Prepping for Carnival

My friends and I are going to Trinidad & Tobago for Carnival season 2010. We have been saving, discussing and awaiting the costume launches. We are considering playing in one of four Mas Camps: TRIBE, Harts, Island People or Spice. Not all the costumes have launched at this time, but I’m in love.

source
How pretty is that? The section is called “The Mystery of Loulan” and I want the costume on the far left. It is part of TRIBE’s 2010 offering. I feel there are some serious advantages to laying with TRIBE.

1. TRIBE is one of the more well-established bands. They know what needs to be done and have many years experience on the mas band scene. You know your costume will be rightly put together, with no skimping on costs. Customer service exists with the TRIBE camp, the food and drink will be flowing, on-road bathroom facilities will be the best they can be, and security guards protect their masqueraders.
   
   
2. TRIBE’s theme for this year, The Secret of Silk, was executed exceptionally well. The different sections get the message across and it all works as a collection.
   
   
3. Kees Diefenthaller plays mas with Tribe :-) .

Of course, the fact that Kees plays mas with TRIBE is but a bonus. I am happy at that bonus. Now, the most important thing is agreeing to play in TRIBE. I have a feeling I’m not the only person loving this costume and I bet you it sells out first, come registration date. Knowing that, and being pragmatic, I there are other TRIBE costumes I am willing to play mas in. They are:

1st Runner Up: Charmeuse source


2nd Runner-Up: Osage [middle or left-hand side option] source


For more information on the phenomenon that is THE carnival, visit Saucy’s blog: Trinidad Carnival Diary. Credit to her for all the images and for helping overseas masqueraders stay in the loop.