Reggae Kick-Off For New York’s West Indian American Day Carnival

Reggae artist Luciano will perform at the Brooklyn carnival kick off concert tonight, Sept. 1, 2016 in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Al Pereira/WireImage)

By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Sept. 1, 2016: North America’s biggest carnival, the New York Caribbean Carnival, will have a reggae kick-off tonight as the annual event gets under way for the 49th straight year.

Under the theme, “One Caribbean, One People, One Voice,” the West Indian American Day Carnival will get underway with the “Reggae Unda Di Stars” concert behind the Brooklyn Museum at 200 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY, tonight, Sept. 1, 2016.

The show will feature top reggae stars including Third World, known for hits like “98 Degrees;” Luciano who made famous inspirational roots hits like “Messenger” and “Lord Give Me Strength;”  Christopher Martin who is known for “Let Her Go” and Romain Virgo known for “Live My Life.”

Show time is 7 p.m. and the event will be hosted by Pat McKay from Sirius XM Radio and Davhed Levy from WBLS.  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

The carnival continues on Friday with a Stay in School College Fair from 11 a.m., also on the grounds of the museum followed in the evening with Brass Fest from 7 p.m. starring KES The Band, Roy Cape All Stars, Outta Limitz, Farmer Nappy, Blaxx, Ricardo Drue, Lyrikal and others.

On September 3rd, the Junior Carnival Parade will get underway at 9 a.m. from St. Johns Place, between Kingston and Brooklyn Aves., near the home of the late Carlos Lezama, former West Indian American Day Carnival president and co-founder of the Brooklyn carnival. On Saturday evening, the Pan competition, Panorama, will get underway at 7 p.m. featuring the ADLIB, CASYM, the Crossfire Steel Orchestra, D’Radoes, Despers USA, the Harmony Steel Orchestra, METRO, Pantonic, Pan Sonatas, and Steel Xplosion.

On Sunday, September 4th, Dimanche Gras takes over the Brooklyn Museum stage from 7 p.m. with incredible costumes competing for King and Queen of the Bands honors, calypso music and performances by David Rudder, Natasha Wilson, Gryner, the Boodoosingh Tassa Drummers, and Something Positive’s traditional carnival characters.

The Carnival wraps up on Monday, September 5th with the annual mega carnival parade down Eastern Parkway – from Schenectady Ave. to Washington Ave. in Brooklyn, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This year’s carnival grand marshals include City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito; Guyana Consul General Barbara Atherly; Barbados U.N. Ambassador Keith (Tony) Marshall; and Conrad Ifill, president and CEO of Conrad’s Famous Bakery.

For tickets and information on the pre-carnival parade events, visit www.wiadca.com and click the red “Buy Tickets” tab.