Festive lineup set for the New York Carnival’s return

Final preparations are underway for the 2022 edition of New York’s creative, colorful and musical Carnival – returning to Brooklyn on Labor Day weekend, September 1-5.

The American West Indian Day Carnival Association, the event’s organizer, said there will be no formal COVID precautions and vaccination cards will not be checked, but carnival-goers are strongly urged to “enjoy responsibly, mask if you need [and] stay home if you are sick,” a WIADCA spokeswoman said.

The five-day New York Carnival is back with a full lineup of activities — masquerade bands, steel bands and other musical events — culminating in the costume-filled Carnival Parade through East Park on Labor Day, Sept. 5. which can be viewed in person or streamed live on Facebook and Instagram.

Shoppers can choose from a number of WIADCA-authorized vendors along the street, selling Caribbean food and other cuisine, clothing, jewelry, arts and crafts, books and other items.

There are several carnival events leading up to Monday’s Labor Day parade. Visit wiadcacarnival.org and get general information on events and ticket outlets, parade routes and tax-deductible donations to the nonprofit organization WIADCA by calling (718) 467-1797 or emailing [email protected].

Among the parade, New York Carnival 2022 events include:

• “The Vibes with Voicey: The Concert,” a soca affair with guest singers, on September 1 from 4 to 11 p.m.
• “Island 2 Island” concert of live bands and DJs on September 2, from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, on the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum, at Eastern Parkway and Washington Ave. Visit island2island.frontlineticketing.com for tickets.
• The anticipated New Carnival procession of costumed youth through the streets of Crown Heights to the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum on September 3. It begins at 9 a.m. and is followed by the International Youth Festival and the 2022 Youth Festival, featuring “live performances by emerging young talent” at the Brooklyn Museum.
• Also on September 3, the “Pan in a Minor with A Minor Change” concert takes place on the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum starting at 7:00 p.m. and features “some of New York’s renowned virtuosos.”
• On Sept. 4, the Paintopia J’Ouvert Fete—a J’Ouvert-style party featuring a mega DJ lineup—will be held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum. It’s the first from penultimate New York Carnival events Visit paintopiajouvertnyc.eventbrite.com for tickets.

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And on the afternoon of September 4, the “Amnesia Day Party” follows, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with “all the DJs, food, good vibes.” For tickets, visit amnesia.frontlineticketing.com.

To help abused and homeless women, the Carol Maraj Foundation is receiving support in the New York metropolitan area. On Saturday, VIPs will attend an invitation-only benefit in Long Island, “The Carol Maraj Foundation Poolside Fundraiser,” under the theme “Changing Mentalities by Saving Lives.”

After years of abuse, Maraj — the mother of famous rap star Nicki Minaj — started the foundation in 2013. Visit carolmaraj.org for information. The event is being hosted by Joy and James Frazier of SIP NYC, promoters of black-owned liquor brands.

The Queens Carnival, a celebratory state affair sponsored by Sen. James Sanders, will be graced by a performance from musical royalty — Trinidad-born soca star Destra Garcia, the “Queen of the Bacchanal” — when the event comes to Far Rockaway, Queens on Saturday, August 27th.

The anticipated affair — featuring a long parade down the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, costumed masquerade, Moko Jumbies walkers, singers, dancers and other activities — begins at the parade’s starting point, Beach 21st St. and Mott Ave, at 11 a.m.

For information on the event, call the office of Sen. Sanders at (718) 523-3069 or email [email protected].

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