After almost two decades in the carnival business, the small masquerade band, Mas Productions Unlimited, hopes to make a larger indentation this Labor Day.
Wesley Millington, the band’s Vincentian-born designer and leader, told Caribbean Life that masqueraders will make a big difference, portraying “Seven Plus”, on the Parkway.
“The band looks good,” he said in an interview at the mas camp, at the basement of David’s Bakery, 3405 Ave. H, between 34th and 35th Streets in Brooklyn.
“If we get the numbers, it will be a nice show,” he added, disclosing that he was initially hesitant to go with the portrayal but subsequently conceded to the band’s president, Colin Liverpool, a lawyer, after conducting further research. Liverpool, he said, had proposed the title a year ago.
“I was reluctant to deal with the subject, but after researching it and ideas came to me, it grew on me,” the veteran mas man continued.
He said “Seven Plus” signifies the seven “deadly sins” and the three virtues. Millington said the “deadly sins” are greed, envy, gluttony, pride, anger, wrath and lust; while the virtues are faith, hope and charity.
Millington, who has been playing mas since a kid in his native St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said adults, predominantly females, will portray the “deadly sins”; while children will display the virtues.
He said he anticipates at least 15 masqueraders in each section, accounting about 135 altogether.
Millington said registration has been “picking up,” with “pride” already sold out. He expects registration to close a few days before Labor Day.
He said a contingent from the New York Belize Committee will complement the band, which turns 19 in December.
Over the years, Mas Productions Unlimited has picked up a few notable prizes, including Band of the Year in 2005 in the medium-size category, with “Garden Exotica”, and third place in the children’s category last year with “Psychodelic.”
Millington said a host of volunteers are working feverishly in enhancing this year’s production, adding that they play to work 24/7 in the last two weeks before Labor Day.
He lauded Don Mc Barnett, the owner of David’s Bakery, for providing the basement space, free of charge, for this year’s camp.
Millington can be reached at (718) 759-7766 or the band at (866) 627-2569.
