Question of Day ...

This one is left for you, readers to answer.

How would  you feel if a designer, section or band leader took the decision to switch materials in the costume prototype to cheaper versions of the same ? Lets say replace Swarovski Crystals with Acrylic Rhinestones, how would you, the masquerader feel about receiving a final product that is not EXACTLY as advertised? Do you think the cheaper materials will affect the overall look of the costume? And how would you deal with this situation come collection day IF the costume looks noticeably inferior?

Please leave your comments below, because I am VERY interested in the response to these questions. Seems like when it comes to certain bands they need to hear from the masqueraders before they continue bait and switch practices! Maybe it is NOT to late to get your voices heard on this situation.

And for those wondering if this is a campaign to malign any one band, please note that my concern is not for the band leaders, who should have done proper post launch costing on the actual price of their costumes, but for YOU masqueraders. I think you have the right to know when things are going askew as well as give you the opportunity to express your feelings on the matter because the band leaders ARE reading! You have paid your money for your costume, they need to hold up their end of the contract and give you what you paid for.

Boots By Afro Chic

Today's Carnival Services review is of Boots By Afro Chic, remember to send your reviews to trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com.

I have played mas for too many years in various states and countries. I have however just picked up your blog late, only 2007 so I NEVER knew that there was something called spirit gum to stick on the gems to my face or to 'dressup' your carnival footwear! I used to put on the gems with clear nail polish and only bought boots that matched my costumes color. When I stumbled unto your blog one of the first posts I read was about Afro Chic and her 'fab footwear'. I was one of the fortunate ones that got on board to have her 'beat up' my boots for carnival year 2009.

From the beginning to the end was smooth. I sent Afro Chic my boots that I played mas in in New York for Labor Day, which was sweeeeet, she wasn't picky about using 'brand new' boots. Nor was she picky about how she received them. I had my husband drop them off at a location they agreed upon as I live in Florida and he in Trinidad. The deposit was simple as well, I send Afro Chic her money via western union. I actually sent the money Western Union without even leaving my house. I did it over the computer! From me, Afro Chic needed to know the name of the band that I was in and if I were playing frontline or backline. That was pretty much it. The boots that I sent were some black boots that were to the knee and that were ripped to the back (to open them up) and then I professionally had holes placed in them so that I could put some 'string' in them to match the costume in New York. I was afraid that she wouldn't be able to work with the boots as I altered them already. I sent her the before pictures of the boots (them being black still and with the pink and green lacings to the back). When I spoke to her, she told me that the black boots I sent her were the best color and material for her to work with. I was in my glee!

Pick up was just as easy, I picked up the boots from her husband at his workplace in town (Port of Spain) and to my surprise, my boots came, in a box, with my name on the side, some glitter should I have needed it, a calendar with Afro Chics logo on it and the baddest, wickedest pair of boots I have EVER seen that matched my costume EXACTLY! I played in Island People's Ocean Whispers Frontline and down to the shells that were on my costume were ON MY BOOTS OKAY!!!!! I was in love.

I wore my boots on Carnival Tuesday with pride, it was my birthday and I wanted to look good. I got compliments from damn near everybody who had either spoken to me or asked me for my picture. All who asked I told them where I got my boots from (I normally wouldn't have) but I saw quite a few people in my section that got their boots done by Afro Chic and I didn't see anything close to one another. (I think mine were the best though). So she good, she have it like that!

All in all, my boots were loved by ALL and I will never play mas without a boots from Afro Chic again. She did her thing and I cant wait to see what she doing with a pair of sandals I sent her for my 2010 BINDI costume!

Carnival Babies Feather Fantasy

Sailors (unisex) $450.00TT

Carnival Babies held the launch of their debut Kiddies Carnival band "Feather Fantasy" at the Hyatt Hotel on October 31. The 10 sections can be viewed on their Facebook Group, as the website is not updated as yet.

Pretty cute costumes, check them all out HERE for more information on prices.

PHOTO SOURCE:

Sade Lea Photography

St Francois Girls' College Soca Masala

Friday, January 8, 2010 at 9:00pm

KES THE BAND

KARMA

MERRY PERRY

ISHMAEL D' DEMOLITION MAN

SHAL MARSHALL

TICKETS: $375.00

FOR INFO: 712-7629 OR 759-8936

FOR TICKETS: 684-9066 OR 624-3468

Island People Mas Road Works

Looks like Island People is taking the promise of making the road experience for their masqueraders quite seriously; Road Works is an open forum where discussions will take place on improving their Carnival experience....I can just imagine the first session!

For all those who have complained about Island People in the past, here is your chance to be heard by the powers that be...

ROAD WORKS

How can we make life on the road work for you?? What can we do to improve you carnival experience??

Come and be a part of the first of its kind, interactive live forum and lime, where every Friday we discuss the relevant issues that affect you on the road.

Zone 1

“To wee or not to wee…..where, is the question?!?!”

This Friday, along with persons with the relevant knowledge, we will be discussing the Wee Wee truck situation and addressing your concerns on this subject.

Date

Friday 13th November

Time

6pm – 7pm (discussion)

7pm – 9pm (mix & mingle)

Venue

IP Mas Camp

11 Stone Street

Port of Spain

We want you to be a part of what we’re doing to make life on the road work!!

Stay tuned for additional weekly discussion topics…….

ISLANDpeople Mas..... The fun has just begun!

Hot off the Press...

So, information reaching The Sauce is that a certain Carnival band is coming under some heavy pressure from "investors" for shoddy production of costumes "overseas".

I was told that the final product of the costume looks like a cheap version of the prototype with substandard materials used,yet someone in charge approved the work! This did not go down well with one of the investors who was not happy with the quality or the fact that their money was jumping up for a second year. I hope that the leaders of this band know that masqueraders would be expecting every bead and crystal that was advertised at their band launch and on their flashy website!

In other news 2010 is rumoured to be the last year that two ladies of mas will be involved in  producing sections for their very popular Carnival band. I have been reliably informed that for Carnival 2011 these ladies will be retiring to focus on other things. 2011 is  also allegedly the year that another new band is set to take over the scene, delayed by two years will it really come to fore as an alternative for the masses clamoring to be IN with the IN crowd? Only time will tell!

Mas Jumbies - Echo du Village

Here is the first section to be revealed from Mas Jumbies 2010 Jouvert Band presentation L'Echo:

Echo Du Village

Echo du Village is priced at TT$350.00 all inclusive. Registration begins in 2 weeks for Loyalty Masqueraders only. MAS Jumbies Road DJ will again be www.spindmusic.com

Echo du Village draws its inspiration from the Juve Masque that once populated the rural and surbubs of POS. Masqueraders will have the option of white paint. The all inclusive package includes security, alcoholic & non-alcoholic bar, breakfast (ham & hops; salt fish & bake) and Irish Coffee as a starter.

Loyalty Masqueraders will continue to receive their Discount and may also register friends using the same discount (one time usage).

L'Echo is comprised of 6 sections.

D Harvard Revellers

Not to be confused with D Harvard Boys, D Harvard Revellers is all about "Dazzle" for their debut 2010 Carnival presentation.

D Harvard Revellers used to be a section called , you guessed it, D Harvard Section in Trini Revellers for the past 10 years however  they have branched off into a fulll fledged all-inclusive band with six sections, three of which are shown below:

If you are keeping count that makes it  SIX new bands stepping into the game for Carnival 2010, though I can still find no information on Scorpion Mas! I guess the exit of Evolution and Elements left the door wide open to the "newbies", as always I wish them all luck.

Pulse 8 Goes South

click for larger view

Reviews Wanted

For those of you who may have used the following Carnival services and would like to share your experience with others, please send a review to trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com:

TRIBE Costume Delivery Service

Makeup Artist

Body Art/Airbrushing 

Mehindi/ Henna 
Customized Footwear
Guest House/Apartment Rentals

Feel free to write about both positive and negative experiences as well as photographs would be greatly appreciated. Also, include the name person or company you used for any of those Carnival services.

Ole Time Carnival

The Ministry of  Tourism has posted on YOUTUBE videos of Ole Time Carnival in Trinidad, the year 1959. This reminds me of last year's Vintage Tuesdays series on the blog and I hope you enjoy stepping back in time to see how much things have changed, and how much they remain the same!

Insomnia Is Back for 2010!

I guess 2009 was not the last hurrah after all! February 13, 2010.. mark the date:

Fate of the Wee Wee Trucks to be Decided Soon

The Trinidad Express is reporting today that a decision coming from a meeting between band leaders and the Port of Spain City Corporation in regards to the "Wee Wee Truck" ban should be reached by weekend:

Bandleaders and officials of the Port of Spain City Corporation are to meet this weekend to continue discussions on the fate of the ’wee wee trucks’ which the corporation is proposing to ban because of health concerns.

Port of Spain Mayor Murchison Brown said yesterday that a decision could come by the meeting’s end............ 

Brown said the Public Health Department should not have waited until October ’at the last minute’ to break the news to the bandleaders who would have had already offered the portable toilet service to masqueraders as part of their all-inclusive packages for Carnival.

Mayor Brown said that he was ’left out of the loop’when the Public Health Department, which falls under the City Corporation, had its discussions on the matter and arrived at its decision.

’The bandleaders should have been given due notice about this plan and I tend to agree with them on that. I understand that they (Public Health) were having discussions on these plans since about June and this is something that they should have told the bandleaders months in advance’.

For the full article click HERE. Somehow the Mayor's reported position on the issue, which is that band leaders were not given due notice gives me hope that the ban may not be implemented for Carnival 2010.
Patiently awaiting the outcome of these meetings!

Get Your Carnival Makeup For Free

Cosmeticon Prime has a special group offer or you ladies and please note you can now make your appointments online, check it out HERE. Offer ends on November 30,2009.

Get your Carnival Makeup FREE! In three (3) easy steps:

- Refer 20 ppl to join the Facebook Group.

- Refer 5 ppl to make appointments and confirm for Carnival 2010*

- Receive your Carnival Makeup for FREE!

Be sure to have the referred clients give your name and contact information so we can process your winnings.

*A confirmed appointment means that the client has signed up for an appointment slot, made their downpayment and have received a confirmed appointment slot for Carnival 2010.