After portraying “Enchanted Backyard” in final 12 months’s West Indian American Day Carnival Parade, the Brooklyn-based Branches JS 21 and Mango Tree Productions needs “A Contact of Class” is that this 12 months’s presentation.
“We prefer to be completely different,” Trinidadian-born band chief Edwin Worrell instructed Caribbean Life in an unique interview on the mas camp, at 369 East, 98th St., between Riverdale Avenue and Legion Avenue, in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on Monday.
“Our costumes are attractive however not scandalous,” added Worrell in regards to the band, previously referred to as Branches & Associates. “And that’s what we’re giving the individuals (masqueraders).”
He stated “A Contact of Class” includes seven sections, with about 36 masqueraders in every part: Hibiscus, Purple Ruby, Golden Baby, Temptation, Harmless, A Contact of Class and Horny.”
“We’re a low-budget band; we’re making an attempt to cater for the individuals,” stated Worrell, who has been producing mas in New York for the final three years.
“We love the Parkway (Jap Parkway, a serious thoroughfare in Brooklyn, the place the annual Caribbean Carnival Parade is held)”, he added. “We love every little thing about New York.
“The general public can count on enjoyable, love – an actual carnival expertise,” continued Worrell, whose earlier productions tied first for Band of the 12 months within the parade.
The primary 12 months’s manufacturing, in 2022, was “Carnival is Colour”.
At the moment, Worrell stated: “Normally, I play for T&T Boys, however, this 12 months, I made a decision to go by myself, as a result of mas is a factor for individuals to take pleasure in themselves – to convey cheaper costumes to the masqueraders.”
“The mas right this moment is absolutely getting out of hand, due to the nakedness,” he stated. “We’re making an attempt our greatest to point out that you simply include a dressing up and really feel comfy. Lots of people don’t care. We’re coming with a distinction.
“That is my ardour, that is my love,” added Worrell, whose band has been taking part in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival for over 25 successive years. “I’m doing it to point out the tradition of all of the completely different lots within the Caribbean.
“We’re a band with a distinction,” he pressured. “While you go on the market (on Jap Parkway), you look good.”
In 2022, Worrell stated Branches JS 21 and Mango Tree Productions “tied with a giant, large band [Sesame Flyers].”
Allena Frazier stated she and her twin sister, Alaysia Frazier, count on to have enjoyable taking part in this 12 months with Branches JS 21 and Mango Tree Productions.
“You may count on power,” stated Allena, a Brooklyn resident, whose dad and mom hail from Guyana. “You may count on simply optimistic vibes and celebration.
“Something good, I’m bringing,” added Allena, who will painting “Hibiscus”.
Alaysia, who additionally serves because the band’s supervisor, stated spectators can count on “enjoyable, power, uplifting, and tradition, spice and unity.
“We’ll present up for the household unity within the carnival,” added Alaysia, who has been taking part in with Branches since its inception in New York.
Ashley Corridor, who was born in Brooklyn to Jamaican parentage, stated she shall be taking part in with the band for the second successive 12 months.
“I’m the entire vibe,” she stated, stating that she is going to painting “Purple Ruby”. “As me contact down, the entire place contact down – that’s me (talking colloquially). It’s enjoyable actions – whining, music, tradition. We’re tradition.”
Nickola “Sizzling Gal Nicki” Stephens, 23, who lives in Brooklyn and was born in Maypen, Clarendon, Jamaica, stated she shall be debuting as a masquerader this 12 months.
“I really feel excited,” she stated, stating that she is going to painting “Golden Baby.” “I’ll be ‘wilding out’, having enjoyable.
“I’ll be ‘pores and skin out and pon me head high,’” added Stephens, talking in Jamaican parlance. “All people is aware of me as ‘Sizzling Gal Nicki’”.
Worrell could be reached at (347) 582-7888.
