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.

Update!

Oh wow it’s been AGES since last I blogged.

Since my last post, I’ve passed my first semester at COSTAATT and I am currently doing my second semester exams. This year I had two great courses, Art History and Drawing and Painting. I haven’t painted since forever when I was doing art for CXC waayyyy back in 1995. As part of this course we had to submit 50 drawings, of anything, using any medium we wanted.

Of course I procrastinated. Well not procrastinated so much as I was busy at the start of the semester with Carnival, boots and all that. (BTW, is it too late for a Bliss Review?)

I ended up starting my 50 drawings at the start of April and they are due the start of the second week in May. Well is level scramble to find random (easy) things to draw.

I discovered charcoal for the first time since I started doing art, and this is my new best friend. It’s easy, quick to draw with and make it do what you want. LOVE IT! I’ve also done a couple of pieces in pencil, watercolour and pastel.

I took pics and posted some of my drawings to share with my Facebook friends and the feedback so far has been positive and very encouraging. So I am baring my artistic soul (ha!) and sharing some of the pics with my peeps who *gasp* not on Facebook (like wuzdescene).

Enjoy!

And the winner is...

CONGRATULATIONS TO...

Dianne Askaran Lee

Winner of the Boot Decorating Service valued at $300.00!

Congratulations!

An email will be sent to you with details on redeeming your prize.

Take part and win Boot Decorating Services!

ONE Lucky winner will win Boot Decorating Services valued at $300 (TTD)

To Enter Todays Sweepstakes

LIKE Boots By Afro Chic Fanpage on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/BootsbyAfroChic

and use the CONTACT tab to send an email answering the following question:

In what year was Boots by Afro Chic started?

The winner will be chosen by random draw from among the correct answers to the question.

Sweepstakes Rules:
1. Only entries submitted via the CONTACT tab on the Boots By Afro Chic fanpage will be eligible for the draw.
2. Boots must be supplied by the person who wins the sweepstakes.
3. Boots must be received on or before the 14th February 2011 so that there is adequate time to deocrate the boots.
4. Contest Closes on Tuesday 1st February 2011 at 6:00pm
5. Winner will be announced on www.trinidadcarnival.com on Wednesday February 2,2011

Soka in Moka 12 - The Aftermath

Date: Sunday 23rd January 2011

Cost: $550 (last year ($500)

Guess who reach Moka before the sun set this year? ME!

We left home at around 5:30pm and got to the fete at 5:59pm! Mind you I spent about 20 minutes of that in traffic heading into Moka and parking. But more on that later.

So I reach inside the fete and pull out my camera that I had forgot last year, only to realise that even though the batteries were charged the lens thingy was giving trouble.

This happens off and on ever since it fell while I was at Fashion Week last year. Ah try all kinda ting, but my lil camera didn't feel to work that night at all. *sigh*

Seeing that I got there all nice and early for a change and there was some time before the bands got on stage I figured I might as well try to eat something before 7pm as I'm on a lil pre-Carnival 'diet' of sorts. I had 2 mini crab stuffed dumplings and 2 servings of shrimp and oysters. Then I went back for 2 more crab stuffed dumplings cause they real lash!

That's about it.

That ah remember.

Oh. Sometime during Dil E Nadan's performance I had a corn soup.

One of the minor, but helpful changes that Moka made to their fete was in introduction of a big screen to the left of the stage where you could see the performances. This really helped later on when the fete got super packed.

I was glad that I had arrived early as the first band for the night (suprisingly) was Roy Cape All Stars.

Roy Cape All Stars feat. Blaxx, Rita Jones and Olatunji Yearwood feat. Andy Singh

Roy Cape warmed up the fete nicely with a decent repertoire until they introduced Andy Whatshisface who injected the fete with some chutney. Now I am not a hater of chutney music so don't get me wrong. I just dislike performers who don't realise that they need to move with the times. Andy was boring for me.

Rita was her usual aerobic tackily dressed in drag self, which has made me realise that sadly, neither she nor her stylist, read my blog. What's with the high kicks Rita? This ain't the gym.

I honestly do not remember Olatunji on stage, I dunno if someone spiked my fruit punch, but it seems he was there from the pictures I've seen.

Things became a bit confused when Blaxx started to introduce Denise Belfon and then stopped, soon after this Roy Cape wrapped up their set.

Roy Cape gets 3.5 wine to the side out of 5

Performing with Roy Cape was the groovy man himself Benjai who really made the crowd move especially when he belted out his two big hits this year "Trini" and "Wine to the Side".

Benjai gets 5 wine to the side out of 5

Dil-E-Nadan

If Trinity insists on having Dil-E-Nadan at this fete, they should at least have them perform first so I could take my time to get to the fete and miss them perform. They totally killed the vibe of the fete for me. It was during their performance I decide to go to the bathrooms and then took the time to sip some corn soup.

Note to Dil-E-Nadan: I gotta feeling that you all need to realise is Carnival 2011 and nobody wanna hear Black Eye Peas in no fete. Steups.

Dil-E-Nadan gets 1 wine to the side out of 5

Kes The Band

I was eagerly looking forward to seeing Kees perform and he didn't disappoint. Their set started off differently in that Kees came out and performed with his dancers (which he really does not need), then Nadia came out and performed her songs. They were also joined by Tallpree who was just 'aite' for me, he really just talks too much.

My main complaint with the band was not their performance so much, but their wardrobe. Kees, ah really not feeling the pyjama jeans/tights, 80s muscle top and funny jacket. Nadia, I loved the accessories but not all at the same time. Take off the belt or the necklace or something.

Kes The Band gets 4 wine to the side out of 5

Kes the Band was backup for guest artists TC, Shal Marshall and Screws and JW and Blaze.

Supa Jigga TC

The pants less tight this year, but I still doh understand why he always out of breath when he singing so. TC's performance was aite.

TC gets 3 wine to the side out of 5

Shal Marshall and Screws

I was kinda shocked that his performance was so decent to be honest. Maybe it's because I really like that motorbike song. Screws joined him to perform their tune "All Out".

Shal Marshall and Screws get 3.5 wine to the side out of 5

JW and Blaze

My favourite morning show hosts JW and Blaze sang their Road March/Soca Moarch hit "Palance" as well as their newly released "And Is Dat". They also sang their tune "Together". People still love the Palance a year later.

JW and Blaze get 3.5 wine to the side out of 5

FOOD

As I said before, I had two servings of crab stuffed dumplings, those were really fantastic and made hot on the spot. There was also the shrimp and oyster cocktails, accra, trini desserts of tambran balls, sugarcake, cornsoup. The lines for the Chinese food were always way too long though, so I never got the opportunity to sample the dimsum or wantons.

3.5 burps out of 5

BAR

This year the bar was done by Angostura and the service wasn't all that great. The bar staff seemed overwhelmed and the hubby said his drink (Johnny) ran out early.

2 ice cubes out of 5

BATHROOMS

Andy Loos and SWMCOL loos are now stabndard fare at Moka. Lovely as always.

4 out of 5 flushes.

EYE FOOD

This year the eye food for the women wasn't all that great, just okay. The hubby says the gape for the men was good.

3 cross eye out of 5

FASHION NOTE

I have to do a special note on the fashion for those of you ladies in foreign planning your fete wardrobe. Lots of mini dresses, lots of animal print and lots of gladiator sandals. The first two are fine, the latter, allyuh could leave that home, cause dat style has to be the worse thing since acid wash.

From early accounts we heard that this fete was sold out for the first time ever and the crowd at the fete reflected this. While this was excellent for the school, I really did not like standing up behind the Synergy mini stage to hear the performances. The place was packed tight, but this by no means stopped people from enjoying themselves.

Another problem I had was with the traffic to leave the venue which was even more than usual this year. They have a one way in-one way out situation that was not managed well. Moka need to work on that. People cannot be coming in when people trying to leave.

Despite that, this fete will remain on my fete calendar and is almost always my first fete for the season. See you on Saturday 8th January 2012!

Afro Chic's - Carnival Hall of Lame

This year in addition to my usual fete reviews, I will be featuring Afro Chic's Carnival Hall of Lame © ® ™.

AC's Carnival Hall of Lame will feature people, places and things that are really lame and should not be seen for Carnival ever again. I will also be giving my readers the opportunity to agree or disagree with my picks.

This week's Carnival Hall of Lame nominees come from the SiM (Soca in Moka) fete:

Nominee One: the Tic Tac Mascot

Worst. Mascot. Costume. Ever.

Nominess Two: The Häagen-Dazs costumes

Why would anyone want these girls to look so tacky?

Merry Christmas!

Up*coughcough*dates!

Oh gosh...is really so long I eh post something here boy? Check cobweb! *cough*

Well yuh know Christmas time is the time we Trinis does do we lil cleanup and thing, so I decide to dust off the cobwebs off meh blog and post a lil update, cause everybody asking meh "What going on with yuh blog?"

*dust*

So let's see...I'm not sure if I told you all that I started an Associate Degree programme in COSTAATT. Well I did.

I signed up for a 3 year part-time course and that has been taking up a good bit of my time with classes and homework and lecturers and students. Hear nah...going back to school at my age not easy you know. On top of my old brain, I also have to deal with students who behaving like they want to be spoon-fed, and lecturers who behaving like they have no idea what it means to be organised. Thankfully I've been passing all my classes, assignments and quizzes so far, and this is final exam week.

*sweep*

On top of that now, my big son wrote SEA (as you know), start secondary school and guess who find deyself on the PTA? Yes, me. And not no small post eh, is a kinda important-ish post. So is PTA on top of COSTAATT. School closed now (amen), cause it was a really busy term so far and next year looking to be real busy too.

On top of that now, I am also in the height of boot collection for Carnival next year. This year I had to close off registration before the usual deadline cause I woulda been overswamped with orders at the rate things were going. I have a record number of boots to do for Carnival 2011 and can't wait to get started with some designs.

*mop*

And on top of that now, is Christmas and people want they place decorated, and they want cards done for dey friends and family too, and is party by so and Christmas shopping by so.

So that's it in a nutshell basically, I not promising to do anymore updates before Christmas, so let me take the oppotunity to wish all of my readers who still hanging in there, Seasonings for the Christmas and Happiness for the New Year!

*spray Febreze*

P.S. I might post a quick update on the exam results ;)

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.

D'Krewe Band Launch in Pics

Check the link to my photos on Facebook HERE

Review to follow.

Humanity Circle Of Life- The Aftermath

Date: Friday 8th October 2010

Location: Mobs 2, Chaguaramas

Cost: TT$400.00

Well after last year's spectacular launch in Tobago expectations were high for Brian Mac Farlane's 2011 presentation "Humanity-Circle of Life".

We got to Mobs 2 just after 9:00pm and made our way inside. Having not been to Mobs 2 in ages, (probably since the days of glow fete) I was pretty amazed by how the venue looked. A lot of the surface has been graded down and re-paved.

The launch was held in what is usually the VIP area for Insomnia. The theme was black and white and all attendees and guests were asked to comply with the colour theme. The overall effect was very nice and there were lots of fashonistas out and about...(the Bloggerati included of course. LOL)

The show started shortly after Uncle Max arrived at about 10:15pm and we made out way stageside along with the other media present (of which there were plenty!)

Opening the show was the Alternative Quartet who are always fantastic in my opinion. They performed a great rendition of David Rudder's 'Oil and Music'. After the Alternative Quartet, the show began with performers crawling onto the stage amidst smoke. We then saw white versions of birds who then unveiled the large silver hand from which Mac Farlane, dressed as a sage in robes, appeared to give us the story behind the presentation.

I was glad to see the trend that he started last year was continued, with showing of actual costume prototypes. LOVED that.

I think this presentation will have great impact on the road, as black and white is always fierce.

Overall though I'm not loving the individual costumes as much as in previous years and this may be because the presentation is a bit more abstract, I'm not sure.

My favorite sections are: Baptism, Knowledge, Work, Freedom and Passion.

You can check out my album on Facebook HERE.

After the presentation Roy Cape took to the stage.

I am once again making a public plea for someone to step in and act as Rita Jones' stylist. Rita looked she didn't make the cut for Ru Paul's Drag Race.

Other than the distraction of Rita, Roy Cape gave a great performance and got the stoosh crowd moving. Blaxx was entertaining as always. Benjai was a guest performer with the band and sang one of my favorites "Carnival Come Again".

Tony Prescott also performed with the band and informed the crowd that he will be with Roy Cape for Carnival 2011. (What happen to Surface? Anyone?). We left the launch after Roy Cape completed their set.

The food at the launch was on point. I started and ended my night with a cup of delicious corn soup. The wings, accra, pholourie and the sauce was bess. I LOVED the local delicacies...the tamarind ball take win! Drinks flowed all night as well, there was the regular bar as well as the wine bar, and my Coke on the rocks were nice and gassy just how I like it.

Overall this was a good launch, though not as WOW as Tobago and I would give it 4 out of 5.

Mac Farlane - Video

Afro Chic Thief...

I've been meaning to do this post for quite some time, and Saucy's post this morning, prompted me to write about it.

In June of this year TriniGirlBlue contacted me on twitter to ask me if I also have a jewellery line cause she had seen something online with Afro Chic and jewellery. Now while I have done jewellery in the past, I do not have a 'line', so I asked TriniGirlBlue about what she had seen online and she sent me the links.

Imagine my surprise to see my Afro Chic logo plastered all over someone's Facebook Page, Twitter profile and website!

I immediately contacted a friend of mine who was a lawyer and under their advice, I sent the logo thief Chakina Coleman an email advising them to remove the logo and some other legal jargon I cannot remember now. I also reported the person on twitter and facebook.

Now this is not the first time that something like this has happened to me eh. I'm sure some of you would remember when The Newsday stole a picture of one of my boots and slapped it into an article in their newspaper without even so much as a thank you.

But this was not just a photo Ms. Coleman had stolen. The Afro Chic logo, MY logo, was something I had sketched and had a friend of mine formalise into a logo for me, sometime back in 1997. And there are three versions of the logo, the orange and black one being the one I use the most often.

The thief, Chakina Coleman, never responded to my email, but I see they have changed the pic on their facebook page, although it still remains on their twitter profile.

This morning's post by Saucy is actually a reminder for me, to go have my business name and logo formally registered so that when twitter or anyone asks for documented evidence, I do have something saying it was mine.

So doh get tie up with the Afro Chic tief and the real deal Afro Chic.

Oh, and I don't think I ever told TriniGirlBlue thanks nah...thanks chick!