Cristopher Wilson (no costume) fl anked by masqueraders in Anonymous Mas’s “A Journey Around the World:
Tales of Africa.” Photo by Nelson A. King
Caribbean Life, Sept. 4-10, 2020 3
By Vinette K. Pryce
J’Ourvert revelers will not be
‘bringing in the dawn’ as usual.
“This year 2020 we have decided
to honor our heroes–essential workers
who have worked tirelessly at
the forefront of the battle with our
faceless enemy called coronavirus,”
Yvette Rennie, president of J’Ouvert
City International said.
On Labor Day – Sept. 7, the
organization acclaimed for hosting
the parade of Caribbean celebrants
dedicated to the late night into
early morning street ritual by creatively
parodying the idiosyncrasies
and propaganda related to politics,
pride, humor, music and newsworthy
aspects related to society will spotlight
the contributions of 15 essential
workers — representing nurses,
aides, homeless shelter advocates,
MTA workers and the Mayor’s Crisis
Management System.
Rennie wants to do more than
express gratitude to the dedicated
workers by clapping the way many
New Yorkers did at 7 pm.during the
peak of the pandemic, she would
like to dedicate the festivities to the
heroes and sheroes.
Along with stalwarts of the 36-yearold
Caribbean cultural organization
she wants everyone who abandoned
their comfort zone, ignored the shutin
orders — by working throughout
the worst episodes of the 2020
pandemic — to know that they are
appreciated.
She explained that throughout the
worst phase of the killer virus, fortitude
displayed by dedicated workers
became inspirational expressions to
pattern.
“We have seen them cry, we bear
witness to the battle scars of the
mask lines on their faces and yet they
have not given up,” she added.
By Nelson A. King
In lieu of the spectacular display
of carnival costumes and revelry
this Labor Day Monday in what
would have been the 53rd staging of
the spectacular West Indian American
Day Carnival parade, amid the
coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,
organizers are still promising a virtual
Caribbean Carnival extravaganza.
“We will not give in to COVID-
19,” vowed Trinidadian Angela Sealy,
Board chair and long-serving member
of the Brooklyn-based West Indian
American Day Carnival Association
(WIADCA), which usually hosts
five days of carnival events, culminating
with the massive parade on
Labor Day on Brooklyn’s Eastern
Parkway.
“We will celebrate our collective
heritage, our joy and creative expressions
in every way we can, safely,”
Sealy added.
Cecille Ford, another WIADCA
board member and Mas Committee
chair, said: “COVID-19 might have
slowed us down, but it’s not going to
stop our show.
“We’re here today to tell everyone
how this energy brought us to a new
era of presentation,” he added.
Last Friday, WIADCA presented a
virtual Youth Fest talent show, highlighting
young emerging artists.
This Friday, the carnival group
will host Brass Fest, a virtual “at
home’ jam featuring popular musical
ambassadors Kes the BAND; Tabou
Combo, celebrating their 52nd year
anniversary as Haiti’s premiere
Kompa band; Nailah Blackman, on
stage with Kes for the very first
time; and Trinidad and Tobago’s
Road March champ Iwer George,
among others.
On Monday, Sept. 7, WIADCA
opens with “One Love” New York
Carnival and a Virtual Road show, a
12-hour edition complete with live
DJ music, allowing masqueraders
to participate safely from home on
Zoom: https://www.ticketgateway.
com/nycarnivalvirtualroad.
All festivities end in a grand finale
on Sat., Sept. 26 with “Panology:
Origins,” a virtual steel band showcase
featuring soloists from around
the globe, and an educational journey.
In celebration of WIADCA’s 2020
theme, “Back to Love,” this year’s
virtual and community marshals
include members of the New York
Police Department (NYPD), “essentials”
from surrounding hospitals,
city agencies and young professionals;
WIADCA volunteers; and “other
notables.”
New York Carnival 2020 partners
are Lyft, Trinidad & Tobago Tourism
Co., Interfaith Hospital, Emblem
Health, TWU Local 100, Healthfirst,
Con Edison, Carpenter’s Union, UFT,
Flatbush BID, Sterling Bank, Caribbean
Life, BRIC, NYPD, Team Soca,
New York State Council on the Arts
and the Brooklyn Museum.
Calvin Collins – also known as
International DJ Spice, a WIADCA
Board Member and Entertainment
Committee co-chair – said: “We can’t
wait to get back in the streets carnival
style to feel the love again.”
“This year’s virtual events are an
exciting new way to celebrate and
promote the vibrancy of Caribbean
culture to New York City and beyond,
and we are thrilled to be a part of
them,” said Victoria Schneps, president
and publisher, Schneps Media,
and owner of Caribbean Life.
Yvette Rennie, president of
J’Ouvert City International.
Photo by Paul Martinka, File
WIADCA to host virtual
Caribbean Carnival
J’Ouvert
to honor
heroes
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