Carnival Revolution band launch 2013 "Home for Carnival"

Carnival Revolution launched their 2013 presentation Home for Carnival tonight after 1 a.m. at Santa Roza.

The theme of their presentation drew on different carnivals. They had sections representing Barbados, Rio, Trinidad, Guyana and St. Vincent.

St. Vincent

Barbados

Rio

Trinidad

Guyana

They didn't skimp on their costumes with some of their back lines offering larger head pieces and collars than some front lines in other bands I have seen.

Their bandleader Osei Brand reminded us that they didn't make it onto the road last year (due to poor crowd control / logistics.) so they've been waiting 2 years for the road. We really hope that with fewer bands participating this year, that everyone gets to make it onto the Lakeshore.

http://carnivalrevolution.com/

First band launch of the year, Carnival Revolution

I'm baaaaack, and sooner than usual! It feels off though, since it's only April and many bands are launching this month. Even though it was just 8° last night, I started to have thoughts of jumping up in the heat on the Lakeshore. Hearing the new soca and seeing some mas helped put me in a Caribana frame of mind.

Carnival Revolution is headed by new band leader Osei Brand, although he's not new to mas. They presented 4 sections in their theme Warriors Come Out an Play: Samurai Warriors, Hannibal of Cartage and the Cartigian Warriors, Geronimo Spirits of the Apache, and Warrior Princess. The Maratha Caste Warriors and Conan and the Barbarian Warriors will be ready for another launch on May 20.

We always appreciate a launch in the west end, (& LOVE when mas camps are here, too) so having it at The Lambadina Lounge at Bloor/Ossington was a great switch. The small upper floor was a good spot for this launch.
No, these aren't bikinis, but yes, there are some beads. My impression is this band will appeal to the young masquerader who wants to play a more traditional style mas, but not completely covered up.

I really like how Carnival Revolution's mission is to work with youth at risk to develop and nurture their design and audio engineering skills. This is something absolutely needed in Toronto, and I can only hope lots of teens become involved!

Carnival Revolution is taking Jr. (Kiddies) Carnival and King & Queen seriously, having designed mas for other bands, including Revellers and Callaloo, and now itching to compete with their band. I look forward to seeing their designs and wish them much success in their inaugural year.