Articles
Exclusive cultural and political content highlighting issues affecting the Caribbean diaspora
Ah Fed Up!
My Feteless Summer
Brooklynites are likely still coming to grips with the summer of disappointments. Carnivals were cancelled, we were on lockdown, and Labor Day was just another holiday. While many were willing to deal with fete withdrawal, some promoters still found a way to put on events that were purported to offer reprieve from our quarantine doldrums. As a fete junkie, I found myself hesitant to purchase tickets to events that would either be sparse or possibly get shut down for not complying with city mandates. While I’m glad I saved my money after seeing what the more unscrupulous promoters offered, there were actually some events that I regret missing.
Have No Place to Call We Own
“RANT AND RAVE” - BROOKLYN VENUES EDITION
First, let me say thank you to everyone who attended the final event in our Rant and Rave Summer Chat Series. This was the final installment and covered our most controversial topic to date: Brooklyn’s Caribbean Nightlife. SocaSaySo and I worked hard to find just the right people with whom we can have this discussion… and did we found them!
We Come Out to Rant and Rave
“RANT AND RAVE” - 5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT WIADCA
Didn’t make it to DysChick & SocaSaySo’s “Rant and Rave” event on May 22nd? Well, you missed out on a great discussion with members of Brooklyn’s carnival association WIADCA. Panelists Angela Sealy (Chairperson), Rhea Smith (Cultural Diversity Professional and WIADCA member), and DJ Spice (Teamsoca Founder and WIADCA member) were on hand to answer pressing questions from the community, bloggers and journalists.
WIADCA, We Need To Talk
Oh WIADCA, what will it take?
The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (say that three times fast) is responsible for producing events throughout the summer that showcase our culture, culminating in the annual Labor Day parade in Brooklyn. However, this year, it was glaringly obvious that many Brooklynites have chosen to avoid the celebration and are, in fact, questioning whether or not WIADCA needs to be dismantled.
Since the Association refuses to engage with anyone, let me anticipate their objections.
It's Carnival. Look Bacchanal
Brooklyn's J'Ouvert and Labor Day Parade
It's been one week since Labor Day. A day where West Indians celebrate the culture and pageantry of the Caribbean with festivities throughout the long weekend culminating in a parade along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. However, this day was full of disappointments and tragedy. The predawn j'ouvert street party was once again marred by violence and the annual parade was a lackluster crawl.
The Beginning of the Endless Summer
Memorial Weekend 2014 Parties
After such a long and difficult winter season, New Yorkers were ready for warm temperatures and outdoor parties. Rather than firing up the grill or heading to southern beaches as so many typically do, DysChick took to the streets of Brooklyn for a weekend of parties featuring great deejays from around the world, live soca performances, and most importantly anti-stush revelers. If this is the kickoff to New York’s summer party season, I’m ready for an endless summer.
We Want Drinks
LUSH Drinks-Inclusive Party
It is true that you can't judge a book by its cover. If I had, I probably would not have gone inside the brownstone on East New York Avenue. My initial thought was "who sells tickets to a basement party?" Surprisingly, this basement party was one of the best events I have been to this year! Good music and an abundance of good drinks make for an amazing night. Big up Fusion Karnival and everyone involved in making LUSH an epic event!
De Stage Open
Carnival Mania at the Barclays Center
Just one week after hosting the MTV Video Music Awards, the Barclays Center welcomed Grenada's Tallpree, St. Vincent's Skinny Fabulous, Barbados' Edwin Yearwood and Alison Hinds, and of course, Trinidad and Tobago's soca power couple Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons! For the first time ever on this site, DyChick not only got to enjoy the stage show but I had an opportunity to talk to the artists behind the scenes!