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.

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 ;)