TRIBE - Take Me To...

Departure date: Saturday 23^rd July 2011

Flight cost: $260.00 (free rum, beer and vodka)

It was 10:00pm and I was running late for my flight. The departure time was set for 11:00pm and I didn’t want to be late and miss the media launch of TRIBE’s 2012 presentation, “Take Me To”.

As I made my way to the gateway with my luggage (camera), I was told I had to board at another gate. Now 10:20pm, I had to hustle to the next gate, where they checked my ticket, id and gave me my boarding pass. The flight was PACKED! I thought it was a Dash 8, but it was more like an Airbus.

Anyhoo, I eh think ah could do a whole review using flight and plane analogies so let’s get down to it. After some drama with getting a special wristband which would allow me to get behind the scenes, I finally made it backstage to the media launch.

As you would have already noticed if you watched Triniscene’s live feed, this year things were a bit different. Saucy did live commentary, while I did the tweeting for TS and Saucy, PLUS Saucy had a photog stageside shooting the pics that would be on the blog. Yes, the team has grown! All we need now is a drinks runner, a back and foot massager, and some sexy ass men fanning us and we good to go!

So we setup stageside and patiently await the media launch of the costumes.

The launch finally starts (not on time) and we are introduced to the flight team, Monique, Lana, Kristy, Ruanna and the other ladies of TRIBE. We were then introduced to the captain of TRIBE himself, Mr. Dean Akin. Dean made some very interesting points, some of which you can read here. The costumes were shown, pics were taken and uploaded but held back until the actual launch.

There was a brief lull in between the media launch, during which we had to go under our tent backstage and set up for the main launch. It was during this lull, I was able to get some shots of my own and see some of the costumes close up.

South Beach

Gorgeous colour combo. If you didn’t play in Charmeuse in 2010, here’s your chance. I love the gold swirl elements on the string...err...belt and the cage bra's jeweled detail is very nice. I also really like the arm pieces.

Rio

One of the comments I heard was, "Since when Big Bird=Rio?" A pretty decent costume in yellow and gold, but I expected more for Rio. The detail on the bra and belt is very nice. The wrist accessories are familiar to me.

St. Tropez

That individual costume looks SO very familiar to me, but I just can't put my finger on it. And I'm not just talking about its resemblance to Habotai. I think this costume is just way too much pink for my taste. But, still pretty.

Johannesburg

I love this section, and I doh care who says otherwise. The most I would do is add some pheasants to that collar and I would be done. I spoke with the designer and he said there is no backline, no frontline as he is just keeping it simple this year. I like the simplicity, although I would like to see a bikini option.

Vegas

Peach for Vegas is not what I had envisioned. Red to me, says Vegas. Colour aside, this costume is another pleasant one. Not in love with that torso waist belt thingy. The individual has no belt, just a decorated panty.

Fiji

Another beautiful colour combination in a very nekkid package. (I won’t be surprised if photobucket removes my pics for indecency) I like the way the arm pieces attached to the headpiece. Great feature. Very skimpy.

Dubai

Gorgeous colour combo. If you didn’t play in Charmeuse...oh no wait...this isn't South Beach. I cannot beleive TRIBE did two of the same colour combos in the band. It just seems lazy to me. That said, I do love the coque feather tail piece....very cute look, though it is a wine blocker.

Cyprus

Yes it is possible for a costume to be even more naked than Fiji. Doh let the backpack fool you! Take off that backpack and the three string is revealed in all its glory! The model's body for the what I assume is the frontline, was reedonculous! The model for the individual, I LOVED how she moved that costume. Very nice.

Santorini

*yawn* If Osage of 2010 and Amazon of 2011 had a baby, it would be called Santorini. I real not getting the choice of colour for this section which is supposed to represent a city in Greece. And the Mastana Bahar hand thingies, are way too stiff and awkward looking.

Cancun

I love a blue costume. I love this one too, and would have played in it, if I wanted to relive Amazon, Amazonia and Pele individuals from this year. The backline is pretty.

Manhattan

A simple safe costume. I like the collar. But it looks like some extra material from Ice Warriors was used here.

Ibiza

A visually stunning costume, but again very familiar elements from Titans and Archaen Odyssey. I like the shape of the headpiece, the wristpieces and the leg pieces, but it does give the costume a busy look.

Males

All the males were grouped together, and I will review them as such...they failed. Epically. With the exception of Dubai's individual, Ibiza, and Johannesburg, the male costumes are fine for masqueraders who "just want a board shorts and a wristband", which I guess most guys do.

I did not even notice that no backlines costumes were shown until someone mentioned it on twitter. I have never been to a band launch where that decision (deliberate or not) was made.

After the costumes Kes took the stage and performed a fantastic set. While we set the pics to upload we went stageside and had a time!

Overall TRIBE's costumes are pretty.

Pretty standard.

Pretty naked.

While I don't expect a 100% adherence to the theme, I did expect a lot more. There was no WOW factor this year, just quite a few recycled ideas, elements and materials. What I really loved was the flight attendant uniforms...those were uber cute!

Despite all the criticism begin thrown at them for too much feathers, not enough belts however, we all know that TRIBE will still sellout within minutes of them opening up their registration.

Check out my backstage pics on photobucket HERE.

TRIBE and BLISS Band Launch – The Aftermath

Date: Saturday 24th July 201

Venue: Queen’s Park Savannah

Cost: $260 (free rum, beer and vodka)

I got home at half past 4 this morning after a long, but fun night at TRIBE’s band launch. Last night TRIBE presented their costumes for 2011 in the form of "The Way of The Warrior" (TRIBE) and "The Warrior Within" (BLISS).

If yuh missed the BLISS boat, BLISS is TRIBE’s second "intimate" option for its masqueraders, there will be a separate route, mas camp, website etc.

The night started early for me as I was attending the media launch and working for Triniscene as their resident tweeter for the night. I met up with Saucy and her hubby Prince Namor and we made our way to the Savannah at about 7:45, and we were actually the first visible media persons there.

We were able to set up, have some drinks and take in the layout a bit beforehand. The actual media launch was scheduled to start at 8:30pm, and while it did not start on time we were able to take in the TRIBE video that was being aired on a loop and get a look at some of the costumes.

The media launch eventually began and we were treated to Capoeira and African dancers, then Adrian Raymond came on to start the ball rolling.

I was totally shocked when at the beginning of his speech, Adrian (or whoever wrote his speech) took time out to acknowledge “the bloggers who promote Carnival 365 days a year” (aka Saucy is the only blogger I know who does exactly that! LOL). I was literally like WOW! Total shock. Bloggers didn't get much applause from those present though.

Up first was one costume from BLISS and then 13 from TRIBE as well as Miss T&T Universe’s Latoya Woods National Costume “Calypso”.

We were asked to not post any photos form the media launch online until after the full launch at midnight.

After the media launch we made our way backstage to set up for the actual launch. We took the opportunity to use the bathroom (D’John with air condition putting Andy Loos in the shade), go get some drinks, upload pics and get familiar with the costumes in the booklet.

At this point my instant and clear favourite was Xi’an. Gorgeous, innovative, fierce and not a feather in sight!

As the minutes ticked down to midnight, expectations were high and there was a lot of action happening backstage with the Capoeria dancers practicing, the Triniscene crew tweaking the live feed and costumes starting to line up.

When the show finally got underway at a few minutes past midnight, I was tweeting based on the backstage lineup and what I was seeing on screen. From what I could hear over all the drumming it seemed as though the crowd “oohhed” and “ahhed” more for TRIBE than BLISS.

At the grand finale fireworks were launched, and from backstage this sounded SUPER LOUD! One of the fireworks that exploded overhead “escaped” from its pattern or whatever and made its way straight toward me with a hop, skip and a jump. I got up and scattered so fast, the guys were calling me Bolt. I could care less I wasn’t going to have no awol fireworks burn my ass. (remember the first Alternative Concept? Oh ho) LOL.

Once the launch was over, it was time to respond to feedback on twitter, take a bathroom and drinks break, and start uploading pics. Because of my position backstage I have very few pics except those that Prince Namor took backstage which you can see here.

Overall I would give the costumes in TRIBE a solid 8 out of 10, and BLISS gets a generic 6 out 10. I liked Caprika with the similar headpiece to Iroquois and the all white elegance of Titans in BLISS, and among my favourites in TRIBE are (in no particular order): Xi’an Warrior, Amazon, Iroquois, Massai Tribal Warrior (male and female), Mayan Eagle and Mongol Warriors Individual.

I left the venue just after 4, just in time too, as Hypa Hoppa took to the mike. What I really did NOT like at the launch was the music. I doh care what anybody say…if it’s a Carnival band launch, I want to hear strictly soca. I doh wanna hear who is de general in de hot gyul army or where anybody get dey Clarks from or if anybody have a feeling, save dat for 51 or Zen.

Other than that, the drinks were flowing freely, the bar staff were efficient, the bathrooms backstage were great and kept clean all night, and were an excellent place to cool off. I hear de doubles real lash too. I didn't have any as I am not a fan of doubles.

I didn't get a media kit, but I did get a booklet at the end of the evening so I was cool with that. If had a TLC, I would have no qualms about playing in TRIBE.

Let the battle begin!

TRIBE Launch - The aftermath...

Saturday 26th July 2008
Venue: Pier 1
Price: $260

Better late than never right? This is my review as a non-biased non-TRIBER for life. ;)

This was my first year going to TRIBE's Launch.

Even though I left home at 10:00pm, I still ended up in the most ridiculous traffic since AC3. My crew and I, including blogger Ms. Licious who I carpooled with (thanks Ms!), eventually made it to the venue, parked somewhere behind God back and walked to Pier 1 entrance.
Kudos to TRIBE for encouraging people to carpool with the parking at Pier 2 for those who did.

My first impression of the venue: WOW!
But then again I expected nothing less from TRIBE...ah mean love them or hate them...we know TRIBE does deliver.
Cages and bush and waterfalls and lights everywhere.


Fake birds chirping (lil loud), real birds chirping up in their cages, the parrot at the entrance telling you "Welcome to TRIBE *SQUAWK*" Corny as heck, but you got the idea...yuh reach TRIBE launch and it have something to do with birds. I too had some concern about the birds and told Ms. Licious that I was SURE someone would talk about that, so said so done.
Women in costume in cages too! Anyhoo...

We reach inside...if allyuh see people! If I didn't know better I would have thought I was transported back in time to Bazodee Friday or something...people like feathers on a headpiece! Like beads on a costume (unless is Paprika we talking about :P)

We headed straight for the bar grabbed some drinks and then stage front because an earlier text from Saucy said presentation starting at 12:00. As we were making our was stage side we heard an announcement that said Costumes at 1:00am. I guess plenty people were still stuck in traffic and they wanted to make sure as many people saw the presentation as possible.


Well 1:00am came and passed and nothing. Nothing at 1:15am.

In the meantime this inconsiderate woman to the front of the stage kept leaning back (on me) to take pics of her friends.

Okay fine, you happy you here and your friends are having a time, but oh shizzle man, the space in front already tight with everybody taking up a position for pics, why you have to behave foolish so? And why your friends can't tell you to cool your stupid ass and behave? People have some control over allyuh friends please cause I was ready tuh cuff dat woman in her face and just had to move away, cause I wanted to see the costumes more.

Aye aye finally 1:30ish reach and we hearing some action, birds making noise over the speaker system and some action on the sidelines of the stage.
It seemed (to me at least) that TRIBE had some kinda difficulty (technical or otherwise) before costumes finally made it to the stage.

*COUGH COUGH*
Sorry there, for a minute I was blinded by the smoke/fog machine.
Here I was thinking that TRIBE does read Saucy blog and know that Fog+Camera=Bad pictures and Upset Phototakeoutters.

Finally the fog clears somewhat and we are able to see the Brazilian Macaw individual costume on display.

Then in a flurry, the male costumes came on.
I think TRIBE actually made an effort with the male costumes this year.
As for the African Love Bird male model *applause*.


First impressions of the costumes: SKIMPY! Beautiful. Ohh...nice. Where the rest of that one?

Now let's have a one on one with each costume, starting from my least favorites to my absolute favorites.

"Not my favorites"

Flight of the Ibis
When I heard that a Scarlet Ibis costume was being done I thought to myself yes, our National Bird being represented...excellent!
Then I saw Flight of the Ibis Individual. :|


THE. WORST. COSTUME.
TRIBE has effectively made our National Bird extinct with that costume.
When the costume came on the crowd actually went quiet.

It looks likes too many ideas flung onto one costume by several designers. Everybody wanted to be a part of this costume. What's with the beak on the the hand? How the heck am I the masquerader supposed to drink/eat with a beak on my right hand and holding my sad looking wing with my left?
This costume, specifically the individual and frontline costume, rewind and come again TRIBE.

Golden Dove

The frontline of this costume reminds me of Golden Cockfight from Poison. The headpiece seems unbalanced to the arm pieces (I particularly do not like the arm pieces), the bathing suit just confuses me. I do not like this FL costume.
The backline is nice. I like the bathing suit in the backline and the headpiece is nice and manageable.

Pink Flamingo


Does this section have a frontline?
A pink costume with a funny looking feathery thing on your bumsee. It will sell to people who like pink in any form or fashion. It does not even look like it's supposed to represent a bird, it's just another costume with feathers. Next.

There ends my Least Favorite costume list.

Next up is the "Not so Bad/Decent" list.

Night Owl

I had heard that Owl was rumoured to be THE ugliest costume of the lot. It isn't.
Owl is a very nice costume.
There doesn't seem to be a frontline, but the headpiece has a nice detail with the effect of owl eyes and a beak.

Wild Parrot
Cute costume and the colour combination is nice. I wouldn't rush to register with this costume, but it may be taken up by the teeny-boppers who "just want to play in TRIBE".

Humming Bird
This costume was initially on my fabulous list, but I downgraded it.
The colours of the costume are spot on, but I found the chick who modelled the frontline costume didn't do it justice and it seems as if it stops just short of being fabulous. Maybe it needs more wing. Or something.

Blue Tanager

This was the costume featured on last Friday's Guardian and I thought was the backline, but is actually the frontline. Nice blue costume. I like how the wings a neat and tucked back and the headpiece is nice.

This next list gets kinda fuzzy.

These are "Costumes I like, but would not necessarily play in"

Ruby Topaz

Yes the backline is nice.
Yes the frontline wings are gorgeous, but this costume just reminds me too much of Mystique and Isis of this year. (Extra material left over perhaps?)
And for those of you who, like me, had no idea what a ruby topaz was/is Google it.

Brazilian Macaw

Love the colours in this costume and I think the male version of this costume may sellout first.
Jamie-Lee Phillips who modelled this costume looked absolutely stunning. Like this costume was custom made for her and her boobies.

Pheasant

Nice costume and these feathers always look good when put together. Love the backpack and headpiece.

Snowy Owl
With the exception of the spirals things on the back, I like this costume. Gives you the whole snowy effect and feel.

Spangled Cottinga

Wait a minute, am I at Spice's launch? Isn't that costume called Blue Melilot?
Yes I understand that its the same designer, but dred even if the colour was different it mighta make people less inclined to say, "TRIBE tief from Spice".
But then again, very few people seem to know that Spice even exists. So I guess TRIBE safe.

Nevertheless, the costume is amazing! While I didn't like it as Blue Melilot, it is stunning as Spangled Cottinga. FAB! swimsuit. FAB! headpiece! FAB! tail...even though I do not like tails.
The backline is simple yet detailed. May just need a few more feathers in the headpiece though.

African Love BirdThe costume drew a lot of oohhh's and ahhh's form the crowd. Beautiful in its detail, I would not play in this section only because I played in those exact colours this year. But it is simply stunning.

Now to my "If I was playing in TRIBE, I would play in this section" list.

Caged Canary

Okay I'll admit it. At first I did not like this costume as I was not feeling those wrist pieces at all. I told the designer that on the night. But now when I look at it, it is one of my favorites.
This costume has plenty good points. The vibrant colours. The wrist pieces are now a plus cause it gives you the FAB! without you having anything on your bumsee blocking your wine! Excellent.

Green Honeycreeper
Never saw a green costume I liked until this one. The frontline reminds me a lot of Goddess and Defenders (IP circa 2007), but it is beautiful . The male frontline/individual...HOT! HOT!HOT! Did I mention hot?!

Bird of Paradise
Classy. Elegant. Gorgeous.
This is a stunning costume. It's simple but effective. The backline is nice. The individual is gorgeous as well.

Kiskadee

This costume speaks to me.
The colour is rich and vibrant. The headpiece is too die for. The leg pieces...I am already seeing the boots to go with this. The tail piece for me is the only drawback as you know Afro Chic does not like things on her bumsee hampering her wine, but for this costume...I would play in TRIBE.

Peacock Individual

This costume also drew some ooh's and ahh's from the crowd, and while it did look good with the nude swimsuit, it looked like a struggle for the model to manouever.

Kudos to TRIBE for having thier models model the costumes wearing boots. It added that extra something.

That's the end of my costume review.

My camera which was not charged during the day, died on me just as the Peacock Individual left the stage and the male individuals came on. I found the male individuals that came on then just okay. Nothing overly amazing to me.

Immediately after the costumes made their last lap on the stage, Bunji and Fayeann came and performed (over tracks). It was a good time to go empty your bladder which I did.

Talking about bladder, kudos to TRIBE for the endless number of porta potties at the venue. Not much waiting, and there were mirrors, hand cream, bounty paper towels. The floor was plenty wet and nasty though. *shudder*

While The Sauce was uploading her pics backstage, I was in front having a time, wining down low and sipping on screwdrivers. (Thank goodness I wasn't driving!)
We got a mix of music, soca when the models were on stage and soca and dancehall during the party afterwards.

I left with Ms. Licous just after 3:30am.

TRIBE's 2009 presentation gets a 8.5 feathers out of 10.