TRIBE Close up Pics...

Since TRIBE's website is not up as yet here are some close up pics for you to devour!







For the rest, all 120 of em, check out my album on PHOTOBUCKET!!

Check me tomorrow, when I will post my thoughts on seeing the costumes up close !

Backline Babes Unite!

What a big tease it is to see all these fabulous frontline costumes, that all bands are catering to, knowing that for most of the masqueraders in the band these costumes are out of reach either because of price or because of the limited spaces available. It seems as if Frontline Fever has gripped female masqueraders, on every message board and amidst chatter on which sections are the most wanted EVERYONE is announcing that they are playing frontline.

There are not enough frontline costumes to meet the demand and besides if everyone plays frontline then there would be no backline would there? Reality is that the frontline's appeal is the fact that it is limited, too many frontline costumes and the frontline H.O. no longer feels "special". The more people clamoring to get into the limited frontline costumes the more it pushes the price up!

So, what is a Backline Betty to do when her only choice is to be regaled to being a floor member in the showgirl's presence? Well a group of Backline Bettys have united to reinvent the persona and perception of the "ordinary" costume, their goal is to make the Backline Betty JUST as FAB as her frontline sister and have more fun doing so!

The first step these ladies took was to discard the "Betty"; "Betty" is the girl who grasps her hair up in a pony tail, sprinkles on the glitter dust from her costume box, puts on her costume and hits the streets. Backline Betty has been retired!! No longer will the supporting character to the Frontline H.O. (High maintenance Overachiever) be referred to as anything but the Backline B.A.B.E - BODACIOUS Achievers of BACKLINE EXCELLENCE!! As I was informed, THEY have more fun and B.A.B.E. can also stand for Brandishing All Backsides Effortlessly as there is no backpack or bustles or humongous headpieces to keep them back!

Of course you know these ladies came up with the 10 Commandments of a Backline B.A.B.E for Carnival 2009 and beyond! The following was written by the backline B.A.B.E.s of the blog who have tried frontline and are not going back! Special mention to Darkie Ann, Kaya Kitty and Mystique!

1.Backline is a state of mind, B.A.B.E. is the standard by which I shall execute my fabulosness!

2. The B.A.B.E. has not spent the extra money on FL there fore splurge on the makeup, lashes and put the glitter in glittericious!! Being a DIVA is not reserved for only the frontline! Spend the savings on accessories!

3. Speaking of accessories, matching footwear is a must. A Backline B.A.B.E. must have the appropriate FAB footwear to match her equally FAB costume. Whether it’s boots or sneakers, make sure it matches and make sure it is FAB!!.

4. Being a B.A.B.E. does not equal being stush. Your job is to brandish that backside, revel in the fact that there are no obstructions to the measures and skills of your winery!

5. Make it your duty to take a wine on all the fine men that will come your way, while the FL might get more photos, the men flock to the B.A.B.E. because she is unencumbered by a backpack to jook out his eye or a headpiece to give him a mouthful of feathers! Throw your waist! But remember not because you are a B.A.B.E. that every Tom.Dick and Harry can wine on you, have your limits!!

6. Traverse the band showcasing your fabulosity, after all it’s more of us, we cover more ground. Do not shy away from the camera, showcase the Bodaciousness in B.A.B.E.

7. Some may turn their noses up at the B.A.B.E. because she is in the back, kindly smile and say “I am FAB as is, I don’t need extra embellishments to make me feel better about myself”

8. B.A.B.E.s choose the costume they love, not the one the crew likes. Don’t be pressured into thinking that FL is the place to be. B.A.B.E.s spend less money for the same experience. B.A.B.E.s are the smart ones!

9. Ensure that the B.A.B.E. is on point at all times. While B.A.B.E.s have more fun,it should look effortless, which means no sweaty faces, ripped stockings or costumes falling apart.Keep it together!

10. Lastly remember your FL sisters, although it is not your style, it is hers, respect her space and demand that she respects yours!

D Krewe Presents Iere

D Krewe held a media launch at Coliseum II yesterday afternoon to present their 2009 Carnival presentation "Iere". Iere Virgin Paradise "will tell the tale of the essence of the Amerindian paradise, in a glimpse of a time, where the Spirit of Oneness resided...un-spoilt."

There will be 16 sections in the band, some of the sections are Butterfly, People, Bird of Paradise Flower, Sum, Water, Morning Glow, Moon, Scarlet Ibis, The Falls, Hummingbird and Iguana. Hmm, this is the third Bird of Paradise, second Scarlet Ibis and second Falls for Carnival 2009! And Island People also has a section called "Iere". Lots of similarity in the themes among the bands ,it would be interesting to see this band's version of the Hummingbird and Scarlet Ibis.

D Krewe also introduced their associates for Carnival 2009:

Contajus(sic) Designers and Conquest International, North South Crew, Winerholics Anonymous, Wendy Matthews, Robert Miller, Mau Brothers, Flambe Entertainment, K Squared Promotions, Fantastic Crew and UWE Vibes.

Introducing a new designer onboard, Kyle Matas, the young man responsible for the section House of Hapsburg/Palace de Versailles in Trini Reveller's French Revolution that I adored.

With Kyle I am curious to see how his design influences on the theme, as well as the other designers' Paulette Guy-James, Dawad Phillip and Robert Millers interpretations.

Speaking with Angeli Gajadar, Operations Manager of the D Krewe ,the issues which plagued then in their inaugural year were discussed. Anglei acknowledged that D Krewe faced some challenges for 2008 with costume distribution but are working on getting things ready early for 2009. For their sake I do hope that stick to the early distribution dates announced on their website and really work out the kinks, 2009 Carnival is rife with competition for masquerader's dollars and mediocrity is just not going to cut it anymore.

The four sections shown at the media launch are:

People - Paulette Guy James


Water - Paulette Guy James


Bird of Paradise Flower
Kyle Matas


Spirit of Iere
Kyle Matas

Pretty decent costumes, I like Water and People is interesting, I am just sad to see that Spirit of Iere has fell victim to the curse of the full body appliqué which covers the entire costume! As another designer remarked last night, that particular appliqué is 15 years old.. he has "been there, done that". And there I was only me thinking that has an aversion to that particular appliqué!! Other than that Spirit of Iere it is a very nice costume, with some interesting detail on the backpack.

D Krewe launches on August 16th at St Johns Ambulance Hall, tickets are on sale, check the website for more information!

For more photos - D Krewe Media Launch