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Susan
Mangatal - susan@ariousentertainment.us
Greetings
On-Line Family:
This weekend will be electrifying in our area (DC, MD & VA),
because the Caribbean Carnival is here! Yup...it takes
place this weekend on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29th. I have talked
about Carnival on many occasions, but some of you may still ask
"What is Carnival"? To the folks who are aware
of what I'm talking about, abide with me for a moment while I
explain Carnival to the folks who are unaware of it.
Please
note this week I will veer off my usual format to focus on this
"BIG" Carnival Weekend in Washington DC.
Carnival is fun;
Carnival is a show - a show of culture; Carnival is big
business; Carnival is "bacchanal" (meaning: crowd goes
wild in a concert, party, etc., crazy, out of control, nothing
but madness, mass confusion, and is exclusively used in Trinidad
and Tobago.)
Carnival
(The Caribbean Carnival) is similar to the Mardi Gras that takes
place in New Orleans, Louisiana. However, "Carnival"
within the Caribbean is described as a festival - "a
festival full of colors" transformed into costumes or
"Mas" (short for masquerade); full of music (all
types), but mostly calypso,
soca, steel band music, iron sections and even reggae; full of dance; an array
of ethnic foods as well as Caribbean art. Some people
describe Carnival as a form of freedom of just letting oneself
go on the day/s of the event, and enjoying the music, the
parties...just having FUN!!! FUN!!! FUN!!! I
must not leave out drinking, because at home in my country there
is lots of drinking.
Yes,
Carnival is indeed a lot of fun that attracts millions of people
from around the globe, and it has become a huge year-round
business entity in America. It allows each culture to pay
tribute to, and expose their art form in the cities where the
Carnival is held; it provides enjoyment to millions of people
and revenues to businesses year round; and for the cities it is
held in, it increases tourism and generates revenue for city
governments. Unlike in the Caribbean where Carnival is part of the culture,
here in America it's more a showcase of the culture. One
of the most important aspect of Carnival is "The Parade".
Which
is the actual parade of each Masquerade Band (along a
route/street that is authorized by the city in which the
carnival is being held. ) These Masquerade Bands can be
described as the entertainment, because as they parade along the
route adorned in costumes the participants dance and showcase all aspects of
their individual costume. This aspect of Carnival is
breath-taking at times because of the beauty and creativity of
these masquerade bands and its leaders.
The
"Parade" is followed by a "Concert" that
takes place at the end of the parade route, where singers from
various Caribbean islands perform and entertain the people in
attendance. At this location (where the parade ends)
vendors sell an array of Caribbean Foods and Crafts, and the fun
continues there until it's time to close for the
day.
Carnival is
indeed a show, but keep in mind it's an interactive show in which
everyone is encouraged to participate.
I
am hopeful that now, you might be able to imagine what a
Carnival is, and how exciting it is. For me (now that I
have resigned from being a part of the Carnival Organizing
Committee) it's just a time to relax and really enjoy the
beauty of it all, and feel a sense of pride that my culture is
being exposed.
I
must admit last year I missed being such an essential part of
things, but I did appreciate the beauty I had not seen for years
while being on the committee and working my "behind
off".
This
year I will indeed be celebrating the finale of
Caribbean-American Heritage Month by attending Carnival, as well
as Black Music Month (with all the music on the parade route)
during Carnival.
There
will be lots of events surrounding Carnival taking place this
weekend, but unfortunately non of them includes our Soca King
Machal Montano. Never-the-less there are many other Soca
stars (singers and bands) performing at different fetes
(parties) around DC and Maryland. Below you will find we
have featured a few fetes and events that are being thrown by
some of our business associates, and some who are like family
(Brother and Sisters Lara)
If
you are in town, or coming into town for DC Caribbean Carnival,
you will be in for a treat. Come early and bring the
entire family. Make sure you get to the parade route
(beginning at Georgia and Missouri Avenues) at 11:00 am so you
can follow the bands as they parade the 3 miles to Bennekar
Park. If you are not playing mas, then find a cool spot
along Georgia Avenue and watch the greatest show that ever hit
Washington DC. Stay after the parade and enjoy the
festivities inside the park (live performances, food and craft
vendors.)
You
must also come back out to the park on Sunday for the Carnival
finale "A Caribbean Concert and Family Day" with great
performances, foods, crafts, and tons of fun and an
unforgettable experience.
Stock up on your energy drinks because there will be no
time for sleep this weekend (if you do it right)!!!!
Below is some very important information for the masqueraders
from the organizers of DC Caribbean Carnival.
(1) IN-CASE
AN EMERGENCY OCCURS: All DJs will be instructed to
have the left lane cleared along the parade route to
facilitate movement by emergency vehicles. DJ's MUST
stop music and assist in clearing left lane.
(2) NO ONE
is allowed to climb on or off vehicles while it is in motion.
(3) MASQUERADERS
are required to follow the directives of the parade marshals.
(4) ALCOHOL: It is
against the law to consume alcohol in public in the
District of Columbia without a permit. That means
drinking along the parade route could lead to confiscation or
your arrest. NO ALCOHOL in the Band.
Please note that these Rules and Regulations will be
strictly adhered to and enforced by the Metropolitan Police
Department!
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Maryland
 
&
Maryland
Caribbeana's
20th Caribbean Comedy Festival
For
more events, log on to DC Carnival's Site at www.dccaribbeancarnival.org
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 To
PanMasters Steel Orchestra we congratulate you on your
outstanding and successful Calypso Monarch Show. We tried
to attend but was unable to find parking at the venue, therefore
we missed this exciting show. From all the reports and
comments, we understood it was absolutely excellent.
Congratulations to the winners: 1st Place is Dexter Mohammed
"D-Culture"; 2nd Place is Anthony Hoyte
"Algee"; and 3rd Place is Nolan Daniel "Poison
Dart".
National
Caribbean-American Heritage Month (June)
- Celebrating it's 2nd Anniversary! Two
years ago, in
the 109th Congress both the House and Senate unanimously
approved H.Con.Res.71, a measured introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee
(D-Oakland), on June 5, 2006 President George W. Bush issued a
proclamation designating June as Caribbean - American Heritage
Month. This proclamation acknowledges the growing
political and economic influence of the Caribbean Diaspora and
its importance and contribution to the development of the
cultural diversity of the United States. Please check our "Events"
Page for what's going on in our area. June 27th, - A Youth Leadership Institute on
International Development will take place. For all the details on these events log on to: http://www.caribbeanamericanmonth.org
or click the banner below.
June
is Black Music Month
 This is the 29th year that
"Black Music Month" is celebrated nationally.
President Jimmy Carter designed June "Black History
Month" in 1979 and to this day President Bush continues to
issue an annual Black Music Month proclamation. During
this month we are afforded the opportunity to recognize
the many black music genres throughout time such as Rhythm and
Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funk, and Hip-Hop.
Additionally, during this time we celebrate the contributions
black singers, composers, writers, producers and musicians have
made in the history of music.
 Thanks
to the many who have sent me e-mails in
response to my past E-Newsletters and lots of important
information. Most importantly I thank you for your
encouraging words! So until next week...and please enjoy this Weekend!!
   
To all of you
our on-line family, thanks for reading, sharing your thoughts
and comments with us, and for always supporting
us. As you know without you there would be no us.
So thanks very much for your support and One Love!
For All Events
Go To
Our "Events"
Page
Check out our
"Featured Events" listed below. Many are taking place
this weekend, so log on to our "Events Page" above to
view all the events, and please go out and Support!
Also, there are
several taking place next weekend and beyond, so to view all the Events please log on
to our "Events" Page above!
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  Don't forget this Friday,
June 27th is "WE EZ ON DE POCKET"
fete taking place in Hyattsville Maryland at
Soca City. (The
larger flyer is above and it can also be found on
our "Events" Page, or you can click this
mini flyer to enlarge.)
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June
28, 2008
Camp
Springs, Maryland
Poets
& Artists for Obama (Fundraising)
HELP OBAMA GET INTO THE WHITE HOUSE!
Join socially-conscious
poets, Sistah Joy, "Brenardo",
and Pat Smith as they partner with
gallery owners Leon Durham and Kevin
Hicks to present "POETS AND ARTISTS
FOR OBAMA - A Fundraiser."
Listen to Poetry and live Jazz by
artists who support Democratic
Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama.
View and purchase art from a variety of
artists including Tim Hinton at Annie's
Art Gallery.
Artists will donate a portion of their
proceeds to the Obama Campaign.
Be recognized as a host of the
reception. Bring 10 people and let
Sistah Joy know who they are.
The fundraiser will include a silent
auction.
$10 minimum donation for Obama at the
door. Checks should be made payable to
Obama for America
Questions about Annie's Art Gallery call
301.449.9588 or visit
www.anniesartgallery.net.
Free refreshments and parking.
Casual chic or Afro-centric attire.
| Time: |
Saturday,
June 28 at 6:00 PM |
| Duration: |
3 hours |
| Host: |
Sistah
Joy Alford |
| Location: |
Annie's
Art Gallery (Camp Springs, MD)
5814
Allentown Way
Camp Springs, MD 20748
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http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4pvf
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 Saturday, June 28th - it's the "95%
Red" fete by "Brother and Sisters
Lara" taking place in Washington DC.
(The larger flyer is
above and it can also be found on our
"Events" Page, or you can click this
mini flyer to enlarge.)
&
"Black and White" Fete
featuring Ricky T at Soca City in Hyattsville,
Maryland (The
larger flyer is above and it can also be found on
our "Events" Page, or you can click this
mini flyer to enlarge.)
 
Sunday, June 29th will be
Caribbeana's 20th Caribbean Comedy Festival. It will take
place at the Crampton Auditorium at Howard University.
Join Von Martin as he celebrate the 20th year of his
festival. (The larger flyer is
above and it can also be found on our
"Events" Page, or you can click this
mini flyer to enlarge.)
For
More events, feel free to log on to DC Carnival's
site @ www.dccaribbeancarnival.org
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or Click
Here
Happy
1st Anniversary to the Hardings (Troy and Linda) and Happy
Anniversary to Brandy and O'Tous, may you have many more years
together!!
