Inside “Savage Paradise”: Kaios & Phoenix Prepare for New York Carnival 2013

Weeks before New York Carnival reached Eastern Parkway, “Savage Paradise” was still taking shape inside a Brooklyn mas camp.

In August 2013, Chandelle “Chandy” De Riggs visited the camp to meet the people preparing the presentation and get a closer look at the costumes ahead of Labor Day.

The 2013 Carnival season connected Kaios International and Phoenix International through the same portrayal, “Savage Paradise,” as both bands prepared for the West Indian American Day Carnival. Carnival listings named Mark McClean and Heather Greenidge as the leaders of Kaios International and Hayden John and Gussy as the leaders of Phoenix International.

Watch “Savage Paradise” Inside the Mas Camp

Chandelle “Chandy” De Riggs hosted the Julianspromos coverage, while Julian C. Hackett shot and edited the footage.

What Was “Savage Paradise”?

For Kaios International, the inspiration came directly from the energy of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013.

Co-band leader Heather Greenidge described a Carnival atmosphere where people were letting themselves go and celebrating with uninhibited energy. That feeling became the foundation for “Savage Paradise.”

The costumes reflected the idea through an earthy, jungle-influenced look while still using a broad spectrum of Carnival colors.

The two words worked together naturally.

“Savage” represented the wild energy and freedom of Carnival.

“Paradise” represented the color, beauty and celebration surrounding it.

Phoenix International & Kaios International

“Savage Paradise” appeared under both Phoenix International and Kaios International Mas Band for the 2013 New York Carnival season.

Phoenix International was led by Hayden John, with Gussy as co-band leader, while Kaios International was led by Mark McClean, with Heather Greenidge as co-band leader.

That shared presentation brought the two names into the same Carnival story as preparations continued across Brooklyn.

By August, the focus was on finishing costumes, organizing masqueraders and getting ready for the road.

Kaios Was Growing Fast

The 2013 season represented a major increase in size for Kaios.

In 2012, the band had about 150 masqueraders and competed in the Small Band category.

For 2013, organizers expected roughly 300 masqueraders, moving Kaios into the Large Band category.

Doubling a Carnival band in a single season changes almost everything.

More costumes have to be produced.

More masqueraders need to be organized.

Sections become larger.

And the demands on the mas camp increase as Labor Day gets closer.

For Kaios, “Savage Paradise” arrived during exactly that kind of growth.

Keeping Mas Accessible

Kaios also placed strong emphasis on making Carnival participation affordable.

The organization had grown from a group of friends, several of whom were designers, who wanted people to be able to enjoy mas without costume prices becoming unreachable.

In 2013, adult costumes started at about $180, while children's costumes began around $60. Much of the costume work was being done directly within the group.

The goal extended beyond Adult Carnival.

Kaios organizers also spoke about keeping children connected to Caribbean culture through Junior Carnival, family events and activities outside the main Carnival season.

That community focus was as much a part of the band as feathers, stones and music.

Inside the Mas Camp

A mas camp looks very different from the finished presentation spectators eventually see on Eastern Parkway.

Costumes are still being assembled.

Decorative pieces are being attached.

Designs are being adjusted.

Masqueraders are coming in and out.

And the people behind the band are working against the Labor Day countdown.

Chandy's visit took place during that part of the season, when “Savage Paradise” was still becoming a road band.

The finished spectacle was only a few weeks away.

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From the Mas Camp to Eastern Parkway

The West Indian American Day Carnival took over Eastern Parkway on September 2, 2013.

For Kaios International, the move into the Large Band category ended with a strong result.

Ramajay Mas won the Adult Large Band category, Sesame Flyers finished second, and Kaios International placed third with “Savage Paradise.”

That was an impressive step for a band that had competed with about half as many masqueraders only a year earlier.

The months of design, costume production and preparation inside the mas camp had become a full presentation on the road.

A Bigger Year for Kaios

The third-place finish gave Kaios a strong conclusion to a season built around expansion.

The band had moved from roughly 150 masqueraders to an expected 300.

It had stepped from the Small Band field into the Large Band competition.

And “Savage Paradise” gave the group a theme that connected the freedom of Carnival with the colorful visual style of New York mas.

What began inside the Brooklyn camp eventually became one of the top three large-band presentations of New York Carnival 2013.

Julianspromos Coverage

Chandelle “Chandy” De Riggs hosted the 2013 Julianspromos visit to the “Savage Paradise” mas camp.

Julian C. Hackett shot and edited the footage, which was uploaded on August 17, 2013.

Together with the five photos from the camp, the video follows “Savage Paradise” during the final weeks before Carnival — costumes being prepared, a growing band getting organized and Eastern Parkway getting closer.

A few weeks later, Kaios International would take the presentation onto the road and finish third in the Adult Large Band competition.