D.C. Carnival Blu Carnival Experience

Join Basement Knokers Entertainment & Gresham Entertainment in the Indulgence Mas Band for D.C. Carnival 2009. Indulgence Mas, three sections; The Good. The Bad. The Sexy explores the true soul of Carnival and captures the mounting excitement of hundreds of revelers as they make their way down the road in boy shorts, mini skirts, and cowboy hats.

Mas package includes sexy costume, unique airbrushing, light breakfast, unlimited non alcoholic drinks and lunch at the end of the parade.

Thursday night IGNITE - Your Blu Carnival Experience, hosted by Basement Knokers Ent. and TRIBE Carnival will be held at Club 24 located at 2122 24th Place NE Washington D.C. Advanced tickets are $20, come enjoy sweet soca brought to you by Sprang International, Private Ryan, DJ Hazzard, and DJ Majestic. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Saturday night XEN – The Blu Experience Continues hosted by Basement Knokers Entertainment, KnockBoyz, and Carib United offers an elite indoor/outdoor party @ Club 24, with DJ Merry Perry from Trinidad Red 96.7, Private Ryan, Sprang International, Foreign Base, Bandit, and Fyah Oats. Advanced tickets are $20, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., 18 to enter 21 to drink.

Check out www.blucarnival.com or www.basementknokers.com. Join Blu Carnival for the ultimate DC Carnival experience!!!

Breakaway Band for 2010??

While I have been informed that the NEW BAND ALERT is called off on the proposed band headed by a makeup artist due to the economic tide at the moment, and quite possibly due to the fact that they decided to try and get a section in Spice instead, seems like there is another new band cutting strings loose for 2010.

D'Harvard Revellers is allegedly busting loose from Trini Revellers, bringing a medium sized band of their own for Carnival 2010. Interesting as this will be the second band to leave the popular large band, if it happens, as the D Krewe also formed out of Trini Revellers.

Baje is online

Though the "live launch" did not take place last night costumes are on the website and they are looking pretty good, I am loving Tequila Sunrise:

PHOTO SOURCE:
baje-intl.com

Power X 4 Preview

Power X Four sent out a newsletter to their masqueraders with a sneak peek of costumes in "Love & Revelry", for Crop Over 2009:

Early registration starts from Friday June 12th 2009 at the Party Stand between 10am and 9pm. As usual, moving early is the key to getting the section you want in the size you want! Call 437-6937/431-3383 or email bandhouse@powerxfour.com for more registration details!

click on photos to enlarge

Fire and Ice for Baje, Crop Over 2009

The media launch for Baje International's Crop Over presentation "Fire and Ice" takes place today, Friday June 12th , at 8PM and it seems like the event will be occurring simultaneously online...just make sure and check out their website.

For those in Barbados, the launch takes place at Baje's mas camp located at Red Rock Café (at Time out in the Gap) . Also the mas camp will be open this Saturday June 13th & Sunday June 14th from 12 to 8 PM, where you can sign up before the public opening on Monday June 15th.

More about Fire and Ice and Crop Over Events From Baje:

The Party scene:
As is standard, we have spent the last 10 months planning and fine tuning just for you and now we are ready and excited to deliver our 2009 hard hitting season of events strapped with music, mass, excitement and plenty of drinks! Some of our plans include a blazing new team of Baje girls, an evolved web site (same baje-intl.com address) and 5 hot recession ready FREE summer limes at Red Rock café featuring a barrage of artists and djs, crazy hype and happy hours and hours and hours. The limes begin on Friday June 19th and run weekly from 6PM till 1 AM. Plus we will be focusing on ripping Ocean Park right back as we proudly present the return of the big bad "Collision" on Friday July 17th, and the ever crazy, hyper, hopping mad Baje J?ouvert on Friday July 31st plus our brand spanking new last lap Rave. All of our limes will be on Friday nights at our mas camp at Red Rock except for our Collision and J?ouvert fetes at Ocean Park on Friday July 17th and 31st respectively and our last lap rave Each week the theme and entertainment will change so log on to our party page on the Baje site and Facebook, check out our weekly e-mails, or tune in to MIX FM weekly and HOTT FM every Friday for the Baje Top 10 ½ hour for details. Also, don?t forget to remember to vote on our site for your top tunes for the Baje top 10.

Fire and Ice on the road:
Our band has also evolved and includes our wonderful pee pee truck, more security, a fully stocked bar, Free Red Bull, self serve liquor stations, more drinks runners, 2 music trucks, D riddim section, a water zone, a delicious buffet lunch, special treats from your section hosts and more. Of course we also will feature the hottest regional and local acts along side Peter Coppin, Daddy Bubbles and Stan, dj Fuzz, NRG Sounds, Nterfaze, Cyclone & Flee and Skribzz. Plus we will be hosting 40 celebrities coming in to celebrate AJ Callaway?s 35th birthday Baje style (Stay tuned, you won?t believe the stars that are coming!!)

Our Team
Our team has also expanded to include 2 new partners Kirk Browne and the one and only Upstart both of who will host sections along side our long standing team of Main events (Trini crew), Wet Fete, Gary and Dawn Sarroa and Rupee. Also, this year look out for mad hype at the wet fete as we present "Baje premium wetter" on July 12th.

Our camp is located at Red Rock Bar next to the Dover playing field at Time out In the gap Just look for the Baje and sponsor banners. We are open Monday to Saturday 12 pm till 9pm and from 10:00 am until from July 6th. We officially open on Monday June 15th and we look forward to your visit.

Spicing Things Up!

One week from today we shall be looking at the first Carnival costumes of Trinidad Carnival 2010 as Spice will be holding their media launch on Wednesday June 17.

Expectation is high among many to see exactly what the design team of Richard and Anthony Productions have created for Spice's "The Spice Route", and I can tell you that among many masqueraders looking for an alternative Spice is the band on everyone's lips!

The buzz and hype surrounding Spice has even reached to certain section leaders who I am informed are allegedly seeking to leave their immensely popular bands for a spot in Spice! Something has to be working for you when the stalwarts in the business are knocking at your door.

I too am excited for the media launch, if only to get some more information on the theme, a launch date as well as to see some costumes!!

So, do you think that Spice is poised to be the new "IT" band on the carnival scene? Do you think that Spice will cause a migration from other bands for 2010? If Spice has the most gorgeous drop dead costumes out, will that be enough to sway you to Spice things up come Carnival ?

Thoughts, comments and opinions on Spicing it up welcomed!

More Burrokeets UK...

Sections from Burrokeets UK "Amazonia":

Crop Over Kooldown Cruise....

Here is one to add to your Crop Over event calender:

click to enlarge

Burrokeets UK

A section from Burrokeets UK's Notting Hill presentation "Amazonia":

You know that's just not right!

Are you ready to sweat?

I am patiently awaiting for someone to come up with the Trinidad Socacize classes for Carnival 2010!

Those of you in Toronto, however, Socacize Caribana Bootcamp is in session:

Socacize Bootcamps for Caribana will be starting on June 18th and June 20th. Classes will be held on Saturday mornings in Brampton at the Terry Miller Recreation Centre and on Thursday evenings in Scarborough at Carnival Nationz mas camp.

Everyone is welcomed to attend including the fellas.

Each session is two hours and will feature some of Toronto’s top soca djs. At a cost of $60.00 for the full 6 week session you can’t go wrong. Drop ins are also welcomed ($15.00 per class for drop ins).

Information about the Socacize Caribana Bootcamp as well as the regular Summer Socacize sessions can be found at www.socacize.com.

Questions can also be directed to Ayanna at ayanna@socacize.com or cell: 416-728-5545.

Karma for Labor Day ......

Yet another new band making their debut for Labor Day, this one is called KARMA and their presentation "Celebrations".... the band launch takes place on June 20th.

Read more about this band that promises to change the mood of mas:

The first Monday of September every year is a day most West Indians residing in and around New York City look forward to. On that day, Labor Day, a sea of thousands of spectators and masqueraders from all over the world fill the streets while costume bands parade along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn showcasing their colorful costumes. 2009 will mark the 42nd year of the West Indian American Day Carnival tradition and marks the advent of KARMA Carnival Band on the carnival circuit.

KARMA Carnival Band is founded on the grounds of the “cause and effect” ideology of karma – giving good to those who deserve good thereby expecting a good outcome. Our belief is written in our motto – Changing de Mood of Mas. KARMA aims to provide a more intimate and personal carnival experience where quality in the product that we deliver to our reveler from start to finish and not quantity in numbers is most important. Essentially our “cause” is to ensure that our revelers enjoyment, safety, service and getting their monies worth comes first, subsequently the resulting “effect” will be an enjoyable carnival experience unlike any other and one that hopefully our revelers will keep coming back for year after year.

KARMA’s research has shown that revelers are looking for a mas band which could compare to the carnival memories of their respective homelands and of days gone by when the reveler was first priority and they felt like they were. It’s time to Change de Mood of Mas back to those good old days and we here at KARMA offer to do all in our power to be that change.

Founded by a team of avid carnival fanatics and enthusiasts, KARMA Carnival Band looks forward to jumping into the ring as a newcomer to the 2009 Labor Day Parade. The band is currently managed by a seven member executive committee consisting of unified, brilliant, imaginative and realist minds assisting in the development of this milestone.

KARMA begins its journey into the annals of carnival history by literally celebrating our arrival with a portrayal entitled CELEBRATIONS. Presented in 3 sections, this portrayal seeks to commemorate our life and the beauty of it all. We invite all to come celebrate with KARMA.

KARMA Carnival Band presents
their Labor Day 2009 band launching
of their portrayal
"Celebrations"

on Saturday June 20th
@ Caribbean City
103 Empire Blvd (bet. Bedford & Washington)

come see live models parading in costume
there will be giveaways to be won
& registration on site
as an added bonus everyone paying in full on the night pays a ridiculously reduced price


DJs for the night
- Mr. Groove
- Digital Bashment
- English
- and direct from Houston, TX, Bashment Yute



for tickets and info check out
www.carnivalkarma.com
or call
- 347 845 7626
- 347 886 3048 or
- 347 446 1867

this event will be hosted by one of Canada’s leading West Indian media personalities, model and designer Karlyn Percil and is sponsored by www.OurVybz.com - Vybz Radio, 107.1 FM

Crop Over Band Launches Continue

While Baje's band launch has been postponed until this coming week, two more Crop Over bands have launched their 2009 presentations, heating up the race to Kadooment.

Contact showcased the 9 sections of "Firestone" and you can view more photos at their website, which is already up and running, photos of the launch can be seen HERE.

"Colors Ah We Paradise" is Berger Boyz offering for Crop Over 2009, the website has not been updated to date, however band launch photos can be seen HERE.



Finally, you can also check out Jump Promotions "Sweet Fuh Days" on their website.

The Spice Route

Attention, please update your bookmarks, Spice has a new website address : www.spicecarnivalband.com

Coming in JULY....

More Karabana's Caribana Launch Photos

Check out Karabana's blog for photos from both Alicia & Errol Achue and Connections Band Launch, Kara worked double duty this weekend !

Alicia & Errol Achue - Flamingo


Connections - Twilight Mystic Topaz


PHOTO SOURCE:
http://karabana.blogspot.com

Elements taking a "breather" for Carnival 2010

And for the news everyone was expecting but awaiting confirmation, here is a "Thank You" (and goodbye) straight from the horse's mouth:

The shareholders of Elements would like to thank each and every one of you for your support in various capacities of Elements 2k9 presentation “Casino Royale”. From concept launch to ‘on the road’ carnival Monday and Tuesday, many of you have given your unwavering support and well wishes which we are ever so grateful.

The starting up of a carnival band was quite an achievement and we are proud to say that ‘we delivered’ receiving innumerable accolades from masqueraders and onlookers alike which reinforced that our efforts were worthwhile and rewarding.

Building a new band requires momentum, as many people require you to prove yourself before they make a switch from an already established band entity. The grim outlook currently now faced with jobs being lost daily and sponsors further cutting back on promotional budgets left Elements in a quandary, as it takes more than passion to have a successful carnival band especially a new one.

Our team met and considered various options to try and reduce prices to meet market conditions whilst not compromising the quality of our product for the masquerader. A larger band is able to benefit from the economies of scale and would have been able to reduce costs to the masquerader, however this is more difficult to achieve with a small or medium size band aiming to deliver a quality product on the road.

In the current economic light Elements has decided to take a breather for 2010 and plan a strategy for a brighter day when timing is more optimal. This certainly was not in our vision and was an extremely difficult decision to make as we have all invested so much energy to date and by essence are true carnival lovers.

The main element that we leave behind is that ‘we delivered what we set out to deliver’ with ‘fun on de road’ and ‘friends playing with friends’ being the most critical factors. That network of friends has certainly expanded for us all and we thank you once again and look forward to what the future has in store.

Sincerely,

Elements Team

Lets hear it from the backline babes...

Carnival 2009 saw frontline costumes that were for the most part very well done with gorgeous headpieces, backpacks and extra embellishments;those of us who played frontline were not disappointed at all. The one thing I remember hearing after the launch of the big bands, albeit, is that the backline costumes were just the opposite of the frontline, with simply decorated bras and belts and small basic headpieces.

The sentiment expressed after band launch was that frontline was all great and fabulous looking but backlines were being short changed. And, at the launch frontline costumes made a huge impact, basically selling a section where the backline costume was very basic. Basic to the point that the costume is just a scantily decorated bra, scantily belt and tiny headpiece where you can almost count the feathers, all this for a whopping price tag!

The trend seems to be really focusing on frontlines to make them stand out, seemingly putting less thought and effort into the backline. Case in point would be the wildly popular Brazilian Macaw section from TRIBE. This section was rumoured to have 60 frontline costumes, and at the launch the backline costume was so bare a feathered collar was added afterwards to give it some substance. The thing is for me, why should you have such a huge frontline in the first place? The frontline costumes should be reserved and select but it should not be the only choice masqueraders think they have because the other option, the backline for the section, just does not give one a fantastic costume.

I loved the fact that African Love Bird gave masqueraders customizable pieces to the whole costume, options to be as simple (with small headpiece and small collar) or as elaborate (with large headpiece, collar plus a skirt) as masqueraders wanted to be. Another section leader who has always given their masqueraders the opportunity to be as scaled down or dressed up as the like is Sonia Mack. This may be a good alternative to adopt for backline costumes across the board, giving masqueraders who want either a simple or more elaborate backline costume that selection, since the backline babes expressed a general disappointment with costume choices this year.

With band launching for Carnival 2010 coming soon, I know many bands are still in the process of finishing and tweaking costume prototypes. As a masquerader who, for whatever reason, favors the backline or floor member or regular costume option do you prefer a very simple costume without all the fuss that comes with frontline or would you expect that the backline babe gets just as fantastic a costume as the frontline but on a smaller scale?

Leave your comments, I would really like to hear thoughts on this.

PHOTO SOURCE:
www.carnivaltribe.com

LIFELINE: a benefit concert for Sheldon ‘$hel $hok’ Benjamin

click to enlarge

Close friends and fellow musicians with ties to the one and only Sheldon ‘Shel Shok’ Benjamin have come together to create a charity event, aimed at raising funds for the medical expenses of the local producer who has worked with bands such as Atlantik and Machel Monatno HD.

Benjamin is currently battling a form of cancer known as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

LIFELINE, the event, will take place at the world famous Zen nightclub on Sunday, June 7th, 2009.

The cast includes, acclaimed gospel artist Russell Leonce, R&B quartet H2O Phlo, Rocky, Denise Belfon,3 Canal, Barbados soca queen Allison Hinds, Destra Garcia and Machel Montano HD.


Tickets are priced at $150 General Admission; $300 VIP and are available at Zen Box Office or through committee members.

Any further info: please contact committee members at 783-6542; 741-9529; 715-4106; 332-5323; 689-9348; 689-9470; 747-6548 and 320-7045.

No More TLC Cards ...???

News reaching me today has revealed that those of you who never collected TLC Cards from TRIBE or were hoping to automatically get one after playing with TRIBE this year, is that the policies surrounding the controversial loyalty card are being "revised"!

This means that at the moment TRIBE will not be releasing anymore TLC cards and I was told to look out for an email next month (July) regarding the new policies for current TLC card holders.

After the near mental breakdown of those without TLC cards waiting to register in TRIBE last year, amid rumours of pre -registration, this new development is going to cause another wave of panic I am sure. I totally agree, however, that the old TLC system was not working , after all people were selling their TLC privileges on Carnival Junction, and eagerly await what is in store to reward the loyal TRIBERS.

One Band Down ?

I was minding my business last night when someone came with a piece of information, which is usually the case in how I get my gossip, to ask me if they were the last to hear that a certain band which debuted for Carnival 2009 is now "done, done, done" as the money ran out!

And though I had suspected as much with this particular band, given certain circumstances which have occurred recently, none of the remaining parties involved have made any kind of official announcement that the "band buss!!" So who do you think we won't be seeing on the streets for Carnival 2010?

Which band will not be on the roads for Carnival 2010?
	Kaotic
	Elements
	Both
Free polls from Pollhost.com

New Band Alert!

Sources have informed me that another new band is looking to spontaneously make their debut for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2010.

Positioning themselves as a small to medium band, this new venture, I was told, involves familiar faces from the world of modeling, makeup and event management who are looking to provide masqueraders with a more intimate all inclusive experience.

I am sure that we shall hear more about this new band very soon.

On another note, Trini Reveller's presentation for Carnival 2010 is "FESTIVALS OF THE WORLD". I like how Trini Reveller's always takes on an epic theme each year, here is hoping they also come with much improved costumes as well.