We pulled double duty last night, I went to Revellers and Karabana went to Saldenah. I had a nice time at the launch. As always it attracts a nice sophisticated crowd, there is no jostling for positions near the stage and its more of a fashion show atmosphere than a fete.
Disco nights
Photo by ~V~
Ring my Bell
Photo by ~V~
Photo by ~V~
Ebony & Ivory
Photo by ~V~
Collective Ecstasy
Patrons were treated to GoGo dancers before the show started and there was also a disco dance routine put on before we saw the costumes. The lighting made it challenging to get really nice shots (my camera skills didn't help either). And I got braced by security when I tried to make it backstage to get some more shots :(. So really, don't totally judge the costumes on these pics. I liked Ebony and Ivory the most. I also thought Funkadelic, Infatuation and Ring my Bell looked good also.
This year, more than any other I can remember, its really difficult for us to decide on a band. I am seeing at least one section in all the launches so far, that I could see Karabana playing in. Then you throw in that Revellers has Machel on the road, Tribal Kinghts has JW and Blaze, lots of our friends are playing in Nationz and we have a long good history with Saldenah, plus plenty bands haven't launched yet.
Its hard to decide where to play. Not only that, they haven't chosen the order of the bands yet, and I don't like to choose a band until I know what time we going down the road. But at the same time, if you stick, your section you like will sell out.... What to do?
This year, more than any other I can remember, its really difficult for us to decide on a band. I am seeing at least one section in all the launches so far, that I could see Karabana playing in. Then you throw in that Revellers has Machel on the road, Tribal Kinghts has JW and Blaze, lots of our friends are playing in Nationz and we have a long good history with Saldenah, plus plenty bands haven't launched yet.
Its hard to decide where to play. Not only that, they haven't chosen the order of the bands yet, and I don't like to choose a band until I know what time we going down the road. But at the same time, if you stick, your section you like will sell out.... What to do?
Funkadelic
That's the way I like it
Photo by ~V~
Last Dance
Photo by ~V~
Photo by ~V~
Disco Divas and Daddies
That's the way I like it
Photo by ~V~ 
Last Dance
Photo by ~V~ 
Photo by ~V~ 
Disco nights
Photo by ~V~ 
Ring my Bell
Photo by ~V~ 
Photo by ~V~ 
Ebony & Ivory
Photo by ~V~ 
Collective Ecstasy
27 comments:
OMG . . . This is just a hot ass mess. They ganna NEED machel on de road for ppl to buy this. I have played with revellers for the last 3 years and I honesty only see 2 options I remotely like. Looks like I bedda get over to carnival nationz and see what they have left.
I was expecting to see a lot of "DISASTER" costumes but there are only a few disasters. Sections I like are Disco Diva's & daddys, Fucky fever and like the head piece for Ring my bell. The scary sections are Funkadelic, Thats the way I like it, and Ring my bell(excluding the headpiece). Disco nights looks like it should be a kiddies section. The rest are OK sections.
OK ewwww..LMAO ahahhaha WOW...
I know there are a couple that went outside the bikini n beads box & used fabric to resemble disco duds. If the focus is on portraying a theme, I think they work bc of that.
It's the feathered & beaded costumes actually that I don't particularly think say "disco".
I do like the looks of Ebony & Ivory though, esp how it has a finished waistband in back. Mostly we don't get finished backsides.
I keep looking at those pastels in Ring my Bell, which are like a rainbow sherbet - but keep in mind disco fashion was often psychedelic colours. So I think it works.
I have to say I was there last night and not to pleased, It was truly a hot mess. I like the "Ring My bell" for the fact of the colors and the "That's the way I like it" section for the fact that it have no feathers or beads.
I still upset @ Jamel for not having a appericatetion party last year( yes, even though we came in 3rd place last year.) Without us revellers he would not come in anyplace. He pissed me off last night too, saying he having a afterparty(it was done about 1am) 3 blocks up the road @ Tropical Sunset. Whoever have thier ticket will get in for free( mind you we paid $20 for the launching). My sister and I and the rest of people RUSHED over there. It was cold and starting to snow alitte bit. We were close to the door about 1:15am but everyone starting to push. After waiting about 10 mins, someone yelled out it was full to capcity. WHAT?? Why the hell, Jamel send us over here then. I was really annoyed. I don't know what happend after that. But Revellers is not seeing me this year. Jumping ship with my cousin from N.Y. to Nationz, if it still available.
I somewhat like Ring My Bell for the originality and portrayal of the theme -but I wouldn't wear it on the road. The End.
Ok. This band should not even place this year, Machel can't even save these costumes. Saldenah is doing it this year.
I like Last Dance the best, the frontline look hot. second choice Ebony and Ivory. the orange section and green look somewhat alike. the funkadelic look like a hot mess. The mulicolor on looks like a clown costume. i like the men in bell bottom pants, good to keep in the theme. whats up with the costume with the circle of feathers. me don't like it. it will banging on your legs, another not mess. needs to revamp some of them. I'm glad the men didnt wear shorts. my friends will play with them this year. good job Toronto Revellers
NO WAY - a mesh marina on the mens Infatuation section? hmmm were those part of the disco era? LMAO
OMG, I thought carnival nationz was a mess until I saw these pics. Saldenah pics looks much better. Thank god I've already registered with CNZ as 4 sections are already sold out, their "left overs" looks 100 times better. I played with them the first yr they came out and it was ok besides the costumes falling apart before we even crossed the stage.all i have to saw is eww and shame on revellers. You guys are right Machel can't help them with them hpoefully they revamp them..their costumes looks like granny vegas strippers. LMAO
LOL @ the last post about Granny Strippers!!! Hilarious.
I agree with what was said about the costumes fitting the THEME of the band. Carnival has lost its meaning and the beads and bikini have totally taken over and is in no way what CULTURAL mas is to look like. I prefer s section leader handing me my costume and me knowin that thought an creativity went into making it as apposed to a costume bought in china with a few beads added an a headpiece with a bag of plumes an cock feathers!!!! Just saying.
My favorite is definitely the Ring my Bell, I'm kinda shocked really.
what the hell is this shit> holy crow did the section leaders design these costumes with their eye closed? i would rather play in cnz obeah wedding then play with revellers, I will be seeing nationz this year
I was at d launch I think Revellers did a pretty good job. When it comes to a theme I think 80% of d costumes fit the Disco era...I love love love the fact that all male costumes are wearing bell bottom pants PERFECT!
Funkadelic - The colour of the material is nice but I'm not crazy about the rest of the costume. Instead of that big hat a nice bando and flower in the hair for the ladies might have worked.
That's the way I like it - LOVE the material used and the stick with d disco ball on top. Not in love with the top hat for d ladies...a different cap might have worked better. But d models showed the costume well.
Last Dance - love the blue in the costume! Stands out really well. Backline headpiece is cute.
DD&D - wayyyyyyyy too much silver! The mens costume is my favourite.
Infatuation - colours are pretty, not really seeing "Disco" in this costume. Mens costume is not bad but that hat has to GO!
Funky Fever - not so bad...looks like your typical bikini and beads costume. Something about the 4 long feathers in the female headpiece, looks like it's just flopping.
Disco Nights - mens costume is real nice. Women's costume is ok.
Ring my bell - Cute costume! Male costume with the suspenders and afro is dead on! Female costume to me stands out with the gold and hoops. Not crazy about the use of pastel colours in any costume but it kinda works with this one.
Ebony & Ivory - well done. Male costume looks like a real pimp. Love the jewels on the female costume...like the fact that this costume is not your typical bikini and beads.
Collective Ecstasy - alright. no real wow factor (for me).
All in all I think the band launch was great. It started on time which is HUGE points in my book. I like the fact that it was set up as a fashion show where one can see d costumes. Disco dancers at the beginning were great. I comin back to Revellers this year (not sure which section yet) I just ask that all yuh have d proper security in place on d road.
Bless!
Wow! This is really bad! I was looking forward to seeing these costumes because there's so much that could have been done with them. But OMG! They're terrible!
And after the first horrendous sections, they just decided to throw in some bikinis, beads and feathers? How about sticking to the theme? Here we go again with a band leader trying to fit a theme into a costume instead of the other way around.
They're going to need Machel and all the help they can get on the road in order to get people to register for this hot azz mess!
WOW! Everyone above is too funny! Bout they need Machel! Dont Kill Meh! I used to have jus a "competitive" playa hata feelin towards Revellers (Imma full fledged Nationz Baby) but this is jus ridic! Dey serious?!?! Who de hell goin down de rd in dat? To my fellow masqueraders who stuck on Nationz to wait fo dis, ah cyan even laugh in yuh face. Ah feelin rhel sorry fo all yuh. Rhel sorry boy.
This band launch is one of the best I have seen for a long time in Toronto. Hats out to the producer of the show It's was like looking at a runway fashion show and that worked well for the Disco Theme.
Wow! This was really good to see.
First the show started on time 100%. Secondly the Theme of the band "Disco Fever" 80%, Male Models 90% Female Models very good.
Now for the costumes I give 50% the bikini, beads and plumes kill the presentation theme of the band. My top five costumes that I like are "That’s the way I like it", "Ring my Bell", "Last Dance" "Disco Diva's & Daddy’s" and "Ebony and Ivory". Funkadelic is are HOT MESS and have to GO.
We are so happy that Machel's is on the road only that and a good presentation will save Toronto Revellers for 2010.
Just outta curiosity, do half you people even KNOW what mas is about ? y'all keep saying dey look horrible and ugly but what exactly looking bad about them? cuz theres actually some FABRIC to the costumes instead of nekkedness and breasts and batty?! smarten up... considering the theme they had doesnt really support the bead and feathers ting, Revellers did a bang up job translating their theme to costume...
in comparison to Nationz who stuck with their usual naked ways they always do, and i saw saldenahs costumes and i'm sorry but i'd rather play with revellers than put my eyes through the tacky catastrophe known as OVER DOING IT WITH APPLICAYS... i only saw one MAYBE two costumes with saldenah that are REALLY nice... whoopdee doo they have wings... *shake my head*
half the people playing mas today don't know anything more than bikini and beads... thats a shame.
ps. PLAYING MAS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL ANGST WITH *JAMAL MAGLOIRE or any other band leader lol grow up and get back into the culture people!! PLEASE
Miss Mas Chick, where did you get the impression that the reviews are based on personal angst against Jamaal Magloire ? I have only seen 1 post out of 19 that may imply that.
I do agree with you that their theme does not support the beads and bikini style and have done a great job translating their theme into their costumes, they have done the best actually.
However personally I find them ugly for my taste and it has nothing to do with how I feel about Jamaal Magloire, I don't know the man.
Is MasChick the section leader of Funkadelic or That's the way I like it? cuz she seems bitter.... saldenah's costumes are much better and there are some nice costumes in CNz but these costumes just look a bit too old fashion for me (it's 2010 remember) except for maybe Ring my Bell and Ebony & Ivory.
This band is turning into the old people mas band , no offense to the geriatrics who like that stuff :P
Sigh, for real I could never be a designer. You've got ppl who complain about the barely there bikinis, &/or that it's nothing but beads & feathers. But when designers give more coverage & use other materials (fabric), see the backlash?
Like I posted before, for this generation, bikini mas is our mas. So no, we haven't experienced traditional mas. Therefore when designers don't just produce a scant string bikini, it's startling to younger masqueraders. They see it as not "young", "modern" & "hot". (granny, geriatrics, old people)
There are a variety of Toronto mas bands, each catering to either a young crowd, an older crowd, or a mix of both. (I see Revellers as being a mix of both.) And naturally their designs will reflect that. While the bands that target the younger masqueraders are "it" bands, they aren't the only bands.
One thing about traditional mas is that you have teens, their mothers, & even their grandmothers jumping up together.
There's a costume out there for everyone, & I think it's showing strong business savvy for a band to cater to the young and old alike.
Not impressed at all. I thought Nationz had a weak offering until I saw these pictures. What happened?!
Forget the 'bikini mas' debate...If this is to showcase 'creatvity' and other options for mas, give me random bikinis with glitter any day!
love, love, love Saldenah....they are the best, check them out!!
OOOOOhh weeeee!!
I had the pleasure of visiting the mas camp today.TORONTO REVELLERS. The costumes do say DISCO. They have to scrap and redo funkadelic, what a mess, the men costume I don't know where to start. Please toronto revellers remove it. I wanted to play frontline in EBONY AND IVORY, ITS SOLD OUT. I GUESS EARLY BIRD GET THE GOOD WORMS. I'M MAD. RING MY BELL IS AIGHT, NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT. DON'T LIKE THE HEADPIECE ITS TOO BUSY. IT WILL SELL, TO MUCH RINGS FOR ME. I DIDNT SEE THE FRONTLINE.
I THINK THE HOT SELLER IS LAST DANCE. REALLY NICE COSTUME. THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. IT'S NICER IN PERSON, THAN THE PICS ON TORONTOLIME. I LIKE THE MEN'S VEST OON LAST DANCE, IMAGINE THE SUN HITS THE SILVER ON THAT COSTUME. LAWD HAVE MERCY, I SHINING LIKE A BOSS. LOL
I THINK THE NEXT ONE TO GO IS LAST DANCE.
DISCO DIVAS, IS OK, WAY TO MUCH SILVER, I WAS LOOKING AT THIS COSTUME, ITS MADE IN CHINA WRITTEN ALLOVER, SAME WITH THE GREEN COSTUME.
THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT IS OK. I WON'T
WEAR IT ON THE ROAD.
THE FUSCHIA AND LIME GREEN IS OK, HATE THE WAY HOW THE BACKLINE HEADPIECE KEEPS FALLING FOWARD, PLEASE FIX THAT, THE COSTUME IS OK, NOT THE GREATEST, HATE THE 1990'S APPLIQUE ON THE BRA.
THE ORANGE AND GOLD COSTUME, TO ME LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER MADE IN CHINA COSTUME. NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS COSTUME, HATE THE PINEAPPLE HEADPIECE. I'VE PLAYED IN LOTS OF BAND BEFORE LIKE SALLY AND MAS TORONTO, AND TRIBAL KNIGHTS.
I HATE WHEN YOU GO TO A MAS CAMP, AND THERE'S A SIGN READ, TO DO NOT TOUCH THE COSTUME.
YOU KNOW IT REALLY MEANS COME AND TOUCH AND FEEL THE COSTUME.
I HAVE TO VISIT SALLY, TRIBAL KNIGHTS,
THAN I WILL MAKE MY FINAL DECISION. IT LOOKS LIKE LAST DANCE MIGHT BE MY CHOICE.
ALOT OF PEOPLE WERE TAKING PICS. I HAD MY CAMERA TOO, TAKING PICS TOO. OR BY THE WAY I LIKE THAT LAST DANCE HAS OPTIONS - FOR THE ONES WHO CAN SOME COVER, AND THE MONOKINI FOR THE ONE WHO WANT TO FLAUNT THEIR SEXY FIGURES.
YOU KNOW I WANT TO FLAUNT IT, AND I AM GOING FRONT LINE OF COURSE. LETS HOPE IT'S NOT SOLD OUT WHEN I GO AND REGISTER NEXT WEEK.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF OFFER US, THE CUSTOMERS SOMETHING TO EAT, SANDWICHES, BEEF PATTIES, SAMASOAS, COFFEE, TEA, AND POP.
NICE TOUCH TORONTO REVELLERS, AND OF COURSE JAMAAL MAGLORIE WAS THERE, BEING A GOOD BAND LEADER, QUITE WARM AND FRIENDLY.
I GUESS TORONTO REVELLERS WILL BE MY BAND THIS YEAR, AND SEXY MACHEL MONTANO WILL BE THERE. MAYBE I MIGHT BE LUCKY AND BUSS A WINE ON MACHEL LOL.
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW PEEPS, NEXT CAMP WILL BE SALLY, AND TRIBAL KNIGHTS.
UNTIL THEM, PEACE OUT.
I think they've left a lot of the larger men out of this camp. They will not be able to wear those bell bottom pants. It'll be great for the skinny guys...
I don't like most of Revellers costumes. I believe that sticking to the theme you've chosen is important. However, I don't believe that your costume should be an EXACT replica of that theme. I actually think that's too easy. The idea (in my opinion) is to take your section's theme and "carnivalize" it. Like the sections Greece and Egypt in Mas Toronto. They didn't just copy exact replicas of a Cleopatra outfit or toga. They took the theme and made it work for a Carnival costume.
For most of the individual section names, I don't understand the corresponding costume choice with Revellers, like Infatuation and Disco Fever.
I do agree that bellbottoms fit the theme of Disco and even the silk-looking shirt in the photo for Disco Fever is an outfit of the 70s. However, several men I know have wondered how those long pants and a shirt like that would work if we had a humid day for Caribana? Or if it rained? A male friend told me, "If I feel I can buy that at Value Village, why would I pay $xxx for it?" and I have to agree with him. It's about taking the theme and making it our (west indian's) own.
I'm pretty young and for most of my costumes, I've worn bikini mas. But due to my family having a hand in mas for so many years, I have played other options of mas too. So my opinion isn't swayed by bikini, beads or feathers. It's all about preference. I don't think that everyone who doesn't like the costumes is only saying so because they like bikini mas or don't know traditional mas. Or else they would ALL love Carnival Nationz costumes. So, I don't think its the bikini mas debate. We are all human and we all have opinions that we feel the need to voice. Just take it all in stride.
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