SOMETHING JOUVERT REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN

REGISTRATION IS UP!

If you missed Canboulay in Brooklyn, have no fear. 

SOMETHING JOUVERT HAS GOT YOU COVERED 

Something Jouvert is back by popular demand.  Last year the band was like all the others, we were ALL just trying a thing because Miami-Broward Carnival Committee has never in all the years of existence; added a FULL jouvert to the Miami/Broward carnival line up of events.  No one knew exactly what to expect or what they were actually getting themselves into.  'Cause lets face it, we as Caribbean people know how this thing goes.  We are told one thing and get another.  We behaved ourselves and got our jouvert for a second year and Something Jouvert is coming out BIGGER and BETTER than last year! Some of our masqueraders were discussing this at the Fathers Day launch on Sunday and didn't see how this was possible but yes, there is PLENTY more in store for the masqueraders than what we had last year.  IS LEVEL PUMP! 

Something Jouvert WILL be supplying: 

• PREMIUM DRINKS/TOP SHELF
• Surprise artists (we can't spill the beans but they're already LOCKED and LOADED.  You're gonna LOVE them, TRUST)
• Live DJ's on the music truck to include iChunes and Eternal Vibes
• Wristband from the committee
• Wristband from Something Jouvert (we won't be giving your drinks away to anyone but YOU)
• Home made Breakfast
• Live Rhythm Section out of Orlando
• T-Shirt
• Whistle *men
• Horn *women
• Glasses
• Paint
• Colored powder
• Mud
• Oil
• Water

MISS IT? YUH MAD AH WAH?

--------->  REGISTRATION LINK  <---------

BIG UP TRINI MAFIA/CARD FATHERS

JAMDONG MANAGEMENT

AND ALL OUR SPONSORS

NEW BAND ALERT!

(click for larger imaging)

Miami Carnival mas bands are certainly shuffling their deck of feathers!  This new band D-Junction Mas, will be making their debut for carnival 2013 and sources say they are coming out with a BANG!  I have seen the work of Mas Exquisite and although they have not joined forces with D-Junction Mas, a designer has!  Jenny's creativity and sexiness has and will be brought to D-Junction Mas' designing table. I'm smellin wire bras for sure!

THINGS WE KNOW FOR SURE

• Mas Exquisite and D-Junction.com ARE NOT D-Junction Mas.  They are all separate entities.  Mas Exquisite will still be taking independent orders. D-Junction.com will still be one of the best places for your entertainment, promotions and photography.
• Wilfred Armstrong is no longer associated with Ascension Mas Band.  D-Junction Mas is a brand new band.
• There are some independent designers in the Miami area that are claiming to be a part of D-Junction Mas and are not.  D-Junction Mas is comprised of Wilfred Armstrong, Nichole Williams and Jenny Auxilly.  Full stop. No more. No less.
• There is a launch date set but you can't get everything in one blog post.  
• The website will be available to you shortly after the launch.
• Miami Broward Carnival 2013 will have lots of options
• D-Junction Mas is THE newbie band to look out for. 

"LOST TREASURES"

Let's bring it on!

MIAMI CARNIVAL UPDATE A MUST READ!!!

I had the pleasure of speaking with someone who FINALLY shed some light on the Miami Carnival 'situation'.  I shared some DEEP concerns with the whole process of it all and now I think some of those answers have sunken in and made sense. To me anyway.

From what was explained to me, the carnival WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT be taking place on the road. Music/drink trucks are expected to be INSIDE the Sun Life Stadium by 9am. Any truck expecting entry any time after will be turned away. Masqueraders are also encouraged to be at the stadium for that time. Masqueraders who show up after the allotted time WILL NOT be turned away but may have to deal with delayed entry which may cause some confusion and aggravation on their own parts. The reason for this process makes sense (once broken down).  Let me educate you a little bit.  The committee, not the public, understands that bringing this carnival to Miami/Broward costs money. It is NOT free. Lets face it, this is AMERICA!!! Once the parade is held in the streets, who benefits?  This is ultimately a competition and it's the committee who has to pay the winners.  It's just THAT simple. I understand that we as masqueraders don't too much care about who wins and money received but this entire parade is really a competition and those who enter, enter to be compensated. Now if all those who do NOT play mas are reveling (for free) on the road, enter the park with their band of choice and continue to have a time (for free), how will the elected Band Of The Year, King and Queen of the band, panorama bands, etc get paid? Contrary to popular belief the committee isn't comprised of a group of rich people but of a group of people just like you and me.  Where do you think all that money is coming from?  If the Federal Government is all tapped out what would make the committee any different?  So, with that being said, NONE of the festivities will be outside of the stadium.  If any music truck plays music outside of the stadium and cause a diversion they will most likely be FINED and/or SHUT DOWN.  I hate to say it but most people want things free and free for you raises the bill for those responsible for the event. Support the carnival!!!! Pay to play!

There is great, good and bad news to report.  The bad news is the committee (as of now) will be charging $25 at the 'door' (maybe more when that time comes) for EACH person to enter the stadium on 'Carnival Day'.  There were $10 and $15 early bird tickets available online. More bad news. Those tickets are long gone. Presently, only $20 early bird tickets are available. If by now you have decided to NOT play mas, you should purchase your tickets HERE and click on the 'BUY TICKETS' tab ASAP. Good news is, if you are a masquerader that gets to the park by 9am, you will be allowed to park on the grounds for FREE! *You all know how much of a headache that parking fee is.

The parade route is below. Looks like we won't be circling the park like lab rats after all and we will get a nice jump!  Hope to see you there!

I think once people purchase their tickets in advance, come to the carnival expecting to have a good time everyone will be happy. When coming to think about it, 9am isn't bad at all. When people play mas in little Trinidad don't you wake up earlier than that for not only 1 day but 2? Especially carnival Monday, who actually sleeps the night before? Aren't you busy in somebody Jouvert band? Consider it the same thing. After all, who's really coming to South Florida that week to sleep?!?! To those still angry about the time:

YUH CYA PLAY MAS IF YUH FRAID POWDER!!!!! 

SLEEP WHEN YUH GO BACK HOME!

MIAMI BROWARD SAYS NO TO...

Sooo a little birdie told me that there will be NO parade of bands on the streets of Miami for 2012 and that we will be going in circles like laboratory mice on the spinning wheel inside the Sun Life Stadium!!!! EXCUSE ME?  I remember the days when we did this in the private Opalocka Airport but come on, haven't we moved on from that? This is a giant leap backwards and will not be welcomed by the patrons. It was reported that the reason for this 'change' was that the committee just 'DOES NOT want to pay for the extra security on the road' and they believe they can (and will) make more money by having the people who usually storm the stadium pay to enter this year.

That's not it, there's more.  They are telling the band leaders that camouflage WILL NOT be tolerated AT ALL for the carnival. When I originally heard this, I payed it NO attention. The more we spoke was the more I understood that camouflaged MATERIAL can not be used to even make a costume. PERIOD. NONE NONE NONE!!! Now, my problem with this isn't so much the banning of the camouflage infused costumes because I've never seen one tastefully done but since when did the committee have the right to determine a designers vision of a costume? OK, I get it with the banning of the standards because of security risks, how they'd LIKE no glass bottles because of the same issue and all the other 'rules' they put in place that we boldly ignore. But for the most part, I can see where they are coming from when coming to liabilities. The materials used in a costume though? How does that threaten the well being or security of the people? THEN tell the band leaders so late in the game AFTER production has started and is probably in its final stages?  Come on! They need to get their act together, FAST!

***OH, AND DID I TELL YOU THAT THE COMMITTEE WANTS ALL MASQUERADERS INSIDE THE 'PARK' (SUN LIFE STADIUM) BY 9AM? Makes me wonder what time we will have to leave!!!***

Lets see how long it takes before the Miami-Broward One Carnival gets like Brooklyn? New York own. 

GIRL POWER IS ON!!!!

Find a ticket outlet before you get left......

IN THE COLD!!!!

CARNIVAL FACES VVIP SECTION

Carnival Faces celebrates  diversity, life, beauty and strength through the Ultimate in Make-Up and Costume Artistry. Each of these custom-made VVIP costumes captures all faces and colors ofRibbons For The Cause in a vibrant myriad bursting out of the most luxurious of  silks. The spirit of movement and beauty merges with luxurious, jewel toned wings, and costuming allowing you to let go and get lost in the moment as you revel in the Celebration of life with Carnival Faces.
Carnival faces....... we celebrate our fifth year as a VVIP front of band section for Miami/Broward Carnival.   Celebration encompasses all the facets of Ribbons for the Cause - Big & Strong One Island Band......the costume is a collaboration of the talents of Jacqui Koon How (House of Jacqui, Trinidad), NerKeda Jones (silk fabric design - daughter of Heather Jones) and Trudy Young (Carnival Faces).  The bikini top and bottom can also be used on it's on for a fabulous day at the beach.   
Celebration is a  limited edition all female section catering to 25 masqueraders only...... personal security detail in addition to what is supplied by the band is also included.  For the DIVAs of the section accessories and a fabulous gift pack with everything to complete the experience will be supplied. in addition the members of the VVIP section will be able to use their costumes once more for Orlando Carnival 2013, Memorial Day weekend.   (Carnival Faces Vacation) Value for dollar.   There are two options available for the section in terms of costing $275. Costume and $300. which includes costume and Carnival faces Artistry.  (a $25 saving)  Make up is $50 for Miami Carnival with Carnival Faces for all other masqueraders of other bands.  Everyone in the section however receives a gift bag.  Registration is now open feel free to contact us with questions.
Trudy 561 445 7966  
Zondell 561 542 2051.

MIAMI CARNIVAL MAS BANDS

The latest rumor in the Miami Carnival world was that Carnival Nationz Miami was considering cancelling their Empires Band launch this weekend and looks like the rumor is true. This was sent via email AND is posted on their Facebook Page.  Some believe it had EVERYTHING to do with the other band launch scheduled for that night (which would be Euphoria Mas). I'm hoping that THAT is also a rumor because my sources tell me it's rescheduled for some time in August and if the scheduling conflict actually was the cause of the cancellation, they will ALWAYS have that problem.

I just hope that the day in August that they decide upon isn't the same day that Wassi Ones decides to do their launch!!!! *As of now, all we know about Carnival Nationz Miami and Wassi Ones is that they're both scheduled to launch some time in August.

Due to an overwhelming response we have decided to relocate and reschedule our much anticipated launch of Empires. Please stay tuned for information regarding the new date and location via email blasts, our Facebook page – Carnival Nationz Miami – and Twitter. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you when we launch EMPIRES Nationz Miami Style.

GREGORY ON GENERATION X

What an eventful weekend this was!  This weekend we had cricket on both Saturday and Sunday, live DJ's playing music on the grounds of Joy's Roti Shop in Lauderhill which is conveniently placed across the street from where the cricket games were held. Then there was the band launch of Generation X that featured Florida's own Sizwe and Kes!!!

I got to the venue and had to wait quite a while to get in and after finally getting in, the models were already on stage, modeling the costumes and were walking off!!!  PISSED!!!  From what I saw, I liked.  I wasn't able to see a brochure/booklet until after the live display of costumes and later on placed names to the 'colors' I saw prior.

After the models were off the ground floor, I was escorted to the VERY much needed air conditioned 3rd floor to speak with Gregory.  That's where the explanations of Generation X's Tremors began. . . Gregory, is a very charming person that clearly enjoys what he does.  Full of smiles, hugs, kisses and character during what I would imagine to be a VERY stressful time for him. I asked him a series of questions to get a further understanding of what the masqueraders who played with him should expect for 2012.  Gregory (Antoni) came together with the Generation X committee to find a theme.  The theme they came up with was natural disasters but wanted to stick to the one word effect that they thought would have a stronger impact. That's when Tremors was born.  Tremors has a total of 10 sections, of which will ALL have an individual, section leader, frontline, backline and male.  The booklet/brochure only shows 9 so you'd have to see them all when the website is updated. Prices range from $180.00 *male and $495.00 *individual.  As far as a complete band, Gregory said he will DEFINITELY have a queen and is working on a King. The King isn't definite because there was no incentive for people to play king because the Miami Broward Carnival Committee didn't give a substantial amount of prize money for the king. The amount of money rewarded for king wasn't high enough in previous years to cover the costs of making the piece.  So finding one to play it was slim but the prize money has raised for 2012, so he is hopeful that someone will.  On the road, Generation X will have 2 music trucks.  The truck will have some of the biggest names in the business.  The main DJ's will be Alicia D Duchess, Genesis and Private Ryan. There will be a drinks truck, a food truck and portable/mobile restrooms. I asked about the production of costumes, he said that it was funny I asked because every year, prior to this year, ALL Gen X costumes were designed and produced in Trinidad but for 2012 only the designs and prototypes will be done in Trinidad but the 'mass production' will be done in China.  He explained that Trinidad *to put it plainly, hasn't kept up with the times. That China is more competitive and has a better quality so ultimately both Gen X and their masqueraders would get more for their money by having the costumes done in China.

I got the feeling during this informal interview of ours that Gregory had his masqueraders best interest at heart. So I asked him, what is THE most important thing for him to get out of all this and like expected, he said that he has to put forth endless effort to produce value for his masqueraders' money. That he felt 'sick' that the band consisted of 1,000 people last year and had to turn people away, for that he has catered for 1,500 people this year and believes once he treats everyone with love and respect it will ensure good karma.

The blog on Kes the fete, will come shortly.

MIAMI CARNIVAL UPDATE

The Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee JUST released publicly how many bands will be in attendance come October 7th! COUNT THEM, OVER 20!!! Things are heating up.  The next band launch on the carnival mas agenda is one of THE MOST anticipated band launches to date and that's Generation X!  GREAT thing about Generation X's launch is that Kes is performing LIVE! Somehow, I just have that feeling KES won't be the only performer there.  Tomorrow night, you guys will be in for a NICE surprise! It's so nice I can hardly contain myself!  

The festivities begin tomorrow with the cricket match at Lauderhill Stadium, then KES and........ see you there!

MIAMI CARNIVAL LINE UP

I didn't get the entire lineup but I did get the numbers for the most popular bands.  Hopefully this helps in your decision making process when coming to the time you leave your fete Saturday night/ Sunday morning because is have some bands that will be damn near crossing the stage when some are still getting their costumes ON! Lets take a look.

# 1 PARTY PEOPLE MAS

# 4 BIG AND STRONG

# 5 EUPHORIA MAS

#13CHINA MAS

#14PARTY ROOM SQUAD

#15 GENERATION X- *2010 BAND OF THE YEAR

Second to last will be WASSI ONES and last will be NATURAL FREAKS from THE NY!

This lineup with the last two bands should come as no surprise as people that normally play in Wassi Ones or Natural Freaks know that this is their understood positioning.  I don't think either band even shows up for the picking. (The committee probably has an unspoken rule to leave all the wotless revelers in the back) GOOD! That's precisely where we *I mean THEY want to be OUI!  Let the jamishness begin!

GENERATION X WEBSITE'S UP

Generation X pictures are up and I must say, they are nice.  I didn't get a chance to see any of them personally but for those interested you can click the facebook link HERE for Part I and HERE for Part II.

From what I saw, I liked them. This is really good for Miami as I fine the costumes in Miami are not always of the best in looks or quality..  Kudos to Generation X!  Seems like they used their winnings from last year and put it to good use as the costumes are looking nice. 

I've noticed that these costumes are all priced the same. No matter which section you chose, the prices were pretty much standard.  

MALE $170

FEMALE (backline) $185

FEMALE (frontline) $250

SECTION LEADER $375

Some of the costumes are shown below not that they were better, just some that I chose at random.  All compliments www.generationxmiami.com

Should you be interested in registrations click

HERE

BAND LAUNCH ANNOUNCED!!!!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS, 

THE WAIT IS OVER

THE 2010 BAND OF THE YEAR

GENERATION X

HAS A BAND LAUNCH DATE

This band launch is daring to be different

and is promising to NOT disappoint

I for one can not wait to see whats in store.

Get your gear in order and be ready for 

Indulgences

There will be live models displaying the costumes

and hmmm cock-tails (did you catch that on the front flier?)

Click the fliers for all info

Hope to see you there!

MIAMI BROWARD CARNIVAL BAND LAUNCH DATE REVEALED

SO WE HAVE A DATE

Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee Presents: 

The Launch Saturday July 16th 2011 

Over 20 Mas Bands on Display! 

Music By: 

Sound Rev 

Eternal Vibes 

Maestro -Mix 

Master Roderick 

House Arrest 

Dynasty Int'l 

Mac 10 

DJ Cleve 

Gary Enforcement 

$15 presold tickets $20 at the door 

For more information contact: 305-653-1877 

www.miamibrowardcarnival.com 

Pre-Sale Admission $15.00

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

MIAMI CARNIVAL BAND LAUNCH AND SHOWCASE

NEWS FROM THE TWO OF MIAMI CARNIVAL

MAS BANDS:

OF WASSI ONES MAS BAND

will be having their costumes on display at 9:00 PM

WHILE

PARTY PEOPLE MAS

will be having their band launch of



Saturday, June 25 at 10:00pm - June 26 at 4:00am

Grand Cafe
12389 Pembroke Rd
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Showtime (costume display) is at 1:00AM

PICTURES WILL BE POSTED
OF BOTH EVENTS
ON
ISLANDGEMS.ORG

MORE LIMITATIONS FOR THE MIAMI-BROWARD ONE CARNIVAL

If you follow this blog, then you know already that the rumor is untrue and there WILL be a carnival in October, (Octoer 10th to be exact) for the Miami-Broward One Carnival. You should also know that the carnival itself will be held at the Sun Life Stadium (formally known as The Dolphin Stadium). But what you many not have known is that due to this new venue, there have been some additional 'restrictions' placed upon the parade of bands.

ARE YOU READY?

At the board members meeting yesterday, it was announced/decided that there will be absolutely NO MUD BANDS, NO OIL BANDS and NO PAINT BANDS allowed into the stadium. Airbrush paint is the ONLY paint that will be tolerated. Officials believe that these types of bands would cause more harm than good. The quantity of mud, oil and paint used cause an extreme amount of 'mess' that the city nor the association is willing to fork out. To date they have been cleaned by either the county, the cities or the association and this time around, I guess no one wanted to fit the bill.

Lets think about it though guys! This stadium is the home of Florida's football team, home to many NFL games and has held many a Superbowl no? They are not about to have a group of people just come in, for one day and just about destroy the stadium on the house. A small country like Trinidad and Tobago is trying to put a stop (if it hasn't been done already) to the National Stadium hosting carnival events and such because of the glass bottles, broken glass, cups, food, etc that is left be ind. It is not only these small messes that are left behind, its the actual damage that is caused to the physical grounds. The flooring many times are left uneven, shifted, paint has rubbed off or gotten discolored. So why not a place like the Sun Life Stadium? I am NOT mad at them! My thing is, the officials of the carnival association KNOW this. They've known about the 'casualties' of carnival for DECADES, they also know it will not get any better and maybe get even worse. Why on EARTH would they have picked a place like the Sun Life Stadium to be the venue for the parade of bands? Was it the desperate need to have a venue because they only recently announced/found one? Who knows. What I DO know is, they need to get it together, find a proper venue and stick with the same one ANNUALLY!!!!!

MIAMI-BROWARD ONE CARNIVAL HAS A VENUE?

It hasn't been officially announced (like almost everything I hear) but I was told that I could actually relay this tid bit of information. The Miami-Broward One Carnival has finally found a venue!!!!! Many of the masqueraders that I know are a bit hesitant about either purchasing their airline tickets to come down here or to register with any band because they were not sure WHERE or IF there would be an actual venue to hold the carnival itself. Could you imagine the pain one would feel it they were to register in any of the mas bands to find out (upon collection of their costume) there is no designated space to play yourself on the road?

A little birdie told me via text yesterday that the Miami-Broward Carnival now has a venue. You never know if this is factual or not because they haven't publicly announced this venue on their offical website as yet but things ALWAYS have a way of 'getting out'. The rumored venue for the 2010 Miami-Carnival will be at the Sun Life Stadium formally known as The Dolphin Stadium in Miami. I don't know how that would actually work but hey, for now its going to be considered home. Check it out below.