Officially a week out from the end of Trinidad Carnival and your girl’s Carnival Tabanca is real! No joke. I’ve been surviving on music and throwback photos and clips while planning my next carnival. But before all the frenzy completely dies down lets recap 2020 Trinidad Carnival and get into these fete reviews. I couldn’t possibly attend all the fetes available because there seemed to be hundreds of them but I did hit about 11 fetes this year.
Because there’s only one of me and I can’t hit all the events during I made it a point to hit a mix of fetes that covered food inclusive, drink inclusive, all-inclusive and dutty fetes. Also attending fetes I haven’t attended before and a fete or two I just can’t ever miss.
Machel Monday
Monday, February 17th | 6pm – 1a
Hasely Crawford Stadium
Concert – $103 (platinum)
Themed
Machel Monday has been a long time concert taking place the Monday before carnival for the last few years and 2020 was his last show. Last year I skipped this event because it was one of those events I was always told to skip especially by locals who always joke this is a fete for ‘foreigners’. And guess what? I understand why. This year Machel Monday was christened ‘The Wedding’ as Machel was married a few days earlier. Following the theme, all guests were requested to attend wearing their best white for this “public reception’ in celebration. I, however, did not lol I honestly didn’t see any of the promos that instructed white attire, oh well. The concert started and end on a slow note, there were some peaks and the stadium was full but overall it was slow. Doors opened at 6pm with the show actually starting on time around 8pm showcasing a host of great opening acts. Machel debuted little after 10pm bringing along a long line of dancers and other performers until the concert ended even though the concert began to feel forced around 11pm. He said his goodbyes to Machel Monday and announced his partnership and start of Mele.
Machel Monday offers 3 ticket levels. Initially, I wanted to secure a diamond level ticket $186USD but received no response to my reservation email. Thanks, universe! Even though I wanted to purchase a general admission ticket ($56 USD) after that I ended up purchasing the platinum level ticket. The prices are not worth it at all for a subpar show and the seating should be changed. Diamond level provided a seat in a ‘lounge area’ on the floor but still, no food or drinks included. Platinum level provided seating in bleachers but again no food or drinks included. General level provided standing only option basically on the outside of the stadium.
Rating: 3/5 (mainly because I was able to sit as I was nodding off)
Final Verdict: Miss…however 2020 was the final Machel Monday Show and first and last time on the TMD’s fete review list.
Pree Dawn
Tuesday, February 18th | 4 – 8am
Harbour Masters
Food Inclusive Cooler Fete – $54
Swimwear/Casual
Now Pree Dawn Boat fete started my carnival season right! After leaving Machel Monday a little early, I ran back to the hotel to freshen up, change outfits, and grabbed bottles to arrive at Harbour Masters by 3.30a to board the boat. But, like always the boat did not leave on time. I really don’t understand why boats never leave on time or disclose a boarding time and departure time??? Your girl could have grabbed a cat nap or food. Smdh. Anyway, the boat eventually started boarding around 5.30a and took off around 6am…yes 2hrs after said start time.
We’re finally boarded and luckily the music started right away on the main floor, we have 2 hours to pre-game outside while waiting on the boat so our energy was right. The friends took photos, headed for the bar and shortly after found our spot to chill and dance. Let me tell you, drinking tequila and rum while dancing with no food at 4 in the morning is no joke. So some of us took a moment to stop and search for food. To our surprise, this food inclusive fete had NO FOOD. Explain to me how? Please. One friend found a station that had food at cost. Still confused about having no food at a food inclusive fete we went back to dancing, drinking and having fun until the boat returned right on time. Lol leave 2 hours late but returned right on time. Only with carnival boat fetes.
Rating: 3/5
Final Verdict: Maybe…for the price, boat size, and music I may go back. Those were the saving grace of this fete. But with the 2-hour delay and false advertising, I would have to debate.
Kes Tuesday on the Rocks
Tuesday, February 18th | 8 pm – 2 am
Queen’s Park Savannah
Concert – $48 (courtyard)
Casual
Kes Tuesday on the Rocks has a different vibe to it. It was perfectly calm with just a nice hint of energy. I can’t complain. The entry was cute, vendors, food and drink stations outlining the stage with the washrooms and cooldown stations and tables towards the back. I arrived at a good time and made my way towards my friends. Because it was more of a chill vibe from the beginning and after attending Machel Monday, I didn’t expect as much energy on stage. I was wrong! Kes and guests gave all the energy needed for a great show and I wasn’t disappointed. I had a good time where I was and the VIP area was all vibes too, maybe even more.
There is something about ending a fete with pans. I love it. By this time we had made it to the back to hit the washroom, vendors, grab food, water, and wine down and ended up catching the start of the panning. I’m not sure what it is but it’s a feeling that stops me every time to listen and pay attention. It was a great way to end Kes Tuesday on the Rocks.
Rating: 4/5
Final Verdict: Hit…Kes Tuesday felt low-key but all the vibes were there. I would attend again.
Mental – “Fifty Shades of Mental”
Wednesday, February 19th | 6pm – 1a
Pier 1 Poolside, Chaguramas
Premium Drink Inclusive – $108
Themed
Hosted by Trini Jungle Juice, Mental was a nice surprise. Entry into the event was swift, welcomed with a masquerade table to select my mask of choice and a cup. I walked around scouting the location and the area was nice with bars all around, clean washrooms, pool, stage and surprise a FOOD STATION. For the price of the ticket, I was pleasantly surprised that even though promoted as a drink only fete Mental also provided food. Mental had a nice lineup of performers and the energy was always up. I won’t lie, this was an event that seemed to be a little more stush, so to have a bit more fun I put myself at the center of it all and moved myself to the front. You know the vibe is always different in the front especially when you’re using the stage to balance while wining.
Rating: 4/5
Final Verdict: Hit…this was a good fete and imagine it only getting better
Tropical LUAU Carnival
Thursday, February 20th | 5pm – 1am
La Soledad Estate
Food Inclusive Cooler Fete – $59
Themed
I was nicely surprised by Tropical Luau because I truly did not expect much from this fete. I purchased this fete last minute not hearing much about it but wanting a chill fete in the middle of my schedule. So I purchased and proceeded with caution and happy I did hit this sold-out event. Definitely a must include event on my fete review list.
First the location, I was happy to be at a location that hadn’t been to before. It’s the little things but this made me happy. The only downside to this location, I wish the dance and stage area were set up in a different area. Being a home and not an open field there were trees dead center of the dancing area that made it a little hard to dance especially with the massive coolers people continuously bring.
The food was good as Tropical Luau provided all the food they had been promoting in its own area away from the stage and dancing. It had back yard, family reunion vibes. Coming down the stairs after eating and heading towards this stage it was all vibes. The décor was settle but there giving a true tropical luau feel. Walking towards the stage you could hear the crowd singing as the music switched back and forth between Soca, Dancehall, Reggae, and Afrobeats. It was all total vibes on vibes. Amazing.
The entire night was great and I felt comfortable the entire time until it was time to head out.
The only con to this event were the shuttles, not a fan at all.
Rating: 4/5
Final Verdict: Hit…great all around fete, best kept not so secret fete
Sunrise Breakfast Party
Friday, February 21st | 4am – 12pm
Green Meadows, Santa Barbara Blvd
Premium All-Inclusive – $129 (early bird)
Brunch Chic
This fete showed out and was by far one of my top 3. Even with being a 4am fete guests looked beautiful, I feel like people always dress up a little more for a breakfast fete and it’s nice. The setup and decorations were amazing and the door gifts cute giving away a parasol and cup, one of the few I kept. The sun was out but I didn’t even realize because I was cute and the performers came correct. The music did not drop at any point and it was great! I got my drinks, of course, started dancing, some food I think (maybe) as I made my way to the front while meeting friends along the way. The vibe from the back up to the stage was life!! I had to decide between Silent Morning and Sunrise this year, I’m sure silent morning was amazing but sunrise did not disappoint.
Rating: 4.5/5
Final Verdict: Hit…TMD recommended fete
Phuket
Friday, February 21st | 3pm
The Anchorage Beach Club
All-Inclusive – $137
Casual
Phuket was bess, the perfect Friday afternoon kick back and just like the name suggests Phuket it all and chill. Phuket provided bars, food stations, dessert station and a ladies lounge that I definitely took full advantage of at the end of the night. The favorite part of the night, as a DC local, was DJ Trini coming through and showing out in Trinidad for DC. His Soca an afrobeat mix is always great and sets to vibe.
Rating: 4.25/5
Final Verdict: Hit…it’s always the move and appreciate the ladies lounge area
Pandemonium
Saturday, February 22nd | 2 – 8am
Mucurapo West
Drink Inclusive – $65
Paint/Trash Clothing (white or neon)
Pandemonium is a j’ouvert alternative fete in its second year conveniently scheduled at the same time as AM Bush. With that said, I did receive approval for AM Bush this year but elected to try Pandemonium instead for a few reasons. The question now is, did I make the right choice? Answer…no, hahaha. So what went wrong?
This was my least favorite fete this season and probably a fete I will never recommend to anyone until they make a lot of changes. Even though there was confusion with misprinted information on the flyer for this event during their initial release I was still excited to attend pandemonium. I heard mixed information regarding their inaugural fete in 2019 but had to find out for myself and that I did. 2019 was heavily promoted and advertised as a drink inclusive, glow stick, neon paint fete with music trucks playing the best of the best carnival Saturday morning. 2020 was barely promoted. After the flyer date was corrected then there was confusion about drinks. Will or won’t drinks be provided? There was so much confusion that others took to varies chats, groups, twitter and comments to clarify the information. The clarification, there will be drinks however drinks will be limited to scotch, rum, vodka or beer. Fine, that will do. Next issue no dress code was given but under a week from my departure date, announcing white and neon. Did I dress in white or neon? Nope, my shopping was done and I was not planning on stressing the newly announced dress code. Either way, all these were minor issues, right? Right.
Finally, it’s Saturday and location is released the day of almost. Arrive and everyone is confused and entry is denied until 4.30a…2a was the promoted time. Finally, we entered the space, got my cup which was uncovered – that’s a no-no for a paint fete because you will drink more paint than liquor. Continued to the station for glow sticks and paint both of which ran out by 5.30a, within an hour everything was gone. I had 3 baby glow sticks barely enough to make a necklace and no paint. Let’s continue to the road. I believe we finally left the starting point around 6.30/7a and I promise you not the truck stopped after 30 mins to announce cups ran out. About 15mins late we turned around to start heading back and I was done. I cackled so hard because I felt we got played and wasted money. The energy never picked up, glow sticks ran out, cups ran out, paint ran out I NEVER got paint or water on me. I was so clean it just looked like I went out for a walk that morning, lol. (See photo below from the end of the event.) Several of my friends stayed behind to try and get their monies worth and the other half of us left to try and make it back in time before the hotel breakfast time was over.
I’m not mad, all I could do was laugh and know that if I attend Trinidad Carnival 2021 and my choices are between Pandemonium or AM Bush…Pandemonium would not be it.
Rating: 1/5 this is me being generous
Final Verdict: Miss…I wanted to enjoy this fete because it was still relatively new and it was a dutty fete but there was just so much wrong with this fete. I made the best of this situation and kept it pushing.
Soca Brainwash – “Treasures of the Orient”
Saturday, February 22nd | 11a – 7pm
St. Mary’s College Grounds
Premium All Inclusive – $181
Themed
Off to a slow start at first with a theme, many didn’t 100% care for, Soca Brainwash themed “Treasures of the Orient” came through in the end. The location was transformed into a picturesque sight with the perfect decorations and photos areas were gorgeous like always, wished I took the time to grab some photos. I learning y’all, I am. Lol As I’m thinking back, I don’t actually think I had anything to eat, which seems to be a reoccurring theme for me. Pay all this money for all-inclusive fetes and I head straight to the bars and the stage. It’s a problem I know. Help! Anyway, by the time my new friends arrived I was on drink #1000, grateful that the Trini sun wasn’t killing us yet. And after that, it was all a (good) blur.
Rating: 4.5/5
Final Verdict: Hit…TMD recommended fete
ValeVibe
Sunday, February 23rd | 4 – 11am
Drew Manor
Premium All Inclusive – $115
Bruch Chic
Even after arriving extremely late due to concierge transportation, ValeVibe fete did not disappoint at all! I made it a point to actually try to eat at this fete since I had been missing all the delicious food so far…but only after hitting up my favorite Hennessy Pure bar. I can’t help myself but I promise food followed and more drinks of course. For this fete, I decided to linger towards the back enjoying the music from afar and the open space that allowed me to dance a little freer without bumping into others. But eventually I somehow someway made my way to the front once again and ended up staying until this breakfast fete became a wet fete.
Rating: 4.5/5
Final Verdict: Hit…TMD recommended fete
Beach House
Sunday, February 23rd | 4p – 9pm
Upick Farm, Chaguaramas
Premium All Inclusive – $165
Chic
Barely making it to beach house, there isn’t much I can say during this fete review, I know my fault. Plans changed and I arrived a little after 8pm leaving me with a little over an hour to enjoy the rest of the fete. Yes the food stations were done and the crowd thinned out by the time I arrive but the music was still going and the 360 photo station still packed. Still, I would call beach house a stush event even by the stage. Not sure if it was my late arrival or the new day but the energy was mid-level and left much to be desired.
Rating: 3/5
Final Verdict: Maybe…I wish I arrived a little earlier to get the full experience
And that was my fete schedule! That’s it folks, all fete reviews for 2020 complete. When all is said and done, I really enjoyed my fete schedule and would 100% do 11 or more fetes again. My 2020 fete schedule could not compare to my 2019, it was pure euphoria. The energy from one fete to another or one year to another will never be alike and I love that. The people are different, the deejays different, the rotations flipped and the mood changes and that’s the vibe.
If you hit any fetes during Trinidad Carnival 2020 or any year really and want to leave a review, drop it in the comments below. If you went to one fete this year and a previous year, share how the vibe was different and which year was better in the comments below. Or even if you disagree with my fete reviews, let me know. But be sure to check out the 2020 Trinidad Carnival Review be you leave.
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