Spice Signature Line....

Hey Spice

Crew...Last week we gave the media a sneak peek into our presentation

for Carnival 2011 and we are very happy you love the costumes!...This

week we are giving you our fabulous Spice Masqueraders a first look

at one of the many surprises we have in store for you for 2k11...Spice

has once again raised the bar in costume design as we will now be

offering three options for selected sections...the Regular, the Frontline

and we introduce to you (for the first time ever) the level above

Frontline...."The Signature Line"....here is your first look at

"Jubilee, the Signature Line" from our "Diamonds are Forever Cluster

Interesting!  I would have loved to see that costume on a different background, white on white does not show the detail.

That "Signature Line" reminds me of Mystery of Loulan's three costume options, the Regular, The Frontline and the Premium (Individual) costume... carry on!

The Way Of The Warrior

Are you ready for TRIBE 2011??

Social Media and Changing the Carnival Communication Game

It baffles me sometimes that Carnival Bands are so out of touch with the new way to communicate with their supporters, masqueraders and potential masqueraders in the 21st century that they remain silent for virtually the entire lead up to band launch season, and sometimes after,so much so that we forget they even exist! With more competition it is now becoming a case of the Carnival Band that makes the creates the most noise (read social chatter) gets the most attention. And it has nothing to do with seeming to appear desperate by reaching out to your masqueraders via all the avenues available, if you don't start selling what you have to sell and make an indelible mark among all the competition out there, pretty soon it will be too late to get people buying, especially when no one knows who you are and what you have to offer.

Take for instance Skullduggery (Woi!! Mas) who have admirably worked the Social Media to their full advantage. And while traditional media also serves the purpose as well, they have understood the importance of merging the two and bridging the gap between the connection. Go over to their website and there is a dedicated Press section where you can find digital conversion of articles that have appeared in the local press. If you do not live in Trinidad and as a consequence were never able to pick up an actual newspaper and read the articles yourself, there it  is available to you for your reading pleasure. Not to mention as a blogger it is pretty cool to actually have photographs, video and even press releases right there on the website so that if need be I can use them on the blog as well.

I also commend them on their Facebook Group (though it might be time to upgrade to a fan page). Businesses need to understand that one of the best aspects of using this form of Social Media is that you can get instant feedback and it is an excellent forum to communicate with your customer. You do not build a Facebook Group or Fanpage then disappear, having zero communication with all your fans and supporters even when they are writing on the wall looking for information. At Skullduggery there is rapport, the band leaders and designers communicate with their masqueraders, fans and supporters constantly. We have video and photographs being shared as well as lively debates taking place. Seriously, this is one of the most active groups on Facebook and it is all being done by a brand new band which is getting tons of press! Skullduggery is also the ONLY new band on Twitter and one of the few that update overall. 

Other bands that have upped their social media game is TRIBE, go to their website and they have now added button links to their Facebook, Twitter AND a brand spanking new  YOUTube channel which is being used to share a series of videos leading to a build up to their band launch. TRIBE has a website that does not go dormant after Carnival as well. It irks me that some bands still have their 2010 website up with not even a change to the front page since Carnival has passed. Your band launch is coming up, how about a note to let masqueraders know that, like Harts who have a popup with details on their band launch. Why are we still seeing information on costume distribution or in some cases the link to the website is dead! 

Apart from Skullduggery, TRIBE and Pulse 8 the other bands are virtually dead in the social media world. Right now I believe Island People is in a coma, YUMA is still to get their name on people's lips, yes I am still getting "YUMA who? what is that?", Spice has increased their coverage on Facebook but they have seem to forgotten Twitter and their website plus there is a list of bands that have zero social media presence. Does anyone even know if Brian Mc Farlane is bringing a band for Carnival 2011? The thing is that traditional media is great for a one time blurb in a newspaper that will get thrown out the next day, with Social Media there is content online available for years! Trust me, wayback machine can uncover a world of information on lots of Carnival Bands that no longer exist. You leave your tracks virtually and we, savvy users of the internet, can follow you.

You no longer need to wait until a TV station shows a clip of your band launch, you can post the whole thing on YouTube and why invite so many media personnel to get ONE photo of your band launch in the newspapers when you invite only ONE blogger and get hundreds? Making the frontpage of the Express or Guardian is excellent post band launch, but really how many people are going to see it and for how long will that one image be relevant to the masqueraders who want more, more photos to pour over? While getting your band featured in the newspaper  helps some of these bands are not even drawing attention to even get that nod. I am positive that Skullduggerry would not have gotten so many features in the Express and Guardian if their very existence was not being talked about virtually everywhere.

So here are some tips for the bands that need to hire a dedicated Social Media Employee to take advantage of all the benefits that they provide in marketing your band to all of us that live in the virtual world:

1. Clean up your act on Facebook and start communicating. The worst thing is to be looking for a Carnival Band on facebook and come upon multiple Groups and Fanpages not knowing which is the OFFICIAL group to join for updates and information. Simply, create ONE and only ONE page for your Carnival Band, get rid of all the other groups and update, update, update! It makes no sense to have a group that is dormant. Get interactive and start communicating with the members who are asking questions.Share information like pictures, videos and even teasers. The only way to know if you are successful is to see how many people are writing on your wall, if your wall hasn't had anything written on it but an unanswered question since February 2010 you are in trouble! And don't just use the page to blast information, take time to answer people's questions.

2. Update your website, please!  Not everyone is on Facebook or it can be blocked at work so your website is also a primary source of information. Use the opportunity of having a static address on the world wide web to give hints and teasers to the 2011 theme, add photographs and video from Carnival Monday and Tuesday of your band on the road and most importantly advertise your band launch on your website; brilliant idea which is hardly ever done.

3. Respond to emails, and respond in a prompt and timely manner. This is a personal pet peeve of mine, the emails lost in cyber space! So, I am interested in getting some information on your band but cannot call. I choose to send an email instead asking some questions that I am eager to get answered , and what follows is me checking my inbox for days on end never to receive a reply. Frustrating!

4. Get Tweeting! I have to admit I was very slow to embrace twitter and even now I do not tweet as much as some of the other bloggers. However I have discovered that Twitter is very effective in getting short bursts of information out over a period of time, keeping people in the loop. It worked with Skullduggery and Spice's Media Launch. At the former Afro Chic, Carnival Jumbie and I were all tweeting live updates with photographs and at Spice's media launch you had photos of the costumes on twitter before anywhere else.As bloggers it is great that WE are doing this, but what is stopping a Carnival band from having someone doing  their own live tweets at their Media and Band Launches?  Not to mention that it is useless following Bands on twitter that are yet to make one tweet.. chirpless! Think about it! 

5. Start a blog. This is for all the Carnival Bands that think Trinidad Carnival Diary is biased. What is stopping you from hiring someone to start doing your own blogging?  I think it would be pretty cool actually, even if it is just a blog integrated into the existing website. Then when you are sick of seeing too much coverage here of any one band, you can go check out the blog of your favourite band. The problem there of course would be having the blog be relevant, current and with topics of interest but it really is not that hard. If you want advice, call me! 

Crop Over Update , ISLAND FUSION & TRIBE Party Package

Island Fusion burst unto the Crop Over scene in early May and set tongues wagging almost immediately. Marketing themselves as having “developed from a fusion of the five creative minds”, the band’s Directors- Toni Thorne, Rhea Mapp, Jamilya Browne, Danielle Brome and Sade N. Jemmott- have been busy revolutionizing the way people view Barbados’ J’ouvert celebrations.

Promising the ultimate Foreday Morning Jam (J’ouvert) experience for Crop Over 2010, Working assiduously to fulfill their mandate, which includes exposing markets outside of Barbados to local culture in a youth-oriented manner, ISLAND FUSION has even caught the eye of the premier Carnival band in Trinidad and Tobago- TRIBE. So much so, that the Foreday Morning Jam experience with ISLAND FUSION is an official element in the ‘TRIBE goes to Barbados for Crop Over 2010’ package promotion.

“Having TRIBE approach us to be a part of our family our first year on the road was very encouraging and we’re pleased to have them, as well as our several other international members, with us”, another Director said, “we hope to build on this for the future, God willing.”

With a mission to “take Crop Over by storm”, Island Fusion guarantees top quality service, the best vibe and long lasting memories for the very affordable price of $120 BDS/ $60US. As envisioned, the band is relatively small, approximately 300 persons, in order to offer an intimate environment, focused on presenting a quality product to each reveller.

For more information on the ISLAND FUSION ULTIMATE J'OUVERT/ FOREDAY MORNING JAM EXPERIENCE for Crop Over 2010:

• visit their website: www.myislandfusion.com;

• join their Facebook Fanpage:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#!/pages/Island-Fusion/120382644640475?v=info&ref=ts; and

• follow them on Twitter: @myislandfusion.

Click To Enlarge

Crop Over Party Packages now available!

Four parties for US$300!

Baje Paint Party - Fri 30th July

Island Fusion All Inclusive J'Ouvert - Sat 31st July (a.m.)

Bliss All Inclusive - Sat 31st July

TRIBE Cruise - Sun 1st Aug

Package includes party bus to and from Accra Beach Hotel & Resort.

Limited travel packages and costumes are still available.

Contact cropover@tribegetaways.com for more information.

Carnival Updates

It's a new week in the crux of band launching season and it is a busy one!

Since I know the guys from YUMA enjoy reading my blog, this one is for you. On Thursday, July 15, YUMA will be holding their Media Launch to formally introduce the band to the public. Something to look forward to as I am positive we will get a preview of their costumes AND finally learn the name of their  Carnival 2011 presentation. Hopefully after the Media Launch we will finally start reading about YUMA in both the social and traditional media! I have been reliably informed that YUMA is going to be bringing about innovations in what our usual expectations are for Carnival as masqueraders, starting with the media launch and extending to their launch and website. Interesting! 

On Sunday Oasis is holding their band launch at Sauté Trinbago, for those who cannot afford the $400.00 ticket (self included) Triniscene will be streaming the band launch LIVE. I am not too sure if I will attend this one to be honest, I CAN choose to tag along and go to this band launch with Triniscene. However I am  acting as a bit of a DIVA this year and if Oasis did not  personally invite me, I am thinking why should I go? Skullduggery did not invite me to their band launch either, however THAT ticket was only $100.00 which I would have happily paid and lucky for me I have a very good friend (not affiliated with Skullduggery) who scored some complimentary tickets and was generous enough to share the fortune. I can very well stay in the comfort of my home and look at Oasis Band Launch live along with you guys as I certainly will not be paying $800.00 to go to a band launch otherwise! I have a Carnival costume to register for in a few weeks people!

And before you read that and say "Who the hell does this Saucy think she is that Oasis must invite her?" let me clarify my position. I have no problem paying for a band launch I feel like attending, in this instance the ticket is way too expensive for a brand new band, in MY opinion.  I do not know who is attending at that price. The only way, therefore I would attend is if I was invited, plain talk. The way I see it is that I am not attending the launch to eat their free food and guzzle their drinks, at a band launch I never have time to enjoy the party because it is a job, though I am always excited to see costumes. I go, I get pics and information, I update live and I leave as soon as the show is over so that I can upload photos and do my review. In the case of launches like TRIBE and Island People it is an all night affair. I think that for the unsolicited publicity that consequently follows it is worth more than the price of a ticket not so? Not to be boastful or anything, but the first pictures from the majority of band launches can be found on Trinidad Carnival Diary, as well as on Facebook posted by me and the first review is usually mine. When the newspapers publish ONE photograph I have already uploaded hundreds for your viewing pleasure.So yes, I think I have earned the right to be a bit of a Diva this year, especially since the payback for the free publicity in lots of cases is ire at the Sauce!

Speaking of costumes,  a little birdie whispered that this year TRIBE has done their best work EVER, I was told that costumes are opposite of  what has been done for the past two  years and that there is  so much "creativity".  The supposedly stand out costumes are done by Super Mo Mo (Monique Nobrega) , Sandra Hordatt , Peter Elias, Val and  Solange Shaw Gopaul's follow up to Mystery of Loulan is "sexy as hell". My source informed me that  even though they loved 95% of the costumes there are still a few that are not "fresh" or "wow" and that as usual the men have not been given as much attention to detail.

Well if that  didn't just raise the bar on expectations for TRIBE and Bliss! Both Bands, TRIBE and Bliss, will be doing the Warrior theme, with different interpretations as to the type of Warriors I was told.I am waiting to see exactly how fabulous these costumes are as I have been hearing the same thing from many people! Counting down to next week Saturday!

Editorial in Vogue, March 2010...

Now all you need is the Amazon, leather, tribal body paint and a bow and arrow! 

Comesse, Mo-Vay-Lang and Bobbol

These sections were not shown at Skullduggery's Launch last Sunday but they are very much part of the presentation. I would have loved to see the translation from sketch to prototype:

Comesse

Mo-Vay_Lang

Bobbol

Greece Is That You?

We can certainly tell that this costume is a Richard & Anthony production, it looks very much like Greece from Spice 2010 ! The section  is called "Passion" from Wassi One's presentation, Miami/Broward Carnival 2010. 

click to enlarge

Skullduggery Prices

Video of Skullduggery Mas Camp on Opening day.

These prices are All Incluisve

Baa-John $2,295.00

Bacchanal Woman $2,695.00

Bamboozle $2,895.00

Blight $2,495.00

Bobbol $2,800.00

Bol'Face $2,495.00

Comesse $2,800.00

Greesehan' $2,695.00

Horn $2,695.00

Horn chile $2,295.00

Jagabat $2,895.00

Maco $2,495.00

Mal Yeux $2,495.00


Mamaguy $2,695.00

Mo-vay-lang $2,695.00

Ratchifee $1,995.00

Sketelle-ton $2,895.00

Skullzman $2,695.00

Soucouyant $2,695.00

Two Face $2,600.00

Vai-que-vai $1,900.00

Wara-hoon $2,400.00

Kadooment Divas Are Back for Crop Over 2010

click to enlarge

http://kadoomentdivas.blogspot.com/

Which Band Launch Do I Go To? Your Choice!

August 8th seems to be a very popular date on the Band Launch calender with BOTH Spice and YUMA choosing that exact day to launch their Carnival 2011 presentations. And while I do want to see costumes from both bands, neither one is budging on changing their launch date.

So, that leaves me in quite a predicament as there is only one of me and two events to attend on the very same night! Reality is that I can only go to ONE band launch on August 8th, so how do I decide? This is Spice's third year and after their Media Launch I know many of you want to see the full presentation. YUMA is promising to  be a major player, with costumes that I MUST see in person (or so I was told).

Do I flip a coin here to make the decision? Actually, since YOU bloggers and readers are the ones that have the most interest in seeing costumes apart from myself, why don't you vote? The band which gets the most votes will be the Band Launch I attend personally, the other will be attended by a representative of Trinidad Carnival Diary, so do not worry you will still get lots of pics!

Cast your vote now:

DC Carnival 2010 - TRIBE Ignite

Welcome peeps, Kermit here reporting from Tribe’s Ignite, the Thursday night warm up for the 2010 DC Carnival weekend. The night is cool but if tonight's party is anything like last year’s, I expect to be sweating profusely within a couple hours. This year, the party is being held at the Fur nightclub in downtown Washington, DC and upon arrival, I noticed that the crowd was a bit light for such a large venue but I know my people, and I suspected that the majority of the attendees would show up closer to 1:00 am and so they did. One minute we were chilling and liming and the next thing you know, a fete materialized from seemingly out of nowhere and everybody was wining hard hard hard.

There was not much out of the ordinary for a Tribe fete; the women were plentiful and beautiful, the music was excellent, and everyone present had a great time. The bars were well staffed, the drinks were strong, and there was never a long wait to enter the club. Just about the only detraction from the party was that, due to DC regulations, clubs close at 3:00 am so the party ended just as it seemed to really get going. Aside from that, the fete was definitely a hit as you will see when you browse the album.

Enjoy the pics peeps, it is now DC Carnival Friday and Machel is next!

Woi! Mas Presents Skullduggery The Dance Of Deceit

For all the weeks that I have been using Skullduggery as the name of the band, I was recently informed that the band is actually "Woi! Mas" and that the presentation is entitled Skullduggery-The Dance of Deceit!.

Woi!Mas comprises of  some familiar names in Carnival; Earl Patterson (former Band Leader of Masquerade), Noel Aming, Kevin Crosby (Crosby Sounds), Ruthvin Thompson and Peter Samuel.

Skullduggery will have 16 Individuals, one King and one Queen when they compete in Carnival for 2011. Registration for Skullduggery begins today, Friday July 9th at 5.00 pm at the mas camp ; 40 Alberto Street (behind Frankie's).


Registration fee is $800.00.Skullduggery Mas Camp Number: 868-498-0219  

Spice Media Launch, The Review

I have been reading the feedback from my Twitter Stream, Blog comments  and on Facebook about Spice's two teaser costumes shown last night . There seems to be a differing opinion to mine generally, and nothing is wrong with that. Truth is Jubilee Diamond and Tres Chic are not the worst costumes I have ever seen, in fact they are pretty attractive costumes, albeit with a familiar, been there, seen that look.

Jubilee Diamond I liked, not wowed by it, but I do appreciate the non feathered headpiece and the backpack wings, though without the use of a feathered headpiece I would have added even more feathers to the back pack since they are usually scaled down in production anyway.

Jubilee Diamond

Tres Chic I applaud the use of more than just two colours for a costume, it is pink, not my favourite colour for a costume or otherwise but I also think it is cute. The huge gems do not bother me really, I like the design element at the front of the headpiece though it squashed the models forehead! I like the height of the headpiece coupled with the little collar ( I guess the collar IS here to stay, sigh) I am guessing this will be the frontline option. How could I ignore the copy of Mystery of Loulan's necklace? I am sure the designers knew exactly what they were doing when they decided to use that "signature" Loulan look in their costume and as a result they should be prepared for the criticisms. Personally I would have at least tried to do something different with the necklace apart from making it multi coloured. The metallic detail on the bra is pretty nice, it looks like sequins but it is not.

Tres Chic

Missing from the Media Launch last night were designers of Spice's two previous presentations, Richard and Anthony. You can also tell that their touch was missing from those costumes however I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing. The effort made by a group of "designers" with little to no experience in creating mas is not bad at all, I just wish Gisel Laughlin had also injected some of her talent to help Elements; now those were some of the worst costumes ever seen , but I digress. Spice's design team get a B- for effort, a higher grade than I wanted to give just because they all are not "designers" by profession so the expectation was very low to be honest. 

Given all that I heard about Spice's costumes, or lack of, I was pleasantly surprised that they did manage to show two decent offerings and can only hope for their band launch the Design Team hits us for six as NOW my expectations have been duly raised.

Bring it on Spice!

Spice "Season Three... The Signature Collection"

http://www.youtube.com/user/TrineeCarnival

Indulge yourself in the sparkle and splendor of the finer things in life with Spice Carnival's 2011 presentation" Season Three...The Signature Collection". Dazzling priceless jewels,  high fashion couture, luxurious fabrics and decadently fine wines all in the stunning signature Spice style make up this season three collection of all things glamorous, fabulous, enchanting and exciting. 

Diamonds are Forever

Diamond comes from the Greek word adamas meaning "unconquerable: and us possibly the most marvelous creation of the earth. From the rare opulence of the shimmery Canary Diamond to the historically extravagant Shah  Jahan octagonal masterpiece and the Great Star of Africa Jubliee Diamond Spice takes you into the world of glittery delight as you drip from head to toe in pure brilliance.

From Paris With Love

Strike a pose and strut the Carnival runway with creations inspired by the fashion capital of the world, Paris. Spice brings elemnts of the finest French couture and infuses them with the hottest trends  this Carnival season. This vogue collection promises to be both sexy and chic and definitely tres maginfique.

Ribbons of Royalty 

Drape yourself in the world's most luxurious fabrics in Spice Ribbons of Royalty. Caress your sun kissed skin with the silky softness of Vicuna the fabric of the Gods or seduce your body with the threads of some of the most expensive and exclusive fabrics of the world. This is glamour and this is what luxury is all about.

Out of the Vineyard

No collection of the luxuries of life could be complete without the distinct  and exotic flavour of fine wine, the drink of royalty and the Gods. From the rich bold taste of grape ripened under the Tuscan sun to a perfectly aged vintage red wine from Bordeaux, allow Spice yo take you on a tour of wine country in "wine" country.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TrineeCarnival

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!