West Indian Community to reflect the similar carnivals in the Caribbean. It now attracts millions of people from around the world.

This year Dynasty promotions in collaboration with Next Level Poison UK Events is bringing you the RED Army

Red is POWER, it signifies the strength of a united London brought together through courage and sacrifice!!!

Red represents our passion ...our warmth and ...our ultimate existence!!!
Red is the colour of happiness, a celebration of culture, an eternal flame with vibrant energy!!!
Revellery of Carnival
Exuberance of the Caribbean
Diversity of Europe
are you REDee to cover D hill RED?

For only £75 come experience the ultimate combat package this Notthinghill Carnival 2k9. With free premium drinks: breakfast, lunch and snacks; ample Security; Music; Goodie bag including Mug; and, Live PAs by top Soca performers.

It's a carnival career, so FALL IN RANKS.


Check out www.dynastypr.co.uk and www.poisonuk.com for more details"

Mas News Updates

Another band to finally reveal what's in store for 2010, Pulse 8 will be presenting "Aloha ...A Pacific Fusion", no word on the launch date as yet. Pulse 8 was So quiet I almost thought they were not going to make an appearance in Carnival for 2010.

Island People's photo shoot for Kutchela took place in Couva over the weekend, judging from the location and rumors of it being in a cane field I cannot wait to see the photos for this one!

Spice website launch has been pushed back until Monday August 10 and while we await TRIBE's website coming on stream for The Secret of Silk, prices for the latter band will be released at the mas camp and online by Friday. I know LOTS of people are anxiously awaiting prices to see exactly how a recession affects mas. Hope you guys have been contributing to your Carnival fund, because something tells me all those clamoring for Frontline costumes will either go frontline or BUST their pockets.

The Secret of Silk at Second Sighting

TRIBE mas camp unceremoniously opened their mas camp today at noon for costume viewing, it was great that this fact was not announced as when I arrived there were only a few people looking at costumes with more arriving later.

Ok, some things to note:

*Most sections come with two REGULAR headpiece options. The regular costumes come with the smaller headpieces not shown at the launch(with the exception of Threads of Morocco, Fire Silk and Silk of Rajasthan) and there is the option to upgrade to the bigger headpiece. At the mas camp the small headpieces are displayed on the top row of mannequin heads, and the larger headpieces to the bottom.

*click on all photos for large view

*There are no front line costumes on show at the mas camp.

*Most sections come with jewelery as displayed, Silk of Rajasthan has loads of bangles and lovely ear rings, while Osage also has some very nice jewelry.

*No prices are up on any of the costumes.

*There are no male costumes on display.

*I was informed that the website should be up tomorrow.

*Serica was not on show when I arrived so I do not have close up photos of this section.

As for the costumes my initial sentiments still remain the same for the most part, (though I did like more than half of the sections even with my critical review) however I will say all sections look pretty under the lights and displayed at the mas camp. Most of the headpieces have lots of diamante and gems used as decoration, I don't think I saw any with generic braid!

I am really liking the small headpiece option for Habotai with the side sweep of feathers (ignoring the chop sticks) as well as the small headpiece option for Eri which is all white feathers and diamante. The choice of large and smaller headpiece I am sure will put the costumes within most people's budgets as well as caters to those who do not like having a large headpiece. Hopefully this will encourage masqueraders to wear their headpieces and not leave them at home as some do!


Mulberry and Habotai bras are both covered in silk fabric, a very nice detail which I wish was used on Charmeuse which is my number one pick after the mas camp viewing for a regular costume. If the bra was covered in silk with the four rows of diamante it would be another perfect costume for me. Inspite of the silk I still think the bras could use something extra, especially on the frontlines, some crystals embedded in the silk maybe? I would add that as an extra if I were playing frontline in those sections.

Charmeuse is gorgeous in person, I love the belt and the embellished pieces that attaches to the bra. It looks adjustable for different torso lengths. I also like the use of fabric on the headpiece and belt. Mulberry has some rich looking oriental jewelry work on the belt and headpiece, my favourite part of that costume. Mystery of Loulan is also lovely in person, not as much colour as Charmeuse though, but I like the chunky stones used on the belt as well as that pop of turquoise on the headpiece.



Osage and Tyrian Purple both are pretty costumes, the orange in Osage is ORANGE not peach as some people thought after looking at the photographs. Silk of Rajasthan uses the bells found on Indian jewelry to decorate the headpiece, belt and bra so those in this section will be making the ching ka ching ching noise as well!

Overall the costumes look good in person, I still have my favorites and those that my opinion did not change on after seeing them up close. I am sure people can find more than one section to put down on their list of choices. So for those of you who cannot make it to the mas camp, take a look at the photos:

TRIBE The Secret of Silk Close Ups

Say what!?

Imagine my surprise when looking for footwear that I stumbled upon this website which is advertising that they manufacture Carnival Costumes, Brazilian Carnival Costumes to be exact with a photo of TRIBE's 2009 section Spangled Cotinga in their header!

Explore the site some more and they are also advertising Bird of Paradise, Green Honey Creeper, Pheasant as well as a section from Poison 2004, Golden Cockfight!

They even have Spice costumes advertising on another website:

Best part of all is their quote ofr $30-90US per costume and that they take TT/Western Union!!

I was reliably informed that none of the costumes advertised here were manufactured in China or by this company, which makes it even more interesting as this company has gone so far as to watermark the costume photos as their property!

It is just amazing to me that this company is so blatantly stealing costume designs using photos right off TRIBE and Poison's website and passing them off as their own... just amazing! Hopefully the bands that have been plagiarized have some sort of patent or copyright and can take the necessary action to have these photos removed.

Secret of Silk - Shots from Behind

More photos of TRIBE's Secret of Silk Launch, including lots of shots from the back of the costumes, as well as backstage, so you can see how much or how little you will be working with.I apologize for not getting all the sections, the photographer got tired!

Click on the pic below to be taken to the Gallery or Click HERE.

Stop the madness, please!

Now, if you know me and know my history in TRIBE I have never been in one of the "must have" sections, I always choose a costume that I personally really love, that I think would look best on me regardless of the hype around other costumes or what friends like. I am usually in a section that no one wants right away, that takes a few days to sell out and I am pretty happy with that because it always surprises people how great the section looks on the road... the section they overlooked because they were so busy trying to get into the HOT section.

When I used to play in Harts I went with what my friends chose and most of the times it would be the All Female Section, sold out on the first day of registration so I also know how it is to be in that mad rush to get into the popular section as well.

However, this year has got to be the most insane I have EVER seen when it comes to getting into a section, when I say pathetic desperation it does not even come close to these two costume Wanted Ads on Carnival Junction , for a costume that isn't even sold out because registration HAS NOT STARTED!!!!!

click for large view

The mania surrounding Loulan has people saying if they do not get that costume they are not playing mas, which is crazy because there are choices ! Everyone cannot be in ONE section especially when there are others that I would gladly play in Osage, Charmeuse, Threads of Morocco, Mulberry and Tyrian Purple, for example, are also among my favourites. Get a grip people;reevaluate the madness, give yourself choices and come back to reality! All this desperation so early in the season is really unnecessary!

As for me, I won't be perpetuating this type of hysteria, for all those following me on Facebook and THINK you know what section I am going to be in think again! It is going to be a SECRET!

Generation X Band Launch Review

Reader submitted review of Generation X Launch of "Candy Land", their Miami Carnival 2009 presentation, which took place on July 25th:

Revelers!!!! The Miami Carnival count down is on!

On July 25th 2009, GenerationX the largest and most popular band in Florida, launched their 2009 presentation “Candy Land” at the beautiful Nikki Marina at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, Florida.

As I walked towards the venue I was meet with the aroma and refreshing breeze of the Atlantic Ocean and a stunning glow of a flowing fountain in the center of the courtyard. Walking through the entrance it was decorated richly with a huge Candy Land Sign and large lollipops, sweeties, and candy with the beautiful Gen X models decked off in their Candy Land outfits all with shorts, wigs, striped thigh-high socks, greeting the patrons. I felt as if I was walking through Williy Wonkas Chocolate Factory! Once inside, I was treated to the sounds of Miami’s favorite Dj’s Eternal Vibes, Dorenzo, and Genesis blazing the Soca with Sizwe C on the mic, hyping the already energized crowd.

Around 2 A.M, the models were ready and lined up to display. The opening act was a spectacular display of a fire show. The crowd stared in awe as the firewoman danced her fire routine swinging her glowing torches in the air while seductively dancing. With the crowd still in a trance the models entered the stage with section displays of “Licorice”, “Skittles”, “Aqua Mints”, “Cotton Candy”, “Pop Corn”, and “Pepper Mango”. The band is definitely looking "sweet" again with 6 stunning sections for the revelers to choose from!

After the dazzling display of costumes, the huge piñata-sweet hanging from the ceiling was opened and out came candy and a ticket for a free costume to the lucky winner who found the coupon. The crowd was now ready and hyped to get on bad! It was as if party goers were in a carnival spell. They were winning low to the floor and dancing on top of tables and bar counters. You can always count on GenerationX to put on a great party and show!

To register with Generation X for Miami Carnival and to see pictures go to GenerationXMiami.com

To see additional pictures, Facebook Pictures.

Doan Hold We Back!

For all those with a Crop Over Tabanca, wuk it up!