A Long Island City cultural celebration is returning this June with a new name.
“CariBites,” organized by Braata Productions, will feature live performances by the Braata Folk Singers, Inga Stewart, and the Youth from Riis Queensbridge Afterschool program, as well as culinary delights from various Caribbean islands and other family-friendly events and activities.
The event will be held on Sunday, June 10 at Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement House
(1025 41st Ave. in Long Island City).
CariBites is free and open to the public.
According to Braata Productions’ executive director Andrew Clarke, CariBites is a new incarnation of the former Bankra Caribbean Folk Festival held last June at the same location. The former Bankra festival was the second location of two Bankra festivals held in New York, with the original festival occurring in May in Jamaica, Queens.
“For a variety of reasons, our board made a decision to do away with the Bankra Caribbean Food Festival in Long Island City and introduce a new concept,” Clarke said. “Out of this discussion, CariBites was born. The rebranding will ensure that there is no confusion with the original Bankra Caribbean festival held in Jamaica, Queens. In addition, CariBites will have some very different components.”
CariBites will differ from its previous incarnation by broadening the content to focus on the Caribbean as a whole, highlighting many different Caribbean cultures.
“Greater emphasis will be placed on seeing the Caribbean as more than just Jamaica,” Clarke said. “Hence the inclusion of other islands’ foods.”
CariBites will begin at 2 p.m. with a bounce house, face painting, Caribbean folk games and dances and Caribbean arts and crafts. Live acts will start at 4 p.m., including performances by Braata Folk Singers, Inga Stewart, the Youth from Riis Academy’s Queensbridge Afterschool Program and many more.
Artists interested in performing at CariBites, as well as Caribbean restaurants interested in sponsoring the festival with in-kind food donations, can email [email protected] for more information.
CariBites is sponsored by NYCulture. The program is supported in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and council member Jimmy Van Bramer.
“Come get a taste of the Caribbean like only Braata Productions does it,” Clarke said. “CariBites will prove to offer fun for the whole family. Whether you are of Caribbean heritage or not, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the festival.”
Register online for CariBites at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caribites-tickets-46365414202?aff=erelexpmlt.
About Braata Productions
Braata Productions, founded in 2009 by actor/singer Andrew Clarke, is a nonprofit Caribbean performing arts and education organization dedicated to showcasing Caribbean culture, history, lifestyle, traditions, and customs through folk music, arts, and theatre. “Braata” is a Jamaican colloquial term meaning “extra” or “more.” In this spirit, Braata Productions gives its supporters and audiences something more at all times, entertaining and educating audiences of all ages about the rich historical and cultural traditions of the Caribbean region.
Learn more about Braata Productions at https://www.braataproductions.org. Follow Braata Productions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.