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.
Take Me Back to the Party
Coronavirus and Carnival Cancellations
We are only three months in to 2020 and there’s already been the loss of a legendary basketball player, political unrest in Guyana, America’s Democratic Party in shambles, and now a global pandemic that’s causing governments to restrict international travel, corporate work hours, and large gatherings. For the socaholics among us, these restrictions mean missing out on our best stress reliever: Carnival.
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!
Where De Crew from Brooklyn?
“RANT AND RAVE” - CARIBBEAN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITION
Brooklyn artistes came out to The Slope Lounge on Jul 24th, 2019 for “Rant and Rave” presented by DysChick & SocaSaySo. The third installment of the 4-part Summer Chat Series focused on Caribbean Arts and Entertainment, which included film, photography, fashion, and music.
It's All About Unity, Togetherness
“RANT AND RAVE” - BUSINESS EDITION
On June 19th, The Slope Lounge hosted “Rant and Rave” presented by DysChick & SocaSaySo. This time we sat down with entrepreneurs. Ontrackdisco who owns Bklyn Prime, Palooza Kitchen, and Bklyn Space shared his challenges opening and operating multiple businesses, Barbadian-American attorney and owner of Sterling Real Estate Group, LLC Terry Hinds told us why we need to take an "active interest" in what's going on in our community, and sisters Jo-Laine Duke-Collins and Deidre Duke of Jolie Studios told us how doing business with family has impacted their success.
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.