Following Untamed’s performance in the 2019 American West Indian Day Carnival Parade in Brooklyn’s East Park, Brooklyn-based Antoine International is portraying “Faces & Places” this year.
“I want people to know that carnivals can be based on a country,” said Trinidadian group leader Kenneth Antoine. Caribbean Life in the mas camp at 245 East, 34th St., between Snyder and Church Avenues, in Brooklyn.
“They could be from anywhere, but depending on what they wear, you’ll know where they’re from,” added the veteran fashion designer.
Antoine said the large group, with at least 240 masquerades, consists of eight mixed sections.
Among the sections are: Rekindle, Jewel Box, Ultra Carnival (Trinidad), Hawaii and Bermuda Triangle.
Akiya Cain, 29, will portray the Bermuda Triangle.
“I’ve been doing this (playing mas) for 10 years with Antoine; doing mas since I was 5 years old,” she said after putting on a suit. “I love it. It’s literally in my blood.”
Guyanese Shaniya Ramjattan said she is playing with Antoine International for the first time, portraying Rekindle.
“Hopefully, it will be for a very long time,” she said. “I’ve had my fair share of carnivals.”
Ramjattan said she hopes to add Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Miami to the list of carnivals she anticipates attending next year.
Alissa Victor, 20, will portray Jewel Box, also starring for the first time with Antoine International.
Victor said she has been playing mas since she was 16 “just for fun”, adding that she hopes to “see some celebrities” this year.
Cassandra Nicholas, 27, has attended Antoine Mass for seven to eight years.
“I’m just here to have fun,” she said, revealing that she will be portraying Ultra Carnival (Trinidad). “For two years, we have not had measures due to COVID-19, and, now, we will work out the way.”
In portraying Hawaii, Shannys King said she expects to “have as much fun as I’ve had for the last five years and enjoy the scale and the fact that we get to enjoy the experience again.”
Antoine, who has been producing mas for 38 years – both in Trinidad and Tobago and in New York – said his group has competed in the large group category for the past three American West Indian Day carnival parades .
In 2019, the group was ranked 3rdst for both adults and children.
“I expect to win this year,” Antoine said. “They can’t beat me. We will be ready for Labor Day. We have a team working on the costumes.”
Antoine can be reached at (347) 303-7857.
