Island People Heroes - The Aftermath

Date: Friday 12th August 2011

Location: Westopia (Bowen Marine)

I always look forward to an IP band launch and this one was no exception. I got to the venue a bit later than I thought and was a bit taken aback by the location. I found it was way too small for an IP band launch, which in the past have been huge events.

I met Saucy by the entrance (we miss yuh Jumbie!!) and we made our way inside. Either IP was waiting on Saucy and I, or we arrived just in time for the media launch! Members of the media were invited to come up on the stage where the models paraded and we were able to take some up close and personal shots.

After this I went backstage to set up with Triniscene while we waited for the launch to begin. And waited...and waited...and waited...and waited...and then we waitied some more. *yawn* Just as I was about to completely bepp off, the launch began.

IP ah know allyuh does like to do things different but yuh see the original music allyuh does want to be playing to brainwash people?? Oh gorm!

Especially for an hour long presentation? Oh gorm!!

It was like Heaven on Earth (Hell) all over again. De setta kick up antics ting funny the first time, but not for the WHOLE presentation! Plus yuh make people ketch dey royal to take good pics too, maybe dat was allyuh plan yes, tuh distract people.

Anyhoo...

By now many of you would have already seen the ahm...costumes, and IP has already begun re-working them, but I still gonna give my two cents.

Kaimana - Defender of the Caribbean Seas

I liked the body of this costume with the unusual material used. The headpiece seems totally out of place however ad there is little contrast with the on shade of blue used. But I love blue (most times) and I liked this costume.

Nocturnal - Eradicator of Dark Deeds

This is one costume that should heed it's own name, and eradicate itself from the IP lineup, cause this is indeed a dark deed. From the yellow and black eyes on the bra to the yellow beak covering the vagina, this is just awful.

The sideways kilkaytay headpiece on the model and the half assed cape...eh eh...it not happening IP. I think if you're doing a cape, make it a nice full cape with some type of flash or shimmer or something. But doh make it look like yuh take half yard of fabric, cut that in half and attach it to the person shoulder.

Dat must be another reason why Edna from Incredible say "No capes!"

Solar Flare - Clean Energy Crusader

I like the shade of orange used here very nice, but the frilly crotch is a definite no no. I honestly could not figure out what was/is frontline from backline, but the cut of the orange and pink monokini is a bit much.

The Wayne Berkeley spandex leg warmers...no. Not unless you are trying to portray a cheesy 80's superhero theme. Or unless yuh bling them tuh hell out.

Oya - Master of Weather

Loved this costume. A tastefully done monokini accented in the right places with the right amount of bling. The feathered mohawk headpiece is really well done. My only fault with this costume, is another half-assed cape. This is one of my top four picks.

Wildheart - Feline Crime Fighter

This hot pink leopard print costume isn't bad, but it isn't that good either. There's a bit too much leopard print and hot pink. The shades have to go, along with the thigh-high leg attachments. I did not get to see the yellow version close up, but the backpack on this version seems oddly shaped. I like the yellow just a bit more as the print isn't as outstanding to me.

Element - Upholder of Justice

Despite the multitude of random strings, I like this costume. The colour combo of purple, teal and gold used was very nicely done, and the bustier is very cute. I even like the purple glitter panty, which might be easier to get into than a jewelled one.

Velocity - High Speed Hero

This is a very basic costume in green and hot pink that just not making you go wow. And again with the spandex leg warmers. I dunno what to say bout this one...I'm at a loss. Very underwhelming overall. And the male is one of the worst males I've ever seen.

Fiyah - Wisdom of the Wilds

Someone asked if Capleton designed this costume (not me eh). I like the wet look of the bra, bikini and monokini, but they are very under decorated. The waist and body pieces also look really stiff. I like the frontline for the most part, but those shoulder boas are another misstep.

Kalypso - Protector of Mother Earth's Vibrations

Not a lover of this costume. The colour combo here doesn't work and the weird conelike headpieces with the feathers on top look like it's out of a Dr. Seuss book or something.

Siren - Avenger of the Downtrodden

This is another of my favorite costumes in IP. I like the colours used, it was well executed and the model portrayed it really well. My only complaint would be for a fuller backpack and I'm not a fan of the feathers over your eye, but the latter is easily remedied. And no dredful leg warmers.

The Scarlet I - Guardian of the Rivers

Hands down IP's best costume for 2012. I love the red and silver. Love the wings. Love the options with the varying bikini tops. This is a very well done costume.

The general review for most if not all of the male costumes, is that they are a hot mess.

What I really liked about the costumes, was the way they were presented comic book style, along with some local parlance like "Mash' and "Cuff'.

After the costumes were shown and the models were all on stage, the crowd seemed stunned into silence. You could see the shock in their faces. Nebula 868 came out and performed but even that didn't shake the crowd out of their stupor.

I must say though, IP has taken all the feedback to heart, and has been asking their fans to 'Save their Heroes" by voting for those you wish to keep. I elected to save Scarlet I, Oya, Element, Siren and Kaimana.

Keep checking their Facebook Page to see who was 'saved': https://www.facebook.com/ISLANDpeoplemas

For more pics, you can check out the photobucket album below.

D'Krewe Rhythms - The Aftermath

Date: Saturday 23rd October 2010

Location: YMCA Wrightson Road, Port of Spain
Cost: Free

When I first heard that D'Krewe's launch was moved from Ariapita Avenue to YMCA, I honestly had second thoughts about attending. That area has absolutely NO parking, and this was evident when I got to YMCA and had to park on the road, despite being invited as media.

At the entrance to the venue, we were greeted by drumming that set the tone for the launch. I found the venues to be very dark, I thought the lights at the venue should have been turned on for the event...(I cannot people-watch good in the dark!).


After milling about in the dark a bit, I got the opportunity to go behind the scenes and see the costumes before they hit the stage, and was impressed. While there was no costume to match the gorgeousness of my Kindred Spirit costume of this year, the costumes were looking good for the most part.


After numerous promises and announcements by the dj, Mark Anthony (with his perfectly stenciled on beard and moustache) came on to introduce the presentation. D'Krewe opened with dancers, however unlike previous years these dancers didn't seem as coordinated. After the dancers left the stage, it was time for the costumes.


Rhythm of Drums



This section was well received by the patrons, with lots of ohhh, ahhs and I think I heard a few "yummy's" in there as well. It was also one of my favorites when I saw it backstage. I loved the use of the spandex in the costume and headpiece. I am not a fan of the bra and belt design however, and those spandex arm sleeves are very dated, reminds me of when I used to play with Wayne Berekly in the early 90's, that was a staple in ALL his section.


Ramajay



I like this colour combo, the men section is simple but very nice I thought. I like the small backpack with the bonnet feathers and love the larger version on the frontline. It looks very sturdy and comfortable.


Dust in Yuh Face



This section came on so fast I barely had time to snap a pic of it. It's not in my top three but it's a nice costume with familiar elements in the fabric styling and braid used. The male costume is sad.


D Rhythm of Art



While I like the male version of this costume, I think this section is out of place in the band. The female costume is kind blah to me as I've seen that style many times before, and I'm not feeling it. I think the backpack should be an option for the females as well, but that it should also be more substantial, it seems out of proportion to me. A bigger guy wearing that backpack...it would get lost.


Tempo



I like the shape and design on the bra, but I do not like the use of the the darker shade of blue for the base of the bra and the bikini. Again the use of the spandex on the belt of the female costume was nice, but the colour is off here as well. I would love to see a frontline for this section. The male costume is good, I like the collar and belt.


Iron and Steel



The curly whirly pieces on the female costume looked was an interesting element I thought. Another section that could do with a frontline with a super duper headpiece. Another sad male costume.


Rhythm of Style

As someone with an err...ample midsection I liked the corset option featured with the section. I also like the style of the costume. I just think it is way too much of this pale purple/lavender colour. Too much purple for me. The male costume does not match the section name in the least.

Rhythm in Blue



Another of my top three picks, I love the frontline, but I doh think those two scraps of fabric on the arms are needed. The backline costume is okay, but again, I could do without the fabric pieces. The male costume is quite boring in comparison.


Rhythm in Flight



One of my favorite sections, I would dear say my outright favorite. I like the colour combination and all the variations, backline, frontline and in between. The male section is perfect for those who are looking for more than the average male costume. Seeing some familiar styles and elements used here as well, but they were executed well.


Rhythm of Dance



This was presented as a section at the launch but I was later told that this section was for the dancers in the band only, which kinda saved me from having to critique this costume. *phew* I do think though, that once the national colours are being used, they should be properly represented.


Chutney



A very vibrant costume in pink, green and gold that wasn't captured too well with my camera. A male was not featured however.


Exotica



I'm not getting what the name has to do with the overall theme, but I do love the backpack on the frontline version of this costume, and this is also one of my top three picks. The belt piece of the frontline costume could do with some changes, like that black piece sticking up toward your stomach. I like the orange and black beading used on the monokini and bikini option as well. The male costume is pretty generic.


Generally I liked the costumes presented, however, it seemed as if the models did not practice on the stage and this resulted in many of them leaving the stage too early and photographers (me at least) not getting enough shots of the costumes section by section.


I think the launch also lacked a certain level of professionalism, there were no real 'perks' (parking, exclusive veiwing of costumes etc) to being media except for the viewing of the costume backstage, and we had to ask if this was possible as it was not offered as an option. Maybe I've just been spoiled by other launches.

Overall I give the launch 3.5 drumbeats out of 5.


You can check out more pics of D'Krewe's Rhythms on my photobucket album HERE or on my Facebook album HERE.

Skullduggery Band Launch - The Aftermath...

Well yes...where to begin? Where to begin?

Last night was the launch of the much anticipated and much hyped new mas band, Skullduggery.

Now being part of the initial group of volunteers, we had seen beforehand some of the illustrations and prototypes. Of course we saw that the illustrations were fantastic and I remember telling my friends at the time that I hoped those costumes were tweaked before they hit the stage cause some of them looked very umm...not completely up to par, especially with all the plastic type elements they were using.
Fast forward to the launch last night and a lot of the same elements were seen. Plastic strips, caution tape, plastic chains.

My feedback:I did not like the overall look of the band last night. While it may look all together on the road as my dad pointed out, I want my costume to look SO good on me that if I was walking by myself on the road, I would still be stopped to ask to pose for pics...and not stopped to ask me if my band won Jouvert Band of the Year.

My suggestions: (from a totally never design a costume in my life standpoint)

The sections with both male and female in most instances have the same style. Make the females standout. Scrap all the pants like elements from the female costume and replace it with tulle a la Skettle-ton, Jagabat and Soucouyant. (which is probably why these costume have been getting the best feedback).

Eliminate the cheap aspects of the costume, which for me is to remove all those strips of plastic in between the costumes and replace it with some fabric elements instead. Some nice plain cotton would be fine I think.

I would also offer a 3/4 pants option for the men, cause I doh think all men would want those long pants.

Make those costumes road and winery ready...I still eh sure bout that barbwire skirt nah, cute but will inflict damage on people boy children.

And what was that we heard about it taking 3 people to dress the models? I hope that was just in the interest of time.

I would have loved to see more versions of the costumes as we were told there would be. Covered versions of the same costume and skimpier versions of the covered ones. Some individual options would have be great to see as well.

I would have also loved to see the varying Coca-Cola models (bottle, tin, Jaliter) that we were told would be modelling the costumes, that was very much MIA.

I really hope that Skullduggery takes in all the feedback that they have been receiving and asking for to make this band and its masqueraders look great on the road for C2K11.

Photo credit: Skullduggery

Resurrection: The Mas Band Launch - Pics