The Secret Is Out!!! TRIBE and BLISS for Carnival 2011!

Finally, the big news I have been sitting on for the past couple weeks, for Carnival 2011 TRIBE Carnival will be bringing BLISS, the smaller more intimate experience!

I am absolutely happy that TRIBE is offering this option for those of us who have really gotten jaded with the size of the band, even though TRIBE 2011 promises to be smaller as well. Rumour is TRIBE will cater for 4000 masqueraders while BLISS will cater for half of that number.

So, TWO sets of costumes, TWO routes, TWO lunch stops and TWO Sets of TRIBE/BLISS madness when band launch kicks off. The only caveat is ONE band will not be going to the Savannah and ONE band will not have any private sections, only TRIBE in house sections! And if you did not know before, the in house designers are Gail Cabral, Monique Nobrega and Lana Nobrega.  Decisions , decisions.

Are you ready?

We thank all of you for your feedback via emails, phone calls and the recent masquerader survey conducted in May. The results of the survey were extremely heartening as TRIBE received a positive rating in 27 of the 30 questions asked, indicating a very high level of customer satisfaction and a real indication from our valued customers. We would like to sincerely thank all of our masqueraders for endorsing our Band and our Brand!

On the Road

We recognize that road congestion along the parade route was the major reason that the band did not move as freely as it did in 2009. The authorities have full control over the movement of all the bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and other Bandleaders have received similar feedback from their masqueraders in 2010. Spectator congestion along Ariapita Ave. was another issue raised by masqueraders in all bands. Both these issues will be collectively brought to the attention of the authorities by all Bandleaders. Additionally, TRIBE intends to avoid all congested areas along the route in the future.

Costume Re-Sales

NO MORE COSTUME TRANSFERS! Reports of TLC cardholder abuse and costume profiteering have been repeatedly brought to our attention. To stop this practice, one measure we will implement is a strict “NO Costume Transfer” rule.

Registration and Fraud Activity

Once again we would like to re-iterate that the ONLY persons authorized to collect monies for registration are the TRIBE Mas Camp/office, Committee members (see website) and TRIBE Management. TRIBE shall not be held responsible or accountable for monies not directly submitted via these channels. Please feel free to contact our office to make any inquiries or to report suspicious or potentially fraudulent activity.

WARRIORS…GET BATTLE READY FOR 2011!

Get battle ready for a new unbelievable Carnival Experience!! The Launch of Carnival 2011 is here and on Saturday July 24th TRIBE will unveil its most outstanding presentations to date.

2011 UNVEILED

As Carnival continues to evolve and the masquerader demands shift, TRIBE’s cutting edge approach enables us to adapt to these varying needs. As such, TRIBE has heeded your suggestions and will offer two different carnival experiences for Carnival 2011. We are pleased to introduce two smaller bands, TRIBE & BLISS, which will improve manageability and maneuverability on the road, thereby significantly enhancing your Carnival Experience.

Those of you who enjoy the “organized bacchanal” can continue to ‘palance’ in TRIBE…The ULTIMATE Carnival Experience. Those who desire a much smaller band with the same high quality product and service as they have become accustomed to in TRIBE, now have the option of BLISS…The INTIMATE Carnival Experience.

This carefully studied and planned approach allows each band and its respective masqueraders to have their own distinct identity with each having its own parade route and band management. As our launches approach we will release more information on the both bands.

The Battle has begun…release the Warrior within!!

You Asked For It, The Saucy Skullduggery Review!

There was a lot of anticipation for Skullduggery, not only was this the first band launch of the season, we were also privy to sketches and prototype teasers leading up to the big reveal of all the sections and this was a band endorsed by Peter Minshall himself!

The designs for Skullduggerry are certainly different, save one section they do not fit the bikini and beads formula nor, for me, do they quite fit in with the Minshallesque and Mc Farlane artsy “Marse” costumes. Skullduggery’s costumes are a birthing of Halloween caricature, rock wild child, Dia de los Muertos and fanciful whimsy spiced up with some Trinidad flavor and truth be told I like it.

And while I might like the overall effect of the costumes I do think that there are some issues that need to be addressed, as I saw it, looking on as a potential masquerader. Some of the costuming material looked cheap, Vie que Vie’s green T Shirt dress seems like something I can whip up at home. I am not liking the use of plastic chains which to me screams Halloween prop shop and cheapens the overall look of the costume.

The elaborate bustier, hoop skirts, wings and tutus create impact but one has to wonder how practical they are for the road when it took three people to dress the model! The overwhelming use of black coupled with layers of clothing , including long pants for men, might be a turn off for some worried about the heat; for me I would just adjust the costume to suit the temperature! And finally some of the section translations were a bit too literal Two Face with the smiley face could either be seen as witty or campy and the eyeball festooned Mal Yeux can really creep one out if you suffer with a case of Trypophobia. I also thought Mamaguy looked a bit odd as it was the only costume with feathers and beads.

The stand out costumes for me were: Soucouyant, a temptress with just the right mix of Vamp, sexiness and Goth. I wish the top hat was as big as the prototype, but the detail on the bra and waist band is spot on and I absolutely LOVE that tulle bustle; my number one pick if I were playing in this band. Ironic that the most naked costume is also the crowd favourite, ent ? Jagabat is another one of my favourites, LOVE the wings! Sketelleton was close to the sketch, though I preferred the look of the corset type bustier to the full bustier, this costume had impact, but I am not too sure how you would even attempt to use the restroom with all those pieces to take off and put back on! As far as male characters go I give top marks to Horn and I think ALL Trini men should rush and sign up in that section!

Which brings me to the sections I liked but not necessarily loved first being Horn Chile .Juvenille looking costume channeling the perky, punky inner child, I get it, don't love it. I liked Ratchifee, it looks like a precocious character from a Tim Burton movie and the back pack is a cute idea. Baa John was one costume I did not get quite the interpretation from with a first look but the barbed wire, cowboy hat and T Shirt with an eloquently positioned skulled hand giving the middle finger finally drove home the point to me, interesting but I prefer the male version. I may be in the minority but I do like Greese-han, both male and female. I got a fancy sailor vibe from the male and it is pretty creative to construct an entire costume made from fake paper money! In the same vein I like the concept of Maco with the use of the newspaper (waterproof I hope) not too sure about the execution.

The duds for me were Bacchanal Woman, what happened, I had such high hopes for this costume from the description but it turned out looking like my granny’s church hat coupled with her shower curtain draped around a body! And as much as I wanted to like Blight, I just could not get past the white FUR (loved the leggings on the female and the caution tape makes sense here however). Bamboozle is another costume whose interpretation was lost on me, it looked like a person stuck in a painting ! I did not like Bol’face, the shade of green did not do it for me, neither did the wastepaper basket headpiece, sorry.

Overall I can foresee that some tweaks to the costumes may be needed for practical reasons. Masqueraders also want comfort on the road and some of those costumes are not looking road ready in my opinion. On impact the band will surely bring something different to the streets of Port of Spain. Not every band could or should be looking identical and I disagree with the critics who opine that the band looks like Jouvert. Skullduggery never set out to be bikini and beads or the second coming of Peter Minshall; they stayed true to their vision and format from day one and much respect to them on that one (though they need to take Mamaguy back to the drawing board for it to conform).

Minshall’s last presentation Sacred Heart was a stripped down pair of chaps, jeans and a puffy heart necklace; I think if the critics could love and embrace that presentation they can surely see something redeemable in Skullduggery’s first offering.

You Review, First Up Skullduggery

Each year the format for my post band launch aftermath goes the same. I attend the launch, take pics and wax poetic with reviews from my point of view. The contention is that the “designers”, section leaders and band leaders have been challenging what authority I, Saucy, have on deciding which costumes are hot or not. Never mind that as a masquerader I am the target market of these costumes and therefore I am the one you, Mr/Mrs designer have to please; it seems like my reviews have been rubbing people the wrong way.

And while I personally do not care who is offended because I did not give their costume top ratings, I mean I am after all a paying customer and I will put my mouth where my money is, I have decided this year to be a little more “fair” when it comes to my review process just to humor the critics.

I have been accused of having a bias well then I will leave the reviews up to YOU, readers of the blog because I feel as mas virgins or veterans you are the ones these costumes are made for and YOU are the ones to say if you like them or not. You may not have years of creative experience behind you (neither do some of these “designers”) and you may have never created a costume, however you do have the purchasing power! Sorry designers, as much as these costumes are your creations the ultimate test on whether they make the grade lies with the customer!

To give your review, simply leave me a comment. I will do a compilation of the reviews together with my top picks/faves the following day.

So, the floor is ALL yours readers, let’s hear what YOU have to say, YOU review… first up Skullduggery.

Baa-John

Bacchanal Woman

Bamboozle

Blight

Bol'face

Greese -han

Horn Chile

Horn

Jagabat

Maco

Mal Yeux

Mamaguy

Ratchifee

Sketelleton

Two Face

Vie-que-Vie

Warahoon

Skullzman

Soucouyant

Skullduggery Photos

Here are photos from Skullduggery's band launch, all 535 pics! Enjoy

Click the photo below to be taken to the album on Photobucket.

We Are LIVE!!!

Charlie's Roots and 3 Canal just finished performing and we are LIVE on Triniscene!!

Stay tuned to the VERY lively chat and the upcoming band launch at   http://www.triniscene.com/tsv7/stream/ 

Check us out on Twitter for pics and  updates


@carnivaldiary and @triniscenelive


And facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Triniscene?ref=ts

Skullduggery Section Teasers

A preview of what we can see tonight, loving both Skettle-ton and Socouyant... lets hope the prototype does the illustration justice!

Socouyant

Blight

Horn 

Skettle- Ton

Welcome To Rosalino Street Oasis

Look who has moved in on Rosalino Street with TRIBE as their neighbors, it is Oasis Mas Camp. They can be found at 32 Rosalino Street Woodbrook if you happen to be looking for tickets to their band launch on July 18th!

Coming To You LIVE From Skullduggery

For all those unable to be at Skullduggery's band launch in person, here is your virtual invitation.

Triniscene will be streaming live from Skullduggery's band launch this evening. 

Also look out for live commentary, photos and tweets from the launch. You do not want to miss the first band launch of the season!

Preparations......

TRIBE Mas Camp Getting a makeover

Hmm, what is going on here?

Blue Box Cart Crop Over 2010

The ever elusive Blue Box Cart (Harbour Lights) band for Crop Over has launched, as usual without much fanfare.

This band has no website, no facebook group and you can hardly ever find photographs of the costumes to even see what their presentation is for Crop Over! Nevertheless I managed to stumble upon one compilation photo of all the sections:

Price:$450.00 BBDS, Deposit $75.00 BBDS
To Register: contactus@harbourlightsbarbados.com

Oasis Responds

It has been brought to our attention that someone using the user name “Oasis” has been writing on the Trinidad Carnival Diary website some very unpleasant comments about the YUMA teaser which recently came out.

We officially would like to guarantee that the Oasis Carnival Team is in no way associated with this person or persons, and we have nothing but good wishes for old and new bands alike. The members of Oasis Carnival have been involved in the field of Carnival for many years and in no way wanted to cause any animosity with any competing band, and as some can attest we made it a priority to let them know that we wish them all the best.

We are acquaintances with many of the YUMA family, both in life and in business, and they can attest that we have no ill feelings towards them. We at Oasis believe Carnival is a time for young designs and business entrepreneurs to spread their wings, as it is an ever changing field which grows with the development of our society.

Oasis Carnival will only be giving official information through our facebook page, our official email oasis.carnival@gmail.com containing our letterhead and our soon to be released website, and any information received otherwise can be presumed to be false.

Kind Regards
The Oasis Team

Pulse 8 2011

Everyone is giving us a little teaser these days...........

Exciting Weekend Ahead!

TRIBE is having their photoshoot tomorrow at a "secret" location, I was told exactly where but will not spill the beans on this one as they will be doing it in plain sight! Anyway the feedback I have been getting about costumes are very interesting indeed. Metal, leather.. oh my! Who say Xena Warrior Princess?! It is all about the material and the designing around the theme this time I was told, not everything will be blinged or feathered to death.  I mean with a Warrior theme we should expect fierce costumes right? My mind is spinning with ideas for makeup and body art!

Peter Elias and Sandra Hordatt supposedly have the WOW designs for 2011, we shall see when band launch rolls around; you know how some designers wait until later to surprise everyone with their frontline and individual costumes! I am waiting with baited breath to see what Solange Shaw-Gopaul, Cocktail Girls and Super Mo Mo (Monique Nobrega) have to offer as well. 

And, it is coming closer to the BIG secret reveal (it is the absolute worst having a secret and not being able to blast it on the blog I tell you) but for now I will give you a ANOTHER hint. Who remembers this? A TRIBE is born? Hmm... wonder what 2011 will "birth":

I have my tickets to Skullduggery in hand and I am all ready to be WOWED by the Cosk-elle-ness on Sunday and really looking forward to the performance by David Rudder and Charlie's Roots as well. Skullduggery's launch has even awoken Carnival Jumbie from slumber!  And if you cannot make it, there will be live updates from the band launch. More details on that to follow.First band launch of the season and it promises to start off with a bang. See you there!

Mas Jumbies Bourgeois , Jouvert 2011

Press Play for a preview of Mas Jumbies 2011 Jouvert Presentation:

Yuma Teaser

I wonder if anyone can guess YUMA's theme from this teaser pic? 

Click To Enlarge

Let The Band Launch Season Begin!

This Sunday kicks of the start of Band Launch season in Trinidad and I cannot tell you how ready I am to see costumes! Trinidad Carnival Diary will be at Skullduggery's launch, which from what I have heard promises to be a thematic affair, I am looking for my "cosquelle" outfit to fit the atmosphere!

Anyway, as usual your tips (with amendments) on what to expect at a band launch, Band Launch 101 revised: 

1. Carnival Bands in Trinidad launch the following year’s presentation usually between July and November. . This year band launching “season”,  starts on Sunday July 4th with Skullduggery's launch. There is a static band launch calender on the blog, keep checking for updates to the date, time and location of your band's launch if not already listed/confirmed.

2. Tickets for the band launch are usually pre-sold at the mas camp, some other designated venue or through committee members. The normal procedure is the band contacts masqueraders who have played with the band before via email or telephone with information on when and where the launch will take place. After that everyone, masqueraders and non masqueraders alike, will have an opportunity to purchase tickets.

3. The main focus at a band launching is to showcase the costumes for the following year’s presentation. Unlike a regular fete it is best advised to arrive early to see the show, if live models are being used. Though the costumes are the main attraction at the band launch a live band or performer is sometimes used to entertain the crowd before the show begins. Be prepared for a long night in some cases, especially with the larger bands costumes are shown around midnight!

4. If your goal is to get a first hand view of the costumes know that the live models usually walk some type of stage , much like a catwalk, and only those patrons who are closest to the stage will get a good view of the costumes. If you stand further back chances of getting a detailed look are limited, though some bands are now employing the use of large screens so patrons can get a better view.

5. For those so inclined you can walk with a camera though many of the photo websites such as , triniscene.com do take photographs of the models in costume for their website. However with the live coverage from band launches those of you who cannot make it can look forward to streaming live video and on the spot photographs uploaded to those websites.

6. Some bands distribute promotional material at the band launch showcasing the costumes such as booklets or calendars where professional photographs of models in costume are displayed. These booklets are also extremely helpful as they list the name of the sections/costume as well. Make sure and secure one of these especially if you do not walk with a camera.

7. You will not be able to register for your costume at a band launching that takes place in Trinidad. Bands will announce the dates when the mas camp will be open and the website will be up and running following the launch, pay attention to those dates. Harts mas camp is the only one that I know of which opens it doors on the Monday immediately following the launch, but even then the website launches at a later date. TRIBE has been known to open for a pre-viewing of the costumes (you still will not be able to register) where they are displayed at a designated location and persons can have a much closer look at the costumes. Following the pre-viewing masqueraders will then be informed of a date for registration. TRIBE’s system is such where both online and in house registration begins at the same time. Other bands simply open their doors for registration at a later date following the band launch.

8. A band launching is not a Carnival fete so do not expect to see patrons dressed in sneakers and shorts ready to jam and wine down low. Several band launches take place at Club Zen and others are themed events, complete with set decor and props, so dress accordingly for the venue.

9. There will be many band launchings occurring between July and October, for both smaller and larger bands and even private sections of bands. Choosing which band launches to go to will depend on where your interest lies though it is worthwhile to go to a few of the bands you might be interested in!

10. Finally if you are coming from overseas especially to attend a particular band launch DO NOT purchase your flight ticket until the date has been CONFIRMED by the mas band. Dates and venues can change up to the last minute so unless you get an email or phone call from the mas camp please do not take the “alleged” dates to heart, even if you read it on this blog!

Vale Vibe Goes To Toronto

That Vale Vibe poster is sending subliminal messages... BLISS....loving the name. Spread the BLISS!

click to enlarge

Celebs Ramajay With Ramajay Mas!

The things that show up in my facebook news feed!

And I quote:

When "A" Class Celebs want costumes at their special events who u think they call "Ramajay"......Jay Z,Beyonce, Mary J., Lebron James,Gayle king and a many others where there to view the beauty of Ramajay.

Mary J Blige seems to be loving that costume!

Nas is that you?

PHOTO SOURCE:
Akin Ross