LESSOR: Bird of Paradise......Tribal Knights 2009

A few words from Ian Andre Espinet.......

Saturday evening, I will be at the Tribal Knights band launch for 2009 - Birds of Paradise. My section is FIIIIIIRE. If you know me, I'm very very seldom pleased with - well - with ANYTHING. For the first time since my "Monarch Butterfly" (which was modified 3 times) in 2006, I'm ecstatic with my costume. I think this may be the first ever costume to not undergo any modifications, colour changes or overhauls.

I will be doing a special for all friends and family (that's you) and something special for friends who have played with me in the past to make the move with me. The first 50 friends who register in "LESSOR: Bird of Paradise" my 2009 section, between the band launch (April 25th) and the May 9th (2 weeks) will receive the costume for $100.

p.p.p.s. URGENT:

I am looking for 2 ladies who want to play mas & fete 4 free Caribana weekend to model my costume.

Requirements:

• You must be available Tuesday (tomorrow) and 2 other appearances

(band launch - Saturday / Nathan Philips for the Caribana Media Launch).

• You must be able to DANCE the costume (read: wine a little) and fit the sample.

Pls email pictures, measurements and contact phone number to ian@amnesia.ca ASAP. You will be contacted tonight.

Mas news from Ian Andre Espinet

A girlfriend once told me that there's no allegiances in mas... Consequently, like the NBA or any other major sport, key players move from team to team - and in this case, camp to camp in an attempt maximize their chances of winning the coveted title...

My journey into mas comes from a family tradition and history of both building and playing mas, but my first personal foray into the latter came a couple years back when my Dad and I first brought a section with Marlon Singh's Callaloo. In our first year there, Callaloo won the coveted title of Band of the Year. 2 years later, we joined Jamaal Magloire's young promising band the Toronto Revellers. The band went on to win 2 years straight, and after an amazing run with a great band, we've decided to move on once again.

This year, my Dad and I have decided to go with Tribal Knights - run by Dexter who goes back with my Dad to Louis Saldenah days, and whom I met first at Callaloo. Together, with 8 other section leaders, we're out to take BAND OF THE YEAR...

This year's theme is BIRDS OF PARADISE. If you've never played mas, or are a seasoned veteran, I urge you to come out and check out the costumes on Saturday April 25th.