I know you spent all your money and energy in Miami but time is speeding a way and Trini carnival is just around the corner so take your vitamins because from here on out we on the move. On October 30, 2008 at the Prince George Ballroom, Antilia brought Trinidad Carnival 2009 to us for a much cheaper fee (one hundred dollars) than the thousands most spend to play mas and fete in Trinidad. Antilia did a wonderful job of transforming the loft space and giving the people a glimpse of Trinidad carnival, the second largest carnival in the world. The food was exquisite (corn soup was delicious), the music was decent, the crowd was sophisticated, and the drinks were flowing compliments of Alize. The invite said “dress to kill” some actually came dressed as if they were attending a star studded affair, others dressed as if they were going to the shopping mall, nonetheless the crowd was energetic and ready to observe what Antilia was about to present. The bands that tantalized us with their mas were Spice, Island People, and Elements. The colors and presentations were phenomenal however in the great words of Iwer George, and D Wassie Man “somebody missin “.
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In the midst of all the joy and sweet vibes there was a bit of disappointment in the atmosphere. I spoke with Heather Wilson a designer for the mas band “Wee International”. Heather has been designing mas for about six years and she posed a very good question. She stated “the Trinidad government helped sponsored this event why weren’t all mas bands notified and given the same opportunity to present their mas?” She also stated that she was “very disappointed” and she felt the band selections were “biased” and that Trinidad government only sponsored “their friends”. Heather mentioned her band will be presenting “Candy Shop” for the 2009 Trinidad Carnival season the website is www.weeinternatinal.com. Unfortunately I couldn’t get anyone from Antilia or any of there sponsors to comment. In another corner stood a manufacturer who is responsible for most of the mas we were about to see that night Hai Lin.

Hai Lin owns Hai Trimming Inc, a company in New York City that produces the mas for Trinidad Carnival. He explained to me he doesn’t design any of the mas he receives the designs from the mas camp and he simply manufactures the designs out of his shops in China. He states “he’s always impressed with the designs from the mas camps”. Spice and Element mas camps gave him the most business for the 2009 carnival season.

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I also had the pleasure of talking to David Seegobin. I asked David “where does he love to play mas”? David stated “I love to play mas in Trini mas has a vibe an atmosphere like no other place.” He also stated “When we say all inclusive we mean all inclusive; drinks non-stop and food non-stop to say hear food ran out means it wasn’t a true all inclusive”. Both Heather and David agreed Trinidad all inclusive is “the best because you get your money’s worth”. David also went on to say “the women don’t give you a problem for a wine in Trini, in New York forget about it.” I asked David “how does he feel about Jouvet in New York?” David said “New York Jouvet is rather dangerous, some people can’t manage their liquor, or just don’t understand the culture and mas on a whole in New York has too many restrictions and ends too early….. In Trinidad it doesn’t matter your creed, race, or color everyone limin together having a good time all day all night with no restrictions”. He felt Canada also had an early cutoff time. He was happy to attend the event but he’s a huge supporter of Tribe mas Camp and that’s the only mas camp he will ever play with he came out to support and see what the other bands had to offer.

Antilia group did a phenomenal job with this event I enjoyed myself and felt like a movie star that evening. In every event there will be ups and downs and you can’t please everyone however, for 2010 I would love to see other mas bands present their mas to the general public in New York giving people the opportunity to see a variety of Trinidad mas. After this event I was truly inspired to go to Trinidad and play mas, I hope to see more sophisticated events like the one provided by Antilia.

- Written by Chandy