In NYC’s efforts to reduce crime that takes place annual at various pre-labor day events, the cops were out in full force. Parties that normally last until 5 in the morning were being shut down at 2am, and yearly rituals were being stopped by police enforcement. So during the pre-labor day festivities the overall feeling was “this does not feel like Labor Day in Brooklyn”. With that attitude many still went out in large numbers to the Labor Day parade to attempt to salvage what they can from the weekend.

Labor Day Monday arrives and people prepare to make up for the past few days. Masqueraders and Non-Masqueraders prepared themselves to have fun on the parkway and get on bad. Although all attendees went with the same intention to have fun, the crowd definitely left with mix reviews. Many Masqueraders and families said that the parade was great, and went off with out of hitch. They appreciated the extra police that came out, and the great job that the police did at keeping non masqueraders out of the parade. Many said that this years Labor Day felt safer and ran smoother then previous years.

For those same reasons the parade was not received well by younger crowds and non-masqueraders. Typically every year bands are stormed by attendees who want to jump up without paying their fees. This year that was difficult if not impossible to achieve. Police were everywhere stopping parade goers from hopping over the barricades and getting on the parkway. This left many, who annually storm bands, to sit back and join the crowd as spectators. Many also noted that the amount of people that attended this year could not compare to previous years.

Many were left wondering was Labor Day 2k8 a hit or miss? Who is to say? All attendees experienced the same parade, with the same changes that took place and all with different feelings. I guess your opinion would be based on your goal to either get on bad or enjoy the parade with family. Let’s see what labor Day 2k9 has in store for us…

-Written by V. Farnum

-Photography by Sean James, Joel Stewart

In NYC’s efforts to reduce crime that takes place annual at various pre-labor day events, the cops were out in full force. Parties that normally last until 5 in the morning were being shut down at 2am, and yearly rituals were being stopped by police enforcement. So during the pre-labor day festivities the overall feeling was “this does not feel like Labor Day in Brooklyn”. With that attitude many still went out in large numbers to the Labor Day parade to attempt to salvage what they can from the weekend.

Labor Day Monday arrives and people prepare to make up for the past few days. Masqueraders and Non-Masqueraders prepared themselves to have fun on the parkway and get on bad. Although all attendees went with the same intention to have fun, the crowd definitely left with mix reviews. Many Masqueraders and families said that the parade was great, and went off with out of hitch. They appreciated the extra police that came out, and the great job that the police did at keeping non masqueraders out of the parade. Many said that this years Labor Day felt safer and ran smoother then previous years.

For those same reasons the parade was not received well by younger crowds and non-masqueraders. Typically every year bands are stormed by attendees who want to jump up without paying their fees. This year that was difficult if not impossible to achieve. Police were everywhere stopping parade goers from hopping over the barricades and getting on the parkway. This left many, who annually storm bands, to sit back and join the crowd as spectators. Many also noted that the amount of people that attended this year could not compare to previous years.

Many were left wondering was Labor Day 2k8 a hit or miss? Who is to say? All attendees experienced the same parade, with the same changes that took place and all with different feelings. I guess your opinion would be based on your goal to either get on bad or enjoy the parade with family. Let’s see what labor Day 2k9 has in store for us…

-Written by V. Farnum

-Photography by Sean James, Joel Stewart

1. Brooklyn is the borough……

How many of you know that New York’s Carnival wasn’t always on the Parkway. Initially our festivities took place in Harlem. Over the time the streets became too small many West Indian’s migrated to Brooklyn, hence the Carnival was moved to Eastern Parkway. With that said I’ve come up with my first reason why the Parkway is better than Trinidad the diversity in people. No other (Carnival) place on earth can accommodate a diversity of people in love peace and unity. I’m not talking about just skin, color, creed or class; I’m talking about a variety of Caribbean and non-Caribbean Nations on one street parading their pride. Where can you see Haitian trucks, Panamanian, Kittitian, Vincentian, Jamaican, Dominican and all of the Caribbean displaying their patriotism showing each and everyone they too know how to party and get on bad? Trinidad maybe the mother of Carnival, but New York is the Father of a Diverse Carnival. Together mother and father have given birth to Carnival pride in each and every one of us.

2. Pizza, and Jerk Chicken anyone. . . . . .

Where else can I get pizza, jerk chicken, and curry chicken, and falafel all on the same strip? Yes, you guessed it NEW YORK CITY!!!! Not only are we diverse with our trucks we are also diverse with our food. New York City is the Mecca of cultural diffusion. I bet you can’t get that in Trinidad– a Bagel with Salt fish –someone tell me where else you can get that.

3. Did you see me on television………

International coverage of the most attended festival in New York City. I love New York for the various media coverage that can be seen by so many satellites around the world. Trinidad only has coverage throughout the Caribbean and if I’m lucky I might see myself on BET.

4. Security Please…..

No other place has the safest, tightest security only NYPD. NYPD is so secure that if you miss your band on Rutland road please know that you have to walk through the crowds on Utica and Eastern Parkway and ask someone to allow you to jump over a barricade, it doesn’t get safer than that.

5. Metro card……

Now if you are too tired to walk all the way home why not swipe a ride on the NYC MTA faster and safer than a Maxi Taxi and takes you where you need to go. MTA takes you almost everywhere with hardly a hassle of waiting on a packed van to take you to your destination. Air Conditioned carts, seats to sit, space to stand, and you can breath without feeling like your suffocating. Think back in Trinidad being jam up in a maxi and you wishing there was AC, and if the AC is on its so pack you can barely feel it.

6. Cool Temps…..

Nothing beats playing mas with sweet sun and nice cool temperatures. I can honestly say when I’m done playing mas in New York I don’t feel that sweaty sticky nasty feeling. I know in Trinidad when you play mas you’re so hot, thirsty, and down right tired just from the sun beating on your precious skin. Labor Day the only way you sweating is from jumping around.

7. Cheaper, Buy the dozen….

Ok! So New York doesn’t have all inclusive sections like Trinidad (goodie bag, security, port-a-potty etc) but we have mas that in some cases look better than Trinidad for far more cheaper a price. Some cases New York mas makes you feel happy you spent no more than $250 so you can buy your metro card to go to work, and pay your rent (remember Labor Day is the first day of the month).

Carnival is bacchanal and I hope I made enough bacchanal with this article. Yes we always hear the same line “oh nothing beats Trinidad mas”, or “I’m not going on the Parkway- Parkway not what it use to be”. For all those who believe the Parkway is so bad why do we keep coming out by the millions, (the number of attendees never decrease they always increase)? We know nothing can compare to mas at home but for those of us who can’t make it home Labor Day is as good as it gets.

-Written By Chandy

- Photography by Sean James

More Carnival photos:

Borokeete held their band pre launch on July 4^th at Elements in New York. They teased those who attended with a little taste by showing two well designed costumes. This pre launch only left attendees wanting more and eagerly awaiting the full launch. There was so much anticipation behind Borokeete’s launch that it brought out well respected people from the Caribbean community. Jamaica’s own, reggae superstar Tony Matterhorn was one of the many noticable attendees. On July 5^th Borokeete revealed the full 13 sections at Secrets in Brooklyn.

Each section was reflecting some aspect of African heritage. The atmosphere of the night was mythical and exotic forcing all in attendance, including myself, to drift away to an African safari with the sounds of pan and drums in the background. That night Borokeete USA, officially changed their name to Borokeete International Inc.

Each of the designers this year did a wonderful job at capturing all aspects of African beauty. The sections highlighted the beauty of the continent’s animals, flowers, natural gems, and most importantly its people. With sections such as Orchid of Paradise which celebrated Africa’s beautiful flowers.

The red costume had a head piece which would make any woman want to become a flower girl. Another fabulous section Safari, featured a bold tiger print and a tail to match which certainly requires a woman with a great deal confidence to pull off. Other sections included Jewel Birds Kenya which celebrated the colorful birds of East Africa.

After the ladies modeled the costumes on stage, those who attended were allowed to look at the costumes up close as the models walked around the venue. There were certainly two sections that received the most attention, Black Diamond and Empress of Africa. The name within itself, Black Diamond, initially attracted people and the black and white costume kept their attention. Empress of Africa displayed a blue and white costume that had three tall white extensions that were worn on the model’s upper back. To fit with the title of “Empress” this section will be leading Barokeete down Eastern Parkway at this year’s Labor Day Parade. Borokeete’s official sponsor is Courts Caribbean, A large Trinidadian furniture store. This Labor Day Parade, Courts will be participating with Borokeete on Eastern Parkway. They have bought out an entire section.

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-Written by V. Farnum

-Photography by Delon Chateau

Play Mas With Borokeete

View More Costumes Here

Carnival Season 2009!

Carnival Schedule

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