Carnival ICON Magazine Series: Tales Beyond the Bacchanal
Featuring Melissa Liu, aka Carnival Belle
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CGH: Who is Carnival Belle, and what's the significance of this moniker?
Melissa: "I'm 'carnivalBELLE' because I love the beauty of carnival. I'm passionate about Caribbean Carnivals and living a balanced lifestyle. I enjoy travelling the world while promoting festivals and culture. My goal is to inspire women to experience carnivals in different countries and embrace the celebration of love, life, diversity, and inclusiveness."
CGH: Love it! You truly embody the spirit of Carnival Belle. Would you consider yourself a Carnival Chaser, and if so, why?
Melissa: "Yes! I'm a Carnival Chaser. I enjoy experiencing different carnivals, especially in different countries. Carnivals around the world offer a rich culture and diversity that may be found in food, music, and other ways in which people express themselves, such as dance and dress. And one way to immerse into this experience is to chase carnivals."
CGH: That's so true! Chasing carnivals is all about immersing yourself in the culture and revelry. List your top 3 Carnival Destination territories and why. Feel free to add a ones-to-watch response as well.
Melissa: "Trinidad – The carnival season in Trinidad is an excellent all-rounder as it relates to Caribbean Carnivals. There is a wide range of fetes and selection of carnival mas bands for both J'ouvert and pretty mas. Trinidad Carnival also consists of two days of carnival parades, so there are more opportunities to feel the euphoria of crossing the stage. Jamaica – Jamaica is home for me. Carnival in Jamaica is where I get to fete and play mas with most of my friends and family. Cayman – Carnival in Grand Cayman, specifically Caymas, is literally easy breezy for me. It's a short parade along Seven Mile Beach and it's family-friendly. Ones-To-Watch: Notting Hill Carnival – NHC can be tough to navigate, but it's packed with worldwide culture in addition to sound systems and traditional Caribbean mas bands."
CGH: Great choices! Now, what are your top 3 Carnival Do's?
Melissa: "Book any and all services with Carnival Glam Hub. My favourite CGH package is the full glam (makeup, hair, photography, breakfast, shuttle). Try on your full costume as soon as you get it. This way you'll know if you need to make any changes. It will also give you an opportunity to admire your selection and get acquainted with it. Wear comfortable shoes on the road. For most carnivals, the day is long, and the weather is hot! You will not want to have to worry about your footwear."
CGH: Excellent advice! And what about your Top 3 Carnival Don'ts?
Melissa: "Don't skip breakfast. If fatigue doesn't get the best of you, the alcohol will! Don't be late. Arrive on time for your Carnival Glam Hub appointment and plan way ahead to meet your band before crossing the stage. Don't let one small thing ruin your experience. And yes, it is almost always a small thing."
CGH: Wise words! Are we going to mention that people should ditch their wings after the road? Because that's an unspoken truth. Finally, what's a quote you live by?
Melissa: "Shine bright like a diamond". Because you, yes YOU!, are a CARNIVAL QUEEN! – See you on the road!
CGH: Thanks for sharing your Carnival spirit with us, Melissa!
As we wrap up our first issue of Carnival ICON, we're thrilled to have had Melissa Liu, aka Carnival Belle, share her passion and expertise with us. From her love of Caribbean Carnivals to her top tips for chasing carnivals around the world, Melissa's energy and enthusiasm are infectious. Be sure to follow her adventures at @carnivalbelle and get inspired to plan your next carnival destination!
Coming up next...
We're excited to announce our upcoming interviews with some of the most influential figures in the Carnival scene!
Dania Duntin: As one of the rising faces of Carnival and a big-time Carnival Model, Dania will share her journey to the top and her favourite carnival experiences.
Chris Choreo: This talented female dancer has taken the carnival scene by storm with her energetic performances and band launch appearances. She'll share her secrets on how to perfect your carnival moves and get the most out of your carnival experience.
Hoppy Hopkinson: As the founder of Scorch and a big-time carnival promoter, Hoppy will reveal the secrets behind his successful events and how he's contributing to the growth of the carnival industry.
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