WIADCA releases Carnival Week roster
The Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), organizer of the annual massive Carnival Parade on Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway, on Sunday released the roster for Carnival Week, starting on Thursday, Sept. 1.
“Starting with our first partner event, ‘Vibes w/Voicey Concert’, last year was nice, so we bring it back twice,” said WIADCA in a statement. “New York Carnival Week continues with several events for all ages like Island 2 Island, Youth Fest & Junior Carnival Parade, Pan in A Minor, Paintopia and Amnesia that feature cultural ambassadors representing the Caribbean. “Join us in the ‘BIG YARD’, safe, lots of vibes and easy to get to.
“Carnival Monday, we hit di road,” WIADCA added. “Costumes, valid registrations and permits according to all rules and ‘regs’ are a must to participate, with safety and covid ‘mask-up’ measures as priority.”
WIADCA said, this year, its cultural partners/presenters are “working tirelessly to bring the pageantry of authentic Caribbean Carnival back to the road.”
It said participating 2022 carnival bands/cultural leaders presenting an array of costumed masterpieces.
They include: Freaks Mas’, Sesame Flyers International, Sky Maxx Mas’, Afro Kreyol, Antoine International, Caribbeing, Banboche, Mango Tree Mas’ Adult, New Horizon, Creole Jam, Branches & Associates Band, Suga Candy Mas’, D’ Midas International, Insomnia Mas’ Productions, Mas’ Productions, Kaisokah Moko Jumbies, Sherzel Productions, Platinum Kids Mas’, Stronjeh International Kids and Gemz Kidz.
Except for the Labor Day Carnival Parade, all events take place on the Brooklyn Museum grounds.
They comprise: Thursday, Sept. 1 – Vibes w/Voicey: The Concert Tour | 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.; Friday, Sept. 2 – Island 2 Island | 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., an explosion of live performances from your favorite soca artists and DJs backed by a live band; Saturday, Sept. 3 – Junior Carnival Parade | 9:00 a.m., route starts at St. John’s Place and Kingston Avenue; International Youth Fest 2022 | 10:00 a.m., Junior Parade of the Bands; and Pan in A Minor ‘With a Minor Change’ | 7:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m., musical feast of rhythmic melodies over the sweet sounds of steel, concert style, with steel bands led by some of New York’s renowned pan virtuosos.
Other events are: Sunday, Sept. 4 – Paintopia | 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., presented in partnership Icebox, Miami Dream Team, Red Antz Miami Jouvert BlackStar Entertainment, New York Carnival; Amnesia Day Party | 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. featuring an all-DJ cast, good food, plenty vibes; and Monday, Sept. 5 – New York Carnival Parade 2022| 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Eastern Parkway Cultural Row.
“This year our return to the parkway inspires us to continue the cultural work on behalf of our community, city, state and partners,” said Michelle Gibbs-Francis, WIADCA Guyanese-born chair. “Without them, the mas’ and pan groups especially, we would not be here today.
“Our losses were tough, but we stood stronger together to overcome by providing for others and producing several impactful community programs for youth, adults and seniors,” she added. “As for our COVID protocols, we have several guidelines in place to verify vaccination and temperature checks.”
