Triniscene Coca Cola Carnival Galleries

Check out photos from Carnival Monday

http://www.triniscene.com/tsv7/cocacolacarnival/?page=display&id=GALA04856  

and Carnival Tuesday

 http://www.triniscene.com/tsv7/cocacolacarnival/?page=display&id=GALD1D720

Carnival Tuesday The Saucy Review – YUMA

Costume

My costume was PERFECT in every way. Detailed as the prototype and the gems were reinforced with stitching so nothing fell off before or after playing mas all day. I have my costume boxed up post Carnival with no missing parts. Collecting my costume was also hassle free but I was in the group of masqueraders that collected early and as soon as collection opened I was there! Personally I thought my section looked the BEST in the entire band, of course I may be biased but we were stunning under the sunlight.

Size

Compared to TRIBE YUMA is smaller than but not as small as Bliss. The size was comfortable as I was able to find friends throughout the day and made my way easily from the back of the band to the front with little hassle. I had room to maneuver my costume on the road and never felt as if I was being crushed by a mob even on Aripiata Avenue.

Food and Drinks

Drink selection was impressive at YUMA, they did not have a listing of the drinks on the truck but you could see all the bottles of various alcohol lined up. My two drinks on the road Johnnie and Nuvo were available until around 5:30PM or thereabouts. Johnnie finished first then Nuvo right after.

Personally I did not have any food issues as I decided to stick with the snack plates from Monday as they were ideal light fare for the road. Started my day with a fruit cup, had a snack when I exited the Savannah after crossing the stage and I snacked instead of having a boxed lunch.

However, after arriving at the rest stop early, secured a blanket and space under a shaded tree, I was able to observe the break down in orderly line up for food to chaos. Of course those who arrived early had no problems getting lunch though there was not much variety; jerk, Creole and Hakka. The Creole menu was rice, macaroni pie and stewed chicken which everyone in my group had. It didn’t look that appetizing to be honest and it was missing some vegetables and/or salad to balance out all those carbs. Those who had it said it was fine as they were hungry.

The problems started when the Creole food tent ran out of boxed lunch and were boxing on site! They also ran out of chicken. I also saw people being served from the side of the tent as opposed to lining up and there was a shortage of servers as YUMA staff in costume was serving lunch as well. I think that YUMA needs to utilize the space properly if they are going to continue to use CIC grounds. 

Way more tents are needed for masqueraders to sit under or get umbrellas. And there should be more than ONE food tent serving the same menu; for example you can have two Hakka tents, two Creole tents and two jerk tents. Also the menu needs some tweaking and a light option for lunch should be introduced for people like me who do not want a belly filled with rice to hit the road post rest stop.

The good thing is that we rested for an hour and a half, I checked the time, and once the music started up masqueraders were rearing to go! I did not use the fix up tent at the rest stop but some more amenities could be added like a cool down zone. We actually passed Bliss still resting even though they were ahead of us and crossed the stage before YUMA.

Music

I was between truck #1 and truck # 5 and I preferred truck #5 even though truck #1 gave us all three road march contenders to cross the stage with. At some point in time going through St James we got a techno mix; odd choice for Carnival Tuesday but the bands are doing this more and more these days. I had no complaints with the music, if I didn’t like what one truck was playing I simply moved to another.

Route

YUMA followed a very similar route to Bliss last year so we got to the stage early on Tuesday which is always excellent! By 11:30AM masqueraders were already having lunch. I was impressed that we kept moving even though I saw road management working extra hard to get the trucks to move faster and fill the gaps between masqueraders and music especially when turning corners.

We went through St James, down Mucurapo Road and hit the Avenue. Crossed two more judging points and hit Tragerete Road where I left the band. For me Ariapita was not as congested as in years gone by, I fell in behind a truck and had more than enough room to actually jump up. Without feeling as if I was being crushed.

Service

I had no complaints of service from costume collection to on the road. YUMA staff were very helpful the only thing I could make an issue about was the secrecy surrounding the meeting point for the band but I did get an email and Facebook message giving the starting point. Service from the bar staff was quick , never had to wait for a drink and the girls on the snack trucks stocked me up with a variety of snacks when I wanted.

Security

Saw for myself security doing sweeps throughout the band to check for I.D. Anyone without one, even in costume was escorted out of the band. This continued all day as my friend was booted as she came to say hi to me. When the President joined the band there was even more security since I was close to his mobile VIP truck. Police with machine guns and grenades…..really?!

People

Ok I am going to be brutally honest here; YUMA was way LESS Brooklyn than I had heard they would be. Now I do not know what “Brooklyn” means to be honest, maybe it is a code for the behavior of the masqueraders but I kept hearing that YUMA is so BROOKLYN from other people before I decided to play. 

Well the masqueraders I met and saw on the road were all a friendly bunch out to have a good time. Yes the band may not be as diverse ethnically as others bands, let’s be real here YUMA has less of the red/curly haired/Indian/Chinese/mixed masqueraders than other popular bands BUT that is and should never be an issue even though I know for some people it is, not for me however since I fit into none of the aforementioned stereotypes. 

The friendliness was evident on how many random men greeted me with a wine…. let’s pause here to acknowledge the fine specimen of YUMA men… and kept moving. If that is “vibes”, this thing I have been trying to quantify for so long I can vouch for the fact that YUMA has vibes overflowing! I also saw many people that I know who made the switch from other bands and people who I know socially as well. Granted not as many people as if I played with TRIBE or Bliss but I did not feel I was playing in a  band without seeing a familiar face.

Overall I was very glad I decided to try something new for Carnival 2012. What I have come to realize is that as a masquerader you need to come out of a comfort zone and see what else is out there and stop being afraid that the experience would not be the same especially if your current band is not satisfying you on some level. That was me, band loyalists until I decided to leave TRIBE but didn't stray too far as I went to Bliss. Everyone I spoke to who played in different bands this year all seemed to have an equally great time; Island People, Fantasy, Spice, TRIBE, Bliss... so what is it that makes one band seem to be offering something vastly different from the other if you have not experienced another?

In all this the lessoned learned is that we masqueraders have choices and that bands are now becoming very competitive. Each band is narrowing the gap between what they claim to be the best experience until it is going to be that experience is standard and something else differentiates one band from the other. For me this year I went with costume and I am extremely happy that I did as I managed to have the combination of a fantastic road experience with a fabulous costume; what else could I ask for?

2013 is going to bring even more choices, more options as people have been asking me if I am going to stay with YUMA or return to Bliss. Honestly it depends on what the latter brings in terms of costuming as I was grossly disappointed in Bliss costumes for 2012. Seamless perfection on the road is what Bliss is excellent at, however, but sometimes you need unpredictable imperfection to spice things up; perfection can sometimes be boring.

Counting down the days until band launch!

Carnival Monday The Saucy Review – K2K and YUMA

On Carnival Monday this year I spent the majority of my time in K2K Alliance with several visits to YUMA (My Tuesday band) since both bands assembled close to each other and followed a similar route.

Costume

The quality of craftsmanship on the sewed pieces was excellent. The actual costume looked like the prototype with slight variations; for example the corsage for Saraswati Sea was actually bigger than the original. I did not collect my costume myself but the packaging and presentation was also very well thought out as the costume came in a garment bag and the other pieces along with the “goodies” came in a nicely made duffel bag. 

costume in garment bag 

Inside the duffel bag was another drawstring bag, snacks, cup (with lid), spa products from Cher Mere, Facial Scrub, Vitamin C packets, lotion and toothpaste. All this with very little sponsorship!

goodie bag and goodies

There was a problem with the delivery of Monday wear, headpieces and backpacks with other members of my group having to go back to collect missing pieces on Carnival Sunday and one of my friends never got her backpack even though it was promised to be delivered on the road Carnival Tuesday. Needless to say this put a damper on the excitement of wearing such beautiful costumes.

costumes at collection

Costume design is the strongest element of K2K as everyone kept stopping to ask what band this was as the costumes were stunning and in their own league of avant-garde mas.

Size

K2K competed in the medium category and on Monday the band probably had only a couple hundred masqueraders present. Now I was a bit apprehensive about playing with such a smaller band than I am used to but I can definitely see the pros of having a small band. You would never lose your friends, getting a drink was easy, and crossing the stage was wonderful with the entire band on stage. This has reinforced in my mind that I am more comfortable with a SMALLER band than one that is mammoth in size.

Food and Drinks

The drinks truck was late on Monday because they were stuck behind TRIBE. I left and went to YUMA who were having a great time on the road headed to the Savannah. 

YUMA on Monday 

 Drinks there were flowing, had my NUVO and went back to K2K who were still at the meeting point. I also went back to YUMA while they were crossing the stage and had snacks from their snack truck that was parked along the Savannah . Eventually K2K’s drinks truck arrived along the route to the Savannah and the bartenders were clueless as to what was available though service was quick. I asked for Johnnie and one said there was none but was able to get from another bartender.

Drinks Truck Finally Meets the Band

After crossing the stage I left K2K went to YUMA (planning to meet up K2K at their rest stop) and decided to have lunch with YUMA as well. That is when I saw the insanity to get into CIC Grounds with just ONE entrance and a mob of people who had to get their security bands checked. 

YUMA @ CIC Grounds Rest Stop

Many people opted to sit under the trees on King George the V Park and since the snack trucks were parked there with plates all spread out nicely for taking that was my option for lunch on Monday with YUMA. It was easy and the snacks were just the thing for on the road to me instead of a huge meal; we had samosas, kebabs, mini spring rolls, chicken fingers, drumsticks, pies, sandwiches and saheena.

We never found K2K ‘s rest stop as they did not stop as we thought they would and they also never served lunch on Monday. 

Music

There was one D.J. truck and to tell the truth the music selection was fine for the road. The best part was that we asked for the song we wanted to cross stage with and they obliged so we crossed to Iwer’s Jab Molassie which made crossing the stage an even better experience.

Route

The starting point for K2K at Lord Harris Square should have positioned them right behind Bliss and/or YUMA IF they had any road management to co ordinate the route. Unfortunately road management was virtually nonexistent and after Bliss, YUMA and Fantasy all passed us assembled on the corner of the square one of the masqueraders spoke to a member of K2K to advise that we get in front of TRIBE who were making their way up Abercromby. I believe they were waiting for the drinks truck at this time but masqueraders fell into place soon as Fantasy’s wee wee trucks passed us by and the truck eventually pulled out onto Amercromby Street even though TRIBE had already sent their banner ahead.

Fantasy Passing Us By

Road management is serious business, you see the crew from other bands (such as TRIBE and Bliss) with their headphones directing the trucks where to go, the pace to move at and scouting out the road ahead for any other bands blocking the route. K2K needs to hire a crew to do this for 2013 as the lack of any road management made getting the band moving along the route a painful process.

Service

Service from the Norman sisters and affiliates was faultless from registration to on the road Monday (although they needed to be on the road before masqueraders arrived). They kept us updated with Facebook blasts and apologized when there were delays.

Security

We had none or even security bands !

People

K2K was made up of a mix of older and younger masqueraders with very few men in the band on Monday (I saw them on Tuesday and the males were better represented). The energy level in the band was great, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and were friendly with each other I mean it is a small band so you get to know your fellow masquerader on a different level .

Overall I enjoyed K2K Alliance on Monday though I think there is room for improvement on some key areas which if addressed can position K2K as a leader in their genre of mas for the future. The fact that this was not only K2K’s first year but also that the bandleaders have little Carnival experience was evident in the issues that arose. For 2013 my advice would be to get counseling and direction on how to manage a band from veteran band leaders, hire a road management team, secure a resting stop for masqueraders, make sure food arrives on time and keep designing beautifully artistic costumes.

TRIBE Issues a Statement - The Tribal Spirit will not be broken!

The Tribal Spirit will not be broken!

Dear Masqueraders,

TRIBE sincerely thanks you for your continued patronage of the band for Carnival 2012. Remember TRIBE is your band and every decision made is in the best interest of you - Our Masquerader!

The TRIBE team expresses its sincerest apologies to you, our masqueraders, who may have felt your Carnival experience was compromised with the band being prevented by the Officials from crossing the Savannah stage. The Savannah stage incident was unintentional and certainly regrettable. Rest assured TRIBE will be working with all the major stakeholders to ensure that this will never occur in the future.

Our masqueraders are our first and foremost important stakeholder and despite incomplete and inaccurate reports, we wish to advise you of the facts surrounding the band not crossing the Savannah stage before we respond to any other stakeholder.

THE FACTS

On Carnival Tuesday morning the band left its start point en route to the official route when it encountered several other bands, which were now assembling on the official route (Abercrombie St.). Assembling on the Official Route is a violation of the rules outlined by the NCBA. Due to the fact that the official route was blocked by such bands that were not even moving but now assembling, the TRIBE Road Management team took a decision to make a detour (to Frederick St.) in order to keep the band flowing and to move the tail of the band out of the way of other bands. This action resulted in the officials choosing to penalise TRIBE for not sticking to the official route despite the fact that several other bands who also flouted the rules were allowed to access the Stage. However, TRIBE does acknowledge and take responsibility for deviating for the official route.

Later on in the day, the TRIBE team was informed of the reversal of the decision preventing the band from entering the Savannah, but the Road Management team could not at that point take the band back to the Savannah for what would have been a lengthy wait.

Please be assured that TRIBE made every effort to gain entry to the Savannah Stage for our masqueraders within a time frame that would have been safe and minimised the wait. Enduring a 4 hr wait with all the 'unsafe' incidents that usually take place during this period was not an option for our masqueraders.

RAT RACE & CARNIVAL BAND GRIDLOCK

This is a time for change, a time to improve and re-structure the management of our Trinidad Carnival. This incident highlights a major problem that Parade and Road Management teams struggle with every year - the fact that there is a "rat race" to the Savannah Stage every Carnival Tuesday morning, with several bands flouting the rules and assembling on the Official Parade Route creating a Carnival Band Gridlock! The problem is growing with the increased number of new bands, all trying to start as close to the Stage as possible. This massive convergence of bands in and around the Stage is a most serious concern for the Parade management and a huge disadvantage to those bands that start at their designated Start point (TRIBE Started on Stanmore Ave.).

TRIBE's Management wishes to assure you that we will continue to work towards creating the Ultimate Carnival Experience for you - the Ultimate Masquerader. We also wish to thank you for rallying with us despite the disappointment of not crossing the stage and transforming it into one of the greatest street parties throughout the streets of Port-of-Spain!

The TRIBE team thanks our wonderful masqueraders and the many members of the media (foreign and local) who left the Savannah stage to come to capture the Spirit of TRIBE on the road, a Spirit that will never be broken!

TRIBE

Still...The Ultimate Carnival Experience!

Trinidad Carnival 2012 Band Of The Year and Road March Results

Road March

1. Machel Montano - “Pump Yuh Flag”

2. Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez – “Miss Behave” 

3. Neil “Iwer” George – “No Pain” 

George Bailey Band of the Year (Large)

1. “Sanctification – In Search Of” – Brian Mac Farlane

2. “Carnival – The Golden Years” – Trini Revellers 

3. “Flight” – Legacy 

Band of the Year (Medium)

1. “Exodus – The Second Book Of The Bible” – The Words and Associates 

2. “Jus Friends” – Jus Friends 

3. “Dis Is We Thing” – D Harvard Revellers 

Band of the Year (Small)

1. “The Iroquois Nation” – Tribal Connection Cultural Promotions 

2. “Xante Trinbago Xante” – Rosalind Gabriel & Village Productions 

3. “Festivals of the World” – BOSS (Belmont Original Stylish Sailors) 

YUMA "Press Play" Carnival 2012 Review

Its hard to believe that only a few hours ago we were all still chipping down the road, celebrating another incarnation of Trinidad Carnival. This year I decided to jump ship from a band that I played 'marse' with for three years to try out the 'All Inclusive' package. Needless to say, I choose YUMA and it was quite an interesting experience.

Costume Collection: A++

I must commend YUMA for their extremely smooth costume collection service. At no point did I have to quarrel, curse or beg anyone for any piece of my costume. By the time my receipt was scanned, the costume was already assembled and ready for you by the time you made it to a CSR. Although I was one of the few who didnt get all of the stuff in the goodie bag, thats just an oversight I believe....I dont know why grown people quarreling and vexed because they didnt get corn curls or free condoms...anyways YUMA great job on distribution.

Costume: A++

I just loved my male Azteca costume.....love love loved it. The glue however is too weak though...come on folks...use magnatac...its messy but its stronger.

Carnival monday: C

Hands down this was the worst carnival Monday I have ever had in my 6 years of playing adult mas. I commend YUMA for arranging a very close meeting point near the savannah but clearly someone did not THINK that the trucks would not have been able to turn the corners! Not only did this kill the vibes but it was also very dangerous as at several points they nearly pulled down wires and damage the roofs of nearby buildings.

Crossing the stage was 'meh'. I dont know if it was because it was so early or because the stands were empty or what - but it was the first time that I have walked across the savannah stage. It was weird...we had to wait for the music to arrive while on stage and I even heard a friend complain that the end of the band didnt get music....again it was strange...I really dunno what happened there.

Lunch! Well boy where to start....to begin having all of those masqueraders on the bridge to enter St. Mary's Grounds was so dangerous...god forbid if it did collapse....and I think that is a very real possibility. Next, there were no signs at the 3 tents to get your food! So people had to go up to the tents to figure out what was being served. Once I joined the queue this is where people's true colours came out. Common sense dictates that you cannot serve food into boxes with scores of hungry people in front of you in the hot sun. It just wont work. Case in point...for those of us who received 'box lunch' as children, we know that the food is prepared early in the morning and packed into the boxes and then placed into the insulated boxes...where they can stay safe and warm for at least 8 hours....So can someone explain to me why suberb catering got that stupid idea to dish it out on the spot? S-T-U-P-I-D!

Next...the behaviour by some masqueraders was just unacceptable. I would love to use a very inappropriate word for the behaviour I saw, but lets just say it was gutter trash behaviour. I saw men fighting with caterers. Women cursing the caterers. People skipping. Men cursing women. People throwing down food....yes ...people so vex they throw down the food. It was so bad, my cousin came to me from the Hakka tent in tears...tears...as they threw her down as people scrambled for food. At one point I saw a short fat girl climb onto the table and started to curse curse curse....really guys? YUMA this is totally unacceptable and you must not use those caterers next year and ensure that security is there to monitor the lines!

Carnival Tuesday: A+++

Despite me having to run to meet the band in time...I must say YUMA, you did extremely well on Tuesday. Crossing the stage early was epic...I have not crossed that early since Tico Skinner and Harts how many years ago! Road vibes was just awesome...drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic were just flowing...Iwer on stage was just EPIC! Lunch was much better organised and I must give Danielle Jones two thumbs up as I overheard her on Tuesday discussing some of the changes they made between Monday and Tuesday. Heading to St. James and Mucarapo on Tuesday was a great idea but sadly we were beseiged by stormers once we headed down the avenue. Thats a consequence I guess when you head in that direction at that hour of the day. I am curious to know how in the world did stormers get legit yuma wrist bands....I point fingers at masqueraders....come on folks stop spoiling the fun for others and it will only result in yourself getting extreme difficulty to get into the band next year.

All in all I give YUMA an A....They have definately made up for their shortcomings last year and most importantly to me the road vibes was on point. I would definately play again with them in 2013 if given the chance.

See you guys next year

JP

Trinidad Carnival 2012 Photos

Listing of some websites/Facebook Pages where you can relive the Carnival memories! And if you find a link to photos online do not hesitate to post it in the comments:

Trini Waves
Monday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.301178783279529.75057.122998854430857&type=3
Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.301178783279529.75057.122998854430857&type=3

JB Photography 
Monday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150663804041195.440824.336507736194&type=1

Lynden Thomas 
http://lydenthomas.com/?p=4653

Pure Trinbago 
https://www.facebook.com/puretrinbago?sk=photos

Lovenote Photography 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.192000414237504.34487.125422390895307&type=3

Kai Jai Photography 
Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.286574088076964.64913.125291700871871&type=3

Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150666544566195.441201.336507736194&type=1

AP Adrenaline 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.326506034066870.85174.100001224282421&type=3

FRAMEPhotography 
Monday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.366982899993317.89456.100000448304281&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.367006359990971.89458.100000448304281&type=3

Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.367968993228041.89684.100000448304281&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?

set=a.367993729892234.89688.100000448304281&type=1&bef=368008629890744

UPhotogenic
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.297909643606176.70400.139548869442255&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.297559313641209.70334.139548869442255&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.297582403638900.70338.139548869442255&type=3

RMC Photography
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.325504367497771.73395.153148104733399&type=1

J Mangalsingh
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.356881640999094.82803.128230727197521&type=1

LIME
Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.312369795478870.69643.170897826292735&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.312395615476288.69652.170897826292735&type=1


Gregory Phillip Scott
https://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=520230943

Epic Entertainment
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150595774783143.388531.308928698142&type=3

Carnival on the Net
Monday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.363955473628301.92708.345843718772810&type=3

Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.365397263484122.92971.345843718772810&type=1

Island Box
Monday
http://islandbox-media.com/Gallery282c/

http://islandbox-media.com/Gallery282d/

Tuesday
http://islandbox-media.com/Gallery282e/

Capture the Moment Photography 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.176783965768141.37100.158597344253470&type=1&aft=176807309099140

Trinidad Home Studio
Monday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.339687166075617.83554.193400100704325&type=3

Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.339725366071797.83558.193400100704325&type=3

Carnival On the Net 
Monday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.363955473628301.92708.345843718772810&type=3

Tuesday
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.365718800118635.93052.345843718772810&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.366127456744436.93146.345843718772810&type=3

ET&T Weekly
https://www.facebook.com/ETnTweekly?sk=photos

Carnival Tuesday Photos

Click on the photo below to see just some of what you missed if you were not in YUMA this year. For the record I had an awesome time in a fabulous costume, review to come soon of my Monday and Tuesday Carnival 2012 experience.

First Look - TRIBE Fiji Frontline

Monday Wear

First Look - D Krewe Warrior

Backline Headpiece

Frontline

Male Individual Headpiece

Mac Mas Monday On Carnival T.V.

First Look - Harts Amphitrite Frontline and Poseidon