Harts Review 2008 - finally!

written by squeezle:

Let me first explain why this review was such a long time coming. When I originally set out to write it, almost three weeks ago, I found myself with the mindset that in some way, I had to defend my choice to play with Harts. As a loyal Harts masquerader I am often asked why I would choose to remain in Harts with all the other hot, new, all-inclusive bands around. And as the days added up, so did my list of reasons why,after 18 years of being a Harts masquerader, I have absolutely nodesire or reason to leave them. So what has become of this list? I decided to delete it, partly because I wanted to write a review and not a testimonial, but mostly because I've decided that I really don't need to defend my decision, as I would never consider asking anyone else to defend theirs. My long history with this band speaks for itself. So without further ado, here's my take on "Lights, Camera, Action".

Presentation:
This year, Harts chose a theme that lent itself to a slightly more representative type of costume, so there was more of a departure from their usual abstract representations. However, it was nothing that couldn't be tackled without straying from the traditional bikini and beads formula. This year, I was quite delighted to see a marked reduction in the use of pastel colours, as well as fewer all-female sections. The men's costumes, usually superior to most bands, were downright exceptional this year, and this resulted in my having a lot more choices among the sections, as there were many more appealing options for both sexes. After much internal debate, I finally settled on 'Apocalypto - large headpiece option' because I found both the male and female versions to be very richly decorated (I don't see why my S.O. can't have a plume or a bead here and there). True to form, Harts also released a few late sections that had people in a frenzy. Even though these were quite lovely, I was very satisfied that I had made the right choice, and I had no regrets with my decision. In other words, I still think my section was DE BEST!

Costume ordering:
Once again, Harts was playing the fool with their on-line registration, but this time around, it was especially hard on the overseas masquerader because the band launching fete had been cancelled, so there was no on-line source of photographs until Saucy went to the mas' camp to get a few snaps for those of us chomping at the bit. And knowing how quickly the 'hot' sections sell out, I made it my business to fax my order to Harts way before the website launched. I followed up with a phone call, and received a confirmation e-mail a couple of days later.

Costume collection:
Although my section was among the first to be distributed, I was unable to make it to the mas' camp until a few days later. When we arrived, I found several lines at the windows, which were labeled with the section names. Of course, my line was the longest, what else is new! In spite of this, the entire process of collecting my costume and goody bag, having it checked by the staff and purchasing our wee-wee truck and drinks cart bracelets all took less than 45 minutes. Just as well, because I was practically twitching with excitement as I watched people walking away from the windows with those stunning headpieces balanced atop costume boxes. There was one notable change this year, and I wish I had been made aware of it beforehand. For the first time, there was a 'fast-track' window available for those who had already paid their balance in full. And although those folks were done in less than 10 minutes they had to endure a lot of cut-eye from those of us standing in line. For 2009, I will definitely be paying in full before I get to Trinidad, cut-eye or not!

Goody bags:
To be quite honest, I flung those things in a corner as soon as I walked in the door. When I eventually dumped the contents out onto my bed, the snacks and drugs were quickly snatched up and everything else went in the trash (yes, we are a couple of savages, and we are not ashamed). It was mostly the standard fare, plastic mug, sample sized shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, sanitary pads, really boring stuff, no surprise there.

Costume issues:
I very rarely have any problems with the fit or comfort of my costumes, and when I do, it's usually something that can be solved in 15 minutes with a needle and thread. Unfortunately, this time around, I ran in to a rather difficult situation. In recent years, I had found that my XL bikini bottom was somewhat on the large side, but having ordered a size L this time around, I found it to be too small. I could probably
have gotten away with it if I was prepared to be constantly monitoring my waistband. But when I ready to bus' a wine, I really don't study where my waistband is going, and I wasn't willing to take the chance that something would inadvertently spill over and cause unappealing bulges, especially when even the vagrants in the road have digital cameras these days. There are some things that should NEVER be caught on film.

Sadly, the folks at Harts were unable to help me out of this bind, but certainly not for lack of trying. I had four staff members, including Thais Hart, rummaging in the bowels of the mas' camp for an XL bikini what would suffice, but alas, they searched in vain. All I had to fall back on was my own emerald green bikini bottom, which didn't match the costume exactly, but which Thais assured me would be close enough that it wouldn't be a big deal. Just to cover all my options, I made the rounds of quite a few stores in Port of Spain but was unable to find a suitable match. In the end, the colour difference was negligible, and I noticed a few other women in the band who had chosen to wear their own bikini bottoms/shorts, most notably, Michelle Xavier of Imij & Co. who was in my section and was sporting a pair of boyshorts in a beautiful
shade of purple. There were just so many colours in the beading and braid that just about any bikini would have worked, so this turned out to be not such a bid deal after all. And, as is customary, the other components of my costume, as well as my boyfriend's, fit flawlessly.

As a side note here, I would like to commend the staff at Harts for being very helpful and professional. While waiting for my bikini dilemma to be resolved, I had the opportunity to witness their interactions with other clients, and they were always pleasant and eager to please, even when the customers were being unreasonable and/or rude - like the woman who cut her costume to pieces and then decided that she wanted to return it for a refund. That one had me rolling my eyes real hard!

On the road:
Monday departure 11:00 am - Having spent close to six hours on my feet during J'Ouvert, I was simply unable to will my body out of bed to make the 11 o'clock departure, but I did manage to get myself in gear a couple of hours later, and I met the band at the Savannah before they crossed the 'stage'. As was the case last year, it was mostly smooth sailing all the way through, with no delays to speak of. Drinks were flowing freely from the cart all day, and lunch was delicious - a large container of pelau with huge, juicy pieces of chicken and a small salad. I was glad that I had taken those extra two hours in bed, because it really made a difference to my energy level for the day, and I was able to keep up with the never-ending wining and jamming.

Tuesday departure 6:30 am - As the band was shutting down on Monday night, the DJ repeatedly made the announcement that the band would be taking off promptly at 6:00 am on Tuesday. This was a little perplexing to me, since I clearly remembered the flyer that came with my costume listing the departure time as 6:30. Had the time actually changed to 6:00 or was he just saying this to ensure that everybody got to the band on time? I wasn't taking any chances, so as the sun was barely peeking out over the horizon, my sweetie and I found ourselves on Tragarete road greeted by the sight of - NOBODY. However, way in the distance, we could see the headlights (yes it was still that dark out) of the lead music truck coming towards us. So we decided to use this 'quiet time' to take pictures ourselves while we were still fresh and totally put together. Within about 15 minutes the band had caught up to us and we were on our way, chipping happily towards the Savannah.

The first snag we encountered was at Green Corner. From what I could tell, the band was being delayed by the police, and I saw what appeared to be a heated conversation between Luis Hart and some police officer. Long-time Harts masqueraders will recognize this as a very common sight! There was a lot of back and forth going on for almost a half hour, but eventually we were allowed to proceed. I was wondering if we would be prevented from crossing the judging point, like we were last year, because the powers that be seem to have an agenda to make sure that Harts is never the first band to cross the stage, even if we are the first to arrive at the Savannah. As expected, when we neared the judging point, our band was cut off, with the help of the police, by Trini Revellers. So even with the majority of our masqueraders present, we were forced to wait yet again, for Revellers umpteen trucks to get on the road ahead of us, then for all their masqueraders to show up and get into sections, then for them to cross the so-called stage.

Now, speaking of the stage, it was painfully obvious from the TV coverage of every band that I saw, that officials have failed miserably in making it clear to masqueraders exactly where the stage begins and ends. The cameras caught most people after they had passed what they believed was the judging area, so the TV footage of all the bands I saw showed masqueraders posing for pictures, chatting with friends and even retrieving food and snacks from the drinks trucks. That part of the experience was rather anti-climatic, and left me wishing that we had been 'banned' from the stage again this year so that we could just go about our merry way and not wait around for 2 hours to jump in front of non-existent TV cameras. Do they seriously want us to treat that entire strip of Queens Park West as if it is a stage?

Fortunately, that was the last significant delay we encountered for the day and we proceeded to carry on like wild-people until long after the sun went to bed. My costume held up beautifully, as it always does. In fact, is looks like it could survive Carnival all over again. Which brings me to a very interesting observation : I happened to notice a woman in the band in a costume that was familiar, but definitely not from this year's presentation. It eventually dawned on me that she was
wearing LAST YEAR'S costume!!!! Another friend of mine also noticed her and confirmed this. Now we are speculating as to whether she played mas' in it last year. It's entirely possible, and while you might raise your eyebrows at the bold-facedness of this act, you can't deny the durability of a Harts costume. So nice, you can play mas' twice!

All in all, I have to say that yet again, I had a spectacular time playing mas' with Harts. Once they maintain their level of service, costume quality, and fun-loving vibe on the road, will most definitely be coming back for more.

First Out the Gate...

Who : Evolution
When: June 21st, 2008
Carnival 2009 Presentation: Temptations

When I was thinking the 2008 band launching season began early, this one takes the cake!!!!!!

Your Feedback is wanted....

Here is a suggestion submitted by someone who reads the blog, and which I think is a cool idea. Submissions are open for YOU to submit your choice for the top costumes on the road for Carnival 2008, MALE and FEMALE. Costumes can be from chosen from any band. Consequently, your submissions will be then put up for voting at a later date.

Narrowing it down to favourites is somewhat difficult I think, especially with so many bands. Anyway, my picks from TRIBE and Island People are Lady of the Lake, Mystique,Goddess of the Chase, Silver Fox, King Fisher and Man o War costumes. I will have to scrutinise the other bands more closely to choose some more favourites, but I also liked Showgirls and Prince of Egypt in Harts. More of my picks to come and feel free to submit yours by leaving a comment!

Island People Pics!

For those complaining about a drought of Island People photographs online, please note that Island People Mas has updated their website with lots of photographs from both Monday and Tuesday. Has anyone seen a photograph of the Black Widow Individual (bodysuit option) smiling? I swear in EVERY photograph she looks sour, getting the award for the saddest H.O. of 2008;not one photograph shows this lady smiling!! Franny, she did not do YOUR costume justice!

Poison for 2009???

Ah yes, the rumours keep coming fast and furious. I was asked to investigate the possibility of Poison's return for 2009, and my sources have informed me that this rumour has been circulating since 2007, however the head honcho has yet to "make up his mind" on if it will indeed come to fruition!!

Micheal Ealy

Buh aye aye, how he make mediatakeout for being in Trinidad for Carnival, yet another year??? And I know every single female in TRIBE, and even other bands, got a pic with him on the road.. including me!

Check out the "NON" story on MediaTakeout.com:

Ealy in 2007!!!

10 Signs you are suffering from Carnival Tabanca

Tabanca is a form of “love sickness”. It was described as ‘a state of depression' accompanied by withdrawal symptoms (can't eat, can't sleep) that occurs when one has been rejected by a loved one or experiences unrequited love. It is an adjustment disorder of losing a loved one. The term is also used to describe the feeling of being in love where one is constantly thinking, daydreaming and totally “head over heels” with someone, the mental anguish of getting *“horn”and having girlfriend/boyfriend worries or “a case of Love Jones”. Severe tabanca has been described as “tabantruck”.

Tabantruck – symptoms of tabanca so severe they cannot figuratively, fit in a car but needs a truck (“taban-truck” as opposed to “taban-car”)

1. You constantly play your Soca CD or downloads to your ipod at work, home and in your car resulting in spontaneous wining down low to Congo Man at your desk, behind the steering wheel or while making breakfast!

2. You wear your costume at home while listening to Soca CD Mix (see 1) it does not matter that you are dressed as such while doing household chores.

3. You consume stocks of Carib, STAG and Angostura rum that you brought back from Trinidad while doing 1 and 2, though hopefully not at work or while driving!

4. You scour the internet photo websites looking for photographs of you and your friends at Carnival fetes or on the road on Monday and Tuesday. You also peruse such sites to observe, and entertain yourself, by looking at others in costume. The daily obsession involves multiple clicks to Trini Jungle Juice who are taking forever to load Carnival photos.

5. You carefully organize, date and add witty commentary to your own Carnival photos which are placed in an online photo album slideshow which you then share with all and sundry via email.

6. You frequent internet forums, blogs, carnival-centric facebook groups and chatrooms to talk about your Carnival experience over, and over and over again with anyone that will listen.

7. You search for “Carnival 2008” on Youtube, looking at Carnival videos made by random strangers just to see people wining in costume.

8. You are pricing tickets to return for Carnival 2009 and are seriously contemplating purchasing a ticket to return to Trinidad this year for any reason, any reason at all!

9. You are looking at other Carnivals to ease the pain, DC, Cropover, Miami…. here you come!

10. You visit this blog daily like a crack fiend, whether you like Saucy's musings or not, just to see what new Carnival bacchanal has been unearthed, what gossip has been heard and to read other's comments on their Carnival 2008 experience.

*Horn - refers to the act when the your partner is unfaithful to you in the relationship – infidelity

SOURCE OF GLOSSARY:
Recognition of Cultural Behaviours
in Trinidad and Tobago

Accomodations Part 2

Sundeck Suites

Par May La's Inn

Waterville Estate

Crosswinds Villa

Melbourne Inn

Gabby's Villa

Picton Court Apartments

Forty Winks

Simple Escapes 25 Baden Powell Street Woodbrook - (868) 628-1283

La Calypso 46 French Street, Woodbrook, Trinidad - (868) 622-4077

Motown Guest House, 64 Picton Street - (868) 628-3828

Capri Isle 6 Rust Street, St. Clair, Trinidad - (868) 622-7359

Carnetta's Inn Limited 99 Saddle Road, Maraval, Trinidad - (868) 628-2732

Cedar Ridge Towers 56 Third Street, Maraval, Trinidad - (868) 628-6526

Fabiennes Guest House 15 Belle Smythe Street, Woodbrook, Trinidad - (868) 622-2773

Halyconia Inn 7 First Avenue, Cascade, Trinidad - (868) 623-0008

Johnson's Bed & Breakfast 16 Buller Street, Woodbrook, Trinidad - (868) 628-7553

La Calypso 46 French Street, Woodbrook, Trinidad - (868) 622-4077

La Maison Rustique Limited 16 Rust Street, St. Clair, Trinidad - (868) 622-1512

Mauge's Guest House & Car Rental Services 15 Gordon Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad - (868) 625-2335

Picton Courts Apartments 2 Ana Street, Woodbrook, Trinidad - (868) 625-6260

Sam's Guesthouse 5 Alberto Street, Woodbrook, Trinidad - (868) 627-4865

Tropical Hotel 6 Rookery Nook, Maraval, Trinidad - (868) 622-5815

Carnival Accomodation

Here are some links to Guest Houses and Vacation Rentals for those of you already planning for Carnival 2009.

Please note that none of these are coming with any recommendation as I cannot verify the standard of accommodation, however the information is being provided for those who are interested. Do you homework and research on the properties that may interest you :

Great Rentals

Gingerbread House

Vacation Rentals by Owner

Best of Trinidad and Tobago

Nemoy Guesthouse

Monique's Guesthouse

Barbara Guesthouse

http://trinicasa.com/

http://www.maxpages.com/harbor/

http://thannas.com/

http://www.crosswindsvilla.com/

http://www.caribbeantouristvilla.com/

http://www.dislandsinn.com/

http://www.fortywinkstt.com/

http://www.trinidadhosthomes.com/

http://www.parmaylas.com/

http://www.pictoncourt.com/

http://joesphmejias.webs.com/

http://www.samisevillatrinidad.webs.com/

http://www.sundecktrinidad.com/

Alicia's Guesthouse

L'Orchidee

Jireh Inn

Tony's Guesthouse

Executive Suites

All In One Guest House 

Countdown to Carnival 2009!!

The countdown clock says days until 11 months and 27 days until Carnival 2009; we know that Mc Farlane will be journeying to Africa next year while Island People will be giving us a taste of Heaven and TRIBE will be flying high! Rumors abound about bands splitting up, breaking up or falling off the radar, while amid all that is the fact that once again we will have no stage for 2009. It’s time to start getting ready for Carnival 2009!!!

Now, I am, not going to say anything different that what I said when we started counting down to Carnival 2008, so here it goes:

Firstly, organize your finances. Every one has an idea of what prices for flights, costumes, fetes and accommodation were this year so give or take a 10% increase for 2009 and start working on that budget. List everything you need at an estimated cost and work out a financial plan so you will not be broke this time next year! If you have plans on joining a sou sou, putting aside a fixed amount monthly or using a bonus to pay for your costume do the necessary.

For those coming from overseas note the ridiculous prices for airfare that was quoted a month or two before Carnival; prices rose to over $1000.00 US and that includes those inter Caribbean flights as well!! When it comes to travel I always look for deals, bargains and sales. Keep on the look out for cheap airfare by registering for the “fare watcher” service at Travelocity.com or the “buzz alert” at kayak.com which will send you an email when airfare prices to a specific destination drops. I know of persons who purchase their air fare from as early as April for the following year! Of course this will only work if you know the specific time you will be in Trinidad, no use buying a ticket and you do not have approved vacation time off.

This brings me to my next topic; apply for your vacation leave in advance! My company has a roster that they send out each year for employees to indicate when they want time off and I know other companies do the same. Even if your company does not have this policy in place it does not hurt to inform the Human Resource department or your supervisor that you will be applying for vacation late January/ early February 2009. Mark it big and bold on a calendar and stick it on your desk so that when the time comes he or she cannot pretend that they were unaware of your plans, looking for excuses to deny you leave.

You can safely book accommodation in advance as most hotels allow you a window for cancellation, so it does not hurt to make a tentative reservation when you have your dates confirmed. Some of the more popular places are booked way in advance and especially those guest houses and apartments which see repeat customers every year. A good idea as well, if you are planning on visiting Tobago after Carnival is to book early, remember many Trinidadians escape Carnival and head to Tobago!

You know how we all like to wait LAST MINUTE to try and get into shape, myself included, how about starting the eating right and exercise program from now. That will give us all enough time to not only meet our target weight loss goals but also the extra time to try and maintain it. Then when we succumb to the occasional temptations like at Thanksgiving or Christmas our waistlines will be much more forgiving seeing as we would have already lost weight.

All of you suffering through winter time at the moment can barely think about spring far less summer, but keep in mind how difficult it was for some of you to get boy shorts in January. Therefore, when summer rolls around this year start shopping for Carnival. You don’t have to get all the trendy stuff but at least get items that are seasonal like sandals, flip flops, shorts, tanks and swim wear.

Though it may seem like 2009 is so far away, soon enough we will all be obsessing over costumes, waiting to register and going through the drama we love so much!

Mas on the road....indefinitely?

The following article appeared in yesterday's Trinidad Express:

Construction of the new National Carnival and Entertainment Centre will start in September, Culture Minister Marlene McDonald has said.

"Construction will start in September 2008 and we are hoping that by the first quarter of 2010 the Centre will be completed," McDonald told the Express in a telephone interview.

"The design is finished but we are just doing the final tweaking. We will then invite tenders and award contracts."

Construction of the proposed $450 million National Carnival and Entertainment Centre came to a halt last year because the design was being reviewed.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning had made the announcement of the work contract stoppage in November 2007, almost a month and a half after the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott) said the Requests for Proposals for the project were to have been issued "in the coming weeks".

Manning then said: "The Carnival Centre is on hold because of the events of Carnival this year and the need to rethink the design in the face of all of that."

The Express understands that the original design incorporated the Parade of Bands in the Centre, but the Government is now considering keeping mas on the roads.

When asked to comment on this, McDonald said: "A few changes are being made which I cannot speak about at the moment, because I haven't yet sat down with the designer and Udecott to finalise the design." In February last year, former Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams said construction of the centre would not be completed in time for Carnival 2008. However, she said it would have been built by 2009.

While work is still on hold for the centre, work has already begun on the Academy of the Performing Arts, another cultural facility approved by the Manning administration.

SOURCE:
www.trinidadexpress.com

Now, I know that the proposed construction on the National Carnival and Entertainment Centre had come to a halt months ago and that the design was being "modified", however this is the first I am seeing that Government proposes to keep mas ON THE STREETS!!! Wasn't the original design modeled after Rio's Sambadrome, the design that Peter Minshall , and others, criticized so much?

I am not liking the sound of "keeping mas on the roads" at all! And shall update you all when I do some further investigating, in the mean time feel free to share your thoughts and comments about your experience with mas on the road for Carnival 2008.

Makeup Artist Review

This year I decided to go with a professional makeup artist for Carnival Tuesday, albeit I can apply makeup good enough to satisfy me on a daily basis, and have been doing my own makeup for past Carnivals I thought this year to try something and someone different. Added to that was the fact that the colours of my costume are not what I was used to wearing and as such would have had to procure eye shadow to match, so instead of buying more makeup that I will not have cause to use again the money went to the make up artist.

There are several professionals who do makeup come Carnival, I chose this particular one because she did a friend’s face last year and she also had an online portfolio that I could peruse and see what kind of job she did and what faces I liked or did not like. I made an appointment for 6:00AM on Carnival Tuesday, and along with Mystique and her friend we got to the location just after 6:00, late yes, but we were met with several masqueraders already waiting!!! The appointment system just went out the door. After we took our numbers we had nothing to do BUT wait, it was not like we could just say forget it as none of us walked with any makeup to do the job ourselves.

During the waiting period some of us had breakfast that was provided, others finished dressing and we even made a trip to TRIBE’s mas camp (looking for our backpacks). After a long wait, and resigned to the fact that we were indeed going to miss the band leaving Stanmore Avenue, we eventually got called. The system was like an assembly line, and another makeup artist showed up to do colour, so the line started moving a bit faster but not by much. Upon entering the room I had foundation applied first, I walked with my own so the makeup artist used Revlon Colorstay, then her own products for concealer and powder. I also have to add that my face was already primed with Milk of Magnesia, the one tip I was given that worked wonders for Carnival!

Next it was off to get the eyes done at a another station, I liked that they asked what I wanted done and I was able to say I want it dramatic, with glitter and where I wanted my face decoration. The eye shadow application on the eyes was fabulous! I even wanted more lashes to the individual extensions I was wearing so they added strip lashes which were ridiculously ostentatious; I mean it WAS for Carnival right! After my eyes were done they added face jewels, lipstick and fix it spray; I was VERY pleased with the end results. One thing I do not like about some makeup artist is when they use contouring to shade the nose and this was not done at all. The makeup looked outstanding but the face still looked natural and not as if product was caked on.

The cost of $200.00TT included the lashes, face decoration, breakfast and even a little gift bag that included some goodies like Dior perfume samples, Dove face wash, eye shadow and lip-gloss; to me the price (and long wait) was worth it; if I had to purchase the lashes and face decoration myself it would easily cost $100.00TT. In addition if you wanted your face painted or individual face jewels added they were doing that as well.Interestingly enough there were many ladies playing with Harts getting their faces done along with many from TRIBE and even one guy! I also recognized some faces from the beauty pageant arena such as Nasma Mohammed and Lorca Gatcliffe. And after the long wait we did not miss the band, meeting TRIBE on South Quay with a few minutes to spare before my section crossed the stage

As for how the makeup held up on the road, my face decoration stayed on all day, they were not individual stones but rather the ones that come in a pack; my nose and bindi stick-ons did fall off however! The eye makeup lasted for the entire day as well, and since I used Colorstay foundation my makeup was not sliding off my face either, at the end of the day my face was still “on”. Of course I used blotting sheets to absorb the excess oil and reapplied powder at the lunch stop.

The difference with the professional makeup and doing it on your own is not with the product but the application; you rely on the makeup artist’s skill to choose the right colours for your skin tone and the ability to accentuate your features. I would definitely use this same makeup artist for Carnival 2009, but I am not going to reveal who she is in fear of having an even LONGER wait next year!! I hope all of you who chose to go with a professional were pleased with the results, and feel free to share your experience and the makeup artist you used (if you feel like sharing the identity) by leaving a comment.

Ladies whose faces were also done by the makeup artist I used:






Can you tell which one had her face professionally done?


PHOTO SOURCE:
www.carnivalscene.com
www.toronto-lime.com
www.watever.com

Boots by YOU!!

On the road this year I saw some really awesome boots, decorated by masqueraders themselves; gtwarrior and AA your boots looked FAB, send pics!! And for anyone else who also had their boots custom decorated, and would like to show off your creativity send me your photos at:
trinicarnivaldiary@yahoo.com

Here are boots done by bloggers Mystique, Bacchanalmas, lnolden516,AA,Tru, Squeezle,Sexy Panat & GTWARRIOR in that order (click on photos for large view)

Mystique- TRIBE

D Krewe

Kingfisher - ISLAND PEOPLE

Butterfly Bliss - TRIBE

Water Nymph- TRIBE

Apocalypto - HARTS

Amalthea

Black Magic

To those of you sending photos please leave a comment on how much the materials cost, how long the decorating process took and if you had any prior experience in decorating boots.

I.C.E. Carnival

Taking a break from all the Trinidad 2009 Carnival talk, as juicy as all the speculation is to share some information the I.C.E. Carnival Band for D.C. Carnival:

Mr Blaxx Goes to Washington

Press Release

February 19, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fresh off a highly successful 2008 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival season, Roy Cape All Stars frontliner, Blaxx, is headed to Washington, DC.

While visiting the US Capital, Blaxx will perform his hits Dutty Crew, Breathless and much more at the I.C.E. Carnival bandlaunching and costume premier on March 15th. In addition to great highpower, musical performances, I.C.E. Carnival will also be showcasing costumes from their 2008 all-inclusive DC Carnival presentation, When East Meets West, at the event.

Based in Baltimore, MD, I.C.E. Carnival is the largest all-inclusive mas band participating in the DC Carnival. The Carnival celebration occurs every year in late June and features as many as twenty-five colorful bands. I.C.E. Carnival founder, Brian K. Jordan, aka ICE, stated, “As a proud transplanted Trinbagonian, I am so happy we were able to get one of the most consistent and dynamic Caribbean performers to come kick off our Carnival season. Hopefully, we’ll have a nice crowd to support and welcome Blaxx to DC at our band launching on March 15th.”

Persons interested in getting more information about I.C.E. Carnival, or its bandlaunching are encouraged to contact, Mrs. Germaine Jordan, I.C.E. Carnival Bandleader, via email at icecarnival@yahoo.com, or to visit www.myspace.com/icecarnival.

click for large view

Island People Review

Written by a Carnival Virgin!

This was my first time in Trinidad and my first time playing mas. My experience with Island People was great- mostly because of their obvious experience and organization.

It began with me picking up my costume @ the Jean Pierre Complex. Every section had designated pick-up days the week before carnival which cut down on lines and wait time. I received my Great Egret costume in a white box and also a cowboy hat for Monday and the headpiece for Tuesday. Possibly just as exciting as the gorgeous costume was the goodie bag!!! It was filled with snacks, samples, an Island People Animal Instincts bag, zebra-print umbrella, zebra notebook, and mouse pad. When I got home I looked at the bikini and realized that it was a medium (I’m a 36DD so that was not making it). I thought I would have to go back and make a scene but when I went on the Saturday and explained to a woman at the counter she did not make me wait in line and simply gave me the correct size- problem solved!

Carnival Monday the band left on time, I know this because my friends and I had to run to catch up. The bar was stacked, but the bartenders were not the happiest looking people- I made sure to say please and thanks as much as I could and they warmed up over the day. Lunch was not great- I asked for fish and got a veggie meal which was pasta salad and really over-cooked corn. I wasn’t impressed. However, a veggie burger made up for that and more drinks also made me forget about the not so wonderful food. Honestly, I think IP was the sexiest people I have ever seen. People were wukking, wining, and jumping from 10am on! I had the most fun and danced until my feet hurt to wicked DJ’s and hot music.

Day 2 was full costume and more fun. The food was better and I think bartenders had come to grips with the fact that we’d be asking them for drinks…all day. The whole band stopped for a lunch break and sweet reggae and dancehall kept people in the groove. My friend had to visit the first aid truck which had helpful people and benches to relax and cool off. Security was good until we got to St. James and then it got a bit lax, I saw nuff people jumping into the band but I’m from Toronto where jamming with any band is part of carnival so I didn’t mind at all- more jammishness! A friend was annoyed because she believes that if you pay money for costume you pay to party- but to each his own. As we neared the stadium where the afterparty was the band really heated up. I didn’t intend on going to the party but as we waited for a friend playing in another band we decided to check it out. Lots of over-drunk people and non-masqueraders, and it took 3 tries to get 2 beers- not too hot. Every masquerader got a ticket to give a friend but I think security was just letting anyone in. The music was non-stop soca and reggae so we jammed a bit and left just before it was over.

Overall IP was fiyah, I’ll definitely play with them again and will eventually play with Tribe so I can see the difference. The organizers deserve credit, it can’t be easy to deal with all these people but they pulled it off. This carnival virgin is satisfied!

As the Carnival world turns......the soap opera continues

Got this email in my inbox:

If you read Saucytrini's blog today, you may be wondering whether members of TRIBE are going their separate ways ... whether the band is splitting into two ... etc.

The situation is as follows:

For Carnival 2009, TRIBE will be offering masqueraders two options: an all-inclusive option and a non-inclusive option:

ALL-INCLUSIVE OPTION: Masqueraders will receive everything that they have been receiving since the band's inception: costume, drinks, food, etc.

NON-INCLUSIVE OPTION: Masqueraders will pay for costume only. However, costumes will be different from costumes provided in all-inclusive option and masqueraders will receive different colored wristbands. Masqueraders will also have the option of renting carts, where you (and your friends) will be responsible for supplying your cart with your own drinks (and food). Of course, costumes offered through this option will be less expensive than those offered in the all-inclusive option.

If this really comes to pass it is an EXCELLLENT business move by TRIBE. The waiting list for people wanting a costume was ridiculous this year, so what better way to not only make masqueraders who were left out happy but those who complain about not wanting all the “extras” and about the price can have more choice now.

On the positive side, I am hoping that this would mean the band is not as large as this year, but of course I can also foresee TRIBE 1 (original TRIBE) jacking up prices as you can always get a costume in TRIBE 2 for cheaper. TRIBE 2 sounds like it can work very well since Harts is a non-all inclusive band and was the only other band to sell out along with TRIBE. Once costumes are priced competitively, TRIBE can posie themselves to have a monopoly on Carnival! Ah the critics will have a field day!!

Anyway, as long as Super Mo Mo stays with TRIBE 1 that’s where I will be since I do enjoy my all-inclusive package and I lover her costumes. I can make a suggestion of which designers/section leaders can high tail it over to TRIBE 2 but I am thinking the smart move would be to still have the TRIBE trio,Gail, Lana and Monique design for BOTH bands!

I tell allyuh, I love Carnival, I love the bacchanal!!!!!

p.s. The Band I was referring to in the first paragraph of my "gossip" post yesterday is NOT TRIBE... I think that is a BIG enough hint right there!

And the gossip spreading like wildfire!!!

Which big band had an after Carnival meeting and saw one of the founding members storm out saying that they were parting ways for 2009? If this is true, I wonder if they are taking the band's name as well, seeing as the name is a brand unto itself!!


And, the talk is all about the split in TRIBE!! Or should I say alleged split in TRIBE.. on one hand I am hearing that some sections will be "running away" to form their own band, but the little piece of info the bird whispered to me since last year was that changes are in the works, when pressed for more information on if there will be TWO bands, I was told there can only be ONE TRIBE!!

So, now a twist in the story is that there WILL be two TRIBE's, one all-inclusive, the other not and two different sets of costumes!! Now if this is true can you imagine the two band H.O.s can now be H.O.ing in two different costumes of the same TRIBAL family!!!! Anyway, I think I will stick to my "original" TRIBE, band splitting OR NOT.

I tell you Carnival 2008 slowly fading from memory and the Carnival 2009 bacchanal NOW start!!

The idea of instant makeup might be a trivial waste of money for some; I mean what is so hard in applying some eye shadow right? Well, I decided to give the instant makeup that I wrote about from Coloron Professional a try, along with some other ladies who were willing to split a box. I got the colour “noche” which I used on Carnival Monday. The makeup comes on two pads that are already filled with eye shadow and the application is by placing the pad on you eye, pressing and removing. After removing the pad, the eye shadow is somewhat sticky so I used a brush to blend it a bit and the stickiness was gone leaving it with a consistency of powder.

I only used one pad on both eyes, so you can reuse the makeup more than once. The end result was a nicely blended, well applied eye makeup that surprisingly stayed on all day and was super easy to apply! As to if it is worth it, well if you have no clue about applying eye shadow and want one of the more vibrant colours or the patterns I say go for it! My friend was pretty happy to use the Sunset Beach to match her Lady of the Lake costume on Tuesday as she is not an expert in applying any kind of makeup, for instance. Otherwise you can easily do it yourself IF you are someone who is adept at applying eye makeup!!

Surprisingly I saw several ladies wearing the Zebra print on the road in both Island People and TRIBE and it looked great!!!

Coloron Zebra on the website:



Coloron Zebra on the road!

My boots review

Last year I had customized boots made by Natalie, and owing to the fact that I got the wrong foot measured they were so uncomfortable on Carnival Monday that I had to resort to sneakers on Tuesday. This year I decided to buy my boots online, and found a very cheap pair at Amazon.com for $15.00US, with shipping it came up to just over $20.00. The only issue I had was with the fur, but that I easily removed, which left the boot very comfortable as it was not fur lined inside.

The heel was perfect; a wedge of just 1 inch, and the boot on the whole was extremely comfortable. I had bought these boots my exact size, and was worried they would be too small for insoles. Thankfully I did not need to use the insoles as they fit very well, and I just wore socks on Monday and my feet were not sore, aching or cramping at all. In hindsight I would advise anyone to buy your boots a size bigger in the event that you do need insoles.

A few weeks before Carnival, while planning my Monday wear I decided to get another pair of boots for Tuesday, that pair I bought at shoeocean.com and the price was $25.00. Those boots were shipped to a friend who brought them for me as she was coming to Trinidad for Carnival. My Tuesday boots were also flat, with a 1 inch heel, I got those one size bigger and used the Dr Scholls Heel and Boot insole, I felt as if I was walking on cushions, they were SO comfy! Those insoles were a Godsend as I did a lot of walking on Tuesday!

My Monday boots I decorated myself since I figured I would not be in costume anyway, and my Tuesday boots Afro Chic decorated as I wanted a very good job done and a boot that was not ostentatious in decorations as my costume was elaborate enough. When I decorate I really have no limit on what I will put on my boots! I think my Monday boots looked great, never mind I only used ONE can of silver spray paint and not two as Afro Chic advised, I was being frugal as my Carnival extras spending was steadily mounting up! Of course if these were my Tuesday boots I would have handed them over to Afro Chic as she is an expert in spray painting!!

These are how my Monday boots turned out:

Original boot with fur & without the fur,which I removed :


After, spray painted & decorated:


Finished boot with Swans Down


On the Road!

The decorations on my boots lasted all day for the most part, I am missing one or two gems. These boots will be my footwear for 2009, God's willing, as they are now broken in good and proper. That saves me headache of having to find boots again! I noticed many, many, many ladies wore boots on the road and I was VERY happy to see that. My friend wore the flat, soft Ate Logo boots and said they were SUPER comfortable, not to mention they already came in gold/bronze. So, let me know how was your boot experience, if you tried them for the first time this year (or not); where did you buy your boots, the cost, how did you choose to decorate, comfort on the road, and will you do boots again or go back to sneakers, photographs are welcomed!

For photographs of my Tuesday boots visit Afro Chic’s FAB Carnival Footwear page on facebook, and you can also check out examples of footwear she did for other masqueraders on her Fab Boots blog. I predict next year she will be swamped with orders, especially for the customized sneakers, so you guys better get your foot in the door early!

It Stays!!!

Now I have featured many products that have come in handy for Carnival preparations, some being rather essential for surviving the elements, gravity and the stress on your feet. Today I will introduce to you the Butt Glue:

Once an urban legend of Beauty Pageants, the Butt Glue has surfaced to be featured as a secret weapon against the dreaded "riding up" of your bikini bottom! One very creative blogger used fashion tape to replicate the job of butt glue, which worked until she had to use the toilet, since she did not have extra tape to reapply. The beauty of the but glue is that comes in a handy roll on size of 2oz, small enough to toss in your pouch for reapplying as necessary.

Of course, the wedgie issue really affects those ladies who chose to go stocking less, inadvertently falling prey to lascivious photographers as pictured below:

A simple solution to this problem would be to 1. wear stockings or 2. wear thongs, hopefully both at the same time! However for those who are prone to doing none of the above, add Butt Glue to your list of Carnival Essentials for 2009!

PHOTO SOURCE: www.playcarnival.com