Mas disrespect

 

You've seen this or others just like it, the all too familiar image of mas disrespect all over the Internet 

Photo courtesy of King Trinbago, a member of

 Toronto Masqueraders Association (TMA)

It was when the bolt cutters came out that people should have put to rest any beliefs that something can be done to stop these stormers. If the image of guys scaling tall fencing and someone prying it open doesn’t tell you that, I don’t know what will. (People said they spotted a cut opening in a fence, and a guy with bolt cutters.) This was a deliberately panned act. Where do you think that guy got the cutters, from a vendor along the Lakeshore? Of course he bought them to bring to the parade with the intent on getting in.  Respect de mas? That was a slap in the face to everyone involved in the parade – we’re talking the creatives, financiers, management and buyers - who are the bands, the FMC, the (main) sponsor, Scotiabank, and the masqueraders. 

It’s not like you can blame the mob mentality any longer. You know, the theory that’s been proven true time & again that when people are in a mob, they let the frenzied vibe take over their better judgement and get crazed. So once one guy creates a gap in a barrier, more people follow, thinking it’s alright. And when you see people walking through an open barrier, you just follow the crowd and figure there isn’t anything wrong with it.

We’re not talking about that. 

There are thugs who know we’re trying to keep them out, and they consider that an affront to their entertainment. They figure they have a right to be in the parade. They know the reputation our carnival has had for as long as I can remember (15 years playing mas people, 15). And they don’t want to be told this year to stay on the other side of the fence just because there are some recent rumblings about not breaking into the parade.  So a masqueraders association formed in 2013 after a noticeable amount of people began to complain on Facebook. It’s nice to know we’ve got a collective voice. It feels good to vent together and encourage people to respect de mas. I like to know I’m now not alone in my frustration over it ruining my mas experience. 
I’ve been complaining officially on here about the storming problem since 2009. Here's my 1st post. Here is Trini-in-Toronto's most recent post and another one from 2013. We all talked a lot about stormers last year. And of course you must remember last year's attempt at wrist bands and how us (paying! legitimate!) masqueraders were being blamed for the congestion?

Did you know The first Respect the Mas was in 2011? And this was the 2nd one - Off the Road. Another stormer post of mine --> K - 2011 and T-i-T's --> S - 2011. There are also more in 2012 , 2011 and 2010.

But for all of our efforts, which are greatly appreciated, there are more people out there with ill intent. People intent on saying “f your mas, this is a street party, and we want in!” 

So for all the constant childish bickering between the separate groups (and you know who they are) whining “well, it’s so obvious what the solution is: __insert brilliant idea___.” or, the misinformed who sound like a damn broken record the way they continuously “blame the bank” – what I ask you is this:

What would you do about the guy with the bolt cutters? How would you stop him?

D'Regulars band launch Carnival Dreams

D'Regulars Arts & Cultural group launched their Carnival Dreams tonight at the Howard Johnson on Warden. We applaud a band that starts on time, at midnight. Also when those modeling look like they are enjoying themselves, and spend enough time on stage and posing or wining at the finale. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connections band launch 2014 - Forces of Nature

Connections Mastumes Band launched their Forces of Nature presentation at Twilight Lounge to an appreciative crowd. I know I appreciated their midnight start time!

Many of the costumes had stand out features that made me have a second and third look, such as: Aurora Borealis' different & fun headpiece; the creative curled collar of Winds of Discord; and the off-set headpieces in Winds of Discord and Tsunami. There were many pleasing colour combos like in The Aftermath, Tsunami, Aurora Borealis and Winds of Discord. 

Another thing to appreciate was that most of the models looked like they were having fun, and many danced as though they were on the Lakeshore at the finale.

Beautiful costumes on happy masqueraders, that's what we want to see!

Aurora Borealis

 

  

Tsunami

Winds of Discord

 

 

 

 

Volcanic Eruption

 

 

 

Sandstorm

Ice Storm

 

 

The Aftermath

  

Carnival Nationz 2014 band launch ~ Havana

Carnival Nationz launched their presentation Havana at the Kool Haus last night. After a video montage of Havana scenes and winer boy Steve opening the show, the models came on at 2 am. (Yes, it was a long 3 hour wait.) They were done by @2:45.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a lot of standout elements, particularly headpieces, backpacks, collars and leg pieces. I like most of the colour combos, and am glad to see vibrant tones. I got the two blue sections mixed up, they do look alike, fringe & all.

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall terrific showing from CNz, but I'm not a fan of the 2am start.