Where did the summer go? That's what we are asking ourselves
right about now. It seems that only yesterday it was Memorial
Day and now here we are at Labor Day Weekend!! You could almost
say that summer whizzed through on roller blades!! Wow!
Of course, for most New Yorkers, Labor Day Weekend brings one our
favorite cultural events - the three-day celebration of West Indian
Culture, topped off by that fantastic West Indian Day Parade! And
if you've never had the experience of partying on the Parkway
(Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY, that is) you've missed the thrill
of a lifetime.
I was speaking to a friend who had relocated to Delaware from NYC,
after having moved from the Bronx, who is heading home to "jump
up!" and check out the Pans for Pan-o-Rama.
The Pans are the steel drums that originated in Trinidad. They
were made from the oil drums that were washed ashore during WWII.
They had been used to refuel planes and ships, but were now
left as litter on their beachfront.
Leave it to Black folk to take garbage and turn it into
something useful and functional. But who ever thought of making
it into musical instruments - of course our Trinnie geniuses did -
and now, there are steel drum orchestras (or pans) that compete to
see who can come up with the most melodious concerts ever, while the
audience and judges are dancing in their seats, the aisles and
anywhere else they can find space.
The three days leading up to Monday, September 7, will truly make
you a nocturnal animal, because, like typical party people, they
don't start until after 9:00 PM and finish around 3:00AM - with
people still ready to go to after parties. The pre-parade
events take place on the Brooklyn Museum Grounds - but you have to
order tickets
By the way, the Theme for 2015 is ONE CARIBBEAN, ONE PEOPLE, ONE
VOICE! The theme is reflective of the Caribbean countries that
are represented in the parade, and include Trinidad and Tobago,
Jamaica, Haiti, Barbados, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent,
Grenada, Guyana, Barbuda, Panama, Suriname, Belize, among others. The Calypsonians are the best of the performers from al over the
Caribbean -and they come to regale the audience with the latest, and
most popular calypso songs, dance and music. They follow in the
tradition of The Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchner and others. And
they're from all over the Caribbean map. Did I mention the food? Bakes, rice 'n peas, or peas 'n
rice, curried anything you want - goat, chicken, beef; jerk anything
you want - goat, beef, chicken, fish; mauby, sorrel, ginger beer -
I'm just naming my favorites - you have to do your own exploration.
And, of course, there is a parade for the little people called the
Junior Carnival - where the children have their own costumes and
participate in a pint sized version of what there parents do. That
is called keeping the tradition alive from generation to generation.
Plus they're absolutely adorable!! By the time the actual parade starts on Labor Day - usually
11:00AM - most participants haven't been to bed - just a quick run
home, change into costume, and come back out to make that long,
melodious trek down Eastern Parkway. And don't worry about not
hearing the music - with megaton trucks, sporting speakers that can
be heard for miles, you'll quickly be caught up in the rhythm - if
not, you're either made of stone, you have no pulse, or "you
done dead already!"
Of course there's the political component - a breakfast where all
the candidates and wannabes show up to pay tribute to the
Caribbean/American culture that is the Blackbone of Brooklyn. It
has become such a huge affair one has to make reservations - and, if
the event is full - and it always is - you have to be content with
standing on the sidelines, and being in proximity of the prominent
elected officials who show up to greet the parade goers.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, and her mom, former City Council
Representative Una Clarke have their roots in Jamaica, as does the
late, great Shirley Chisholm (unbossed and unbought), first Black
woman elected to Congress from NYC, and first Black woman to run for
President. (By the way, did I mention that both Congresswomen. Clarke and Chisholm are Deltas?)
City Council representative, Matthieu Eugene, is originally
from Haiti, and the first Haitian elected to public office in NYC. A
great many elected officials have Caribbean roots, and work
diligently on issues of immigration, equality, education, while
simultaneously supporting continued respect for their cultural
heritage.
Yvette Clarke, US Congress
Una Clarke, Former City Council Rep
The Late Shirley Chisholm Former US. Congressmember/Presidential Candidate
Now, I didn't mean to go off on a tangent about the West Indian
Day Parade - but I do want to credit the late Carlos Lezama, and his
daughter Yolanda Lezama-Clarke for keeping the tradition going. And,
of course, all the members of WIADCA for their diligence and devotion
for continuing to make this the hallmark of the summer season.
The Late Carolos Lezama
But
it would not be anything without community support - and when you
figure that 1.5 million people line up on the Parkway to watch and
cheer; with another 5+ million watching world wide, there is obvious
a lot of love and support for this event (including yours truly -
the first thing I did when I moved back to New York from California
on August 30, 1984, was make sure that I was at the Parade the
following weekend. I had totally missed it during the 9 years I
was on the West Coast).
Brooklynite and Mayor Bill DeBlasio and Son at Parade 2014
Whether you've got any Caribbean heritage or not, you will by the
time you attend the parade. There is absolutely no way that you
can sit there with all those wonderful costumes - all original hand
made designs; all those dancers, and that great music, and not be
affected.
On the day of the event there are food vendors lined up along the
Parkway, along with souvenirs; you will not starve, and you will
definitely go home with some token of the day's festivities. By
the time the parade ends at 6:00PM, and the crowds disperse, there
are generally other private side parties to go to throughout the
Crown Heights-Flatbush communities; so, if you have any energy left,
check them out as well.
The West Indian Day Parade is not only the biggest, longest, and
greatest parade in the US, it is also the most creative and
inventive. Costumes as tall as 15 to 20 feet, as long as 20 to 30
feet, are all original designs, hand made, no mechanics whatsoever -
sometimes groups in the community get together and do it; sometimes
individuals design their own costumes. There is not a repeat or
a copycat in the house. I am always blown away at what they
come up with - feathers, beads, spangles, sparkles, wires, hoops,
wheels of all sizes, glue, tape, needle and thread - and recycled
what ever! The results? Spectacular!! - Every one of them
deserves a prize!
I have long been an
advocate for a museum to house all the wonderful costumes that come
out of this magnificent parade. There should have long ago been
something in tribute to the ingenuity and the cooperative efforts of
the community who work tirelessly to bring this one week end to
fruition. I've seen some costumes that put some of the greatest
artists to shame, and were created in the basement of a home in Crown
Heights. It boggles the mind why there hasn't been funds set
aside or allocated to bringing a museum and a center for the
Caribbean Culture in NYC (BROOKLYN) into reality.
This the 48th year of this marvelous celebration of our people of
African Heritage - Caribbean brothers and sisters who melded their
African Ancestry with their lives in the West Indies, and transformed
it into something magical for the world to see, participate in,
enjoy, and benefit from. Some of the events for this week end include: 9/4: Stay In School Concert and College Fair 10:00AM Brass Fest 9/5: Junior Carnival Parade - 9:00AM - 3:00PM Panorama 8:00M-3:00AM 9/6: Dimanche Gras (Great Sunday) (featuring the Mighty Sparrow
& David Rudder)7:00PM - 1:00AM 9/7: The "New York Caribbean Carnival Parade" a/k/a THE WEST INDIAN DAY PARADE 11:00AM - 6:00PM
(GET YOUR CAMERAS READY!!)
That said, get ready to PARTY ON THE PARKWAY, Monday, September 7
- 2015 Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson NEW YORK CITY: If you are in a 500 mile radius of New York City, or at the epicenter of Brooklyn, NY, you know what time it is. If it's Labor Day, it's the West Indian Day Parade on Eastern Parkway! And every year the costumes - which are all hand made, original designs - are more breath taking than ever. If you every want to see Black creativity and ingenuity at its finest, check out our Parade. And, yes, though I'm not originally of Caribbean heritage, I am of African heritage, as are all ECLECTICALLY BLACK people, so I claim this parade as much as my Caribbean brothers and sisters do. This is their 46th year of presenting the parade, which was started by the late, great Carlos Lazama (originally from Trinidad), carried forward by his daughter, Yolanda Lazama-Clark; and now in the capable hands of Thomas Bailey, newly elected president of WIADCA, the organization that puts this monumental undertaking together every year. I hear so much griping about the crowds - but just think, where would we be without that wonderful parade? Pretty damned bored, I think. I'd rather be in the crowd of people who are happy and celebrating their heritage, than sitting at some dry picnic; or watching the boob tube on Labor Day.
Lord knows I love our pans (steel drums to the uninitiated) - a symbol of total ingenuity if there ever was one. They originated from abandoned oil drums that were left on the shores, and were transformed into the most amazing musical instruments. So, if nothing else, you want to be there for the battle of the pans. I could listen to them play forever.
So, get up and jump up! The parade is coming - and three nights leading into the parade at the Brooklyn Museum there will be festivities, commencing Thursday, August 29, through Monday, September 2.
Wonderful Display of our African and Caribbean Heritage at the West Indian Day Parade
These celebrations, listed below, are for night owls like me and the rest of the Caribbean, culminate with the largest Caribbean Carnival Parade in the US on Labor Day Monday, September 2nd . There will be over "40 costumed bands, scores of colorful floats, millions of jubilant
spectators and supporters from around the world converge on Eastern Parkway that
is fully lined with hundreds of food stalls selling mouth watering
cuisine from around the world to satisfy every taste (from Schenectady
Ave to Grand Army Plaza) from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
At Brooklyn Museum grounds
Tickets available online at www.wiadcacarnival.org; WIADCA office 718-467-1797 or at Museum gate.
Thursday, August 29th: 8:00pm – 1:00am – Caribbean Woodstock This WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL boasts Caribbean entertainers in a
wonderful mix of costume, competition, Steelpan, and musicians
performing ZOUK, LATIN, HIP HOP, KOMPA, SOCA and REGGAE! Performers
include Tallpree, Jeannie Sol, Adrian Dutchin, Statement, Trinity, Problem Child, Ricky T and many more! Friday, August 30th: 10:00am-2:00pm – Stay in School Youth Fest -FREE! WIADCA presents this performance opportunity to encourage youth to pursue education and develop their talents.8:00pm- 3:00am – Brass Fest: Featuring multi-award-winning Soca artist, Machel Montano HD along
with Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts. Also performing is Lyrikal,
Brooklyn’s Willie Villegas Salsa Band, St. Lucia’s Teddyson John, &
TJ Project, Pumpa, Boodoo Singh Tassa Drummers. Hosted by MC Wassy,
Giselle “D” Wassi One, all guaranteed to electrify the audience with
sizzling high energy performances. Saturday, Aug 31st: 8:00am- 3:00pm – Junior Carnival Parade & Competition Thousands of children and families enjoy music and “jump-up” while competing in their own costume parade. Route
begins at corner of Kingston Avenue & St. John’s Place continues to
Franklin Avenue & President Street ending at the Brooklyn Museum
grounds.$2 admission at Museum gate. 8:00pm- 3:00am –Panorama Steelband Competition: A night of PAN, PAN, PANORAMA!This year for pan lovers, WIADCA presents a special appearance by New York University’s NYU Steel Orchestra
and competing will be Pan Sonatas, CASYM, Crossfire, Pantonics, Adlib,
Metro, Pan Fantasy, D’ Radoes, Despers and Eastside Symphony Orchestra.
Get ready to lock in your vote! Sunday, September 1st: 7:00pm- 1:00am – Dimanche Gras An encore presentation featuring Panorama and King & Queen
costume winners, and live performances by King David Rudder singing Hammer, High Mas’ & Trini to de Bone, the legendary Calypso Rose performing Tempo & Fire Fire, Lil’ Devyn, Swallow singing Fire in de Backseat,
Lima Calbio, and more! Highlights include three of the world’s top
Steelpan virtuosos appearing for the first time in the US in an on-stage
showdown – Robert Greenidge, Andy Narrell and Liam Teague will duel for
the “BEST OF THE EAST” title.
Monday, September 2nd
Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
11:00am-6:00pm – West Indian Carnival Day Parade 2013 – Caribbean Pride & Culture This multi-cultural, Caribbean Carnival extravaganza led by Brooklyn
Borough President Marty Markowitz and other Grand Marshals, is the
ultimate expression of Caribbean Pride and Culture .
Known as NYC’s “Greatest Show on Earth”, this colorful Parade of
costumed revelers and millions of spectators enjoy music, camaraderie,
fun, food and family as they “JUMP-UP” to the scintillating sounds of
Soca, Reggae, Salsa, Zouk, Kompa and Calypso! We invite you to come on down, enjoy, dance or take a “wine”.
PHILADELPHIA, PA: THE TONY WILLIAMS SCHOLARSHIP JAZZ FESTIVAL: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS! For those of you who are in the Philadelphia, there is an equally auspicious event taking place over the next four (4) days: THE TONY WILLIAMS SCHOLARSHIP JAZZ FESTIVAL, which kicks off Friday, August 30 and goes through Monday, September 2 (Labor Day).
This is jazz Saxophonist, Tony Williams 20+ year of presenting this wonderful event, which features the great, and near great in Jazz and is held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, near the Philadelphia Airport, 9000 Bartram Ave. in Philly (215) 365-4500.
TONY WILLIAMS Jazz Saxophonist
BILL COSBY and the REUNION BAND
"The Tony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festivalis endorsed, supported and promoted by the Council Of Jazz Advocates and BDG Enterprises. This 23rd annual Tony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festival is sponsored and coodinated to provide college scholarships to selected students that have studied music and particpated in programs through the Mount Airy Cultural Center, Inc.in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mount Airy Cultural Center, Inc. is a progam and agency that evolved from other programsTony Williams spearheaded, founded and led.This program is grounded from a 50 year grass root initiative to use the music genre of jazz to build esteem and provide extended outlets to youth to enrich their inner soul, intellect and creativity through music. "The Tony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festival is all about the young people." -Tony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festival Committee.
You can also call (302) 562-3706 to getTony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festival information (or see preliminary schedule below.
You can catch the individual sets each evening for$20.00 each; Sunday will be a special presentation of Bill Cosby and the Reunion Band ($40.00) or you can opt to go for the whole package, which is $125.00. There is even a package deal if you decide you want to hang at the Embassy Suites for the four days, which will include all the before and after parties and receptions. www.tonywilliamsjazzfestival.org to see the line-up, schedule of activities and information.
Either way, not only are you getting the finest in original Black music, but you're helping to underwrite scholarships for African American students who want to pursue a career in Jazz. Now it doesn't get any better than that.
Finish it up on Labor Day at LaRose Jazz Club 5531 Germantown Ave. for a Blue Monday Jam. (215) 844-5818.
For reservations and additional information, call (215) 248-4415 (Verna); (302) 562-3706 (Greg); or (215) 753-0232 (Thelma). The 2013 Tony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festival is ready to roll!!
Schedule of Events and Artists at Tony Williams Jazz Festival for Scholarships(1)
Schedule of Events and Artists at Tony Williams Jazz Festival for Scholarships (2)
Actually, since Philly and
Brooklyn are right down the road, you can check on the jazz on one
night, and get back to New York in time to jump up on the Parkway as
well. And since both cultures originate from our own ECLECTICALLY BLACK
genius, you'll be having the best of both worlds! So Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
