So, I just got a call from Afro Chic that I was featured "
in the Guardian" today, an article on Social Mixing For Success by Mark Lyndersay where he uses this blog as an example of special interest blogging.
The piece is well written and I especially like this part:
Then, there are the folks I call attractors, people who command an uncommon authority on the Web in a specific area of expertise. These folks can be a blessing or a curse for you. These are the new filters of the web, the Internet’s subject matter experts who command the attention of hundreds of slices of information focus. Take Saucy Diva (if you’re a Carnival bandleader, you’ll probably add—please).
The Diva is the anonymous author of a highly focused blog at trinidadcarnivaldiary.com. Saucy is the final word on pretty mas bands, a hugely entertaining source of gossip, advice and general bacchanalia on the subject. In 2008, a two sentence note from the Diva generated six times as many Web hits for my Carnival project as a link posted on the same day on the Guardian’s Web site. When I launched the Web page for my coverage of Tribe’s production process this year, I sent her a note about it and she kindly posted notice of the new work, driving just under 2,000 visitors to the site over the next week.
You can read more of Mark's feature
HERE and yes, I am sure several bandleaders are definitely saying "TAKE SAUCY- PLEASE"! You won't believe how many meetings have been called to discuss things written on this blog, but at the end of the day there is nothing like bad publicity, right?
I have been reliably informed, and it has been confirmed, that jouvert band Chocolate City Mas will be making a foray into pretty mas for 2010 with a new band called "
Chocolate Tuesdays".
And if you are wondering exactly who is behind Chocolate City Mas here is a little bit about them and the bandleader Zarin Morean:
The concept of Chocolate City started with its founding members Archiba Zarin Morean and Desmond Campbell, who formed the parent organisation - North South Crew. Initially focusing on boat rides and cruises, they daringly ventured into bringing the Treasure Queen to journey south for the famous "Point Fortin Borough Day" celebrations in Trinidad. After such success, North South Crew further extended their horizons to include tours to various Carnivals of the Caribbean; event management which primarily specialised in the co-ordination of sports and family days; and then to breaking the barrier with a different concept from the traditional J'ouvert - Chocolate City: "No Body Paint, No Mud, Jus Liquid Chocolate". This became an immediate success as revellers enjoyed parading drenched in chocolate, and has significantly grown over the years with participation in both local and international carnivals. Like its masqueraders, the North South Crew family has extended to include Gary Jackson, Houston Frederick, Maria Mohammed and Carla Quanvie, who all significantly contribute towards the strong backbone of the extraordinary Chocolate City.
Expect more information to come about this new band "
Chocolate Tuesdays" which will debut for Carnival 2010 along with "
Showtime"!
After a two year hiatus Winnipeg Carnival
"Caripeg" is back for 2009, taking place on August 15th in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. Caripeg will feature several events including a parade and a fete to culminate the festivities.
More information on Caripeg can be found on the official website
www.winnipegcarnival.com or if you want to register to play mas visit their
Facebook group for details and a list of Caripeg activities.
Look which costume from Pulse 8 showed up as part of St Lucian Carnival band "Toxik":
click to enlarge:
Point Fortin Borough Day takes place on May 2nd and you can visit the website
South Trini for a listing of bands that will be participating in the celebrations. In addition to
Obamarama Jouvert and
Legacy,
Chocolate City Jouvert will also be making an appearance at this year's Borough Day along with
D Krewe:
Roland St George & D Krewe in collaboration with Shut Up & Wine will be heading 2 Point Fortin for Borough Day. COME AND BRING YUH KREWE! Music Truck, Siparia Rhythm Section and Benji! $250 ALL INCLUSIVE(Breakfast, Drinks and Outfit) Contact ROLAND 771-4MAS DEXTER BAILEY- 685-1418 HOUSE OF JACQUI 652-1965 We Lovin d' Borough Day!
Other bands to check out:
Royalty- All Aboard Radical Promotions - Afrikan Ants Army Ants
When I had my makeup done on Carnival Tuesday with Kirk Thomas another makeup artist was also sharing space at Corner Bar diligently working on a waiting pool of customers. All I knew was that the young lady doing airbrush and gems was also playing in TRIBE but never got her name or contact information for those who might be on the lookout for a makeup artist come Carnival 2010.
Well thanks to a feature done on
Renee Milford by
Sweet 7 I finally found out that Renee is the very same makeup artist who worked with Kirk:
Rene applying airbrush eye makeup
Renee also has a
blog which you can visit to follow her postings, video tutorials, contact her or view her work. So, add Rene to the roster of Carnival makeup artist and bookmark her site. I was pretty impressed with her work and you know we are always on the hunt for a great make up artist!
Photo Source:Collage -
http://reneemilford.com/blog/
Coming very early into the 2010 Carnival season is the media launch for the former section of Legacy, Showtime, which will be breaking away to produce their own band for 2010. I have been informed that some well known names involved in mas production will also be on board this new band with sections of their own.
The media launch takes place at 8PM tonight at Alchemy, however I will not be able to attend and as a consequence
Afro Chic will be doing the honors of covering the event. So, make sure and check her
blog tomorrow for photos and scoop on what it to be expected from this new band which so far has kept all information tightly under wraps.
Island Fantasy presents
"Seasons" in the 22nd year of Orlando Carnival which takes place on May 24th.
The band comprises of 4 sections (Fall, Winter, Summer, Spring) with one section already sold out ahead of the band launch on May 1st at 360 Nightclub in Orlando:
click to enlarge
For more information on Island Fantasy:Band Website:
http://orlandomas.comEmail Address: IslandFantasyBand@gmail.com
Orlando Carnival Website:
http://www.orlandocarnivalassociation.com
So, the rumour mill is once again churning with news reaching The Sauce that several bands are not sure to make a showing for 2010!
One band is currently on a chaotic hunt for a designer as they got rid of the one that was the cause of some costume issues, interesting as this particular designer also had problems with another new band in 2008.
Seems like the trend for 2010 is a switch up in mas camps, one only knows what is going to happen to the band whose "band leader" defected to his former band but I have good information that those new arrangements are set in stone and this former "band leader" now has major "pips" in the new band under the heading of "designer", though this is surely going to cause a rift in the camp with section leaders who do not want to work with the Judas.
Another band not sure to return for Carnival 2010 is one with ties overseas that is going through a split, I mean shake up, of it's own outside of Trinidad and Tobago.
Stay tuned for more Carnival drama as it unfolds!
Labor Day 2009 and there is a new All Inclusive Band on the scene; "Ramajay Mas" will hold their official band launch on May 31st (check the flyer for more details) and you can read all about Ramajay Mas in the following narrative:
click to enlarge
“Dare to be different…” New York City ’s largest Caribbean festival—The West Indian Day American Carnival Parade—welcomes a new face to the color and beauty of mas bands which brings this world-renowned parade to life. Labor Day 2009, RAMAJAY Mas will make their debut to the world as an ultra all-inclusive premier band.
RAMAJAY Mas’ Creative Design Team intends to pull inspiration and ideas from their many years of experience within the fashion and mas industry to bring forth innovative, breathtaking and ultra-sexy costume designs to the their masqueraders and the parade’s millions of spectators. They intend to bring the fantasy of M-A-S (Make A Statement) to Eastern Parkway while still paying homage to the splendor of our Caribbean culture. This team—collectively known as TEAM G.B. (GB God Bless Productions, D’Original Divas, Divas de Carnaval & Massive International) consists of individuals who both know the craft of mas/costume designs, fashion and entertainment. Their background includes Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC) graduates, winners of WIADCA’s coveted King of the Band competition and band/section leaders from well-known & respected NY Mas Bands such as Borokeetes, Rango Mas and Hawks International. Together these talented individuals equal over 30+ years of mas design experience.
RAMAJAY Mas’ vision extends to being more than just a pretty mas band but providing to their customers an EXPERIENCE. Born out of the void of masqueraders not able to have a totally ultra-inclusive experience on the road, RAMAJAY Mas felt it was time to fill this emptiness. They want to give NY masqueraders the same vibe and ultimate mas experience that is already felt by their mas counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago , Canada and other Caribbean islands. Outstanding Customer Service will be a key factor to the premier experience presented to RAMAJAY Mas masqueraders. Along with great customer service RAMAJAY Mas will also extend all the popular amenities of an all-inclusive band such as tasty lunch & snacks, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, roaming photographers and the best DJs/Soca artists providing incredible vibes in the ‘All-inclusive Road Party”.
Join us for our debut theme as we travel to the breathtaking South American rainforests to explore AMAZONIA : Unleash your inner savage…
“Close your eyes and let your mind drift free of your surroundings…hear the charming songs of the Yasuni Parrots as they fly above your head, feel the warm mist of the Tropical Raindrops against your skin and smell the sweet fragrance of the Brazilian Orchids at your feet…you can only be one place and one place only: the serene jungles of AMAZONIA…”
With the hustle and bustle of our hectic everyday lives, we sometimes forget to enjoy the beauty of Mother Earth around us! RAMAJAY Mas urges you to reconnect with the rhythms of the jungle as we enter the Amazon Rainforest (Brazil) and let go of that inner savage that has been whispering to be set free. RAMAJAY Mas will serve as your tour guide on a journey of passion, wildness & color through this spectacular rainforest showing you how life will be without inhibitions. Join us as we allow you to live life without boundaries and restraints as we become UNLEASHED....
We welcome you to take part in this EXPERIENCE and dare to be different as we present to NY & rest of the world for Labor Day 2009—RAMAJAY MAS .
“We believe the essence of mas is ones ability to experiment and indulgence in the freedom of creativity…”
Myst's theme for Antigua Carnival 2009 is "Unveil" , the unveiling of costumes (their band launch ) takes place on Sunday April 26. Now I am totally convinced that this band is owned by someone with shares in Island People mas, I mean second year, second time reusing Island People's costumes from Trinidad Carnival. This trend annoyed me last year and annoys me again this year.
I wonder how it works exactly, does Island People order extra costumes in anticipation for Myst? Do they sell the costumes that were not collected from Trinidad Carnival or do their suppliers in China keep materials on hand to produce costumes for Antigua when needed? Do masqueraders in Antigua know that the costumes are from Trinidad Carnival and if so does that affect their decision to play mas in Trinidad at all or do they simply wait for the same costumes (cheaper) and play mas at home in Antigua? I would really love to know how this process works.
Island People should offer their masqueraders with SO many issues a chance to "do over" by offering them a FREE all inclusive experience with Myst for Antigua Carnival once they played in any of the sections that will be recycled in Myst. Now isn't that a cool idea? And which sections do you think will be Unveiled next Sunday? My first guess is the obvious, TOUCH! I am also guessing Midnight Bloom and Chocolate & Caramel.....what are your picks and if you are an Island People masquerader how do you really feel about Myst Antigua?
click for large view
Time to break out that red adult romper and feelers because there will be Antz, Antz, muddy Antz all over DC Carnival!
To all UK residents, please sign
this petition for our masqueraders across the pond who will be forced to pay an additional £100 on flights to the Caribbean from November 2009 as part of a new UK Air Passenger duty. This will undoubtedly have a negative effect on the price of airfare to Trinidad for Carnival.
Deadline to
sign the petition is 19 April 2009 so pass on the word to all your UK friends.
DE OFFICIAL BAND LAUNCH FOR CARNIVAL NATIONZ 2009
SATURDAY MAY 2ND INSIDE SOUND ACADEMY 11 POLSON STREET
click for larger view
Adm: $15 adv ~ more @ the door… Tickets: www.ticketgateway.com CNz is utilizing a new ticketing system courtesy one of our sponsors, i.e. The Printing Press. So please check the website for more information and for the easy purchase process…
Info: Marcus @ 416.565.4079: Bryce @ 416.985.8488: Dwayne @ 416.930.9650
Section Leaders: Hayden “Pumpkin” @ 416.220.4972: Ross @ 416.301.7761 : Denise @ 416.820.3304 : Al/Brant @ 416.684.5062 & 416.456.6984
www.carnivalnationz.com ~ www.islandboyz.com ~ www.triniscene.com
"Steelpan band coming down Ariapita Avenue" a painting by Brian Wong Won now graces the wall of the Hyatt Waterfront Complex in Port of Spain:
The larger than life reproduction is actually the print that was given away during the pre- Carnival Trinidad Carnival Diary's 5 days of Giveaways so I hope it is pretty cool for the winner of the art print to see it 20 feet high.
Brian Wong Won is among 24 local artists whose work was chosen to be on the Waterfront Art Wall.
For more about Brian Wong Won visit his
website where you view a gallery of his work.
Sometimes I wonder what really goes on in the head of a band leader, when they would take back a designer who left in the middle of producing costume prototypes to head ANOTHER band. A new band which was coming to "CRUSH" the designer's former band, the former band being a band with which the designer worked with for several years, I might add.
So, big meeting took place last week, and the prodigal son returned asking to be taken back into the flock. Lost money with the new band he said, had no "creative control" he said, ironic since his reason for leaving the former band was "lack of creative control"!
Sources say that even though this designer abruptly left the band last year and was touted as bandleader of the competitor he has been welcomed back and will be collaborating on designs with at least three section leaders.
Imagine that! Well you can imagine my curiosity as to what this reunion will bring. I don't know how some people even have the face to eat their words so publicly but I guess the reason he is back is because when it comes to costumes for 2010 it will be a competition of who can be bigger, bolder, brighter and the BEST! And this is not only competition between OTHER bands but within the band as well! I heard one designer is quite perturbed at having lost the title of having the "sexiest" costumes in the band to a newbie renowned for her barely there rio-esque costumes.
And let us not even get to the upcomning showdown for the title of best costumes for 2010; this will be a no holds barred, all out band war that will be fought with the battle of the beads and bikinis!
Things are spicing up!
Coming out of the quiet that is post Carnival 2009, news has reached me that we can expect a new band on the scene for 2010.
Word is that
Showtime, a private section with big band Legacy, will be breaking away to form their own band.
Only time will tell if this new band actually gets off the ground.
It seems like lots of people are planning to take advantage of cheap airfare deals and are trying to make it to Trinidad for their band’s launch, as I cannot tell you how many emails I gave gotten so far inquiring about band launch dates.
Consequently I thought it best to broach the subject publicly, as I kept repeating the same thing via email anyway. As of now there are no confirmed band launch dates for any of the bands that I know of. My advice to someone who wants to purchase a ticket to Trinidad for a particular launch is to email the band in question and ask if they have an idea of when their launch might be held.
Short of that one can only hazard a guess as to when exactly a band will hold its launch. Especially as the trend is to hold launches much earlier than in the past and Carnival 2010 is relatively early. In my history of launches, many years ago, the first band to launch would be Harts. Their launch was held a week or two after Cropover in Barbados. Most bands launched between September to November, last of which was Peter Minshall.
Nowadays the trend is for “medial launches”, some started as early as May in 2008, followed by actual band launches taking place from the first weekend in July! The past two years TRIBE has moved up their band launch to the last weekend in July, Island People normally holds their launch in August after Cropover and Legacy now holds the spot of the last big band to launch in October. Evolution was the first to launch in 2008, followed by a series of band launches immediately following each other. 2008 Band Launch season was a hectic one, if you visited Trinidad any time between July and September you were almost guaranteed to be able to catch at least one band launch on any weekend.
It would be very hard for me to guess exactly when any band plans on holding their launch for 2009 but I do know that none of the big bands launch the weekend that Cropover takes place in Barbados. So for those of you planning on visiting for your band’s launch, good luck in getting the exact dates from the band this early; if you do let me know.
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