ENTERTAINMENT
New York Children Carnival participant. WIADCA/Corazon/File
Caribbean Life, AUGUST 13-19, 2021 25
By Nelson A. King
Stating that New York City is experiencing
a “rebirth like no other,”
after a year of COVID-19 lockdowns
and restrictions, the Brooklyn-based
West Indian American Day Carnival
Association (WIADCA) on Tuesday
announced the launch of “The
Rebirth of New York Carnival 2021.”
The organization, the host of arguably
the largest carnival parade in
North America, said in a statement
that it did not let the city-wide lockdown
in 2020 and early 2021 stop it
from celebrating Caribbean culture.
“We were flexible with our programming
this past year and focused
more on helping our community
through our WIADCA Cares programs,”
said Michelle Gibbs-Francis,
WIADCA chairperson. “As we transition
through the COVID-19 pandemic,
we are seeing a rebirth of NYC and
our organizational purposes reflected
in our week-long events for Carnival
2021.”
She said New York’s Caribbean
Carnival is “a culmination of culture,
food, artistry, music, costumes and
energy that comes from the hearts
and souls of the community.”
Gibbs-Francis said WIADCA
will host various events throughout
Brooklyn, in-person and virtually,
including NY Carnival Welcome
Back, Youth Fest, Steel Pan Jamboree
and other celebrations “that will
be co-sponsored with friends of the
organization.”
She said all events will either be
in-person or virtually, stating that
Continued on Page 26
Wyclef Jean arrives at the 42nd
American Music Awards in Los Angeles,
California Nov. 23, 2014. REUTERS/
Danny Moloshok/File
By Nelson A. King
Mayor Bill de Blasio, music industry
legend Clive Davis, and Live Nation
and NYCEDC chair, Danny Meyer have
announced the all-star lineup set to
perform at the “We Love NYC: The
Homecoming Concert.”
The event, produced by New York
City, Clive Davis and Live Nation, will
take place on the Great Lawn in Central
Park on Saturday, Aug. 21.
“This historic, once-in-a-generation
Continued on Page 26
By Tangerine Clarke
Despite a surge in the new Delta variant
of the coronavirus, Cheryl DB Murphy,
founder/president of the Jersey City
West Indian/Caribbean Carnival Association,
Inc. staged, the grand Finale “21
Carnival Season Keys to the Rhythm
12-hour Grand Marshal Carnival Roaming
Relay,” to celebrate the event’s 26th
anniversary.
Murphy, a tireless promoter of the
diverse culture in Jersey City, said the JC
Statewide Carnival was magical. “We were
able to celebrate 26 years “Building Community
Together” keeping our Carnival
traditions, the spirit, people, energy, and
revelry, with everyone being safe in the
midst of the pandemic.
The Grand Marshall Carnival Relay,
throughout the state of New Jersey from
Continued on Page 26
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Homecoming
Concert
Carnival spirit
fills the air
CARNIVAL
REBIRTH
WIADCA celebrates Caribbean culture
/ENTERTAINMENT