Saldenah costumes!

(I've added some pics)

Saldenah opened their mas camp today and I eagerly checked out their costumes on display. As soon as I walked in (no line ups, very casual atmosphere, as always) I could see they've had fun decorating. Good job on working the Rain Forest theme into the display, the props are a cute touch. Louis showed off the brochure to me, which will be ready on Saturday. It's looking really polished & professional and again, keeping with the theme.

Missing was "the missing costume", the blue bikini with rhinestones over top. Most, if not all costumes come with your choice of bottom.

*Added Paradisio SOLD OUT

*Added:
Women of the Amazon

Javari

front line

backline
real bra, straps can come off

Headpiece option #1
Or, Option 2.


I really like the dragon dorag. I know, not Rain Foresty, but it's the perfect colour match & looks cool. (wonder if it'll come w the costumes?) It does, & so does the pendant.

Water Lilies of the Congo

Fringe, flowy headpiece, feathered fanny, (frog ;-))... fabUlous!


*Added men's section

 Meio Do Mundo http://www.carnivalempire.com

Exotic Flora

Angel Falls

Plenty of big blue rhinestones

Wings of a Tiger

Both front & back lines have wings! Love that! The backline wings are clipped onto your bra, so you are free to spread 'em when you want, & leave 'em float behind you unencumbered.

Amazon Rose

Cute polished teal stone necklace & orange bangles (I wonder if they come w the costume?) Not on display now, the necklace on display is now beads. Real sun hat you can wear again minus the flower.

Added: men's Flora
 
Hey Hubby, here's your costume!! Don worry nah, I got you covered, when I registered you, I asked specifically for that ivy.

The Saldenah mas camp is not a place where I feel pressure or stress. Lines are unheard of, Louis is usually there with his big smile welcoming you, soca is always blasting, children are playing, families hang out, and you may even see an empty bottle of Royal Oak in a corner. That sums up to me what this band is all about - family, fun & mas.

TO Masqueraders Lime with Machel

Machel at Zen

The perfect opportunity for all the Toronto masqueraders to meet is coming! This coming Sunday, June 10 at Harbourfront Ctr., Machel Montano will be performing 90 minutes as part of Carnivalissima, a celebration of the world's most lavish carnivals.

All day there will be steelbands, drumming & dance demos and carnival exhibits. Food sounds delic, especially the sexy slow-roasted BBQ beef ribs, red curry chicken, jump up soup, & Carnival Mash. A film JAB! The Blue Devils of Paramin is even showing.

I've really enjoyed the varied shows I've been to at the Harbourfront stage, it's the ideal backdrop for a concert - with the water behind you, it's the best thing on a humid night. AND, what's better than FREE????

So Buublenut, Megan, Scamp, Tr|n|gYa|, GT Warrior, Nairian, Lovechild in Toronto, & all other TO Bloggers, come lime, bring your Trini rum along with your rag! ;-) We'll be there long before his 4:00 show, (if you're looking for me baby, you will find me by de bar) maybe I'll wear my cowmas cowboy hat, LOL!

Jumbie, Jumbie them!

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/luminato/carnivalissima/

Browse Schedule

Missed this Sally costume

This Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club costume is featured on the cover of yesterday's Caribbean Camera newspaper. I did a double take, because I didn't see it in the band launch pictures we received (photographer - Courtenay).

But I looked at the pictures closer & there it is in this shot.


& in this one, one the right.


Anyway, then I thought it's really taking after Tribe's extremely popular Nylon Pool with the rhinestones over a blue bikini.

From Tribe masqueraders brochure

Tribe picture

It could be a front line costume, but not sure yet as Saldenah's site http://saldenahcarnival.com/ is being worked on right now to add the costumes. I like the Rain Forest intro though, very nice - I notice every year their site is upgraded, so it's much improved from their first one.

But really, I look forward to when the camp is open for costume viewing. Not sure when that will be (Buublenut ;-)) but we'll be there! :-)

OFFICIAL CARIBANA EVENTS

In this post I want to let you all know about some of the official caribana events that will be taking place during the festival.
I got most of this from the official Caribana 2007 website http://www.caribanafestival.com/

The first event is the Caribana IMAGINE Music Festival This taking place on August 5th at Ontario Place. This is a really nice venue right down on Lake Ontario and really visitors should check it out.

Destra can be magnificent live. I saw her several times for carnival 2007 and loved watching her perform. I still have images of the Dutty wine on all fours :p

I don’t know Ne-Yo, I guess I will look on Limewire and see if I can’t educate myself

I real like Sean Paul and own a couple CDs, but I think his music, similar to Rap artists, sound really good on studio produced tracks but don’t really come across that well live. I’m sure that’s just me showing my age, those who like it will love it.

Caribana celebrates its 40th anniversary with the Imagine Music Festival. Join superstar performer Grammy Award-nominated R&B and pop singer-songwriter Ne-Yo, Grammy award winner Sean Paul, Soca Queen Destra Garcia, as they all perform together on ONE stage! Purchase your tickets by June 17th before midnight EST for your chance to win 2 backstage passes for the IMAGINE Concert.

The next big concert is Machel at Lamport Stadium on Saturday May 4th.

Machel….Nuff Said

Name: Machel Montano After Parade Bash

Location: Lamport StadiumDate: Saturday August 4, 2007

Description: de JUMBE mash up TnT…flatten NY…and now coming to Toronto. Join Machel Montano a host of other artists for a Caribana after Parade Bash at Lamport Stadium. Name: Official LaunchLocation: Nathan Phillips SquareDate: Tuesday July 10, 2007 Description: The official ceremony launches the activities for the Caribana Festival Season. Patrons can meet and mingle with federal, provincial and municipal officials, Caribana Representatives and Sponsors while sampling Caribbean and International cuisine. It is a snapshot of what’s in store over the next two weeks.

If you are in town, you should certainly check out the junior parade, the little kids are really cute. Just please make sure your older offspring are doing a nice age appropriate social wine. We don’t like to see them pelting waist and bringing scandal to your name.

Name: Junior Carnival

Location: Yorkgate MallDate: Saturday July 21, 2007

Description:Junior Carnival provides festival goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the trills and joys as young masqueraders participate in their earlier festival years.

This is a new initiative that is coming out for the 40th anniversary, I’m looking forward to checking it out
Name: Theatre Activity/Cultural Singing/Dance Drumming

Location: Albert Campbell SquareDate: Sunday July 22, 2007

Description: This event will highlight the various cultures of all of the Caribbean people. It will include a food competition, Theatrical drama and story telling. The event will be held in Scarborough

This is also a new thing and I haven’t made it down to our trendy distillery district, so we will check it out also
Name: Art Exhibition

Location: Distillery

DistrictDate: Tuesday July 24, 2007 - Monday August 6, 2007

Description:A visual Art Exhibition “COLOURblind! International” produced by “The Association of African Canadian Artists” - over 60 original paintings and sculptures that have been influenced by the diversity of a people -

Name: Calypso Monarch Finals

Location: Toronto Centre for the Arts

Date: Saturday July 28, 2007 Description: This is where the Calypso Monarch is crowned. Come and see the best and biggest Canadian Calypsonians battle for the crown. From the topical to the lyrical the sweet soca rhythms will lift you out of you seat and get you moving.

Caribana Village Location: Ontario Place

Date:August 1 - August 6 , 2007

Description: As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Caribana and 200 years of the abolition of the African Slave trade, Caribana Village will highlight our liberation through song, music, dance, drama and comedy. Vendors of food, craft, clothing and art will add to the island vibe ambiance generating delectable aroma and vibrant colours to warm up Lake Ontario throughout the 5 day event.

Name: King & Queen

Location: Lamport Stadium

Date: Thursday August 2, 2007

Description: On the Thursday night before Caribana Day all the kings and queens of the bands meet to do battle. Like peacocks they will primp and preen, eliciting oh and ahs from the audience. It is an honour for any reveller to be enthroned the king or queen of his or her band. The kings and queens symbolically have the keys to the city, freedom of the streets. Their movements are supposed to be uninhibited. Band members and onlookers alike are to give them the respect, even if mockingly, usually accorded to real-life royalty."

This is a great event, and its over early enough to hit a fete after. Also for any of you people with kids, Pan alive is a kid friendly event

Name: Pan Alive

Location: Lamport StadiumDate: Friday August 3, 2007

Description: A thrilling evening showcasing the musical and tonal qualities of the steelpan as members of the Ontario Steelband Association compete before a panel of judges. This panorama of the North is the best opportunity to hear this wonderful instrument in all its glory. Devoted entirely to the capturing rhythms of the steelpan.

Name: Caribana Ball

Location: The Fairmont Royal York

Date: Friday August 3, 2007

Description: An evening of style, glamour and pomp, celebrating Caribana 40th anniversary.

Name: Parade

Location: Exhibition

PlaceDate: Saturday August 4, 2007

Description: This showcase events features an incredible display of colours and pageantry along a 3.6 kilometre parade route on Lakeshore Boulevard.

Order of the bands in the parade

-- Band Name -- Bandleader -- 2007 Presentation

1 -- Mas Toronto -- Errol Achue -- "PETIT MONDE"

2 -- Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club -- Louis Saldenah -- "THE RAINFOREST"

3 -- Toronto Revellers -- Jamaal Magloire -- "VIVA LAS VEGAS"

4 -- Carnival Nationz -- Curtis Eustace -- "BIG TOP"

5 -- The Calabash Company -- Jessie Matthews -- "THE RHYTHM OF LIFE"

6 -- Arnold Hughes & Assoc. -- Arnold Hughes -- "A QUEST FOR GOLD"

7 -- Callaloo -- Marlon Singh -- "THE CONQUEST OF ALEXANDER"

8 -- Toronto Caribbean Connection -- Mervyn Skeete -- "FUSION"

9 -- Scarborough Caribbean Sports Club -- Alvin Adore -- "REFLECTIONS 2K7"

10 -- Bazodee Connection -- Cecil & Roz Roach -- "THE ENCHANTED GARDEN OF SOCALAND"

11 -- Pleasure Players -- Whitfield Balasco -- "AMAZONIA"

12 -- Evolution Carnival -- Andre & Ken Defreitas -- "DREAMSEEKERS"

13 -- Mas Players Int'l -- Bridget Renne / Troy Logan -- "DANCING SPIRIT OF RESILIENCE"

14 -- Nip Davis & Associates -- Selwyn "Nip" Davis -- "IN FLIGHT"

15 -- Borokeete Canada -- Frank Ramsaroop -- "ATLANTIS"

16 -- Tribal Knights -- Dexter Seusahai -- "TRIBAL KNIGHTS" And the "Beat" continues - JAZZ

Location: Distillery District

Date: Thursday August 9, 2007 - Sunday August 12, 2007

Description: Jazz extension to the traditional carnival type events. The event will be held the week after Caribana in conjunction with the Nu Jazz Society and featuring the vibes of Caribbean Jazz.

Big fun at the Big Top

~ Must start with a BIG UP to you Ross, thanks a lot!! :-)~
What?: Carnival Nationz band launch, Big Top. Where: the Docks
When?: Now at 12:00, you don't expect to have to wait in such a long unmoving line, but there it was. At least the Farmers Rhythm Section played to preoccupy the crowd which was getting antsy. There was the usual steupsing, people were complaining they were afraid they missed the costumes. So when a crowd finally reached the door only to be told to wait further by the one security guy letting them in, the shoving, shouting & general blast at security ensued.
We managed to get in at 1:00 and were greeted by a line of gyrls handing out swag (Money Gram pens & keychain/bottle openers). Inside was decked out with a popcorn machine, cotton candy, snow cones, and those long animal balloons, fun treats given out to get the anxious crowd into the theme. Their Greatest Show on Earth banner held big promises. MC's SKF (I think) & Earl La Pierre Jr. came out at 1:15, welcomed everyone to the Big Top and assured us big things were on the way.

Two acrobats started the show.

Which was a hot intro to the first section, Fire. Yes, Fire is the costume for 2007, seems every band has a blazing hot Fire. I think red is the #1 favourite costume colour.

The large soft plumes on the headpiece and on the fanny would be the theme for many of the costumes.

Fire Daddy

Second section was Ariel. Sharp emerald colour, and the thick ribbon detail is a different touch.

Cute ballerina tutu for those who want to feel (a wee bit) more covered. Halter top with gold rings looks sexy.
Flourishing peacock feathered back pack, very foresty.


Next up, Jester. The first thing I saw coming at us was the pointy headpiece, which to me is big trouble. Can't see those sharp plastic points being a hit to wear (or to try & get jam from), but from a design standpoint, it does look right to complete the costume.



Then instantly I see the ribbons and think hmmmmm?, channeling Pierrot Grande?


Cotton candy got big applause, lots of gyrls like their pink.


She can't help but admire Candy man's large crystal on his candy stick.


Very vibrant fuschia, tall plumes - will be a popular section.


Siberian Tiger came out with a roar, not only because they blasted Jumbie, but the costume is fierce!!!

Rhinestones, feather boa, strapless feathered bra, massive mohawkish headpiece = LOVIN it!!

Feelin Jumbie.

Lion tamers was, well, tame. Shiny sharp colour mix of gold, copper and brown. But only one model was feelin her inner lioness.





When Acrobats came out, I thought I've seen this before!... Saucy Diva, isn't this baby doll (or a revamped version of it)?


Shimmery blue ocean coins, silver hoops, & that's about it folks... very skimpy, plenty of scandal potential. Xtremely sexee!



 

LOVE love LoVe the makeup! I want that!!!! (I must look into where/how to get such fabUlous makeup...)
Gypsies were next. First thought was, I really like the mango colour, don't see too much of this shade, and second, I love the abundance of jingly gold coins. When you don't scrimp on such features, it makes the mas come alive more. The unique and very stylish style bra/corset will be a perfect choice for cup runneth over gyrls.



This will be such a comfortable costume, and will really sparkle on the road.


I was curiously awaiting Sexy Clown, because a clown? Sexy? Plenty of lime & pastels and pouff, not my particular colours, but I know many will look great in it. It's a fun costume, and very importantly, the models represented that, they had a blast with it, especially Mr. Crazy Clown.

talk about insane clown possee.

Clown painted on his back & clown face back pack.

When I saw these large purple plumes coming onto the stage, I got goosebumps. Purple is my passion. I have a weakness for that colour. Snake charmer is a sumptuous costume, with that high gold snake plumed headpiece...

and lush gold bra & waist band.


Makeup artists did such an amazing job on all the models, check out the snakes w rhinestone eyes.



The grande finale was Warrior Spirit, er, Wild Indian. Native is also a prerequisite costume - it will probably sell out first.

SKF introducing his section.

Designers learned from the Tribe headpiece blunder that didn't stay on securely, so this has a cowboy cap in the back - very smart.

Parade of all costumes.

I only learned afterwards that Snake Charmer is in fact Ross' section... :-) (former Sally designer/section leader we played with) What's the chance in that?!!

I really like a few costumes, can so see me wearing several in Callaloo & Sally also, so yikes, decisions, decisions...! Great shots Trini-in-Toronto, it was worth going, huh?

Carnival Nationz is going for the big win again, and from this launch, I must say watch out rivals, because their costume designs continue to be modstyle, sexy, & have special unique touches characteristic of a Band of the Year.