2012 Registered...and more

Got that official receipt email the other day..I am registered to play in TRIBE 2012. Section will be revealed at a later date though.

These are my fav TRIBE costumes

TRIBE - Cyprus (Fl)

TRIBE - Ibiza (Bl)

TRIBE - Sun City (Bl without collar)

TRIBE - Vegas (Bl, collar is standard)

As usual, I am not playing with a 'crew'...too many people, too many variables, too much, too muuuch. The 'crew' is in YUMA. There are my fav YUMA costumes...

YUMA - Call of Duty (Fl with Collar)

YUMA - Angry Birds (Fl)

YUMA - Tyris (Fl)

YUMA - God of War (Premium Fl)

YUMA - Luxor (Bl)

TRIBE costume pics are from TRIBE's FB album, whilst YUMA's pics are from Triniscene and T&T Carnival Costume Photos. 

On to Island People...we all know that IP launched and presented some serious wtf costumes. Then they did a redesign/revamp. The result has been some of the sexiest costumes I've seen in a while. Here are some that I like.

IP - Ki (Fl)

IP - Sun Re (Bl),
Throw in a fab headpiece and this would be gorgeous!

IP - Element (Bl with collar)

IP - Xenon (Fl)

IP - Azula (Fl with Backpack)

IP's pics are from their FB album

Hands down my absolute favorite costume this year between TRIBE, YUMA  and IP is Azula's Frontline WITH the backpack.

Hmmmm...notice a trend?

Next time I'll post my favs from another three bands.

Band Launch Reviews

This post is overdue, but yuh know what, better late than never.

Thus far I have attended launches for TRIBE, Island People and YUMA.

Rating scale: 0 (awful, awful)  to 5 (fantabulous concept and delivery)

• Venue
• TRIBE - Queen's Park Savannah. (5)
• Island People - Bowen Marine, Chaguaramas (aka the hole!) (3.5)
• YUMA - Pier 2, Chaguaramas (aka the hole!) (4)
• Parking
• TRIBE - not a problem, the Savannah after all (5)
• Island People - on the road's surrounding the venue. 'Parkng attendants' stalking yuh for 'a lil something'..not cool at all! (3)
• YUMA - half of Pier 2, getting out of there was a b!tch (4)
• Stage
• TRIBE - Clear view of stage from just about everywhere. Except if you setup camp behind the sound/camera tower which was smack dab in the centre. (4)
• Island People - Kinda odd. Stage was quite high and had an elevated section with lots of scaffolding. That scaffolding affected picture taking by all but the photographers who were closest to the stage. (3)
• YUMA - LOVED this concept. A central normal stage, with a 'catwalk/runway' around the venue. Great concept for all patrons to get a good view of the costumes. Points only lost because lighting on the runway was not the best for taking pictures (4.5)
• Drinks
• TRIBE - semi-free drinks i.e. Rum, Beers, vodka, certain brands of other drinks. Bars on both sides and in the back. Angostura Rum Cocktail bar had a presence. (4)
• Island People - semi-free drinks i.e. Rum, Beers, vodka, certain brands of other drinks. Two bars, and one didn't begin serving until about an hour after we arrived, oh and NO HEINEKEN...meh! (3)
• YUMA - premium free drinks. But Nuvo ran out :-( (4.5)
• Food
• TRIBE - Tao shushi, usual stuff. Food stalls were setup slightly to the right of the entrance, easy to traverse, no congestion. (4)
• Island People - Tao shushi, gyros, doubles. Shushi and doubles were setup near the entrance, unobtrusively off the pathways. Gyros were in the middle of the passageway heading towards the bathrooms..why? (3.5)
• YUMA - Only noticed gyros, in an easily accessed area... (3)
• Presentation Concept and Execution
• TRIBE - theme "Take me to...". 'Flight Attendants' brought on the costumes, felt kinda like a travel promotion, generic modelling of costumes(3.5)
• Island People - theme "Heroes". Great presentation concept. All about the heroes fighting the scourge of villains who have been threatening 'Westopia'. The Big Boss was 'Cyclops' (4.5)
• YUMA - theme "Press Play". Generic modelling of costumes...with the noted exception of the 'Call of duty' models who marched on in their military inspired costumes (3.5)
• Costumes
• TRIBE - siiiighh...could have been better. Some wowed, others bleh, For the theme I really expected over the top fabulousness. I have seen better from TRIBE...oh and only frontlines were presented. (3)
• Island People - another siiiiighhhhh...what in the world were the designers smoking when they drew these designs, then who d a$$ approved the designs and then inhaled some strong ish by actually making these prototypes. Spandex leggings in 2011?!!! Admittedly they are currently working on a redesign, but judging from the costumes launched...bleh One or two costumes saved this from being a total mess.(2)
• YUMA - le sigh. Firstly, how did they decide which games to use? Next, how'd the come up with the colour palette after deciding on games to be represented. Then...why oh why are the backlines so bland. the frontlines far outshine these backlines. Doh get me wrong, costumes are nice, but I am loving the FLs waaaaaay more than any of the BLs that were presented.(4)
• Launch Party
• TRIBE - as usual it's a party. Kes performed, people enjoyed themselves (3.5)
• Island People - good music, great energy, the stage was advantaged by guys! (4)
• YUMA - great music, great energy, that runway became a dance floor, the stage was bum rushed for an impromptu conga-line (5)

Overall Ratings (average of all scores)

• TRIBE - 4
• Island People - 3
• YUMA - 4

TRIBE/Bliss update

I went TRIBE's 2012 launch... just have not reviewed it.
My opinion: Not awful, not fabulous, just somewhere in between.
I am currently torn between TRIBE's Johannesburg

Johannesburg

and Vegas

Vegas

The other TRIBE costume that I like is 'Ibiza'...each and every year there is a costume that I love but would NEVER contemplate wearing and for 2012, Ibiza is that costume.

Vegas

So, then I went Bliss' camp and oh my, Bali and Capri look lovely up close...if I went Bliss I would want to be registered in either one of those.

Capri

But I'm registered now eh ...

Carnival 2011 Review - TRIBE 'The Way of the Warrior'

Ah it's all over, my shoulders are sunburnt, once again I have a rash from exposure to people and all that dust, not nearly as bad as it was in previous years though...but I had a blast on the road with TRIBE once again.

Let's see on to my review:
COLLECTION
As always this was a breeze, made even faster by the fact that this year I went the Fas Track route. The entire collection time from time that I parked in Cascadia to the time I got back to my car was about half an hour...no wait to go inside. I was ushered in to the ballroom to the Fas Track station where they verified my payments and printed out my receipt. Went to the collection area and a very very enthusiastic customer service representative reviewed my receipt, and went off to locate my costume. She brought everything back, checked off everything whilst showing me each item, did a mini demo of how the bra for my costume is to be worn and was bubbling and dancing all through the entire process. I did not catch your name, but you did well.
Mind you, I collected the same day as a couple people in YUMA. I had time drop them to Movietowne, get to Cascadia, collect my costume, get back from Cascadia to Movietowne and still had at least a half hour to kill..not cool!
MONDAY EXPERIENCE
Food - No problems getting lunch at all. I was among the second wave of masqueraders that got to the lunch stop and had from the Food Etcetera tent. Food was good, and for those that know me, yes I actually ate cassava, it tasted that good! A couple friends had food from Pollo Tropical and their reviews were all positive.
Drinks - I started my day with lots and lots of Gatorade, water and coconut water. I was nursing the remnants of a headache caused by lack of sleep. By about 3pm I'd moved on to Uncle Johnny and coconut water...ahhh my day was going good. Some of the trucks had slow servers whilst others were ultra-efficient, forgot to take note of which were the slow trucks...oh and the pace of the trucks, drivers, drivers remember people trying to place orders and collect drinks so please slow down a bit.
On the road - Met the band around noon, took the shuttle to the band which was on Frederick St by then, close to the museum. Lost the first crew I was with by the time we got to Memorial Park, met up with the next crew and limed, chipped, wined onto the greens then waited to cross the Savannah stage. Ohhh the stage, the stage, the stage! It was bittersweet seeing that stage. Bitter 'cause of the usual looong wait and total chaos about waiting to enter the Savannah (oh BTW whose bright idea was it to have drinks trucks turn off and leave the band by Keate Street?! Masqueraders were left with the option of either loading up on water/gatorade and hope it was enough to last till you cross OR patronise those vendors along Memorial or along the greens...and doh give me no talks about small man making money, they made nuff money ok wonder if it was a conspiracy...charging $10 for a small bottle of water wtf!!!) Anyways the sweet of the stage: the vibrations under yuh feet whilst waiting, the build up by the DJs, then the release of actually being let onto the stage that pulsated and vibrated under your feet. I stamped, stomped and advantaged that stage...the soles of my feet felt like they were on fire! We crossed and then headed to the lunch stop. From the lunch stop we headed down to Tragarete Road, turned left and continued on to Stanmore...TRIBE was done by about 6:30ish on Monday night.
Other - Truck movement was on the fast side...WHY?! Bathroom facilities at the lunch stop were efficient. Security was on point, but they were not nearly as strict as past years 'cause I saw several non-masqueraders in the midst of the band at several points during the day.
TUESDAY EXPERIENCE
Food - Got to the band around 8am, I'd eaten breakfast at home, so did not partake of TRIBE's breakfast offerings. From the reviews I heard it was aight. I was among the third or fourth wave of masqueraders that got to the lunch stop and this time I took Pollo Tropical...yumm yumm! Saw lollies and yogurt being distributed as well. Later on we got chips from the various bar trucks and when the band got closer to Stanmore got my Marios pizza slice. All in all quite decent food experience.
Drinks - Started off with gatorade and water again and by about 11am was onto Uncle Johnny and coconut water alternating with gatorade and water. No complaints this time, I'd found the truck with efficient service and decent pace.

On the road - Met the band around 8am, took the shuttle to the band which was partly on Frederick St with the rest of the band on Park St. Tried to walk back to see IP and YUMA who I'd heard were behind us, but after walking back and only seeing bits of IP around Globe I turned back and met up with my crew who were up near the Royal Jail. Saw a bunch of Gladiators in full garb, capes included. Again the journey to the stage along Memorial Park and then the greens. That was a looooong wait in noonday sun...we left the band, walked up and saw Oasis ahead of a us and another smallish band. Oasis looked good, but they were soooo small. Same feelings on seeing that stage, but this time I was in full costume, I crossed from the first section and went back and crossed again and again until Amazon or Mongol Fighters I think. Met up with the remainder of the crew after crossing, and then headed to the lunch stop. From the lunch stop we tried to keep up with the trucks only to realsie that they were headed into St. James...not a problem, we waited near the British Embassy, saw IP as they were headed to their lunch stop after crossing the stage and met back up with the band jsut as they were passing in front Fatima. At that point apparently a masquerader had climbed the railings outside the school, slipped and got impaled on the spikes. Blood everywhere... medics assisted him until an ambulance could get to the band. That was quite a sobering experience and I hope others keep that in mind. After that, the band moved on along Mucurapo onto Robert St at alternating brisk and slow pace depending on the amount of spectators in the area. The band continued chipping along eastwards till Carlos, turned north to get to Tragarate and then east till Stanmore. With it getting darker and darker, security was still in place, then they announced that masqueraders with bands were able to enjoy las lap in Jenny's car park...quite a sweet touch. All this time folks in YUMA were trying to get me, by then it was about 8:30ish sooo I left the band then and proceeded to the car park

Other - Bathroom facilities at the lunch stop were efficient, with foot massages and full body massages on offer if so desired. Clean facilities, wipes, mouthwash, body and feminine sprays, painkillers, hand soap and hand cream...yep usual bathroom amenities were in place. Security was on point, but they were not nearly as strict as past years 'cause I saw several non-masqueraders in the midst of the band at several points during the day and also in the park...though I did see more than one non-masquerader being removed from the lunch stop.

So my rating for TRIBE 2011 out of 10: 8.5, points lost for lapses in security and trucks leaving unannounced after the lunch stop.

Carnival Saturday 2011

Masai Tribal Warrior
Courtesy: www.carnivaltribe.com 

It's the ending hours of Carnival Saturday 2011.

• Costume:
• Have you collected your costume? 
• How does it look? 
• How does it fit?
• Issues actual product vs. prototype?
• Issues with collection??
• Did you go to buy a costume today? Heard the camps were craziness...but that if you were patient, as in there at 8am and willing to wait, and wait, aaaaannnnnnndddddddddd wait, you would have been rewarded with a costume!
• Monday wear in gear?
• Who visited Wonderful World today to accessorize? 
• OMG that was a little bit of craziness. Women in every little nook and cranny of that store, jostling for space to pick up that nail polish, see that bit of body jewellery, see that earring up close, "...nah that not going with my costume...", "...this one too blah, will make mih costume look bland...". Noise and lots of people, but cool.
• My WW discount turned out to be a mere $20TT ...aww well, tis better than nothing eh. Someone in the store got quite a decent discount, 'cause folks were cheering, but I wasn't close enough to hear the actual amount.
• Have you been breaking in your boots?
• Mine are from last year. 
• Collected my newly decorated boots from Afro Chic earlier today........and they are gorgeous, even after the hiccup that occurred! They go perfectly with my costume, thank you, thank you Afro Chic :-)
• Who went Soca Monarch finals?
• I attended this competition for the first time last night. 
• The performers I picked won their respective categories. 
• Well done Kes...yuh Wotless all how! 
• To all the haters...LYRICS MACHEL!! 

Sooo I wait not so patiently for Carnival Monday to dawn...will be with TRIBE's 'The Way of the Warrior' on the road!

Distribution Schedules are OUT!!!

By now many of you would have received THAT email. Yuh know the email, the email that makes hearts leap...'cause even after yuh went thru the stress/bliss/trauma/begging/pleading/ease of registering to play in THAT section..it's when you check your inbox and that email is there, the one with the date to collect yuh costume....that's when the butterflies take flight, heart rate speeds up, and the adrenaline kicks in. Well that happened for me ok...even though I paid off mih costume already, that email is what brought it all home....gonna collect mih costume in the next few days...sigh

I am scheduled to collect my costume on Saturday February 26th 2011...yippeee!!!
Here's a compilation of the ones that I've seen so far:

  

Lovely...can't wait to collect!

January 2011 Wrap Up

What a month!
January is notorious for being the month when most people refrain from spending money...folks usually scrape and somehow hold on till January's pay day after getting paid early in December and having to last at least 5 weeks on salary that is usually budgetted to only(barely) cover 4 weeks. And yes folks, those 7 extra days can be painful and tight!

So what's been different for January 2011? Plenty.

• Trinis found $1000 to buy TRIBE season passes...all sold out now eh! They went on sale in December, so to be fair you could have purchased your pass then, or asked really nicely and gotten one for your Christmas gift :-)
• Trinis also found WELL over the $150 stated price to party at TRIBE's Insane Cooler Experience. People were paying almost $1000 for entry to a cooler fete?! What madness...but wait, things get better...read on!
• Then came IP's Yeah (Amnesia rebranded?!). Prices started at $350 and $650. Last I heard tickets were selling at $500/$695 legitimately...and God alone knows what to scalpers.
• and now we get to ONE fete. These tickets apparently started at $650 very very limited quantity at that price. Then it went to $700, and before yuh could blink $800 and $850 right after. Last night I heard that tickets now cost $1000...with scalpers selling tickets for $1200 to $1500. Scalpers on the Friday BEFORE the Sunday that the fete is supposed to take place mind you! Sooo people carrying yuh in the fete, pouring alcho down yuh throat, feeding yuh and using the bathroom fuh yuh after all dat or something??? Doh mean to be a lil gross but yuh talking $1200 for a single ticket, that's giving someone $400 profit...enough to go a cheaper all-inclusives/semi-inclusive .(Thanks for that album by the way Sauce!) 

My point after that little rant? With people showing their willingness to pay almost anything to attend a particular fete, what will fete prices start at for 2012?! 

*ok off my soapbox now*

On to better/happier news.

Got this in my inbox today. Similar to Sauce's BLISS update, but for TRIBE. 

FURTHER PAYMENTS

The deadline for costume payments is Friday 4th Feb 2011. 

• Online: Credit Card Only (VISA & Mastercard)
• Mas Camp:  No cheques or credit cards accepted

Paying via Credit Card?  

Go to http://registration.carnivaltribe.com to login to your account. 

If you require your login information, please send the request to info@carnivaltribe.com  

Our website is open for payments*, Monday - Friday, 5pm - 12 noon of the following day, and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.

*Please note that ALL credit card transactions are billed in US$. The conversion amount will be determined by your bank or credit card provider at the time of billing. This amount will be reflected in your credit card statement. Some banks/credit card providers may charge an additional convenience fee.

After Friday 4th Feb:  Any outstanding balances can be paid during costume distribution at Cascadia Hotel

• No cheques or credit cards will be accepted at distribution

---

COSTUME DISTRIBUTION

Fast Track Costume Collection

To qualify for our Fast Track costume collection, your costume must be paid off in full prior to distribution.

Our costume distribution is scheduled to begin in late February.

The costume distribution schedule will be released via e-mail, newspapers, our website and our social media outlets by early February.

All masqueraders must present a picture ID to collect their costume.

---

COSTUME RE-SALES/ COLLECTION

There will be no costume transfers.

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.

Costumes will not be released to persons without these documents.

---

COSTUME DELIVERY

The deadline for Costume Delivery requests has been extended to this MONDAY 31st JANUARY.

If you would like to request the Costume Delivery Service, please send an email to sales@carnivaltribe.com with the subject "REQUEST DEL" by 5pm on Mon 31st Jan. This email must contain you delivery address and contact information.

Delivery Available to:

• POS & environs - TT$150
• Outside POS (East to Arima/South to San Fernando) - TT$200

If you have already requested and paid for the Costume Delivery Service, please send an email tosales@carnivaltribe.com with the subject  "2011 COST DEL"  to confirm your delivery address and contact information.

Please Note: Costumes must be paid in full to qualify for this service

Happenings for T&T's 2011 Carnival

Much has happened since my last post.

• A couple other bands have launched: D' Krewe, Legacy and others. (Check Saucy's blog for more links.)
• BLISS has finally indicated that they're fully sold out
• There apparently are male costumes STILL available in YUMA 
• IP is selling out... slowly but steadily. BTW Lunar Cycle - Male Captain option is sold out ok! (...yes ah waiting to see which body  is rocking that costume!!)

IP - Lunar Cycle (Male Captain)

• Oasis has at least one sold out option (Gilia Frontline)
• ..and Harts being Harts has quite a bit of sections sold out, or options sold out, including this number that was sooooo NOT my personal fave 

Harts - Goldstone

• Then came news of a stage  - backflips and happy dances all over the place! ....looking forward to parading across that stage again :-)
• and then to top it off a proposed "People's Band". I've commented on Sauce's post about this proposed free-for-all, but for the benefit of all I'll post my comment here "...uhmm just bring yuh costume and come...." First off I would say not a bad concept. However as some others mentioned before, who's dealing with the logistics of this? Who's the DJ? (Ah hope some form of tendering process is involved and is not somebody tanty, cousin, friend!) How would you know who in this band or not? ('cause if i was a band leader I would want to know so I could NOT be behind this band!...yuh could imagine chaos when dis band hit d stage...ah getting flashbacks of Poison and the 'sit-in'!!!)Sooo, I await the details of this 'Peoples Band'

Many things have happened...and I guess more will unfold as we get closer to T&T Carnival 2011.

Stay tuned...d bacchanal now start!

Way of the Warrior - Registered

I posted in response to Sauce's roll call earlier...so now it will be here as well for all to see.

As of now, I am officially registered to play mas for 2011 in TRIBE's 'Way of the Warrior' presentation, in the fabulously regal 'Mayan Eagle' section. LOVED this section on sight at the launch, then the booklet sold it to me...then I got up close pics. Kept falling in love with it over and over and over again.

A few pics of the costume (all courtesy TRIBE's FB album)

the only other section that was even a consideration for me, after poring over pics like a gazillion times, was the uber skimpy Amazon!

Now: it's to get into the best shape of my life to rock that gorgeous costume...

TRIBE prices - a look back

People seem shocked at the prices of TRIBE's costumes.
I am not!
My most recent post stated that, given a 20% increase that magically seems to be applied to things year after year, costume prices could be in the range of TT$4350.
If the prices on Saucy's post are the final prices then I am quite happy to be proven wrong. Dancing with glee actually...'cause it means I'll actually have change from the TT$4000 that I thought I would have to fork out!

A regular backline costume, without options, for the past three years have cost me as follows:

• 2008: approx. TT$3,000
• 2009: approx. TT$3,200
• 2010: approx. TT$3,700

Sooo the TT$3800 average for the 2011 backline is quite ok for me.

Have my downpayment ready and waiting.

Will not mention the Frontline costume prices AT ALL!!! They speak for themselves.

TRIBE or BLISS where will you be??

Omg TRIBE and BLISS launched last night.
And ohhh what a launch. Pics are all over:

• Bloggers- AC, Sauce's Media launch pics here and here. Sauce's launch pics here , and the reviews of both TRIBE and BLISS. And Sweet 7's post of the booklet
• TRIBE's website. p/s:- good job on having the costumes up on the site so soon after the launch.
• and of course on Facebook, here, here, here, here and here

Sooo what's my take. 

Well based on the viewing from last night, the ones that stand out to me are: Amazons, Massai/Tribal Warrior, Persian Gold, Mongol Fighters, Xian Warriors and Mayan Eagle. 

The ones that invite me to take a closer look are: 

Gladiators 

Mongol Fighters

 Xian Warriors

Sashura

Amazons 

Mayan Eagle

Sooo now for the prices!

Last year I predicted a 20% increase over 2009's prices and was pleasantly found to be incorrect... A 20% increase over 2010's prices will take backline costumes to somewhere in the vicinity of 4350. I not even gonna venture into what the increase in Frontline and individual costumes will be.

I await the release of the prices with bated breath...and I also await news of when the camp will open, 'cause some of those costumes need to be examined up close!

FABULOUS Friday!!!

Wow what a day.

TRIBE
First it was the release of this tantalizing teaser from TRIBE...
Sauce did some screenshots, and those by themselves are alluring...put them together and it makes waiting for tomorrows launch a little exercise in torture. BTW: where will you end up?

  
















p/s:- Sauce: your analytical nature and attention to detail is much much appreciated...LOVE that 'TRIBE/Bliss Teaser!' FB album!



IP
Then IP sends out this....sigh.

Is it any wonder that actually concentrating on work was difficult this afternoon!

My my my...

...peeks, pics and other goodies!

In the past couple weeks we've seen

• Skullduggery's band launching, Woi Mas - Skullduggery The Dance Of Deceit
• Gem's "Conquest of Alexander" media launch
• Spice's media launch, and launch of their 'Signature Line'. And a review
• YUMA's media launch and another look 
• Oasis' band launch

...and only teasers (BLISS/TRIBE)from TRIBE and IP. 

Makes me very very antsy whilst waiting to see these presentations (BTW IP please pick a date 

July 24th is taking very very long to roll around!

Plans for 2011 Carnival

Aight so band launching season for Carnival 2011 is right around the corner with Skulduggery kicking off the season on July 4th..
Carnival 2010 saw our group seriously divided with respect to band representation. A few played in IP, a few played in TRIBE and some others sat out the two days. Post 2010 Carnival a review was done and we decided to make a concerted effort to have ALL of the group play next year, preferably in the same band. Now it's to figure out what band:

• TRIBE - some of us have never played before much less played with TRIBE
•  IP - some of us were scarred by the 2007 IP fiasco, and have serious concerns regarding going back to them
• Spice - after the reviews of folks' 2010 experiences, I for one have major concerns regarding that possible move
• D'Krewe??
• Pulse 8??
• One of the new bands? - Yuma, Gems, Oasis oh my

Decisions, decisions, decisions...hmmm wonder how this'll all turn out.

Personally, I'm leaning towards remaining with TRIBE, giving IP a chance again, OR giving D'Krewe, Oasis or Yuma a try in that order.

What would you do?

Happenings

Hi folks, i've been m.i.a. for a while there...work stress, personal life stress, just STRESS all over! A couple weeks vacation should cure all that stress, at least that's what I'm hoping :-)
Anyways, in the midst of this silly season that is the run up to elections in Trinidad and Tobago, there have been a couple happenings in the Carnival world. I'll try to capture what I can and post links where more details are available.


New Bands
Yep, you read that right, there is a new band, or make that at least TWO new bands on the scene.Oasis Carnival and Skullduggery. Oasis seems to be Elements reborn if the info on their FB page is accurate, and Skullduggery well they seem to have their act in order to present something different for T&T Carnival 2011.


Existing Bands
Island People mas camp has moved. 
Our mas camp has now moved to 50 O'Connor Street in Woodbrook, Port-of-Spain, which is at the corner of O'Connor Street and Warren Street. Our new telephone numbers are: 622-8145 and 622-9857. For any enquiries, feel free to call us or email us at info@islandpeoplemas.com 
...oh and their theme for 2011: 'Shades of the Universe'
TRIBE sent out a survey a week or so ago. Interesting questions, hope the masqueraders who were so vocal on Carnival Monday and Tuesday filled out the survey and let their opinions be known.


Band Launching
If things go as they've been going for the past few years, band launching season will begin in about a month. Soooo who'll begin the season? TRIBE,  Harts...someone else? We wait and see...'cause so far only Skullduggery has made their launch date (July 4th) known.

2010 Thank you's

Island People 2010 has taken a page out of TRIBE's 2009 book and issued a thank you to their masqueraders.

"Dear ip masquerader,
On behalf of all of us at IPmas we would like to thank you for making our 2010 Carnival presentation, KUTCHELA, an amazing experience! Thank you so much for showing your creativity with the Monday gear, keeping the order of the chapters, and adhering to the rules. You were the best, we love and appreciate all of you. The smiles, the energy, the hands in the air, made the band come alive on both Carnival Monday and Tuesday!


We would also like to thank our sponsors Bmobile, Paramount, Blue Waters, Tropical Power Limited, Smirnoff, Stag, and Ocean Spray. You are a pillar in the structure of IPmas. For this we can never say thank you enough, your support is appreciated beyond words.


To the IP production, road management and security teams, thank you for your work in making on the road safe and secure and of course, full of surprises. 
 As we move foward for our next presentation, we invite you to share your thoughts on your experience. We look forward to hearing from you...your opinion matters!

Join us in 2011 as we bring to you, “Shades of the Universe”.


IPmas family"


And TRIBE's

Ah Collect mih Costume!!!

Collected my costume today...and it is GORGEOUS!!!
Not gonna post separate pics, cause Saucy has some here

Someone asked about fit:

• The bra: I read that some folks had bra fit issues, but I took a 36C and it fits perfect...no potential nipple issues (and I did some jumping and ting to test it out too!). Lots of string to tie it securely as well.
• The belt: Having lost some weight since I measured back in August I was concerned about fit. But no worries here...the belt is in four different pieces and each is connected to the other via loops and Velcro.   So if it's just a couple inches that have to adjusted, either up or down, then you're ok. More than a couple inches and my advice is go to the Customer Service people and let them know (a friend got hers exchanged for a smaller band)

• Leg pieces: never thought i might have issues...but since it's all one piece meant to fit as one around the entire length of your calf/shin , i'm thinking that some folks may have to do some cutting and adding ties.   This since the elastic thing used only stretches so far...and with boots, well you get my drift.

Sooo I cyah wait till Carnival :-)

p/s:- Sauce ah doing boots dis year eh...I've caved!
pp/s:- the pic is from Trinidad Carnival Diary

Quick News Brief

My how the time has flown.

Distribution Schedules
Both Tribe's and Island People's Costume distribution schedules are out.
  

Check List Items

• Stockings - check
• Boots - check (yep ah doing boots dis year!)
• Money to pay off d costume - check
• Accessories - to be decided after collecting d costume
• Make-up - Pre-arranged with d resident artists!

Now, I wait patiently on Wednesday February 3rd 2010 between the hours of 5:30pm and 8:30pm, to collect mih costume.

Quick Update

Well at looooong last I got it!

What is this 'it' that I refer to???

I refer to that elusive thing, called 'TRIBE Costume Receipt 2010'.

It was sent out on October 2nd 2009, to an emil address that I used waaay back when I first registered with TRIBE in 2005. I have updated my subscription since then..but seems that this is still linked there. C'est la vie..it's a good thing that I check that address once in a while.

It is confirmed I am registered in 'Osage'! Yippeee!!

Bring on gym time now!

p/s:- The pic is from Sauce's album from Tribe's launch...

Karma and all that...

Saw this headline on Sauce's blog this morning "Not In with the In Crowd".

It confirmed the email that we saw sometime yesterday.

What amazes me, is that this 'social outfit' (love the term eh Sauce, taking a lil borrow) was MOST upset by having been informed on. The email suggested that the 'social outfit' was displeased and in the strongly worded email stated that people should be more concerned with others, and doh be so focused on themselves.

Now isn't that just 'the pot calling d kettle black'...wasn't the outfit trying to make a lil something off of other people heads?!

We live in T&T, and what this 'social outfit' was trying to do was a lil smart-man something. It could work, BUT just remember d islands small, somebody go know somebody, so be prepared to deal with d backlash when it comes.

My $0.02