>> View Yuma Mas Band 2011 Launch ... Zodeak 

After a week of overcast skies, heavy rain and widespread flooding in Trinidad it was time for the heavens to open revealing the celestial star signs from Yuma’s 2011 Carnival Presentation Zodeak.

With a presentation’s name colloquially spelt as Zodeak I was in high anticipation for a bejewelled interpretation of the zodiac with a local twist.  I also guessed that it would be impossible to get this one wrong as the mythical translation of the zodiac is well known; the representative colours have been established for centuries; and both historical and modern astrological images are everywhere.

As the TJJ crew parked outside of the Queen’s Park Oval we realised that you could see the DJ booth perched above the stage from outside of the venue.  This made my expectation become even more heightened as I assumed that it must have been a very impressive stage.  So we eagerly made our way into the ring of constellations known as Zodeak!

The party area was nestled in the North-Western area of the Oval underneath the stands.  There were the usual freebies such as Blue Waters, Monster and Cold Stone Ice Cream.  And I was able to “brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack” from the complimentary Jack Daniels bar!  So “Tick Tock on the clock, but the Yuma party don’t stop... no-oo-o-oo-o-o!”

Yuma’s Zodeak presentation started promptly at 9pm the first section The Oracle ushering the rest of the other twelve sections representing the 12 zodiac signs.  The sections came and went leaving the audience a bit perplexed as if it was not for the announcer you had no idea what each costume represented.  But seriously the costumes were pretty but missed the mark on the sign is supposed to truly represent...

I mean Virgo was pink while the colours that represent the purity of “The Virgin” is blue and white!  At least Pisces was blue but looked more like a wet foul than an exotic fish!!  And Leo looked more a cat with a bad weave!!!

There were still some interesting moments from a design point of view.  The metal studded sleeves and waist ban chains made the unusual black and gold colour combination of Capricorn work.  Cancer pushed the envelope with its pink layered coral effect seen from the head piece to the mid thigh high leggings.  And then there was Aquarius with its Beyonce inspired, chain-linked, diamante encrusted, all blinged out boldest and NO belt piece over the bikini bottom made the poor thong wearing model look more vulgar than high fashion!

Some effort was made with the signature representation of the zodiac with the male costumes as there was a horn or two representing “The Ram” in Aries or “The Bull” in Taurus.  But other than the airbrushed enhanced abs there was simply nothing that gained any comment from the audience in attendance.

In the end it was indeed nice for Yuma to invite TJJ to their inaugural carnival band presentation.  And the costumes were indeed pretty, but I simply could not see the star signs of the zodiac in the costumes  ... So what is your sign?

Keiron was there... where were you?

Did we forget anything? Add your 2 cents below...

>> View Yuma Mas Band 2011 Launch ... Zodeak