Photo from http://instagram.com/ilivecarnival
It is not an exaggeration to say that Revel Nation Carnival saved Miami Carnival for me. Actually, to be precise, Revel Nation has saved carnival for me, period. I have become so disillusioned by the marketing and fake experience being sold as carnival that I was just about ready to give it up. I told myself, "well ole girl, you tried your best, the essence of carnival has been replaced with the fickle superficiality of money money, sex, sex and more money. Gone were the days where the spirit of carnival was love and togetherness chippin down de road together." But I digress as usual.
So I had made up my mind that this may have been my last year. I was tired of the money grubbing involved with the carnival experience and the business monopoly it has evidently become, and I looked forward to Miami Carnival as a loving au revoir to what has been a love affair with mas, music, liming, good friends, family and good laughs since I was a little girl with plaits. My heart was heavy, but I felt like it was time. Yes, I was being melodramatic, but it was truly how I was feeling. This year, as I got ready for the mas, I did so with low energy and lackluster excitement. I even arrived at the carnival location later than I usually do due to simply procrastinating getting to the venue.
Photo from http://instagram.com/ilivecarnival
But as soon as I arrived and heard the music blasting from the massive trucks, I could feel my spirit lift as I walked to meet the band and encountered other people walking to meet their respective bands with all the great energy they exuded. Seeing folks helping each other tie different parts of their costumes, telling each other which way to walk to meet the band, complimenting each other on their exuberant and radiant costumes that mirrored their beautifully adorned faces made me smile to myself. Feathers, glitter, beads and gems were in every direction my brown frame turned. The sun gently kissed my skin as the breeze lulled away any apprehension or doubts I had about this carnival and all felt right with the world.
Photo from http://instagram.com/ilivecarnival
I met my band Revel Nation and I was blinded by the beauty displayed by the blinged out imaginative costumes. I played with this band initially because as with the year before, I fell in love with their costumes. I am a huge admirer of their designer's work (Oylan Baldeosingh) and in my eyes, nobody can compare to her color combos and execution. But it's more than that, it's the family feel of the band, the fact that I don't have to go through a committee member to register, that I don't have to fit a particular physical specification. That they cater to such a diverse group of revellers puts me at ease.
I played with my good friend from primary school this year and two new friends and I had a phenomenal time on the road. The band was organized; the food was hot, tasty, readily available and abundant; the bar never ran out of drinks and the staff was friendly and kind, never rude. The staff always being helpful and willing to lend a hand, mean a lot to a sensitive soul like me. The music was on point and the chip down the road wasn't as short as last year as we were number 14 this year. We crossed the stage at night and I loved it. If I have any complaint it would be that I wish they did not serve effen vodka which gives a headache within a couple hours, it is horrible. I really would have appreciated Grey Goose Vodka but it has become apparent that bars no longer stock my favorite drink. Double sigh. Other than that, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about my experience with Revel Nation Carnival.
I have to say that the prices were worth the exemplary made costumes, delicious food, drinks and great service the band supplied. My entire experience from costume selection to crossing the stage was positive and beyond what I expected, more so than any experience I have had with any other band, including the bands I played with when I went to Trinidad carnival. Revel Nation saved carnival for me and when God spares my life next year, I will be joining them again for a jump and a chip down de road.
For more pics from Revel Nation Carnival check out http://instagram.com/revelnationcarnival