The First Monday-only Trinidad Mas Band

Carnival Monday will never be the same. This according to Jesus Douglas of Caribbean Beauties (CB), a social media behemoth which has rapidly grown to fame in just 2.5 years. Jesus made the statement at the launch of the newest Mas Band to hit the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival scene at the Hyatt Regency on Monday evening. Aptly dubbed Mondayness, the band offers a one-day-only Mondaywear Mas experience – the first of its kind during Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.

The company was created by a few Trinbagonians, with support from silent stakeholders throughout the Caribbean. The founders’ main desire was to showcase the Caribbean to the world – its hottest features, its multi-cultural diversity and its beautiful women. And just that it has done. The company’s Instagram account is a go-to hub for and showcase of Caribbean women and culture, boasting more than 110,000 followers. These followers include the likes of celebrities Usain Bolt, Tyson Beckford and Chris Martin who often express their appreciation of the “Caribbean Beauties” featured on the page via comments and likes.

More on Mondayness

According to Jesus, 25,  Mondayness was created for the next generation of masqueraders – those in pursuit of an economical, yet premium alternative to traditional mas. “Mondayness gives these masqueraders a playing ground to showcase their Mondaywear in an official capacity. Mondayness is for the one-dayers,” said Douglas.

But one-day mas isn’t the only unique feature of Mondayness. The new mas band will, for the first time, utilise a Caribbean committee consisting of over 65 women hailing from various territories across the region. Mondaywear mas designers for the band hail from T&T, Barbados and Guadeloupe, and Jesus promises “something for everyone who is into Mondaywear” in terms of costume options.

For the most part, the band will be made up of up to 7 sections which Caribbean Beauties refers to as ‘pods’. One of these pods is a dedicated ‘Open Sector’ which affords the option to play mas in their own Monday Wear, separate from the options presented via Mondayness pods. This allows for even greater flexibility and choice for the Mondayness masquerader.

What to expect on the Road

Mondayness is a two-fold experience: the ‘Road Sesh’ and the ‘Night Frolic’ dubbed “Festival of Friends.”

During both segments mainstream soca hits, past and present, with a touch of CDM and EDM SOCA, will pulsate through big truck speakers. Masqueraders can expect a full premium bar service which includes champagne, Johnny Walker, Ciroc and Fiji water, to name a few. Mondayness Masqueraders will receive 3 drinks of any choice as well as food as part of their package. A safe, smooth, cashless technology system is in place for purchase of drinks thereafter. According to Jesus of CB, drinks will be offered at the lowest prices anywhere in the world. “Not even the street vendor’s price will be lower,” said Douglas. The Mondayness package includes original Mondayness Mondaywear design, goodie bag, drinks of choice, shuttles, rest stop, washrooms and access to the Mondayness Night Frolic Festival of Friends after party. Mondayness gives masqueraders the power of choice.

Cost

Similar to the backline, frontline and individual concepts of modern-day mas, with Mondayness, masqueraders can choose from:

• E Monday aka Easy Monday at TTD$2,900;
• S Monday, aka Special Monday, which will cost a bit more, and will be by special request, as its name suggests;
• O Monday, aka One of a Kind Monday, which is also by request only, with varying costs dependent on the masqueraders’ desires.

How and when do I register?

Registration begins immediately online and will also be available at the Mondayness headquarters – 63 Carlos Street, Woodbrook, in the coming weeks. This arrangement is intentional as Caribbean Beauties wishes to allow its online clientele first preference, given its foundation as a social media page and business. “Online is our world, so it’s only natural that we start registration there, first” said Jesus.

The Mas Band launch ended with a vibrant display of Mondaywear costumes on offer from the band.