title taken from “Homesick” by Ricardo Drue

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.

During a typical summer, you would have read my recaps of Memorial Day weekend, Caribana, and summer fetes leading up to Labor Day on the Parkway. This year, I found myself doing what I suppose non-fetaholics do for fun. I went to restaurants, backyard barbecues, had lunch in the park - damn, that seems so boring. How do non-West Indians consider this fun? Anyway. I did this to adhere to the social distancing rules of New York.

Mayor DeBlasio issued a statement on July 9th that large public gatherings would be cancelled through September 30th.

This warning did not deter shameless promoters who did not adhere to their own “mask is mandatory” policy and not only packed small spaces, but flaunted their disregard for city mandates on social media.  These events seemed unnecessarily imprudent as we have been allowed to move around the city for months including going to restaurants, the gym, and using mass transit. However, promoters unsure of how to pivot in the new normal still organized fetes (not parties, fetes). These events appealed to those who apparently subscribe to the misconception that you aren’t a real feter if you are not doing something destructive and irresponsible. Maybe I’ve aged out of being reckless, but I like my life and would hate to be the cause of a family member falling seriously ill. But hey, that’s just me.

Despite the proliferation of unsanctioned fetes, there were some events that I do wish I had gone to, namely Riggo Suave’s Neon J’ouvert. The event started at a secret location (which would have given me agita), but later turned into a silent street party. There was ample room to social distance and avoid being confined to a space with possibly COVID-infected partiers. Once videos surfaced on social media, I actually had FOMO. I saw people wearing masks, large security men keeping patrons safe, and folks freeing up after a summer of fetelessness (coining that now). Well, done Riggo!

I also seriously missed the parkway this year. I usually love heading to Eastern Parkway to dance alongside big trucks pumping the latest soca or zouk and eating everything from jerk chicken to funnel cake! This year, as there was no physical parade on Labor Day, WIADCA took the event to the Internet. While other virtual Carnivals, notably Toronto Carnival, did this with a plumb, WIADCA did not. Spotty audio and static grid images sparked comments criticizing the already embattled association. As someone who loves and defends Brooklyn Carnival, this was disappointing to say the least.

I turned off the virtual event and decided to go outta road to see if there were rebels who would still fashion a makeshift parade. No such luck. Vendors still sold island flags and accessories to the small groups of people passing by. Some residents brought out coolers and music and sat in front of apartment buildings to look out at the empty parkway. I watched a group of teenage girls in shorts with multinational flags hanging from their back pockets walk to the corner of Utica and Eastern Parkway, look right, look left, shrug and head back to the bus stop. If summer 2020 was a vibe, this would be it. Total disappointment.

As we are unsure when we will be able to fete freely, I would like promoters to consider a few things:

• Stop saying that your greed and self-serving promotion is “for the culture.” We have to work within the guidelines of city ordinances if we want to continue having events. If your event puts future events in jeopardy, you are hurting the culture.

• Don’t tell us you can’t control what patrons do. As Kevin Crown noted in his Instagram post, deejays/emcees can remind partiers of the rules of the party. If you can tell people not to throw water during “Wet It Up” because you want to avoid fees from the venue, you can tell them to wear their masks.

• Stay up-to-date. Parties are moving to backyards and small venues, but you still have to check on the the latest policies to ensure that your event does not get shut down. We don’t need more “due to circumstances beyond our control” posts.

Preserving our culture is a group effort. Selfish promoters and reckless patrons will ruin it for all of us. If we really want to maintain a presence in Brooklyn, we have to be smart about how we party - global pandemic or not!

Check out the Rant and Rave panel discussion where we have promoters, patrons, and police discuss event best practices.