Crop Over and Foreday Morning Bands Update June 2012

In the world of Crop Over bands, so far:

Baje has sold out of  female costumes

Contact frontlines are all sold out

Fantasy’s Masai and Zulu sections are sold out

Power x Four launched last night, 9^th June. Article soon to come. 

Registration starts Monday 11th June at the Party Stand 10am – 6pm (TBC)

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We detailed some Foreday/Jouvert options in our calendar now here's what's happening with the rest:

Bakshun finished their photo shoot yesterday, one of the band's three leaders is Kurt Haynes, cousin of Baje’s Richard Haynes. Here is is the Facebook page for Oasys Entertainment, or follow them on twitter: @Bakshunjuverave

****14 June UPDATE Bakshun now has a facebook page****

Collision Entertainment launches ‘The Elements’ with a midnight cruise next week, fully expect this to be lots of action, with only $100 BDS admission and drinks inclusive.  

Villagers International, the Black Rock standby, launched their theme ‘We in the Army now’ with some saucy frontline options. Photos here, very impressive! Prices start at $100 BDS for regular costumes.  Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001295158472

Choc’oWuk Foreday is a new foreday band and includes chocolate, premium drinks, goodie bags, security and breakfast. Live artists are Peter Ram, Pong, Contone, Stabby and Hannibal Smith. 

See http://www.releasedriddim.com/ front page for details, register at Betty West’s camp or call +1246 239 0778 / +44795 071 5598.

Island Fusion had 350 people pass through their Friday night lime to register. Next Friday 15 June starts open registration, with some First Call costumes already sold out. They SAY that some First Call will be reserved for open registration, but there is also a buddy pass where people I guess who are friends and family can have first choice. So it looks like if you don’t know somebody (who knows somebody) – Island Fusion is not the band for you! If they make the lime a weekly event, may be a good spot to start after work depending of course on Pork Lime and Brewsters.

Mojito Jouvert has a party 30th of June, 2 for $24, this is in association with Allure Entertainment and Motions Entertainment of Limerz Cruise fame. Being held at Olympus (???). If anyone has partied at the cinema before do write in and let me know. 

Further updates to come! 

Crop Over 2012 Event Updates

As we mentioned in our 2012 Calendar we are hearing about a few things brewing for 2012, the diversity and new events really shows that Crop Over is really growing, option after option! Here's what's happening Crop Over week and what is on next weekend. 

Scorch Breakfast Party – Crop Over Sunday (a.m.)

As I will be missing Scorch Cruise this year (can’t make it to Bliss on the same day) people have been trying to get me to consider this new event. Styled on breakfast parties in Trinidad, it is supposed to be an all-inclusive. I’d much prefer to go  Island Mas’ breakfast party but will see what I hear. Shhh…remember the first rule of Scorch is YOU DON’T TALK ABOUT SCORCH!

Scorch ticket

No, seriously. Here are last year’s rules, printed on the back of each Scorch Cruise ticket: 

1. Don't talk about Scorch 2. No refusal of Scorch shots 3. No over sized coolers 4. No glass bottles 5. No fashion fcuk ups 6. No sloppy bodies 7. No Drama 8. No sour vibes 9. No ticket No Entry 10. No List 11. No Comps 12. No visa face.

Lush Cooler Party - Crop Over Wednesday

Who are the people behind this? Your guess is as good as mine, I'm always wary of new things without knowing if those behind it have put on an event of scale before, but hey. They invite you to bring your cooler and party while enjoying the "stunning vistas of the expansive, picturesque gardens"  of a "West Coast Villa" Tickets come out this month, and are $50 BDS / $25 US. 

Sunset by SUV Boyz – Crop Over Thursday

I am very happy as this event is normally held the week before Crop Over, when a lot of non-Bajans do not get a chance to experience it as they aren’t in yet. 

In past years, the event has gone from a buy your own drinks do, to an all-inclusive last year, all at the lovely Lion Castle Polo club. Looks like it is back to the a-la-cate option this year. A 5 star hotel will be the venue, with the menu options including sushi and other delicacies. Tickets are $50 BDS / $25 US. Stay tuned to us for details as they come. As the new ‘Rize’ all inclusive event is the same day, I’m loving that we have options, finally!

Brewsters Road - 15 June

Launches their season at Kensington Oval  with an event called ‘Reset the Heartbeat’. Lil Rick, Nard, John Mohammed and Dutty Android(!) – can’t tell you how much I’d like to see this man perform live, will be there. Admission is $25 BDS, I support them making this a pay event, may keep out some of the crazies, and honestly the quality of Brewsters is such that it really is worth the money. 2 for 1 drinks specials should make this worthwhile. They’ve said to “Dress crazy, come out crazy because we are going Soca Insane”. Oh dear.

And apparently they are giving away a car this year! Double entry forms before 12 for your chance to win it at the end of the season. See calendar here: http://www.brewstersroadcrew.info/cropover2012/

Pork Lime - 15 June

The first for the season, Pork lime, Pork lime, Pork lime, so good they had to repeat it! You should know what you’re getting here, nufffff pork and live performances (they never say who is coming) and most importantly, it’s FREE! The highlight to look out for is that this is the first time Contact Band shows their costumes in public, even though the band house has been open for a week and frontlines already sold out. They look amazing, really Contact has stepped up the game this year by getting new designers in.

For all your Crop Over ticket bookings contact TrpleF Services

Email : trplefservices@gmail.com

Like on Facebook : TrpleF Services

Follow on Twitter : @TrpleF

Island Fusion Foreday Morning Band Launch 2012

We were invited Friday 1st June to the launch of Island Fusion's 2012 presentation 'Once Upon a Time.' I went in with high expectations, as I was thoroughly impressed by their innovation last year. I'm talking of course about the concept of a 'frontline' (or what they call 'First Call') for foreday morning jouvert. These were not the regular t-shirt and shorts, oh no! One pieces in sexy prints and shiny, stretchy fabrics called to mind a highly glamorous swimsuit rather than a foreday costume. 

Last year's theme was Safari, by the way

Now the purists have always maintained foreday is a time to get dutty, roll about in the paint/mud/water, and generally go home having thoroughly ruined your outfit  but  they sold out in a hot minute so it's obvious the divas out there like it! I have to say though, everyone I saw in a First Call had not a lick of paint on the costume, nor a hair out of place. 

The launch was held at the Mount Gay's Visitor Centre, and as it was free until 11 everyone got there early. We arrived to meet a huge crowd at the door who couldn't get in. They have promised a bigger venue next year for the patrons who were disappointed. Once inside, the venue was packed to capacity, they seem to have plenty of support amongst their market, which is by and large middle class fashion forward females in their twenties.

The costumes were displayed by models making a full circle of the venue. Now, the full impact did not hit me until I scrutinised the photos after. The backlines were a basic white tee with a green logo design, plus shiny spandex hot pants. Not bad, but last year's was a bit better design wise:
 

2011 backline

How do I say this tactfully-with the exception of the Some Like it Hot frontline, the First Call costumes were a HOT mess. Asking around for opinions the comments were that they looked like something you could get for cheap in a Halloween shop. I don't know why, where, or how but the band fell down this rounds.

Having digested these designs for the rest of the weekend, imagine my delight when I heard the news: it is now three days after the launch and new costumes are out. It shows humility and grace on Island Fusion's part that they would do this revamp. And here they are!

 Under the Sea

Old backline

Old First Call design

New backline

New First Call design

 

Magic Carpet

Old First Call design

New backline

New First Call design

  

Some Like It Hot

Old First Call design

New backline

New First Call design

  

Lost in The Woods

Old First Call design

New First Call design

Tinkerbell / Enchanted Forest

Old backline

Old First Call design

New backline

New First Call design

 Pride Rock

Old First Call design

New First Call design

Oh, and males, I guess this is it for you...

Registration starts this Friday 8 June at Weisers on the Bay, from 5pm, it is also a lime. Past band members have the chance to register first. The section Lost in the Woods is exclusive to Banks, and Some Like It Hot is exclusive to Chefette. Prices are $150 BDS for backline, while First Call range from $190-230 BDS. Package includes shuttle access, drinks, breakfast, security, and complimentary after party. I saw the band having a whale of a time on the road last year. Who knows, this might be the year I decide to live out my Tinkerbell fantasy on the road!

Band website: www.myislandfusion.com

Photos compliments Tropic Beauty Photography:  Facebook page   

http://www.wix.com/tropicbeauty/portfolio

Baje band launch 2012

As I write, I am still amongst the throng of beautiful Baje people that have been privileged enough to attend the Crop Over 2012 presentation of Baje International.  Baje has a faithful crowd and the consensus right now is that they have BROUGHT IT once again! As always! The smart move of adding the Project Runway winner Anya Ayoung Chee (which according to some may be more of a coup for her than for Baje) ensures that Baje keeps their position at the forefront of what is hip, young, and cutting edge in the Crop Over market. 

Without further ado, the costumes!

Fyah

Liquid

Blueprint

Fuzion

Pulse

Shine

Fuzion frontline

Blueprint Frontline 'Izzo'

Yeah. There was pole dancing.

As per usual, previous band members get the first dibs on costumes, starting tomorrow Saturday 2nd June! General registration starts Monday 5th June. Good luck getting a costume!

Prices Big headpiece/small tiara headpiece/male  


(All in Barbados $ - approximately 2 Bds = 1 US)

Shine

$605/560/500

Liquid

$565/515/505

Fuzion 

$700/645/535
Frontline: $1,100

Blueprint

$595/545/525
Frontline: $1,250

Fyah

$585/530/505

Ohana

$575/525/525
Optional collar + $100

Pulse

$610/555/500