Branches & Associates presents ‘Enchanted Garden’ for Labor Day

Branches & Associates will be presenting “Enchanted Garden” this Labor Day, hoping to repeat its performance in snatching last year’s “Band of the Year” title for Adult Bands with Sesame Flyers.

“We want the masqueraders to free up themselves and have a good time,” Co-Band Leader Samantha Black, who was born in Brooklyn to Trinidadian parents, told Caribbean Life in an interview at the mas camp on East 98th Street, near Legion Street, in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. 

“We are all one family,” added Black about the band that comprises five Adult sections, with about 25 masqueraders in each section. 

The sections are: Innocent, Colors, Pink Butterfly, Mystical and Green Ferry.

As he worked on a costume, the other band leader, Trinidadian Edwin Worrell, said: “This is my love. I’m very passionate about my culture, mas.

“Last year, we tied with a big, big band [Sesame Flyers],” he said. “So, this year, we’re just out there to have fun. We’re coming out to big up New York.

“We’re not in this for joke,” added Worrell, disclosing that the day of the interview, last Thursday, was his 60th  Birthday. “We just love to enjoy ourselves.”

Black said: “Hopefully, we’ll do the same thing like last year [repeat the Band of the Year title].” 

She said masqueraders in the medium-sized band will sway to the soca beats of DJ Master Mix.

The mas camp is located at 396 East, 98th Street, Brooklyn. 

Black can be reached at (347) 440-1276 and Worrell at (347) 582-7888.