KEY WEST AND IT'S PHUCKRY!

This blog like many others was written from the heart but I had two minds about posting it because of the backlash that I will receive once it's posted.... but I've never backed down from a fight so I decided to publicize the post but chicken out and post it once I've boarded the ship and having a great time on the UberSoca Cruise.  I'll be enjoying myself and will be unavailable, so allyuh could beat up yourselves.

This blog post will be the good, the bad, the ugly and the phenomenal that involved MY Fantasy Fest experience heading to Key West.

Saturday began like prior years. I woke up just in time to message Semone telling her that I am on my way and to make sure it had food for me.  After all, my belly is always my main concern.  Once I arrived at the destination, the choices were roast bake with either saltfish or omelette.  Coffee, tea and hot chocolate was available to me and seeing as that is what I wanted, I didn't check for anything cold. After reserving my food, I took a couple bags to secure 10 seats on the bus.

It was now time to go.  The bus was packed with last minute food, snacks and costumes then
we took off. I had no concept of time at this point because we were having such a good time as
the vibes started shortly after the music turned on and it was smooth sailing. Somewhere
south we stopped which I found odd because it was too soon for a pit stop.  Found out
that we were picking up two passengers who lived close to Kendall.  Customer service at it's
finest because the bus departed from Lauderhill.  After the two passengers boarded the bus,
Semone said a prayer (seeing as the bus was NOW complete) and we took off again.

I can honestly say that his year was the most set of bacchanal on that bus.  And seeing as #TeamKelz
swore us to secrecy, what happened on the bus, had to stay on that bus BUT there are a couple
videos circulating.  Catch one.

The drinks continued to pour into signature cups given and the snacks began to share. 

#TeamKelz served snacks that included homemade mango and pineapple chow, Trinidad style fudge, tamarind balls and sweet bread from a bakery that I will not disclose. Next thing yuh know allyuh bus have we sweet bread next year lol.  I would say about an hour or two (because who knew at this point), while eating some fudge, the bus made a screeching halt. No one thought nothing of the stop because we were having a time but it was when we realized that the AC was off and we haven't moved in a while we realized that the bus had shut down. The majority of the bus thought that this would have been a minor setback so we got off to smoke and talk a little nonsense.  It was while outside we realized just how serious it was. The music truck for the entire "Caribbean Truck" was also shut down because they tried to jump the bus with the music truck.  So now, there is no bus to take us to Key West and there is also no music truck.  This was when the fellas decided to make some lemonade out of our lemons.  They decided to mount music boxes on top of the music truck and we started to jam on the people highway yes.  Don't get me wrong, we were concerned about reaching to Key West but at this point what exactly would we be missing?  The music truck was stuck on the side of the highway right along with us.

Because of the fun that we were having, it didn't dawn on me until the late half just how many buses passed us straight.  There were 8 to be exact.  Of those buses, only ONE bus stopped and asked if we needed help.  This bus was not a 'Caribbean bus', this bus was full of white people who weren't even going to Key West and were on their own beat but they were the only ones (on a bus) who willingly stopped to offer some sort of assistance. Imagine that.  Of the 7 that were on their way to Key West, allyuh MUDDA CUNT! Phones were taken out, pictures were taken, videos were filmed and no one used their God given senses to see what was going on with your fellow brothers and sisters. It never occurred to anyone on either of those buses that THIS was the bus that they should help because THIS was the bus that was travelling with the music truck that they were all in a rush to jump up behind and that they were passing all of the equipment needed to jump up with.

Semone called "Mr B" for some assistance, he claimed that all his buses were full and that he could not assist however when she called Will (from D Junction) and Big Chris (who were one Batson buses) passed us already, THEY DECIDED to turn the bus around for us.  You're reading correctly.  They both (who were controlling Batson buses) decided among themselves to turn around and come for us!  they advised Semone that although their buses were full, they would turn around for us and they can each take 15 passengers but her passengers would have to stand.  She agreed.  Mind you, these buses were ahead of us and were not a part of the 7 that passed us already.  Semone, (let's just say Simi for short) told both Will and Chris that she would let her passengers know what the plan was and she would call them back.  Simi had to first turn down the music to make her announcement.  When she told us that 30 of us would have an opportunity to catch a ride on two buses, we ALL declined.  We didn't plan it.  We didn't have any group discussions about it.  We just ALL looked at Simi like she was mad and told her that we were not leaving.  Simi now had to call Will and Chris back to tell them not to turn around anymore because her bus load of people were willing to ride this out with her.

Just like that, my husband went to the bus driver and told him to just try starting the bus again and BOOM, the engine came on.  As mysterious as  the bus stopped, it was just as mysterious how it started back up again.  The joy was a little short lived because it wasn't the same fate for the music truck.  The music truck never restarted.  At this point Simi and Kelz had to make a decision.  They had to leave the music truck behind and continue on the road with the masqueraders.  Kelz stayed behind with Kizzy (the MVP) and another person.  The 3 of them were left behind with very little water and some leftover sweet bread because the rental company assured that they would be there shortly.  Kelz and Kizzy put blue tarp on the highway and laid down like it was their bed as buses AGAIN passed them straight by.  Kelz had a friend that had no intention on going to Key West who heard of the situation and managed to come from wherever he was, with a flat bed and picked them up.  They made it to Key West in record speed but unfortunately, it was too late to be inspected on time therefore causing the band to not be able to register any of their masqueraders BUT Key West LOVES TeamKelz and worked it out.

Simi and Kelz communicated with one another that the flatbed truck would be allowed in the truck and to gather their masqueraders.  We moved so fast, in unison, minimal words just action! PJ took off the music that he was playing for us alongside the masquerader bus, Darnell, Marvin and Folkesy assisted in getting the speakers on the bus, Will helped put the table under the bus and it was just a race!  Chris and Fyah Truck were running with laptops and wires, meanwhile there was a crowd of feathers running behind them.  There was a crowd of people running down the route of the parade with no direction, no lights, no music to follow but just the will to find that flat bed truck! The crowd (including my mother) disappeared from in front of us as they were chasing the truck and we were left behind trying to secure the bus and equipment.  When we were finally finished, we walked the normal route of the parade.  The locals of Key West saw our feathers and directed us to the truck.  The sound of soca music was faint but we kept walking toward the sound of it and when we finally reached the truck, we could have cried. We ran up on the truck to hear "when ah dead, put jab jab on meh tombstone" and it was a joyful noise.  My pores raised!

The people of Key West truly love the "Caribbean truck" that TeamKelz brings annually and did everything in their power to assist in getting it on the road.  They bent so many of the rules and even broke some.  Which brings me to this point.  TeamKelz has to wait on an invitation from the mayor of Key West to participate in Fantasy Fest.  No one is entitled to this.  Key West banned the "Caribbean Truck" about 7 years ago! How many of you remember that? How many of you actually thank or at the very least show ANY appreciation to TeamKelz for taking the time to do a FULL presentation to the mayor of Key West to be allowed back?  The deal is that they ONLY deal with TeamKelz and they have to wait for an invitation every year!

There is a DJ from Orlando named Smalley?  No disrespect BUT, we understand that the Batson buses are doing this to keep the memory of Mrs Donna Batson alive but please understand, that is inclusive to only the Batson buses.  Key West nor Fantasy Fest has nothing to do with her or Mr B's buses.  You did give TeamKelz little shout outs on the mic but while crossing the stage where was the love?  While crossing the stage, all we heard was shout outs to people who had absolutely nothing to do with the the "Caribbean Truck", nothing to do with it getting there, nothing to do with registrations and I can go on and on.  The people that you were to big up ON STAGE, in the presence of the mayor and the television cameras you completely forgot.  I don't know if word has gotten back to him but someone please give him a call because the director of the event was VERY DISTURBED and wanted to know who you were BY NAME and AGAIN, TeamKelz saved the day.  It was noticed that people who were not designated to direct the truck were directing the truck to go the wrong way and there was lots of confusion.  Do you understand that because no one registered (an get to jump in the band for free), therefore no one signed a waiver, therefore Key West and TeamKelz was responsible for EVERY SINGLE LIFE ON THAT ROAD?! The three people who tried to jump AN CUSS Simi, sorry to say, but you deserved the arrest that you got.  To the man (I won't put any names) who seemed to have attitude asking "whey we truck" with the attitude, try looking for it 2 hours north on the highway! How much money did you give to assist with the trucks gas, the rental, the generator, the equipment, the time and monies spent attending meetings in Key West? Yuh lucky is Simi an Kelz people like you had to deal with because they choose to remain professional.  People showed their ass on Saturday October 27th, 2018 in Key West and I was glad I witnessed it.  I also witnessed all what it takes to get that truck on the road successfully.  The videos posted, the negative remarks and the memes were distasteful and just think, the people responsible for all the negativity actually JUMP UP IN THE BAND FOR THE WHOLE FREE! It has those (and you know who you are) who stood up on the steps of their bus as they smiled and waved as we were broken down on the side of the road but you see, God is in control of everything.  He is the boss! Everything happened the way it did to expose you all and trust me, it won't happen again.  Everyone's eyes are wide open and woke.  The public may believe the lies that come out of your mouths and you're good at 'cleaning up messes' but you know and so do we!  This community as big as it may seem, is actually quite small an everything done in the dark doesn't take too long to get a spotlight especially when dealing with the pure in heart.

TeamKelz, I will always support your events once I can.  I will always spread the word and once you stay true to self and remain that way, God will not only show up but he will show out the way he did for Key West's Fantasy Fest 2018.  See you for 3, 2, 1 on New Years Eve!

OLDIES BUT GOODIES.....THE AFTERMATH

Oldies BUT Goodies has finally come and gone....
With all the promoting I've seen over the last few months it seemed like it took forever to get here.  TeamKelz well promote!  I'd like to believe I was one of the first set of people to acquire OBG tickets reason being I attended last year and it was fantastic!  Although online ticketing was an effortless process, tickets were personally delivered by TeamKelz through friends and associates to help people avoid the additional online fees. How amazing is that?

The planned arrival time for OBG was 12am which is actually a little early but tonight I expected double the amount of cars to be parked. As expected, there was a slight detour because the entrance normally used was not the entrance for OBG.  We were directed to the back of the building which had a couple TeamKelz banners.  Should I had just paid attention the banners would have been easily spotted.  There was no line which is always a pleasure.  There were a couple people doing a ticket exchange which took 5 minutes or less.

Once inside, which was about 1am I was shocked.  I laughed even.  Only because of my confusion.  The parking lot was full so I expected to see fewer people seeing as two events were sharing the building and parking lot but by the looks of things, all the parked cars belonged to OBG! This led me to question who was actually next door...

While trying to recall what was playing, I draw a blank as I had to first figure out the ticketing system for drinks.  It was a chit system and it wasn't clear as to where we could purchase the chits/tickets from.  After situating the drinks and greeting everyone, I was made to understand that I came just in time because the general census was that the previous DJ didn't play as well as expected.  Ouch!  Thankfully, I got there in time for the vibes. DJ Eternal Vibes that is.  Eternal Vibes and MC Giselle D Wassi One came to play NO GAMES and M.A.S.H.U.P. T.H.E. P.L.A.C.E. Don't get me wrong, last year had the vibes and chunes but I believe that the larger crowd this time around had an intense reaction and we all fed off one another's vibes. Big up to the International Duo for cranking up the vibes.  Although he is a hard DJ to follow, the following DJ's all did the same. Each DJ did their thing on the 1's and 2's!!  I believe the DJ's afterward were PressPlay Boyz and definitely the King DJ Spice. A good Oldies But Goodies/Back In Time event takes you back to the days of when without only playing the 'commercial music' that we all expect to hear.  Music that you haven't heard in a long time but were hits.  It consists of getting your hands dirty and 'dig in those crates'!!!

I've come to an understanding that all TeamKelz events have a wide assortment of finger foods and usually the most fattening lol.   For people who were celebrating birthdays there were Jerk wings, guava tarts, cheese pastries, beef pies, pommecythere chow and sponge rum cake.  For the guests there was fruit salad, guava tarts, cheese pastries, beef pies and sponge rum cake.  Everything I had tasted well but the hit of the night was the sponge/rum cake.  Unfortunately, unless you were celebrating a birthday there was no way to know that this food was being offered and at no extra charge.

The surprise of the night was that Preedy blessed the crowd with a live performance!  Lyrikal was also in the building....  Well,  he was going to be in the building regardless seeing as he was the main attraction next door but him 'crew' was in Oldies BUT Goodies! He didn't perform but he was more than happy to smile and pose for the cameras with his fans! Poor thing, he had many.  The vibes continued as the lights came on.  We danced and sang along to the music as the volume lowered and when it stopped, we talked over the security trying to lead us to the door.  No one wanted to leave.

(WFYG FL Bandits)

Congratulations TeamKelz on a job well done, this annual event has marked itself as a "must go" for the future.  Keep the vibes and that food coming as strong as you have and we will keep coming for more!

Can't wait for what you have in store for Mimosa!

WHERE EXACTLY IS OLDIES BUT GOODIES?

Seeing as there is some confusion regarding the venue of Oldies BUT Goodies, I will try shedding some light.

For those who do not know, there is a building in Lauderhill that is divided into several parts.  The two in question would be "The Warehouse" which is on the southern side of the building and then there's the northern side which is called the "The Luxurious Banquet Hall".  There are two events happening in the same building however, every wall in The Luxurious Banquet Hall is sound proof and will not be affected by the other event that is IN FACT carded for THE WAREHOUSE.  I can not speak for The Warehouse and how the walls are constructed but patrons of Oldies BUT Goodies will be unbothered.

Oldies BUT Goodies is an annual TeamKelz event and I made a vow to attend once I have health and strength.  Partying with a mixed crowd is always appreciated and having DJ's that can satisfy everyone is a must and that is covered.  The music wasn't geared toward any particular age group and flowed effortlessly.  We knew and enjoyed all songs played, had some clean fun and had a great time.  There were quite a few people that I didn't know.  We all connected over some good 'old school jams' that we haven't heard in a long time and for those simple connections alone, I was hooked.  When music is good, it unifies people.  The intimacy was a plus and I'd like to experience it again.

My hope with this post was to shed some light on the situation for both events involved because Oldies BUT Goodies will be a classy affair, the other will be a Flag Fete.  This means they both have completely different dress codes.  Be advised, those coming dressed for a Flag Fete will be turned away from the Oldies BUT Goodies door. Although we enjoy those types of fetes, it will not be permitted tomorrow night.  The venue has arranged separate entrances, so hopefully things run smoothly.

Can you imagine showing up here in clothes for a Flag Fete?

Enough of that.
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW NIGHT!
Use the hash tag #OldiesBUTGoodies in all your pics.
You don't want to miss it!
There will be surprises!

FANTASY FEST, THE CARIBBEAN INVASION

GOOD DAY TO YOU ALL!!!

It's quite the coincidence that this blog be written the day of Halloween seeing that it's partly the celebration of the dead because I, the spirit of DCARNIVALBABY is writing her blog today as she in fact died on Saturday.  I don't know where she got the idea to play young knowing full well she can't manage.  Well, she made the grave mistake of attending the bus ride held by #TeamKelz to Key West for their Fantasy Fest parade and she just..........

never made it back.  There is nothing but her shell and me, her spirit left.  Her hands, ache.  Her legs, sore.  The sole of her feet, numb. Her neck, damn near broken. Head, throbbing.  Voice, gone.  Down to her fingers hurt.  How do fingers hurt? Let me backtrack. 

When DCARNIVALBABY first saw the flyer, she was excited seeing as she's never been to Key West.  Ever.  Everything was set up in two two's and all she had to do was wait for Saturday morning.

That morning was drama but she was determined.  There was who didn't want to sleep and stayed up drinking, who was nursing a hangover, those who forgot to sleep and the one who got lost.  Thank God #TeamKelz knows the crowd they were dealing with and never left at the advertised time (which was 6:30).  She pulled up with Lucky, her brother from another mother, her Dominican friend/sister Saphire and some friends.  The combination alone was mad, then to meet up with PJ an Kelz smh.

The original plan was to pack all headpieces and backpacks under the bus then catch about an hour or two nap (seeing as she is the one who forgot to sleep the night before).  *Little did she know that under the bus would have been the only place on that bus to get sleep.  Needless to say, the nap never happened because the bus was pumping by 7:30.  The music was played by PJ, Lucky was on drums and Kelz was the emcee.  Somewhere around 8:30/8:45 the bus pulled off (or so they were told) 'cause between the drinks, food and vibes....no one bothered to check the time.

As the bus pulled off Simi started serving a variety of finger foods.  It was a good idea to serve the types of food they did because it helped to soak up the fruit flavored alcohol Popsicle's, the liquor being consumed and there was still a very long way to go.  Simi.....  She's a sweetheart but every single time Simi got out of her seat, she had a tray.  From about 7:30ish til the bus parked in the parking lot down in Key West, Ms Simi and her team of fat food distributors handed out:

• Fruity Popsicle's with alcohol (I need DCARNIVALBABY to get that recipe).
• Roast bake with buljol (saltfish mixed with tomato, onion and seasonings of choice)
• Cheese paste sandwiches
• Pastries from Vicky's (guava, meat,etc)
• Chicken Peleau (Rice, stewed chicken and pigeon peas cooked down in seasonings and coconut milk) that's the best description I could give.
• Tub of fruit (fruits soaked in everyone's drinks)
• Home made orange/grapefruit juice
• FULLY STOCKED BAR

 People were supposed to eat the fruits for their nutritional value and keep the energy levels up......meanwhile they soaked them in their drinks.  The bin started off three quarters full of fruits.  Could you imagine the amount of 'nutrition' they got?

It's as if they didn't care that the ladies on the bus had carnival costumes to change into because the food kept coming and DCARNIVALBABY ain't like nothing better.  She didn't let a tray pass. As you received your second drink, your first cup was discarded and replaced with a #TeamKelz Ent souvenir cup.  Great touch for a bus ride!  DCARNIVALBABY is sentimental like that and saves everything so I know she was pleased.

 KEY WEST

Once the bus got to Key West everyone jumped off and scattered like ants.  The bus cleared out quickly which was fine, here is where DCARNIVALBABY started feeling the effects of those soaked fruits in the alcohol so she changed on her own time, in peace as she and her friends got their Jones.   Once the changing of the clothes and the normal picture taking was over, it was time to take in some scenery. At this point, DCARNIVALBABY still had her senses but she seemed to have almost lost them when she saw Santa Claus...

The parade begins at 7pm (white people time) so by 7:40 when they met the #TeamKelz truck the parade had already started. I remember her thinking that the music was low and the same some song on repeat and not understanding why.  It was when the truck actually hit the road the music turned up, DJ Back To Basics engaged the crowd and the songs started to roll out.  It was like nothing she'd seen before.  The spectators actually stayed behind their barricades while the masqueraders reveled in the road.  It got a little cramped because people who came down on buses that know the routine, didn't care about letting the masqueraders play the ass their mas on the road.  Somehow however, it worked. It wasn't overbearing and there was ample space for masquerader and vagabond alike lol.  

I will fill you in on a little secret.  Don't tell her I told you all but, she was disappointed with the way Back To Basics played which is surprising because she normally loves the set and this was the first time she was disappointed.  Imagine, she and her friends were putting on quite the show for some spectators when "Freaky Girls" started to play when all of a sudden there was talking.  Then some more talking.  Next thing you know, "Freaky Girls" finished playing.  The ladies stood up like statues waiting for the pull up but there wasn't one. They played the biggest chune for the Miami Carnival season, talked straight through it and never replayed it...WHERE DO THEY DO THAT?!  At this point, DCARNIVALBABY was done and just chipped for the remaining of the route.  When the parade was over, it was abrupt.  There was an announcement that the parade was over and we were in the middle of the road like rubbish.  The police made the sound cut completely off and were instructed to say no more.  The masqueraders and vagabond alike all looked lost.  If they weren't, they looked it.  They had to all walk back to the bus, with no direction or music.  I believe that is where I took over and DCARNIVALBABY checked out.

Once back on the bus, there came Simi again with food.  Food? People wanted to make one with the inside of their eyelids and didn't care for food but some of the greedy bandits STILL ate.  (DCARNIVALBABY included) I wouldn't name any names but some people fell asleep while eating.  Aye, that bus was vibes!!!

All in all, I believe that once #TeamKelz is having another ride next year [please God] she's there because the vibes on the bus alone is enough inspiration to go back.  As for her lifeless body, we will see when or if it revives.  One piece of advice, if you don't have the vibes or the stamina, #TeamKelz bus is not for you! For any and all things #TeamKelz, you can always log on to the TeamKelz Entertainment Website, www.TeamKelz.com!

Ask DCARNIVALBABY lol

Hope I did well in her absence.