SALT - Cure for D'Mas Launch Tomorrow.

Earl Patterson’s band SALT the cure for D mas, launches their prophetic presentation for Carnival 2012, called ‘2012 the Living Prophecies.’ Designed by Keith Mc Lean  the band explores the belief of several ancient civilisations that the earth will experience a rebirth in the year 2012, bringing an end to its 4^th great year (a cycle of 5000 years ) and starting a 5^th cycle called the age of Aquarius.(see the synopsis below.) for more info see their FB page.

some sections from the band L-R,  Hopi Prophesy, Egyptians, Mayans countdown, Rain.

The inspiration for the presentation “2012” - The Living Prophecies, is based on the ancient Mayan, Hopi Indian, Chinese (I Ching), and Hindu societies and religions, all of whom predicted that the Winter Solstice on December 21, 2012 ~ precisely at 11:11 AM Universal Time ~ marks the end of the World’s Fourth Great Year Cycle. It is believed that the world goes through periods of destruction and renewal every 5000 years or so and on December 21 2012 the World is about to enter a new age (The Fifth Great Year Cycle called the Age of Aquarius).

The overall theme of these prophesies is that the Earth will soon go through a great purification. It is predicted that horrific events, natural disasters and destruction will accompany the New Age.

While doomsayers believe predictions will come to past, these ancient prophecies emphasize themes of transformation and renewal for the New Age. It is said that the cycle we are ending is one that is dominated by materialism and egoism. The prophecies warn that the continued survival of the World after 2012 is dependent on the willingness of the human race to observe the Laws of Creation that honor the positive spirit humankind and the interdependence of all life forms.
It is interesting to note that there are no further calendars, predictions, or indications of the continued state of our civilization… as we know it… beyond 21-12-2012.

Related articles

• New Campari calendar takes on the end of the world in 2012 (daveibsen.typepad.com)
• Everything 2012 in the Age of Precarious (2012dotblog.wordpress.com)
• Mayan Scholars Question the Oct. 28 Date as the "End" of the Mayan Calendar (stevebeckow.com)
• 11/11/11: How Friday Is Tied to the Mayan Apocalypse (ktrmurali.wordpress.com)

Jacqui portrays elements of life

The Element of Water. Photos:Tony Howell

The House of Jacqui children’s band presented its C2K11 offering, Elements of Life, on January 8 at the Skiffle Bunch Pan Theatre on Coffee Street in San Fernando. According to local fashion icon Jacqui Koon How: “Everything that affects life is an element and the concept for the band came from my grandson Joshua Regrello. “There are the regular elements such as earth and water. We went a step further and added love and tradition which is an important element because we need to understand where we came from before we can move forward.”

Koon How added that this was the 17th year since the band was formed, and what made it unique was that it had entered competitions throughout the country—San Fernando; Marabella; Gasparillo; Barrackpore; Couva; Claxton Bay; Arouca and Port-of-Spain. “In light of the present economy the costumes are priced at less that $600, which includes transport and refreshment,” she said. Elements of Life will also be displayed at the Village Plaza, Pleasantville on Saturday, and Gulf City Mall, La Romaine on January 22. Anyone interested in registering can visit the mas camp at 60 Irving Street, San Fernando or call 652-1965/ 752-1592.

Sections

Elements of the Sun (yellow)
Element of Love (pink)
Element of Water (blue)
Element of the Sea (blue and green)
Element of the Earth (brown)
Element of the Tradition (red)

Caption 1: The Element of the Sea .

Caption 2: The Element of Sun.

Caption 3: The Element of the Tradition on show from the House of Jacqui 2011 presentation.

Caption 4: The Element of Earth.

SOURCE: Catherine Copeland

Related articles

• The Chinese Zodiac (time.com)
• Art on Nails : Most Funky And Wacky Nail Art (gilygily.com)
• Pagan Symbols & Meanings (brighthub.com)

BRIAN MAC FARLANE 2008: EARTH Cries of Despair Wings of Hope.

Brian Mac Farlane’s effort for 2008 is EARTH, Cries of despair Wings of hope

To me this band is a different Mac Farlane, than his previous presentations, if “The Washing of 05, Threads of Joy of 06 and Boyie of 07, always seemed to have an element of Minshall in it, EARTH, in my opinion is Truly Mac Farlane in design. (Almost anyway.)

1995 dance of the Scarlet Ibis opp Paradise reborn 2008

The costumes are designed to a theme and a story line, the story is that of the Earth and mans destruction of this planet. However this is not the first time that Mac Farlane has touched this theme, for Carnival 1995 Brian MacFarlane designed a similar band for Peter Samuel’s “Mask Productions” called “Dance de le Mang”



Like I said before the band is visually like no other Mc Farlane has done in recent times thus far, but by the looks of the designs, on paper it like it is not his strongest to date

1995 polluted waters (rightside) vs 2008 Radiation.

While the theme is current and the designs somewhat contemporary, the costumes lack the kick of previous presentations. Maybe on the road with individuals, a king and queen and other trappings the band can still look impressive.

This is however by no means a pretty mas, Earth is designed to depict the reality of today, that is an ugly one. With sections like Floods of Terror, Army of Fear, Pestilence, and Famine, Earth, Cries of despair is indeed an anti pretty mas, the theme, being dark disturbing, and macabre. Not since Minshall’s Dance Macabre in 1980, or even Peter Samuel’s Dance de la Mang in 1995, has death, pollution, and decay been portrayed on the streets of P.O.S, in a grand way.

To balance this depressing depiction of the Earth dieing Mac Farlane has also designed “Wings of Hope” a 5 section Band for Rosalind Gabriel’s children’s band that would merge with Mac Farlane’s to complete the story. With sections like “New Dawn” “Passion of Humanity”, “Oceans of Rejuvenation”, “Grace” and “Paradise Reborn” the designer not only gives the story a happy ending but also portrays our dreams and expectations that our youth can save us and save the Earth from our destructive habits and practices.

Oceans of Rejuvenation 2008.

For me “Wings of hope” saves the band, Earth totaly, without these sections the band would be simply boring, while I don’t believe that Carnival is always about Colour, I find the use of Black and White almost monotonous, and the designs of these costumes ON PAPER lacking some kind of a dramatic PUNCH, so the colour in the latter sections is a visual positive, that gives the band, that dramatic STING it seemed to lack in the first part.

There is absolutely no doubt that EARTH, is a contender for another band of the year title for Mac Farlane, however, Trini Revellers have beaten him in the past (2006) and even Legacy with their presentation of Passages are right back in the race.

While I am a fan of Mac Farlane’s work and find his contributions highly valuable to Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, and cultural retention, I am of the opinion that he is deliberately retracing a creative, conceptual path long set in stone by Peter Minshall.

With Earth, Mac Farlane has produced some original, contemporary looking designs, but yet the band seems to lack that BAND OF THE YEAR, VIBE I got of the designs in the past.
I give EARTH, Cries of despair Wings of hope FOUR STARS, I don’t think it’s his best work but it is without a doubt a contender for Band of the year 2008!