Messiest Festivals

The Lonely Plate's article on the World's messiest festivals covers the mandatory Tomatina Festival in Valencia, a pillow fight (not too messy), and a what sounds to be very dangerous orange-slinging event in Peidmont.  I am surprised that the oil, cocoa, paint and mud melee of Trinidad & Tobago's Jouvert didn't make the list.
Read more from Lonely Planet

  

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Win Free Stuff

Every week Carnival Kicks will update our status via facebook and twitter with a shoe-related quote or lyrics of a song related to shoes or dancing.  Fans/ Followers correctly name the person who issued the quote, or the name of the song AND singer(s) of the lyrics quoted and qualify for a chance to win 1 fabulous prize each  week during the month of August.

Submit answers by commenting to the status update, Re-tweets, or posting on our wall.

Week 1:  Pair of Sexy Hot Shorts

Week 2 : Pair of Nippies

Week 3:  Pair of Dizzy Flip Flops

Week 4:  Styling Tape

You must 'Like' our Facebook Fan Page  or Follow us on Twitter to qualify for entry. Winners will be selected at random and notified via facebook or twitter. 

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

West Palm Beach, yuh ready?

Looking for something to do this weekend?  The 3rd Annual West Palm Beach Carnival will be held on Saturday, June 19th at the Meyer Amphitheater in West Palm Beach.

There will be the traditional Carnival parade with beautiful costumes, great food, arts & crafts, soca and reggae music - with live performances by Traffic, JW and Blaze, Buffy, TC and Rikki Jai.

It's a family affair, children under 10 are free, adults $20 ($15 before 3pm).  

Call: 561-439-5916

Go: Meyer Amphitheater - 105 Evernia St. West Pam Beach

Click: www.westpalmbeachcarnival.com

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Toronto Caribana 2010 Events

Check out the following link to all of Toronto Caribana 2010 Events!

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Music to My Ears - Crop Over 2010

If you're heading to Barbados for Crop Over here's a little musical treat...a sampling of  what you will hear as you make your way to Spring Garden.

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

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Time to Fly!

Launch:
Today Baje International Launches their "Free to Fly" Crop Over concept for 2010.


For the first time Baje International has included 2 of Trinidad's top bands to produce sections.  Tribe and Island People will be represented in Baje's 2010 presentation.  This highly anticipated launch will commence at 7:00 pm tonight at the Mas Camp at Red Rock Cafe.


Arrive early to get a look at the costumes, get your drink on with Happy Hour drink specials, and of course get your groove on to the rhythms of soca.

Mas Camp:

Always on the cutting edge, Baje International has a complete selection of Carnival Boots for their Masqueraders to choose from in an array of colors to compliment your costume.  Head over to the Mas Camp to try on a pair and palance in comfort and style on Crop Over day.

Costumes will be available for public viewing Saturday June 12th & Sunday June 13th from 12-8pm.  General Camp hours are Monday - Saturday 2pm - 9pm.  
On the Road:

On the road for CropOver 2010 the band will include extra security, the convenience of the travelling "peepee truck", fully stocked bars, self-service liquor stations, roaming drink runners, lunch buffer, and of course the music - provided by Peter Coppin, Daddy Bubbles and Stan, DJ Fuzz, Technical Sounds, Nterfaze, Chasey & Ras, and Skribzz.

Where:  Mas Camp - Red Rock Cafe, Barbados
When:  Friday June 11th, 2010 @ 7:00pm
Website: http://baje-intl.com/
"Like" them on Facebook

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Toronto 98.7fm

A new radio station, Carn Radio 98.7fm is set to hit the airwaves in Toronto.  President of Carn Fitzroy Gordon in an interview with Elite Events Magazine promises that all genres of Black music will be represented on his radio station.  

The name "Carn" initially led me to believe that the premier music would be soca/ calypso but the BET of radio stations will feature everything including Motown, R&B, Soca, Reggae, Gospel to name a few.

"Like" them on Facebook

Source: www.CarnivalPlanet.com  

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

South Florida's Weekend Guide for Islanders

I'm not reporting anything new when I say that South Florida is a melting pot.  This weekend Miami Dade and Broward counties are celebrating the diverse cultures of the people that live here with several festivals and events that will appeal to foreign implants and homegrown locals alike.

Goombay Festival:

Coconut Groove's Grand Avenue will temporarily remind you of Grand Bahama Island as it transforms into the 34th annual GOOBAY FESTIVAL from Thursday June 3 - Sunday June 6.  Listen to the pulsating sounds of caribbean music; take the kids to the children's corner for arts and craft and games; look at the parade of junkanoo costumed dancers; taste the food of the Bahamas; buy 'local' arts and crafts from a transplanted straw market.

Source: http://www.goombayfestivalcoconutgrove.com/

Hukilau:

"The most intimate Tiki gathering in the world", the 9th annual Hukilau Festival.   This summertime tiki festival features Polynesian music, tropical drinks, and musical performances.  Located at the historic Mai-Kai restaurant in Fort Lauderdale from June 10-13.

For tickets and more information visit http://www.thehukilau.com/2010/

Big Phat Fete "Flag Party":

What is a Big Phat Fete Flag Party?  To some people these words may seem foreign, but to many South Floridians the monthly party is a time for caribbean transplants to enjoy a taste of soca, reggae and hip hop; it's a time to wine up, jump up and this month they urge everyone attending to 'wave your flag'.

When: June 5, 2010

Where: 94th Aero Squadron

Tickets: Ladies FREE before 12:30am

Click here for more details

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Caribana Band Line-up

The Caribana parade takes place on Saturday July 31st starting at 10am, from the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and proceeds along Lakeshore Blvd till 6pm in downtown Toronto.

The official order of appearance of the 2010 competing masquerade bands:
1. Toronto Revellers
2. Mas Toronto
3. Saldenah Mas-K Club
4. Tribal Knights
5. Callaloo
6. Carnival Nationz
7. Connections
8. Black Sage
9. Mas Players Int’l
10. Fantazia Int’l
11. Pleasure Players
12. Guycan
13. Tru Dynasty Carnival
14. Genesis Carnival

Source: Caribana Festival

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PALANCE IN COMFORT

Jump Up Suede - $35.00

Is Carnival

Is Carnival

Saturday, July 10th, 2010 - 7:00pm

The Katzen Arts Center at American University, Washington, DC

A romantic comedy play set in Trinidad during the excitement of Carnival celebrations.  Almost anyone who has participated in Trinidad's carnival may be intimately familiar with the storyline of this comical play. 

A young man wanting to fully enjoy the festivities (and women) during Carnival seeks to break up with his girlfriend before the start of the festival so that he is not unfaithful.  The story takes a turn when his 'friend' divulges his intentions to the girl who in turn finds a fake new boyfriend that drives her boyfriend crazy with jealousy.  His plans are foiled as he now spends his entire Carnival roaming the streets of POS trying to find and make amends with his girlfriend. 

This promises to be a light-hearted comedy full of calypso/ soca music and the beautiful set which includes the pageantry of Carnival costumes.

More information: 202-885-2587

Tickets: $25

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

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Tribal Knights

Dexter Seusahai's Tribal Knights has partnered with Carnival Kicks to provide their masqueraders the convenience of ordering comfortable, fashionable footwear to match their needs.  Visit www.tribalknights.com and click the link "Sections: Footwear" and receive a special discount code to receive a special shipping discount!

FREE SHIPPING within the continental US (Domestic Ground only), or
SHIPPING CREDIT USD$10 on international shipping (DHL Worldwide)

Get ready to palance in style!

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Historical election in Trinidad & Tobago

Once again I digress from our typical Carnival-related blog, however I can always bring any topic around to relate to this beloved festival.  Trinidad & Tobago, my home-land, and home to 'The Greatest Show on Earth" held their general election yesterday and history was made.

The now-former Prime Minister, Mr. Patrick Manning called for an early election in April of this year and lost in a landslide election 1 month later.  On May 24th, 2010 Trinidad & Tobago overwhelmingly voted UNC/COP coalition party into power, thus naming the first female Prime Minister - the honorable Kamela Persad-Bissessar.

I congratulate the now reigning political party and look forward to change and the realization of the vision for our country.

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Jump Promotions - Barbados Crop Over

The first band to launch for the Barbados Crop Over season is Jump Promotions' "Spirit of the Gap".  This year's theme is inspired by the nightlife on the south coast of the island, St. Lawrence Gap.

Band Leader and designer Renee Ratcliffe spoke to the "Bajan Reporter" about this year's presentation.

“We raised our game this year. We wanted to show Barbadians and visitors that there is a lot more Kadooment bands should do for their revellers…that’s why our complete high quality package starts with us being a leader.”

Sections:

1. The Amazon
2. Motion of the Ocean
3. Hot Caliente
4. Irie
5. Luck of the Irish
6. Ship's Ahoy

The band launch was said to be loads of fun, and very well attended.  I would suggest checking out the band for your favorite section as at least one section is already sold out.  The band is catering for 600 masqueraders this year and amongst the features of their "high quality package" is a champagne breakfast.

Photo courtesy Jump Promotions

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Experience Junkanoo & More Summer Festivals - BAHAMAS

The summer months are chock-full of traditional celebrations in the 700 islands of the Bahamas. Tourists will never even have to venture from the pristine beaches to take part in the festivities.  

Photo Courtesy: XanaduResort

Nassau/ Paradise Island - The Nassau Junkanoo Summer Festival (Celebrated July 10 - 31, 2010) will feature live local bands, traditional cuisine, crafts and literature, dancing, cultural competitions and lots more. These festivities will take place on Junkanoo Beach East.  Also taking place on August 2, 2010 is the Foxhill Day Celebration, the annual recognition of the freedom granted to ancestors of the island in 1834.  The day is commemorated with street parties, dancing, sailing, gospel concerts, and of course delicious Bahamian Cuisine.

Grand Bahama Island - Grand Bahama Junkanoo Summer festival will have most of its festivities on Taino Beach Park.  This is a 5-week celebration from July - August, 2010.

Eleuthera/ Harbor Island - June 2-6, 2010 is the annual Pineapple Festival!  In honor local pineapple farmers, there will be Pineapple Eating Contests (of course), Pineapple Cooking Contest, Little Miss Pineapple Princess Pageant and a 40 mile Cycle Classic, to name a few.

Abaco - Abaco Junkanoo Summer Festival.  Go to Marsh Harbor and experience a local display of the arts: skits, live calypso bands and dance performances are a few of the treats you'll witness on any one of the following dates: June 18, June 25, July 2, and July 9.  


Calling all sailing enthusiasts!  The Annual Five Towns Regata is on July 2 -10.

For more islands of the Bahamas Summer Festivals, check out Bahamas Media Center.

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

  

  

Carnival - For Culture Or For Cash?

I recently read an article in the Barbados Advocate on maintaining the historical and cultural meaning of the Crop Over festival in Barbados.  Unlike most carnivals, Barbados' festival heralds back to 1688 from the days of colonial sugar cane production and is the celebration of the cane's harvest - or as the name suggests, the end of that year's crop.

Since the early 1900's this festival has moved more into the mainstream Roman-Carnival festival, mirroring neighboring Trinidad & Tobago's festivities and moving away from the Crop-Harvest festival that it once was.  It was recently suggested that the Grand Kadooment street parade be extended to 2 days (as is Trinidad's and Brazil's Carnivals) and there was also the recent addition of the "Fore Day Morning Jam" which is a take on traditional J'ouvert.

So, the question is this...does the move towards a more commercial Carnival mean the loss of culture?  Or is it just a smart strategy to gain market share over the hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions of tourists that travel to participate in global Carnival celebrations.  For that matter...have Trinidad, Brazil and Mardi Gras (the more popular Carnivals) also lost their cultural affiliation, and is Carnival now only a lucrative business model to beef up tourism?

Information on Crop Over
Image Courtesy: http://www.GoCaribbean.about.com

    

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Batabano 2010

Cayman Islands Carnival - Batabano 2010 was recently held at the beginning of this month.  Trini Jungle Juice, always on location has brought us many beautiful people, beautiful bodies, beautiful costumes, diligently covering the parade and capturing the true feeling of Batabano.

Congratulations to Mask-a-Raid for copping the 2010 Band of the Year title!

Carnival Kicks is looking forward to seeing less white sneakers and more glamorously dressed feet on the road for Batabano 2011.

View More Pictures: Trinijunglejuice.com

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

San Francisco, CA Carnaval

San Francisco's annual Carnaval Festival and Grand Parade takes over the Mission District during Memorial Day weekend.  There will be food, music, dance, arts & crafts and other fun-filled activities and events for everyone to participate in and enjoy!

This festival started over 30 years ago by a group of local artists, performers and residents that wanted to bring the Caribbean and Latin festival flavor to the Bay Area and Mission District.  It is a full out cultural celebration lasting 2 days, complete with masqueraders in dazzling costumes, live performances and vendors selling their fare.  This year's festival will include Ninolandia - a special area just for kids; Zona Verde - Eco Green Village; and a Health Pavillion; 2 main stages, featuring live performances.

Saturday, May 29th, 2010
Festival - Harrison St. between 16th & 23rd Streets
10:00 am - 6:00pm

Sunday, May 30th, 2010
Grand Parade - Starting at the corner of 24th and Bryant Streets, proceeding West to Mission St.
9:30am - 6:00pm

Photos courtesy of Flikr: Marcy Medelson

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

St. Lucia's Red...seeing double?

Very interesting comparison done by fellow blogger Sweet 7 on the similarities between St. Lucia's Red & Tribe's 2010's costumes. You know what they say... "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" (there's also a lot to be said for originality).

Photos Courtesy Sweet7

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Rum Renaissance Review

This weekend I attended the Miami Rum Renaissance Tasting for the first time.  It definitely did not disappoint.  The sun was blazing hot, the rum was flowing, and for those that fancy...there were lots of sexy rum models to ogle at.

There were about 20 manufacturers on location sampling their fare.  I was very disappointed not to see (my) Trinidad's Angostura Rums at the festival, although every booth made good use out of Angostura Bitters in all of their tasty concoctions.

You could opt to sample one of 3 ways (or all ways if you wanted): on the rocks, neat, or in a cocktail (and at the Leblon Cachaca booth, you could even have an icee).

My favorite by a landslide - Zacapa 23.  I received an education, this rum is made from virgin-crushed cane, and not molasses as several other rums.  It's also matured at 2300m above sea level, and like Blue Mountain coffee, I really think the altitude has some altering effect on it's flavor.  It's a frequent winner of Awards, and the only way I can think to describe this Guatemalan Rum is satiny, smooth and sexy.  Definitely drink only on the rocks or neat, to mix this with anything else would not be right.

So in closing...if you were hemming and hawing this year, I would definitely recommend a visit to next year's tasting!

Click Miami New Times for more pictures.

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Tomayto Tomahto

Want to try a different festival?  Plan for Valencia, Spain on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010.  It's the annual La Tomatina festival that attracts between 20,000 - 50,000 revelers each year, squishing, pelting and mashing over 200,000 lbs of large, red tomatoes.


It's the world's largest food fight!  The festival got it's start in 1945 and there are several stories regarding it's origination.  Possible theories include a friendly food fight that turned into a village war; a practical joke on a bad musician; launching of the fruit during a typical carnival parade.  But whatever the start, it's now the best reason to visit the small town of Bunol outside of Valencia.

It's a week of festivities, and you'd dress almost as you would for a typical Carnival J'ouvert. The ladies don white t-shirts and the men go shirtless...but don't forget your goggles.

More information: http://www.tomatina.net/

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!

Carnavale di Venezia 2010

Photos courtesy of Fotoflock:

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Montreal's Carifest Cancelled & St. Lucia Carnival In Jeopardy

Montreal
There is a war waging between the Caribbean Cultural Festivities Association and the Montreal Carnival Development.  As such the city has cancelled the Carifiesta parade due to this legal feud between the two competing committees.

Last year, although they were still at odds with each other, the city split its $20,000 contribution between the two, hoping they would play nice.  But last year was the 35th Anniversary of Carifest and the same niceties are not to be extended this year.

Mary Deros, the executive committee member for cultural diversity:

"The city has been asking them to work together and come to terms," she said.

"At this point, the closer we get to the date, neither can they produce the costumes and prepare the floats, nor can the city organize the logistics and get the personnel."

Last month the CCFA sought an injunction against the MCDF.  Since 1974 the CCFA has said to have had authority over the parade and they want to keep it this way.


The Quebec Superior Court will hear the case on June 28th.


Read more


St. Lucia
The official launch of St. Lucia's Carnival is scheduled for May 30th, however issues with securing a venue and funding woes is making this year's carnival looks less likely as the days roll by.
Video

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When I think Rum...I think Carnival

Today's topic is not really carnival specific.  However, when I think Carnival, I think drinks, I think Caribbean (only because I'm from the Caribbean)...when I think Caribbean + drinks, I think RUM!  

The Rum Renaissance Miami Festival is drawing near.  Commencing on May 5th and running until May 9th, this festival promises Rum enthusiasts a variety of tastings, competitions, and fun rum-filled activities.

Where:  
The Rum Renaissance takes place at the beautiful Raleigh South Beach Resort, Miami Beach.

When: 
May 8 -9, 2010

What: 
Grand Tasting Event  - VIP & General Tasting tickets available
Seminars & Lectures -  Rum Distillers, Manufacturers, Mixologists, and basically anybody with Rum know-how will be available to teach us rum lovers a thing or two.
Competition - Rum Tasting, Tiki Face Off, Best Ginger Beer Cocktail

Why:
Why not??

How:
By plane, car, bike, rickshaw...no matter how you get there, you'll be guaranteed a great time!

This blog is affiliated with Carnival Kicks, an e-commerce enterprise that provides shoes, clothing and accessories for Masqueraders, Entertainers, Dancers or just anyone wanting to dress like a Diva!