The Board of Directors of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) on Friday announced “World Stage 2023” New York Carnival Week, Thursday, Aug. 31 to Monday, Sept. 4, with live TV broadcast on Labor Day on ABC Channel 7 and WPIX 11, and “esteemed” Grand Marshals.
Kicking off at the Brooklyn Museum Grounds., 200 Eastern Parkway, the week features the return of WIADCA’s signature Junior Carnival Parade | YouthFest and Panorama Steelband Competition, Saturday, Sept. 2.
On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, WIADCA presents its 56th Annual New York Carnival Parade 2023 on Eastern Parkway.
WIADCA said this year’s highlights include Con Edison celebrating its big bicentennial (200 years) and its ongoing commitment to leading New York’s Clean Energy Transition; Banboche Mas presenting “Heritage” and celebrating four years at New York Carnival as the only Haitian-American costume band on Eastern Parkway; Big Boy Productions supports NY Mas cultural conglomerate, Samba de Brazil-Samba Dancers; and NYPD Youth Explorers – Caribbean Flag presentation.
New York Carnival 2023 Grand Marshals are: Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke; Richard Davis – President, TWU Local 100; Ann-Marie Adamson – AVP, Community and Corporate Engagement, EmblemHealth; George Gresham, president, 1199SEIU; Michael Joseph, Harmony Music Makers founder, steelband music instructor and cultural practitioner; Kay Mason, cultural practitioner; and Jewel Alexis-Josey, Junior Carnival presenter.
WIADCA said New York Carnival Week 2023 is supported in part by sponsors: National Grid, Con Edison, EmblemHealth, MetroPlus Health, Spectrum, TWU Local100, New York State Nurses Association, Chase Bank, and 1199SEIU.
Community partners are: Gilead Sciences, Carpenter’s Union, Altice USA, Interfaith Medical Center, UFT, Affinity by Molina, PUMA NYC, Moulin Rouge, Episcopal Health Services, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences, Carib Beer, VISA/Remitley, Allan’s Bakery, Charlie’s Records, Brooklyn Museum, Bedessee Imports Inc., Fit4Dance, Brooklyn NAACP, NYSCA, DCA, DYCD, NYPD, FDNY, DOS, NY Parks, Offices of the Brooklyn DA and Brooklyn Borough Presiden.
Media partners are: Sound Chat Radio, Caribbean Life, BRIC TV, WPIX 11, ABC and WIADCA Media Influencer Team members Tamara Ivey, Aisha “Glitteratie” Diori, Shani Pascal, Lola Pierre, Crystal Cooper and Leela Seelal.
Events
SATURDAY, Sept 2: YOUTH FEST 2023 | Junior Carnival Parade | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., featuring Junior Grand Marshal Jewel Alexis-Josey.
“Watch as our youth celebrate Caribbean heritage through their Carnival regalia depicting many characters and themes,” WIADCA said.
“Live entertainment provides an end of summer Caribbean talent showcase with the first-time inclusion of ‘YOUTH FEST 2023’, highlighting live performances by emerging talent,” it added.
Participating Junior Bands: Sesame Carnival, Kaisokah Mas, Queendom Mas, Stronjeh International (Kids), Jump Up Productions and Golden Dancerettes Dance School.
PANORAMA 2023 | 7:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.: The return of PANORAMA features “the sweet sounds of steel with some of New York’s renowned orchestra,” such as Despers USA, Metro Steel Orchestra, Steel Sensation, Pan in Motion, Eruption Steel Orchestra, Harmony Steel Orchestra, Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra, D’ Radoes, CASYM Steel Orchestra and Philadelphia Pan Stars.
MONDAY, Sept. 5 | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.:
WIADCA and Carnival Bandleaders present “an array of costumed masterpieces.”
Participating Adult Bands include: Sesame Carnival, Banboche Mas, Antoine International, Branches Mas, Suga Candy Mas, Big Boy Productions, Sky Maxx Mas, D’Midas International NY, and 1199SEIU.
Two weeks before, WIADCA officially kicked-off its Carnival Week at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
Hundreds – including Mayor Eric Adams and other elected officials, carnival lovers and masqueraders — witnessed the ceremony.
The spectacle featured costumed and steel bands, dancers and artistes, among others, during the three-hour-long ceremony.
Artiste Eddy Charles, “all the way from Trinidad and Tobago”, and the Ghanian band, Wazumbians, made their debut.
Monet Movement Productions: The Collective mesmerized the effervescent crowd with myriad dance moves; and masqueraders dazzled with colorful and well-designed costumes, unmistakably putting spectators in Labor Day Carnival mood.
On full display, and swaying and wining to soca vibes from a DJ, masqueraders included: Inspired by Zoe (“Enchanted Garden”); Kaison Moko Jumbies; Branches; New Horizon; Antoine International; Sesame Flyers; and Skymxx.
There were also “Jab Jab” and other revelers from J’Ouvert City International, as well as Metro Steel and Harmony Steel orchestras. Yvette Rennie, the Trinidadian-born president of J’Ouvert City International, attended the extravagant show and briefly addressed patrons.
Mayor Adams showed up almost at kick-off’s end, urging “this parade [on Labor Day] to be tremendously successful” and disclosing that his office is “this close to have the parade televised on two television stations.” He didn’t identify them at the time.
Congresswoman Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, through her district director, Anita Taylor, thanked WIADCA for its “ceaseless support and commitment to always step-up for our community.”
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, said he was “just excited” for the carnival festivities amid the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Hip Hop.
“Let’s celebrate,” he urged. “Raise yo’ flag; peace and blessings.”
Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, the son of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn, and a representative for Councilwoman Farah Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, who represents the 45th Council District, also in Brooklyn, were among other elected officials who attended or sent representatives.
