WIADCA launches Caribbean Carnival 2019
Caribbean L BQ ife, Aug. 23, 2019 3
By Nelson A. King
With performances and displays by
dance troupes, stilt dancers, a steel pan
ensemble, soca artistes and costume
bands, among others, the Brooklynbased
West Indian American Day Carnival
Association (WIADCA) last Thursday
evening kicked off its 2019 Caribbean
Carnival at the Brooklyn Children’s
Museum.
Hundreds of Caribbean nationals
attended the spectacular event, which
WIADCA also used to present a long list
of awards to 2018 Ole Mas Characters/
Ole Mas Bands; Adult Male and Female
Characters; and Junior Male and Female
Characters.
Among the recipients were Roy
Pierre and Associates, who, as in previous
years, placed first for the 2018 Ole
Mas Character.
“I thank you for being here this
evening,” said Dr. Jean Joseph, WIADCA’s
Dominican-born, the newly-elected
president, in her remarks. “Your
support of our West Indian American
Day Carnival Association is most appreciated;
and it is because of you (why) we
are still standing today. Give yourselves
a round of applause!
“As we celebrate 52 years of community
service, Caribbean cultural stewardship
and youth development, we
are reminded that shaping our communities
to reflect all of us is very
important,” added Joseph, a certified
public accountant (CPA), who replaced
Jamaican Dr. Leonie Pierce, who was
not re-elected after serving for only
one year. The overwhelming number of
WIADCA’s board members are Trinidadian
born.
“We are a year-round, non-profit
organization, made up of 90 percent
volunteers, who work very hard with
our community and our partners to
keep culture alive through pop-up programs,
mas, wire bending and pan
workshops, immigration forums, etc.
— all of which have been supported by
many of our city agencies and government
entities, and we thank you for
that,” Joseph continued. “We strive to be
a beacon of change, where we embrace,
promote and celebrate all aspects of
Caribbean heritage and expect all to do
the same.
“We take pride in demonstrating our
commitment by creating opportunities,
business and entrepreneurism for many
in New York City, New York State and
this great Borough of Brooklyn,” she
said. This is our legacy for the generations
to come. I look forward to another
52 years with this great Caribbean institution,
with your help.”
Performers at the launching ceremony
included: Tropical Fete Stilt Dancers;
WIADCA Youth Steel Pan Ensemble;
N.O.W. Productions; Roxboro Police
Youth Club of Tobago; Diverse Legends;
Diamond Entertainment for Kids;
Kaios Kids; soca artiste Camille King,
who carries the sobriquet “Milli-K”;
De Royce; Million Dolla Capo; Stronjah
International; and Sesame Flyers.
Joseph said, “much to the delight
of paying patrons, WIADCA has put
together a cast of headline performers
from around the Caribbean” during the
five-day spectacle, culminating with
the grand carnival parade, on Labor
Day Monday, on Brooklyn’s Eastern
Parkway.
“The formula of four nights of concerts
at the massive Brooklyn Museum
outdoor stage and two street parades
– one for children (and) the other for
adults – remains the same,” she said.
The nightly pre-parade shows comprise:
Reggae, Afro Beats, Soca…Unda
Di Stars with headliners Ding Dong
and Wayne Wonder (Thurs., Aug. 29);
Brassfest, featuring Kes, Patrice Roberts,
Farmer Nappy and Skinny Fabulous
(Fri., Aug. 30); Steelpan Panorama,
featuring more than 10 steel orchestras
(Sat., Aug. 31); and Dimanche Gras, featuring,
Calypso Rose, GBM Nutron, Tallpree
and Lavaman; Kings and Queens
of the Bands, Individual and Ole Mas
Costume presentations; and Panorama
2019 winners – all on Sun., Sept 1.
Joseph said Public Advocate
Jumaanne Williams and City Councilmember
Mathieu Eugene, among
others, will serve as Parade Grand Marshals
this year.
WIADCA President, Jean Joseph addresses the launching of West Indian
American Day Carnival. Photo by Nelson A. King
From left: Trinidadian soca artiste, Camille King, who carries the sobriquet “Milli-K”, entertains audience at the carnival launching ceremony. Members
of the WIADCA Steel Pan Ensemble perform during the carnival launch at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Tropical Fete Stilt Dancers perform at the
carnival launch. Photos by Nelson A. King