Braata Productions, in collaboration with Councilwoman Selvena N. Brooks-Powers and Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, has announced the Great Queens Christmas Market: A Caribbean Celebration will be held on Saturday, December 10th at Merrick Academy Charter School, 136-25 218th Street. Queens at 5:30pm with a concert at 7pm. Come join the festivities and enjoy the exciting atmosphere, music, dancing and lively company. Tickets are $20 for children and seniors, $25 for adults in advance and $30 for adults at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/ym2ur46s.
This holiday season marks the first year that Braata will host three markets, in three different municipalities. After opening a market in Queens in 2013, they added a market in Brooklyn in 2017 and one in the Bronx in 2019. The Grand Market is a long-standing tradition in Jamaica that takes place after the usual Christmas morning service or on Christmas Eve. Christmas. The whole community will be in their numbers taking part in a variety of games and competitions for all ages. Lots of gifts, including lots of toys, will be sold from brightly decorated stalls, there’s plenty of food and drink and the whole family will have a great time all day.
Additional markets will be held on Sunday, December 11th at Harry S. Truman High School, 750 Baychester Avenue, Bronx at 4:30pm with a concert at 6:00pm and on Saturday, December 17th, 2022 at Medgar Evers College, 1650 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, at 4:30pm with a concert at 6pm.
“As the only organization bringing Caribbean cultural experiences like this to New Yorkers, we’re thrilled to be adding a third borough to reach even more people this winter,” said Andrew Clarke, Founder & Executive Driector, Braata Productions. “We are expanding this Jamaican tradition to include other Caribbean islands. This year is the 60th anniversary of independence for Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, so the events will particularly highlight the cultures of those countries.”
Come check out the vendors, the museum exhibit, and then enjoy a festive concert. Organized by Dahlia Harris, the markets will all feature performances from Jodian Pantry (Jamaica), Denise Belfon (Trinidad & Tobago), Braata Folk Singers, Jonkanoo Parade and many more.
The Great Christmas Market is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the New City Council, Councilwoman Selvena N. Brooks-Powers and Assemblyman Brian Cunningham.
About Braata Productions
Braata is a colloquial Jamaican term that means ‘more’, which is what this company aspires to do — give its supporters and audience something more at all times. Started by actor/singer Andrew Clarke in May 2009, the aim for Braata has always been to provide entertainment and education to our customers and to give voice to diverse experiences, performers, writers and directors. We aim to authentically represent the culture of the Caribbean islands and prioritize the cultivation and retelling of Caribbean stories and legends for generations to come.
Braata is dedicated to giving Caribbean and Caribbean-American artists a platform through which to showcase their work and talent. Braata seeks to establish its position as one of the premier performing arts organizations in New York City. We maintain strong ties to the community and have a reputation for artistic excellence, educational innovation and fiscal responsibility.
Giving immigrant voices a chance for creative expression, our core activities include theatre, music and folk arts, in addition to education and community outreach. These activities lead us to engagements outside of the 5 boroughs of NYC in Connecticut, Rochester and Boston to name a few. Braata’s goal is to rekindle an appreciation for Caribbean culture and heritage among Caribbeans and non-Caribbeans by engaging community members in New York and surrounding areas. For more information, visit braataproductions.org.
