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EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S October -US$., Canada US $., Digital US $. DELCITA Honeymoon

History of

JʼOuvertCarnival Steelband & Calypso/Soca

By Ray Allen We Thank Our Customers

PUBLISHER Herman Hall EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S FIRST EDITOR In memory of the late Patricia Boothe

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Winthrop Holder Nathalie Taghaboni Tarie Khoraam Vol. 42 No. 2 • October 2019 • WWW.EVERYBODYSMAG.COM Rafika Soaries CONTENTS FEATURES ART DIRECTOR: Lennox Robinson 8 Delcitaʼs Other Side is Andrea Wright By Jennifer Collins

PHOTOGRAPHERS Nolan Patterson 15 Whoʼs Who in “Honeymoon” Clyde Jones Roger Hayden Celestin John Charles 20 New York City WI ʼ19: Colin Williams Report Card Leonard Mackenzie By Chris Alexander; Photos by Leonard Mackenzie ADVERTISING Michelle Young

CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION Lisda Sawney Omar, the Flagman Mike Malcolm

WEBMASTER G. David Hall

OFFICE INTERNS Kristina Pluviose BOOKS Cynthia Dorelus 19 “Jump Up” Carnival EVERYBODYʼS is published 9 times per year. Music in New York City Annual postal subscription $12 Annual digital subscription $10 Reviewed by Herman Hall

To subscribe, address change and adjustments: EVERYBODYʼS 1630 Nostrand Ave. , NY 11226 DEPARTMENTS (718) 941-1879 [email protected] 5 Readers Time Copyright 2019 by HH Digital 6 EVERYBODYʼS Archive All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of HH Digital. U.S. Postage paid at Hanover, NH 03771 22 Everybody Talking

POSTMASTER send notices to: EVERYBODYʼS CREDITS 1630 Nostrand Ave. Cover Design & Layout: Lennox Robinson Brooklyn, NY 11226 Photo Credit: Leonard Mackenzie

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S Readers Time

READERSTIME SHADOW - Not Black Socrates!

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S The article on Jacks Boat Ahoy in SHADOW (1941-1918) ay, US$, Canada US$., Caribbean US$. Digital US$. your last magazine said doctors used I am looking forward to get the to advise mothers to give their children second part of “The Allegory of jacks broth which is true. So popular the Dungeon: Not Black Socrates CARIBBEAN COMEDY and nutritious was jacks’ broth that in But Shadow Learning Under an THEATER DAZZLES 1938 the Harmony Kings recorded a song, “Jacks Broth.” Can you inform Oak Tree” by Winthrop R. Holder. me where I can get a copy of the song? Shadow, a great composer and calyp- “56 East sonian, was a complex man and so is

StarringAvenue” Oliver Samuel M. Bhola, Holder’s paper on Shadow (Part 1). Chicago, IL WOMEN OF DISTINCTION ASTON COOKE Nice profiles. I expect Aisha Thank you, Justin Calliste, for Braveboy to run for governor of your in-depth tribute to the late Maryland. Jamaican playwright Aston Cooke. I L to R: Oliver Samuels, Lakeisha Ellison, Audrey Reid, Glen Titus and Volier Johnson enjoyed his plays but I did not real- ize he left this world until I read it in [email protected] EVERYBODY’S. JACKS BOAT AHOY! I notice in your Caribbean Women Telfor Bedeau brought back pleas- Judith Morris, of Distinction listing you did not ant memories with his realistic and Toronto, Canada vivid article, Jacks Boat Ahoy! His mention Congresswoman Yvette description of people selling jacks is Clarke, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna CARIBBEAN COMEDY DAZZLES how I knew the drama on Saturdays Fenty. Why? I thoroughly enjoyed the edition while growing up in La Baye in the and I applaud Jamaicans at home and late 1940s. EDITORʼS RESPONSE abroad for making theatre in The song Jacks Broth is a calypso. It is Andrews, Liverpool, UK an integral part of the performing arts. I was not even aware of your maga- the first calypso recorded by Grenadians. You can google it. It is also part of I was mesmerized when I read zine until I got it at Oliver Samuels Jacks Boat Ahoy! Someone sent me play in Hyattsville. I congratulate the a collection of calypsos, West Indian the article by Telfor Bedeau and upon promoters for the on time start of Rhythm-1938-1940, compiled by a digesting it, I couldn’t believe how the play and for the high standard of German company. he accurately presented the scene in the production. “56 East Avenue” was We did not present a list of Caribbean- indeed an off-Broadway play. Grenville when a truck arrived from American outstanding women, we

Gouyave with big jacks. profiled a few. Congresswoman Yvette [email protected] Clarke, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna Fenty Everton Frame, have been mentioned several times in en@ …… org BOOKS I appreciate EVERYBODY’S EVERYBODY’S. Rihanna late grand- As a little boy growing up in Grand Magazine review of books. Your selec- uncle Vernon Fenty during the 1980s Bras every Saturday morning, by tion is relevant to the Caribbean com- was a writer of this publication. Yvette 7am, my grandmother woke me up munity. Your reviewers always give a knows EVERYBODY’S very well long to go on top the hill so I can tell her comprehensive commentary. In your before she became a politician. One of when I see boats coming to Grenville last edition, I found Sarah Gray Cary Minaj’s relative was a subscriber of From Boston to : Shifting Fortunes harbor from Carriacou. Upon seeing EVERYBODY’S in the 1990s but we them, I shouted to her the news, and of an American Family 1764-1826 by have not yet made an attempt to inter- in a hurry, she left to buy the best fish Susan Clair Imbarrato and A Mural by at the price she wanted to pay. the Sea by Dawad Philip very uplifting. view her. We encourage you to send your praise, Wellington Nurse, Monica Lewis, criticism and grievance (letter to the editor) Rockville, NY Bronx, NYvia email: [email protected].

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODY’SARCHIVE

NOVEMBER 1977 PANAMA 1977 1977 There was a determination to highlight cricket in the United States. During the summer of ’77, a group of businessmen brought present and former West Indies Test Cricketers to play against India’s Test team. The game was played at the New Jersey Meadowlands, home of the New York Giants football team. Cricket fans in the tristate of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were excited. The West Indies team was managed by the great Sir Everton Weeks.

1977 Edson Arantes do Nascimento known worldwide as Pele and recognized as the greatest soccer player of his generation retired after leading the New York Cosmos to a championship. Pele retired in 1974 but in 1975 he accepted a contract he couldn’t refuse. He was paid $7 million by the Cosmos. By playing in the United States, he promoted soccer across the nation.

1977 It was a big year for the people of Panama and across the Caribbean by West Indians whose parents and grandparents provided the manual labor for the construction of the Panama Canal. During the early evening of September 7, 1977, hundreds of Panamanians residing in Brooklyn celebrated President Jimmy Carter signing the Panama Canal Treaty and Neutrality Treaty promising to give control of the Canal to Panama by the year 2000. EVERYBODY’S Magazine, only a few months old, covered the cel- ebrations in Brooklyn. Rightwing Americans opposed President Carter decision to relinquish control of the Panama Canal and the Treaty contributed to Carter’s defeat in his quest for re-election. Construction of the Canal started in 1904; thousands of West Indians from almost each Caribbean island lost their lives from diseases and poor working conditions. EVERYBODY’S Magazine has 30 copies of its 1977 Panama edition. The edition has photos of West Indians building the Canal. Need a copy! Send US$15 to: EVERYBOD Y’S, 1630 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com Delcita’s Other Side Is Andrea

Wr ightBy Jennifer Collins

Andrea Wright is the opposite of Delcita. For people who loves Delcita they are mesmerized when they meet Andrea Wright, a multitalented professional woman. They do not believe she is the character Delcita.

“Honeymoon” starring Delcita and Patchie will be staged at Richard R. Green School, 3710 Barnes Ave., Bronx, NY on Saturday, October 19 at 8pm (one show only in New York City) and at East Orange Campus School, NJ on Sunday, October 20, 6:30pm. Tickets for show in the Bronx: www.everybodysmag.com; (718) 941-1879. For NJ performance Greg Francis at (862) 588-0743

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S n Jamaica and overseas patrons of Jamaican brand theater and comedy go in droves to see Delcita. “Delcita is the Lucille Ball of Jamaican and Caribbean Icomedy,” says Faye, a Delcita devotee living in Bronx, NY. Faye explains, “Lucille Ball was renowned for her red hair, facial expression and distinctive voice. Delcita’s rotten teeth is her trademark.” Delcita has two rotten teeth but she is not embarrassed. She laughs loudly, smiles radiantly and always happy-go-lucky except when someone annoys her. Thanks to cutting edge dentistry, Delcita’s two rotten teeth are no longer easily spotted; they are polished but an observant person will realize Delcita once had decaying teeth. Delcita Coldwater was once very dark-skinned. She seems brown these days which leads one to ask, “Did Delcita bleach her skin or is she using extensive cream to give her a light skin tone?” Regardless to her teeth and maybe her skin problems, Delcita is not a shy person. She is a dynamic comedienne Delcita in 2014 and Delcita in 2019

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com Wright enjoys her role as a Guidance Counselor and superb entertainer. She is positive, articulate, opportunities to MC at concerts. But for non-Jamaicans ostentatious and loquacious in the likes of Good Times who has never seen or heard about Delcita when they see sitcom star J.J. Evans. her portrait - her rotten teeth, weird makeup and hillbilly A talented actress, Delcita has appeared in numerous dress code – lead them to believe she has no class and the Jamaican plays including many with Shebada. A play use of her photo is in bad taste and a turn off. with Shebada and Delcita is always a must-see. The truth is, there is no such person in real life named Theatrical productions Delcita has been associated Delcita Coldwater. Delcita is a character created by with are Granny Rule 1, Granny Rule 2, Missa Dweet Paul O. Beale, a prolific playwright and filmmaker and Nice, Delcita and Stamma, Di Driva, Money Worries, perfected by Andrea Wright playing the role of Delcita. Extortionists, The Plumber, Ova Mi dead Body, The Andrea Wright is the opposite of Delcita. For people Politicians, Court House Drama, University of Delcita, who loves Delcita they are mesmerized when they meet Miss Elsayda, Border Patrol 1, Border Patrol 2 and Andrea Wright, a multitalented professional woman. Granny Del. Her latest play “Honeymoon” is one of the They do not believe she is the character Delcita. most talked about productions of 2019. Ms. Wright is a Guidance Counselor at the Ministry of Delcita is the darling of the Jamaican media. Articles Education and holder of a BSc. in Guidance & Counselling about her disposition and plays are frequently in tabloids from Northern Caribbean. During the summer of 2016, and magazines. she was one of the Guidance Counselors commissioned “Delcita Unveils Patchie in ‘Honeymoon’” is a by the Ministry of Education to deliver Psychosocial headline in the Gleaner of June 11, 2019. training to High School teachers across Jamaica. A large caption in the Jamaica Observer: “Two Decades A former school teacher, Wright is also a computer of Delcita.” technician, the first Jamaican woman to be an A+ “Delcita Gets A Degree In Romance Laws” – Pride certified computer technician, a market/social researcher, News, Canada’s Daily African and Caribbean News salesperson and entrepreneur. Magazine A single mom, Ms. Wright is beautiful. Her attractive Fans in Jamaica and its diaspora accept the lovable physique could have qualified her to represent Jamaica in and charismatic Delcita. Her popularity has given her international beauty contests. She is the dream of many

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S Andrea Wright

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com Andrea Wright lecturing, in New York City, 2014

Andrea Wright and other entertainers at EVERYBODY’S Magazine Mother’s Day Concert 2015 at the former Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. Entertainers included Biggie Irie and Josh Boyce of , Becket of St. Vincent, then Trinidad & Tobago National Calypso Monarch Chucky Gordon, comedienne-calypsonian Nikki Crosby of Trinidad & Tobago, Soca star Lyrikal and then Miss Universe Jamaica Kaci Fennell.

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S What a honeymoon! Husband Patchie and wife Delcita.

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com A former school teacher, Wright is a Guidance Counselor in the Ministry of Education, Jamaica. men but she elects to remain single. tranquil community of Cow Pen but the Agent was not Ms. Wright is ambitious and love challenges. She is swayed. So, Wright halfheartedly suggested Frankfield, a not contented to be branded a comedienne and excellent town located in a valley and the epicenter of many districts actress. She challenges herself by writing and producing including Cow Pen. The agent heard of Frankfield but plays. Miss Elsayda, Border Patrol, Border Patrol 2, never knew Cow Pen existed. Granny Del, Honeymoon and Court House Drama were In the 1980s, Wright attended Frankfield Comprehensive written by playwright Andria Wright. High School. Her leadership qualities enabled the school Producing plays is not an easy task; there are financial to make her a prefect, leader of her peers. risks. It is a gamble since the producer is not sure if a Like many Jamaican students she participated in track profit will be made or if the money invested will go down and field races both at primary and high school levels. the drain. Those risks do not deter the woman born on Representing Jamaica in Olympic Games was not in her Christmas Day. dreams. In her first race in high school she recounts how Andrea Wright was born in Cow Pen, North Western she must have used up all her energy in the first five Clarendon, Jamaica. Cow Pen is small and out-of-the- meters as she felt like her lungs emptied all possible air. way. Some people are embarrassed to say they were born She stopped, walked back and told the trial coach a timid at Cow Pen because careless listeners believe they were good bye, sir. He told her to try high or long jump. She born in a cow pen. Wright jokes that when she told the liked neither. “Oh, boy! It was off to the School choir and Registrar General Office her birthplace is Cow Pen, the Folk Music Club,” she laughs. Customer Service Agent insisted she name the nearest She considers herself shy and it took her a while to community in order save herself from future mockery. warm up the rehearsal moves of the ‘Ole Folk Songs. “Where exactly is this cow pen?” the agent quipped. Andrea’s voice was rich and unique and her choir Wright with great alacrity and dignity described the director pushed her along. Her grandparents were not

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S in favor of her being on the road at ‘odd hours’… She would quickly run on home from her evening rehearsals. Spectacles glued to her big eyes. She would flash her shy smile at her friends and maximize the speed of her long legs to get home before dusk. A One and a half miles walk in less than 30 minutes would keep her out of trouble with her grandparents. In 1989, Andrea made her theatrical debut as Miss Agnis, an old woman in the play MusMus Tail. For a long while she also played the role of Pumpkin in Granny Rule, another character that became a popular fixture in Jamaican theatre. The character, Delcita, was born in 1996 when she appeared in the play Mr Dweet Nice. Andrea played Jewel in “Safe Travel,” Jamaica’s First Aids awareness documentary, written by noted Jamaican dramatist, playwright, actor and director Trevor Rhone. The Delcita character was relaunched in 2008 in Di Driva. Since the rebirth of Delcita, Jamaican theater has not been the same. Theatergoers continuously flock to see her in action. Andrea Wright plays an integral part in nation building. WHOʼS WHO “Honeymoon”

The cast of Honeymoon. (L to R) Tamara Wellington (Pamella), Patrick Smith (Elijah Johnson), Andrea Wright (Delcita), Jamaine Lucas (Patchie), Daindra Harrison (Strawberry), Gertrude Campbell-Fraser (Mrs. Gladys Johnson) Andrea Wright Delcita ANDREA WRIGHT - Delcita Jamaine Lucas Patchie Knowing the temperament of Delcita, the audi- ence will determine if Delcita is driving Patchie, Gertrude Campbell-Fraser Mrs. Gladys Johnson her hubbie crazy, or if she is the perfect wife for him. That’s what make Honeymoon so witty Patrick Smith Elijah Johnson and suspenseful. Knowing Andrea Wright is the writer and director of the romantic comedy, Daindra Harrison Strawberry did she give herself a naughty role? JAMAINE LUCAS - Patchie Tamara Wellington Pamella Patchie is proud and boastful to be Delcita’s

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S PRODUCTION TEAM PRODUCTION TEAM FROM JAMAICA WHOʼS WHO “Honeymoon” Dre Williams, Light and Sound Director Andrea Wright, Codirector Tamara Wellington, Stage Manager NY PRODUCTION TEAM York College Performing Arts Center Kwame Clarke, Interim Director Joanna Bokovitz, Production Office Manager Indira Lajara, Business Manager Everybody’s Magazine Production Team Herman Hall, Producer and Promoter Egbert Reid, Associate Promoter Anthony Davidson, Set Construction Builder Jean Kelly White, Promoter, Bronx Hope Morris, Promoter, Queens Greg Francis, Producer/Promoter, NJ Malara Christopher, Special Assistant Tamara Wellington as Pamella.

handsome beau. Men envy him and the ladies drool Money Worries and a cop in The Politicians. He has for him. “Honeymoon is better with such a hand- performed in the USA, Canada, England, Cayman some guy by my side,” Delcita says. In real life, Islands, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, British Virgin Lucas is a high school teacher and a graduate of the Islands and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. University of Technology. Wright was impressed with his talents when she made a presentation at his DAINDRA HARRISON - Strawberry school and felt he had skills of becoming an actor. Strawberry is young, pretty and a graduate of the University of the West Indies where she studied GERTRUDE CAMPBELL-FRASER – Mrs. Gladys Johnson political science. She finds herself in some politi- Also known as Trudy, Gertrude Campbell-Fraser cal turmoil in Honeymoon because of Patchie’s is no stranger in Jamaican theater having been on wandering eyes. Ms. Harrison is identified as one stage for more than a decade. She performed in De of Jamaica promising actresses who will proudly Driver and Money Worries, played a Christian wife continue promoting her nation’s heritage. in Border Patrol and the hot and saucy education officer in Granny Del. Mrs. Johnson, a returning resident is the miserable demanding wife of Elijah TAMARA WELLINGTON – Pamella and the courteous employer of Delcita. Pamella creates the biggest upset in Honeymoon. She is shy, pleasant, earmarked and has a Christian PATRICK SMITH - Elijah Johnson hearted soul. Ms. Wellington hails from the town of Mr. Johnson, husband of Gladys Johnson, is Patchie Linstead and never dreamt she would be on stage and Delcita boss. Patrick Smith has been on and off in a commercial play. She also plays the role of stage stage alternating as an actor and stage manager. He manager and Wright depends on her to be stand- played the role of the police officer in the smash ing backstage for those lightning speed costume hit, Bashment Granny, court clerk in the hilarious changes.

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYS www.everybodysmag.com 9 www.everybodysmag.comCaribbean EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S EVERYBODYBOOKS A History of Calypso/Soca, J’Ouvert, Steelband and JUMP UP! Carnival In New York By Herman Hall JUMP UP! These days, on carnival weekend in Brooklyn, the multitalented CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL Hilaire assists the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association adjudicates masquerade bands and individual costume pieces. MUSIC IN NEW YORK Another unsung hero Professor Allen is reminding us about by Ray Allen is Caldera Caraballo. After his family, Caldera’s next love is the Oxford University Press steelband. He was part of steel orchestras when the home of the August 2019 steelband, calypso and carnival in the diaspora was . He 303 pp toured with Harry Belafonte and played at the White House for Paperback $35.00; Hardcover $99 President Dwight Eisenhower’s inauguration. During the 1970s, Amazon - Green Light Books, Brooklyn, Caldera’s friend Carlos Lezama grabbed him from retirement to NY be an integral part of WIADCA and to coordinate panoramas. Long before, The New York Daily News and Donald Trump brought Trinidad & Tobago leading orchestras to entertain at At one of the calypso tents socialite dinners, Caldera brought orchestras to perform at Avery in late August leading up to Hall-Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Academy of Music. New York City’s West Indian Winston Munroe, Rudy King, Yvette Rennie, Kim Loy-wong, carnival on Labor Day weekend, Ruddie King, Michael Scanterbury, Clyde Henry, Clyde Durrant, 2019, while introducing Professor Ray Allen Emmanuel “Cobo Jack” Riley and dozens of others have not been and his book, Jump Up, I told fans at the sold out show, recognized for the sacrifices they made to promote Caribbean they are not purchasing Jump Up for themselves, they are Culture in New York, especially steelband music. Fortunately, purchasing it for their children and grandchildren. Jump Up is a they did not escape the research net of Professor Allen. book that sooner or later will be recommended by professors for That’s one reason Jump Up is easy and enjoyable is reading. students preparing term papers, and people writing books, about Apart from recognition of committed individuals, Jump Caribbean culture and politics in the U.S. Up summarizes the history of carnival in New York City. I should not be reviewing Professor Ray Allen’s Jump Up “Carnival, transplanted from Trinidad to Harlem in the 1930s, because my name and EVERYBODY’S, the Caribbean-American and to Brooklyn in the 1960s …The story begins in the New York magazine, are mentioned multiple times. Positively, I may recording studios in the late 1920s, when Trinidad calypsonians add. The introduction of Jump Up begins with a quote from and dance orchestras arrived to make records,” Professor Allen the September, 1982 edition of EVERYBODY’S. As a result, states. I do not know if immigrants of the early 20th century, some readers may say this review is not objective; it’s flattering if they were alive, would validate “The story begins in the Professor Allen. That’s a reasonable assumption but not correct. New York recording studios in the late 1920s, when Trinidad The truth is, I read various chapters several times hoping to calypsonians and dance orchestras arrived to make records.” find something to nitpick, a statistic that is wrong or a crucial Before the Roaring Twenties, West Indian immigrants from the point Allen omitted. I found none. Every time I say, “gotcha, you then carnival islands – St. Vincent, , Grenada, St. Lucia left out this person!” Low and behold the person’s name pops up. and Trinidad – celebrated carnival the weekend before the Lenten And this is what makes Jump Up impressive and appreciative. season in their apartments and basements in wintry New York. Professor Allen informs the reader of many unsung heroes who They designed costumes and played mas. On canboulay night, contributed to the development of masquerade bands-costume the night before Carnival Monday, they cooked dumplings, rice making, calypso/soca and steelband in New York and indirectly and peas and played music. across the U.S. Although Jump Up is a narrative of carnival, steelband and Randolph Hilaire, steelband and calypso icon, is an example. He calypso/soca in New York and to a certain extent the diaspora, has contributed immensely in promoting all aspects of Trinidad and the book is scholarly. (Be aware, it is published by Oxford Eastern Caribbean musical and carnival phenomena in America. University Press.) As the author says Jump Up digs “deeper Hilaire established Sonatas Steel Orchestra in 1971. The band had into this phenomenon of deterritorialization seeking to elucidate many preteenagers and teenagers. That was the beauty of Sonatas. how, in the context of Labor Day Carnival, the performance of The youths were nurtured and disciplined by the elders. Many calypso/soca and steelband music contributed to an emergent children became model citizens and earned college degrees. In 2019 sense of transnation among Caribbean New Yorkers.” He is their grandchildren are members of Sonatas. absolutely correct. The heyday of calypso tents in Brooklyn was the 1980s. Hilaire Professor Allen leaves no stone unturned. His analysis of the using his sobriquet as Count Robin was the prime mover of the future of carnival in New York City ought to make everyone Rainbow Terrace Calypso Tent. The aging Count Robin was an read Jump Up. This masterpiece belongs in every Caribbean- organizer in 2019 of a calypso tent on Utica Avenue. American home.

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com Report Card New York’s West Indian Carnival 2019

Soaking wet, , New York City Public Advocate gambols on Eastern Parkway at Troy Avenue.

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S Report Card

By Chris Alexander New York’s West Indian Carnival 2019 Photos by Leonard Mackenzie ntermittent but torrential rain showers on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, in New York City curtailed the climax of Brooklyn’s ICarnival 2019. New York’s Governor who habitually sidesteps the carnival breakfast to avoid standing in the same tent with nemesis Mayor Bill de Blasio sprinted down Eastern Parkway, the carnival route, to prevent getting drenched. Once the breakfast of endless speeches ended, Mayor de Blasio, his wife Chirlane, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Chuck Schumer who President Trump loves to tweet about, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and City Comptroller Scott Stringer all hurried down the Parkway with aides shielding them from raindrops with large black umbrellas. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, EVERYBODY’S Person of the Year 2019, was the exception. Soaking wet, he pranced the entire route to the beat of soca and Haitian Kompa. Masqueraders displaying expensive costumes went home early to avoid the rain from destroying their colorful costumes. They plan to revel using the same costumes at the final Caribbean carnival of 2019, Miami Carnival, Florida on Columbus or Indigenous People Weekend. Jean Pascal of Queens, NY who spent $425 on her costume said she sheltered from the downpours to save her costume for next year’s carnival in Boston, MA. Food vendors who spent hundreds of dollars to get a one-day vending permit to cook and sell spicy Caribbean food lost big time due to the weather. Vendors had few customers since the more than 1,000,000 persons anticipated did not arrive. Continued on page 22

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com The trademark of Grenada’s J’Ouvert is “Devil Mas.” A Brooklyn-Grenada Jab-Jab band on Eastern Parkway.

The few people who badmouth the Governor Andrew Cuomo was not carnival are mainly English speaking afraid of the rain. Caribbean nationals residing in NY. (His father the late “Me eh going to the carnival for Governor Mario dem to shoot me,” says Irene from Cuomo loved Antigua. “Too much violence,” is Brooklyn’s carnival. When Andrew first the feeling of 61-year old Pierre, a ran for governor carpenter from Grenada. Most critics his father sent a are misinformed. Few violence note to the late Dr. occurs in the carnival. Crimes on Lamuel Stanislaus Labor Day and Labor Day weekend and this magazine’s publisher Herman by Caribbean immigrants are mainly Hall to accompany in communities far away from the his son down the carnival. Parkway and to Misinformed West Indians don’t introduce him to realize that New York’s carnival is Brooklyn Caribbean leaders. They did.) much more than a single day event. Preparations begin in early summer

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S Before the rains. Eastern Parkway Bedford Avenue – non costume revelers. and by August hundreds of New York-born Caribbean children spend their time fruitfully helping design and make costumes; others rehearse for steelpan’s panorama. Here is EVERYBODY’S Magazine grade of the various components of New York’s carnival, 2019, including the media and police. THE POLICE: On Wednesday, August 28, Chief of Department Terence Monahan at a press conference said, “This is the largest detail we’ve put out all year.” Police security for the entire carnival weekend cost New York City tax payers over $4,000,000. Approximately, 11,000 uniformed and non-uniformed officers monitor carnival events. They are drawn from all five boroughs. Officers are assigned to massive floats and tractor trailers to accompany the vehicles from mas camps to Eastern Parkway and back. The NYPD controls carnival. It was not surprising the West Indian American Day Association (WIADCA), organizer of the carnival, said on August 28, the Association could not comment on Chief Monahan press conference since it was not yet briefed about security. Grade A- MEDIA COVERAGE: The media finally knows the carnival parade and J’Ouvert are organized by two different entities and crimes in Caribbean communities away from the carnival must not be blamed on the carnival. On Thursday, August 29, the official start of carnival 2019, WNBC-TV news mentioned the carnival parade, J’Ouvert and carnival shows That Jab-Jab are different events. Overall TV, radio and print band had great fun in New York’s news about this year’s carnival was objective. carnival 2019. Grade B+ Continued on page 24

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com Panorama night – Brooklyn Museum grounds – Despers USA flag woman and conductor in exciting competition. Despers was outshined by D’Radoes, Panorama Champs 2019.

CARNIVAL FETES: Gone are the days when big calypso bands and calypsonians direct At the VIP Carnival from Trinidad & Tobago and other islands Breakfast, Tennis Court, came to perform in fetes. Too costly. The days Buffalo Avenue, L to R: of the big fetes have almost ended due to lack Sybil Chester, marketing of ballrooms and police stopping outdoor consultant, Barbara events especially in backyards. Grade D Atherly, ’s CALYPSO TENTS: The glory days of calypso NY Consul General tents in Trinidad & Tobago have ended so are and Sandra Granger, calypso tents in NY. A tent organized by local Guyana’s First Lady. calypsonians was held at Tropical Paradise Continued on page 27

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S An Elegant Jamaican Restaurant

New York City Most Sophisticated Jamaican Restaurant Fine Dining

With a glorious welcome Serving the Best of Jamaican Dishes & Concoctions 163-07 Baisley Blvd Jamaica, Queens, NY 11434 TEL: (718) 525-1083 FAX: (718) 525-0996 This Jab-Jab leads the massive Grenada J’Ouvert band on Eastern Parkway.

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com Leah Clarke, granddaughter of the late Carlos Lezama who brought the carnival to Eastern Parkway, relaxes in the museum with sips of Belvedere imported by Moet Hennessy.

A devil in the Jab-Jab band.

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S The rain took breaks allowing masqueraders from D’Midas band to have fun on Eastern Parkway at Classon Avenue.

Ballroom on Carnival Thursday PAN YARDS: Outdoor sites where night. It was a sold-out event; super steelband orchestras rehearse for renditions by calypsonians thrilled panorama. There are almost no more fans. Another tent in the Bedford- outdoor spaces. Apartment houses Stuyvesant community of Brooklyn are hastily built on empty lots. Some was held for three nights. Grade C+ churches allow bands to rehearse MAS CAMPS: Places where in their parking lots. Hundreds of costumes are made. Shortage of preteenagers and teenagers are space, high rent for storefronts and members of steelband orchestras. no music playing have dampen the Large crowds numbering in the jovial spirit in mas camps. Most hundreds went to the pan yards to costumes are now made in the homes watch their favorite band rehearse. The They await 6am for the of bandleaders, friends and family. spirit of carnival prevailed. Grade A start of J’Ouvert. Unfair to grade mas camps Continued on page 28

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com WEST INDIAN-AMERICAN DAY CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION (WIADCA) EVENTS ALL SHOWS AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM GROUND (August 29-September 1)

REGGAE, AFROBEATS, KOMPA NIGHT Thursday, August 29, official start of Carnival ’19. Not bad, about 3,000 attended Grade B BRASSFEST August 30 The Brooklyn Museum ground packed – Grade A JUNIOR CARNIVAL PARADE August 31 Close to 50,000 children enjoyed approximately 38 Children’s band on stage Grade A PANORAMA August 31 Sold-out; Museum grounds packed like sardines in a can. D’Radoes Orchestra won. Grade A+ DIMANCHE GRAS September 1 – Like Trinidad & Tobago, Dimanche Gras is no longer the prime event of carnival shows. Without the mas The fact Mayor de Blasio skipped his out-of-state presidential campaign to be in Brooklyn’s competition of individual characters, carnival was a hint the mayor was about to drop out of the presidential race. Wife Chirlane kings and queens of bands that protected with an umbrella with the Barbados flag once mistook Barbados for . provide the glitter, color and spirit of Dimanche Gras, the Sunday night event will be dull. The calypso that once dominated Dimanche Gras has evaporated. The only blast from the past at the Museum Grounds in 2019 was . Grade B JʼOUVERT (not a WIADCA event) – Each year, Moet Hennessy September 2 – With so much security USA provides precaution and J’Ouvert a foreday refreshments at morning event (4am-8am) now a day the VIP Breakfast event (6am-11am), J’Ouvert has lost at the tennis court near Buffalo its luster. Young Caribbean-born New Avenue and at the Yorkers are fascinated by it thereby VIP Luncheon giving it a future. Congrats Yvette inside the Rennie, J’Ouvert organizer, for a great Brooklyn Museum. France’s Château J’Ouvert 2019. An aide to Governor de Cognac, Cuomo told EVERYBODY’S the D’ussé is enjoyed governor was pleased to know by Candace everything ran smoothly. Grade A Clarke and Chris Chester. CARNIVAL-LABOR DAY September 2 Eastern Parkway from Buffalo Avenue to Grand Army Plaza – Three miles – It rained on the parade Grade A CONCLUSION: New York City West Indian Carnival 2019 was efficacious and peaceful.

www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S The Bass Guitar A Creative Formula By Brian Ellis This system is Enjoy compiled of tech- Future generations may not be able niques I often use Caribbean to distinguish a guitar from a drum set, to achieve my goal a saxophone from a trumpet, a piano during performanc- from an organ. For the last few centu- es. Sometimes a History Get ries, musicians and singers used musical student will query, instruments when recording. Orchestras “What about those such as Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, solo tables, I’ve seen and Count Basie bands backed the vocal- something similar, but nothing like ist as well as provide music at balls and yours?” I’ll explain the time I spent studying theory rewarded me with my dances. own bass methods. Now, in the 21st century, electronic With all modesty, I am proud of musical instruments, digital instru- my vision to enhance a person’s ments and circuitry-based music tech- natural ability and bring the per- nology are the tools utilized to record son’s aspirations to the surface. My music. Even in concerts, the era of live bass videos are geared for beginners, bands accompanying singers are becom- immediate, and professionals. At end ing rare. Yet, tomorrow’s composer and of day I want them to say, “I love this www.everybodysmag.com arranger must still learn the fundamen- website, it makes a lot of sense.” tals of music making even if the person (with author’s autograph) What’s t he future of bass improvi- is using electronic musical instruments. sation! When there will be no longer Barnes and Noble Nook Brian Ellis has been providing music differentiation in bass players style. lessons for many decades. His students Amazon.com Musicians tend to become stereotypi- (718) 941-1879 are youngsters in the community who cal by genre and appearances. For aspire to play the piano, guitar and other example, a musician with a white instruments. Based on observations and bow tie and a tuxedo may make experiences gained while tutoring his stu- one think the musician is about to dents, Mr. Ellis developed various mod- perform a classical piano piece by els to make teaching music less complex Beethoven. A musician wearing a and more palatable such as his “Creative black leather jacket with tattoos and Formula for the Bass Guitar.” BVC-TV body piercings would make a person BVCGLOBALTV.COM Here is Mr. Brian Ellis is his own think the musician is going some- words: where to play heavy metal guitar. www.cityscopepresents.com is the My goal is to establish a neutral home of the “Creative Formula for and decisive ground of musicianship the Bass Guitar” and the “Bass Guitar applied with the highest level of per- Study Center” I created. My bass gui- formance. An accomplished musician tar approach is set up for people in all at a performance should present his or walks of life, for all styles of playing the her rendition beautifully preventing 24-Hour bass and all levels of development. My the listener to know the ethnicity, color heart is into teaching applications of or race of the musician. This is what this new method to make the profound I attempt to instill in my students. Streaming bass player better in his or her craft. In other words, if the entertainer is Students continuously ask, “How a punk rocker or Jazz musician, the Sugarjam in the world did you ever get such entertainer must be able to perform at a smooth way of teaching the bass?” a Bar Mitzvah. My students are taught I tell them out of respect for the how to read sheet music. These meth- Productions bass masters who paved the way for ods I have acquired over the years. My me. I was a book worm. I loved to adventures and explorations on the [email protected] be taught and I fought hard to get bass have proven to be astonishing. music theory under my belt. Out of I invite anyone who has an inter- nowhere “Creative Formula for the est in music to visit my website. Bass Guitar” came into existence. www.cityscopepresents.com 718-345-9138

EVERYBODYNEW YORK’S www.everybodysmag.com EVERYBODYTALKING

EVERYBODYTalking about and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visited several West how the hardworking and Indian owned businesses in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens popular Lisda Sawney, a resi- including beef patty manufacturers, shipping companies, dent of Maryland, is now a auto repair shops and restaurants. During slavery, the commissioner representing house slaves felt they were better than the fields slaves the Caribbean community but soon found out Massa considered them as one. So, in Prince George’s County. sit there and believe the Trump Administration is only She was sworn-in into office against Mexicans and others from Latin America coming on September 23 in the pres- to America. Its Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada and the other ence of her husband Eugene, islands too. daughters, grandson and close friends. EVERYBODY Talking about how ICE kept its part of “It is my distinct the bargain. Thank you, ICE, for not questioning and honor to appoint you to arresting West Indians during the Labor Day-Carnival serve as a Multicultural Weekend in Brooklyn! Thanks for being a man of your Commissioner representing word by honoring your part of the deal. Commissioner Lisda Sawney the Caribbean community in Prince George’s County for a term of two (2) years, EVERYBODY Talking about how some people who with a maximum of three (3) full terms and until your come to the U.S. for a few weeks just to get free health respective successors is appointed and qualified,” wrote services from New York City hospitals because it is the Aisha N. Braveboy, State’s Attorney. Big Apple policy not to deny anyone from getting help in “The mission of State’s Attorney the City’s owned hospitals are in for a rude awakening. Multicultural Commission” says Ms. Braveboy in her These days when they don’t pay Kings County Hospital congratulatory letter to Ms. Sawney “is to support and Center, Jamaica Hospital Center and other institutions advance State’s Attorney’s commitment to fostering a upon coming back to NY for more free medical free- long-term partnership with community organizations bees custom and immigrant agents at JFK International that result in sustainable cultural programming, an envi- Airport hand them their bills showing they owe thou- ronment where diverse communities are recognized, sands of dollars to the City. increase understanding and promote multiculturalism in

Prince George’s County.” Commissioner Sawney states, “I plan to continue par- EVERYBODY Talking about how the corner of Dyre ticipating and endorsing events in the diverse Caribbean Avenue @ Light Street, Bronx NY, has been co-named and African immigrant communities of Prince George’s “Jamaica Progressive League Way” in honor of the County.” She continues, “We have to create programs 83-year-old organization. Established in 1937 in Harlem, that are in the interest of all especially to our children and NY, it was the Jamaica Progressive League that initially grandchildren born in our beloved county.” requested the People’s National Party in then Colonial u Jamaica to seek self-government climaxing with the o EVERYBODY Talking about how some not-too-smart achievement of independence in 1962. At its zenith, y West Indians believe President Donald Trump is against the Jamaica Progressive League owned a building on t th s only South and Central Americans coming to the U.S. 57 Street in Manhattan. Its sale brought divisiveness hance w si within the League. The money it earned was not totally C il s That’s why the president wants a wall in the south. tis l a Perhaps those ill-informed West Indians are not aware that accounted for in the eyes of many hardcore members. ur during 2019, especially in July and August, Immigration Transparency became an issue. C

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