A September to remember

Well...what do yuh know....it's seriously doubtful that I'll be playing mas next year.

Siiiighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...take a few minutes and soak that in.
Yep, it is true..."I, Shells, will NOT be in costume on the road Carnival Monday and Tuesday 2013"

I want to cry!

An update and stuff

Oye...
It's been a couple months since my last post, sorry!

Soo a quick update is in order:

1. Possible band switch is in the works...about 60% probability at the moment. Band launches and happenings over the next few months will be deciding factor...stay tuned
2. At least one band has re-imaged themselves and are now known as Paparazzi Carnival, and have ALREADY had their 2013 media launch. We're not even in the middle of June yet dammit! 
3. At least three (3) newbie friends and family are to be playing mas next year... newbies' Carnival experience is interesting to witness...I look forward to this.

So some band launch info is below:

HARTS' launch is Friday August 17th 2012 at O2 Park, Chaguaramas

Not seeing any information on Yuma, Oasis or IP's launch info...with Yuma and IP's website still only having info up on 2012 costume distribution.

Sooo July should be an interesting month.

Quick Update

I have a couple more fete reviews and my wrap-up review of Carnival 2012 to do still...yessss ah sticking I know.

Anyways, hope you have recovered, or are recovering from the Carnival Tabanca...and from the nasty flu that's been going around post-Carnival.

My reviews and wrap-up post will be done soon.


Hope Carnival 2012 was good to you :-)

Review - Yuma's NEON

Event: Yuma's Neon

Location: Queen's Park West was stated on the flyer. The ticket had Queen's Park West as well. The actual venue was Queen's Royal College Courtyard. No complaints...BUT if that's the venue, advertise as such nah!


Date: February 11th 2012


Ambience/Layout: Loved the lighting...neon lights lit up the QRC facade and entrance. Lights were still being strung up when we arrived, or maybe they were fixing things, but guys were on ladders/scaffolding fixing things near the entrance when we got there at close to midnight...not cool.
LOVED the elevated stage/DJ booth in the middle with the bars setup around the stage area. Everyone, and I do mean everyone in attendance could have gotten a good view of the stage/DJ area. Only issue is that because the courtyard area was used, the actual paved area was limited...made for a slightly more intimate feel than most fetes have.

Food/drinks: At the price of the ticket, we were slightly sceptical of drink quality..but those fears were laid to rest upon arrival. Patron shot booth just to the right of the entrance. NUVO at the bar, also noticed Bailey's and the rum cocktails booth...but personally I saw Nuvo available, nothing else really mattered :-) The guy in the group complained that Johnny wasn't provided...sooo Yuma, next time Johnny please and thanks. Those that had the rum cocktails said that the ones they sampled were yuck...guess it's a matter of taste (I don't drink rum so it all tastes the same to me). Food had to be purchased, as this was semi-inclusive. I only saw gyros on sale, but there was also a cold-stone cart with free mini-containers...yum!


Performances: ALL of the advertised artistes performed, and performed fabulously...the exception Sherwayne. Unless we missed him by arriving when we did, Yuma owes us for false advertising, cause when we left (when it was done!) we still hadn't seen him. The artistes that performed were FANTABULOUS...I don't know if it was the drinks that were flowing, the vibe of dancing in rain or what...but the energy off of the crowd and performers during the performances was contagious...it was impossible to remain unmoved.


Bathrooms: Porta potties so bleh. But there were facilities to wash hands, with soap and mirrors sooo it wasn't too awful. Men used the school bathrooms...make note it's an all-boys school, so imagine the condition of those washrooms.

The Crowd: Guess we arrived at a great time. Peeps who got there earlier said people weren't dancing much. We were late, yes yes admittedly a lot was my fault...but by the time we found a parking space (about 3 blocks away!) and get in it was almost midnight. We had made up our minds to enjoy ourselves, especially since for a couple of the crew this was last fete)...WE HAD a BLAST. the crowd when we got there seemed to be enjoying themselves, there were a couple groups that seemed to be hearing other music, 'cause we totally lost our timing when we glanced over at them. Rain started, some folks headed for shelter, we didn't bother...we partied in the rain *grin*

Rating: 4...lack of flushable bathrooms, poor advertising re venue and lack of Johnny caused the loss in points. Fix that and this will get a 5. Think I can do this again for 2013.

Review - Army Fete

Event: Army Fete...d safest fete

Location: Queen's Park Savannah


Date: February 10th 2012


The promo: Take a read and check the FB page
Ambience: I was in the SIG section (Specially Invited Guests)...to the left of back stage.


Layout: SIG was to the left of backstage, VIP was to the right of backstage. General was HUGE!!! Only downside of the setup was that it rained earlier so parts of the ground was quite muddy. Other than that there are no complaints.


Food/drinks: SIG is food and drink inclusive. One bar though sooo as the night proceeded the line to get drinks got longer and longer. Food was provision and stew pork/chicken, bake and roasted pork, corn soup, pies...zero complaints!


Performances: KES was the opening act. Then Shal, TC, Iwer,  Bunji & Fayann and Asylum , 3Suns, Tallpree all came on...I left around just after 3...I missed Swappi siigh!


Bathrooms: The porta-cools, air-conditioned, kept clean throughout the night. Just that some ladies seem to not realise the bathrooms could be flushed...ladies, ladies please please try to be a little appreciative of the amenities provided.

The Crowd: The general crowd for Army fete has to be experienced. People were stripping, the fence shook, a cloud of dust rose over the crowd...that crowd is huge. Bucket, Iwer's Jab and Fayann's drop on the ground and roll were the favourites. Bucket seemed to be hte absolute favourite though...followed closely by Iwer's Jab... Crazy experience

Rating: 3.5...we couldn't get across to the VIP area, even though SIG was supposed to have access to all areas. Other than that had a blast at Army.

Notes: Why oh why do people even attempt fighting in Army fete. You're dealing with soldiers who have to work while others are feting...you're just looking for trouble #justSaying

Review - KES in concert

Event: KES in Concert @ Normandie Under the Trees

Location: Normandie Hotel, St. Ann's


Date: Fenruary 9th 2012


Ambience: Under the gorgeous trees in Normandie's courtyard...


Layout: Chairs were available for those that wanted to sit, lots of folks went up in front the stage. It had rained earlier so there were spots of soft ground...but all in all the ground was pretty firm.


Food/drinks: Food and bars were set up to the back. A separate bar for beers. Food was available for sale, corn soup, bake and shark. Drinks were available right up till the end.

Performances: KES in concert ...he brought on Nelson, David Rudder, JW &  Blaze, Shal and TC and Michele X. This was a very very good performance.


Bathrooms: Normandie's bathrooms ...decent. The line was just looong!

Rating: 3.5

Review - Hott 93's 'Inferno'

Event: HOTT 93's Inferno

Location: Pier2


Date: January 27th 2012


Ambience: Bleh! That about sums it up.


Layout: Before I go further let me just state that I'm glad we paid for VIP quite simply because VIP was to the front i.e. right in front the stage. General was just beyond VIP separated by a fence.


Food/drinks: Food and bars were set up around the perimeter...ok, to be fair I did not taste anything eh...but read on. Gyros, fries, fried chicken, bar-b-que chicken all unappetizingly set up upon entry and had to be purchased! WTF?! Drinks in VIP included rum, Black and White Scotch, Skyy 'nasty' vodka, beers, and water...in flipping VIP?! No thank you!


Performances: Fantabulous...this saved the night from being awful. Kees, KRich, Swappi,Shal, TC, Kerwin, Machel, Patrice, Farmer Nappy. No complaints at all. Dil-e-Nadan however, needs to go back to rehearsals...they were horrible!


Bathrooms: Four, count them 1, 2, 3, 4 porta-pottie units for the entire female population of the VIP audience = absolute failure! The smell alone ick! We resorted to using one of the few units setup for the men, cause the men were using the fences...NASTY!

Rating: 2.5 ...without the great performances from all but Dil-e-Nadan this would have failed miserably!

To the organisers: when initially advertised this was not a cooler fete. We called, you confirmed that. Then during the few days before the event it was switched to a cooler/bucket event for general admission ticket holders ONLY. Just note that you have lost MAJOR stripes for doing that...and 'cause VIP was such shit I doubt we'll go back next year.

p/s:- my friends and I walked with our own drinks and were well sauced before we even got inside...so the shitty bar did not mar our enjoyment one bit!

2012 Costume Distribution Schedules

All released yesterday, and beginning on Thursday 9th February for TRIBE and YUMA, Saturday 11th February 2012 for BLISS.

Additional info for TRIBE's collection:

If you have purchased a costume from someone OR you are collecting a costume for someone, please ensure that you walk with:

·          A letter signed by the costume owner authorizing you to collect.

·          A copy of costume owner's picture ID with signature.

Costumes will NOT be released to persons without these documents.

 

TRIBE's Mas Camp will be closed for costume transactions from

Monday 6th February - Saturday 18th February to facilitate Costume Distribution at the Cascadia Hotel.

 

TRIBE Customer Service Hot lines

(during distribution hours ONLY)

  (868) 350- 5670

  (868) 357- 0284

  (868) 357- 0293

 

The Mas Camp will be open for TRIBE IGNITE ticket sales ONLY. 

Tues - Fri 12-6pm

Reviews - times two (HNC Vintage and ONE Fete)

Yep folks, two reviews.
One of a Carnival show and the other of a fete.

First up: HNC's "Vintage Fuh So!" on Friday January 20th
Anyone who knows about secondary schools in PoS, already knows that HNC is always different. So many schools doing all-inclusive fetes, what does HNC do? A Carnival show, a VINTAGE Carnival show at that.
This was the 7th year that they've been having the show, first couple years it was at the school compound. Past few years it's been at Queen's Hall.
Location:  Queen's Hall.
Ambience: On arrival, we were greeted by blue devils and fire-breathing characters to get one in the spirit of things.
Food/drinks: Corn soup and doubles booths were setup for some pre-show munchies. On entry, we were handed a slip of paper with instructions on how to pre-order eats at the intermission if so desired (no eating in the main part of the hall during the show nah!), and then there were wine booths, the main cafeteria and a couple others. Didn't do much wandering around in the lobby, chatted a bit and then went in to find a seat.
Performances:
MC this year was Nicki Crosby, a welcome change from Black Sage.
Live music supplied by 'The Soca Unit', comprising former members of Blue Venuters, Xtatik, Sound Revolution etc, lead by Vincent Rivers (hope I got the name right).
Performers were, in order of appearance:

• Baron - never been a fan. Not a bad performance, just seemed to go on for too long
• 3Canal - I have never witnessed a performance by them that I haven't liked. This was no exception. Personally they should have been in the second half, but they had to go to another show...awww well!
• Ricki Jai - 1st time I've ever seen this guy perform outside of a competition or fete. Not too bad. Possibly not the best audience for this performance but not too shabby
• Ronnie McIntosh - loved the energy and hype of this performer.

After-show: When the show ended, the lime moved outside and ended to the sounds of Tripolians. Patrons were invited to be flag wavers if they so desired.

Show started at 8pm and ended just about 3 hrs later...tight performances, only one hiccup with the band. Not a bad show, they have had better shows in previous years.

Rating: 3 out of 5. The performances just did not have the sparkle of previous years.

Next event: ONE Fete on Sunday January 22nd
Location: Queen's Park Oval. As always parking was an absolute bitch! However, an enterprising homeowner offered parking in an empty lot of land, with security, for $40...parked there.
Ambience: From the packaging that the ticket came in, I guess the theme was desert-ish. Walking in there were Morrocan/middle-east themed displays, and belly-dancers. There was a guy twirling fire-sticks as well.
Layout: Food court was to the left of the entrance. Bars to the left-front, in the middle and then to the right. Stage was in the middle, set well back. Good view from most everywhere. Ohhh there were also a couple VIP/VVIP elevated sections on the sides. My only issue with the layout was the entrance...smallish, and then there were champagne/dewars booths so the lines made an already limited space feel unnecessarily congested.
Food/drinks: no complaints here, lots of variety. I did a little reconnaissance, before joining the lines. And yes the lines were LONG, especially for Arabian, chinese and Bake & shark. I had the chinese, sushi and grilled options...quite tasty, no adverse reactions. Drinks galore, rum cocktail booth included. Lots of Nuvo for the fans, cocktails and champagne...did not partake of much, had to drive after all.
Performances: I don't know his name, but he's the guy from the morning show on107.1 fm...he was the host I guess. He filled in the times between the bands. Kees performed first, with quite a few guest artistes in between. Let me just say it now: something seems to be lacking from Kees' set, it just seems off. Otherwise it was a good performance. Guests included: Kerwin Dubois (fabulous), JW & Blaze (good), Michelle X...then Iwer came on stage and the crowd went wild. That man, love him or hate him, can move a crowd!! Machel and band came on just around 11 and performed until it was done when it was close to 1am...Patrice I am soo glad that you can hold your own in that melee. Machel's performance as always is high energy, and even made me start liking that 'Pump yuh Flag' song.
Bathrooms: these were set all the way to the front of the fete on the right of the stage area. Big area, tonnes of mirrors, staff keeping things clean throughout the night. A Treseme truck/booth where people were getting their hair styled on the spot, and soap, tissue and hand cream throughout the night...no complaints despite the facilities being porta-potties

It drizzled off and on during the entire fete, and other than one occasion when people scampered for what limited shelter was available, most people stayed put and partied in the rain (and some folks had their umbrellas)

Rating: 4 out of 5. Parking issues and a relatively small entry area made this event lose points.

Hopefully I'll post more reviews in the weeks to come.

Less than a month to go...

Just about 28 days to day till Carnival Monday 2012

I made an impromptu visit to Wonderful World yesterday. If I didn't know better I would have sworn Carnival was next week! If yuh see people...buying glittery stuff, makeup galore, and d giveaways..papa yo.
One of the giveaways was a 'lookbook' (received with purchase of $99 and over)...this was essentially pages and pages of items sold in Wonderful World, with pictures of several costumed young ladies accessorized by the items advertised on other pages. Bands represented included: TRIBE, BLISS, Harts, Island People, Spice and Fantasy. (yes a noted band is missing...why?!)

I love sooo many of the accessories, and just hope that people remember that this was just a 'lookbook' with possibilities...it is not meant to be followed down to the last stone, and false eyelash!

Anyways, this post was a reminder to myself: go make that last payment on the costume, make my list of items to be packed (take some notes from Saucy's 2009 post...it's still relevant) and then find myself to wherever to get mentioned essentials.

Who feting this weekend...have fun, and ah hope none of allyuh guilty of these fashion don'ts


Laters all...time is waiting for none of us!

Happy New Year 2012

Sooo what I'm a couple days late...better late than never!

Hope your Christmas was Merry (we still in the Christmas season btw...thus gifts are still welcomed!!)
Hope your Ole Years into New Years celebrations were as expected, and best wishes that '...the worst of 2012, is better than the best of 2011..' to paraphrase a greeting I received

So anyways, that's two countdowns done...two to go.
The birthday is exactly 8 days away...What do I do this year?
Some thought is required for this...I generally don't do the massive celebration thing...but somehow I feel the need to do something, I doh know, special, this year.
We'll see what pans out.

And Carnival, that ohh so lovely time of year is all of 46 days away...take a deep breath.
Yes...46 days...a month and a couple weeks...a mere 6 weeks and a couple days away.
Typing that made me feel both excited and slightly panicked at the same time.
Costume still has to be paid off, what fetes am I going to...am I feteing at all?!!!
Monumental things, that I still have to determine...siiiiigh!

Bring it on 2012...let's see what you've got in store :-)