Continued from Page 53
for the past 11 years, said each
section will comprise 45-50
masqueraders.
She said masqueraders come
from various countries “due
to our section leaders who
are from different parts of the
globe.” She did not identify
them.
“Preparation has been going
very well, due to the great help
from our wonderful friends
and family,” she said, adding
that masqueraders “can expect
great vibes on the road, great
food, and great music and outstanding
costumes.”
Masqueraders will also sway
to “various DJs, alongside with
a phenomenal rhythm section
on the road,” Legall Williams
said.
The mas camp is located at
1145 Eastern Parkway, between
Utica and Rochester avenues.
Legall Williams can be
reached at (347) 774-3043;
email: Anonymousmas18@
gmail.com; and Instagram:
Anonymousvibezmas.
‘Regalia Is’ for Labor Day Carnival Valerie Rodway Centenary
The St. Maarten-born Connor
founded the band in 2016
with Trinidadian Akin Ross.
Connor said “Regalia Is”
comprises eight sections,
including Goddess: The Classical
Mode; The age of Napoleon
Empire; La belle epoque
beautiful; Heavenly Bodies;
Comme de Garcon Art of the
in-between; Punk: Chaos to
Couture; and The House of
Chane.
He said seven of the sections
have “a male option,” with up
to 100 masqueraders in each
section.
“We’ve been doing mas for
over 11 years, working with
many other bands, and we
decided to bring our own with
a different flavor and twists to
the culture,” Connor said.
“The West Indian American
Day Parade has changed over
the years,” he added. “So, I
hope our performance is based
on the energy of the band; so
that means having pretty costumes
is just the beginning,
but having amazing DJs is the
winning part.”
Connor said the band’s performance,
since its formation,
“has been good.”
“In the Adult and Kids categories,
we have placed 2nd
for large band and play 2nd for
Kids large band,” he said.
“When playing with Stronjeh,
we offer breakfast, and
there’s a location for them
(masqueraders) to come and
get their make-up done, body
paint,” he added. “And then, we
go up the road, where we get
the best music on a road, and
more drinks and food.”
Connor described the mas
team at Stronjey as “amazing,”
stating that band members
“help out in every way
they could.”
“I so appreciate them,” he
said. “We’re are a big, old family
here.”
Masqueraders will sway to
the beat of DJs Freeze, Fresh
and Patty, Connor said.
The gallery (mas camp) is
located at 1259 Ralph Ave.,
Brooklyn.
Connor can be reached at
(718) 759-8655 or on email at
stronjeh@gmail.com.
Caribbean L 54 ife, Aug. 23, 2019 BQ
Jamaican Jenaye Jackson
portrays “Comme de Garcon.”
Photo by Nelson A. King
Continued from Page 53
Carleekha Grant portrays “Tales of Africa” designed by
Double Trouble Productions, comprising Tasian Edwards
and Dayna Gomes. Photo by Nelson A. King
rehearsal, that he was honored
to be directing the historic production,
and reliving the composer’s
music, especially for the
younger generation.
“I want young people to hear
the music of Guyana. They
don’t know anything about
Valerie Rodway, so I want to add
some fullness to the music so
they can enjoy it,” said Blackmore,
who has been directing
for more than 40 years.
Adding a bit of “rap” into the
song ‘Glory” a favorite, for inclusivity
of youth, while bringing it
into the 21st century is just one
element of the production.
“The audience will enjoy the
concert, because they will sing
along. This is where we’re going
to take this music, this is history
at its best,” assured Backmore.
Piano instructor, Edgar
Henry, praised Rodway who
composed national songs, “Oh
Beautiful Guyana” “Hymn for
Guyana’s Children ‘Arise Guyana’,
and others. He said he was
elated to relive the extraordinary
music of Rodway, who was
among greats, such as Lynette
Dolphin, and his former music
teacher Marian Simon.
Henry will honor the late
phenomenal composer with a
poem that speaks to her life
and works. “I will be accompanied
by pianist Dennis Kaden,
and saxophonist, Flantis,” said
Henry, who reminisced that
Rodway’s composition, “Guyana
the Free,” was not selected
as Guyana’s National Anthem,
as intended, but noted, “Oh
Beautiful Guyana” became just
as popular.
“She was an educator, before
becoming a music teacher. She
was extraordinary, a maestro
in her own right deserving of
this honor. I hope many people
come out to hear Valarie Rodway’s
music. She would have
been 100 years if she were alive.
She born on Feb. 12, 1919,” he
shared.
Kisore Seunarine, actor,
writer, whose daughter will play
the Indian Tabla and harmonium,
is honored that he was
asked to bring a new element
to Rodway’s works to the production.
Continued from Page 53
CARNIVAL HERITAGE
Jayda Stewart portrays “Tazi
Hava” designed by Abbiegail
Silow Ashley.
Photo by Nelson A. King
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