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| From the Hummingbird section. |
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
GENESIS CARNIVAL 2011: THE NEST
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
MacFarlane makes the cut
I was not sure if I liked Brian MacFarlane's offering for Carnival 2011, when I saw the costumes down at Mobs 2 last Friday evening in Chaguaramas (because it creeped me out a little bit) but I was sure I was looking at next year's band of the year.
Don't know if its the colour scheme of silver and black with some white, but the fantastic or should that be phantasmic shapes of his Humanity, Circle of Life had such a dark perfection that he is right about one thing, it really is as he has said "his most creative and inspiring presentation to date".
And, in that one presentation, ladies and gentlemen, the sheep have been separated from the goats in the search in this column for the shape of Carnival 2011. Having been to the 2011 presentations of most of the major bands, I feel that I can say I have seen nothing to challenge it with the exception of Peter Samuel's presentation of Skullduggery which introduced an element of punk and something different into the mas. But Samuel's mas really needs numbers to make it work on the road and some of his costumes need reworking for the concepts to better resonate and that's another story. But the fuzz from the feathers has cleared and there is MacFarlane and there is the rest consisting mostly of the hordes of beads and feathers.
What remains to be seen is how masqueraders will deal with the costumes on the hot carnival days because they seem to be on the cumbersome side, although MacFarlane gives the assurance that they are very light to carry, but as previous presentations have shown the MacFarlane masqueraders don't seem to mind that. And despite the influences traditional and new from which he obviously continues to draw, with this work MacFarlane seems to be working out a statement that is his.
The sections carry names such as Birth, Baptism, Love, Time, Prayer, Knowledge, Joy and Sorrow, Marriage, Passion, Work, Good and Evil, Giving and Receiving, Freedom and The Farewell
By Deborah John
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Minshall hits arts reporting
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| Peter Minshall. |
Referring to media reviews of his projects as a young man which had helped him, he said he had hoped that as the society matured after Independence, the critical assessment of art would have improved. “Instead we have regressed. There is no critical analysis of artistic practice. Every review is a bland and benign ‘PR’ blurb,” Minshall said.
Every painter is ‘talented and self-taught’, every play ‘had the audience in stitches’, all the work is ‘wonderful’, when in fact a pall of mediocrity blankets the landscape,” he added. He said talent can’t produce anything of quality if there are no real standards.
“And there is no way to establish standards other than by critical dialogue, a conversation among artists and those who know art, as to what works and what doesn’t, what is good and what is bad, what is original and what is derivative, what is brilliant synthesis and what is plain pastiche.”
Art history and international references must also inform the dialogue.
“Every single work of mas I have ever created, I have approached with all the rigour and creative effort that a serious artist puts into the making of any work of art. He claimed, “Never in this country has a work of mas been the subject of a critical assessment, as a work of art. I know this as a fact, I have all the clippings”.
He said the news reports only said if it was “colourful”, “controversial”, or “keenly anticipated”.
“Never has a writer addressed how it worked as a work of contemporary art. This is a great disappointment to me”. He said his work in mas has had some analysis but mainly anthropological or sociological, not aesthetic or artistic.
“As a consequence of this, we as a society do not know what art is. We have not done the work to establish what are the critical terms of reference by which our own indigenous art-forms can be assessed.” He said this puts our artists and culture at a great disadvantage. Urging UWI to have a role in critical analysis, he urged, “A university should not be an ivory tower set apart but integrated into the life of the island community”.
SEAN DOUGLAS
Friday, 1 October 2010
Spice launches C2K11 collection
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| A model showcases the haute Couture Frontline from the cluster From Paris With Love. PHOTO: Courtesy Spice Carnival Band |
The countdown to Carnival 2K11 is on and mas bands are busy preparing for what many consider to be The greatest show on earth. Spice Carnival band is no exception. Known on the street as the band with the attractive women, Spice made its Carnival debut in 2009 and already has quite a number of successes under its belt. Last year the large band scored big, capturing the King of Carnival crown, portrayed by seasoned masquerader Curtis Eustace, third place in Downtown Carnival and the title for the Most Colourful Band, and fifth place in the Parade of The Bands and the title for Most Creative Band. In its second year, Spice also managed to triple its number of masqueraders from 800 to 2,500, and according to band officials, that number is expected to increase by another 500 when Carnival rolls around again in March. What’s the secret? Spice executive member Jean-Paul Pouchet says it’s all about giving masqueraders “the greatest experience on the road.”
Outside the box
Pouchet says band members are always thinking outside the box and will, for the first time, offer masqueraders clusters of sections, instead of individual sections. Each cluster, he says, will be under four themes—Diamonds Are Forever, Ribbons Of Loyalty, Out of the Vineyards and From Paris With Love. The band’s presentation is titled The Signature Collection. He explains that introducing the clusters give masqueraders the opportunity to be close to friends who may prefer a different costume. “The section line up every year is always a very big point for the masqueraders, as they want to know where their section is from their friends. If you are in the same cluster, you won’t be that far away from each other,” he says. He says Spice will also launch its Signature Line, which will feature five more elaborate costumes from selected sections.
Pouchet says band members are always thinking outside the box and will, for the first time, offer masqueraders clusters of sections, instead of individual sections. Each cluster, he says, will be under four themes—Diamonds Are Forever, Ribbons Of Loyalty, Out of the Vineyards and From Paris With Love. The band’s presentation is titled The Signature Collection. He explains that introducing the clusters give masqueraders the opportunity to be close to friends who may prefer a different costume. “The section line up every year is always a very big point for the masqueraders, as they want to know where their section is from their friends. If you are in the same cluster, you won’t be that far away from each other,” he says. He says Spice will also launch its Signature Line, which will feature five more elaborate costumes from selected sections.
Quality product
Priding itself on offering a quality product for customers, Pouchet says value for money is always on the band’s front burner. Describing Spice as a “family oriented band” The Petit Valley resident says, “We spare no expense in the production of our costumes. We treat our masqueraders like family. When you become a “spicequerader” you become part of the Spice family.” Also new is the band’s catalogue, which Pouchet says is akin to a magazine and seeks to educate masqueraders in general and visitors in particular about Trinidad’s Carnival. “We are the first band to do a 360 tour of our show room. People can focus on what they want and even foreigners can get that feel of coming to the show room without being there physically.” Meanwhile band leader Anya Elias articulates that Spice offers “a totally all-inclusive experience.” Elias says the masquerader playing with Spice need not worry about anything else but having a good time. Food, an open premium bar and security will be taken care of.
Priding itself on offering a quality product for customers, Pouchet says value for money is always on the band’s front burner. Describing Spice as a “family oriented band” The Petit Valley resident says, “We spare no expense in the production of our costumes. We treat our masqueraders like family. When you become a “spicequerader” you become part of the Spice family.” Also new is the band’s catalogue, which Pouchet says is akin to a magazine and seeks to educate masqueraders in general and visitors in particular about Trinidad’s Carnival. “We are the first band to do a 360 tour of our show room. People can focus on what they want and even foreigners can get that feel of coming to the show room without being there physically.” Meanwhile band leader Anya Elias articulates that Spice offers “a totally all-inclusive experience.” Elias says the masquerader playing with Spice need not worry about anything else but having a good time. Food, an open premium bar and security will be taken care of.
Spice 2011 presentation
Diamonds Are Forever:
• Jubilee
• Sha Jahaan
• Canary Frost
Diamonds Are Forever:
• Jubilee
• Sha Jahaan
• Canary Frost
Ribbons of Royalty:
• Carnival Vicuna
• Dupioni
• Peruvian Splendor
• Carnival Vicuna
• Dupioni
• Peruvian Splendor
Out of the Vineyard:
• Bordeaux Beauty
• Vines of Syrah
• Tuscany Sunset
• Bordeaux Beauty
• Vines of Syrah
• Tuscany Sunset
From Paris With Love:
• Haute Couture
• Vogue
• Tres Chic
• Haute Couture
• Vogue
• Tres Chic
Thursday, 16 September 2010
The Mayer's Thames Festival 2010: Some Photos
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| Carl Gabriel |
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| I just like this shot |
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| South America |
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| Trinbago |
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| Trinbago/Inspirational Arts |
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| Horses from a Brazilian float. |
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| This was a cool Robot made of bins. |
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| Anubis costume. Sunday the 12th of September saw the closing parade of another Thames festival once again I attended, and must admit it was the best one yet this night parade is in my opinion becoming a serious rival to the Notting hill Carnival and is very well organised. I took many photos on that night and will share some of them with you here and on Massassination. I hope you enjoy them . Peace. |
Monday, 6 September 2010
Notting Hill Carnival 2010: beauty, mas, and motion.
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| capturing a moment... |
Here are some photos and links that capture aspects of this years this years carnival, hope you enjoy them..
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| Beauty in nhc2010. |
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| Brazilian presence in NHC is a fast growing one. |
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| Brazilian Samba School. |
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| Notting Hill Carnival Beauties. |
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| Chaos about to break loose in Confu-sion. |
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| Lucky Guy in Chaos. |
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| Mangrove Jail Birds. |
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| Confu-sion Cocoyea mas. |
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| Sweetness in Confu-sion. |
To see more photos of Notting Hill 2010
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Noble Douglas Dance Company celebrates silver anniversary
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| Noble Douglas, founder and artistic director of the Noble Douglas Dance Company Inc, is flanked by legendary masman Peter Minshall, left, and Wendell Manwarren of 3 Canal at a private launch function of DAM 25 for members of the media and specially invited guests at Veni Mangé, Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, on August 19. Photo: Andre Alexander |
Trinidad and Tobago’s premier contemporary modern dance company, the Noble Douglas Dance Company Inc (NDDCI), will celebrate its 25th anniversary with its 2010 dance season—DAM 25—gala performance on September 25, at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s. A private function for media and specially invited guests was held on August 29, at Veni Mange, Woodbrook, to launch the event, and pay kudos to alented dancer/choreographer Noble Douglas. DAM 25 will honour NDDCI’s founder and artistic director, Noble Douglas, as well as dancers and musicians who have dedicated their lives to music and dance in T &T.
For more than half a century, Douglas has worked tirelessly in her dedication to dance and the arts in T&T. The dancer, teacher and choreographer attended the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre in the USA, which set the stage for her professional dance career in the United States during the seventies.
For more than half a century, Douglas has worked tirelessly in her dedication to dance and the arts in T&T. The dancer, teacher and choreographer attended the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre in the USA, which set the stage for her professional dance career in the United States during the seventies.
In 1985, she established her own company of strong, disciplined and focused dancers, this soon propelled NDDCI into the fore as one of the leading contemporary modern dance companies in the land. Under Douglas’ artistic direction, the company has toured locally, regionally and internationally performing on stages in the United States and Southern Africa. The collaborative production will shine a light on both iconic and new dance pieces. Audiences will be offered the opportunity to experience some of the company’s most prolific works on one stage, including Hysterics (1986, choreography by Douglas); Red Clay (1987, choreography by Allan Balfour); Shades of Blue (1987, choreography by Andre George); and, Passage (1988, choreography by Douglas).
In signature NDDCI style on show night, live music will be woven throughout the production with Willard “Relator” Harris, 3 Canal, The Marionettes Chorale and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe joining in the celebration. Reflecting on 3 Canal’s contribution to this project, Wendell Manwarren shared, “It is an honour to be part of something so iconic.” DAM 25 will be repeated on September 26, at 6.30 pm, at the same venue.
Ticket Info
Tickets went on sale from yesterday (August 25) at Crosby’s Music Centre, Western Main Road, St James, at the price of $300 for Silver gala tickets (reserved seating); $250 for Bronze gala tickets; and, $200 for the Sunday performance.
Until September 8, DAM 25 patrons can look forward to an early bird ten per cent discount off regularly priced tickets. Part of the proceeds from the gala ticket sales will benefit the Noble Douglas Lilliput Foundation For The Arts.
For more information visit the NDDCI Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nddci or send e-mail to nddci@yahoo.com or liza@estuarypr.com or call 761-1195.
Tickets went on sale from yesterday (August 25) at Crosby’s Music Centre, Western Main Road, St James, at the price of $300 for Silver gala tickets (reserved seating); $250 for Bronze gala tickets; and, $200 for the Sunday performance.
Until September 8, DAM 25 patrons can look forward to an early bird ten per cent discount off regularly priced tickets. Part of the proceeds from the gala ticket sales will benefit the Noble Douglas Lilliput Foundation For The Arts.
For more information visit the NDDCI Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nddci or send e-mail to nddci@yahoo.com or liza@estuarypr.com or call 761-1195.
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