LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT!

And just like that, the most anticipated carnival in the world for 2021 has painfully come and gone. Everyone needs to give themselves a round of applause because at the end of the day... despite the highs, lows, ups and downs... 

WE MADE IT!

2021 has been a very trying year but to make matters worse, it was the deaths leading up to the carnival that made the Miami carnival exceptionally emotional and darn right hard for many of us.

There are numerous topics in which I need to discuss/address.  So much that I'd need to break my Miami carnival thoughts into separate blog topics because one blog post would be an hour read and seeing that we don't want that, I'd need you all to have a little patience with me as I drop these blogs separately. 

Thank you in advance, I greatly appreciate it. 😊

As I prepare for blog post number one, hold this.

Plan accordingly,

D'CARNIVALBABY

EUPHORIA MAS HAS A THEME!!!

Euphoria Mas has dropped a bombshell on South Florida Thursday afternoon and it was done quite differently to how they've normally done things. The theme tends to drop and after we've suffered through the thought of everything imaginable the date of their band launch follows.  I guess for their 10th anniversary as a Miami Carnival Mas band, they've decided to make some changes but is John Public ready for what's in store?

For 2017 Euphoria Mas' have made changes everywhere.  One of the obvious changes is the type of band launch.  The typical Euphoria Mas band launch takes place inside Soca Paradise but this year it will be a cooler fete. The logo has been changed to a gold color and emphasis was put on their 10th anniversary.

What the public may or may not know is that along with "Hurricane Matthew" (quotations on Hurricane Matthew because it was nothing like anticipated) Euphoria Mas took a hit due to Custom and airline delays.  Knowing their full potential opposed to what actually happened, they took it as a personal blow. With so many years of successful carnivals, they felt the need to regroup.  Although the majority of their masqueraders understood that what happened was in the control of God, Euphoria Mas made the decision to make drastic changes and do a rebirth for carnival 2017.

"Journey of the Phoenix"

HOW FITTING!!!

After the dust has settled and everyone has collected themselves, they decided to rise just as the phoenix that they're branding themselves to be! Along with this uprising will be new designers as in no Richard and Anthony. GASP!  I was a bit concerned but they've gotten another set of head banging designers who creates showstoppers and jawdroppers! They've managed to obtain THE Designing Daryl!  For those of you who know anything about the carnival world, this is a big deal! Designing Daryl is just as great a designing genius as The Bling Kings yet he's one person and that's just the start of their designers.  The rest will be posted on their website.

I can not wait for June 25th, that launch will be MAD!!

PLUNGE..... THE AFTERMATH

PLUUUUUUUNGE

Plunge baby, Hurricane Matthew tried to stop you?  Like they didn't know how serious this thing called carnival is to we as a Caribbean people?  Despite all the warnings and category 4 they claimed on you; you didn't expect for the locals to secure their homes, buy their water, then dress an come to the fete anyway?! 

Everyone held their breath, glued to television sets just waiting to be updated hourly on the status of Hurricane Matthew.  After all, Plunge was an advertised outdoor event.  Up until Wednesday evening flights were delayed and cancelled coming into Fort Lauderdale and Miami International Airports.  People were doing everything short of selling body parts to fly standby on Wednesday.  The urgency to get here by Wednesday was put in place by the news/media outlets as they scheduled to close all South Florida airports on Thursday. GASP! 

While every carnival junkie watched the weather, I was smiling. Call it what you want, gut or intuition, I was right. I've said it repeatedly over the carnival season that I believe firmly in what David Rudder said about God being a Trini and he wasn't going to allow a total shut down of the Miami Carnival nor all the fetes associated with it.  When Thursday morning approached. as expected the airports closed and all flights coming in and out of Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach were cancelled.  It didn't stop my momentum or discourage me, I got dressed as if it were a regular Thursday morning.

My guests from Trinidad, along with my husband were hesitant but they trusted my judgement and we were off. We drove from Broward County to the venue (Miami) with NO TRAFFIC, it was wonderful.  When we got to the venue and saw all the cars parked outside we felt better.  It was confirmation that we were not the only crazy people attempting to party with a category 4 hurricane at our doorstep.

Again, no line.

Winning!

Upon entry, we were given our signature Plunge cups and were on our way.

Once 'inside' (because the fete was outdoors), I started looking for my curry crab and dumplin' as that was more than half the reason I purchased a ticket! *If you haven't figured it out by now, I absolutely LOVE MY BELLY! Anyways, I didn't see any. Off in the distance I did see some food set up but the rain was falling off and on and didn't want to venture in it to be disappointed and the liquor was sharing where I was so.... the liquor won, I stayed put.

I saw many familiar faces as well as some new ones which is always good.  The crowd wasn't thick but there were way more people than expected considering the circumstance.  Again, I didn't pay much attention to who played what or when but I do remember Eruption High Power and Eternal Vibes.  

Army Boyz Clem (WFYG Bandit)

DCARNIVALBABY, Josya and Sue (WFYG Bandits)

The rain.

Water fell from the sky but it was a mere drizzle.  It drizzled off and on and because I was prepared for it, didn't mind getting wet.  The rainfall actually added to the excitement and the majority of the attendees enjoyed it.  There were the few that hid under the shelter but the majority handled the rain like bosses. 

The bottle service was a nice touch.  Along with purchasing bottles, sexy bartenders stayed for a while and mixed drinks.  I don't know if this service would have been any different with a larger crowd but it was certainly a nice touch and I appreciated it.

While inside the fete, the news spread quickly that Broward County had closed all roads....

Wait. 

What?

Broward County officially closed ALL ROADS AND MAJOR HIGHWAYS in Broward County!

Do you remember where I said we drove from?

We needed to get home! 

When the news got to me, I decided to stay.  I mean, whether I left now or in the next hour the roads would have still been "closed" and I would just have to take my chances with the law.  What's done is done, the roads were already closed so whether we stayed or left at that point we were already defying the law and hell, the vibes were nice so......we stayed.  

When we did leave, we were adrenaline filled so I recorded a Facebook Live! In the live feed our vibes can be seen, I briefly showed the 'closed roads' as we drove through them and there was definitely some crazy commentary.   Plunge had a vibe that we didn't want to end so (as stated in the video) we headed to Joy's Roti shop to continue the bacchanal. 

All in all, I'd definitely do Plunge again.  So far, I was having a wonderful Miami carnival season and my fete/party choices were the right ones!  To watch our Facebook Live video, you can click 

HERE! 

CIN CITY ENTERTAINMENT'S BON AMI.....THE AFTERMATH

Bon Ami
Bon Ami
Bon Ami
What can I say about thee...

When the idea came to Cindy (the creator of this event and owner of Cin City Entertainment) to do this event, the word had been spread that Bacchanal Wednesday was cancelled, so she thought this would be a great alternative but she quickly learned how things change in a matter of moments. With Bacchanal Wednesday actually still on and 'Hurricane Matthew' lurking there were many challenges.

Signature cups were advertised to be given away upon entry until the supply last. Needless to say, I never received a cup.  I'm not too sure if they went fast or if I was just that late.  We will not 'discuss' how or why I got to the event a little past half past 1 am but I did and by that hour,  they were gone.... Poor me, I was still expecting one.  I walked through the fete literally giving people I saw drinking in them the side eye.  I know to get there earlier next year.

There were friends waiting for me in front of the venue so I had to be dropped off as the hubby parked the car.  Now, I don't know if where he parked was more crowded but from the looks of things where I was standing, it didn't seem like there were many people inside.  There was no line (which is always a plus for me) and a couple of people outside loitering.  As I approached the front door, I became confused.  The music was playing yet I didn't hear the echoing sound one would hear from the inside of an empty fete.  The ticket and wristband exchange was done quickly, I'd say less than a minute and inside I went.  Once inside, the fete was packed! Not shoulder to shoulder, sweat box, Brooklyn basement packed but comfortably packed.

The crowd was spirited.
No boring people.

Clem of The Original Army Boyz and DCARNIVALBABY

Cindy of Cin City Ent and Clem of Army Boyz

It felt like everyone was there to have a good time and free up themselves.  Drinks were priced right and not watered down like I've been experiencing lately and the vibes was just as the party was named....  A party with good friends.  Everyone knew everyone and and who didn't know you came with someone who did.  No one was leaned up on the wall waiting for the next person to dance, dancing without judgments nor a care in the world and that's how I like to party.  The absolute worst 'fete feeling' [for me] is to be in a fete and feel to dance and can't/don't because no one else is dancing because the minute you step out, everyone begins to watch like you're crazy.  It's really High School.  What else does everyone go for? Not to dance?  Thankfully there was none of that there and those are the vibes I'd like to see more at some of these parties in South Florida.


Giselle 'The Wassi One' hosted the event and the DJ's were Powerhouse, Code Red, Trini D Fyah Truck, Platinum Sounds and Eternal Vibes. Survivor Sounds was carded but I never saw him.  As I type, I've only now paid attention to the list of DJ's and I'm in awe...with the exception of Platinum Sounds, Cindy managed to not only pull off a great fete but she managed to do so with a local cast. Impressive.  Promoters, take note.

The music was nicely mixed.  One thing that grinds my gears is to hear the same music from each DJ and with the amount of them carded for the night, it would be easy to repeat a couple.  Surprisingly it didn't happen and it didn't happen because each DJ knew that if this played already, to play that or maybe even those. I won't lie to you and speak on what happened before 1:30 because I wouldn't have a clue but after that, was great.  No credit can be given to any DJ in particular because after getting there, drinks and dancing was a must and I had to make up for lost time.  I didn't pay attention to who played or when.  The one song that did play multiple times was Angela Hunte's Bon Ami.  Considering the fete is named Bon Ami, I think we could give Bon Ami (the fete) a pass.  As it was the theme of the fete, I believe it was done intentionally.  The last time that chune played, I grabbed my good friends and we danced in a circle...that is feting. That is an amazing time with true friends.  Especially as these friends came all the way from New York and Trinidad.

What few people didn't get a chance to experience closer to the end was Peter Wildfire (I guess that's how you say/spell it), Lyrical, Voice and DJ Stephens. There were performances and photo ops because none of them came on any superstar status, they came to fete with their good friends.  What "I" didn't experience was the food.  There was inclusive food.  Yes,  food included at that price!!! There was rice and peas/peleau, geera turkey and chicken catered by Sweet Hand Kathy and Sybil's Bakery provided jerk chicken, veggie lo mein and pone.  From what friends told me the food was warm as well as tasty.  I've eaten from Kathy already so that was a given and Sybil's Bakery is Jamaican owned so I know that jerk chicken was boss.  If only I could have experienced it....

This party was up against many odds and it turned out to be the success I hoped it would be. So if you want a party with a cool scene, mad vibes, no fashion parade, overly flashy clothing or 5 inch heels, Bon Ami is your best bet.  Two things I know for a fact is that 1, next year once God spare life....I'm in Bon Ami and 2, I will be there at a reasonable hour to receive my cup!

Bless.

EUPHORIA MAS DISTRIBUTION, MY EXPERIENCE ANYWAYS.

With all the Miami carnival festivities, the planning of events and normal every day life, the distribution schedule of Euphoria Mas completely slipped me. You see, I was the designated mook assigned to collect my daughter's costume.  I wasn't even playing mas in the band but designated simply because I reside in south Florida and live close to the mas camp...

With all the odds stacked up against me, I had no choice but to call and beg these people to not sell my child's costume because after all, I promised her that I would get it and it would be no one's fault but my own if they did.  I just didn't have the time.

Let me begin by first saying, Euphoria Mas was never notified that I (DCARNIVALBABY) was calling. When I called, I gave the name of my daughter as she was the masquerader.  As low key as I am, the majority do not recognize my voice and my house number is unrecognizable.  NO ONE has it.  While on the phone, I simply and honestly explained that I was extremely busy and could not make the assigned day and time and that I wasn't even sure when I would be able to make it because of other commitments.  I was thanked for calling and making them aware of my hardship and then assured by Mariano that they would work around MY schedule and not to worry that I will have 'my' costume.  Little did he know that it wasn't mine.  He took note of the name given to him and told me when I got into the camp,  that I should ask for Ria.  Looking for Ria was a win/lose situation.  Lose because I knew Ria personally and if there was any hiccup, I wanted to experience it as a typical masquerader without favors.  Win because Shine and a team of 20+ was waiting for me and if there was a hiccup, I could get in an out with speed lol.

When I got into the camp Friday morning, I was rushing.  Shine was waiting. I needed to be in and out and if anyone has collected a costume before, you should know that when you're in a rush, that is when things always go wrong. As I saw Ria, we did the normal greetings and there was a little small talk.  I admitted to the real reason of me being there and she was surprised.  I too was surprised when I gave her the name of my daughter.  As I gave her my daughter's name she showed me a Euphoria Mas box sitting lonely in the corner ready and waiting for me to collect!  Ria then asked me why I didn't contact her directly. I told her because it slipped my mind but truth be told,  I needed to experience this as close to a typical masquerader as I possibly could so I could then blog about it.  I wanted no special favors or treatment and Euphoria Mas had passed!  I can't express how much of a rush I was really in.  So much of a rush that I didn't have time to check what was inside of the box but when I eventually got home (after Shine),  I was in awe.  Each piece of the costume was individually wrapped in plastic.  Down to the mug was wrapped.  I've only experienced this type of distribution in Trinidad. NO WHERE in North America and I was impressed and oh how I loved the mug! Apparently Soca Paradise sponsored the drinking mugs because their logo was generously printed on it and again, I LOVED IT!  It was a covered mug and would have been the perfect accessory for jouvert.  It was a mug designed for hot beverages but that cover SELL OFF and whether it was originally designed for hot beverages or not, it would hold liquor quite well!

(check out the mug/cup)

With a wonderfully made costume and with everything in tact, my daughter hit the road like a boss.

(Regal Pheasant ~ Backline)

 

MIAMI CARNIVAL LIST OF THE BANDS!!!

Although this is the MOST RECENT list, it is STILL not accurate seeing as there is much trading still going on. Freaks Mas is NEVER going to be so far from Wassi Ones. Then, there's a band not even sure to MAKE IT ON THE ROAD!!!!!

#KnowThyBand 

#MakeSureYuhGood 

#AnyoneCanPromote 

#WhoMakesItToTheRoad 

#WeGoSee 

#JouvertAnCarnivalComin

Stay tuned, the tea comin!

NEWS FROM SOMETHING JOUVERT!!!!

Jouvert has been the Miami Carnival creeper.  This is only the 4th year of the Miami Broward Carnival Committee incorporating a jouvert into our 'Miami Carnival' festivities and it has become one of the MUST DO's for Miami Carnival!

The jouvert band that I FULLY endorse is Something Jouvert.  News was just given that has me even more excited for October 10th to reach.....  Excitement is actually an understatement!

How many of you will be on the road with Something Jouvert?
How many of you want to finally be in a band that serves TOP SHELF liquor?
How many of you will party with the stars?
How many of you want to be in the band with the MOST vibes?

Here's a little little peek of the unisex tees, optional body suits and unisex sailor hats that will be given as part of the Something Jouvert 2015 package.  Nothing too close up lol.

 

 

To be a part of this kind of jouvert vibe, email wassionesmasband@gmail.com as the Something Jouvert team has taken a different approach starting with 2015 registrations.   

CHUTNEY BACCHANAL HAS LIVE COSTUMES TONIGHT!!

At Chutney Bacchanal THIS THURSDAY at Ginger Bay Cafe, RADIKAL Mas will be displaying their entire 2015 Presentation "Out of India" with LIVE MODELS!!!  If you haven't seen any of their presentation, tonight would be a perfect opportunity to see them for free!

"Chutney bacchanal is back!! July 23rd $100 bottle specials on Henny, Goose and Ciroc!!! Admission FREE ALL NIGHT!! DJ Chris, DJ Mark D and Survivor Int'l." - Victorious Universe.

WASSI ONES BAND LAUNCH, THE AFTERMATH

Before I get into this review, I need to say that Giselle, "D Wassi One" has been in the mas business for more than half the time she's been alive.  Every presentation is a personal one for one reason or another but this year's presentation was not a personal decision alone, it was risky to present this kind of mas.  Often the true pure in heart, just like designers aren't perceived the way they'd like and the vision doesn't come across correctly to their 'crowd'. The desire of every designer, is for the public to see things through their eyes and that in itself isn't always accepted by the public and on Sunday night, it was. Many don't know what goes on behind the scenes annually with Giselle but right before her models are set to hit the stage, she has a moment of anxiety and looks to her mother and the Lord.

The business is hard, especially when it's done solely for the love of the craft and for the continued spread of the Caribbean culture, not the money.  It's a pretty expensive love affair.  In South Florida, where she has lived for all of her adult life is where she gets the least reception and the most rejection. That in itself is a hard pill to swallow and knowing this; this woman continuously shows and spreads her love to everyone. She loves, encourages and supports every mas band, whether they sprung out of Wassi Ones or not. She supports each band that others see as her competitors when she actually sees these bands as just another outlet to promote her culture that she loves so much.  Wassi Ones is a band that is going on it's 28th year on the streets of Miami, so she's in competition with no one.

"AS WE EMBARK OUR 28TH ANNIVERSARY IN MIAMI CARNIVAL, WE TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE AND PAY TRIBUTE TO CARNIVAL WITH AN UP TO THE TIME FLAVOR! HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED IF A JAB MOLASSIE CORNERED YOU TODAY WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE? WONDER NO MORE! TAKE A PEEK INTO A BLAST FROM THE PAST THAT WILL SHOW YOU THAT OUR CULTURE IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE, VERY MUCH REMEMBERED AND VERY MUCH LOVED!!!  WASSI ONES, "HAND UP MEH SAY! IS WE TIME TO PARTY"!!!... WE DEFINITELY "DEY IN IT!"" - Giselle D Wassi One

Now with that being said, let me begin this long awaited review.  When Giselle came up with "Dey In It", I was like 'oh Lord, here's another generic theme' but after explaining her vision, what it would be and how the story would unfold, I was hooked.  Although I didn't agree with the name of the 2015 presentation, I fully endorsed everything it represents.  At the band launch, she gave a brief description to the audience because many haven't a clue as to what the origin of carnival entails and can only identify with what it has become.  "Dey In It" is an attempt to educate the masqueraders of their culture by using the Traditional Carnival Characters while it incorporates the more trendy designs of today.

Traditional BabyDoll: Believed to be extinct, The Baby Doll character dressed as a baby doll.  The most important prop in this mas is the doll held in hand.  The dolls symbolized an illegitimate child. While in costume, the roll of The Baby Doll was to stop random men (whether they were alone or not) and ask them if they fathered the baby.  This is the way slaves left their problems behind, by making of mockery of their very real realities.

 

 

Wassi Ones Baby Doll
 

*costume designed by Shop Frosting/ Chade
The colors of this costume has a candy cane, childlike appearance, perfect color combination for a Baby Doll costume.  It is not as traditional as some of the other sections in the band but as a section leader, you have to know your crowd and cater to them all.  This costume does it for me.  I liked it as soon as I saw it and I know most will as well.  It's a definite seller!  I would have loved to see this costume displayed (just for the launch) with a baby doll in hand because on the road, it will never happen.  A baby doll, in hand is not at all practical for the behaviors of the Wassi Ones masqueraders  :-) so on to the Fire Man.

Traditional FireMan:

 
Wassi Ones FireMan

 
  
*designed by Marlon Smart of Ramajay Mas NY
 

BANG!

*That was the noise from the hammer hitting the nail on it's head!  Marlon honey, you nailed it!  If ever I have a fire, I'd like the carnival God's to send any of them to out it.  This is a perfect combination of the old meeting new and THIS is what carnival and mas portrayal is about.  This costume is literally FIRE!   The use of the striped mini standard was genius and I hope this starts a trend of bringing back the all mighty standards!  Besides the Wassi Ones Website, you can email the designer Marlon Smart at designedbymarlonsmart@gmail.com for any questions, concerns or registrations.

Traditional Animal Mas: The Dragon  The Dragon is designed as a dragon with scales and large head that usually has a movable tongue.  This character is the dragon from hell and it's job is to do 'The Dragon Dance" as it captivates and frightens it's audience.

Wassi Ones Dragon

  
 

*designed by Shop Frosting/Chade
Loving this as well!  The material used on the frontline of this costume look like what I'd expect a dragon's skin to look like.  The colors used in this costume are dark but what are we trying to portray? A dark dragon from hell.. The pink used still gives it a light feminine look and I love!  I could see this being an easy costume to maneuver on the road with both the frontline backpack and the one sided shoulder piece. This costume is simple and effective.  Kudos!

Traditional Dame Lorraine:  The Dame Lorraine mimicked the french women in their lavish ballgowns cooling with their fans.  The French women were often members of the elite and wore masks.  Slaves used readily available materials such as sheets and rags to make their 'gowns'.  Over the years Dame Lorraine has become quite the bacchanal lady with her heavily exaggerated 'bam bam' and breasts, she is scandalous when she walks and she will be walking all throughout "Dey In It"!

 

Wassi Ones Dame Lorraine

If you know Giselle, you know she's a huge Breast Cancer advocate and for this her  Dame Lorraine rocks on in Giselle's signature pink!   

  

*section leader, Karen Flatts

Once again, we have a winner!  This was wonderfully done.  The decorated bodysuit gives women enough leg and upper body skin to show off without losing the traditional look of the character.  The use of that pillow may seem crazy to some but that is exactly what makes it traditional and makes this costume one of my favorites!! 

Traditional Fancy Indian: The Fancy Indian hasn't changed at all because this is actually one of their many traditional dresses. There are different types of Indians that can be portrayed such as The Chief , The Chief and His Family or Warriors.  The Chief as shown below is the most popular.  There has been controversy over the use of traditional head dresses among the Native Americans because they see this as religious attire and do not believe that it should be used anywhere in carnival.

 
Wassi Ones Fancy Indian

 

 
 

*section leader, Wassi Ones
I look at the small things.  The use of what looks like 'teeth' in this costume kills it.  Kill in a good way.  It looks tribal, savage like and wild.  This screams traditional Indian but has also fused the modern day 'look' of mas.  The headdress/headpiece like all traditional Native American costumes is beautiful and is an attraction all in itself but does not overshadow the costume which is equally gorgeous.

Traditional Jab Jab: came from the French words 'Diable Diable' which is supposed to mean 'Pretty Devil'. The Jab Jab is supposed to mimic what we would call a mid-evil jester whereas the Jab Molassie that came from French patois 'Diable Melasse' meaning 'Devil Mas'.  The Jab Molassie walked around with chains and carries a pitchfork.  The Jab Molassie would dance and gyrate to the beat of any rhythm or drum.

 
Wassi Ones Jab Jab

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*section leader Damali Mas/ Tiffany
The use of the pitchfork, the horned headpiece on the male costume and the use of chains in the section is what made me realize on sight that this costume is the Jab Molassie.  So for the second time for the Miami Carnival season, I am renaming a section lol.  This section (for me) is the Jab Molassie!  I loved the wings on the frontline, it's different from what I've been seeing for the last three or four carnival seasons.  Not too many feathers and the use of the mesh.  LOVE.  Well done Tiffany!  I am hoping there are bikini options available for the females opposed to the boyshorts modeled.  Aside from that, the Jab Jab/Jab Molassie is good to go!

Traditional Pierrot Grenade: For the Pierrot Grenade, I had to look it up.  I was not at all familiar with this character.  This character is known for his elegant costume and fierce fighting powers with a whip or bull pistle.  The Pierrot Grenade is normally followed by a band of female supporters who fought on his behalf against other Pierrot groups.  (I too am being educated).

Wassi Ones Pierrot Grenade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*section leader, Wassi Ones
I don't remember seeing a male for this section which makes perfect sense as with the Pierrot Grenade there is that band of female supporters that follow him.  Very Amazonish!  The use of the 'crown' as a headpiece shows who's boss.  The colors used are exactly those of the traditional character and that shows the extreme effort in trying to mimic it.  All accessories shown come with this costume (and are recyclable). Win win.

WASSI ONES ORIGINAL

ENERGY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*section leader Mixx Bartenders

EVERY band needs ENERGY and this Energy gives me energy just by looking.  I can see how the sun would enhance the neon colors in this costume.  Energy by far is the most daring of the costumes with all the strings used.  Daring as it is, it isn't too revealing. The wire bra and monokini options both rely completely on the strings for support.  I've FULLY inspected them and they both seem to be strong enough to keep the breasts in tact without a malfunction inside the wassiest band in South Florida.  

Sen-Saytional: The Sensay is another character that I had to look up.  This traditional character is from  Dominica.  Sensay came from the Ghanian word "senseh" which meant a chicken with ruffled feathers.  Sensay costumes were made from sisal rope, derived from natural fibers from the agave sisalana plant which gives the costume a 'frizzle fowl' appearance and can be displayed in any assortment of colors.

Wassi Ones Sen-Saytional (The Sensay)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LOVING this collar. Literally!  The traditional character uses a whole pieced suit that has an enclosed collar and this collar captures that and manages to remain pretty. 

  
  

*section leader, Riverland Mas/ Elka
Sen-Saytional was inspired by The Sensay.  I believe the fringe was used to represent the shaggy "frizzled" look.

WASSI ONES TRIBUTE: BRIGHT AFRICA

"FROM THE MOTHER LAND WITH LOVE... "PRETTIER THAN A RAINBOW....SMILE BRIGHTER THAN THE DAYLIGHT..." A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE, GREAT MAS PIONEER GEORGE BAILEY... HIS LAST PRESENTATION... A VISION IN 1969... A VISION IN 2015... BRIGHT AFRICA... WE NEED MORE LOVE 'DEY IN IT' ".

 

*section leader, Wassi Ones
Regal.
Royal.
Respect.

Overall I am extremely satisfied and impressed with the presentation of "Dey In It" and not because I am a die hard or a loyalist but because there is actual meaning and an attempt to educate behind this mas. Stories are being told here. After playing mas for over 30 years it becomes repetitive and boring.  It takes a lot to impress someone playing mas for so long.  Yes, I too get excited after seeing feathers, bling and beads but I think that the majority of the people have lost touch of what mas really is.  It's more than that and it's been restored in Wassi Ones.  I am pleased that Wassi Ones didn't follow what seems to be the norm in modern day carnival costume production by launching different colored strings with feathers. I am appreciative and thankful that the costumes are also practical, I can still enjoy a burger (or two) and still fit into a costume for the season.  Do not get me wrong, I am not taking away from ANY of the carnival bands out there because we as masqueraders do see that is where mas has headed but to see some practical costumes that allows me to behave like the leggobeast I know I can be without costume malfunction, is refreshing.  Bless.

For the FULL GALLERY of the Wassi Ones "Dey In It" Closeups, click HERE! Feel free to follow the new Instagram page @dcarnivalbaby and "like" the DCARNIVALBABY Facebook page by clicking HERE.