IslandMix

This may have been posted already but I am too lazy to search.

Sexy Sahara

Wayne Bowman


Wednesday, August 30th 2006


You can expect more than an eyeful from sophomore mas band Island People Mas come Carnival 2007 when they present Sahara, a fourteen-section exploration of the famed desert. The band launched its production for C2K7 at the National Stadium on Sunday with an elaborate staging that featured fake camels, harem girls and several pyramid-shaped monitors sprinkled throughout the venue where patrons could catch a closer view of the action taking place on stage. The launch attracted roughly 2,500 people who expressed mixed reactions over the costume prototypes presented by the models.

Although the launch was scheduled to get on the way at 6 p.m. rain held things back, but by the time the showers ceased and the clouds cleared the venue was packed and the Island People team kicked off the presentation at about 9 p.m. There was a mini skit performed by several persons including Cliff Learmond who played the role of King Omar who was depressed and in need of cheering up. Several persons came forward and attempted to make King Omar laugh through their performances such as dancing, singing, rapping and other presentations that failed to amuse the sad and lonely king.

A thundering voice from the "Heavens" then chastised King Omar for his ungrateful attitude towards everything that he has been blessed with. As King Omar listened the voice reminded him of the glorious beauty of the great Sahara Desert with its star-filled night skies and colourful shifting sands as well as its lovely oasis. King Omar then repented and jumped with a joyful heart as the models began to make their way on stage showing off the costumes of Island People Mas 2007, which were designed by a team consisting of; Trisha Neilson, Marlon "Hot Dog" Grant, Sandra Hordatt, Crystal Aming-Marcus, Sonia Mack and Nathalia Mack. The costumes exploring the many facets of the Sahara include Jewel of the Nile, Taureg, Sirocco Winds, Le Soleil Brule, Mirage, Goddess and Defenders, Raiders of the Desert, Oasis, Cacti, Nubians, Sahara Sunset, Arabian Nights and Sahara Jumbie.

Following the presentation Machel Montano and Xtatik took the stage and for the next hour had the patrons in the palm of their hands. Actually judging from the behaviour of the people over the music in comparison to their reactions over the costumes, it seemed that the majority of people came out more in anticipation of Montano than what Island People Mas had to offer. There was mixed reactions over the costumes with people expressing that they were very impressed with certain costumes and disliked others. Among the most popular were Sahara Jumbie, Taureg, Sirocco Winds, Oasis and one of the designs for Arabian Nights.

A senior member of the Island People team told the Express that the band is catering for about three thousand people for next year in the hope of expanding for C2K8. He said that although there is the opportunity to pick up those people who used to play with the now defunct Poison mas band, Island People decided against adding more masqueraders this year because the team wanted to work on improving on the services they provide such as food and refreshments as well as on the timely delivery of costumes.

The team member added that the band will be accompanied by several of the country's top sound systems. There will also be no live band unless members specifically request such. Members were asked following last Carnival if a live band was important to them and the majority responded that it did not matter whether there was a live band or not. The costumes are expected to cost the same as last year's, but Island People is offering what they have dubbed an Ultra All Inclusive experience for their members. Just what this is will be revealed in coming weeks the Island People spokesperson said.

How much IP paying you fuh dis plug?

Hush yuh royal.

That same thing all the other bands does be paying all the ppl in here who singing these bands praises and ready to get downright nasty just for the band that they like to be proclaimed the best band in the land. Not a blasted THING

Ah wonder what ah have to do for a free costume