ISLANDPEOPLE in the air!!!
I screamed, I shouted, I jumped, I waved my arms in the air and of course I WINED!!
What’s up my PLANET? Sophia here again. PACE! PACE! PACE! Lets GO!
Island People’s band launch was the best fete I have been to since being back in Trinidad – I could only imagine the good times that will follow on the road Carnival 2011.
Here’s how it all went down.
Dane Lewis (bandleader) invited me to see the costumes and feel the vibes. It was the first time I had ever gone to a party alone and I was a little nervous. I expected to just walk around take some pics, look at the costumes and call for my ride; all the time enjoying the drinks but my assumptions were wrong. The experience blew me away! Girls go to a party by yourself; I promise you ultimate fun and freedom.
I saw so many people I knew from the instant I walked in. IP staff and everyone else who came out to see the costumes. Island People has a rep of having some of the most unique costumes on the road. They stick well to their given theme and produce costumes with both a Carnival (road) and stage feel.
Euphoria was all around me as I made my way through old friends and acquaintances. Everyone was waiting eagerly to see the show. After a lot of catching up with everyone and finding the crew I knew I would have the most fun with, we found a perfect spot right up at the stage (almost got my butt burned from fireworks though). The stage was covered over with a white retractable monster. Definitely very “out of space”. When the cover moved back, everyone screamed in excitement.
Alien dancers made their way onstage first. Funny I tell you.. I couldn’t stop laughing and I appreciated the light-heartedness it brought to the overall feel. Then some hot studs got into tubs with green paint and very sexy , rubbed it all over them. Of course the girls (including me) went crazy at the added entertainment.
The aliens positioned themselves in front of plastic wrapped boxes with doll like figures inside. When the plastic was ripped off, the models emerged with the first section of the night “Quasar”. It is a black masterpiece. Multiple front lines, lots of costume on the body, but it stayed sexy throughout and of course very different from what we’ve seen before.
My favourite of the night; “Nature Birth”. Very red, very sexy. Seriously, this costume made me thank God that I am a woman and can wear such brilliant creations. Ummm Harts and Bliss, you guys may have just lost that battle.
Section after section was well built, well designed and well portrayed. This is what Island People is famous for. This is why they shine. They truly do set the trends in Mas. I’ve had to opportunity to meet some of their designers and they are brilliant!!
Swappi was there; again with that song. What is it called? Everywhere you go, you hear it over and over, because it is one of the only songs out for 2011. Geez…
Now I have heard many rumours about their crowd being rough and let me just clear something up…. Island People’s crowd is a blend of every race, age, mature, well-mannered and best of all, great fun island peoples!!! No one was disrespectful, (with the exception of one guy who told his friend my accent is fake. That was too funny for me to get upset.) and I had none of the bad experiences I had in Hart’s launch. Everyone was so polite and friendly.
I have no complaints, no worries, nothing negative from that night and trust me that is rare for me. I looked and looked but they pulled off the perfect launch.
I am so elated to have had such a great experience at a Band Launch and cudos to Dane and the gang for pulling it off. Island People is definitely the most appealing band for 2011.
-Their services are top notch, if you can’t pick up your costume; they drop it off for you. Other bands charge you because they use an outside source.
-The band’s staff genuinely cares about the masquerader.
-They break in the Oval for lunch. That means comfortable seating in a shaded stadium. –All complaints are seriously considered and improved on for the next year (I’ve had the opportunity to sit in on a couple meetings).
Ok, Ok, Ok I know I can’t stop saying nice things about the band, but its all true! They are this good, its no wonder they attract the demographic they do.
Great job Island People, best of luck on the road 2011!!
Check out their website: www.islandpeoplemas.com
Registration starts soon……
Sophia….. I’m in TRINIDAD Baby!!!!!
