Jared McCallister for The New York Daily News.
Under the theme, “One Caribbean, One People, One Voice,” the 49th annual New York Caribbean Carnival kicks off in Brooklyn Thursday with four days of music-filled shows and a procession of young masqueraders before climaxing on Labor Day with the carnival parade along Eastern Parkway, all presented by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.
This year’s carnival grand marshals include City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito; Guyana Consul General Barbara Atherly; Barbados U.N. Ambassador Keith (Tony) Marshall; and Conrad Ifill, president and CEO of Conrad’s Famous Bakery.
These VIPs are expected to be joined by officials from the Caribbean Tourism Organization, members of the Caribbean Consular Corps, the Caribbean Community of nations (CARICOM), several corporate sponsors and others.
And for the second year, WIADCA will have three young VIPs – three, community-involved pre-teens – as grand marshals for the youngsters’ Junior Parade on Sept. 3. This year’s young grand marshals are Henry Olisa (aka DJ H2O) Egypt Ify Ufele, CEO of the Chubiiline Bully Chasers organization and Jaheim Fraser from the Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy.
Pre-parade events take place on the Brooklyn Museum grounds, 1000 Eastern Parkway at Washington Ave., unless otherwise noted.
Thursday:“Reggae Unda Di Stars” concert , featuring Third World, Luciano, Christopher Martin and Romain Virgo.
Friday: WIADCA’s annual Stay In School Concert and College Fair at 11 a.m., followed by the Brassfest concert, starring KES The Band, Roy Cape All Stars, Outta Limitz, Farmer Nappy, Blaxx, Ricardo Drue, Lyrikal and others.
Saturday: Junior Carnival of costumed youngsters and teen takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The parade’s starting point — St. Johns Place, between Kingston and Brooklyn Aves., near the home of the late Carlos Lezama, former West Indian American Day Carnival president and co-founder of the Brooklyn carnival.
The procession travels west on St. Johns Place to Franklin Ave.; south on Franklin Ave. to President St., and then west on President St. to the Brooklyn Museum Grounds at Washington Ave.
The anticipated Steelband Panorama competition takes place at 8 p.m.. The contest features the ADLIB, CASYM, the Crossfire Steel Orchestra, D’Radoes, Despers USA, the Harmony Steel Orchestra, METRO, Pantonic, Pan Sonatas, and Steel Xplosion.
Next Sunday, Sept 4: The Dimanche Gras show, with amazing costumes competing for King and Queen of the Bands honors, calypso music and performances by David Rudder, Natasha Wilson, Gryner, the Boodoosingh Tassa Drummers, and Something Positive’s traditional carnival characters.
Labor Day Monday, Sept 5: The 46th annual New York Caribbean Carnival Parade travels west on Eastern Parkway from Schenectady Ave. to Washington Ave. in Brooklyn, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A procession of mas band and floats move along the parade route, which is lined with spectators and scores of vendors selling Caribbean food and beverages, arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry and other items.
For tickets and information on the pre-carnival parade events, visitwww.wiadca.com and click the red “Buy Tickets” tab.
