Review & Photo Set #2: BHW Launch Event
[Written by Mikaela Ian Pearman]
Imagine this scene: A dimly lit ballroom with white lights, a long white carpet leading to a stage and dozens of young women and men dressed in carnival costumes with soca music blaring from the speakers.
That was last night’s Bermuda Heroes Weekend Band Launch which featured vibrant colours, sparkly jewels and tons of feathers. Oh and quite a few barely covered bums shaking to the soca music.
The event was held in the fabulous Harbourview Ballroom at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. When I arrived at 9pm, the music was pumping and the room was packed with people. I was shocked to see so many Bermudians out to a party that early.
The whole premise of the launch was to showcase the bands for BHW 2016 and their costume offerings. For those not familiar with carnival, bands launch their costumes months ahead of carnival for patrons to decide which band they want to play mas with and also to select their costumes.
Nine bands showcased their costumes last night including X Plosive, Passion, Nova Mas International, Caribbean Massive, Band Addiction, Code Red, Intense, Real Frenz and Party People. Each band was given a set amount of time for models to walk down the runaway to showcase the costumes and time management seemed to be a challenge for a few of the bands.
Each band its own unique theme and colours. X Plosive started the evening off with beautiful light pink, purple and gold costumes. They had an option for plus size women that was figure flattering and the model exuded confidence, which made the costume look even better.
Next up was Passion, showcasing three sections. Section one featured light purple, hot pink and gold jewel encrusted costumes. Section two showcased turquoise, orange and hot pink sets and finally, section three was my favourite of the bunch – white costumes with peach and red accents.
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Nova Mas began their presentation with two dancers meant to mimic butterflies in movement. The costumes were turquoise with hints of orange and gold. The highlight of Nova Mas was the Gombey dancers and Gombey costume with an elaborate headdress. It was certainly the wow factor of the night.
Caribbean Massive showcased an old school carnival style with yellow, burgundy, orange and white one piece costumes. Band addiction was up next with three different gorgeous neon costumes with yellow, orange, pink and green.
Code Red and Intense followed with very similar costumes in mainly red and gold. Code Red also had t shirt options for those who wish to be a bit more conservative.
The final two bands were Real Frenz and Party People. Real Frenz offered bright and colourful patterned costumes with three different options.
Party People showcased three sections. Their first section was baby blue with light purple and silver jewels ie my absolute favourite costume of the night. The second section featured multi coloured, patterned costumes and section three featured red and yellow sets with an Indian theme.
The costumes were all absolutely beautiful but there were some that were of far better quality and design. Overall, the night was good fun and I was thrilled to attend such a unique event in Bermuda.
Kudos to the organisers, especially Jason Sukdeo – the man with the vision, for putting on an amazing event. I’m sure BHW converted a few more soca junkies for 2016!
Click to enlarge photos:
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How dare you men objectify women, they are quite capable of objectifying themselves! The “Indian” headdress on some dude is not cool.
Ha, Ha, Ha, could’ve been worst, he could’ve been wearing a Dashiki, but the brother was getting down.
I know Bermuda is conservative but is there a shortage of G-strings because that is the carnival dress code.
Just saying.
This is Carnival.. This is not about race.. This is for all to wear.. Not the first carnival to have Indian attire and it wouldn’t be the last.. People always looking for something negative to say.. So what suppose to happen.. Tell whites or any other race that they can’t participate and wear certain costumes because of their skin tone.. You all are ridiculous…
Ahh, I think I’ll have to agree with you on this one.
I don’t know whose idea it was to put the guy in the Native American Indian War Bonnet…not a good look at all. and dancing around in it, disrespectful.
Obviously you all have not been to a carnival.. Carnival is for all to participate.. I support a different band but I’m not going to let you bash on a costume because a white guy is modelling this attire. Its Carnival BERMUDA.. So what are you telling me only the black race can wear this attire.. You all are to stuck up and I don’t see anything disrespectful about this.. I see DIVERSITY… IT CARNIVAL TIME IN BERMUDA.. Go complain about that…
So why do you wear clothes I’m just saying . Because you are told to wear clothes why do you work everyday ? Why have a house because this is what been told to you if this young man wants to wear this so be it . Sorry your offended by this Get over it if he chooses to partake in such activities who gives you the right to criticize . So if a white person wants to be a Gombey dancer will he be denied the right , but it’s okay for them to partake in the activities during Barbour night .
Well if he’s got the moves and rhythm I see why not, plus I’ve seem Blacks play Santa Clause so why not.
Oh sorry does on have to be of another color to wear the head dress.. Please enlighten me..
The symbolic meaning behind it makes it quite awkward that someone who’s ancestors likely played a part in the slaughter of millions of Indians would dance around in it….But no issue, we only respect what we are told to respect….Now let’s get back to praying for France and forget about all the atrocities going on or that have gone on elsewhere.
I’m not blaming him….he likely knows no better.
@ mixitup, so that means Black people shouldn’t wear European attire !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mmmmmmmmm
How do you know his ancestorage? Let me guess, the color of his skin. You have no idea where his bloodlines run you just want someone to hate as usual and to also play victim like the Atlantic slave trade was the only one. Even the all – mouthy juiced onion doesn’t respond to that.
We, people of color, are aware of our ancestry, the struggled OUR people had, and the protests to end segregation. Whilst we are even more aware that discrimination still exists, to make such a comment is disturbingly hypocritical. You say it’s awkward but for who? How do you know that this man does not have Indian ancestry? Because he does not look like how you deem he should look like? That sounds racist to me (but hey, I could be wrong; but then again I also see nothing wrong with the pics) Carnival does not sponsor, promote or encourage discrimination. So sorry. Please pick a new bone to bark about and do it over there —-> in the small minded section
White, black, red, yellow….soca doesn’t care!! Leh Di man enjoy heself!!!!
Beautiful!
Obviously you all have not been to a carnival.. Carnival is for all to participate.. I support a different band but I’m not going to let you bash on a costume because a white guy is modelling this attire. Its Carnival BERMUDA.. So what are you telling me only the black race can wear this attire.. You all are to stuck up and I don’t see anything disrespectful about this.. I see DIVERSITY… IT CARNIVAL TIME IN BERMUDA.. Go complain about that…
and you all know his ethnicity how?
and the black white issue rises yet again from a specific sector, you lot are the most divided people i have come across in my galactic travels. from an out of space view i thought the women were fantastic. Guess the churches haven’t converged a mass meeting on this yet
Actually the Church allowed it to happen.
I see quite a few people in the comments that have an issue with the Native American style headdress. Yet no-one is offended by the other headdresses fashioned after the South-American Incas.
I have to admit that even I cringed just a little when I saw the full Native American style headdress. However, I had to catch myself because if I am going to be offended by one… I should be offended by the other.