L'Echo Section Line Up

Breathalyser For Carnival 2010

Trinidadians have always enjoyed a certain "freedom" when it comes to alcohol consumption in this country; no one checks your ID to see if you are of legal age when you go to a bar or club, you can walk into any public space with opened alcohol in your possession and many a motorist have been seen casually driving with  one hand on the steering wheel and a beer in the other.

 I guess this type of "free up" mentality is what makes the novelty of copious alcohol consumption without censure for Carnival so attractive to those who visit for the first time and are awed by the fact that they can drink themselves into a stupor at fete after fete, not to mention for the two days of the Carnival parade. It is being reported, however, that the "free up attitude" to getting drunk and driving is getting a massive spoke in the wheel as the breathalyser will be implemented in test stages by Christmas Eve and in full by Carnival 2010 as stated by   Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert:

Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert has called on motorists to be on guard for this month’s initial phase of breathalyser testing and its full implementation for Carnival 2010. Imbert expects that the first stage of breathalyser-testing in Trinidad and Tobago will begin at strategic locations on Christmas Eve. “The target date I have asked my staff and the police to achieve is December 24,” he said. He also set Carnival 2010 as the proposed deadline for the full implementation of testing throughout the country. “I would say by Carnival next year, all those who want to go and get drunk better be careful because it would not be a good idea to drink and drive because apart from the physical danger, I am certain you will be caught and you will be charged,” Imbert said at yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s.

“I do not see any difficulties whatsoever in the full implementation of this system and I think we had all better be on guard because it is going to start in this month, December, and I think for Carnival next year it will be in full swing.” Imbert dismissed concerns that staffing constraints in the local police force will obstruct the implementation of the testing. “I do not forsee any manpower problems in terms of locating this 140 or 200 policemen to do this testing,” he said.

What this means to drinkers is that you can drink, but driving is certainly out of the question as it should be. It is one thing to be bombarded with the Arrive Alive message of  don't drink and drive and a whole other ball game when you know you can be fined and/or jailed for the offense. Personally I think the breathalyser is a long time coming to Trinidad and Tobago, though it will certainly take some adjusting to in a culture where there is a rum shop on practically every corner.

According to Minister Imbert "an average male of 5 foot 10 tall, weighing about 180 pounds would be able to have less than three - about two and a half - drinks over a period of three hours" to reach the legal limit of alcohol level."  Realistically speaking what Mr Imbert is asking is near impossible for even casual drinkers much less for the hearty drinkers, especially those patronizing the all inclusive fetes! After spending  $100.00US on average for one of the more popular all inclusives for Carnival, as a drinker you do NOT go for the variety of meal options, you go for the variety of drinks!

A very sobering thought with the breathalyser looming over Carnival 2010 is how will this affect the public when it comes to consuming alcohol at  fetes as well as drinking on the road for Monday and Tuesday? Are all inclusive fetes going to be as attractive to the masses knowing that you will  not be able to drink with abandon, trying to get your moneys worth if you intend on driving? And after two days of merriment and Johnny Walker on the road Carnival Monday and Tuesday how  many hours of sobriety will it take for a masquerader, drinking all day, to be legally fit to drive?

My advice  to all those who have no intention on changing their drinking habits for Carnival 2010 is to make sure you have a designated driver, one who is DEPENDABLE, and does not drink. I drink, my husband rarely does so he is the designated driver and even he is concerned on how the "legal sobriety limit" will now affect fetes and liming habits of Trinidadians!

 If a designated driver is not an option for you have the number of a taxi service on hand,arrange pick up after fetes even if it will cost you extra. Hire group  transport to take you to the fetes you are interested in going to, spread the cost among a group of friends. I have seen maxi taxis transporting fete goers to Beach House and Salybia fete, maybe this will be the norm for next year.If all else fails please, please be aware that you will have to sleep it off in your car until you are legally sober enough to drive home.

The drinking freedom many of you would have enjoyed in the past for Carnival  is no longer possible, the serious consequences of the breathalyser will hopefully force many to make a choice between getting drunk or getting behind the wheel; if you drink do not drive! I am certain that the police officers will be out in full force for Carnival, if not at any time of the year, setting up Breathalyser Road Blocks after fetes. Imagine being held in jail for failing the breathalyser test on Carnival Friday; you will not see the light of day until Ash Wednesday! Drinkers, you have been duly informed!

SOURCE:
Trinidad Guardian
Trinidad Express

Trinidad Carnival 2010 Updates

Mas Jumbies has now officially launched the website for  L'Echo, Jouvert 2010, you can now register online for your section of choice.

Jhalwa Carnival band also has a new spot on the world wide web http://jhalwacarnival.com/ for costume photos, information and registration. Interesting to note that the prices advertised for the female costumes are for small headpiece option, the larger will cost you extra, and deposit is 50%.

It has appeared that the section Wikiki is no longer available for registration on Pulse 8's website....aloha Wikiki, I actually thought you were one of the nicer sections minus the plastic fish on the frontline backpack!

Hilton Trinidad is now advertising the special 40% discount off room rates for Spice masqueraders:

Attn: Spice Carnival Band members :- contact us now to book your room at our speically discounted SPICE price. Make your 2010 carnival a safe and enjoybale one...Contact reservations at 624 3211 ext 6040/41 or reservations.trinidad@hilton.com.

Please note that the minimum you can book the Hilton for is 3 nights to take advantage of the special.

TRIBE announced the winners of their 2009 "Win Your Costume Free" promotion, Norvon Fullerton (hey I know him!) won the trip to NYC and Tamesha Duncan won the free costume. Thing is I know I am never going to win any free costume from TRIBE  in their 2010 competition so I am going to pay off for my costume on the very last qualifying day for Fast Track (Friday January 15th).

Word on  fete prices for Carnival 2010 is that many of the more popular fetes are trying to keep prices within the range of what they charged for 2009. Evidence of this can be seen with Hilarians All Inclusive Fete, scheduled for January 16, 2010 and the price is same as 2009 at $650.00TT . Not all prices will  remain the same though, TRIBE's Season pass for their 4 major events has raised from $850.00TT (2009) to $1000.00TT (2010). I await the "recession" prices for  One Fete, Amnesia, UWI Fete, Blue Range, Salybia Fete, Beach House, Vale Vibe and Brian Lara's Fete !                            

TRIBE Fast Track Promotion and Fete Season Pass

click to enlarge

Carnival 2010 Season Passes

T.L.C. Holders - $1000

(Card must be presented at time of purchase)

Non -T.L.C. - $1100

Payment by cash only

Season Passes Available at TRIBE Mas Camp &

through Red Ants & TRIBE Committee

J'ouvert Bands Trinidad Carnival 2010

Here is a listing of all the J'ouvert bands that have a fan page or group on Facebook as many of them do not have an independent website.

Simply Jouvert

QPCC J'ouvert

Dirty Dozen J'ouvert

Insomniacs

D Image People

Lords of Paint

Silver Mudders

Caesar Entertainment (Shades de J'ouvert)

Bubble Bath 

Chocolate City 

Mas Jumbies

Yellow Devils

Nasty Devils

The best thing about using Facebook as a medium of advertising is that the bands have discussions, photos and user interaction plus interested potential masqueraders get updates on the bands that have already launched or have themes for J'ouvert 2010, of course if you want to participate you do need a Facebook account, you can view the bands' information without joining however:

Pulse 8 'Costumes for Christmas Sale

So Pulse 8 is having a costume sale only for this week.... interesting!

The great Pulse 8 'Costumes for Christmas' sale is here!!!!

Mon 30th Nov to Fri 4th Dec.

We have asked our main sponsors (Toyota – Stag – Gatorade and Johnnie Walker) to give YOU the gift of up to $400 of savings on select costumes for the entire week!!!

Go Get Yours Today ! ! !
www.pulse8carnival.com

Rosalind Gabriel's Website Is Up

I know many of you parents were patiently awaiting Rosalind Gabriel's "Love Your Country", kiddies Carnival 2010 presentation, since the band launch. Well the website is finally updated with 12 costume options, I like Tobago/Buccco Reef :

And again for another year Rosalind is also offering three adult costume options, one of which is pictured below:

PHOTO SOURCE:
www.rosalindgabriel.com

Socacize Carnival 2010 Boot Camp

Full details of boot camp sessions  available at the Socacize Website HERE.

Bachanal Mas 2010 - Traditions Pre Launch

SMA Best Mas Band Award winning BACHANAL MAS! Presents "TRADITIONS" our theme for 2010, We will be portraying Ole time Mas with a new look! traditional Characters such as: Midnight Robber, Soucouyant, Fancy Indian, Jabmolassi, Fancy Sailor, Arawaks, Pierriot Grenade and Blue Devils!

On the night you will be able to view ALL designs for the 8 sections including the 3 different options in each. There will also be a few sample costumes on display so you get the idea of what direction we going in!

TICKETS CAN NOW BE PURCHASED FROM:

PAUL-07507864808

RICHARD-07958362160

KELLY-07909616251

DJ SHAKER-07957413849

DJ DRIZZLE- 07733362777

Remember wallk with your deposits on the night also as follows:

Individuals - £100.00

Frontline - £60.00

Option B - £60.00

Option A - £40.00

More Makeup By Missy

Charmeuse

Zari Backline

Zari Frontline

Mulberry

Xi Ling Shi

Option A). 2 Colours, 60 gems. $150.00 TTD

Option B). 3 Colours, 60 gems $190.00 TTD

All containers now have sifters, so that it is easier dispense the pigments , without the mess.

These are highly pigmented colours at 1 tsp each.

You will also get a chart with suggested colour placement.

Spirit Gum is also available for an additional $30.00

Contact Makeup by Missy or email: makeupdean@gmail.com

Boots, Boots, Boots!

I finally collected my third pair of boots yesterday (hated the pair  previously bought for Monday) and I have to say I am loving the new pair! Not to mention the idea to split the cost of shipping/duty  with two other ladies was genius;not only did our total order qualify for  free shipping but the shipping/duty worked out pretty well on the boots, we all came in under $175.00TT TOTAL per pair.

If you have your eye on the pair pictured below, these boots are a much richer and nicer gold than shown. The heel is a hidden wedge too so you get a lift, it is not completely flat. The material is soft to the touch, the toe part is not stiff at all and the boots overall feel comfortable. I also like the height, just under the knee and that the boot is not slouchy at all.

boots on the model

Still looking for your boots? Well today only you can get 50% off at Ami Clubwear:

Things I am Thankful For .....

*The experience of Brian Mc Farlane's Tobago band launch for his Carnival 2010 presentation "The Resurrection", best band launch I have been to ever!.

*Solange Shaw Gopaul's costume of the year, The Mystery of Loulan in TRIBE, the most gorgeous costume of Carnival 2010. I am also thankful to Richard and Anthony productions for designing the  awesome,over the top ridiculously gorgeous and fabulous headpiece for The Mystery of Loulan.

*TTPOST Skybox for delivery of all my additional costume decorating supplies, boots and accessories all at a lower cost than buying  at inflated prices from any "facebook boutique"!

*Afro Chic who is patiently awaiting the delivery of my boots, the BEST boots artist who can transform anything with a can of spray paint!

*Fletch dry powder, footless tights and Dr Sholls insoles, all the little things that are overlooked when it comes to Carnival but make the day just that much better.

*Friends who share my year round Carnival obsession and who I can talk to for hours discussing  Monday Wear and the advantages over acrylic over Swarovski rhinestones.

*Being able to afford Carnival 2010 because the "experience" is not cheap...!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating today, what are you thankful for?

Machel Montano - Hot Like Pepper

New Machel.... hot or not?

Random Carnival Thoughts....

Kaotic's website is finally up and ready for registration and the costumes are not looking bad at all, some of the males need serious help but that seems to be the trend these days in all mas bands.

Island People is slowly selling out sections, Nakshatra frontline is now sold out, as much as they do protest, wanting something new and different, seems like masqueraders do love their feathers!

Spice and Hilton Trinidad Hotel need to have some sort of communication about their 40% off room discount promotion for Spice masqueraders. Though  the promotion is already advertised the Hilton Trinidad has no information on it!

I wonder how long it will take TRIBE to get the feathers I heard have been  allegedly seized by customs? Word is the supplier did not provide relevant documents and the feathers have not been released to the band as yet. And I am really liking that TRIBE  have extended the fast track deadline until January 15th; more time to hold unto the money in your pocket!

Harts might as well put a sold out sign on Witches Brew/Inferno and Lights, Camera, Action/Adventures of the High Seas as those are the only two female costumes not sold out as yet, unless they are planning a costume revamp; those were my least favorite sections anyway. The new costume classifieds section on Harts website for sales and those looking for costumes is pretty cool, more bands should do this.

I cannot believe Trini Revellers' website still has sections "coming soon", it's not like the other section photos are professional anyway, can't they use a photograph from the band launch like some of the others?

So I guess by now we can safely say Evolution will not be making a showing for Carnival 2010, unless they plan a December launch of course. I am betting they sit out next Carnival season, especially since the former band leader is going to be king of another band!

Show of hands all the people already registered in Genesis, Glenn Carvalho, Showtime and Jhalwa?

Mas Jumbies - L'Echo de Bandes de Congo

Here is the third section from Mas Jumbies Carnival 2010 Jouvert presentation "L'Echo":

L'Echo de Bandes de Congo

This is an extinct masque that was once popular at the turn of the 19th century. The costume or attire was very similar to that worn by estate workers at the time; simple with just a straw hat and knee high trousers. They wore Cashew and Palmiste beads necklaces around their necks and sold Jumby bead charms to bystanders. One of their distinctive practices was the chanting of "African" prayers and satirizing religious practices while on the road.

Blast From The Past

Before the days of costume prototypes displayed at a band launch (well at least for Harts) as a masquerader we had nothing but our imagination to fill in what the colouring of gold glitters and sketch of the spikes on the headpiece would look like in reality. The year 2000, the band Harts and this was my section Temptation; I played in the teal option:

This costume stood out for me for several reasons, not least of which was because the actual headpiece was much prettier in person with lots of nice fluffy plumes, but the main reason is that I distinctly remember ten years ago vowing never to pay more than $1000.00TT for a costume. Well, here I am ten  years later paying six times that, though it must be taken into consideration that my costume for 2010 is frontline!

On a comparative costume to costume basis Harts prices have increased by approximately 330% in ten years, for a similar costume to Temptation of 2000 working with a price of $3300.00TT for the larger headpiece option. Using this mark up, do you think that in the year 2020 we masqueraders will be paying $10,000.00TT or $1600.00US for a regular costume?

Yes, I can hear you all stating adamantly that you will NEVER pay that ridiculous price for a costume, and I myself am thinking if that is the future price of a regular costume, what will it cost for the frontline!? Just remember that ten years ago I too swore that this costume at $995.00TT would be my last Temptation!

Makeup By Missy 2010

Makeup By Missy is back for Carnival 2010 with more customized eyeshadow pigments to complement your costume. Introducing makeup for TRIBE's The Mystery of Loulan, Osage and Threads of Morocco, colour combinations to come (please not the packages will also include gems, not pictured).

The Mystery of Loulan

Osage 

Threads of Morocco

Each makeup package includes the following:

1 Tsp of each individual colour pigment ( 3 colours are included)

60 Gems

There are different options this year.

Option A). 2 Colours, 60 gems.$150TTD


Option B). 3 Colours, 60 gems.$190TTD

All containers now have sifters, so that it is easier dispense the pigments , without the mess.

These are highly pigmented colours at 1 tsp each.

You will also get a chart with suggested colour placement.

Spirit Gum is also available for an additional $30.00

To place your order, ask questions or make a request email: makeupdean@gmail.com OR you can visit her facebook group "Make up by Missy" and request to join.

Fireworks Promotions -Mojave Magic

South Mas band Fireworks Promotions and Trini Fever Crew launched their Carnival 2010 presentation "Mojave Magic" on November 4 at The Sting nightclub.

You can visit their website for more information on the 7 sections or their mas camp at 44 Independence Avenue, San Fernando.

Sequin Trimmed Boots

Available at Cutesy Girl and Ami Club Wear.

Spice Route to Savings

Spice has teamed up with both First Citizen's Bank (FCB) and Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre to bring Spice Masqueraders a special discount.

In addition to being able to use your FCB credit card points towards payments on your Spice costume, all Spice masqueraders also get 40% discount on room rates at the Hilton Trinidad.

See flyer below for details:

click to enlarge