PANORAMA, JUNIOR CARNIVAL AND ADULT J'OUVERT TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!!

LET'S GET THESE TICKETS GOING! 

PURCHASE THEM HERE!

PCR TESTING AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CARNIVAL

The Miami Broward Carnival Committee announced that there will be a carnival in Miami for 2021 and the world went crazy!  After we, the masqueraders haven't had a carnival in what felt like forever we were all here for it. Along with the carnival there were two stipulations put in place that I think were  necessary to have a safe and healthy carnival season. Although the intentions were good, I don't think it was foolproof. I mean, nothing ever is but it was executed poorly. 

The idea of "no mask, no mas" sounded nice. I'll leave that right there and move on.  Attendees of anything related to the events held by the Miami Broward Carnival Committee was to have proof of a negative Covid test.  Tests were to have been taken no later than the 7th of October and all entrance points would have only accepted a PCR test. 

Again, in a perfect world this would have been ideal but in a perfect world we are not. To be able to make it to the first event which was Panorama, you would have had to take and receive your negative PCR test by October 8th which in some cases was not enough time.  Although many of us do enjoy the Pan Finals competition, with the mele of the PCR test, the untimely death of dear Miya Marcano in addition to the drive to Doral, many of us decided to skip it this year.

Now, I do think it was a great plan but just wasn't executed well.

  *****POSITIVES*****

• The carnival committee did post as much as they could on their website and social media. Both Instagram and Facebook. 
• There was MAJOR help getting the word out from the South Florida Carnival Band Leaders Association Committee. Some (myself included) would say that they have done even more in getting the word out than the Carnival Committee seeing as they are a younger group of individuals who are more connected with social media and did an amazing job at getting the word out to 'the people'. They actively and consistently answered questions on Facebook and Instagram lives that gave people a better idea of what to expect and what to do closer to when the time came.
• There were multiple ways for 'the checkers' to check PCR results.  Whether it be by email, numerous telephone applications and checking ID's against printed results.
• If negative PCR tests couldn't be retrieved in time for an event, there were Rapid Covid tests readily available on site.

*****NEGATIVES***** 

• I felt as though the committee could have done more in every aspect.  There was no reason that another group of people should have been more active than the committee itself. IMO, that's wrong because this is your event and they, just like you only do it for the love of the carnival culture. That IS why you're doing it right?
• Although there were many ways of checking PCR results, there was no way to accurately check any of them. There was no one who was trained to handle the multiple ways for the amount of people on top of the scammers. (The scammers were not only ready to scam the mas bands and event organizers/promoters but that's another blog post).
• I can not speak on the entry for Panorama nor Jouvert as I did not go but can speak from what I KNOW of the carnival.  Attendees fought tooth and nail to get PCR tests done in time to attend. Many hadn't been checked by security. I would say maybe 10 (if so much) out of 100 people that were granted entrance to the park were being checked for their test results.  Personally, I wasn't asked for a paper, an email, an app, a nothing. 
• The personal hand sanitizer that was to be given out, was nonexistent.
• The committee requested that no test be done prior to the 7th of October.  That's when many people were flying in and it had MANY of them who tested on that day who received their results the day after the carnival.  Yes, on Monday and some even Tuesday. I know of one case that the person has yet to receive anything.  
• If PCR tests were mandatory, why were they accepting Rapid Tests onsite? Guess that was more of one of my many unanswered questions...

The point of this particular blog post isn't to bash ANY side, group or organization so I will stop there because it has many more negatives that I could have listed.  What I am trying to say is that the committee tried.  The South Florida Carnival Band Leaders Association Committee also tried. They had things in place but again, we are not in a perfect world.  Everyone was in the spirit of GLAD an were just happy to be really outside.  Many of the people I know who went to a particular location that I will not mention on Thursday night were compliant but what is one to do when they believe that they are doing the right thing but the staff of the testing at that particular site didn't have a quick enough turn-around time? Would you forfeit all monies spent on your jouvert or carnival mas costume? Now, if you were following the rules and the guidelines, your answer should have been yes BUT I know my people. I know myself. I know what those who didn't get their tests back would have done or did do. Now, can you imagine going through all of this and when you get to the gate NO ONE IS EVEN CHECKING YOUR NEGATIVE PCR TEST? Real or not...

*****MY $0.02*****

When coming to the negative PCR tests... I believe that that responsibility should fall on the mas bands.  This way the Carnival association is still in compliance with the CDC guidelines and all attendees affiliated with a mas band are complying with the Miami Broward Carnival guidelines/stipulations.  This year there were a few bands (maybe two *that I know of) that did that but I believe that every masquerader, every band member, all security  and staff member should be screened by their band/section leader.  Unfortunately, this isn't foolproof either BUT once you prove to be Covid negative, you get your CDC wristband PLACED ON YOUR HAND ONE TIME WITH NO EXCEPTIONS! This way Liz can't give hers to Kim and John can't sell his to Paul.  Let's be real, it has multiple people who actively work in multiple bands.  Once the wristband is placed on the hand, HONEST PEOPLE will not need a second one to sell or give away. Let the people who are non masqueraders or who do not belong beat up at the gate.  This is something I'd consider a luxury that we paid for.  Let the anxiety end for masqueraders once they receive their costumes as well as their CDC clearance and be done with that.  This wristband should be something readily available to mas bands straight from the Miami Broward Carnival Committee once the band leaders collect their bands from them.  Once you've paid for 100 masqueraders, you should receive 200 bands. One to get into the park and the other is the CDC band. An because I know the tricks of the trade, do one color for carnival and one for jouvert. If necessary, one color clearance for each event. Did you understand that? Does that make sense? If not, maybe that's why I'm not on the committee.

All in all, my wish is that all who attended the carnival whether you flew in or not has gotten home safely and Covid free.  My belief is that it we all would like to see another carnival in Miami.  Let's do better as a people. Let's try abiding by the people rules so we can have years of carnivals to come even in a pandemic because Covid is very much real. Miami Broward Carnival Committee, you need to help us help you because believe it or not, both sides of the coin want a fun, safe and effortless carnival.

Now to gather my thoughts on some of these fetes.

 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!

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  

JAMBORII RUMORS PUT TO REST....

Everyone dreads a rumor.  Let's face it, rumors are basically untruths that are spread by people who have no knowledge of the facts. That in itself is a headache especially when your reputation is on the line.  Rumors that come out of nowhere and are farthest from the truth can be the most infuriating but the ones intertwined with part of the truth are the hardest to control or get rid of.

Jamborii Mas has already been the target of a very dangerous rumor.  The rumor report is that PUNCH, their first Miami event, the first ever Breakfast Party Band Launch.  The event that they have been promoting for the past couple months has been shut down by the Planning and Zoning Commission and will no longer be taking place. -- THAT'S WRONG, but not completely--

THE FACTS:

• There was an original venue located in Hialeah.  
• The original venue *named Rancho Okeechobee has preexisting and unsolved issues with not only The Planning and Zoning Commission but the local Law Enforcement of Hialeah.  This information was withheld from JAMBORII Mas and thankfully, the business owner practices good business/customer service and returned money with no issue.
• To continue planning PUNCH at this venue would have been like buying their trouble wholesale, so an executive decision was made to move PUNCH to ToeJam Backlot in Wynwood.
• Current online ticket holders will not be turned away.  
• There will be no replacement tickets given.  JAMBORII Mas Committee members are fully aware of what the old and new addresses are and what the old and new tickets look like.  Both the old and new tickets will be accepted at the door.  
• To compensate for the inconvenience of the patrons more DJ's have been added for listening pleasure.  There will be Titan VCD & Ding Dong, DJ Stryker and DJ Quinn (from Trinidad's Red96.7), DJ Sweeba,  DJ Code Red, DJ Ghost, DJ So Prince Larry (from NYC) and one of my personal favorites DJ Victorious!
• There will be tasty food on sale.  

There are no hard feelings between the either parties as both sides have been courteous and professional.  As the old saying goes, every disappointment is for a good.  This venue change was just that, a venue change.  The zoning and law enforcement issues are issues of Hialeah and that is NOT where PUNCH will be held.  So don't be afraid, the party is very much on and the JAMBORII Mas is more than ready to show you their portrayals for Miami Carnival and Jouvert all at the same launch!  Keep in mind, JAMBORII Mas is STILL holding the crown as being the first ever breakfast cooler fete and band launch in one.

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT JAMBORII MAS

MIAMI JOUVERT RUMOR SET........ STRAIGHT?

This is a record breaker! The Miami Carnival One rumors have begun but this time it's not about the carnival but the jouvert!

The Miami Broward One Carnival Committee has done an ah-ma-zing job at not only bringing what feels like the closest thing to a Trinidad and Tobago jouvert to the "Miami Carnival" experience but going strong without casualty for the last 3 years at the Broward Regional Park is just as impressive. I have always loved the venue because it is not even a 10 minute drive from my home but I think this is the earliest that I've heard rumors start.  Yes, as early as February the 'niggagram' has already started about the location of the jouvert to being changed from the Broward Regional Park to a location in Doral. Not even an exact venue ok but that it will be held "somewhere in Doral, where the Miami Carnival was last year".

Now, I'm a firm believer of where there is smoke, there is a fire so I've done my own investigation seeing as this rumor affects me directly.  I was assured that the Miami jouvert that has been held at the Broward Regional Park for the last three years, is still the official site/venue of the jouvert for 2015.  In the same breath, it was also said that the option was still on the table but as for now, Lauderhill is the oficial site for jouvert.  Wait, what?  Which one is it? Sounds more to me like Lauderhill is secured but they're still looking for something bigger, better or possibly cheaper.  This late in the game and with the size of crowd expected, things like venue should already be finalized so my confidence is pretty much high for 2015 but I'd look out for 2016. Lauderhill may not be the home for our jouvert for much longer.

If you feel like me and would love to see the jouvert stay where it is in Lauderhill or maybe not, either way you have a voice.  Send letters, make phone calls and send emails to voice what you'd like to see happen.  People tend to underestimate just how much power they have to make changes.