Wow, I can't believe that Labor Day Carnival is already on our door steps... this year is coming to a close very quickly for the many Carnival celebrations that we so love to attend. This one is the major Carnival event for North America and this year marks 46 years of Caribbean pride and culture as stated by WIADCA (the controlling organization for the festival).
Five grand days of festivities with the one and only Machel Montano with the HD crew in attendance (Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy and others). The Trinidadians are always well represented but with the recently concluded carnivals in St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados and Grenada the rest of the Caribbean islands will be well represented. Now don't forget about Haiti (a large following for Labor Day) Guyana and other regions that celebrated West Indian style carnivals.
The following information was sourced from the WIADCA website and presented here as a public service for those interested in what is planned for Brooklyn's Labor festival. Of course there are many shows/fetes planned by many of the major promoters from various islands for this period. check with the people you know or go to islandmix.com for information about planned events not listed on the WIADCA website.
Caribbean Woodstock
Thursday, August 29th. 2013
Time 8:00 pm - 1:00 pm.
This show features a little bit of everything with various musical styles and well known performers including Tallpree, Jeannie Sol, Adrian Dutchin, Statement Trinity, Problem Child, Ricky T and others and maybe some artists you never expected to see perform at this show.
Stay In School Youth Fest (This is a free event)
Friday, August 30th. 2013
Time 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
If you don't encourage the youth to participate you will surely lose the foundation for futre festivals. That is the reason WIADCA came up with this show to give the youth an opportunity to develop and show their talents.
Brass Fest
Friday, August 30th. 2013
Time 8:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
The name of this show is a little misleading. "Back in the day" Brass fest meant brass bands were in control and you will leave with a 'belly ful' of brss instrumentation music. That is not the case with this show. However, you will surely not be disappointed if you attend this show because Machel Montano and the HD crew along with Lyrikal and various artists and bands will perform for your listening pleasure.
Junior Carnival Parade/Competition
Saturday August 31st. 2013
Time 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
This is the time for the children to hit the streets and jump up and have a very good time. The young people put on their costumes and parade in their respective bands. The parade route begins on Kingston Avenue and St. John's Place and continues to Franklin Avenus and President street and concludes at the Brooklyn Musuem grounds. There is an admission fee of $2.00 to enter the Brooklyn Musuem grounds.
Panorama/ Panorama Steelband Competition
Saturday August 31st. 2013
Time 8:00 pm - 3:00 am
The Panorama competition is one that is followed by pan lovers all over the world. This competition features musical arrangements that rival some of the best from the Caribbean islands. Listed to perform/compete are the following bands: Pan Sonatas, CASYM, Crossfire, Pantonics, Adlib, Metro, Pan Fantasy, D’ Radoes, Despers and Eastside Symphony Orchestra
Dimanche Gras
Sunday, September 1st. 2013
7:00 pm - 1:00 am
This show takes place on Sunday night (Dimanche of course) and leads up to the J'ouvert celebrations. THe winners of the Panorama competition and the King and Queen of the bands will perform along with King David Rudder, Calypso Rose and others.
Fete/J'ouvert Celebrations
Monday September 2nd. 2013
1:00 am to 10:00 am
Brooklyn will be alive all night on Sunday Sept 1 into Monday Sept 2. Everywhere you turn there will be limes and fetes taking place. After the Dimanche Gras show people will join some of the many fetes taking place or they may 'take ah lime' with the steel bands or many j'ouvert bands preparing to hit the road for the Monday morning parade. This is a really fun time indeed!
Parade of the Bands/Caribbean Pride & Culture on Display
Monday, September 2nd. 2013
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
If you have never seen a 'sea of humanity' then come to the parade on Eastern Parkway on Labor Day. It is something you will always remember. Every Caribbean island is represented along with Guyana, Haiti and even Central America!
