A TRIBE Is Born
RECENT SURVEY AND MASQUERADER FEEDBACK
We thank all of you for your feedback via emails, phone calls and the recent masquerader survey conducted in May. The results of the survey were extremely heartening as TRIBE received a positive rating in 27 of the 30 questions asked, indicating a very high level of customer satisfaction and a real indication from our valued customers. We would like to sincerely thank all of our masqueraders for endorsing our Band and our Brand!
On the Road

We recognize that road congestion along the parade route was the major reason that the band did not move as freely as it did in 2009. The authorities have full control over the movement of all the bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and other Bandleaders have received similar feedback from their masqueraders in 2010. Spectator congestion along Ariapita Ave. was another issue raised by masqueraders in all bands. Both these issues will be collectively brought to the attention of the authorities by all Bandleaders. Additionally, TRIBE intends to avoid all congested areas along the route in the future.
Costume Re-Sales

NO MORE COSTUME TRANSFERS! Reports of TLC cardholder abuse and costume profiteering have been repeatedly brought to our attention. To stop this practice, one measure we will implement is a strict “NO Costume Transfer” rule.
Registration and Fraud Activity

Once again we would like to re-iterate that the ONLY persons authorized to collect monies for registration are the TRIBE Mas Camp/office, Committee members (see website) and TRIBE Management. TRIBE shall not be held responsible or accountable for monies not directly submitted via these channels. Please feel free to contact our office to make any inquiries or to report suspicious or potentially fraudulent activity.

WARRIORS…GET BATTLE READY FOR 2011!
Get battle ready for a new unbelievable Carnival Experience!! The Launch of Carnival 2011 is here and on Saturday July 24th TRIBE will unveil its most outstanding presentations to date.

2011 UNVEILED

As Carnival continues to evolve and the masquerader demands shift, TRIBE’s cutting edge approach enables us to adapt to these varying needs. As such, TRIBE has heeded your suggestions and will offer two different carnival experiences for Carnival 2011. We are pleased to introduce two smaller bands, TRIBE & BLISS, which will improve manageability and maneuverability on the road, thereby significantly enhancing your Carnival Experience.
Those of you who enjoy the “organized bacchanal” can continue to ‘palance’ in TRIBE…The ULTIMATE Carnival Experience. Those who desire a much smaller band with the same high quality product and service as they have become accustomed to in TRIBE, now have the option of BLISS…The INTIMATE Carnival Experience.
This carefully studied and planned approach allows each band and its respective masqueraders to have their own distinct identity with each having its own parade route and band management. As our launches approach we will release more information on the both bands.

The Battle has begun…release the Warrior within!!

After TRIBE’s 2010 Band Launch some were left disappointed, others excited. I for one felt as though this was one TRIBE’s inferior presentations and they could’ve done much better. Maybe it was the change of the band’s

theme that set the costumes off. The Presentation originally named “The Silk Road” was deemed too close to “The Spice Route” as a result the name was changed to “The Secrets of Silk”.

The masqueraders were in an tangent while the live video of the launch was being shown on Trinscene, haterade was consumed by the gallon. After some got over the initial disappointment then came the decisions that the costumes will suffice and quality of service is what we are really paying for. TRIBE has been known to offer the best service in the Carnival industry, basically becoming the mecca of quality service to masqueraders. With that said, is it enough to woo customers who are thinking of going astray?

Island People unlike TRIBE is on the other side of the fence, year after year, masqueraders complain of being ill-treated, missing costume pieces, poor security accompanied by costume collection drama. They lament in the hairsalons, gatherings, basically anywhere that carnival is brought up and sure enough- as a friend termed it- “a woman with battered wife syndrome” they back again for more licks! Why? Because the vibes and costumes outdo their customer service.

Is it wrong for a masquerader to look for both a good costume and service? Or is it to gain one you must sacrifice the other. For the amount of money spent each year on my costume I believe each masquerader is entitled to great customer service! A masquerader is not supposed lie down and take rude attendants and unfinished or incomplete costumes! But in a market where there isn’t really any just board that a masquerader can go and complain to about service and costumes, we are left trying to get what we believe is value for money whether it be costume or service.

Find out more at carnival addicts

The Band launch will be happening June 12th, Brooklyn New York. This promises to be a great event complete with costume give-aways! The band name is Exotica, and the theme is Viva Las Vegas.

This is a diverse group ranging from Vincy, Trini, Grenada,  and Barbados. The new all inclusive band promises to give masqueraders their money’s worth for labor day 2009.to give you your money’s worth labor day.Tickets are 20 in advance 30 at the door.

Registration will be taking place the night of the band launching and children’s costume sketches will be displayed as well. This band promises to give you your money’s worth!
For more updates from New York on Labor Day Carnival download and visit Maashup at www.maashup.com.

// –>

Download Maashup For More Carnival Costumes, News, Fetes and Photos.

// –>
// –>
// –>

Brooklyn is the home of the West Indian Carnival and Parade. It is known in many corners of the world as the Labor Day parade and also for being on the first Monday in September. So what is Labor Day to West Indian Americans, Brooklynites, other New Yorkers, Caribbean nationals and other visitors to New York?

Each attendee comes to the parkway for different reasons. The vendors come to sell their food, clothing, etc. with some setting up their tents and starting to cook on Labor Day Sunday. Some spectators come out early on Monday to get a good spot and to lime with family or friends until the parade starts. Other spectators trickle in as the day continues. I picked a nice, less crowded area and enjoyed the sights, sounds, colors, and culture.

The masqueraders come out in their costumes to dance, wine, and get on bad. You will see them everywhere, behind, to the left, right and in front of the trucks. The Labor Day Parade along Eastern parkway in Brooklyn has masqueraders, t-shirt bands, band staff, parade organizers, music trucks, politicians, maybe one or two Christian trucks, ole mas, stilt walkers… Depending on where you are on the parkway you will have a different experience. If you were on one side of the parkway you are lucky to see popular singers on a truck, the other side might not see them. This year Alison Hinds and MC Wassy were very noticeable on top of trucks with Alison wearing yellow and black and Mc Wassy in his trademark red outfit. Most times if you’re a spectator you might miss some costumes since they are blocked by the music truck. Not me, I saw most of the parade.

At the start and end of the parade you can see the bands a little more organized compared to the middle of the route. I definitely like the end of the route when they get in their sections. It is a delight for many to see this since it makes for better pictures and visually appealing. One might even see a choreographed performance after some of them get in their section. Some masqueraders have enormous energy and dance up a storm. Others come to the parade tired from going to fetes and maybe jouvert. Others just feel drained from being in the sun and due to some things that go on along the route.

Many spectators along the parkway try to capture a few good images but are blocked by some people in street clothes (especially the ones who in many cases are not affiliated or know someone from the bands). Fortunately, throughout the day police are spread out along the main parkway lanes and ‘sweep’ many people away with their orange nets to the next street that crosses the parkway, which does help a little. While that is being done one group of police halts the parade with their nets and another group allows people to cross the parkway. Of course, the bands move down Eastern Parkway accompanied with plain clothes people as well. Some continue on with the band, others are the next set that will be carried away with a net to the next avenue.

As for the music trucks, well, I definitely have some thoughts about them. From one truck all yuh hearing is: “security get these people off the truck.” Well I wanted that truck to ‘pelt they tail’ or play some music. Now when they finally did they sure did muck up Alison’s Roll it Gal. One music truck was playing sweet soca oldies. Other trucks played music from this year. The truck representing Dominica had a live band and sound system. I really enjoyed seeing this since I love live music more than what comes from a sound system. Now, if a DJ is good I would enjoy the music but if they just slap songs one after the other better they had stayed home. For this year’s parade I felt one of two of the DJs needed to do a better job.

The music trucks come down the parkway accompanying mas and t-shirts bands, and groups of people in street clothes who proudly display their country flag like most in the mas and t-shirt bands. I enjoyed the Bajan truck that played Mr. Dale’s “Soca Junkie” as it passed me and then it was fun dancing and watching people do the dance for Machel’s “Jumbie”, which was coming from the Panamanian truck. Sesame Flyers with their portrayal: “Caribbean Heritage” came after and I heard Blaxx’s “Breathless”, Faye-Ann’s “Get on”, and Machel’s “Jumbie”. Next to pass was Alison Hinds on a truck singing “Togetherness”; next was MC Wassy above a truck that was playing “Jumbie”; and following was the portrayal: Sweetness in Brooklyn and I heard Machel and Sparrow’s “Congo Man” with Kes the Band on the same truck playing the song. Hawks International followed with their portrayal: “Legends of Carnival” and I heard Ricky T’s “Pressure” Boom then Machel’s “Push Yuh Bumper”. Walking on the street were politicians such as Yvette Clark, Mathieu Eugene, and Letitia James. Machel and Patrice’s “Rollin” and “Congo Man” played while large costumes and masqueraders passed, with the Dominican truck directly behind.

Passing next was South Central Boyz’s portrayal: “Ah Love Meh Colours”, which included some large costumes and I saw rope being used to separate people wearing costumes from those in street wear. The mas band was accompanied by Spice and Co’s “Bump and Wine”. Next truck to pass was the Christian one and the man on the mike said things like: “If you love Jesus say yeah, yeah” and “say Hallelujah”. Many spectators obeyed. Next two trucks were 2 Haitian ones accompanied by a sea of people who were mostly Haitian. Following closely behind was the truck representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines and T&T Boys with their portrayal: “Gems and Jewels of the Universe. Next was the truck representing Grenada followed by a Haitian – Digicel sponsored music truck. Another truck accompanied a mas band with some big costumes. Closely following was a Haitian – C.A.M sponsored truck and the Hot 97 truck playing Reggae. The last two trucks pulled two steel bands playing sweet pan. The Trinidad and Tobago music trucks were with mas bands that have mostly Trinidad Carnival roots and many costumed bands had more than one king and queen (but mostly queens) of their band.

If I had to change anything it would be the order of how the trucks came down the parkway or maybe space them out more or at least have a standard volume level for all trucks. There were four trucks, even though definitely worth hearing, which had the volume of their sound system a little too loud. The high volume of their trucks prevented many spectators from hearing what the trucks in front and behind them were playing. This problem is due to a back up caused by the police keeping the parade from flowing continuously due to their trying to meet the needs of those who want to cross the parkway and helping the spectators to get a good view by sweeping those who are standing in front of the people behind the barricade. I also think the bands need to police themselves better. The trucks need to have a better control of how many people get on their music trucks because one truck had to stop the music because they had to use the mike to tell some people to get off. Finally, there must be a continued effort to improve the flow of the parade and to have better crowd control so it can grow to be a nicer experience for all.

From this spectator’s point of view it was a beautiful day. Weather was lovely, beautiful costumes were awash with vibrant color, delicious food was abundant, funny jokes were heard, people were shaking powder and waving flags, I saw many people having a time and sweet Caribbean music filled the air.

Next Stop Miami and Broward Carnival 2008. See you There!

-Written by Lady Classy

-Photography by Sean James

I watch a motley crowd pouring out from all corners and filled the street with bubbling spirits of merriment. Flags of the Caribbean countries rippled across the street as a field of exotic flowers blown by a gust of wind. Hope is weaved into bright and showy raiment and dreams are shaped into melody. To fuel the soul drink Carib, Guinness or Heineken beers, and feast on jerk chicken, boil corn, roast corn, and hot spicy corn, hot pepper shrimps and hot crab legs.

After sunrise the J’ouvert finishes, most people will go home to shower and then change into their better clothes or costumes to take part in the main parade hours later.

Faint or frisky, sober or stone the crowd glows.

-Written by Zerina Phillip

-Photography by Zerina Phillip

Visit Her at www.myspace.com/yahshay

Read More From Zerina Phillip

OLE MAS FEMALE CHARACTER
1st Place
Joan Moore
Portrayal: “Dame Lorraine”
From the Band: St. Matthews Cultural Dance Ensemble

2nd Place
Claudia Woodroffe
Portrayal: “Rag Woman”
From the Band: St. Matthews Cultural Dance Ensemble

3rd Place
Debbie Howell
Portrayal: “Tourist Annie”
From the Band: St. Matthews Cultural Dance Ensemble

OLE MAS MALE CHARACTER
1st Place
Euston James
Portrayal: “Papa Bois”
From the Band: St. Matthews Cultural Dance Ensemble

2nd Place
Brian Hartman
Portrayal: “Witch Doctor”
From the Band: BG Production

3rd Place
Ricardo Lorick
Portrayal: “Josephine Baker”
From the Band: The French Cabaret

OLE MAS BANDS
1st Place
BG Productions
Portrayal: “Rich U All Cons For Riches”

2nd Place
New Horizon
Portrayal: “Road To The Whitehouse”

3rd Place
Antoine International
Portrayal: “Foreign English”

ADULT FEMALE CHARACTER
1st Place
Janelle Cumberbatch
Portrayal: The Sioux Uprising”
From the Band: Pieces of A Dream

2nd Place
Sharon Jobe
Portrayal: “Ah Love Meh Colours”
From the Band: South Central Boyz

3rd Place
Shaunder Maynard
Portrayal: “Goddess Of The Sky”
From the Band: Hawks International

ADULT MALE CHARACTER
1st Place
Jackie Cumberbatch
Portrayal: “Tribute to Neville Aming”
From the Band: Pieces of A Dream

2nd Place
Andy Lewis
Portrayal: “The Lovable Artiste”
From the Band: South Central Boyz

3rd Place
Curtis Dyer
Portrayal: “Fisherman God”
From the Band: 1199 Social Cultural Committee

JUNIOR FEMALE CHARACTER
1st Place
Tsahi Corbie
Portrayal: “Freedom:
From the Band: New Generation

2nd Place
LeeAnn Nelson
Portrayal: “Caribbean Woman”
From the Band: Sesame Flyers

3rd Place
Angelica Quow
Portrayal: “Royalty”
From the Band: New Generation

JUNIOR MALE CHARACTER
1st Place
Glen Junior Foreman
Portrayal: “Claudius Maximus”
From the Band: D’Midas International

2nd Place
Aasif Gomez
Portrayal: “Magic of Triniamerican”
From the Band: Funtastic II

3rd Place
Jahmil Courtney
Portrayal: “Zulu Ceremonial Witch Doctor”
From the Band: Kaios International

JUNIOR QUEENS
1st Place
Diane Joseph
Portrayal: “Hiawatha’s Dream”
From the Band: D’Midas International

2nd Place
Mauricia Henry
Portrayal: “Jewels of the Jungle”
From the Band: New Generation

3rd Place
Raven Ottley
Portrayal: “Fly, Fly, Pretty Butterfly”
From the Band: Borokeete International

JUNIOR KINGS
1st Place
Jeridine Caterson
Portrayal: “Amazulu Warrior”
From the Band: Pieces of A Dream

2nd Place
Joel Niles
Portrayal: “Dream of Wantanka”
From the Band: D’Midas International

3rd Place
Joshua Atherly
Portrayal: “King Shaka”
From the Band: DA Mas Production

JUNIOR BAND OF THE YEAR (SMALL)
1st Place
Carican Costumes
Portrayal: “In The Universe”

2nd Place
The Promise
Portrayal: “Tropical Sensations”

3rd Place
Pirates Ashore
Portrayal: “Pirates”

JUNIOR BAND OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM)
1st Place
New Generation
Portrayal: “Jungle”

2nd Place
D’Midas International
Portrayal: “Mama Dis Is Mas”

3rd Place
Funtastic II
Portrayal: “Myths And Magic”

JUNIOR BAND OF THE YEAR (LARGE)
1st Place
Sesame Flyers
Portrayal: “Caribbean Heritage”

2nd Place
Hawks International
Portrayal: “Ole Time Something Come Back Again”

3rd Place
Borokeete International
Portrayal: “Beauty Of The Dark Continent”

ADULT QUEEN
1st Place
Kay Mason
Portrayal: “Bird of a Feather”
From the Band: Borokeete International

2nd Place
Dorothy Blake
Portrayal: “Faces of Africa”
From the Band: “Genesis International USA

3rd Place
Lenore Caterson
Portrayal: “Peesunt, The Daughter of Kitwana”
From the Band: Pieces of A Dream

ADULT KING
1st Place
Keith Tinto
Portrayal: “An African Jewel”
From the Band: Genesis International USA

2nd Place
Errol Das
Portrayal: “Savage Warrior”
From the Band: Pieces of A Dream

3rd Place
Jamel Hospedales
Portrayal: “Exotic Beast”
From the Band: The PromiseADULT BANDS (SMALL)

1st Place
Pieces Of A Dream International Incorporated
Portrayal: “From Broadway To Hollywood”

2nd Place
The Promise XTC & EP Associates
Portrayal: “Tropical Sensation”3rd Place
South Central Boyz
Portrayal: “Ah Love Meh Colours”

ADULT BANDS (MEDIUM)
1st Place
1199 SEIU Social Cultural Committee
Portrayal: “A Taste Of The South Pacific”

2nd Place
T&T Boys
Portrayal: “Gems and Jewels Of The Universe”

ADULT BANDS (LARGE)
1st Place
Sesame Flyers
Portrayal: “Caribbean Heritage”

2nd Place
Borokeete International
Portrayal: “Beauty Of The Dark Continent”

3rd Place
Hawks International
Portrayal: “Legends of Carnival”

- Written By Chandy

Now that you’ve taken in the spectacular view at E.T Joshua airport, and you’ve dropped your luggage at your hotel you’re wondering what’s next. Well for starters my dear don’t expect to rest your sweet head for no more than 3 hours a night, and that’s if you’re lucky. Come along with me on my experience of Vincy mas. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Carnival, known to many as Vincy Mas starts the last week of June into the second week of July.

Many people tend to land in Vincy during the weekend of all the madness I was one of them, ( when you work a nine to five it’s hard to take a whole ten days off, so you opt for the next best thing 5 days of madness). The night I landed was July 3rd, Panorama took place earlier in day but that evening was Fire Fete at Arnos Vale Playing Field (directly across from the airport). Bunji Garlin, Faynne Lyons and the Asylum band performed along with local artist Skinny Fabulous, Icon, Problem Child, Blakie, Zola and many others. I can honestly say for my 50 EC (about 19 US) it was well worth it.

The music was sweet, the vibes was right, and waist was pelting for days. I didn’t reach home til six the next morning, some may have to sleep for work others have nothing to do (like myself) but lime after the show by Yankee’s chicken located opposite the Methodist church Kingstown. Yankee’s chicken is the only late night spot open til the wee hours of the morning, kind of like your local diner in the states.

So I rested for a couple of hours to head into Kingstown (town) to exchange money and after head to KFC for lunch and take a walk to SVG players Mas Camp to pay off the balance on my costume and spray paint my shoes. There are six local banks but during Carnival all the lines are very long, (Scotia, NCB, First Caribbean, RBTT, First St. Vincent Bank, St. Vincent Cooperative bank) each bank has an ATM so if you’re in a rush you could always come back and use the ATM.

After lunch I take a walk down to the mas Camp to pay my balance and spray my shoes. SVG Players has won band of the year for two years straight and I know we will take it again this year. I opted to not do the hot 97 section (which is the hottest section in the band) because I wanted to play with my sisters and cousins this year. “Birds of Paradise” was my choice. SVG Players is usually organized and takes care of all their masqueraders that’s why I come back each and every year. Their mas camp is located across from Peace Memorial Kingstown. Playing mas in St. Vincent is relatively inexpensive when compared to most countries. My costume was $275 E.C and the exchange rate is $2.67 EC to $1.00 U.S, I get drinks and service with my costume.

Friday Night is the Ms. Carival Show where 8 Beautiful women throughout the Caribbean compete…

Most countries provide goodie bags for their masqueraders SVG Players does not but you still get a fun experience. While I pay for my costume I get my sneakers sprayed to avoid the hassle Carnival Tuesday. After the mas camp I head back to Heritage Square where there are street bars, street vendors, steel pan, riddim section and local DJ’s to entertain you. Heritage Square is where you enjoy the sweet Vincy breeze, socialize and decide what to do next. The Friday night is the Ms. Carival Show where 8 beautiful women throughout the Caribbean (from Puerto Rico right down to Trinidad and Tobago) compete for the title. This show is as big as Ms. America in the States. I opted for Fuzion, a local club located in the heart of Kingstown. The cover charge ranges from 40 EC to 60 EC depending on the night.

The atmosphere in the club is well worth the cover, there is no smoking allowed in the building, there is a V.I.P. section equipped with leather seats and flat screen televisions and it’s own security, if you want to enjoy the night sky take a walk up to the roof where there is another bar and security.

Fuzion offers a feel of an upscale Manhattan club with a Caribbean feel. The DJ’s actually spin music and do less talking and keep the vibes rolling. Once again I didn’t leave until six but this time I only received an hour sleep because I was heading to the Grenadines on a catamaran.

You ever saw water so tranquil and blue that it seemed more like a painting or a color out of a Crayola box well that is the sea in the Grenadines. The water is so clean and pure you can see right down to the bottom of the Ocean and not many people from the states can experience such a glory. We met in Villa 50 of us full of energy still after a night of drinking and pelting waist. We headed to a boat operated by Fantasea Tours www.fantaseatours.com. Fantasea tours is known for their exciting tours to the waterfalls, the Grenadines, and every natural attraction St. Vincent has to offer they are located in Villa 15 minutes away from Kingstown. The boat ride lasted for about two hours from Mainland to Mayreau. If you suffer from motion sickness the waves can be a little intense from mainland to the Bequia channel but pass that it’s smooth sailing.

With the tour you get unlimited drinks and food and its Carnival I’m not driving so why not enjoy me so for me the time went by rather quickly. I enjoyed tanning and soaking up the sun. I even did a little snorkeling but next time I would like to try scuba diving also provided by Fantasea tours. At the beach in Mayreau there are local vendors who sell hand crafted jewels and they provide service with a smile. We headed back on the boat at a quarter to five to get back in time for the biggest show of the Carnival season SOCA MONARCH 2008.