SHADES was the perfect party to begin what would be an EPIC Trinidad Carnival experience. Set on the Hololo (sp?) Ranch in Santa Cruz, the drive was certainly a nice one in the wee hours of the morning to make the 4am starting time. I can tell you that you would welcome this drive at this hour considering that you could be stuck in traffic going to Insomnia or struggling for a parking spot headed to Vale. I have been to both of these events and can tell you that SHADES trumps them both BAR NONE!
The parking situation when we arrived was smooth, attendants directed you to your spot and made sure that you were aligned properly for easy (or early) exits if need be - they made sure they asked if you intended to stay for the entire fete or if you think you may have to leave. This was a very smart move because this made way for easy flowing traffic both to get in and out of the venue! Kudos to them!
Reaching the party at exactly 4am (yes I am an early bird at a $450 price tag) I was pleasantly surprised to hear the welcome call by the DJ (who is pictured below) who made sure that we were indeed present to answer the call and begin jamming to his rhythmic sounds. Now let it be known that at $450 I expected a late start, DJ setting up late and food not ready - BOY WAS I SURPRISED!! Beachhouse could take a NOTEPAD on this fete! EVERYTHING (EVERY SINGLE THING) was ready at 4am and follow up to ensure freshness (i.e extra batter for the omelettes, freshly cut replacement condiments and even staff to replace the potty people in the bathroom was on hand)
Now let me say this! And this may gross some people out but what the hell its a BLOG - we share!! You SHOULD ALWAYS GO A FETE WHERE YOU COULD TAKE A PROPER SHIT! And that means that no-one likes to party clenching dey bottom and we all know that even the best of us no matter how hard we try to "go" before we leave the house, it never quite happens that way all of the time. For me, SHADES was that fete! - I got up promptly at 3:15am and began to do meh prance to ensure that before I leave the house I will use de bathroom, therefore, I could consume all de alcohol and food that SHADES had to offer and most likely, by the time I have to "go" again it would be time to go home. I mean we all know this ritual - let's not be coy. THAT WAS NOT THE CASE! I mean I know I had to "go" but it just was not "coming out" and I WAS NOT about to miss meh ride to Santa Cruz HELL NAW!!! - So off I go get dressed and discretely placed my wipes in meh back pocket because I know I will want to "go" when ah "reach"!!!!
Fast forward to me reaching the secluded venue of SHADES and what a change from MISTY RIDGE (all de smoke gone) is now lights in yuh tail!! Ah wine as soon as I reached - I was ready - especially after that DJ welcome call. I climbed the stairs and entered the fete and found meh spot!! Feeling a lil hungry I went over to the food offerings for the day - again expecting to be routed in a chain of lines like I am at a local bank, I was pleasantly surprised to see that non existed and the food was buffet style! What a sight: Bake and Shark WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS, Sada Roti, Fresh Fruit, Custom Made Omelettes, the list went on and on and I certainly didn't have time to complete the list because of ALL TIMES NOW I HAVE TO .... (right)!
Gone to the bathroom now I expecting to have to well choose meh potty correctly and toilet paper down de seat etc etc - well ah still do that yuh know but here's the difference, you know when you open the toilet you does prepare for dat stench so yuh hold yuh nose and then enter? - I still do that BUT I didnt have to hold for long - Once I inhale fresh lavender inside that potty I knew I was about to take AH PROPER ONE - hear nah SHIT JUST FLOWED!!!! (Pun very well intended) I send about three text messages, check meh facebook status, wine to de side on de toilet, wipe de sweat off meh head (yea dais how good it was) and THEN I arise from meh portable THRONE for 20 minutes... YES 20 minutes - ah tell yuh I had AH PROPER ONE!! So meanwhile I thinking "lawd, it would not have nobody outside so everybody go know is me who toots?" NAH - none ah dat!! SHADES potty posse was seen and heard opening all de stalls refreshing it - throwing ammonia and making sure its clean for the next deserving client! And that my friends ALONE will get my money EVERY YEAR!!! I take ah proper one and I was rhell happy after that - AH WINE LOW!!!!
Talking about wining now - when ah reach back, ah give meh friends de joke but I talk about it so much now dem want to shit too!! STEUPSE I tell yuh never see come see but when yuh have to go - yuh have to go!!!
The music at this point (9am) SWEET!!! SUN come out with a vengeance that I simply could not contain mehself, I had to submit to "de ice block" after the man wash off de ice from dem other mouths I proceeded to have my fair share of shots! That only RAISED my temperature higher!!! - Now I was sweating profusely and music still jamming... Praise God for the water hose they brought out... At this point PRPS Jeans, Custom Y3 sneakers and Vintage PUCCI TShirt OUT DE WINDOW - I WAS HOT!!! And I needed to be cooled... I take off all them clothes and jump in de ppl POOL... Yes ever so stoosh Daryl was in de ppl pool - PAPARAZZI HEAVEN!!! But at last I was cool...
Conclusion - SHADES was one of the best fetes I was at for Trinidad Carnival 2011. It was very well planned and lived up to every expectation and more that I had in mind. I was entirely pleased and so was everyone I came with. It is now a staple in my carnival itenerary and to the promoters I say - DO NOT CHANGE THE FORMULA - It is fully endorsed... WE LIKE IT!!!! (Enjoy the pics, courtesy Triniscene and feel free to comment!)
Honorable Mention:
Corn Soup Lady - BEST Ive had in a long time! She tell meh de secret is pimento seasoning!
Potty Posse - For obvious reasons disclosed above
BAR STAFF- Wait I didn't review them, but you know I had to be properly well drunk to do half de shit I do at Shades so there you go!
Great review...shades 2012...we there.
ReplyDeleteIn response to this review. First let me mention Insomia. I've been going to insomia from the early years and all props to them, I still think its a real great fete. There is something for everyone in carnival and we all have to accept when our time has come. My time came for insomia last year but i will still recommed it to anyone who want to try it.
ReplyDeleteShades.......What could I say about shades. My best carnival experience this year. My carnival started on Army fete Friday and I patronised 11 fetes in total and shades trumped them all by a Usain Bolt's length. I'm lost for word to give an assessment of this fete, so readers please accept my humble review when I say shade is it. Just to add. A lot of my friends who attended D Vale and Sunny Side this year, though they had a blast, said that they heard about the Shades and will be going next. Sad to say, the reviews that this Shades fete is getting could eventually be the beginning of the end. I just wish That Shades could be kept a secret. By the way I was also in the Pool.
12 out of 10 misty ridge crew. See you all next year
LMAO @ Dwayne.. Perhaps you were the bro that hailed me out as I jumped in!! Bless up! SHADES doesn't have to be kept a secret as long as stalwarts such as ourselves are included we would be JUST fine... Shades 2012 "ah coming again!!!!"
ReplyDelete