Mas Makers Massive
5425 Ygnacio Ave, Oakland*
510-534-6331*

email:masmakers@hotmail.com  www.carnaval.com/masmakers
or www.carnavalsf.com

Dear Masqueraders:

This year’s 2004 cultural extravaganza themed “Jazz to Calypso” is the theatrical unfolding in costume and dance of the musical traditions of jazz in North America, the drums and chants of Africa and modern calypso music in the Caribbean. 

Costume Sections to visually depict each period include: 

Jazz Age – Jazz prospered during the Great Depression, satisfying a national hunger for reassurance and uplift. By the mid 1920’s Jazz was being played in dancehalls, roadhouses and speakeasies all over the country

Costume: Two-piece black/white hibiscus print, flared skirt, sleeveless top with ruffles, hat, and gloves

Distant Drums –African musical traditions and rhythms can be heard in the steel drums playing calypso music, classic jazz quintets and a vast amount of musical forms

Costume:  Black/white Animal print Halter-top, Skirt short in front with three-tier full length ruffled back, hat, earrings and standard

Chocolate Dandies – Children’s Section

Costume: Boys-Black/white checked jacket, black satin pants, Girls-White satin cocktail dress

On Stage – 1920’s opened with the wailing sounds and fast rhythms of energetic dancing.  It was a period of escapism, a youthful reaction against the serious behavior and mood of an older generation

Costume: Black on white polka-dot halter top, ruffled armholes, short skirt with ruffle, hat with bow in front, matching umbrella

Josephine – Black American entertainer Josephine Baker came to Paris at the same time jazz was taking off with exotic costumes and performances.  She was one of the first Black performers to transcend race and appeal to audiences of all colors.

Costume:  Red, white and black polka dots halter top, flare short skirt with matching pantalets, wide brim hat, matching umbrella (Supply own garter belt and black stockings)

The Roaring 20’s-Decade following World War I was a period of unprecedented wealth in the United States.  It ushered in a world of luxury and glamour, and dancing consumed a country that seemed convinced that prosperity would never end

Costume: Male-White satin suit with top hat Female- White one shoulder satin gown, with thigh high slit

 Caribbean Dance- Katherine Dunham, a serious student of Afro-Caribbean folk culture included African based cultural forms in her dance performances in the United States.

Costume:  White chiffon circle skirt, Jersey tap pants, white jersey halter-top with attached chiffon cape, jersey/chiffon turban headpiece, and matching umbrella

Minstrel-Lypso – Jazz evolved from earlier forms of music including Minstrel show bands.  Minstrel companies provided an important showcase for Black performing talent and served as a springboard for their participation in the twentieth century entertainment industry.

Unlike the vigorous drumming traditions that survived elsewhere, Calypso is in effect the verbal drum, enabling the transmission of news and political and social commentary.  Bands with an instrument makeup similar in style to Dixie land jazz bands provided musical accompaniment for calypso singers in Calypso tents.  Calypso also has a worldwide impact in West Africa where it helped shape the development of highlife music.

Costume: Black satin tails, black/white checked pants, top hat

A special dance will be choreographed for a core group of dancers from each section to represent the theme and will be performed at the Festival on Saturday, May 29^th in San Francisco, in front of the television cameras and judging point during the parade on Sunday May 30^th in San Francisco and on the Oakland stage on Monday, May 31^st in Oakland.  There will be special rehearsals to prepare for this so please let us know if you are interested in the core performance.  As usual, there will be dance movement taught for anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with the soca and calypso rhythms on weekends in May at the Mas Camp