Skip to main content

Masquerader Monday - 25.03.19 | Catherine





Brief biography (profession, hobbies, passions, etc.): *
I work in the health care industry, I’m around a lot of sick people so it helps me realize that if I am healthy and alive, my size doesn’t matter! This is why carnival has become a passion for me, soca music and carnival is all about good times and good vibes, that’s what I’m all about !
How and when did you first start playing mas? *
I first played Mas in a costume in 2016, and since then Carnival can’t miss me! It has become a hobby to travel the world celebrating my culture. I can’t get enough of de road!
What carnival experience has been your favourite (and most proud) to date? *
Bahamas Carnival 2018, it was my first time playing Mas outside my home country. Now I wanna travel all over the Caribbean and experience Mas
What are some of your must-have carnival essentials?
Fanny pack, portable charger, cow bell or whistle for making noise!!
Describe your perfect mas experience:
A band that is organized and delivers is the perfect experience! Nothing ruins the mood more than a band that messes up your costume.
What would you like to tell people about mas, that they may not know?
Don’t wait for friends to jump, just do it. De road is always full a vibe and with so much people, you never really alone !
Your City: *
Cayman Islands
Would you change anything about playing mas in your city?
Soca is so diverse, I wanna hear more basement, zouk, jab jab on de road!
If you could play mas with one soca artist, who would it be, and why?
Alison Hinds! I’ve been a fan of hers since square one. She is the Soca Queen, I just love her vibes.
Do you think there is currently an unspoken age or size limit on playing mas? 
No. I will be playing Mas till I’m old and grey and I’m gonna have my babies out there in their cute little costumes!
Do you have a message of encouragement for the #everyBODYplayahmas network? *
If Mas is what you love, don’t let nothing stop you from doing it!
Tell us about your journey to becoming a confident woman:
It’s been a long, bumpy ride, with many ups and downs. The journey hasn’t ended but I am definitely more in love with myself now than before I started going to Carnival! There is something that feels so free about playing Mas as a bigger woman because you receive a lot of encouragement from spectators and Mas players alike so you realize there people that will love you and those that will hate you, only one of those matter!
Do you have any mentors/role models who have inspired you along the way?
Too many to name, I’ve had all types of women encourage me and inspire me to just be me regardless of my size. Women that are constantly encouraging me to embrace myself, who love me and show me that I should love me too.
How do you think movements like #everyBODYplayahmas assist masqueraders?
It helps women like me know we are loved! And we are not alone, I hope someone gains a confidence boost from my experience just as I did from someone else. It’s a movement that is showing you nothing is wrong with you just be your beautiful self.
Please list any contact details you would like added to the post (ex. Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, SnapChat, Pinterest, etc) *
Instagram: @_champagnecathy YouTube: Catherine Ebanks (Cathy Vlogs)
Labels:
Location: Cayman Islands

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My experience as the Face of the Festival for Toronto Carnival 2019

    I  have been attending Caribbean carnivals since a child, and each and every experience is unique and special in its own way. From Trinidad to Jamaica, and Atlanta to Washington, each carnival has its own flavour, its own style, and its own vibe. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, I can’t help but have an appreciation for our carnival and feel a personal responsibility for its execution and the enjoyment of everyone. Whether through volunteering, participating, or helping administrators and costume makers along the way I have always tried to have my hand in the production of Toronto’s carnival. This year, as the Face of the Festival (along with Joel “The Connector” Davis), I was blessed with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to officially represent the carnival in public and in mass media, and the honour was everything I could have asked for, as a support of our hometown festival. It all began with my application for the Face of the Festival competition, where I expressed my
Post a Comment
Read more

Carnival is for #everyBODY!

#everyBODYplayahmas is a body positive movement that showcases diversity in Caribbean carnivals. The body positivity movement is a social movement that seeks to promote acceptance and appreciation of all body types and sizes. The movement emphasizes the importance of self-love, self-care, and self-acceptance, regardless of physical appearance. In the context of Caribbean carnivals, which are vibrant celebrations of Caribbean culture and heritage, the body positivity movement can play an important role in promoting diversity and inclusivity. Caribbean carnivals are known for their colorful costumes, lively music, and energetic dancing, but they can also be a source of body shaming and exclusion for those who do not conform to traditional beauty standards. To showcase diversity in Caribbean carnivals, the body positivity movement can encourage people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds to participate in the festivities. This can be done by creating inclusive spaces where people can fee
Post a Comment
Read more

Masquerader Monday - 25.11.2019 | Shaquoia

I was born in Brooklyn New York 24 years ago and moved to Atlanta when I was 10 . My mother is from North Carolina and my dad is from Trinidad and Tabago . I'm a soca and afrobeat fanatic who loves to dance and sing EVERYWHERE and doesn’t care who is watching. Currently I work in the medical field as my 9-5 but I’m pursuing my dream in opening my store “Curved Essence” catered to providing trendy Affordable plus size clothing for all our lovely shapes . How and when did you first start playing mas?  * I started playing Mas in 2016 . I’ve always enjoyed watching people chip on the road to soca music adorned in the most beautiful bright colored costumes and feathers . There’s this electric feeling in the air of freedom and joy . No one cares who is watching they are honestly having the time of there lives . So I gathered my closest friends and hit the road , and since then I’ve played almost every year ! What carnival experience has been your
Post a Comment
Read more