Well, we did it! It wasn't easy...and there were times when we thought we wouldn't even make it to Carnival day (physically!)...but we did it!
Sonia Bhatia, Candice Dixon, Cherr Evans (absent from photo), and me Stacey Robinson took on the amazing challenge of being section leaders for the Toronto Revellers 2011 Welcome to Oz presentation...and we did it.
We were the biggest group of section leaders. Some ladies had the expertise to handle it on their own...some worked in pairs. Everyone had support, but we went on as a team of 4, and definitely needed the strength in numbers to make it through.
There were the ultimate highs (like seeing our costumes on the parade route)....and there were the ultimate lows (like disappointing a few ladies with late costume pieces)...but overall we have come out satisfied with the experience, and we are wiser as a result.
Now I can't officially speak for the other ladies, but I do know that I walked away learning a great number of things from this experience:
1) I love my city. I think Toronto is the best. And throw in a little soca music, hot weather, good friends, and good looking people in beautiful costumes...and it's beyond great. There is no better time of year in Toronto than carnival time, and it's a combination of everything I love, all built into one dynamic festival. Fortunately, this year we were able to prepare and celebrate for months, rather than just one day.
2) I love my culture. I know a lot of people think carnival and soca music and steel pans are a "Trini ting"...but as someone of Jamaican heritage, I can attest that our culture is our culture. The music, the food, the people, the energy...it doesn't belong to one specific island of people. Yes, there is a deeper connection to carnival in the Trinidadian culture...just as Jamaicans will have a deeper connection to reggae music. But that doesn't for a minute make any of it mutually exclusive. I am proud to be a Jamaican who ADORES carnival culture, and I think that if you love the Caribbean period...then you can appreciate the wonderful attributes of carnival, and what it means to our people, collectively.
3)
The Toronto Revellers are good people. We were with this group of individuals virtually and on the phone from fall of 2010, and then physically in the same mas camp from May 2011 until August 2011. And the more time we spent around this group, the more we grew to love them. Our bandleader Jamaal Magloire was supportive and motivating, and his family and extended family treated us all as their own. We were well fed, we were hydrated (wink, wink), and we always felt comfortable amongst our band. Yes, we had some glitches, and yes there were some people "around" that we could have definitely done without (ahem...) BUT the Revellers took care of us, and really proved to us why the Revellers are known as the "people's band." Great hearts, and good intentions all around.
4) We had an awesome group of section leaders! We all heard nightmares about just how bad it could be. We've heard about stealing, and gossip, "hating," and sabotage...as first-time section leaders we automatically had our guards up against the worst...and quickly put them down when we got to know and love the other ladies (and gentleman) that we would be making mas with. We spent long hours with these individuals, they were all supportive, helpful, encouraging, fun, and truly a team. Shouts out to the lovely ladies Christiane Tetreault, Simone Russelburn, Camille Lewis, Roxane Austin, Donna Sisneth, Zakiya Ricketts, Attasha Jordan, Joanne Chase, Yvette McBurnie, Giselle "The Wassi One" Blanche, and of course...Roger Taylor-Montano.
5) WE LOVE ROGER TAYLOR-MONTANO! Roger took our section from design obscurity, into confident creators! The minute he arrived from Trinidad (literally) in the spring to assist the band, he was very informative for us. Patient. We loved his hard work, his creative vision, and his artistic mind...overall! Every band needs a good go-to man to assist and advise, and Roger was definitely that man for us!
6)
Team work is key. Believe me, it was no picnic. Four women creating approximately 50 kiddies costumes and 150 adult costumes, PLUS dealing with the purchasing, organizing, administration, customer service...AND our real lives at the same time was a CHORE. Even going into the experience as good friends, our personalities, allegiances, sacrifices, opinions, and dedication were definitely put to the test! We've since learned what it takes to make this process run smoothly. We had our trials and we had our fumbles and disappoinments, but in the end it was still a great experience.
7) It's not about the money, money, money. Although we were advised to treat carnival as a "small business" and approach the expenses and profits as such...in the heart of it all, money is truly not the driving force. In fact, even if there was a concrete fee or salary attached to the time and effort put into making costumes...it still wouldn't be justifiable or easily quantified. Making mas is TRULY a labour of love. Point blank. If you don't enjoy the environment, the music, the people, the food, the design, the materials, and the overall end product...then don't even bother. There is no amount of money that can compare to the rewards of the experience...and money alone can not drive you (physically or mentally) to complete this particular task with joy. It's about the love of carnival, nothing more...nothing less. BUT, the money is a nice perk when all is said and done :)
8) We learned from example. All praises due to Alain and Royette who were our section leaders in 2007 for the Toronto Revellers' Viva Las Vegas presentation. Our section "Sin City" was our introduction to playing mas. It was our first time with the Revellers, and our section leaders took such good care of us, that we always remembered the experience. They were organized, they never showed bad face, and they made an outstanding costume for us that definitely had an impact on the road. Likewise, we learned from other section leaders this year with the Revellers who took the time out to guide and teach us the things that only an experienced leader would know.
9) Toronto's carnival is a valuable entity. It's a shame that it's had its fair share of controvery, management adjustments, and news frenzy, but Toronto's Caribana/Caribbean Carnival is really a hot commodity. And until you are a part of the actual physical construction of carnival...you'd never really know or appreciate just how much hard work goes into the production. And when you think of the decades that the carnival has been taking place, and how the little work we do is multiplied fifty-fold for each band, and each section...it's really impressive. The section leaders put in a lot of hard work, and the value of their commitment alone is a powerful force in the overall event.
10)
There is no other way to experience the carnival...than from within the carnival. It's one thing to stand at the side of the road, chip along with the trucks, and grab a bite to eat as a spectator. It's another thing to play mas with your favourite band, and enjoy the parade in full costume. But to actually be a part of the construction and creation of the parade itself is a phenomenal feeling. As we take each step up in the carnival ladder, we realize more and more how great it is to be a part of this amazing event year after year.
Overall, we're grateful for the experience, the people we've met, and the lessons we've learned. We're grateful for our family and friends that helped us get through it all! And most importantly...we're ready to do it again, bigger, and better, more aware, more prepared, and more dedicated in the years to come.
