Band of the year

The Brooklyn-based West Indian-American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), organizer of Caribbean Carnival Week in New York, has announced the winners of this year’s carnival. Sherzel Production emerged as the top band in the large bands category.

WIADCA also said that Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra (PESO) took the Panorama title among eight competing bands.

Sherzell Production copped the Band of the Year title with its portrayal of “Kaleidoscope: Festival of Colors” with 264 points. 

“I’ve been winning for the last seven years, but I came second last year because there were no categories because of COVID,” Band leader Trinidadian Sherzel Snell told Caribbean Life on Tuesday. 

Masqueraders from Sherzel Production. Photo by Nelson A. King

Stronjeh International, portraying “Tropical Bliss,” took the second spot, with 255 points.

In the Medium Bands category, Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA, Inc. emerged winners with “Watch Meh,” 260 points; 1199 Social Cultural Committee’s “Kaleidoscope: Dance of the Butterflies“ placed second, with 239 points; and Inspired by Zoe’s “The Lasting Warriors“ placed third, with 231 points.

Watch Meh Bloom Section in Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA, Inc. From left: Mayah, Rajon, and Soraya. Photo by Cerena Parkinson

In the Junior Carnival, for Small Bands, Platinum Kids Mas, portraying “Welcome to Shanghai,“ took the top spot, with 246 points; Sophie’s Window,  “An Asian Experience,“ placed second, with 233 points; and On Your Toes, “The 4 Elements,” placed third with 224 points.

In the Junior King category, Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA, Inc. won with Rayjon Vessup’s portrayal of “Illumination,“ 237 points; Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA, Inc. also took the second spot, with Kaden Arthur’s portrayal of “King Emperor,“ 235 points; and Sophie’s Window was third, with Elijah Telesford portraying “Loon Chinese New Year,“ 222 points.

For Junior Queen, it was all Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA, Inc.’s, with Anayah Parkinson, “Blossom,“ leading the way with 258 points; Madison Jones was second with “Talk Your Talk,“ 257 points; and Andadhai Vessup, “Glittering Light,“ third with 243 points.

Sherzel Production also took the top three prizes for Junior Female Individual: Peyton Samuel, “Paybreak”,   225 points; Sariah Phillips, “Sunset”, 220 points; and Mira Brathwaite, “Mirror Mirror,” 212 points.

For Junior Male Individual, Mas Productions Unlimited’s Zeta Thomas Simon, portraying  “Kromatic Kingdom,“ was the only announced winner, with 211 points.

Winner Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra (PESO) in action.Photo by Nelson A. King

PESO won Panorama with 278 points, Metro Steel Orchestra placed second with 275 points, and Philly Pan Stars took third with 274 points.

The other contenders were D’Radoes, with 270 points; Pan in Motion, with 267 points; Steel Sensation/Despers USA, with 263 points; and Harmony, with 244 points.

WIADCA said Pan in Motion was the People’s Choice Champions.

The New York Caribbean Carnival Week culminated on Monday, Labor Day, with the grand parade of masqueraders, with large and small costumes, displaying the culture of the Caribbean along a 3 ½-mile route on Eastern Parkway, a major thoroughfare, starting at Buffalo Avenue and ending at Grand Army Plaza and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

WIADCA said more than three million spectators, largely behind police barricades, were expected to view and celebrate 57 years of Caribbean culture, cuisine, programs, contribution, mas, steel band music, and much more.

At the beginning of the parade route, Trinidadian Simone Knutt said she was having the time of her life, playing “Gem“ with Sherzel Production’s “Kaleidoscope: A Festival of Colors.”

“I love it!“ exclaimed the East Flatbush, Brooklyn resident. “I grew up doing this. It brings me joy and happiness.

“All the kids bring out their culture,“ she added. “Let the music take over. Feeling great.”

Nearby, another Trinidadian, Shanel Clarence, played “Day Break“ with Sherzel Productions.

“It feels good,“ she said. “It’s part of my culture.”

With much pageantry and fanfare, WIADCA launched its 57th New York Carnival Week at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum on Aug. 15.

The elaborate ceremony, held under the theme “The Evolution,” featured, among other things, presentations from senior and junior masquerade bands, dance performances, cultural presentations, and speeches by local elected officials.

WIADCA said the carnival week was “powered by cultural partners“ – Brooklyn Museum, US Mas Bands Association, US Steelband Association, several local Carnival presenters, Black Star Entertainment, Gemini Productions/One Fete, Jay Upscale and more.

The carnival group also said the spectacle was partly supported by the City and State of New York, a host of elected officials, and corporate and media partners.

The Carnival Week kicked off at the Brooklyn Museum Grounds on Aug. 29, with Vibez w/Voicey the Graduation Tour by BlackStar Entertainment, featuring Kerwin Dubois, Nadia Batson, Ding Dong, Skinny Fabulous, Adam O, GBM Nutron, Boizie, Wadicks, Lyrikal, Ravi B, Mical Teja, Nylah Blackman, Pumpa, V’GHN, Jadel, Asa Banton and Rane Blackman, among others. 

On Friday, Socafest, by One Fete/Gemini Productions, featured Patrice Roberts, Mical Teja, Farmer Nappy, Christopher Martin, Nigy Boy, Pumpa, Raymond Ramnarine, Tallpree, Mr. Killa, Terra D Governor and A Team Band.

On Saturday, the Youth Fest and Junior Carnival Parade took place.

“Live entertainment provides an end-of-summer Caribbean talent showcase with the first-time inclusion of ‘Youth Fest 2024’, highlighting live performances by emerging talent,“ WIADCA said. 

On Saturday night, New York Panorama 2024 featured “the sweet sounds of steel,“ said WIADCA, as Metro Steel Orchestra sought to defend its title against some of New York’s renowned steel orchestras.

During Panorama, Trinidadian-born attorney Roger Archibald, the new WIADCA president, noted that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s government “did a good job in replacing vestiges of colonialism with the pan“ on the twin-island republic’s coat-of-arms (applause).

“We celebrate pan more than ever before,“ he said, stating that the Panorama was livestreamed in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, the United States, and Canada, among other places.

“Pan is the only instrument invented (by Trinidad and Tobago) this century,“ Archibald added. “And pan belongs to us.”