Paprazzi Mas Band Launch

Paparazzi Mas, the reincarnation of the now defunct Pulse 8 Carnival, has confirmed that their band launch will take place on July 8th, 2012. Seems to be that Paparazzi will be kicking off band launch season 2013.

Also one of the sections  in Paparazzi ,"Celebrity Weddings" ,will be designed by renowned local fashion designer Heather Jones. Interesting and looking forward to see what this "new" band has to offer for Carnival 2013.

J'ouvert In July

http://trinievents.trinmag.com

Carnival Nationz Costume Sneak Peek

It seems like designingDARYL continues to heat things up on the North American Carnival front!! I had the pleasure of viewing this very stunning sneak peek  via a super secret source from their super secret photoshoot and I'm sharing with you. I have "birds" all over the place, everyone is Saucy's friend and I love you all just the same :

I was told this costume was designed for Joann Chase who Daryl has designed for before. Through this formidable design, Carnival Nationz approved Joann for a section this year, and I could see why, makes me want to see more of the entire costume.  Let's hope it translates into success again for my "lil designing buddy".

Carnival Nationz launch of their Caribana 2012 presentation "Empires" takes place this Saturday, April 21 2012.

Red Unlimited Costume Renewal

If you suffered from costume envy, lusting behind that necklace on YUMA's Luxor Frontline from Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2012:

Then you might be happy to see that Red Unlimited has once again taken inspiration from Trinidad for their St Lucia Carnival costumes and that necklace can be yours in the section "Renewal". For more Red costume pics behind the scenes, click HERE.

 P.S. I think I am going to leave this section Spirit of Loulan... sorry "Spirit of the People" alone.

Caesar's Army Takes Cricket!

I know many of you are enjoying Jamaica Carnival, but for those of us in Trinidad today is cricket and we will be making mas today with Caesar's Army in the Carib Stands! Take wine for me in Jamaica.

K2K Alliance Teaser for Carnival 2013

Dear masqueraders,
Many of you have been inquiring about the theme for our 2013 Collection. We are excited to release our first hint. More details coming soon…

I have always been fascinated by Indian Mas in Trinidad and Tobago, this video of costume designer Anton Duncan showing off his work made me smile; locally produced mas is still alive.

 

Point Fortin Borough Day 2012 J'ouvert Bands

Point Palancers

https://www.facebook.com/pages/POINT-PALANCERS/247621439996

Reiding Taylors and Associates

Royalty J'ouvert

https://www.facebook.com/events/404000876294075/

Fete Rat Promotions 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/feterat/

Out & Bad Girls

https://www.facebook.com/events/124799224317727/

Army Antz

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001987059763&sk=wall

And the North American Band Launches heats up!

Well I was actually expecting to be updated with all things Caribana from my regular source Kara but it seems like launches are earlier this year and it catches everyone by surprise - even VETERANS! As you know, I do not offer my usual critique of costumes I have not had the pleasure of seeing in person, however, from what I have seen so far, things looking VERY DYNAMIC from a special "lil designer buddy" of mine. He offered a sneak peek that I have shared with you and while I have seen the complete picture which is absolutely gorgeous, I am intrigued to see what you guys think of this EMPIRICAL costume in two weeks! Last year he had success with a sold out section in a record 4 hours flat (remember Unicorn?) - so let's see what 2012 has in store.

 I must be honest, I was not initially impressed with the color choice. For me, pink is a color I played in this year and I never repeat colors much less in the same year BUT who says I cant make an exception... Frontline - LOVE IT!!!!! 

Word is that REAL MEN WEAR PINK - Let's hope this DOMINION joins the echalons of Apache and forms a PINK EMPIRE for 2012! 

And OF COURSE, what is Caribana without a lil bacchanal - better yet, what is my blog without the REAL DEAL... 

 The word is, Caribana is in store for a new fusion of Trini styles tastefully done and switching the gears on customers and truly putting the power in their hands - choosing ANY OPTION you want for the road and completely doing away with the term FRONTLINE. It seems that with this designer and his OVER THE TOP designs, FULLY LOADED is the way to go! 

Although playing nice, "banditing" a few sections and churning out new looks for Caribana 2012, I'm still waiting for him to flex his creative muscles man. To me, I haven't noticed anything of true note, all stuff I saw before but really, REALLY well done. I saw a backpack that I am in LOVE with, last year he did it with the white and this year he does it with the BLUE!! BRAZIL is the one to look out for, remember you heard it here first!

 So, who can't get costumes back from production yet? who protecting photos from shoots from who? Whose costumes ALREADY shot? And who just NEED ah SHOT of ADRENALINE! Lawd, seems like these North American bands don't only COPY Trini costumes but also de behavior boy... All will be revealed on April 21st AND 28th ... See if you could read between the lines and decipher all the good DRAMA that lives in these EMPIRE states of MINDS! 

Oh and by the way, most of you should already know that I am talking about DesigningDARYL
Dexter's Tribal Knights - April 14th - CANDYLAND
Carnival Nationz - April 21st - EMPIRES
Saldenah Mas - April 28th - FANTASY in JEWELS

Tobago Jazz Experience 2012

Tobago Jazz Experience 2012 akes place from April 21st to 29th and this year's performers include Angie Stone, Arturo Tappin, Emeli Sande, Janelle Monae, Kes the Band, David Rudder and Barrington Levy among others. If you are looking for a great post Carnival event this is worth checking out.

Schedule, ticket prices and all other relevant information are available in the links below.

http://www.visittobago.gov.tt/jazzexperience/

https://www.facebook.com/tobagojazzexperience?sk=wall&filter=12

More teasers from SamCheewah for their Carnival 2013 presentation "Fly". We have already glimpsed the butterfly now presenting the Peacock and  Brazilian Macaw.

Happy Easter

Fantasy Barbados 2012

Word is band launch for Fantasy Barbados is on May 4th, 2012. 

This is Fantasy's second year as a band for Cropover 2012 and already the buzz is that this may be the hot band to jump with for Kadooment as they were reportedly impressive with their on the road amenities .

I am impressed that they are launching so early and look forward to seeing costumes in "Warriors of Africa".

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fantasy-Barbados/108927682527561

http://www.fantasybarbados.com/

Harts Carnival 2013 - Je T'aime

BOHICA is now .... Paparazzi

Just yesterday a new band called  BOHICA  was presented to the public and less than 24hrs later the band's name has changed to "Paparazzi". I am guessing the fact that fans of Trinidad Carnival Diary on Facebook expressed  their surprise and displeasure over the acronym and what it stood for may have had something to do with this swift reversal of a name. Arguably Bend Over Here It Comes Again and what it says to potential masqueraders has to go down as the worst name for a band,ever:

" BOHICA Carnival is dedicated to all of us who at one time or another have been bent over & given a raw deal. To this we say 'BOHICA', which translated means Bend Over Here It Comes Again. "

click for larger view

My question is though didn't committee members and/or the band leader  research the name before going public? And if the people behind BOHICA found nothing was wrong with the name and acronym why did it take the outcry of a few facebook fans to make them change their mind on it being appropriate? The power of social media! Anyway, presenting to you, "Paparazzi" for Carnival 2013.

https://www.facebook.com/BohicaCarnival

http://twitter.com/#!/PaparazziMas

http://www.paparazzicarnival.com/

Harts Carnival 2013 Teaser

New Band Alert : BOHICA is Here...to Keep you Pulsing!

Get ready for BOHICA Carnival. 

 BOHICA Carnival is here...to Keep you Pulsing! 

 We are happy to introduce a new dynamic band for C2K13 "BOHICA Carnival". This fun loving band was conceived from the band Pulse8 Carnival and brings with it all of the warmth, vitality and quality service that Pulse8 was known for. 

 BOHICA Carnival is dedicated to all of us who at one time or another have been bent over & given a raw deal. To this we say 'BOHICA', which translated means Bend Over Here It Comes Again. 

BOHICA Carnival is a band where we can release and leave these BOHICA moments on the road, in the music and in the euphoria and freedom that is carnival.

 Bend Over Here Comes...de Wining Again! Bend Over Here Comes...de Road Again! 

 Bend Over Here Comes...de Mas Again! 

 Bend Over Here Comes...de Pulse Again! 

 Remember, just say BOHICA and Release It on the Road!

http://twitter.com/#!/BohicaCarnival/
https://www.facebook.com/BohicaCarnival

Spice Carnival 2013 - Let's Dance

Cropover 2012 New Band Alert - Dragon Fly Mass Band

Woke up this morning with Cropover 2012 on my mind and remembered that a brand new band launched in  Barbados on January 28 by Unique Productions Worldwide Ltd called "Dragonfly Mass" (cringe at the spelling of "Mas").

With six sections DFM is promising a VIP Experience for Cropover 2012 and to get more details on just exactly what this entails, check out their Facebookpage for prices and more information:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dragon-Fly-Mass-Band/339083166111255

Chowmein

Chutney Bacchanal 

Make Noise

Snakes In De Grass

Peace Sign 

Fireworks

TRIBE Appreciation Event

Last night TRIBE held an appreciation event, poolside at the Courtyard Marriott, to say thanks to the sponsors, media and patrons who were there from the inception of a brand new band and continued with support over the past 8 years . Time really does fly, I cannot believe it has been eight years since the advent of the "Ultimate Experience" which changed the game when it came to Carnival bands and what we as masqueraders have now come to expect as standard from All Inclusive Bikini and Beads bands. 

Band leader Dean Ackin also took time to acknowledge the masqueraders for their patronage and also revealed TRIBE's theme for Carnival 2013. I am very interested in seeing "Butterflies, Beasts and Bacchanal" come to life in all its savage beauty!