Articles
Exclusive cultural and political content highlighting issues affecting the Caribbean diaspora
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!
I Find Mehself in A Jouvay Band
Boston Carnival
The last time I attempted to experience the Carnival, Hurricane Irene blew through the east coast and forced me to return to New York prior to the parade. I took that as a sign. Two years later, I made a second attempt. Luckily, the air was cool and sunny skies blanketed the massive festival that began at 5am with j’ouvert and ended some twelve hours later. Fine. I am converted. Boston Carnival, ah comin’ again!
Ah Tell You I Have It
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Every August Toronto comes alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival. This year was no different. From the moment I landed at the Billy Bishop Airport downtown, I could hear steelpan playing in the distance. This was what I had been waiting for. I paid the entrance fee ready to get up close and personal with the masqueraders. Unfortunately, the entrance fee got me as far as the 8-foot-high fence. Although I enjoyed my visit, I have to admit that it did not compare to the carnival experience I had last year.
Wettin' after Wettin'
Memorial Day Weekend
I suppose the Brooklyn Carnival gods heard my cry last year about there being so few parties that I ended up barely feting that summer. This year, the summer party season kicked off with many fetes and events. While many Americans celebrated Memorial Weekend with parades and barbecues, I spent the weekend jumping up in clubs and fetes.
If Memorial weekend was any indication of what is to come this summer in New York, DysChick will be fetin' after fetin' all the way to Labor Day. Leh we go!
Anti-stush vs. Vikings
Got PCD at Latin Quarters
A quiet Palm Sunday evening in Manhattan was interrupted by an epic soca event starring the Viking and the Viqueen, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons. The posh Latin Quarters on 47th Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan is not known for hosting powder-flinging soca fetes, but with the city's West Indian community suffering from PCD (Post Carnival Depression), that's what they got.
Fogging Up the Place
A DRAMATIC CARNIVAL SEASON
The music of Carnival is usually the basis for the drama that accompanies Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. However, this year, the drama is happening behind the music. With Machel Montano being found guilty of various assault charges right before the season began and soca power couple Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons choosing to bow out of the Soca Monarch competition, the battle is not just on the stage.
Ah Come for Dat
2012 YEAR IN REVIEW
2012 has been one for the books. I can’t believe all of the fetes, parties, and carnivals I was able to attend this year. Of course, not every event was a success. I want to share my most memorable fete moments of 2012.
De Vibes Cyah Done
MIAMI CARNIVAL 2012
When thousands of West Indians descend on Miami, what do you expect to happen? You should expect fetes, parties, and half-naked flag-bearing people all up and down South Beach. Well, that is exactly what took place this past weekend. The good thing was that the locals were expecting it this time. It seemed that there was more awareness about the Carnival this year than any other year I’ve gone. It was great that the airport staff, the hotels, and the cab drivers knew that Columbus Day weekend was Miami Carnival weekend.