I am in LOVE with Ms Dita Von Tesse's costume for her burlesque show "Bird of Paradise"! Just felt like sharing since Bird of Paradise is a VERY popular section name for Carnival 2009 it seems. Sources have informed me that not one but TWO bands will have sections of that same name, well at least with ONE band it fits the theme, humph! Not to mention Bacchanal Mas also has a Bird of Paradise section for Nottinghill Carnival 2008... hmmm..
SOURCE:Celebrity GossipMag 55p.s. some of the pics may not be suitable for work!
I have been informed that Evolution will be launching their 2009 Carnival presentation "Temptations" on JULY 4TH at the Zen nightclub. Ok then! They real eager to kick off Carnival 2009... I can foresee a very long band launching season ahead!
New band "Spice" is certainly going to make a debut for Carnival 2009 and here are some section names that were revealed to me:
Brown Sugar
Paprika
Chili Pepper
Cinnamon
Sage
and Sea Salt which I hear is the super HOTT section to look out for...
Cannot wait to see the costumes!!
Stemming from an ongoing debate over Monday wear on facebook, is this quote:
"once i'm with my friends and we all have a great time that is all that matter's"
For me friends are not necessary to me having an EXCELLENT time on the road, I have even learned over the years that friends can sometimes cause more headache than anything else! As long as I love my costume, drinks keep flowing and music is on point (not to mention the entire road experience should be stress free) I can have a whale of a time all by myself.
Clearly many people do enjoy Carnival more when they are with their crew, so I just wanted to ask of you
do you need to be with your friends on the road to fully enjoy the whole experience of Carnival;
can you enjoy Carnival as a solo superstar?
And for those who do not recall the rules of being a "
Solo Superstar" here they are, courtesy none other than the Super Fabulous "Prettidolli" who is totally missed!
The Rules & Regulations for a SOLO Carnival Superstar according to Prettidolli:
1. Ignore family members and friends who pledge allegiance to other bands besides the one you plan to register with. This also works for those playing in one section who don't agree with the section you have selected for yourself.
2. Register alone for the most FABULOUS costume that tickles your fancy. Walk into the mas camp with your head held high, dearheart! Hold your CC high above your head and cock back and roll if yuh doing yuh ting online. And TELL DEM TELL DEM TELL DEM yuh want ah THONG honayy! Or any other select adornments.....LOL.
3. Work that bod into shape like ah bandit in the upcoming months prior to de Big Show. Get yourself and your accessories in order. Think sexy. Think scandalous. Think BOOTYLICIOUS! Your body is ah temple. Work it like it's the flipping PARTHENON!
4. After you have picked up your costume in TNT, blow raspberries or flip 'em the bird. You know, those same miscreants who insist you have made the wrong decision by not jumping with THEM...In THEIR band. Or THEIR section.
5. Arrive home, try on yuh mas, blow kisses to the love of your life in the mirror, skin yuh teeth, and then practice yuh jump and wave. Jumpandwavejumpupandwavvve...
6. On the big day, dress up in yuh mas and grab a jar of jelly and hand it to the same miscreants who doubted you. Then as they look at you in strange fashion, SNATCH the jar BACK! Tell 'em "I don't think your READY fo' this JELLY." Give two snaps and walk out the door, chile!
7. Meet up with yuh band, JUMP UP, and DRINK UP, and WINE UP and have yuhself ah time. PLAY YUHSELF! You don't have to worry about a crew, just be like Nike and do YOU. Just don't walk off into any ISOLATED areas ALONE. PLEASE DON'T DO THAT!
8. If you are in any TNT band you are bound to meet the following:
a) At least 10 children bystanding (and wining..LOL.)
b) At least 20 women who want to befriend you just so that you can help them adjust their headpiece, tighten/loosen up their beltpiece, straighten up their hair, center their backpiece, fix up their makeup, untangle their stockings before a run sets in, and tell them whether or not they have lipstick on their teeth. You all may want to pose in front of car windows to make certain allyuh are looking propah. Or someting so. Yuh know how we women stay...
c) At least 200 men who are willing to give their EYETEETH just to be in YOUR GAW-GEE-OUS presence. It is easy to remember this one: For the total number of women you meet, just add a zero to that number and this new number signifies the number of men dazzled by your Carnival presence. If you have extra large breast implants, do feel free to add another zero. If you are a F.H.O., add two more zeros. ;)
d) At least two vagrants who want to tief ah wine..And some of yuh choice libations. Nothing is sexier to a vagrant during Carnival time than a female masquerader....Except ah female masquerader WITH BOOZE! :S If ah scruffy man tells yuh to put yuh hand up in de air, he might not have the Carnival spirit, he just might be trying tuh stick yuh for yuh liquor. Sorry to burst your bubble, but ah lie? Don't make yuh Johnnie (Walker) come lately...
e) At least one grandma or grandpa or old uncle who absolutely MUST tell yuh how HOT they were when they were in their ROYAL. Back in the day. A rhel saga boy or jamette. With government names like Errol, Beulah, Olivene, Clement, Imogene, Savitri, Rooplall, or Everett....
9. The good old DJ truck is always ah choice liming spot where you can meet, greet, and lime anytime! Try ANY truck throughout the ENTIRE band. Pick yuh BESS truck, smile, and wink up at the DJ. They like that. It does make them feel sweet. Rhellll sweeeet. This doesn't work if you have a lazy/crossed eye or questionable dentition. The DJ WON'T appreciate THAT!
10. Go MAD. I does well and skip and chook and prance badly throughout de front, middle, and back of meh bhann. BADDD with ah triple D. I doh study ANYBODY. Folks does watch meh right by mehself like meh head GONE, but meh faculties are very much INTACT! If yuh have time to study someone else, yuh WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT enjoy yuh Carnival. You are
NEVER
EVER
ALONE!
So make meh feel PROUD. You do the SAME!
11. Last, but not least, there is always SECURITY. Some of them like de chatting and de attention and ting. Just make certain they don't get FRESH. :o For example, telling you they want to help yuh adjust yuh thong or brassiere or something positively BIZARRE like that!
Leave me a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts on this one!
Update from D Bandit newsletter:If you don't already know by now, then you've been hiding under a Treasure Chest somewhere. Next Saturday May 24th inside Solarium on the Polson Pier complex, is the BIG Carnival Nationz band launch for our theme Pirates. I know there are some people out there waiting to see what we are coming with this year. And the reason you haven't heard anything thus far is because we are hard at work trying to put our best foot forward as always. You know we always aim to please. The four men of Carnival Nationz love to make sure YOU the masquerader is very happy with the Ultimate Carnival and Caribana Experience.
We are planning to have a pre-registration for our Carnival Nationz (CNz) 2007 masqueraders on Wednesday June 4th and Thursday June 5th. We have heard you, the loyal masquerader, and all CNz 2007 masqueraders will have the opportunity to register for their desired section before registration is opened to the general public. This is because we truly want to reward you for your dedicated support. The public registration date will be June 7th. This will all be happening at the same Mas Camp we had last year located at 533 McNicoll Ave in North York. Along with pre-registration, CNz members would get a CNz Loyalty Card. This loyalty card entitles CNz masqueraders to discounts and privileges to various events, rental companies and other companies to be announced on the our carnivalnationz.com website. Please keep in mind Carnival Nationz members can only pre-register them self and not their friend.
Oh and by the way FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANY CARNIVAL BAND HISTORY...with every advance ticket presented at the door you will receive your very own FREE DVD of all Carnival Nationz activities for the 2007 Caribana Season. EEEEEEEEEEEEEYEAH!!!!! Tickets available at:
Play De Record - downtown (south central) 416-586-0380
Mona's Roti - scarborough (east) 416-242-1200
Islandmix Restaurant (east) 905-895-5295
Charlie's (west) 905-896-3663
Drupati's Roti (west) 905-949-6787
Another email update from our Carnival buddy Shynelle of Evolution:
Ok everyone,
Here's the thing. Remember in my last email I said that I was going to name my section Secrets & Lies???.......Well I had to change the name. When I saw the finished design, I felt that the name was not doing the costume enough justice because the final design is literally fit for a queen (and a King). I did not forget you fellas!!......Believe me when I tell you that the costume is so regal and so glamouours that you might want to wear pieces of it to the club after Carnival!!!........Divaliciously sexy is an understatement........ For real..... Think Lifestyles of the Rich and famous!!
So in all fairness to the beauty and dynamism of the costume I had to change the name to "LA VANITA DI ORO" which is Italian for The vanity of Gold.
The costume is adorned with Emerald Stones & Gold and the name was inspired by a little story that I concocted in my head when I saw the costume and was struggling to think of a brief write up on the concept.........
In due time I will reveal that concept but for dramatic effect, I will keep you all in suspense for now........hahahahahaha!!!!
So that's it for now...... holla back if you need to........ call me if you wish...740-0838...... I here!!......
Take care,
From your Carnival buddy,
Shynnelle
Evolution Mas Ltd.
Available for your downloading pleasure:
Its a Big Phat Fish 4th Anniversary mix featuring four years of soca.
The first link is the whole track and the second one is the file with a tracked version for those that want to burn it to cd.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/a6gtov
Latest email from Island People Mas:
Hi
Over the past three years, we at Island People Mas have worked hard to give you a better and better carnival experience each year. In 2009 we will deliver to you the most heavenly carnival ever…
Prepare yourself for HEAVEN on EARTH … it’s what you make it
Island People Mas invites you to join our eco-friendly campaign and to think “green”. Our planet has taken care of us, now it’s our turn to take care of it.
We have taken the initiative to reduce the amount of paper, water, and energy we use to produce our carnival band - including limiting the number of trucks in the band without limiting the services.
We urge you to be eco-friendly in your daily life. Please stay tuned for reminders on how we can all contribute to a “greener” planet earth.
Look out for our Carnival 2009 Band Launch in August.
Thanks!
Island People Mas
So, remember
my post about the new band "Kaotic"? If you missed it
read it here. (click the link)
Well, sources have informed me that they recently held a
PRIVATE launch and showed costumes which were, according to what I heard:
"SMOKING HOT...the aquamarine and red / gold sections very pretty."
I also have been informed that they are looking to launch early as in
BEFORE TRIBE; hmm hope they do not clash with Evolution that is also launching before TRIBE as well!
Why is everyone rushing to launch before TRIBE anyway, are people seriously going to register with a brand new band before seeing what the stalwarts have to offer?
Two new blogging comrades have dedicated their time to bringing you, potential masqueraders, all the up todate information, photographs and inside scoops on both St. Lucia Carnival and Caribana and are worth a read.
Dulce 7 is a blog written by "Sweet 7", a St Lucian by birth who now resided in Vermont, however she has been diligently gathering every bit of news concerning St Lucia Carnival and sharing on both
her blog and
facebook group. Though the blog is not specifically ONLY Carnival focused you can find lots of photographs of St Lucia Carnival bands and even tips on where to get your Carnival accessories and new music releases.
Caribana Virgin is no "virgin" to the blogging world, she debuted her blog last year while planning for her first Caribana experience. I am happy to report that she is back to blogging about Caribana 2008 and has very current information on all the bands that have launched thus far. Check out
her blog for photos from Borokeete Canada, Toronto Revellers and Callaloo.
Keep up the excellent job ladies!
What is really going on with all these international and regional Carnivals boy, I mean really it is now becoming a mockery of Trinidad Carnival's "designs" and "designers". Now this Orlando Carnival 2008 band "
Island Fantasy" have recycled costumes from "Wee International"!'
Island Fantasy
Check out their
myspace page for the rest of the costumes. To add insult to injury ALL the costumes are only $80.00US
ALL INCLUSIVE, granted Orlando Carnival is not in the same league as "the greatest show on earth", however, these costumes were selling at $409.00US and $442.00US when they were being offered by Wee International; that's a 500%+ mark up, or should I say mark
down.
Oh, and really couldn't they have gotten a photograph of the section
"Passion" (formerly "
Fatal Attraction") from
Wee's website instead of using the one
I took at their band launch?
Last year we saw
Evolution, Ronnie & Caro, D Krewe and
Wee International debut, making a play for masqueraders dollars in a market already teeming with bikini and beads bands. Now, for 2009 we can expect
Elements along with the rumoured bands of
Kaotic and
Spice to join the fray and I fear it is this over saturation of the Carnival market with the SAME OLE SAME OLE that will lead to this "trend" of reusing costumes after Trinidad Carnival as the bands that
BUSS try to recoup their losses!
Good luck to them all for 2009!!
Edited to add:
Check
out this article (thanks for finding it dajewel) which explains the link between Wee International and the people behind this band... VERY interesting read. Is it really "making" costumes for Orlando Carnival or selling off costumes from Trinidad? Why not come with a different costume altogether then? I am still annoyed.
Only two more sections remain in Bacchanal Mas "Paradise" for Notting hill; for more photos and information on how to register check out the
facebook page.
Fools Paradise
Heaven Scent
Temptation
Bird of Paradise
Red International launched their St Lucia Mas 2008 presentation and what do I stumble upon? This costume:
Red International St Lucia Carnival 2008
Ronnie & Caro "De Mang" 2008
This is not the first time I have seen costumes that were used in Trinidad's Carnival make it into other local and regional Carnivals it. I did point out the Pulse 8 costume
"Gem Traiders" that is being used for D.C. Carnival under Panisha Mas and last year another Pulse 8 costume "
Wicked Waitress" showed up on the road for St Lucia Carnival, Island People's "
Nubians" was used for Labor Day and
Genesis' costumes were used by campusboyz for Cropover . At that time I wrote my piece on it so I will not repeat myself.
I must say with the advent of the internet it does make this trend of recycling costumes from Trinidad's Carnival much easier to detect and shows just how popular it is! It must be weird seeing the costume you paid so much for in Trinidad being used in another Carnival for much, much less.. maybe the bands should make it a package deal and allow those with the costumes from Trinidad Carnival to jump with the bands that are reusing the same costume!
With more and more new bands entering the Carnival game and costumes not being sold as anticipated I guess this trend will continue to grow, hey, got to make back the money you put out as a band/section leader right!
For more photos from Red International's launch visit
their website!
caribbean sun
angel falls
bird of paradise
News reaching me is that the section Chocolate Dream is Crystal Amming's (Silver Fox) section while Bird of Paradise is Sonia Mack's!
As for what colours to expect, the section Zen is pewter & stone while Bird of Paradise is blues into greens, pale lilac with iridescent accents!
zen
love
ierie
secret garden
chocolate dream
Expect a riot of
C O L O U R from Island People mas 2009! Oh, and there will be
WINGS!
The blue and brown section, both male and female, is sold out:
All other costumes are still available at this time and persons wishing to register can do so via emailing
sarcher@harbourlightsbarbados.com for details; credit cards accepted.
Lets forget that that this photograph is about Mariah and her super surprise wedding, and focus on the relevance of the one detail, her shoes, to Trinidad Carnival:
click for large view
Are her Louboutin's not utterly divine and fabulous? My sixth sense is tingling and something tells me that maybe, just maybe I will need boots done up LIKE THAT to match an utterly fabulous costume! The sixth sense is also telling me to expect an email soon! How many more days until July 26th ? The suspense is killing me!
Well, well, well seems like the whole mas fraternity is in a moving and shaking revolution for Carnival 2009 and it is not only the designers and section leaders who are moving and switching things up!
Design and production teams once linked to certain POPuLAR mas bands have also migrated! It all makes sense when you see one band has a certain backpack or headpiece and then the following year another band has something similar, because the persons responsible for making such have been bouncing back and forth and for 2009 they have nested once again in the roost.
No worries over the loss of the boss headpiece man and frontline designer lol, I am looking forward to frontlines on par, and surpassing, circa Nylon Pool! By the way when is it going to be confirmed that a certain bird has indeed migrated? I think by now everyone, and their mother, knows Ms. sexy bra designer has indeed flown the coop and I have even had another little birdie whisper the colour of her costume for 2009... all I can say is HOT ...I have never played in that colour, so who knows maybe 2009.
Harbour Lights launched their 2008 Crop Over presentation on Saturday May 4th and these are the costumes on offer:
The prices are Female Costumes $365 with the exception being the green and red costumes priced at $335.00 and the Male Costumes $245 with the exception being the green and red costumes priced at $265.00. All prices are in Bajan dollars and include food and drink. For further information contact bajansugarj@hotmail.com
I remember one year seeing this tiny band for Crop Over and it turns out it was the Harbour Lights band! Apparently they have now grown in numbers and are very much like the "Harts" of Barbados with ensuring they go first on the parade route each year, but take a look at the photographs from Crop Over 2007 and see if there are not other similarities:
Yes, the costumes are pretty cute and pretty skimpy
just like Harts!LOL.
OK, allyuh know I have cannot hand you all the information as I get it since I don't want anyone suing me for libel (laugh) anyway read between the lines of this one:
Sources have reported that a once spurned designer, extracted from a popular band without being able to find another nest to roost is now the brainchild behind bringing their OWN band to "Spice" up 2009 Carnival!!
That may explain why this designer has just returned from China, hopefully no fur will be flying come Carnival 2009! Other names involved in this new band for Carnival 2009 include one half of a soca duo who has a history of heading a section in mas bands Barbarossa and Poison, as well as his girl friend who shares the same surname as one particular beauty queen maker who is also involved in making mas of his own! The other two names rounding out the band have been linked to marketing a popular brand of bottled water and managing one of the biggest venues for band launches, weddings and parties in Trinidad.
And that is all I have to say about that!
Disclaimer
It is important to impress that the views reflected by this blog are mine alone and not necessarily views held by Triniscene. You cannot contact Triniscene and ask for their assistance in swaying or monitoring anything that is written on this blog.
All Content is for informational purposes only. I make reasonable efforts to ensure the completeness and accuracy of all content of the blog. However, I do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any information on this blog. There are various risks you assume in relying on the Content. We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate Content on the blog, but at times I may not promptly update or correct the blog even if I am aware that it is inaccurate, outdated or otherwise inappropriate.
While at times, I highlight certain services, websites, merchandise and such, I do not endorse any product. Nor do I use this blog to sell any merchandise. Also, I DO NOT endorse or encourage any products, costumes or services advertised on the conversation box (e.g. cbox). Neither do I endorse the opinions of, or warrant the accuracy of facts or other Content contributed by, any third party. I am not liable for any action you take or decision you make in reliance on any Content.
As a result, I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE QUALITY, SAFETY OR LEGALITY OF THE ITEMS ADVERTISED, THE TRUTH OR ACCURACY OF THE LISTINGS, THE ABILITY OF SELLERS TO SELL ITEMS OR THE ABILITY OF BUYERS TO BUY ITEMS. I cannot ensure that a buyer or seller will actually complete a transaction. You should look to the seller for any refunds, credits or adjustments to a transaction. I ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND OFFER NO WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, REGARDING YOUR TRANSACTION WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL SELLER(S) OR ANY PARTS YOU PURCHASE FROM A SELLER, OR ANY INFORMATION, INCLUDING CREDIT CARD INFORMATION, YOU GIVE TO A SELLER.
Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com does not assume copyright for images used that are not owned by Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com, such images are used only to illustrate a point or when they are relevant to an article written by the author of Trinidadcarnivaldiary.com .If you are the owner of the image and would like it removed please contact trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com
