| Brooklyn Gets Infused With West Indian Soul |
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West Indian American Day CarnivalAugust 30-September 3, 2007 in Brooklyncall 718-467-1797 for tickets and info wiadca.org  Wild dancing, colorful costumes, Caribbean rhythms--it's Carnival!  The crowds at the West Indian Day Parade are hot, sweaty, and full of Caribbean soul  The participants at Dimanche Gras vie for the title of Carnival King and Queen with their outrageous costumes The five-day festival features a number of events, with a different special happening each night of its duration. While celebrating the vibrant culture of the Caribbean nations, this year's festival is making a special effort to include the Hispanic community in the festivities. There will be plenty of food to taste on Carnival Day. All of Eastern Parkway will be host to various dishes from nearly every Caribbean island. Stands lined up along the service roads sell jerk chicken, chicken stew, fried chicken, beef stew, oxtail, rice and peas, salad, macaroni pie, fried flying fish, curry goat, roti, callaloo, souse, salt fish, fried bake, coconut bread, and so much more. No alcohol though, sorry! Here's a hint gained from experience--be sure not to wear clothes that you want to keep clean. Besides the stains you'll probably get from the delicious jerk chicken juice dribbling down your chin, the festivities tend to include powder, paint and dye throwing--so the attendees come out looking almost as colorful as the participants! Find more information, schedules, and tickets, head to wiadca.org. Schedule of Events: Thursday, Aug. 30 - 7 pm to 1 am Ladies Nite Tickets: $20 advance, $25 door at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway) An all-night party featuring the "Divas of the Caribbean"--including FayAnn Lyons, Lima Calibo, Patrice Roberts, Essence, Mauricia, Michelle Sylvester, Ms. Alysha, Twiggy and more. The event is hosted by MC's Jemma Jordon, Susan Kennedy, and Christine Andrews. Experience the best in West Indian music, dance, and women at Ladies Nite! ---Friday, Aug. 31 - 8 pm to 2 am Brass Fest Tickets: $45 advance, $40 door at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway) Dance all night to the Caribbean rhythms of Soca and Calypso at Brass Fest! Performeers include Machel Montano HD, Traffik, Sherwyn Winchester, Mr. Vybe, Lyrikal, DJ Red Man and DJ Spice. Earlier in the day, from 1-4 pm, a free stay-in-school cultural education event takes place. Suitable for the whole family--it features hip hop dance, steel bands, karate and a fashion show. --- Saturday, Sep. 1 - 9 am to 3 pm Junior Carnival Tickets:Free Assembles at 8 am at Kingston Avenue along St. John's Place to Franklin Avenue, then heads south to President Street into the Brooklyn Museum grounds (at Washington Avenue) for a kid's costume competition. West Indian youth assemble for their own fun-filled march down Eastern Parkway. Experience the culture with the many different clothes, costumes and children from different Caribbean nations. --- 2006 Steel Drum Champions CASYM defend their titles at Panorama Panorama Tickets: $30 advance, $35 door at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway) Get those feet moving at "Panorama" -- The Steel Panorama competition begins at 8pm on Saturday evening with at least 10 Steel Orchestras vying for the $20,000 dollar first prize as the 2006 champs - CASYM defends their title. Doors open at 6 pm and showtime is from 8 pm to 2 am. ---Saturday, Sep. 2 - 7 pm to 1 am Dimanche Gras Tickets: $30 advance, $35 door at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway) A special Dimanche Gras program for the 40th anniversary awaits thousands of loyal patrons - many who have been attending the Museum concerts from the very beginning. The creativity of the costume designers never cease to delight amidst the glitter and sparkle of the spectacular creations of scores of Kings and Queens parading on stage to capture the coveted title of King and Queen of Carnival 2007. Feel the energy of MC's Wassy, Jemma Jordan and Godrey Jack--plus performances by The Mighty Sparrow, David Rudder, Crazy, Scrunter, Swallow and much more. Other guest performaces include Sunshine Band and DJ One Plus. ---Saturday, Sep. 3 - 8 am to 6 pm Labor Day Carnival 2007 Tickets: Free Assembles at Utica Ave. and Eastern Pkwy. at 8 am  Join in the celebration of cutural diversity among the Carribean community at the 30th Annual Labor Day Carnival. Be a part of this specticular event--there will be costume bands, masqueraders, moko jumbies, floats, food and so much more excitement from the West Indies. At 9:30 am, the Kings and Queens will march, without their bands, from the Brooklyn Museum grounds to Utica Ave. where they will join up with their respective bands. The parade festivities last until late afternoon, and tends to fizzle out gradually as the route continues down Flatbush Ave. Ext. |
