Big name calypsonians, Panorama, Kiddies Carnival, Dimanche Gras, and more than 50 bands along Eastern Parkway. By the time the dusk is cleared on Labour Day, close to 2.5 million people would have witnessed the best of New York's entertainment.
The following is just the first list of mas bands and steelbands that are expected to make waves this season. The criterion used is straight forward: innovation, professionalism and flair.
Crossfire Steel Orchestra
Panorama has been brutal to this one time struggling steel band. Humiliated into last place two years in a row, Crossfire point man, Douglas Martin has had enough. It has been a rugged road for this steel band outfit–having had its instruments vandalised just before last year's event. But things have just gotten a whole lot better. Crossfire is bigger, sounds better, and more importantly has a winning arranger at the helm. That man is Leon Foster Thomas, and his credentials are overwhelmingly impressive–World Pan Soloist award 2002; Duet award, 2004; and the coveted Miami Panorama title two years in a row.
Tannika Phillips, the woman on the bass, has assumed the captain's role. "The last year has been emotionally and physically draining for us, but we have regained the competitive spirit. "We are going to do it with De Fosto's "Man on Fire," Thomas adds, with some cockiness. He is a commanding officer and his pannists, many in their teens, are locked in step. Douglas looks on proudly. "You see the difference?" he asks.
Sesame Flyers
There is no bigger name in Brooklyn mas than Sesame Flyers–organised, professional, with a cult like following. It's the closest you'll get to experiencing T&T mas on the Parkway. Raymond Luke, its chairman took me around the expansive multi-storied headquarters on Church Avenue. "This area," pointing to the street level showroom, "turns in to a calypso tent at 10 pm." It's production, "Take Flight" is already soaring in costume sales with two weeks to go. Sesame Flyers is the epitome of Carnival. In fact, T&T's Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar was scheduled to visit on the night of August 20 Friday. It did not happen, but it tells you the reach of this cultural mega-house.
CASYM
The acronym for Caribbean American Sports Youth Movement, ranks as one of the formidable steel bands in the USA. Its work within the education system and has fostered pan awareness throughout the five Boroughs. Travis Roberts, captain and arranger, was consumed with getting the right sound when I visited its new pan yard on Church Avenue. I caught up with him a day later and he was ready to talk. "This time we are going to take it." He was talking about the Panorama title that eluded him last year. "We were disappointed, but you got to brush it off and move on," he said. With Ardin Herbert's "Tell Dem," CASYM is on a mission.
Roy Pierre and Associates
This 13 times J'Ouvert winner is a workaholic. Frenetic, assertive and a penchant for bravado, he surely does have his fair share of supporters and detractors. "Ah not in dis bikini stuff...da eh creativity," he tells me. But why assail him? His dedication to the art form is beyond question. His 2010 presentation, "Catch the Spirit (Spirit of Dance), a riveting exposition of "real mas,"–an example of Pierre's unique gift for detailing the significance of characters–sometimes lost in contemporary mas.
New Generations
Kathy Hernandez is confident. "At all, they cannot beat me," is her response when asked about her competitors' chances. It is an unswerving confidence you only exude when you have run roughshod over everyone–seven times and counting. Her recent award from New York's Mayor for 20 years of promoting Caribbean Cultural Arts speaks volumes. "The Royal Journey" displays the signature features of the continents. "It's history and lots of geography," she says. She is the ultimate role model to the hundreds of kids who have already signed on this year. Unquestionably, the "Queen of Kiddies Carnival."
Pagwah
It's a word that on the one hand excites, and on the other, infuriates–its religious implications are undeniable. But leave it to Richard Pacific, Donna Dove, Cleo Patton, and Brian Hazel to enlighten–to help elucidate the misconceptions. "Pagwah is spiritual and very inclusive," says lead man Richard. Dove, the band's designer is articulate, debunking the belief that one cannot find spiritual growth in the frenzy of mas. "Drumming in itself is spiritual. Here, we find common ground. Here, it's almost like a fraternity, and that is a form of higher consciousness," he explained. Last year, Richard called the movement a groundswell. This year he promises even more buzz with "Those Who Have Eyes," a coded reference to the mystical Third Eye. A tour de force–glimpses of theatre and the glory days of Minshall.
Glenville Ashby is a New York based
correspondent and journalist for the T&T Guardian.