2024 Brooklyn Jouvay morning and Panyard and Mas Camp tour Labor Day weekend

As Jouvert evolves, 2J and Friends and King Jab have become prominent bands, new comers include Power House Productions, Pazzazz, and jouvert stalwarts Kutters Rhythm Section now include costumed masqueradors.

The West Indian Parade is the culmination of year long preparations in the community. Mas Camps and panyards are where bands gather, celebrate and prepare for the annual West Indian Carnival in Brooklyn which includes Jouvert, Panorama, and Dimanche Gras.

Kutters presentation “Power of the Women” won Traditonal Ole Mas Band honors

King jab and Friends jouvert masqueradors part the veils of their costumes. The band’s presentation “Mosi-au-Tunya” is the local name for Victoria Falls, and literally means “The Smoke that Thunders”

Powerhouse Production Family placed 3rd in the Ole Mas competition with its presentation "Africa in Our DNA". The band accompanied by the Pan Rebels steelband, paid tribute to Africa in the costume design and with signs naming ethnic peoples including Isizwe, Kumkani and Nyabingi. Led by Gail Oliveri, Trevor Perez and costume designer Monica Perez, the band formed after COVID is in it’s second year, but draws on over a decade of experience with Freaks Mas  kiddies carnival band. The mas camp is at 4608 Snyder Avenue and Power House Production Family on Instagram. 

Curtis "King Jab" Noel is a riveting figure on jouvert morning, larger than life, stoic, painted head to two and with the folding bat wings and a blank stare, He is unequivocally King of Jabs, unnerving, inspired fear and wonder. His character was honed with the Pagwah band before leading King Jab and Friends. Noel has over the years elevated the lowly Jab Jab, bringing it beyond oil and molasses to a higher level, from mocking satire to performance art that he has taken to audiences globally.  The concept for this years presentation came to Noel in the still of the night. "After "Jab in Flight"(2023) where do we land? Africa Victoria Falls, Mosi-au-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders" He tells us. The costumed masqueraders reflected varios aspects of the falls and the culture around it. The presentation won the Fancy Ole Mas competition.

Friday night a bus tour of mas camps and panyards wound, windows open, through pulsating streets of Flatbush. It was an exciting way to kick off West Indian festivites. Organized by Charmaine Lezama of the BUSH WO/MAN Conversations Project, the ride started at the historic Lefferts House in Prospect Park and culminating at the Troy Avenue 2J and Friends mas camp.

Hearts of Steel panyard was one of the stops. Bandleader Mike Demas describes their music as “Flatbush Music” while staying true to the original intstrumental format oil drums tuned to basic chords, developed in Trinidad.

Greenhouse Jab Jab revelers and their presentation “The Oath, In Jab We Trust”. Their msuc was shut down by NYPD at the location on Flatbush Avenue behind the Botanical Garden which was inexplicably designated a “no music zone” even though it is not close to residential areas.

Africa inspired costumes worn by King Jab and Friends jouvert bandmembers. King Jab’s “The Smoke that Thunders Mosi-On-Tunya” took 1st place in the Fancy Ole Mas band competition, narrowly besting 2J and Friends’ “Dis Weddin Sweet”. Power Promotion Family’s “Africa in Our DNA” placed third.

Najami “Bush Woman” Lezama, flagwoman for 2J and Friends tells us "Bandleaders Mama Janet and Kendall come from John John, a Port of Spain neighborhood, known for its fierce warrior spirit, change makers, musicians and leaders who have contributed to society including Winston “Spree” Simon. Rebellious slaves occupied the area which is, like Laventille, a hilly area that allowed for successful resistance to colonial power". 

Oil covered Jab Jabs on Empire Boulevard. Jab Jab is a tradition found in Grenada, similar to the Jab Molassie of Trinidad, dating from the days when African slave labor used on sugar cane plantations. Revelers also wear goat horn helmets, chains, and tongues dripping red liquid.

Dis Wedding Sweet referenced the spirit of wedding in colonial Trinidad

Friday night the panyard of reigning champs Metro Steel Orchestra was quiet. A day later they placed 2nd for their rendition of “Lorraine” by Explainer at the Brooklyn Museum.