The Cultural Presentation that Opened CHOGM 2009

The cultural presentation for the 2009 commonwealth heads of government was fantastic, it’s on you tube and is a powerful presentation of Trinbago culture and a salute to the talent of our people, here is a little mix of a Newsday article and the video clips on you tube enjoy.

Spirit of TT on show
By COREY CONNELLY 

Trinbago pride: Calypsonian Denyse Plummer performs Nah Leavin with dancers at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain Friday.

In a colourful display of artistry and showmanship, visiting Commonwealth leaders were yesterday given a glimpse into Trinidad and Tobago’s diverse cultural heritage through the eyes of designer and masman Brian Mac Farlane during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain.

The cultural programme followed the formal opening ceremony of CHOGM, which featured addresses by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, head of the Commonwealth, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma and Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.In his presentation, Mac Farlane left no stone unturned in his attempt to vividly portray the elements that have combined over the years to make TT a unique, twin-island developing nation. 

However, the designer’s 45-minute cultural exhibition, which included 935 costumed performers, mirrored aspects of his opening presentation during the Fifth Summit of the Americas in this country in April. It again highlighted, in a meticulously co-ordinated programme, the contributions of the Africans, East Indians, Chinese, Spanish and other ethnicities to the nation’s development through tassa, steel pan, calypso, limbo and Carnival. Even belly-dancing, a more contemporary genre of entertainment, was incorporated into the programme.

But Mac Farlane also delved into TT’s treasured pastimes, highlighting the country’s love for cricket, football, kite-flying and having a good time. 

In the opening sequence, Mac Farlane used the Queen’s Park Savannah, regarded as the world’s largest roundabout, to depict the Trinbagonian’s penchant for fun and relaxation.
With bat and ball in tow, young men played a hearty game of cricket as a voice emanating from a speaker in the background gave running commentaries on Brian Lara’s record-breaking performances. Later, a group of footballers would invade the stage in salute to the country’s beloved Soca Warriors.
Entertainer Denyse Plummer, in an elaborate outfit bearing the national colours, sang her popular “Nah Leavin” towards the end of the first segment of the cultural presentation.

Trinidad and Tobago’s status as a major oil and gas producing nation also received some attention in Mac Farlane’s presentation. Performers dressed in red jumpers and white helmets carried out activities usually conducted on an oil rig.
His thick, white beard contrasting sharply with his navy-blue suit, veteran calypsonian Winston Bailey (Shadow) sang his classic “Dingolay” as a precursor to a segment which dealt exclusively with Tobago’s rich heritage. 

To the tune of Michael Baker’s “Come To Tobago,” which was composed to commemorate the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret’s visit to the island years ago, masqueraders depicted the Tobago Wedding and other indigenous traditions on the sister isle.
During the presentation, chutney singer Drupatee Ramgoonai also made a comeback, performing her hit “Roll Up De Tassa” to the delight of the gathering.


Newsday

Queen dusts off her wedding day tiara for Trinidad visit

I see the Queen stepping out with the National Birds of Trinidad and Tobago stitchedon to her dress.

"They were diamonds fit for a queen then - and they are diamonds fit for a queen now.

Queen Elizabeth has dusted off her wedding day tiara for a state visit to Trinidad and Tobago.

The monarch, accompanied by Prince Philip, wore the tiara for a state banquet given by President George Maxwell Richards.And the recycled George III tiara she first wore so proudly in 1947 was not her only nod to credit crunch couture."

"Often during state visits, the Queen will honour her host country through her wardrobe.

However, yesterday, she went one step further than wearing a national colour – by donning wildlife instead.

The Queen thrilled the 300 guests with a hand-beaded ball gown elaborately decorated with the national birds of both islands.

A brightly hued scarlet ibis and cocrico had been stitched into the white fabric, along with the Caribbean archipelago’s ruby-coloured national flower, the chaconia.

In a nod to sensible fashion spending, however, the emblems will not be a permanent fixture on the gown, as they are detachable.

This means they can be unstitched and removed so other tributes can be added to the dress during future state visits."
By ROBERT HARDMAN

Source Mail Online

JAB! The Blue Devils of Paramin.

I was searching the blogosphere when I came across an interesting blog called Hook me up Rico and on it  was an entry for a ‘movie/ documentary  called Jab! Blue Devils of  Paramin the clip was sweet so I tracked down the other clips and any other information I could find on it, gatherd it all together  and brought it here for you...

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did, hell I going and see if I could get myself a copy right now!

JAB! The Blue Devils of Paramin.

“JAB! Blue Devils of Paramin Isolated in the mountains of Trinidad, the district of Paramin, once a year at Carnival time sheds its rural languor and erupts into an inferno of blue-painted ‘jabs’ or devils. This 46-minute documentary, filmed in the two weeks leading up to Carnival, follows Kootoo, King Devil, as he prepares with his three brothers to once again win the village competition for the most convincing devil band. Known for his athletic prowess, and given to extraordinary feats like ripping up trees and scaling tall buildings, the charismatic Kootoo must still work hard with his band of devils to win the prize in the face of serious competition from a new generation of ‘jabs’. Will the brothers’ scheme to add a new twist to the masquerade be enough for them to win? Directed by Alex de Verteuil, 46 min” source

Co-directed and edited by Luke Paddington: lpaddi@hotmail.com For Sales and Screening: pdcarib@trinidad.net This is the trailer for the 2006 47 min documentary Jab: Kootoo is a hillside farmer in the mountain community of Paramin, but once a year he becomes the King of Jab followed by his brothers, James, Harry and Corpad who transform themselves into the Blue Devils of Paramin.

Two more Blue Devil clips not from the movie but because the Mas Moves me!

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and that $3 Million dollar Bra.

This year’s Victoria Secret fashion show saw model Marisa Miller sporting a 3 million dollar diamond studded ‘fantasy bra’ created by Damiani.

“The 2009 Harlequin Fantasy bra is hand set with over 2,350 white, champagne and cognac-colored diamonds in a harlequin pattern. The bra also has a heart-shaped 16-carat champagne diamond dangling from the Very Sexy Convertible bra. The bra can be worn in five ways: strapless, halter, crossback, one-strap or classic. It has a total carat weight of 150 carats and sells for $3 million."

Damn,  you know it’s only  a matter of time  till one of the big fun bands in Trinidad  start  pushing  some kind of 1 million dollar  costume with authentic Swarovski  Crystals and the  Highest grade plumes etc for the Glam happy generation  to lap up, you know it’s not far off...Believe that!

Any way here are a couple video clips of the event, as always some of the big shot designers out there can always pick up some creative tips from these people.

Toy Soldiers

I just love this stuff... enjoy.



Photography: Albrecht Gerlach www.albrechtgerlach.com
Production: Tatiana Pereira @ Alta Media Productions
Camera Assistant: Tom Chabbat
Sound: Camille Michel www.unterdecke.com
Canon 7D & 5DmkII for rent in Paris: www.photocinerent.fr

Abuja Carnival 2009

The 21st of  November 2009 saw Nigeria celebrate the Abuja Carnival, while I forgot to cover the reports leading up to it this year, I did come across these photos and a video clip of the celebrations, once again looking at some of these costumes one cant deny the African roots of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.

Local residents take part in the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Abuja Carnival Festival held in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, on Nov. 21, 2009. The 2009 Abuja Carnival is held in Abuja on Saturday. [Photo: Xinhua/News Agency of Nigeria]

Two members of Lagos State contingent take part in the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Abuja Carnival Festival in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, on Nov. 21, 2009. [Photo: Xinhua/News Agency of Nigeria]

South Africa dancers from Johannesburg take part in the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Abuja Carnival Festival held in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, on Nov. 21, 2009. [Photo: Xinhua/News Agency of Nigeria]

Members of the Ondo State Cultural Troupe take part in the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Abuja Carnival Festival held in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, on Nov. 21, 2009. [Photo: Xinhua/News Agency of Nigeria]

MAS JUMBIES SECTION: L'ECHO DES BANDES DE CONGO

Here is another sneak peek at another MAS JUMBIES section Des Bandes De Congo.

This is an extinct masque that was once popular at the turn of the 19th century. The costume or attire was very similar to that worn by estate workers at the time; simple with just a straw hat and knee high trousers. They wore Cashew and Palmiste beads necklaces around their necks and sold Jumby bead charms to bystanders. One of their distinctive practices was the chanting of "African" prayers and satirizing religious practices while on the road.

Legacy, Genesis in deals to win masqueraders

Lisa-Marie Browne is flanked by Legacy bandleader Mike “Big Mike” Antoine, left, and Neil “The Boss” George. Photos: Sean Nero

The global financial crisis is causing a re-think of how to do business, and local entrepreneurs are not being left out. Bands like Legacy and Genesis are finding new ways to transact business. And it is very creative as evidenced just over two weeks ago when mas’ band Genesis International announced an alliance with the Chancellor Hotel in St Ann’s, Port-of-Spain.

Under that arrangement guests can save big when they buy hotel packages that include playing mas with the band. The Desert is the Genesis portrayal for the Carnival 2010 Parade of Bands competition.
Now comes news that rival band, Legacy, has struck an arrangement with Win Communications with its pretty mas’ presentation, Masala.
This was confirmed at a media conference held at Crobar on Ariapita Avenue on November 6. The tie-up is expected to boost the bands through recently-planned Carnival programming on television and radio frequencies.Published: 15 Nov 2009

sean nero

Desert comes alive in blaze of colour

LEFT: A band member from the Mirage section at the Sting Nightclub, La Romaine, during the launch of 2K10 Carnival band Mojave Magic.
CENTRE: Desert Sunburst masqueraders dance on the stage
RIGHT: A masquerader from the Yucca section displays her costume during the band launch. Photos courtesy Fireworks Promotions and Trini Fever Crew

The Mojave Desert came alive in a riot of colour at the Sting Nightclub, La Romaine, last weekend, as Fireworks Promotions and the Trini Fever Crew launched their C2K10 presentation—Mojave Magic. The magic began at 9 pm, as people partied to the sounds of Invazion, featuring Naya George and Del Toro. Naya and Invazion performed several hits, including former Road March Trinidad, Carnival is About This, Jumpin in ah Band, Can’t Live Without You and Feeling Good. Denis Vishram, also known as Del Toro, released two C2K10 songs, called Carnival Spirit and J’Ouvert Chant.

Guest DJs Ana, Sean, Marcus and Joel, as well as the Rhythm Crew Tassa group, kept the music flowing as patrons partied the rest of the night. Carib Beer promoters were on hand, giving out bandannas, while the Tequila Girls moved through the crowd promoting the Sauva tequila brand. The Trini Fever Crew’s all-inclusive sections included Yucca, resplendent in lime green, black and silver, and the vivid Desert People in red, white and silver.

Fireworks Promotions’ Desert Sunburst came out in a flash of yellow and gold, while Desert Flora danced across the stage in pink, purple and silver. The Cactus section was a riot of greens and pinks, while the UFO Sighting blazed like the sunset in orange and gold and Mirage flowed across the stage in blue and silver. Sterling Mahase, one of the organisers for the Trini Fever Crew, said: “It was one of the largest launches we have had and everything passed off great.  The turnout was huge and the entertainment was perfect.”

To book costumes, interested parties can visit Fireworks mas camp, 44 Independence Avenue, San Fernando, or call 360-6731. The Trini Fever Crew can be contacted at 682-4783.

CATHERINE COPELAND 

source

..Chalkdust: Money well spent

Calypso icon Horace ’Chalkdust’ Liverpool says what he has seen of the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA) so far was money ’well spent’ with a lot of space for steelbands .
Liverpool, who will be one of the tutors teaching calypso at NAPA, said ’it (the building) wouldn’t assist the calypso art form in any way. It will assist the calypso art form if we have classes and training programme’.
He was speaking to reporters who had just completed a tour of the NAPA facility facilitated by the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT).
Liverpool was there doing sound checks in preparation for a production arranged by the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), which is scheduled to take place at the NAPA concert hall this evening.
He said that UTT, which will be managing the classrooms and two multi-functional rooms that can double as small theatres which have capacities 300 and 175 seats respectively, is now working ’on training programmes in calypso and carnival.’

’We are now writing the courses and we are now validating them. I am sure that by next year those courses are going to start...We have a thing called Caribbean music. We are having degrees in Carnival arts so that persons can get their masters programme in Carnival arts,’ Liverpool said.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161558738

ALEXANDER MC QUEEN: SPRING 2010: PLATO'S ATLANTIS

Alexander McQueen presented another spectacle for his Spring/Summer 2010 ready to wear collection. Titled ‘Plato’s Atlantis’ Mc Queen has once again brought another classic collection to the fashion table. This guy simply rocks every single time. I will advise you to listen to the comments made on the video and then you can understand what it takes to be a leader in your field they say he ‘plays with notions, reconceptualise fashion, new visions experiments with new fabrics  and breaks new lines’. These are the kind of descriptions Mas designers should be aiming for when designing instead of the same old tried and tested formula with minor deviations now and then.     

Check it out.

For more check the entire collection and the interview.

SHOWTIME TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2010: THE MATRIX

I recently returned from a holiday in Trinidad ...more of a research run than anything else, while there I did manage to drop into a mas camp or two in the Port of Spain environs and took some Photos of what I saw.

I did drop into the Showtime mas camp to find out more about their 2010 presentation called the Matrix. Now almost everyone will know what the Sci-fi cult smash represents, the story line the Hero etc so I don’t think I have to break down the movie to anyone right now.

Movies and Mas in Trinidad have a long history, the influence of Hollywood on the Mas men and band leaders can be traced to the earliest Red Indian Mas bands and the biblical bands of the mid 20^TH century Carnival. Back then the costumes for some bands were made to be as close a replica to what was seen in the movies, even Pan sides where named after the Hollywood war epics of the time like Destination Tokyo.

 So the people at Showtime too have decided to use the theme of the Hollywood blockbuster The Matrix as their first venture as a band for Carnival 2010.  The band does not follow the movie’s story line to the letter at first glance, but with closer scrutiny one can identify the relationship between costumes and the characters in the movie fairly easily, like the Trinity, Niobe Logos, and Eye of the Oracle sections.

Sections like Agent Orange threw me completely, reference was made to it in the synopsis but that too made little sense to me when put next to the whole Matrix theme. Virtuality, (virtual reality?) Zion and Oblivion are designs that can go here or there it’s all about interpretation when added to the theme of the band, for me these sections work.

The Matrix is a text book fun band, the designs though not exceptional are tight, with sections like Merovingian, Trinity, Oblivion and Exiles standing out in style and interpretation in my opinion. As a first venture as a Band I think Showtime has done a safe job, I don’t know how many masqeraders they are aiming for but with a balanced band in numbers small, medium, or large I think the Matrix visually can do some damage on the road come 2010.

L'Echo des Marchandes: MAS JUMBIES J' Ouvert 2010

They were once a familiar sight in Port-of-Spain in the late 19th and early 20th century. These vendors who exclusively were women would be seen and heard peddling their various array of goods from door to door. They dressed in the fashion of a la Martiniquaise and carried trays above their heads with the different array of goods, usually sweets and sweet meats.

L'Echo des Marchandes is priced at TT$400.00 and is a women only section. It is available in 3 colours.

Kalicharans launch C2k10 mas at Sting

A fabulous time was had by all who attended the launch of Ivan and Wendy Kalicharan’s C2K10 presentation of Outta D’ Rainforest, at Sting Night Club, La Romaine, on October 24. The talented husband and wife team has been producing mas in San Fernando for the past 26 years and has won the coveted Band of the Year title on 15 occasions.

Based on reports from those who attended the launch, it seems that the Kalicharans are well on their way to winning number 16. They won the title last year with their presentation titled Spectrum of the Sea. Some of the sections this year are Morpho Butterfly, Gerbera Flower, Poison Ivy, Oil Spill, Macaw, D’ Leopard and Trio Tribe.

source

TIME MACHINE: Trinidad Carnival 1959.

The Ministry of Tourism has posted some Trinidad and Tobago Carnival video clips from the Carnival of 1959 on you tube.

On the videos you can see great Masters of the Art form such as Harold Saldenha and George Bailey in their prime, and their epic Carnival presentations crossing the Queens Park Savannah stage to become subjects of legend in the colourful history of  Trinidad an Tobago’s Carnival.

And for those of you who wish to know a little more about Trinidad Carnival 1959, here are some more facts.          

 
Carnival Monday and Tuesday of 1959 was on the 9^th and 10^th of February, the Road March of that year was ‘Run the Gunslingers’ by the Mighty Caruso, The Mighty Striker won the Calypso King competition for the second year in a row with the Calypso’s ‘Ban the hula hoop’, and ‘Comparison between West Indians in England and foreigners in Trinidad’.

The first Queen of the bands title was won by Esther Theodore “who portrayed the Empress Alexandra, wife of Nicholas II of Russia. She was from the San Fernando band Festival of Moscow”. (M. Anthony 1989, p274).

A lot of people debate if the period between the mid 1950’s and the early 1980’s can be considered the Golden Age of Carnival, but consider the names of the legendary Mas Men and bandleaders that competed against each other during this period and their presentations.

Spectators of 1959 would have witnessed a spectacle that composed of bands such as these...All Stars with over 1000 playing United States Naval Forces, Bobby Ammon’s ‘Conquistadores’ “ a band depicting the meeting between Spanish forces and Montezuma II just before the fall of Mexico at Christmas in 1521” (M. Anthony 1989, p276).

Irving Mc Williams ‘Feast of Belshazzar’, Neville Aming, ‘The Reign of the Ming’s,  Harold Saldenha’s ‘The Cree Indians of Canada’, and the band that won Band of the year, George Bailey’s ‘Relics of Egypt’. Bailey’s band also won the first people’s choice title. The band was made up of 350 members and divided into 15 sections portraying 36 dynasties of Ancient Egypt.

Saldenha’s band was made up of 550 members and 26 sections, the Irving Mc Williams band Feast of Belshazzar was made up of 502 members.

Carnival 1959 also saw an infamous Clash on the streets of POS between Desperadoes and San Juan All Stars leaving around 30 people injured, San Juan’s theme that year was ‘War Cry’, the Desperadoes presentation of Fruits and Flowers was destroyed in the battle. (M. Anthony 1989, p278).
 
One thing about looking at these videos there is no doubt that there is an evident decrease in the creative

efforts put into Mas since the late 1950’s , however one thing cannot be denied, then like now a fantastic time is always had by all.

Related articles

• First Queen of the Bands
• K2K Gala Band Launch Tickets Available Online
• Nicki Minaj Rocks Trinidad Carnival in 'Pound the Alarm' Music Video

MAS JUMBIES SECTION: Echo du Village

         

Echo du Village is priced at TT$350.00 all inclusive. Registration begins in 2 weeks for Loyalty Masqueraders only. MAS Jumbies Road DJ will again be www.spindmusic.com

 

Echo du Village draws its inspiration from the Juve Masque that once populated the rural and surbubs of POS. Masqueraders will have the option of white paint.

The all inclusive package includes security, alcoholic & non-alcoholic bar, breakfast (ham & hops; salt fish & bake) and Irish Coffee as a starter.

Loyalty Masqueraders will continue to receive their Discount and may also register friends using the same discount (one time usage).

L'Echo is comprised of 6 sections.

Mas institution to begin training

top brass: Directors of the Mas Academy Valentine Jerry and Patrick Roberts. -Photo: Gary cardinez

The Mas Academy, an institution run by the National Carnival Bands Association, (NCBA) will begin training in Costume Design, Costume Building, Adjudication, Management and Carnival Band Production on November 16. The institution, which was launched on July 24, 2009, will carry out classes at its Main Campus at 40 Cornelio Street, Woodbrook. This was revealed to the media at a session yesterday at the Mas Academy. Potential band leaders, designers, costume builders, craft teachers and others can sign up for a one-year course in Wire bending, Drawing for Mas, Plastic Technology, Metal Craft Adjudication, Management and the Production of a Carnival Band. Students will be exposed to some of this country’s top mas producers like Geraldo Vieira and Glendon Morris as course work includes visits to mas camps, workshops and mas factories. The Ncba and The Mas Academy are working in conjunction with the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and upon completion of the courses participants will receive a diploma. According to director of the Mas Academy, Valentine Jerry, ’We need to certify our people because of the direction Carnival is taking. Today we can find Trinidad style carnival in over 150 countries throughout the world. ’And we as Trinidadians cannot go out there and make mas just so, you have to show that you are qualified to do the work.’ Jerry went on, ’We have to see Carnival as an industry, and it has changed over the years and is now big, big business. ’The benefits of the training given at the Mas Academy will enhance the quality of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival at home and abroad. Carnival artists would have an opportunity to improve their skills through formal training. ’And it will also build a reservoir of professional mas makers here at home.’ Another director, Patrick Roberts, said, ’The Mas Academy was four years in the making and we are glad it is finally here. We in Trinidad have to close the gap on the rest of the world and forge ahead. ’Certification is the way to go because it is no longer easy to go to Europe or other countries around the world and feel you could make the mas. There are rules and regulations guiding the industry now.’ The Mas Academy is here to make sure Trinidad and Tobago remains the Mecca of Mas and Carnival and that’s the reason for the training of Carnival artists. Gary Cardinez Express