DCARNIVALBABY: Carnival 2015

Showing posts with label Carnival 2015. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

MOST IMPRESSIVE COSTUME AT THE MIAMI BROWARD ONE CARNIVAL LAUNCH

I've seen all of the costumes in person prior to this launch with the exception of Major Players who will be launching on the 25th of July at 7528 W Oakland Park Blvd, Lauderhill, Florida 33319 and Island Gems Mas. Island Gems' costumes actually look better in person than their website shows. They too tell a story. Their story is of the ancient ancestors of the Caribbean however inspection of these costumes nor close up pictures were not done due to personal circumstance. Party Room Squad is celebrating their 20th year on the road this October and elected to not have a band launch. Instead they are focusing on their masquerader's road experience as this band has their own crowd and a heavy following. As the costumes graced the stage one after the other, the one that caught my eye is called "Great Wall of China" from their portrayal "WONDERS". This costume has answered my call. Everything about this costume says CHINA! As time goes on, I will make it to Party Room Squads mascamp for further inspection and close ups.

Without having the entire kimono this costume is as close to a kimono as carnival can get! There are cutouts of the shoulders which leave the lower arms covered in the traditional look of the kimono. The upper arm areas are still decorated beautifully. The neck is bare but nothing's needed with the yellow feathers coming out of the right breast area, it isn't needed. It would have been overkill. The midsection/belly is left out to satisfy the 'nakedness' along with the shorter hemmed 'skirt'.

I AM IN LOVE!

The skirt is made of what I'd call the traditional Chinese fan. In growing up to now, each painting that depicts the Chinese culture includes in some way or another that fan! Designing at it's best!

(Letara Ingraham, designer )

Letara Ingraham of Vindi Dynasty

Male

The Chinese straw hat, the use of the color red *which is VERY symbolic in the Chinese culture and the emphasis on the made up eyebrows took me all the way back to childhood watching Kung Fu on a weekend with my cousins.

These models are born Black but when I saw them at the launch, all I saw was Chinese. They both acted as if they were born Chinese and displayed the Chinese culture well as they became the costume, the costume wasn't lost in either of them. The models, in costume was a perfect example of mas portrayal!

For any and all inquires Party Room Squad can be located at 5138 NW 194th Lane, Miami Gardens, Florida 33055. I'd advise calling any of the numbers displayed below for hours of operation.

Micka or Carl (305) 625-0492
Mimi (305) 342-6988
Jerry (305) 213-3440

www.partyroomsquad.com

facebook/group/partyroomsquad

Twitter/partyroomsquad

partyroomsquad@gmail.com

Monday, July 20, 2015

THE UNHAPPY MASQUERADER UPDATES US ON HER AHDRENALIN MAS ROAD EXPERIENCE

We're just going to jump right in......
"My thoughts on #ahdrenalinmas! First off every vincy advised me that since mirage ( a MAS band in VINCY was not coming out I should sit this out) Truth be told I am a carnival BABY from since I was small...there is NO way I was going to sit out playing mas. I figured it cannot be that bad. I registered and paid my costume in FULL the day after the costumes launched since March. I arrived in ST.VINCENT FRIDAY and headed to the mas camp. I saw people still Making mas. OK when I asked about my section I was told not ready yet. The next day same thing. The foolishness went on until CARNIVAL TUESDAY morning. I received a bra that was 10 times my size.A barely decorated bra and panty. This costume won't even be a decent MONDAYwear costume in Trinidad (not comparing but it was that bad) A backpack with no foam, thing to bruise skin. All masqueraders know what I mean! Ok my friends encourage me to still play mas despite all the issues! I went on the road. The drinks in my section flowed like water! ( I have NO issues there) the music truck BROKE DOWN in the road! So they told us to go to the lunch stop. The band was at the rest stop for about 3 hours! I had to take a wine in the other bands! Big up NELSON BLOCK!!!! The music truck did not get back on the road until about 6pm! After that we jump with them until about 11pm. I try my best not to compare carnivals but this experience was CRAZY! I had fun but ahdrenalin and its team need to do better. My suggestion have a mechanic on board and make sure and inspect the truck. As far as the costumes woes the people need to at least do damage control because you know the costumes was a hot mess before you packed it let us KNOW. I guess it was partly my fault for not walking with gems and a glue gun! The best part of this experience was the bottle of wine I received in my package. My section leader tried her best. She did offer me a full refund and big up the guy in the mas camp who tried to fix my backpack. I know they say never say never..but Ahdrenalin not my money! There are so many bands in VINCY to choose from. I hope you fix your issues next year!" - Unhappy Masquerader

Unhappy Masquerader received this letter today via email.

Would this be enough for YOU?
Would you give the band a second chance?
Or would you move on?
For the original blog on the Unhappy Masquerader's costume collection fiasco, you can click HERE