Blast from the past

"Desert Rose".. Island Events special section.. Poison, Fleurs de Passion 2003:

I knew that Pulse 8 costume reminded me of something! Truth be told I really liked this costume until I realised that you can purchase every single piece of the "costume" for sale on the internet!

Island People's Open Registration Begins Today

So all folks patiently waiting for Island People's registration to open up for non masqueraders today is your day. Registration commences from 11:00AM to 7:00PM. The only thing is that Sonia Mack's website is not up as yet and when you try to register online at Island People's website you are immediately directed to her website! I am wondering what is up with that since attempts by overseas person to contact her last week via telephone proved futile. Anyway I will try to get an update on Black Widow Spider and it's availability some time today.

To those registering, good luck, hope you get into your section!

The Oracle is Coming

New band Oracle has launched their website for their 2008 debut presentation "GNOTHI SEAUTON - Know Thyself" and though it is just a teaser I am liking what is promised via the website:

'GNOTHI SEAUTON'
(KNOW THYSELF)

Award winning designer Aaron Schneider joins the Saldenah legacy to present
'THE ORACLE' Trinidad's newest 'mas' band.

The Oracle is Trinidad's only 'mas' band that will guarantee your service experience.
Our mission is to evolve the story of the 'mas' started by the greats such as Harold Saldenah, Peter Minshall, and Wayne Berkeley. Combining the beauty of a well told story with the facilities of an all-inclusive, premium service, limited registration band. Bringing each and every masquerader a fulfilling experience that would appease all of the five senses by sending messages of splendour and beauty all whilst honestly observing the current standpoint of mankind. Our costumes will transport your experience, our service will floor you and our journey will be a well traveled road being revisited with new ideologies. Keep an eye out, we are about to rise above ground clearing the path along which 'THE ORACLE' shall dance. 'True mas must not die, it must merely evolve'
gnothi seauton,

Aaron Schneider, Scott Saldenah
bandleaders 'THE ORACLE' 2008.

I also see that in two days and 17 hours Oracle will be revealing Section I, lots of drama surrounds this band already! Sources told me their target market is the "young Mc Farlane" offering an all-inclusive package with theatrical costumes much akin to the two M's Minshall and Mc Farlane. If this is indeed the type of masquerader Oracle is looking to catering too I can only imagine the costumes! It's great to see a new band which offers more than just the "bikini and beads" and offers and alternate choice for new and old masqueraders. It would augers well in silencing the critics who only seem to think there are TWO bands in Trinidad and Tobago when it comes to Carnival when there is so much diversity!

Labor Day Jam in Brooklyn !

I know that with all the excitement of band launches and registration taking place in Trinidad that coverage of international Carnivals like Nottinghill which took place last weekend and Labor Day which is happening this weekend are being lost. So as many of you enjoy this long weekend by heading to New York for the weekend festivities here is an event schedule:

Saturday September 1st, 2007 - Junior Carnival @ 9am-3pm

Saturday September 1st, 2007 - Panorama 2007 @ 8pm-2am

Sunday September 2nd, 2007 - Carnival All-Inclusive Fete @ 4pm-11pm

Sunday September 2nd, 2007 - Dimanche Gras @ 7pm-1am

Monday September 3rd, 2007 - Labor Day Carnival 2007 @ 8am-6pm

Have a great time and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

Pulse 8 Sneak Peak

Yet another black costume for 2008!Gypsy Caravan, a section from Pulse 8's 2008 presentation Marrakesh which will be launched on September 16th at Club Zen.

Photo Source: PULSE @ The Trinidad Guardian

Island People Close Up Pics

Photos courtesy my friend Melissa, so sorry for the missing Bear pics. Click on the photos for a larger view:

Cheetah






Zebra






Lion








Egret








Silver Fox










Red Tiger




Kingfisher Bird






Portuguese Man O War








Black Widow Spider


Dragon Lizard

Island People Sold Out Section Update

Yesterday was the last day of registration for Island People's past masqueraders with open registration due to start on Monday September. The sold out sections , both in house and online, are:

Silver Fox (frontline and backline) - Female
King Fisher (frontline and backline ) - Female
Lion - Female
Dragon Lizard frontline - Female

Amazingly enough costumes have started popping up on Carnival Junction for sale; there is one Zebra, one Cheetah, one Red Tiger and two Kingfisher Birds. I am starting to think people are buying costumes just to resell them!

As for sections close to selling out Zebra, Cheetah and Egret will be the next to go. Good luck to all those newbies who will commence registration on Monday; hope you get your section of choice, if not don't forget to check out Carnival Junction!

Dream Team website update

Even though I am still seeing few galleries of Dream Team's launch they have updated their website with the following information:

From the wealth of our natural resources to the diversity of our cultural background......the wonder of our bucco reef.....the splendor of our golden sunset....we are jewels of the caribbean

Welcome to DREAM TEAM CARNIVAL 2008 "one jammin street party"

OUR FULL WEBSITE WILL BE UP WITH ONLINE REGISTRATION ON MONDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER. OUR MAS CAMP WILL RE-OPEN ON MONDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER. UNTIL THEN YOU CAN VIEW PICTURES OF SOME OF OUR SECTIONS AT OUR LAUNCH ON...

toronto lime with more galleries from other websites coming soon...


OUR SECTIONS

sapphire sunrise
liquid gold
sunset down the islands
sugar sugar
earth rhythms
bucco reef
wild orchid
it's carnival
flora fantasy
nylon pool
emperor butterfly
tribal fusion

OUR PACKAGE INCLUDES

beautiful, comfortable costumes at an affordable price
an opportunity to reuse your costume in selected carnivals and parades internationally
unlimited drinks and food to keep you energized whole day
live entertainment on our music trucks
pulsing road music by the best radio dj's to keep you entertained
mobile washrooms that stay with the band right to the end
reliable security that stays with the band right to the end
your goodie bag with lots of complimentary stufff
a full dvd of Dream Team on the road Carnival Monday and Tuesday
the best ambiance on the road for the two most fun days of the year.

reach us at info@dreamteamtnt.com or call 756-2449 , 753-0286 , 491-1028

There are 12 sections listed but from the gallery on Toronto Lime I am only seeing 7 sections, I guess when the website eventually launches all sections will be on display. From the section names and actual costumes I cannot guess which is what, they all look pretty much like the same "bikini and beads" formula, albeit I am looking forward to see the other sections when they are revealed on the website.

I have to say Dream Team does offer a comprehensive list of what they plan on offering potential masqueraders, and I would really like feedback from anyone who played with them this year. email : trinicarnivaldiary@yahoo.com

September Band Launch Schedule

If you think the pace of band launches is slowing down, September will be even more hectic and several bands are still to announce their launch dates!


Brian Mc Farlane- "Earth"- media launch - September 13th

Trevor Wallace - "Nautica" media launch - September 13th

D Krewe - "Love is...." - public launch - September 15th

Pulse 8 - "Marrakesh" - public launch - September 16th

Genesis - "Tales"- public launch - September 16th

Revolution(Curtis Eustace) - "Imagination of Colour" - public launch -September 22nd

Trini Revellers - "Viva Mexico" - public launch - September 23rd

Two More Sections Sold out in Harts

So, my favourite Harts section Apocalypto is sold out, took it long enough since it is a lovely costume. Also, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, another popular choice because of the smoking male costume and it's price, is sold out as well. If you are keeping count that's four sections gone in Harts so far. I am telling you, the rate that bands are selling out Carnival 2008 is going to be BIG.

Almost gone...........

Just yesterday I was expressing awe that Luna of TRIBE was sold out when later in the afternoon I saw that only Myths of Babylonia FEMALE costumes are remaining. Once again the male costumes are sold out before the females. And, is it just me but I thought the mas camp has been closed until the 31st of August, is registration being continued at Cascadia now that online registration is closed? Whatever the case I am sure Myths of Babylonia female will disappear soon enough so anyone still harbouring hopes of playing with TRIBE your chances are meagre.

Don't be too worried albeit ,since the costume resale market is just getting started and I have seen several costumes popping up on Carnival Junction ALREADY. While most of the advertisements are for costumes wanted , Silver Mist and Goddess of the Chase the two most popular sections, I have seen one Mystique Frontline, Almathea and Autumn Sprite up for trade or sale. When I contacted the person who is selling the Mystique Frontline, she said she was selling since she switched sections. Now, see why the deposit on frontlines was 50%! You would think that one would be sure of playing a frontline but even paying $24000.00, more than half the cost this person was still willing to sell! Amazing.

Passion, Lust and Lies

Yet another new band is poised to make a debut for Trinidad Carnival 2008. This one is called Wee International and from the website it states that they are indeed international with chapters located from New York,London, Canada and Ireland.

The theme of Wee International's 2008 presentation is "Passion, Lust & Lies"; no date for a band launching as yet but a previwew of costumes can be seen on the website.

TRIBE section update

Lo and behold Luna is SOLD OUT , only Myths of Babylonia is left in TRIBE! Check the website for the update.

Black Widow Prices

Here are the prices for Black Widow Spider, Sonia Mack's section in Island People's Animal Instinct, please note registration for this section begins tomorrow:


Option 1:

Frontline (with cape) - $3795.00
Backline (without cape) $3195.00


Option 2:



Frontline (with spider legs) - $3895.00
Backline (without spider legs) - $3395.00

Both costumes pictured below are "special" costumes and you need to contact Sonia for more information on those.





CONTACT INFORMATION:

Sonia Mack

868.633.7862

#1A Maingo Drive St Lucian Road Diego Martin

Website: www.soniamack.com

Island People Registration Day 2

Online registration is still not available, I just called the mas camp and was advised to keep checking the website as they are having some technical difficulties.

Also, Kingfisher BACKLINE is still available at in house registration, and is not sold out as previously reported. However both Kingfisher frontline and Silver Fox ((backline AND frontline) are sold out.

Edited to add:

Update from Island People at 11:45AM

Hi


Thanks again for your patience in regards to online registration. We are prepared to start online registration at 12 Noon today. We had a HUGE rush yesterday in the mas camp and we expect the same online. If you get a message saying a costume sold out then please choose another costume.


Please remember that your online deposit is 50% of the costume price plus the 5% PayPay surcharge. This is the equivalent of calculating 52.5% of the full costume price. Please make paypal payments to info@islandpeoplemas.com and include your name and costume selection in the subject/message line of the paypal form.


You will have 24 hours to make the payment. We will notify you when we've processed your registration request and again when we have confirmed your correct payment.


Thanks soooo much!!!

IP MAS

First Look at Dream Team

I had all intentions on going to Dream Team's launch on Sunday especially as they were generous enough to offer me a Media invitation but circumstances beyond my control led to me not being able to attend. For those of you on Facebook the Carnivalscene group has from Dream Team's launch of Bejeweled as well as Toronto-lime.com

In the interim I am working on getting some more costume photos for viewing on the blog, but the ones I have seen so far from Carnivalscene and Toronto-lime.com are looking good. Check them out!

Unoffical Carnival 2008 Fete Calender

Last year there was a bogus fete calender making the rounds on the Internet so I was a bit hesitant to post this one as the only dates I am 100% sure of are Carnival Monday and Tuesday. But, since everyone has been enquiring about the this calender, here it is:

Unsure when these fetes are………
* Wicked In White
* Blue Range All Inclusive Fete - Diego Martin
* Pearl Garden All Inclusive Fete - Petit Valley
* BGTT Energy-Inclusive Fete - Chaguaramas Golf Club

Tuesday January 1st, 2008
* Trinity College's Soka In Moka - Trinity College (Maraval)

Saturday January 5th, 2008
* QRC Outta de Blue VII All-Inclusive - QRC Grounds (St. Clair)

Sunday January 6th, 2008
* UWI 17th Annual All-Inclusive Carnival Fete - UWI Grounds (St Augustine)
* ISLAND People Amnesia Fete - Pier 1 (Chaguaramas)

Saturday January 12th, 2008
* Bishop Anstey All-Inclusive - Bishop Anstey Grounds (POS)
* St Mary's All-Inclusive Fete - St. Mary's College (Pembroke St, POS)

Sunday January 13th, 2008
* bpTT All-Inclusive

Friday January 18th, 2008
* Central Bank All Inclusive - Eric Williams Plaza
* Bazodee Friday - Pier 1 (Chaguaramas)

Saturday January 19th, 2008
* NGC Sports Club All-Inclusive (Country Club)
* O' Farrell's All-Inclusive - Mobs 2

Sunday January 20th, 2008
* Panorama
* Mc Leod All Inclusive - Pier 1 (Chaguaramas)
* Annual Blood Bank Fete - Country Club (Maraval)
* U.S. Embassy Annual All-Inclusive (Chaguaramas Golf Course)

Friday January 25th, 2008

Saturday January 26th, 2008
* Fatima College All-Inclusive
* Machel's Alternative Concept 6

Sunday January 27th, 2008
* CAREC All-Inclusive - Federation Park (St. Clair)
* Nestle All-Inclusive

Monday January 28th, 2008
* PNM Fete - Balisier House

Tuesday January 29th, 2008
* Eyes Wide Shut CARNIVALE - Queens Park Oval
* Island Style Glow '07 - Mobs 2 - Chaguaramas
* Bishops Junior School All-Inclusive Fete

Wednesday January 30th, 2008
* Bacchanal Wednesday - Chaguaramas
* Customs Boys Fete - Hasely Crawford Stadium (Port of Spain)

Thursday January 31st, 2008
* Michael Headley's All Inclusive Fete - Salybia
* Beach House Carnival - Ortinola Estate (Maracas)
* Alternative Thursdays (Down de islands)

Friday February 1st, 2008
* Island People Girl Power - Queen's Hall (Port of Spain)
* Blue Range Cooler Fete - Diego Martin
* Rise All-Inclusive - Country Club (Maraval)
* Cooler Fete - Pier 1 (Chaguaramas)

Saturday February 2nd, 2008
* Panorama Finals
* Island Style Insomnia Fete - Mobs 2 (Chaguaramas)
* Trini Posse All-Inclusive Fete - Chaguaramas
* Sunny Side Up All-Inclusive Breakfast Party - Palm Av W, Petit Valley

Sunday February 3rd, 2008 (Carnival Sunday)
* Moka All-Inclusive Fete - Maraval
* Brian Lara All-Inclusive Fete - Chancellor Hill

Monday February 4th, 2008
* Parade of the Bands

Tuesday February 5th, 2008
* Parade of the Bands

Like I said, I am not sure of any of these dates so take it with the knowledge that later on they might turn out to be incorrect. The "official" fete calender is usually released by Peter Ray Blood later on in the year.

2 Sections Sold out & Registration Update

First day of registration for past masqueraders and already Silver Fox and Kingfisher are sold out in-house. I had a strong feeling that the popular sections would go first and they did, even without the huge crowds of last year; starting registration at an earlier time and thus staggering the crowd might have contributed to this as when I passed Stone Street after 4:00pm there were no lines at all!

As for online registration, it still has not started but Island People sent out this email notice to those patiently waiting:

Hi


We know you are waiting patiently to register online and we appreciate your patience. Although we have started registering people in Trinidad, THIS WILL NOT AFFECT THE ONLINE QUANTITIES. We have allotted for twice the amount of online masqueraders as last year.

To ensure the integrity of our online infrastructure we chose to test the online registration while in-house registration was in progress. There was a minor issue that is currently being resolved and the online registration system will be up as soon as possible.

We will notify you as to what time online registration will start. PLEASE DO NOT SEND PAYMENTS UNTIL YOU HAVE REGISTERED ONLINE.

We are sorry to inconvenience you but we wanted to keep you updated. We appreciate your understanding.

IP MAS

Island People's Registration has started!!

Ok, so I am just back from checking out the action at Stone Street, that's at Island People's mas camp if you did not know. Registration was slated to begin at 11:00 a.m. and being a Monday morning just before the lunch hour it was a prefect time as the crowds had yet to arrive when I left at 11:15am.

Upon arrival there was a young lady giving out numbers, the hubby and I were #22 and #23 and we gave the numbers to two potential masqueraders when we left. The last numbers were actually #26 and 27 so there were that many people at that time.

We had to take a seat under tents in the yard as the first set of masqueraders were already registering. I can foresee that by the time noon rolls around the space will be filled as many cars were pulling up as we were leaving.

Seems as that for the moment things are running smoothly down at Stone Street, though online registration has yet to begin I have been informed that it should start at 4:00 p.m. Keep checking the website for updates as well, a photo of Kingfisher full bra option will be posted.

Black Widow update..

So the number I posted for Sonia Mack is in working order and you can call her for more information at 868-680-2442. Registration for Black Widow will not begin today but tomorrow as there is a small issue with the costumes advertised as backline and frontline on Island People's website.

There will be two options offered for backline; one with sequins & spider legs and one like the caped version but minus the cape. In addition there will also be two frontlines, one with the cape and the one with the longer sequins and bigger headpiece.

Keep checking Sonia's website as well since it will offer much more details and all costume options.

Please note that previous masqueraders of Sonia will be giving preference, as always.
And Island People's website is updated with all contact information on Sonia Mack:

Sonia Mack

868.633.7862

#1A Maingo Drive St Lucian Road Diego Martin

Website: www.soniamack.com