HAY HAY HAY!!
I know it has been a while. Life basically took over and to finally have some time to sit down and write, is actually calming and reassuring as to why I am doing this!
My previous post, was about myself being a Masquerader and taking part in Trinidad Carnival 2014 (hides face). Yes, it has been a looonnnggg time! Well since then, you should know, I have made appearances in many more Carnivals:
Trinidad 2015 - Ronnie & Caro (ronnieandcaro.com)
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| Chocolate Nation Mas - J'ouvert |
Nottinghill Carnival 2016 - J'ouvert with Chocolate Nation (chocolatenationmas.com) & mas with UCOM (unitedcoloursofmas.com) We even got featured on BBC news:
Each carnival brings a different vibe, different type of fun, and different types of people from different parts of the Caribbean and world. Each carnival has different symbolism and meaning behind it. The history behind each, is pretty enchanting. When I have done further research on each country, and learn a bit more about the history, it makes me excited to say that I got the opportunity to be part of something that the natives have celebrated for many years, with meaning. For example, in Grenada, for J'ouvert, they celebrate Jab Jab or Jab Molassie (spicemasgrenada.com/jouvert; traditionalmas.com/project/jab-jab-2). In Barbados, carnival is called "Crop Over" because they are celebrating the end of the sugar crop season (barbados.org/cropover.htm#.WAZjreUrKUk).
I have to say, with Carnival, you should not knock it, until you try it! Once you try it, I'm sure you will become addicted, like I have. However, if you don't like soca music, are not into big crowds, don't have the stamina for long days back to back, and the most COMFORTABLE SHOES, it is not for you!
Something about being on the road with strangers, you end up making new connections and friends. I have, considering, I am sketch about new people and people in general. It's pretty dope. When you go back and end up playing mas with them, it's even more fun! It seems like in that moment, all sour attitudes are gone. There's a sudden "hey, new person. I like you. Let's turn up together".
Each location even plays certain soca from specific countries and their own country. I can say for sure, Nottinghill Carnival, which the UK has a mix of people from the islands, definitely had a mix of the big Trinidadian artist playing on the trucks. However, it was the small islands that were massive! St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent pretty much took over music wise. It was definitely a new scene for me to experience, and a few songs that I was shocked that I had not heard more often in parties back home in NYC, that I liked alot!
With each location, I took risks with unfamiliar masquerade bands and said, "I like this costume, they are a big band that has notoriety, let's go with them". In almost all of the cases, it has worked out in my favor. I always made sure I did further research, some by literally reaching out to friends in those locations to make sure my findings were correct.
Each costume is hand made. There are very little parts that are actually sent out elsewhere to be made. My friends agreed, our BEST MADE costume came from UCOM! OMG!! Each piece was so well made, and because of that, even when jammin hard, we lost no stones, gems, nothing! Even the feathers just seemed to flow perfectly, without losing any!! Ugh!
J'ouvert and costume package pick-up varies in certain locations. I have to say Trinidad's Ronnie & Caro (ronnieandcaro.com) has never failed me with picking up my costume package. To add to that list, UCOM (unitedcoloursofmas.com) in Nottinghill definitely had an order that made the process run smoothly. Please note, the price you pay for costumes, is not only paying for the costume. Your basically paying for an all day all inclusive party: DJ's, food, drink, security, music equipment, and the people who are making your costume.
If your interested in trying carnival and want to get booked, especially the ones I have participated in (payment plan options available), along with further information, e-mail me at ChristinaCTravels@gmail.com
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