TANA's Fete Picks 2024
As requested, below is a list of my fete recommendations for this short Carnival season as a few people wanted guidance on which promoters and artistes to bless up. Probably should have started doing this list thing earlier….like 5 years ago. Will make this an annual post, hopefully before tickets start selling.
Before I do let me just provide the following disclaimers:
1. These recommendations are based on my experiences and are in no way, shape or form an endorsement of any particular fete, in other words, I doh want to hear nothing if the fete is “lall”.
2. It’s based on fetes I've either been to or have heard good things about. Until allyuh start sending me money I can’t be at every fete.
3. I receive no compensation from any promoters either monetary or in any other form such as tickets, food or in flesh.
4. Yes there is inherent bias because it's my opinion and won't cover every single fete or “get together” across the island, so rest meh with the "wah bout fetes in South or East or Narnia" comments.
5. Doh blame me for the prices. I didn’t come up with them and nobody forcing you to pay dem either. So keep them comments to yourself, please and thanks.
If you’re too lazy to read then here is the list of my 2024 fete picks (** means the ones you may or could definitely see me at):
TOP PICKS
**Undercover
Bishops
**Crunch Brunch All-inclusive
**Fete With The Saints (CIC)
**Fete Royal (QRC)
Fatima All-inclusive
**Fete Nation Cooler
**Army Fete
**Farmhouse
**PINKnicTT
Soaka Street Festival
**Soca Brunch All-inclusive
HONOURABLE MENTION
French Toast
PREStige All-inclusive
Soaka Till Sunrise Cooler Fete
JAM Nation
Black 2 Blue
Here’s a brief synopsis of each pick:
Undercover Cooler, Drew Manor, Santa Cruz ($400) - reasonably priced eco-friendly fete that was previously at the Undercover nurseries. The fete has a laid back, mellow, familiar, lime kinda feel. So if yuh looking for big flag, netted tights and sweaty back, this ain't it.
Bishop's Cooler, Bishop’s school ($475) – I believe this food-inclusive cooler fete replaced the school’s all-inclusive fete a couple years ago. I’ve never been but I’ve heard good things. Yuh hear what I said?? “food inclusive” cooler fete garcon!!
Crunch Brunch All-inclusive, Normandie ($550) – apparently this fete making it’s return this year (according to them). Return from where I have no clue because I never heard of it. This fete was originally supposed to be at Samaan Estate, St. Clair but the residents decided they are the enemies of fun. Also, there may be a hospital near there.
Fete With The Saints, CIC grounds ($1500) – well this is the gold standard of fetes in T&T. Allyuh should know by now that I am a proud CIC alumnus but that has nothing to do with this. This fete is easily the top premium all-inclusive, not just among school fetes, out of all the fetes. Thing is tickets in advance are harder to come by than a red man with a beard who not horning. Although, there are always enterprising individuals outside making markets in second hand ticket sales (read as scalpers)…again I not endorsing them fellas hustle.
Fete Royal (QRC), QRC grounds ($1100) – I generally try to support the efforts of all school fundraising fetes. I haven’t been to this fete in the longest while but might give them a look this year. The last time I was turned off by the availability of horse meat. How allyuh go geera Mr Ed.???
Fatima All-inclusive, Fatima school ($1300) – I’ve had mixed experiences at this fete with the good generally outweighing the bad. This is probably the pick of the fetes that weekend, that and STINK & DUTTY J’Ouvert (which I never went to but looks like pure debauchery…I approve)
Fete Nation Cooler, Fatima grounds ($250) – this is a new event. It’s a massive cooler fete being put on by St. Francois, Fatima and CIC alumni committees….clearly the sisters at the Convent schools not into supporting wine and jam.
Army Fete, Queen’s Park Savannah ($500) – this fete takes the title for ultimate value for money. Early bird tickets were $300 and for that price you getting to see every single artist of note for the season. Plus you get to experience gyal in frilly panties and netted tights, big flag, sweaty back and as they say it is the safest fete in d world.
Farm House Cooler – The Soca Garden, Chaguaramas Boardwalk (US$81) – as you can see this one priced in foreign currency so you know Brooklyn go be well represented. This fete is like a massive reunion the Thursday before Carnival for all them freshwater who now fly een and tusty to do a conga line in a fete. It’s a cooler fete so once yuh have yuh crew and enough rum yuh should be fine.
PINKnicTT Pretty in Pink All-inclusive, Fatima grounds (US$130) – I’ve never been to this fete but it comes highly recommended…although the recommenders are the ones selling the tickets so I go take that with a huge grain of sea salt.
Soaka Street Festival, Serpentine Road ($800) on Carnival Sunday morning is an epic experience...if you could get committee members to respond to your ticket requests that is. Funny how they does advertise tickets for sale and then act like they don't want to sell them.....well maybe they not on selling to me. lol
Soca Brunch All-inclusive, U-Pick Chaguaramas ($1000) – the food and drinks are excellent. The DJ was meh last year but then again all the DJs drag the flag in 2023.
TANA