9 BRONX WEEKLY December 8, 2019 www.BXTimes.com
ENTERTAINMENT, B RONX & B ROOK LYN S T Y LE – A DV E RTI S E M E NT
Braata Productions ‘Old Time Grand Market’ Returns For Two Shows Only, Dec. 14 & 15, Nyc
NEW YORK, NY. Thursday,
November 21, 2019-- Christmas is
a time of year when we celebrate
our cultures and traditions. And
where else to celebrate those
heartwarming traditions, if not
at the gran’ market?
Well, get ready for a celebration
of ‘Christmas in the Caribbean’,
here in New York City, on
December 14 & 15.
Braata Productions will once
again offer New Yorkers an exciting
and colorful taste of a traditional
Caribbean Christmas,
when it presents its annual Old
Time Grand Market celebration
at two venues in the city.
First up, will be the Harry
Truman High School auditorium,
located in Co-op City,
Bronx, on Saturday, December
14. The vendor’s market will
‘open for business’ at 5:30 pm, followed
by the concert segment at
7:00 pm.
Folks in Queens, Manhattan
and Staten Island, will get their
sampling of the annual yuletide
traditions a day later on Sunday,
December 15, at The Park
Church Coop, 129 Russel Street,
in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
The vendor’s grand market
will open at 3:30 pm, to be followed
by the Christmas concert
at 5:00 pm.
Seeped in holiday traditions,
‘Grand Market’ – is a one stop offering
of music, food, craft vendors
and numerous activities for
children and families, in an atmosphere
of merriment and merchandizing.
However, by including
performers and participants
from the Caribbean, Braata has
dramatically expanded the appeal
and the audience for the
event, over the past six year.
“Ole time gran’ market is
important to help keep the Caribbean
holiday traditions and
practices alive among our people,
so we don’t forget where our
traditions started and how they
make us feel”, offered Andrew
Clarke, who will celebrate his
seventh season as producer of
the annual event.
Sharing the main stage with
the Braata Folks Singers this
year, will be The Batingua Arts
Ensemble, representing Trinidad
& Tobago and the nationally
acclaimed balladeer and recording
artiste, Pluto Shervington,
from Kingston, Jamaica.
Though a largely Jamaican
tradition at Christmas time,
‘Ole Time Grand Market’ incorporates
the wider Caribbean
Diaspora and encourages broadbased
support, evidenced by its
growth and success over the
years.
“When we started in 2013,
we had no idea how we would be
received. The spirit of the traditional
Caribbean Christmas was
fading somewhat in New York,
and we thought this would evoke
a bit of nostalgia for some and
be a source of cultural education
for others”, offered Clarke,
who conceived the traditional
(Braata) folk and culture ensemble
in 2009.
Vendors participating in this
family friendly event, will be
selling everything from food and
craft items to toys and Christmas
specialties. Patrons and especially
first generation Jamaicans
will be taken back in time
to the days of pound, shilling
and pence (national currency),
artifacts including clothes iron,
chimmey (bed pan), and displays
of holiday treats like black cake,
punch a crème and sorrel, that
make Christmas time, a holiday
like no other.
The Jonkanoo Parade is sure
to raise the level of awe and excitement
across all age groups
while browsing thru’ the marketplace!
“It’s a collaborative with a
number of cultural groups, restaurants
and key stakeholders
who see the need to keep our culture
vibrant and expose it to our
younger generation, who are not
so familiar.”
This year’s community partners
are Team Jamaica Bickle
(TJB) and the Jamaica Progressive
League (JPL).
Tickets for both shows are
available on the Braata Productions
website and at select Caribbean
outlets in the boroughs.
Tickets are $25 pre-sold, $30 at
the door and $20 for seniors and
students with ID, at the door.
For tickets and information,
call (917) 668.2209. See also www.
braataproductions.org .
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