KAISO! Goodbye Carnival

mas is dying and dead
all my arguments about there being people who still play "real" mas
and people who have not gone the commercial route seem to be shut down
even though this year's Carnival spirit was mute, it was Carnival and now i mourn
the abandon of that season that passes too quickly.
next year, i will explore my theory about there being less "bikini and bead" costumes outside of port-of-spain for all the naysayers.

enjoy a few stolen shots below.

KAISO! All Roads Lead to Port of Spain

Junior Parade of the Bands takes place on Carnival Saturday. Welcome to Fairyland head up the road to jump and wave with the Alice Yard Players who's portrayal this year was Seen at Los Rios. The Alice Yard Players is a children's band produced by Lupe & Sean Leonard and based at the contemporary art space, Alice Yard. Their portrayals are made to teach children about the environment. Tremendous gratitude must be extended to them for allowing Tinkerbell & Mwatiya to tag along. This was the first time they crossed the big stage at the Queen's Park Savannah. They had a very exciting day watching mas afterwards (they pointed out what costumes I should take pictures of) and Tinkerbell even touched a snake! My neighbour says that "big people doh have mas. Mas is for children." Can't say I disagree. You can check out photos below and even better photos from Studio Lafoncette. KAISO!

KAISO! Welcome to Fairyland

Little Tinkerbell & Mwatiya

I took on the task along with my godchildren's mother to get them into some costumes this year for Carnival (outside of school). The portrayal is Welcome to Fairyland. Our mas "band" consists of two fairies: Tinkerbell and Mwatiya. 

It is customary for Carnival bands to carry a write up about the costumes (that is dramatically read by the announcer before they enter the stage. Here is the Welcome to Fairyland story: