Calvin Sennon, the Trinidadian-born founder of Taste of Canarsie, Celebrate Canarsie, and Mas in Canarsie, says Saturday’s launch of Mas in Canarsie was “a celebration of culture, community, and connection.”
“It was very successful,” Sennon, who owns TriniJam BK, on Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie, Brooklyn, with his Jamaican-born wife, Latoya, told Caribbean Life on Tuesday, Aug. 5. “It was a good feeling to see the community come out – to represent the modern culture Canarsie has.
“Growing up in Canarsie, I’ve always believed this neighborhood was more than just a place on the map — it’s a living, breathing community full of resilience, creativity, and culture,” he added. “That belief led to the creation of Taste of Canarsie and Celebrate Canarsie — events built from the ground up to bring people together through food, music, and unity.
“Now, through Mas in Canarsie, we’ve reached a new milestone in that journey,” continued Sennon, stating that Mas in Canarsie, in partnership with Visit Canarsie and TriniJam BK, is “more than just a weekend street festival.
“It’s an encapsulation of everything we’ve been working toward — a vibrant, open-air celebration of our community’s Caribbean roots, artistic talent, and entrepreneurial spirit,” he said.
Taking place as part of NYC Open Streets every Saturday and Sunday in August along 95th St., Mas in Canarsie offers “a safe space where families can enjoy live music, cultural arts, local food, and a renewed sense of belonging.”
He said what moves him most is “the overwhelming support from the Canarsie community.
“Each week, I witness neighbors, elders, youth, and small businesses show up — not just to attend, but to invest in the future of our neighborhood,” Sennon said. “As someone who grew up here — and is now raising a family here alongside my partner, Latoya, who also calls Canarsie home — it fills me with pride to help build something rooted in love, culture, and purpose.”
He said they created this space “to highlight the beauty of Canarsie that’s too often overlooked.
“From steelpan rhythms to handmade crafts, from doubles to dancehall, every element of Mas in Canarsie tells a story — a story of home, heritage, and hope,” Sennon said.
“Canarsie is alive with talent, tradition, and untapped potential,” he added. “And, together, we’re not just celebrating it — we’re elevating it,” he said.
