Spice Signature Collection Media Launch Pics

Spice's Design Team...Gisel Laughlin,  Leah Marie Guevara, Anya Elias and Nina Alcantara  flanked by models portraying "Jubilee Diamond" (left, silver/white) and "Tres Chic" (right/pink).

More photos from the media launch can be seen HERE.

YUMA Band Launch Date

Guess which ones are the local models? No guessing after August 8th! Mark your calenders.

Islands In The Sun 2010

Greetings peeps, Kermit here welcoming you to the start of the 2010 DC Carnival season. The Islands in the Sun day fete kicks off the festivities and hence is my destination on this sunny Saturday afternoon. The previous year’s fetes were held at a golf course but this year, the venue was changed to the Laylinn Manor and, never having been there before, I was curious to see what the layout would be and what kind of vibe it would inspire.

Parking was in front of the manor but the actual party site was off to the side and around the back and, after presenting my ticket to the lovely ladies at the reception tent, I entered the fete area. Immediately as I entered on the left was the bar, and clockwise around the pool were the food stations, the iceblock shot tent, and the main dance area. The sun was setting, a warm breeze was blowing, and sweet tunes were playing. The venue was nicely decorated with balloons and beautiful people liming and I must say, it presented quite a picturesque poolside view.

Because of past experience with this and similar events, I knew that this idyllic scene would eventually transform into a mass of wining, jumping, and waving bodies and with the pool right there, somebody MUST take a dip in the cool blue. Right now though, thoughts of wildness were far from people’s minds as they enjoyed the food, got their drink on and mixed and mingled.

After chowing down on some bake and saltfish and a nice plate of jerked chicken, I decided to pay a visit to the crowd surrounding the iceblock shot tent. Judging from the cheering coming from this area, there seemed to be lots going on and I wanted to capture all the sights. The Caribunited girls were manning the block with all the excitement and enthusiasm that we have come to expect from these vivacious young ladies and as I watched, they inveigled several passers-by to partake of their ice-cold liquid goodness. This year’s block apparently started out the day as a bottle (think Absolut) with a groove down the middle but during the afternoon’s activities the ladies’ actions caused the head of the bottle to break leaving only the bottle’s body.

Undeterred, the resourceful Caribunited ladies pressed on and through skillful

manipulation of the body only, they were able to channel the liquid goodness into the waiting mouths at its end (insert your own dutty joke here). After watching for a while, the liquid goodness looked too good to refuse so I gave in to their exhortations and crouched, drank, and rose refreshed and ready to party hard.

As in chemistry, there are certain elements that when mixed together will produce the same result no matter when or how they are mixed and this is largely the same when it comes to parties. Let me present you with this question: What do you think is most likely to happen when you combine hot weather, unlimited alcohol, and sizzling soca music with a pool? Is it more likely that partygoers, dressed in their finery and pointy shoes will (a) mix and mingle poolside all night and not venture into the pool, or (b) take a dip and a wine in the pool because it would be a shame to waste all de cool, cool water? Like you my peeps, I would pick choice (b) and Caribunited it seems would agree so, in the interest of safety, they hired a lifeguard to be on duty for the duration of the fete. Of course Mr. Lifeguard didn’t really have too much to do even when the allure of the pool became too great for some of the patrons and they palanced in de pool (you knew it was bound to happen).

As the night progressed, it became more and more obvious that the people in the pool were not in any danger of drowning especially since the women in the pool had an escort of men circling them ready to provide any assistance necessary (or imagined) at a moment’s notice. Mr. Lifeguard, thus being slightly relieved from maintaining constant vigilance, was then able to participate in our culture with the help of some food and a bottom or two.

And of course once people in de water, de party start for real! People were wining on everything everywhere and when I say everywhere, I do mean everywhere. Usually, in a fete such as this, there is winery almost everywhere. I say almost because there is usually one place devoid of wildness, one small oasis of calm amongst the fury of the storm, one area where all of the bottom is NOT yours and that area is behind the 1’s and 2’s. Our resident DJ Sprang International operates like a conductor directing a symphony and rarely is he ever distracted or disturbed from practicing his art. Today however, was one of those rare occasions where the maestro, instead of wielding his baton, had to handle horns, tubas, and a snare drum up close and personal, but I do not blame him for this. Oh no peeps, I blame the hype man.

A good hype man works in conjunction with the DJ to elevate the party from a good fete to a great one and with SI this is usually the norm but tonight was anything but normal. Tony was doing his thing and the fete was sweet like a Julie mango when apparently somebody threw a wildness vaps in de air and Tony ketch it. I wasn’t paying much mind to the words he was saying until I noticed the effect it was having on a particular group of women. These women were happy like pappy wining on de side when Tinsel Tongue Tony started speaking to them encouraging them to come and wine with the DJ. Now I don’t know if he didn’t fully appreciate the power he had over the group but the next thing I know, they had moved from the side of the fete to directly in front of the DJ stage. I am sure that at this point he knew he had started something sinister and somewhere deep in the recesses of his mind he knew he should pause but after ketching a wildness vaps, there was nothing to it, but to do it. He whipped the ladies up even further and before you know it, they stormed the stage and had their way with Sprang.

Ironically, they left the instigator mostly alone and focused on the DJ. I mean, even one of the turntables had a bamsee on it but none for Tony. Hard luck there saddis, maybe next time.

After witnessing this, I knew that nothing was sacred and for the rest of the night I kept a wary eye on the flash mob lest they get it into their minds to swing their engines on a poor helpless amphibian, but to my relief, I was unmolestered and at midnight when the party eventually ended, we ate our hot, delicious corn soup and headed home well satisfied with the night’s activities. Islands in the Sun 2010 was an excellent party with plenty fun, food, and drinks in a perfect venue and I look forward to the rest of the carnival season going this well.

Enjoy the pics peeps, DC Carnival has started and Tribe’s Ignite is next.

Spice Signature Collection.....

When I first heard the theme for Spice's 2011 presentation I was confused, to me a "Signature Collection" meant a showcase of previous works, sort of like what Harts did this year for their 50th anniversary in mas. So, there I was not knowing what to expect, but on the heels of Spice's media launch this evening I do have some more information on what the Signature Collection entails.

Four clusters of the most expensive things in the world make up the Signature Collection: Diamonds (3 versions),  Fashion (3 looks), Wines (3 types) and Fabrics (3 of the most expensive material). If I am to hazard a guess at section names are we to see Black Diamonds, Pink Diamonds, Canary Diamonds, Vicuna, Pashmina,Silk, Romane Conti, Le Montrachet and Chateau Lafite? I am stumped as to how exactly  Fashion could be interpreted; all I can think of is avant garde haute couture!

Now I am really curious to get a sneak peek of the Signature Collection , are you?

Nice Invite!

Carnival Updates

So, I was informed that YUMA completed their photo shoot last Friday and it was "hottttt just like the costumes", so I get it, so I selling it! But between me and you I can attest that YUMA is going to be a feathered and blinged out astrologically celestial experience; lets just say from what I might have seen it is Brazil meets Showgirl meets "out of the box"  in the stars! Word is YUMA imported models from the good ole US of A for their photo shoot ; new, fresh, gorgeous, faces... hmmm. I am thinking I need to see some pics of these models that rendered our local models useless! Certainly money is not an issue for YUMA, humph!

Tomorrow , July 7th, Spice holds their Media Launch at Zen Rooftop. Surprise surprise I was invited, so look out for photos from the event and a little bit more revealed about the "Spice Signature Collection". Hopefully they will keep with tradition and show some costumes!

Round two of TRIBE's photoshoot takes places this weekend, double the band, double the costumes I suppose! And little birdies are whispering that the band launch might also be a double as well, two times the costumes? I don't think my heart can take all that excitement in one night! Oh, and for all of you who complain about traffic to Pier 1, take note TRIBE's launch will not be held in the West.. new location to be revealed soon!

Carnival 2011 has just gotten an adrenalin shot! 

And Here Come The Bandwagonists!

1. Bandwagonist
A bandwagonist is someone who mindlessly goes along with an action or idea, without any real reason other than other people are doing it.

Immediately following the delivery of TRIBE's email into several thousand people's inbox's last evening and the subsequent post on the blog, my facebook stream lit up with the question "TRIBE or BLISS"?.The question  extended to persons who have never played with TRIBE contemplating which band they wanted to be in, and  even the masqueraders who had sworn off playing in TRIBE altogether.

To say I was amused is an understatement, especially since I heard that according to TRIBE's poll many masqueraders were satisfied with the size of the band this year, so how come now everyone is all abuzz over the smaller more intimate experience? The bandwagonists are already hitching their wagon to the latest and newest thing, Bliss is on everyone's lips (even though some are clueless as to what Bliss is about) and I know for sure many of them will be disappointed.

Among even the die hard TRIBERS, who by the way think they have every right to expect first dibs on either band, the choice is not an easy one. They are not simply lining up like sheep to get into Bliss just because it is new; one has to consider where your choice of designer is, which costume grabs you, where your friends will want to be and even if you want to go to the Savannah or not. For me first priority will always be which costume I fall in love with, everything else secondary. My main concern at this point, even as a veteran masquerader is getting into the band when I have finally chosen my costume, and if I am worried that alone should tell you something!

The reality is that the numbers are basically the same, the options have just been doubled. What this means is that it is the same amount of spots total distributed in either band. If you did not get into TRIBE this year, think for one second how much harder it will be to get in NEXT year with even less people being catered for. And, if TRIBE is offering Bliss because their loyal and faithful masqueraders have complained about the size of the band, what makes you think that there will even be an option for the marish and the parish to get in? I foresee mass hysteria of epic proportions when people come to the realization that they may not actually  have a choice. I fear that no common sense will prevail especially on the TRIBE facebook group,  I feel sorry for the TRIBE committee members already!

My hope is that  TRIBE actually makes having a TLC count  next year, factoring that into the registration  process for both bands. I cannot tell you how amazed I, and many others were, to see some faces that never played in TRIBE jumping up in the most sought after costumes THIS year. Bandwagonists boasting about their links to get into TRIBE before a card carrying TLC member rubbed many people the wrong way, especially when these bandwagonitsts historically had nothing good to say  about TRIBE,  or TRIBERS, having previously being aligned with another rival band. If you are offering pre registration TRIBE, offer it to the people who HAVE been playing with you since 2005!

And my advice to the newbies, who complain every year about how unfair the process to get into TRIBE  is, start looking at alternatives because everyone simply cannot play in TRIBE or Bliss! You have to be realistic, I am just saying. For 2011 we now have a record number of bands for you to choose from if you want bikini and beads mas. There are the newcomers like YUMA, Oasis and Gems plus the stalwarts like Island People, Legacy and Harts. Then we have the bands with  strong public support like Spice, D Krewe, Trini Revellers and Pulse 8 . And if you want a smaller, more intimate experience take your pick from Dream Team, Wee International, Ronnie & Caro, Kaotic or Trevor Wallace. Not to mention there are even smaller bands like Genesis and Carvalho Mas . 

So, don't be a sheep and act as if Bliss is the second coming of THE ONLY BAND TO PLAY MAS WITH all over again people! Explore ALL your options, be practical and temper your expectations to reality. Above all else this remains true; TRIBE cannot accommodate every single masquerader just because they  now offer two SMALLER bands......let common sense prevail or God help us all after July 24th!

The Secret Is Out!!! TRIBE and BLISS for Carnival 2011!

Finally, the big news I have been sitting on for the past couple weeks, for Carnival 2011 TRIBE Carnival will be bringing BLISS, the smaller more intimate experience!

I am absolutely happy that TRIBE is offering this option for those of us who have really gotten jaded with the size of the band, even though TRIBE 2011 promises to be smaller as well. Rumour is TRIBE will cater for 4000 masqueraders while BLISS will cater for half of that number.

So, TWO sets of costumes, TWO routes, TWO lunch stops and TWO Sets of TRIBE/BLISS madness when band launch kicks off. The only caveat is ONE band will not be going to the Savannah and ONE band will not have any private sections, only TRIBE in house sections! And if you did not know before, the in house designers are Gail Cabral, Monique Nobrega and Lana Nobrega.  Decisions , decisions.

Are you ready?

We thank all of you for your feedback via emails, phone calls and the recent masquerader survey conducted in May. The results of the survey were extremely heartening as TRIBE received a positive rating in 27 of the 30 questions asked, indicating a very high level of customer satisfaction and a real indication from our valued customers. We would like to sincerely thank all of our masqueraders for endorsing our Band and our Brand!

On the Road

We recognize that road congestion along the parade route was the major reason that the band did not move as freely as it did in 2009. The authorities have full control over the movement of all the bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and other Bandleaders have received similar feedback from their masqueraders in 2010. Spectator congestion along Ariapita Ave. was another issue raised by masqueraders in all bands. Both these issues will be collectively brought to the attention of the authorities by all Bandleaders. Additionally, TRIBE intends to avoid all congested areas along the route in the future.

Costume Re-Sales

NO MORE COSTUME TRANSFERS! Reports of TLC cardholder abuse and costume profiteering have been repeatedly brought to our attention. To stop this practice, one measure we will implement is a strict “NO Costume Transfer” rule.

Registration and Fraud Activity

Once again we would like to re-iterate that the ONLY persons authorized to collect monies for registration are the TRIBE Mas Camp/office, Committee members (see website) and TRIBE Management. TRIBE shall not be held responsible or accountable for monies not directly submitted via these channels. Please feel free to contact our office to make any inquiries or to report suspicious or potentially fraudulent activity.

WARRIORS…GET BATTLE READY FOR 2011!

Get battle ready for a new unbelievable Carnival Experience!! The Launch of Carnival 2011 is here and on Saturday July 24th TRIBE will unveil its most outstanding presentations to date.

2011 UNVEILED

As Carnival continues to evolve and the masquerader demands shift, TRIBE’s cutting edge approach enables us to adapt to these varying needs. As such, TRIBE has heeded your suggestions and will offer two different carnival experiences for Carnival 2011. We are pleased to introduce two smaller bands, TRIBE & BLISS, which will improve manageability and maneuverability on the road, thereby significantly enhancing your Carnival Experience.

Those of you who enjoy the “organized bacchanal” can continue to ‘palance’ in TRIBE…The ULTIMATE Carnival Experience. Those who desire a much smaller band with the same high quality product and service as they have become accustomed to in TRIBE, now have the option of BLISS…The INTIMATE Carnival Experience.

This carefully studied and planned approach allows each band and its respective masqueraders to have their own distinct identity with each having its own parade route and band management. As our launches approach we will release more information on the both bands.

The Battle has begun…release the Warrior within!!

You Asked For It, The Saucy Skullduggery Review!

There was a lot of anticipation for Skullduggery, not only was this the first band launch of the season, we were also privy to sketches and prototype teasers leading up to the big reveal of all the sections and this was a band endorsed by Peter Minshall himself!

The designs for Skullduggerry are certainly different, save one section they do not fit the bikini and beads formula nor, for me, do they quite fit in with the Minshallesque and Mc Farlane artsy “Marse” costumes. Skullduggery’s costumes are a birthing of Halloween caricature, rock wild child, Dia de los Muertos and fanciful whimsy spiced up with some Trinidad flavor and truth be told I like it.

And while I might like the overall effect of the costumes I do think that there are some issues that need to be addressed, as I saw it, looking on as a potential masquerader. Some of the costuming material looked cheap, Vie que Vie’s green T Shirt dress seems like something I can whip up at home. I am not liking the use of plastic chains which to me screams Halloween prop shop and cheapens the overall look of the costume.

The elaborate bustier, hoop skirts, wings and tutus create impact but one has to wonder how practical they are for the road when it took three people to dress the model! The overwhelming use of black coupled with layers of clothing , including long pants for men, might be a turn off for some worried about the heat; for me I would just adjust the costume to suit the temperature! And finally some of the section translations were a bit too literal Two Face with the smiley face could either be seen as witty or campy and the eyeball festooned Mal Yeux can really creep one out if you suffer with a case of Trypophobia. I also thought Mamaguy looked a bit odd as it was the only costume with feathers and beads.

The stand out costumes for me were: Soucouyant, a temptress with just the right mix of Vamp, sexiness and Goth. I wish the top hat was as big as the prototype, but the detail on the bra and waist band is spot on and I absolutely LOVE that tulle bustle; my number one pick if I were playing in this band. Ironic that the most naked costume is also the crowd favourite, ent ? Jagabat is another one of my favourites, LOVE the wings! Sketelleton was close to the sketch, though I preferred the look of the corset type bustier to the full bustier, this costume had impact, but I am not too sure how you would even attempt to use the restroom with all those pieces to take off and put back on! As far as male characters go I give top marks to Horn and I think ALL Trini men should rush and sign up in that section!

Which brings me to the sections I liked but not necessarily loved first being Horn Chile .Juvenille looking costume channeling the perky, punky inner child, I get it, don't love it. I liked Ratchifee, it looks like a precocious character from a Tim Burton movie and the back pack is a cute idea. Baa John was one costume I did not get quite the interpretation from with a first look but the barbed wire, cowboy hat and T Shirt with an eloquently positioned skulled hand giving the middle finger finally drove home the point to me, interesting but I prefer the male version. I may be in the minority but I do like Greese-han, both male and female. I got a fancy sailor vibe from the male and it is pretty creative to construct an entire costume made from fake paper money! In the same vein I like the concept of Maco with the use of the newspaper (waterproof I hope) not too sure about the execution.

The duds for me were Bacchanal Woman, what happened, I had such high hopes for this costume from the description but it turned out looking like my granny’s church hat coupled with her shower curtain draped around a body! And as much as I wanted to like Blight, I just could not get past the white FUR (loved the leggings on the female and the caution tape makes sense here however). Bamboozle is another costume whose interpretation was lost on me, it looked like a person stuck in a painting ! I did not like Bol’face, the shade of green did not do it for me, neither did the wastepaper basket headpiece, sorry.

Overall I can foresee that some tweaks to the costumes may be needed for practical reasons. Masqueraders also want comfort on the road and some of those costumes are not looking road ready in my opinion. On impact the band will surely bring something different to the streets of Port of Spain. Not every band could or should be looking identical and I disagree with the critics who opine that the band looks like Jouvert. Skullduggery never set out to be bikini and beads or the second coming of Peter Minshall; they stayed true to their vision and format from day one and much respect to them on that one (though they need to take Mamaguy back to the drawing board for it to conform).

Minshall’s last presentation Sacred Heart was a stripped down pair of chaps, jeans and a puffy heart necklace; I think if the critics could love and embrace that presentation they can surely see something redeemable in Skullduggery’s first offering.

You Review, First Up Skullduggery

Each year the format for my post band launch aftermath goes the same. I attend the launch, take pics and wax poetic with reviews from my point of view. The contention is that the “designers”, section leaders and band leaders have been challenging what authority I, Saucy, have on deciding which costumes are hot or not. Never mind that as a masquerader I am the target market of these costumes and therefore I am the one you, Mr/Mrs designer have to please; it seems like my reviews have been rubbing people the wrong way.

And while I personally do not care who is offended because I did not give their costume top ratings, I mean I am after all a paying customer and I will put my mouth where my money is, I have decided this year to be a little more “fair” when it comes to my review process just to humor the critics.

I have been accused of having a bias well then I will leave the reviews up to YOU, readers of the blog because I feel as mas virgins or veterans you are the ones these costumes are made for and YOU are the ones to say if you like them or not. You may not have years of creative experience behind you (neither do some of these “designers”) and you may have never created a costume, however you do have the purchasing power! Sorry designers, as much as these costumes are your creations the ultimate test on whether they make the grade lies with the customer!

To give your review, simply leave me a comment. I will do a compilation of the reviews together with my top picks/faves the following day.

So, the floor is ALL yours readers, let’s hear what YOU have to say, YOU review… first up Skullduggery.

Baa-John

Bacchanal Woman

Bamboozle

Blight

Bol'face

Greese -han

Horn Chile

Horn

Jagabat

Maco

Mal Yeux

Mamaguy

Ratchifee

Sketelleton

Two Face

Vie-que-Vie

Warahoon

Skullzman

Soucouyant

Skullduggery Photos

Here are photos from Skullduggery's band launch, all 535 pics! Enjoy

Click the photo below to be taken to the album on Photobucket.

We Are LIVE!!!

Charlie's Roots and 3 Canal just finished performing and we are LIVE on Triniscene!!

Stay tuned to the VERY lively chat and the upcoming band launch at   http://www.triniscene.com/tsv7/stream/ 

Check us out on Twitter for pics and  updates


@carnivaldiary and @triniscenelive


And facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Triniscene?ref=ts

Skullduggery Section Teasers

A preview of what we can see tonight, loving both Skettle-ton and Socouyant... lets hope the prototype does the illustration justice!

Socouyant

Blight

Horn 

Skettle- Ton

Welcome To Rosalino Street Oasis

Look who has moved in on Rosalino Street with TRIBE as their neighbors, it is Oasis Mas Camp. They can be found at 32 Rosalino Street Woodbrook if you happen to be looking for tickets to their band launch on July 18th!

Coming To You LIVE From Skullduggery

For all those unable to be at Skullduggery's band launch in person, here is your virtual invitation.

Triniscene will be streaming live from Skullduggery's band launch this evening. 

Also look out for live commentary, photos and tweets from the launch. You do not want to miss the first band launch of the season!

Preparations......

TRIBE Mas Camp Getting a makeover

Hmm, what is going on here?

Blue Box Cart Crop Over 2010

The ever elusive Blue Box Cart (Harbour Lights) band for Crop Over has launched, as usual without much fanfare.

This band has no website, no facebook group and you can hardly ever find photographs of the costumes to even see what their presentation is for Crop Over! Nevertheless I managed to stumble upon one compilation photo of all the sections:

Price:$450.00 BBDS, Deposit $75.00 BBDS
To Register: contactus@harbourlightsbarbados.com

Oasis Responds

It has been brought to our attention that someone using the user name “Oasis” has been writing on the Trinidad Carnival Diary website some very unpleasant comments about the YUMA teaser which recently came out.

We officially would like to guarantee that the Oasis Carnival Team is in no way associated with this person or persons, and we have nothing but good wishes for old and new bands alike. The members of Oasis Carnival have been involved in the field of Carnival for many years and in no way wanted to cause any animosity with any competing band, and as some can attest we made it a priority to let them know that we wish them all the best.

We are acquaintances with many of the YUMA family, both in life and in business, and they can attest that we have no ill feelings towards them. We at Oasis believe Carnival is a time for young designs and business entrepreneurs to spread their wings, as it is an ever changing field which grows with the development of our society.

Oasis Carnival will only be giving official information through our facebook page, our official email oasis.carnival@gmail.com containing our letterhead and our soon to be released website, and any information received otherwise can be presumed to be false.

Kind Regards
The Oasis Team

Pulse 8 2011

Everyone is giving us a little teaser these days...........

Exciting Weekend Ahead!

TRIBE is having their photoshoot tomorrow at a "secret" location, I was told exactly where but will not spill the beans on this one as they will be doing it in plain sight! Anyway the feedback I have been getting about costumes are very interesting indeed. Metal, leather.. oh my! Who say Xena Warrior Princess?! It is all about the material and the designing around the theme this time I was told, not everything will be blinged or feathered to death.  I mean with a Warrior theme we should expect fierce costumes right? My mind is spinning with ideas for makeup and body art!

Peter Elias and Sandra Hordatt supposedly have the WOW designs for 2011, we shall see when band launch rolls around; you know how some designers wait until later to surprise everyone with their frontline and individual costumes! I am waiting with baited breath to see what Solange Shaw-Gopaul, Cocktail Girls and Super Mo Mo (Monique Nobrega) have to offer as well. 

And, it is coming closer to the BIG secret reveal (it is the absolute worst having a secret and not being able to blast it on the blog I tell you) but for now I will give you a ANOTHER hint. Who remembers this? A TRIBE is born? Hmm... wonder what 2011 will "birth":

I have my tickets to Skullduggery in hand and I am all ready to be WOWED by the Cosk-elle-ness on Sunday and really looking forward to the performance by David Rudder and Charlie's Roots as well. Skullduggery's launch has even awoken Carnival Jumbie from slumber!  And if you cannot make it, there will be live updates from the band launch. More details on that to follow.First band launch of the season and it promises to start off with a bang. See you there!