Trinidad Carnival Diary

Trinidad Carnival Diary
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to influence anyone to play with any one Carnival band over the other. Even though I may be privy to information from many sources this does not influence my views and opinions;the views expressed are solely mine.This is a place to come and get a little carnival info (how ah buy it is how ah selling it), look at some costume pics, "listen" to me talk about mas and occasionally vent or speak my mind.Use with caution!

Friday, September 03, 2010

Boots On Sale!

Urban Original - 25% off

Discount code : YT0903

Valid Sept 3-6

Ami Club Wear - 20% off

Discount Code - Amilabor20

Valid - Sept 3 -6

Go Jane - 25% off

Discount Code - LABORDAY25

Valid Sept 3 - 9

Roll Call Trinidad Carnival 2011

I know, not all bands have launched as yet but with the majority of the remaining band launches taking place mainly in October I don't think we can wait that long, especially since so many bands have started registration. So, Roll Call Part Deux will have to come in the New Year for those who missed this one

You know the drill, leave your name and section under the comment section to be added to the roll call:

YUMA

Shells - Pisces FL
Viva38 - Pisces
SD - Pisces

Triniprincess - Pisces FL

*D*- Oracle FL
DCChica - Oracle FL
Nicole - Oracle FL
Oracle Bacchanal - Oracle Fl
Laurageorgina - Oracle

Tall7 - Taurus FL

Trinbaby - Taurus FL

Voluptuous Masquerader - Taurus FL
Cutetrinilawyer - Taurus FL
Triniaries - Taurus FL
Roxy - Taurus FL
Snakeoil - Taurus FL
Deb - Taurus FL
Misinmi625- Taurus FL
Soca Trini - Taurus
Curlylocz- Taurus
DeTrini - Taurus
JJ - Taurus
Kcupid14- Taurus
Richard - Taurus
Tribee - Scorpio FL
Bk Brownstone - Scorpio

S - Aquarius FL
TBW - Aquarius - FL
Bizzie Chic - Aquarius FL

Digs - Capricorn FL
DQ - Capricorn FL
Sweet-Trini - Capricorn Fl
Phoenix - Capricorn FL

Sexy Eyes - Aries
Dimples - Aries
Caribbean Fire - Leo

Saneman - Leo
Ronnie Rochester - Cancer
Cherisse - Libra Fl
Pauladick1985 - Libra
CanDi - Gemini

TRIBE

Trinigyal - Persian Gold Fl
Gtwarrior - Persian Gold Fl
Carnival Jumbie - Persian Gold Fl
Del Del - Persian Gold
Lovechild - Persian Gold
Triber - Persian Gold

Zari Chick - Iroquois FL

Atlhottie - Xi'An Fl
Island Soul - Xi'An
dajewel - Xi'An
Nev - Xi'An

Mimi - Amazon
Caisoqueen - Mayan Eagle Fl

Celeb- Mayan Eagle

Quiksilver - Mayan Eagle
Tennille - Mayan Eagle
Didatrini - Mayan Eagle
Josie - Mayan Eagle
shells - Mayan Eagle
Bianca - Mayan Eagle
LB - Mayan Eagle
She Who Weaves With Words - Gladiators
Krissiegirl - Gladiators

Mitch - Gladiators
Southreds - Iroquois

W9drew Iroquois

Tru - Mongol Fighters
Nickles - Masai
Nazim - Masai
Sweet 7 - Knights Templar FL
Safi - Artic Warriors

Bliss

Afrochic- Titans

Tribeanu - Amazonia
Gabrielle - Amazonia
Taga1977- Amazonia
lesliej104 - Amazonia

Meg - Izumi Clan

Jap - Izumi Clan

Prince Namor - Izumi Clan

Lawyergirl- Pele
MVP - Pele

Island People
Breeze - Zune FL
Rika - Zune FL

Quiche - Meteor Burst

Puppy - Quasar
D-Mo - Vega
Nicole - Vega
Richie's Spoilchile - Vega
Short Esq - Vega
JB - Vega
Ayo - Galactic Dust
Miriam - Nebular's Hypnosis

Harts

Squeezle - Chryscolla
Passion Fruit Designs - Sardonyx (black)

Spice

Scbailey21 - Vogue

Dali - Peruvian Splendor

Skullduggery
Dougla_1 - Blight

Thursday, September 02, 2010

YUMA Sold Out Update

YUMA online registration started today and the frontline costumes were selling out as fast as you could blink! AI had some difficulty logging on as soon as it was 12 noon because I use Google Chrome and for some reason the registration link opened for me and then it disappeared. By the time I opened a new page in Mozilla both Taurus and Aquarius Frontline were sold out! Pisces frontline sold out soon after followed by the rest of the female costumes for Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius and Pisces. Cancer, Oracle and Capricorn were next in less than an hour!

The remaining 7 sections went pretty quickly, Leo being the last frontline to sell out.By 3:30pm all the females online were SOLD OUT. As for the males Scorpio, Leo and Taurus were sold out at the close of online registration.

Unless things have changed these sections are still available in house:

Aries, Gemini, Sagittarius, Libra (backline) and Virgo 2 piece option. All the sections are available for males except for Leo and Scorpio.

Hope you guys got into your section.... I feel a roll call coming on soon!

YUMA Online Registration Begins Today!

Even though YUMA promised giving "sufficient notice" as to when online registration would begin, they dropped the bomb at midnight on September 2nd!

Hope you guys are ready for this one; Hugs and Vibes!

YUMAs: Thank U for your patience & feedback. The wait is over! REGISTRATION GOING INTL NOW! YUMA ONLINE REGISTRATION begins 12noon (EST) Sept. 2 2010 & will be available noon-6pm daily through SATURDAY (subject to costume availability). Note: Mas camp/ online registration is NOT available on Sundays or Holidays.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

YUMA MEASUREMENT& REQUiRED INFORMATION FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION

So YUMA has just released this information for their online registration, no DATE given though. And I do agree on paying EXTRA to decorate the CORSET given it is a bigger surface area, however I am going to stick with my opinion that those supplying their own BRA should not not be charged $100.00US.

If you took the YUMA bra that came with the costume are you paying extra, so why if I am supplying my own bra should I pay MORE when I have to pay for the bra on top of that? From personal experience I actually got a discount from providing my own bra rather than being asked to pay more, very interesting indeed!

Please note the following required information for those registering online for YUMA MAS 2011 below.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Credit Cards (Mastercard & VISA ONLY) are accepted for online registration
50% of the TOTAL costume cost is required for online registration
Registration confirmation is contingent upon successful credit card processing. Upon completion of same, you will receive an email CONFIRMING your YUMA Registration
Costumes are held until successful confirmation of payment (24-48 hours)
You may register ONE PERSON at a time - NO MULTIPLE REGISTRATIONS AT ONE TIME
The registration system is TITLE sensitive meaning you MUST select Mr. Ms. Mrs etc to ensure the correct registration

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR REGISTRATION

ALL FEMALES:

Name
Bra Size
Bikini Bottom Style: Bikini, thong (note: Scorpio frontline monokini ONLY BIKINI style; Leo frontline - ONLY THONG ). IF YOU WOULD LIKE HOT SHORTS INSTEAD OF THE BIKINI BOTTOM YOU MUST SO STATE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION
Underwear Size
Date of Birth
Email Address
Phone Number (including area code)
Meal Preference: Vegetarian (no fish), Fish or Chicken
Food Allergies
NOTE: Any masquerader supplying their "own bra/corset" MUST STATE this information in the MASQUERADER DETAILS section of the registration field. If the said bra/corset is not supplied by October 31st in line with descriptions below, your order will not be processed. Note, there is a $600 fee for accessing the own bra OPTION which is, in essence, a custom costume top.

ALL MALES

Name
Pants Size (note all pants are CAPRI style)
Chest size ( measured s,m,l, etc)
Date of Birth
Email
Phone Number (including area code)
Meal Preference: Vegetarian (no fish), Fish or Chicken
Food Allergies

ALL PERSONS SUBMITTING CORSETS/ OWN BRA PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:-

• No Tankinis nor Whole Suits

Deadline for provision of bra/ corset TO CAMP is October 31st 2010

Bra/Corset with underwire must be provided by Masquerader by the stipulated deadline
Bra/ Corset must be clean, slightly lined/padded, white/nude/tan unless in Aries, Capricorn or Scorpio which require BLACK corsets.
No frills, lace or embroidery must be on the bra
Primary decoration will be to front of corset as with our regular designed bra
Additional cost of $600 applies for ALL accessing this option
YOU MUST STATE the "own bra/corset" option in the MASQUERADER DETAILS section of the website

SPECIAL MEASUREMENTS & SIZING ISSUES BY COSTUME

LEO and SCORPIO Frontline (MONOKINI) Shoulder to Crotch Shoulder to BustUnder Bust to Waist

LIBRA and Cancer Frontline Can only be purchased up to a C Cup Online (as those living abroad are UNABLE to fit these costumes locally prior to purchase)

CAPRICORN Under Bust to Waist (for chain placement)

ARIES, SCORPIO, CAPRICORN: If providing your "own bra" you must provide a BLACK BRA/ CORSET for these sections ONLY

AQUARIUS FRONTLINE is ONE SIZE and does not stretch. Note that the "dress" is also similar in structure to costume jewelry and thus those with allergies to costume jewelry should strongly consider an alternate section.

PISCES Frontline Only correct Bra size required. Only corset option available

PLEASE NOTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ONLINE REGISTRATION CAN AND WILL BE SHARED VIA THE YUMA FACEBOOK PAGE www.facebook.com/yumavibe and/or the YUMA website YumaVibe.com

Backpacks Online!

I swear just now you will be able to buy the most basic of costumes and take it to FULLY LOADED LEVEL with wire bra and backpacks too boot! And look at the photos being used to advertise:

CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW

Price, $200.00US

Another Back Pack on sale, no price given

Wire Bras, Where To Get Them?

For some reason I have been getting a record number of emails asking where to get wire bras! Ladies want this in place of their regular costume bra while others want to wear it on Monday.

Now, I will say that getting information on the wire benders in Trinidad that actually make the bras is harder than pulling teeth! When I ask around the designers want me to send potential clients to them, acting as middlemen. The result is I am not in direct contact of a locally based wire bender who will create a bra for you. But, I am working on getting the names or if you want a "middle man", who will charge you extra for this service I might add, email me at trinidadcarnivaldiary@gmail.com.

The irony in all this is while local designers want to keep this information top secret you can easily order and buy custom wire bra frames online from Samba Costumes , and Posto9.

This young lady bought her wire bra, worn at Trinidad Carnival 2010, from Samba Costumes:

http://misconceptionsofme.blogspot.com/2010/01/monday-wear-in-airr-part-i.html

The only caveat in buying these frames is that you will need to decorate them yourself or find someone to decorate it for you.

Alternately there is a group on facebook offering decorated corsets and wire bras as well, check them out Custom Made Corsets and Carnival Supplies. New York based designer Akin Ross is also on facebook and he does wire bras as well, example of his work below:

Isis - Ramajay Mas

Good luck!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

More Theme 2011..

It seems like September is going to be a slow Band Launch month with just two carded thus far, Gems on September 18th and Genesis on September 26th.

But October is a super busy month with Pulse 8 (October 1st), Trini Revellers, (October 3rd) Brian Mc Farlane (October 8th) D Krewe (October 23rd) and Legacy all launching in what is now considered "late" in the season.

Image Nation and Wee International have not announced a launch date as yet nor have I heard if Jhalwa, Scorpion Mas, Harvard Revelers, D Harvard Boys and Kaotic will be returning for another season.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Carnival 2010 Reviews - A Compilation

With so many bands to choose from, new and old, some of you have been asking my opinions on the alternatives to the popular bands such as TRIBE.

Since my experience has only been with Harts and TRIBE (of the bands still in existence) I decided to compile all the reviews sent in post Carnival 2010 so that you can read and form your own opinion, hopefully this helps in the decision making process. If I do not have a review of a particular band that means one was not sent in.

You can also check out my post "Blogging the Carnival Experience" for personal reviews of Carnival 2010 as well as Afro Chic, Wining Criminals, Haitian Queen and Carnival Addicts.

Roam Mas The Review

Many thanks to Trinidad Events for attending the Roam Mas Launch of their Carnival 2011 presentation "Wo-Man-Ish" last night on my behalf (still ill!). Roam Mas is another new band, band leader is Roger Hicks. Roam Mas can be found on Facebook, Fan Page for Womanish HERE.

You can visit Trinidad Events for a review of the launch and all photos were taken by Trinidad Events, hope you enjoy the costumes!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

How to Respond When Social Media Attacks Your Brand... Excellent Tips!

Thanks to Afro Chic for highlighting this article, "How to Respond When Social Media Attacks Your Brand", by Stephanie Marcus.

In an era where people have been accusing bloggers of making AND breaking Carnival bands I think this is SPOT ON advice for the bandleaders to read, especially the ones saying certain bands are kissing the bloggers asses!

For all the praise that brand advertisers have for social media, they must be aware that it's very much a double-edged sword. And for all the free marketing, advertising and brand promotion via Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and other platforms used to help build an identity and relationship with your customers, it can just as quickly turn on you and your brand.

Social media disasters occur for a number of reasons, the first being that your company probably messed up. It may not have been intentional, but something, somewhere down the line, went wrong enough for someone to complain and was wrong enough for others to vocalizing that complaint en masse. One mistake is all it takes for social media to turn against your brand.

No one is perfect and you can't expect to please everyone all the time, so the best trick is to be prepared for how to handle things if your company finds itself under attack in the social realm. Here are three examples of companies who were attacked by social media and how they handled, or should have handled the situation. Learn from their mistakes or successes so you can stay on social media's good side.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Ronnie And Caro Band Launch Pics

Carnival Jumbie was invited to the launch of Ronnie and Caro's Band Launch of their Carnival 2011 presentation "Survivors" and she extended the invitation to Afro Chic and myself. Seeing as I am still not recovered from the flu I skipped this one, but both of them had this launched covered and I look forward to their reviews.

You can view Carnival Jumbie's photos HERE , Afro Chic's photos HERE as well as Trinidad Events has a really good gallery of photos HERE.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

TRIBE Is Sold out..

The Usual TRIBE Post Registration.. Post!

It is one hour, approximately, after the start of TRIBE's registration for TLC holders which for the first time took place ONLY online. At this time only two female costumes remain, Artic Warriors and Sashura. If you want to amuse yourself you can check out the TRIBE Facebook Fanpage where people are slowly dying over not getting into TRIBE or you can scurry over to Carnival Junction where incredibly costumes are already up for sale and swap!

There must be some TRIBE fairy sitting on my shoulder because every year for online registration I can not only get into the system, I can also go right through to the point of paying , getting my costume and last year when the system crashed I was able to stay inside for hours watching them juggle costumes around.

I follow the same advice that I dole out to everyone, and yes I know sometimes things happen like with credit cards not going through and the like, but most of the people who I know that get through online each year also follow these steps, which is really pure common sense.

You cannot wait until registration has started to ask for a link to the page, you should have that page open along with the word document where you have already typed up your billing information, email and telephone number to cut and paste in the required fields. Also remember to choose the down payment figure if that is all you are paying or else the default option is FULL PAYMENT and your Credit Card May not have the required funds. It is also important to know your 3 digit security code on your credit card, enter the expiry date and year in the EXACT format and billing address must be the same address listed on the credit card; oh the perks of being a rabid online shopper!

So with that said this was me 5 minutes before registration began, my login info already saved on the page so all I had to do was click for username and paste my password:

And when I got into TRIBE's registration page this is what I saw, all sections except the Gladiator Male Individual were showing as available.