Braata Productions, creator of The Bankra Caribbean Folk Festival – the premier New York family event to be held at the York College Performing Arts Center in Queens on May 12, 2018 – invites families to participate in and enjoy the day of culture and fun, now an annual staple in the community and free for the entire family.
The Bankra Caribbean Folk Festival showcases the best of the Caribbean and provides a chance for New Yorkers to experience the folk culture of the islands and sample its unique cuisine. Patrons are invited to come with their drums and dancing feet.
Event founder and organizer Andrew Clarke says, “2018 represents our fourth staging of this celebration of Caribbean folk arts, culture and heritage. We really want to make this an accessible event for all.”
The event which will again deliver fun and entertainment for the entire family, gets underway at 12 noon.
The Caribbean Folk Festival is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council and Council Member I. Daneek Miller.
Clarke emphases, ““The Caribbean community has so much to offer and this Folk Festival provides a unique opportunity to showcase our rich and diverse cultural heritage with the residents of the borough and its environs. We look forward to the support of the Queens community and the wider New York Tri-State area to ensure the Festival’s success.”
The day’s events feature a Drumming circle, Steel Pan Orchestra, Basket Weaving demonstration and instruction, Storytelling, a Pop Up Cultural Exhibit featuring life sized puppets of Anansy, Rolling Calf, Bacoo among others and the Play Zone featuring dandy shandy, marbles, hop scotch, ring games and more.
The organizers hope community members will come out and make it a family outing Clarke says, “We hope parents will take their children, Grandparents will take the grandkids, church groups will make it an outing. Senior centers will encourage their seniors to attend and civic, youth groups and other non-profits will see the value in ensuring their members to participate.”
The Caribbean Folk Festival will feature different experiences from Anglophone Caribbean territories.
Clarke outlines, “This will it be another special staging. Our Play Zone is now all the games that we played back home in the Caribbean, guided and lead by Activity Coordinators who will teach and engage the children and adults in the playing of these games such as Dandy Shady, Hopscotch, Ring Games, Marbles, Jacks and more.
“The idea is that the generations will meet in one space and exchange experiences. Grandma will play with her grandkids and teach them games she used to play.”
Braata Folk Singers will leads an impressive lineup of cultural groups scheduled to perform throughout the afternoon starting at 4 pm.
Headlining the event will be Ernie Smith, with live performances also by Andrew Clarke, Children of Culture St. Lucia and the True Tribute Organization.
Attendees are encouraged to reserve their complimentary tickets early for the festival. Tickets can be reserved online at https://bankrafestival.com
Contact:
Braata Productions
Telephone: 917-668-2209
Email: [email protected]
