Eustace Preview

The following photo of the section "Gold" from the band Revolution appeared in yesterday's Trinidad Express. Curtis Eustace is the man behind Revolution's inaugural Carnival 2008 presentation "Imagination of Colour". The band launch is scheduled to take place on September 23rd. Photo by Calvin French.

Upgrade Notice

Please note that at present I am in the process of upgrading this blog, Trinidad Carnival Diary and as a consequence comments made after 11:59pm on Friday September 7th 2007 may be lost. Unfortunately this cannot be avoided and I apologise in advance for any inconvenience that this might cause in future.

Section II Revealed

Spread the word.. the Oracle is coming!

SECTION II FEMALE
After our messy births and information gathering infancy, we then challenge ourselves to go. Go further than we were allowed, do more than we should, to discover, to start searching for the answers to questions we never even realised we had. This is where the life experience becomes a little strange, as we search for ourselves,we set out on the path of discovery, going forth with the reckless abandon of a teenager. Making decisions that either send us further ahead or further back. Even going back is progress, progress in the sense that we cannot realise progression unless we can somehow create points of relativity. It is only when we go back can we then know the direction of forward and seek it out as such .the spirit of adventure is the fuel that causes us to make those wild decisions that could ultimately lead to progress or error.



SECTION II MALE
When a child has realised that the perimeter of the world goes further than he was first allowed to see, he gathers the ammunition of the collective experiences of birth and infancy and puts them all into one, all encompassing, self defining step further. Here, his journey has begun, he will now set out a path and walk it carrying the burden of responsibilities, for actions taken. His is the planet and all the world is his subject. This moment, this 'go forth and multiply' moment, is one of the first, most important steps to 'gnothi seauton' and as much as we would like to tailor this process to our own experiences, we do the most when we do nothing at all to hinder it. the design of a life lays only in the one living it and it is our esteemed privilege to be in the presence of each other whilst we travel this path together and apart. Honour his space and he will honour yours.

Official Carnival Fete List and Events Calender

From Peter Ray Blood, though a few of the band launches for September are left out of the calender. Check this post for the full listing of September launches:

SEPTEMBER 2007:
Wednesday 12:
6 pm: Innovation hosts exclusive media launch of Colours, for C2K8, Club Zen, Keate Street, Port-of-Spain.

Thursday 13:
10 am: Exclusive media launch of Brian Mac Farlane’s Earth, for C2K8, San Fernando Hill, San Fernando;

6 pm: Trevor Wallace & Associates launches Nautica, for C2K8, House of Angostura, EMR, Success Village, Laventille.

Saturday 15:
9 pm: D’Krewe launches Love Is, for C2K8, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

Sunday 16:
4 pm: Pulse 8 launches, for C2K8, Club Zen, Keate Street, Port-of-Spain;

5 pm: Genesis Carnival launches Tales, for C2K8, Pier 1, Chaguaramas.

Sunday 23:
1 pm: Gerald Kelly launches Children’s Carnival band How? When? Why?, feat C2K7 Junior Calypso Monarch Tinesha Weekes, Surge, Electric Breakers, Unique Style, DJ Studio Guyz, Jean Pierre Complex, Port-of-Spain.

8 pm: Trinity College PTA presents Kaiso in Yuh Pweffen 2—Celebrating Black Stalin’s birthday—feat Cro Cro, Black Stalin, Luta, Relator, Brigo, Heather Mac Intosh, Power, David Bereaux, Regeneration Now, Roy Cape All Stars, Trinity College, Moka, Maraval;

9 pm: Trini Revellers launches Que Viva Mexico, for C2K8, music by Shurwayne Winchester & Traffik, JMC 3Veni and popular DJs, Pier 1, Chaguaramas.

OCTOBER 2007:
October 13
Legacy band launch Chaguaramas.

DECEMBER 2007:
Wednesday 26 (BOXING DAY):
(TBA) 9 pm: Tri Star Promotions’ annual Parkway Jam, Skinner Park, San Fernando.

JANUARY 2008:
Tuesday 1 (NEW YEAR’S DAY):
4 pm: Trinity College’s Soca in Moka, Trinity College;

6 pm: Annual Yorke Inc Start de Carnival Back-a-Yard Dutch Party, Ann Avenue, Diego Martin.

Friday 4:
4 pm: St Francois Girls’ College annual all-inclusive, St John’s Hall, Wrightson Road Extension, Port-of-Spain.

Saturday 5:
4 pm: QRC Foundation’s Outta de Blue, Queen’s Royal College, St Clair.

Sunday 6:
2 pm: UWI 17th annual all-inclusive fete, UWI Grounds, St Augustine;

4 pm: Island People’s annual Amnesia, Pier 1, Chaguaramas.

Saturday 12:
4 pm: Hilarians’ all-inclusive fete, (venue to be announced), Port-of-Spain;

4 pm: St Mary’s College annual all-inclusive fete, St Mary’s College, Pembroke Street, Port-of-Spain.

Sunday 13:
(TBA) 5 pm: bpTT all-inclusive fete, Pier 1, Chaguaramas.

Friday 18:
9 pm: Central Bank all-inclusive, Eric Williams Financial Plaza, Port-of-Spain;

9 pm: Bazodee Friday, Pier 1, Chaguaramas.

Saturday 19:
8 pm: NGC Sports Club’s all-inclusive (venue to be announced), Port-of-Spain;

8 pm: O’Farrell’s all-inclusive, Mobs2, Chaguaramas.

January 20:
11 am: Pan Trinbago stages annual National Panorama semifinals (venue to be announced);

(TBA) 2 pm: Annual McLeod all-inclusive;

2 pm: Blood Bank Fete, (venue to be announced), Port-of-Spain;

2 pm: US Embassy all-inclusive, Chaguaramas Golf Course.

Saturday 26:
7 pm: Fatima College all-inclusive, at college courtyard, Mucurapo Road, Woodbrook;

10 pm: Alternative Concept 6, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

Sunday 27:
2 pm: Carec all-inclusive, Federation Park, St Clair;

2 pm: Nestle annual all-inclusive, Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Valsayn.

Monday 28:
9 pm: PNM Fete, Balisier House, Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain.

Tuesday 29:
9 pm: Eyes Wide Shut Carnivale, Queen’s Park Oval, Woodbrook;

10 pm: Island Style’s Glow, Mobs2, Chaguaramas.

Wednesday 30:
9 pm: Customs Pan-o-Brass-Pan, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain;

9 pm: Sweetbread Promotions stages Feting with the Stars, music by Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars and Pal Joey Lewis Orchestra; plus Black Stalin and DJs Kabuki and Fred Sounds, The Harvard Club, St James.

10 pm: Bacchanal Wednesday, Chaguaramas.

Thursday 31:
11 am: Escape to Playa del Este, Salybia;

11 am: Beach House Carnival, Ortinola Estate, Maracas;

11 am: Alternative Thursdays, Down the Islands.

FEBRUARY 2008
Friday 1:
9 pm: Island People’s Girl Power, Queen’s Hall Carpark, St Ann’s;

9 pm: Rise all-inclusive (venue to be announced);

9 pm: D Cooler Fete, Pier 1, Chaguaramas.

Saturday 2:
7 pm: Pan Trinbago stages National Panorama Finals, Skinner Park, San Fernando;

11.55 pm: Island Style’s Insomnia, Mobs2, Chaguaramas;

Sunday 3:
1 am: D’Original Breakfast Party, Diamond Vale, Diego Martin;

1 am: Sunny Side Up Breakfast Party, Palm Avenue West, Petit Valley;

11 am: Sanctuary, Windsor Road, Valsayn;

2 pm: Brian Lara all-inclusive, Chancellor Hill, Maraval.

Monday 4/Tuesday 5: CARNIVAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday 9:
8 pm: Pan trinbago stages Champs in Concert 2K8, (venue to be announced), Port-of-Spain.

Sunday 10:
10 am: Anyhowers’ annual After-Carnival boat ride to La Tinta.

TBA – to be announced

Labor Day Review

The following is a review of Red Warriors who had their inaugural year on the parkway for Labor Day this Monday with their presentation "The Sunken Treasures of Atlantis". The review is written by one of the bloggers who visits Trinidad Carnival Diary faithfully, dougla_1:

Red Warriors, 55-65 strong (I didn’t get the exact count; about 10 males), made their debut on Eastern Parkway setting a great vibe going toward the official judging point and “road stage” in front of the Brooklyn Museum, 2.25 miles up. As is kismet, their music truck was moved to first position, and for a first time band they lead the carnival style parade (ahead there was one pretty band from Guadeloupe, but without a music truck) on a near perfect sunny day (a temporary let down occurred when the music stopped for about 45 minutes due to technical problems). Newbies were “baptized” and looked like some of their dormant carnival jumbies were indeed rising out to be “a must be on the parkway next year” kind of zest. GTWarrior (some of you know from this blog), told me “I love this!” The statuesque beauty, who with her sister, the primary inspired leader of a quite dynamic duo, gave Brooklyn a great showing of a “likkle” bit of an all inclusive sexy mas band in Trinidad. These two lovely ladies are indeed putting their hearts, souls, energies, and resources into the presentation of a Trini style carnival experience which they embraced and love. Proof positive of their genuine passion, they are of Guyanese heritage. They made the little band that could the little band that did, in the biggest yearly street parade/festival of New York City!

About 10:15 AM, I got a first sighting of “The Sunken Kingdom of Atlantis” (the theme for 2007) when I instantly recognized caisoqueen, her blog picture doing her a slight injustice of how pretty she is in person. I did meet Tru in her fierce boots decorated by her own hands, and gtwarrior in quick succession around 11:00 AM as almost all the band members were gathered. Certainly on a photo ready note, the band was not lacking in attention from the many shutterbug clicks and activated video record button along the route. It seemed as if the band covered the entire color spectrum of the world’s kaleidoscope of people (and if not, I’d say quite close, indeed), with the “red tings” (the beginning humorous moniker of the band’s name which represents the two leaders themselves, the second being a tribute to Trinidad & Tobago “warrior” spirit in carnival mas, and the Soca Warriors of World Cup fame) nicely represented. So, it was no doubt the multi-ethnic Red Warriors did their part to beautify Labor Day Brooklyn on the Parkway. There was a sweet grace note touch of a unity message as well. One would have had to pay close attention to the little group of non-masqueraders that followed the band with a prominent Suriname flag (Guyana and Suriname though on the mainland of South America are considered part of the Caribbean diasporas).

The pretty looking band is not the most amazing impression I had, however. As written before, the music did shut down at about 40-50 minutes on the road. Prior the band leisurely inched their way up the road with a sweetness of vibe that DJ Vicious and the incredible music truck speakers and sound system pumped out. Spectators along the route were waving their island countries’ mini flags and really feeling the Soca vibes, and the Red Warriors masqueraders were more than feeling it, their energetic sexy wines quite evident (I didn’t see anything that looked like a newbie wine, later I did see a little samba wine, a little salsa wine, but I imagine next year it will be a strictly Trini wine and these newbie would shed their initial status with a haste : ) ) When the music did not come back within 10 minutes, there was a sense of disappointment as some of masqueraders almost reconciled themselves that the fun just abruptly ended for them. In the crowd of spectators a sympathetic anonymous voice said, “well, there is always next year.” That comment could have registered to some in the band that they would have to wait until next year to really experience the Parkway all the way to the Brooklyn Museum and on to the end of the parade route. Now, the way Tracy redwarrior, and Denise gtwarrior handled this crisis as pros was what really amazed me.

For sure they were quite disappointed for their masqueraders, yet showed no outward sense of distress. They calmly tried to develop a plan to get some music back in the pep of their band. Both of their Blackberries were calmly and not frantically moving from hand to ear texting and making calls. One plan that did emerge was to go behind the band directly next in line and continue to have fun that way, with music from the other band’s music truck. During that time, there was some effort to get the power generator back on, which had unexplainably clipped off, while Tracy and Denise still continued to attend to their masqueraders. The all inclusive food and non alcoholic drinks truck, and mobile wee wee station quickly proved its value and genius. Then as suddenly as the music stopped it came back (it was to clip off two more times closer to the museum judging point but quickly came back on, for those occurrences). Though maybe four or five were “lost” to the other band, Borokeetes USA, Red Warriors quickly got back to their business of wining behind their own music truck which could have well been the best sounding music truck on the Parkway Labor Day (I did not see all trucks and equipment, but my first reaction after asking Denise which truck is theirs was “whey, ya’ll have all that sound to “kill”dem with music;” at least I did not have that impression of the one behind us going up the road, and my past experiences on the Parkway). The music selections from DJ Tony Temple, Souljie, and Sound City were quite good, as sometimes I had wished in my Carnival experiences in Trinidad. The band crossed the “road stage” at about 4:00 PM displaying the same fresh excitement shown almost four hours before at the beginning.

I suppose the “birthing” of a band is never a pain free experience. Meeting Tracy and Denise for the first time four weeks prior, they were shocked that the costume maker in Trinidad did not make the headpieces to their exact specification, and some of the bead works of the waistbands were not well down. Denise at that time was reworking all those waistbands herself. This revelation was quite disappointing to witness because I did complement Tracy on this blog that it was a good thing to give the island of mas and steel pan some business. So future "bandnist" dreamers take heed, there are quite a bit of obstacles that may come your way before things get rolling. Determination and a cool head, could very well keep you in the business of when you “come out & play” for as long as your heart desires. But ultimately it takes a strong contact network and the ability to move people with your vision, and to effectively communicate and coordinate the logistic of bringing several disconnected elements and financial demands into play for the big day out on the road.

Big up to the security team and road management principles. Big up and kudos to RicardoWatson (associate of Savage back when), the NY mas designer/maker at the mas camp. Big up to Joel Landeau who traveled from Trinidad to add critical eyes and steady hands which he tirelessly put to valuable use with the glue gun and cutting fabric. Big up to the male masquerader who was quite pleased with his aquaman fins. Thank you redwarrior and gtwarrior for allowing me to be part of the experience on the road. Look out, Red Warriors coming thru, and dey looking rel good!!! Did they meet their Vision statement? The answer is a resounding YES! A new mas band grows in Brooklyn!!!

Saucy, I nominate Red Warriors the “official” Trinidad Carnival Diary band in New York City. TRIBE will have to take a rest for a minute. LOL.

dougla_1

Island People Bikini Size Update

For all those who are not aware Island People Mas has added this notice to their website:

PLEASE READ!

Please note that if your size does not appear in the drop-down menus below it could mean that your size is sold out or requires a special order. We are happy to accommodate any special order sizes up until October 1st. Please type your additional or special requests in the “additional requests” field noted below.

BIKINI TOPS:
It is our goal to provide a carnival costume that fits you perfectly and looks beautiful. It is difficult to determine the exact size needed for overseas masqueraders and thus we cannot guarantee an exact fit unless you have tried it on at our Mas Camp. Our Bikini Tops come with a special “x-string tie” back which can be adjusted to suit, so the cup size is more important than the width. Online masqueraders please use our sizing charts as a guide to determine which size you are. If your size falls into more than one of our size categories, please decide if you will want more cleavage (smaller size) or more coverage (larger size).

BIKINI BOTTOMS:
Bikini Bottoms come in the following styles: String Bikini, Regular Bikini, Hot Shorts, and Thong. Please note which style you would like in the “Additional requests” section below.

Please note also they have amended the size chart for both the belt and bikini top.

Wild On Body Paint

This one is for all those adventurous and extroverted, exhibitionist persons who are looking for really daring and unique Monday wear. Even though going topless might be too risque for some the idea can be incorporated and alternate tops and bottoms can be used to get a similar effect:

Dream Team Launch Review

A rather scathing review of Dream Team's launch appeared in last Sunday's Trinidad Express; it is written by Micheal Mondezie (mmondezie@trinidadexpress.com).

Upon many requests by bloggers who were unable to see the article as it was not available online here it is:

Please Click ON the photo for a large view:

Edited to add :
It was brought to my attention that there were also other reviews that appeared in the News Papers that featured Dream Team's launch such as this one by Peter Ray Blood which appeared in the Trinidad Guardian last Friday:

ON my entry to Pier 1, Chaguaramas, on Sunday evening I figured I must have missed something on the invitation; as it probably stated “beautiful women ONLY.” After an arduous day of travelling all the way to Salybia to spend the day with the Martin clan at Michael Headley’s sprawling Playa del Este, there was still something left in the tank to attend The Dream Team’s launch of Bejeweled, its C2K8 presentation.

As the night wore on the pretty women just seemed to get prettier, especially those handpicked by the committee to model the costumes; and, I knew it wasn’t on account of to much alcohol, as all I had the night was cranberry juice.

The Dream Team, a hybrid of the now defunct Poison, tested the waters this year with its presentation of Rhythmnation. Bandleader Paul Singh told me that pleased with the response to the C2K7 trial, he and his committee decided to go the distance.

Sunday’s launch was really a fun event with beautiful people, enjoying the cool night air of the scenic western peninsula.

So a funny thing happened on the way to the mall.....

There I was out to lunch and who could I bounce up at the mall but none other than Wyatt, the "unofficial" Island People spokesperson on this blog. Contrary to the hot debate raging under the topic "Silent on the issue of Size" Wyatt was very pleasant and accommodating to my queries on all the points I raised in that article.

I would first like to state that even though Wyatt has been quite forthcoming in discussing certain issues he just wanted everyone to know that he is also very much involved with other developments at the mas camp and as a consequence could not respond to the comments when people expected him to.

Also, we basically came to an agreement that the MAIN issue in all this is communication since he is saying that all sizes are catered to at the mas camp yet that information is NO WHERE on the website. It was also admitted that the size chart, which looks similar to Ronnie and Caro's is incorrect as Wyatt himself had ladies try on different bras at the mas camp and they did not match the size chart, for example a lady wearing an A cup is not a Small but an Extra Small according to his measurements. While it must be a great job as a guy to be measuring bra sizes I think that the costume designers should have sorted all this out BEFORE registration begin, Wyatt is one man on a mission but unfortunately he is just one man.

From the impression I got it is also quite disheartening to him to be constantly reminded of the issues that arose this year, while he feels that people are not giving Island People credit for the fact that they are trying to focus on improving for 2008. While I agree that there have been some changes people are not as easy to forget when something goes wrong and until Island People have proven themselves for Carnival 2008 the fact is that people will always bring up past events; Wyatt you need to grow a thicker skin and not take things so personal. No one is beating you up or assigning blame all on you.

So where we are at is they ARE listening, albeit it might be too late for some, and Wyatt is working feverishly to provide a helpful size chart and would like all masqueraders registering locally to come in for a fitting. He also indicated that masqueraders registering online can request sizes that are not shown as they have costumes up to XXXL at the mas camp! On the point of the website he did say that changes will me made to include ALL information concerning sizes and costumes. Finally, there was a costume adjustment center at the mas camp this year and there will be one in 2008 so in the event that changes need to be made to the bikini or belt provisions have been made for such.

It was nice running into Wyatt as we were able to agree to disagree and agree at the same time. Thanks for listening!

Oracle....Section I Revealed

Can I say again how I am loving the artistry and creativity surrounding the new band Oracle; it seems as if every few days they are revealing more and more of the costumes and a bit of the concept behind the section names.

Section I - Male
Section I male puts into form the experience of the initiation.Be it a new birth, relationship, career. The 'start' of it 'all'. A paternal energy,godhead,the colors are a mixture of innocence, fear,blood of life, apprehension and hope.
In a broader sense, section male is the counterpart to section I female. The immediate metaphor is that of the first peoples,
our ancestors who initiated life.

Section I - Female
Section I female is our 'mother earth' metaphor, first woman, Eve. She carries the responsibility of being the first 'stain' and exists within the divine dichotomy of 'she who bore us' and 'the one who cursed us'. We examine this role or responsibility in its previous occurences, asking the question, 'did Eve bight that apple?' and if she did 'who then is Gaia?' let alone 'Mary','Lakshmi' or 'Hera'.
All necessary questions along the path of finding self.

Stayed tuned for Section II which will be revealed in 1 day and 15 hours...and counting

ALL IMAGES COURTESY ORACLE
Designs by Aaron Schneider & Scott Saldenah

Miami Carnival bands

For all those wanting information on Miami Carnival Bands, here are some websites that are up and running:

Island Elite

Generation X

Vibrationzz

China Mas Group

Mascots International

Break Awae' Krue

Major Players

You can view photos from the band launches on triniscene.com and carnivalvibration.com and also check out this Miami Carnival blog that has lots of information and chronicles one masquerader's preparations for Miami Carnival 2007.

Calender of Events:

LAUNCH OF BROWARD
Sunday September 9th, 2007
at Lakeshore Park- 8501 S. Sherman Circle,
Miramar FL 33025
12-9pm

GIRL POWER
Thursday October 4th 2007
Bongos, American Airlines Arena - Miami
Featuring: Alison Hinds, Destra, Iwer, Fayann, Nadia Batson, and more...


JOUVERT BLOCK PARTY & INTERNATIONAL FLAG NIGHT
Friday October 5th 2007
Featuring: Machel HD, Iwer, Benjai, Patrice, Zan and more..
Bayside Hut $30.00 Adv Tix


SOCA FEST
Saturday October 6th 2007
Area 51 (Metropolis Dowtown)
Featuring Alison Hinds, Iwer, Shurwayne, Destra, Biggie Irie, Naya George, Traffik, Atlantic, and more...
http://socafestmiami.com/images/189_socafestfete_frnt_2K7.jpg


BEACH FEST
Monday October 8th 2007
Virgina Key Beach
Featuring Destra, Shurwayne, Iwer, and more...
$20 Advanced Tix

LAST LAP
Monday October 8th
Bayside Hut

Don't Await It.... Create It

These are privileged sketches from the Band Oracle, a sneak peek for all those curious as to what is in store. And if anyone is wondering will the costumes match the creativity displayed here, I have been reliably informed that at the launch actual costumes will be on display to show that this is not a "fantasy" of what the designers want the costume to look like. "Don't Await It.. Create It" is Oracle's mantra and from these designs they have certainly done just that!

doubt crosses us, tangles us, hides our true image from the world, however doubt is necessary to grow through the motions leading to finding answers, it is necessary and deadly


the knowledge of one's self leads to a glorious peace in ability, knowing yourself is one of the most fulfilling earth experiences


when we have made decisions that do not serve us and our higher values we end up burning,. searching for answers, spinning round and round to no avail


the spirit of adventure is the fuel that causes us to make those wild decisions that could ultimately lead to progress or error


the evil heart will cut all down in its path if it its own self belief is bad, no faith in one's own abilities causes us to rip down everyone else to make us feel better about ourselves,

Silent on the issue of Size

Please note that if your size does not appear in the drop-down menus below, this means that it is no longer in stock and you would either have to choose another size or register in another section

That is the notice that heads the online registration page at Island People Mas for all potential masqueraders signing up online. The whole issue of size restrictions hit the newspapers in an onslaught of discrimination cries against TRIBE in 2005 when two of their sections carried a size limit; Tale of Benguela and Nylon Pool frontline. For weeks newspaper articles berated the TRIBE band leaders and online communities hotly debated the whole issue of sizing out the thicker, black sisters who supposedly did not meet the colour requirement as if race and body type were one and the same. The issue came to a head when the bandleaders of TRIBE were forced to make a public statement about their size restrictions and now, in the aftermath of that controversy, one can register for a bra of any size with TRIBE. Yet little is being said against the new trend of “pre ordered”, “pre sized” costumes where if you do not fit into a certain category you do not stand a chance of getting into the section or band you desire, and it is the lack of a voice against this new form of discrimination that disturbs me.

Now, to be fair Island People Mas is not the only outfit indulging in this practice, new band Ronnie and Caro also has costumes that are sized XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL and not by bra and hip measurements given in “real sizes”, that is your actual bra size and inches. Since other bands have yet to launch as well I do not know how many others have subscribed to this type of inane sizing system. For the life of me I cannot see how a woman wearing a size 42B bra is the same size as someone wearing a 38DD and therein lies the first problem. Apparently these bras are made of some sort of advanced adaptable fabric that can turn an A cup into a DD cup because as we all know, well those of us who are female, there is no way that the cup sizes of a B and DD are the same. The back size just means how many inches the person is AROUND their back so 38 inches is surely smaller than 42! No wonder there were ladies with tops sliding down their chests on Carnival Tuesday this year, not being some of the “lucky ones” who were given shoulder pads to stuff their bra by staff at a certain mas camp hopefully avoiding the embarrassment of flashing all and sundry when the top slid down too far. Is it really too much to ask at the price we are paying for costumes to get a decent fitting bra? A proper bra sizing system that works by cup size is all that is needed; women should not have to be lumped into a size category for something so particularly individualized as a bra.

My second issue with this whole obscure size method has to do with the pre ordered bras and belts; really Island People’s largest size available this year is an XL. Since they offered no size chart to interpret what this sizing means I will go with what is on Ronnie and Caro’s website and inform all those wondering that a XL is tantamount to a 38A , 38B ,40A, 36C,36D, 34DD and 45-49 hip. While Ronnie and Caro offers costumes up to a size XXL and “other” am I to gather that XL is the largest that Island People desires in their band? In that case I can never get a costume if I wanted to since they do not cater to my bra size which falls into the XXL category according to the sizing chart, even though my belt is sized as a medium. And to add insult to injury not only can one NOT get anything larger than an XL the costumes are pre ordered meaning if there are only 10 XL sizes available when they are gone you need to move on to another costume selection even though the section of your choice is not sold out! Shouldn’t it be you sign up masqueraders as they register into the section they choose once there is room and not based on the fact that someone has already pre determined how many small, medium and larger chicks are welcomed into the section? The excuse bandied about is the costumes are pre ordered based on the previous years sizes, but if the larger ladies were left out the year before how then can they be accommodated the following year,it is like a chicken or the egg syndrome!!

So how come I am not reading about this in the newspaper, why are masqueraders not writing letters to the editors like they did when TRIBE had the D cup limit with Tale of Benguela? Why hasn’t this hit the news as it did when our Bajan sisters made their voices heard when the same thing happened with Baje International for this year’s Crop Over? Why aren’t the internet Carnival forums and chat rooms in an uproar about this? Is it because one band is okay to vilify while another we just let it slide? Maybe the majority of masqueraders fit the XS, S and M categories anyway so once it does not affect them they don’t care, or maybe I am just being overly sensitive since I know how difficult it is to be fitted with a proper bra for Carnival; I have seen how ladies with a bigger cup size are discriminated against, with some bands skimping on decorating a bigger bra to cut costs and others simply being made to feel they were an anomaly when staff members at the mas camp insult them to their face. Whatever the reasons for our silence and by that action acceptance of this type of treatment, I think it is pretty disgusting that when a costume costs as much as my custom made Heather Jones wedding dress that we as masqueraders are not even afforded a custom made bra, being lumped into a size category as if one size fits all.

Women with larger breasts are not a freak of nature nor does that mean they are all plus sized, (I mean look at all the ladies having plastic surgery to be a size D and DD) or not fitting some predetermined demographic of what a band aspires to present as their face of Carnival. If Victoria Secrets and Fredericks of Hollywood can cater to D cups and up and their bras are made in Thailand and Sri Lanka surely whichever Asian countries these allegedly imported costumes are coming from can do the same. As for the locally made costumes I know for a fact that the simple seamstress can make custom made bras and they do not need to be ordered way in advance either, which is the reason some bands are giving for pre ordered bra sizes. I know this because when I switched sections in TRIBE 2 weeks before Carnival this year they were able to order a bra for me at the very last minute and I do not wear a generic size B. I empathize with all the sisters who when registering have to choose that “size label” and pray that when they get their costume it fits, the ones who are being forced to choose other sections because their size “ran out” and even the sisters with the A cup who are drowning in a too big bra on Carnival day because their size M also caters to a D cup as well. The longer you stay silent on this issue is the longer it will continue, we as masqueraders have much more power than we are aware of and when we are being milked thousands of dollars for a costume it is definitely not too much to ask that every part of it fits and fits well! Let your voices be heard.

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