Category: Baje International

Baje Int’l Kadooment Day 2018

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In my Mole voice “Do Dixie now landddd…AYEE AYYYE AYEEE AYEEE”

After 3 years away I returned to Baje International.

Registration

I’m gonna be real. I had no intention of jumping this year. I was seriously out of it after a bad experience last year and a low key Carnival. Then suddenly, a small vibe hit me and I went with a friend to check out the costumes.

Honestly,  I feel like this was probably the best customer service I’ve received at a band house ever because we asked questions for an hour. Tried on several samples of costumes and even if she was annoyed, Dawnya Serrao, it did not show at all. I left after choosing the F. L. Y backline.

Distribution 

I saw the distribution schedule on Instagram and drove to the band house where, in literally 5 minutes my payment was verified, I was shown the costume and received it.

I definitely have to mention Cheryl Alleyne, whose hospitality I have experienced on Limerz Cruise, who made sure that I was satisfied with everything before leaving.

Cheryl Alleyne of Baje International

When I tried the costume at home I realized the clasp for the golden chain on the bra was missing I took it back for an exchange no problem at all. Again, thank you to Cheryl who was on a fete and took the time out to call and make sure someone at the band house handled the minor problem with the costume.

Costume

I really miss the extraness of frontline but the F.L.Y backline was hella blingy and extra even without feathers and your basic Backline Betty accessories. I loved it. The golden chain popped in Station Hill but since the bra fit fabulously this was not even a concern. Popped that shit off and kept feteing.

F.L.Y Backline by Dawnya Serrao.

Road Experience

Breakfast

Ya girl was late and for the first time ever I met the band outside of the stadium so I can’t help yuh there. I drank prosecco for breakfast.

Vibes

Praise Kadooment Yeshua, praise Her name because this was exactly what I needed this Crop Over.

Best *clap* jump *clap* in *clap* years *clap*

We didn’t run down the road.

There were drinks all day.

Nobody was getting on stush and stupid.

Extremely happy down Spring Garden

Security

Ain’t see a straggler yet!

Music

A harn purcent soca. Yassss!

Tl;dr Here’s my cash Baje. Take it for next year.

Baje International Launch 2017: This Is The Life

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Baje are veterans in the Bajan costume game and as always their launch is highly anticipated by Crop Over lovers.

Parking

The parking was haphazard and people were parking as close as they could get to the venue. Unlike last year, I didn’t notice any extra security lighting or parking attendants.

Venue

George Washington House, I’m sure, is a great place to have a small intimate function, maybe a wedding reception, but, not for a venue with this many people.

Drinks

Looka! I dunno if they had gin but free rum punch was handed out at the door. I drank vodka most of the night because I was hoeing out myself for drinks. Not really, but the drinks were on the weak side but from what I saw there was a wide variety on hand.

Vibes

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Presentation of costumes

The theme of the band is This Is Life. I had no clue what the theme was prior to the launch so I didn’t have any expectations for the costumes.

A little birdie whispered to me that the costume presentation would start at 10:30, but we know that’s 11 or 11:30 Bajan time. True to form, the costumes came out at 11.

Y’all *audible sigh* I just felt underwhelmed.

Please don’t get me wrong most of the costumes were pretty…but they were just that… pretty…not the standout type that would make you start doing complex math to move your account from overdraft to purchase a costume.

The only section which stood out was the Firebird Section.

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Firebird Individual designed by Jin Forde and modelled by Leah Marville.  Giving us rich Middle Eastern trophy wife realness.

The male costumes, as with most bands, were the same remix of board shorts and nods to head and chest pieces. I didn’t think the male opening number could get any cheesier than last year but somehow they managed with a military boot camp style chant. Then they showcased the costumes to dancehall.

I still have not made the connection between the costumes and the theme.

You can see all of the costumes here.

Models

Again, gorgeous people with mostly little to no vibe.

There were, however a few bright sparks!

Megghan Michael is a stunner and brought an uptempo vibe to the stage.

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Raven modelled by fierce ass Megghan Michael.

The other bright spark was Gerston Blenman. Again, vibes grandfadda.

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At the end of the day, Baje costumes will look pretty on the road and I’m sure revellers will have a wonderful time but the launch just left me wanting more because I know they are capable of more.

*Disclaimer (cuz people love to run dem mout): Do Dixie is affiliated with no band or business for Crop Over. I do run Juck Down, a 12- week women only training program designed to make women Crop Over sexy and do dixie on the road during the season (and yes this is a completely shameless plug)*