Article Archive/February 2013
Updated January 31, 2013
Carnival; Trinidad & Tobago!
Dirty Mas Time!
 By Jay Whipple/Trend Magazine Online™
I decided to write about this world renowned annual event last year after interviewing Mr. Warren Serignet about putting together a float for another world renowned annual event called Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA. My how time flies as we are now in the twilight of Carnival 2013 which culminates on Monday February 11th and Tuesday February 12th after lead up events starting the day after Christmas on December 26, 2012. Using the power of the Internet I was able to locate a company that specializes in carnival events called Masqueraders United, LLC, and run by a Mr. Mark Joseph and his partners from Washington, DC. Since I knew very little about this famous event I decided to pull up my sleeves and do some poking around on the Internet to educate myself before seeming clueless during my interview. Judging from Mark’s responses below it appears that my research paid off and now you get to be the final judge:
 Jay: How long have you and your partners been organizing this event?
Mark: Jay, We have been organizing trips to Carnival since 2005 for friends and family, but we have been doing it as a business since 2009
Jay: What is your official title; and your duties and responsibilities?
Mark: My official title as far as the business is concerned is the chief operations officer, and I take care of most of the back-office items that keep the company going, setting up the infrastructure, the website, any and all marketing events and much much more. All of the partners in the business are considered "Carnival Consultants" as far as our interactions with our customers. Our duties and responsibilities include all destination management concerns around Carnival. We coordinate the itinerary for all events while in Trinidad and provide direction on preparation before our clients arrive.
Jay: Were you born in Trinidad or Tobago? If no, where were you born and what prompted you to focus on that part of the world?
Mark: No, My parents are both from Trinidad. I was born in Washington, DC. The DC area has a very rich Caribbean culture and I grew up "playing mas" and participating in many of the Caribbean events that occurred in the area. As my grandmother once told me: "If a cat has kittens in an oven, you don't call them mittens." meaning, it’s not "where" you are born its "WHO" you are. I am a PROUD Trinidadian born in America.
Jay: What is your educational background?
Mark: I graduated from Bowie State University in 2000 with a degree in Computer Science Technology and a minor in Psychology.
Jay: Do you do this type of work full time? If not, what is your full-time job?
Mark: I would love to be a Carnival Consultant full time, but we aren't there just yet. Stay tuned, we will definitely get there. My full time job is working as a Process Improvement Specialist for a major real estate mortgage provider.
Jay: What do you like most about your job?
Mark: I LOVE to see a Carnival newbie experience Carnival for the first time. It’s something about watching the intimidation and fear turn into glee and amazement! I have had clients who were very apprehensive about crowds and others who never wanted to wear a carnival costume. By the end of the trip everyone is very appreciative that I take the time out to discuss the pros and cons of playing mas. And ultimately love every bit of it and most times return for more the next year.
Jay: Any dislikes?
Mark: The only dislike that I honestly have is trying to explain the costs associated with a Carnival adventure. Carnival is not a vacation, it is an adventure, from the moment you land to the moment you depart, there are activities planned that are mostly VIP or VVIP all inclusive events. Our primary concerns for our clients are their safety and comfort so we decline to participate in certain events and direct our clients to events that we have personally experienced and have found to be the most enjoyable for the newbies and Carnival Veterans alike.
 Jay: What has been [to date] your most memorable moment while planning this event?
Mark: The most memorable moment while planning this event was getting to see one of my clients a hardcore military man that wouldn't crack a smile for the majority of the trip suddenly burst out in merriment "whining" up on a few of the other clients and having a great time during Carnival Tuesday as we crossed the Savannah Stage, the climax of the Carnival experience.
Jay: Does your company embrace or recognize the traditional characters of Carnival like Pis-en-lit, Dame Lorraine, Devils, Midnight Robbers, and Indians; or do you focus more on the current tradition of beads and feathers and Brazilian-style costumes?
Mark: Before the trip we try to give all of our clients some history of Carnival and the origins of the different characters. When the opportunity presents itself we do teach our clients some of the traditional characters of Carnival and who they might see while jumping up on the road. Our clients tend to want to play mas in the more current beads and feathers style costumes.
Jay: Are you guys involved with Bacchanal week which starts one week before carnival Monday and includes major fetes, limbo finals, stick fighting, character, Soca Monarch, Steel Pan, and Calypso competitions?
Mark: Our Clients usually arrive the Thursday before Carnival Monday and go to many of the major fetes on Carnival Friday, Saturday & Sunday. We have also attempted to participate in the Steel Pan Finals known as Panorama but from our client feedback this event was marked off of our "must see" list due to the difficulty in securing "good" tickets. We have also considered taking our clients to experience some of the stick fighting and limbo finals but have yet to investigate that further, but stay tuned!
Jay: Are you involved with the Kiddie’s Carnival, Dimanche Gras Show, and/or Carnival Kings and Queen’s crown?
Mark: We do provide transportation to our Clients and directions on how to get to Kiddies Carnival if they so please to attend instead of the other planned excursions.
Jay: Are you guys involved with J’Ouvert Mornin, Blow Yuh Whistle a.k.a. mud mos or dirty mas or Fantastic Friday starting about 4 A.M. on Carnival Monday?
Mark: We wouldn't hear of our clients missing out on what I consider one of the best parts of Carnival! Jouvert Mornin is one event that all clients always comment to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of the trip. Without the mud, nastiness duttiness of Carnival how are we to measure the beauty? As I explain to my clients we must shed the flesh of our former selves to make way for the dawn of a new day and a new YOU on Carnival Monday & Tuesday.
Jay: Do you have anything to do with the street theatre known as Ole mas?
Mark: No, Unfortunately Ole Mas takes place on Carnival Monday night and after partying all weekend long and jumping up all day long, the clients usually want to catch a few hours of sleep before letting it all out on Carnival Tuesday.
 Jay: What about the start of the bands competition at Pretty Mas’ in Port of Spain on Carnival Monday starting about 11 A.M.?
Mark: Indeed, after washing the mud, paint, oil, chocolate etc., off of our bodies we hurry out to the parade of the bands competition.
Jay: What is your take on the controversy surrounding the costumes being mass-produced in Asia and Latin America as opposed to the local mas (masquerade) camps and being sold as part of an all-inclusive package costing as much as $3,000.00?
Mark: I was not aware that there was controversy around the costume production so I may not be the best person to comment on such a topic.
Jay: What’s your take on the future of Carnival and the constant rise in pricing to participate?
Mark: The future of Carnival is unknown but the rise in pricing to participate is an unfortunate reality. I can only imagine the cost of the infrastructure associated with bringing out a mas band. The origin of Carnival was once a very divisive event where the slave masters and the elite of Trinidad were the only ones allowed to participate and after the abolition of slavery when everyone was allowed and welcome to participate, it then became the event to unite the islands’ many different races, classes and creeds. I fear that we are returning to a day when many of family members that live in Trinidad cannot today afford or will not pay to play mas. Carnival has become something for foreigners and tourists to come and participate. Instead it should be an event for visitors and countrymen alike. Carnival is for everyone, and no one should be excluded because of the price of costumes. That is the key to what sets us apart from other Carnivals like the ones in Brazil where most participants are part of an elite group or know someone who knows someone who is part of a group. Most visitors are spectators from what I’ve heard. I have never been so I cannot confirm that about Brazil.
Jay: Do you think that the early more violent traditions such as Canboulay will eventually be replaced by DJ’s, Soca music, less violent competitions, beads and feathers?
Mark: I do think that some of the early traditions of Carnival have been fading away and making way for new traditions that will probably again be replaced by other newer traditions in the coming years. It’s important for us to remember our history but not be crippled by it. The violent displays of the Canboulay and stick fighting are great for theatrical purposes but there will be a time when we must detach from our violent past and live in the present "forgiving" moment.
Jay: In New Orleans they have a saying "Laissez les bon temps rouler” which translates into let the good times roll. Is there a similar catch phrase for Carnival?
Mark: Masqueraders United has started our own catch phrase, we sign all of our communications with "Get Ready to Jump, Get Ready to Wave, Get Ready to whine!" but as for a phrase for Trinidad Carnival all together I don't know of one. Usually the leading Carnival song has a catch phrase associated with it that usually is the underlying tone of the year.
Jay: In closing, why should I or folks reading this article want to attend Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago?
Mark: I explain to my clients that most of us work hard all year long to make a living for ourselves, but we forget to actually "LIVE." We take ourselves too seriously and sit behind our desks working long hours to buy stuff that we don't need to impress folks that really don't matter. Carnival gives us all a chance to shed our sorrows, to flee away from our "serious" side and allow ourselves to LIVE passionately through the music. Carnival allows us to say farewell to our flesh and hello to our spirit! We can jump, sing, wave, whine and carryon with as much bacchanal as we please and once a year feel the freedom of Carnival.
My wish is that everyone in the world can feel the freedom that I feelduring Carnival!
 GET READY TO JUMP, GET READY TO WAVE, GET READY TO WHINE!!!!!
Hit Masqueraders United, LLC up on Facebook, by Email, or phone @ 240-416-94MU(68). Tell them that Trend Magazine Online™ referred you!
All Photos furnished by Masqueraders United, LLC
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