Braata Productions will open its anniversary celebration year with the Bankra Caribbean Folk Festival, on Saturday June 8, at the St. Albans Park, 169 Street & Merrick Blvd., in Queens.
Billed as the biggest Caribbean Folk Culture festival in New York, the family friendly event will be headlined by one of Jamaica’s extraordinary balladeers, Ernie Smith and the Braata Folk Singers.
The show is set to start at 4:00 pm, with a little something for everyone, especially the early birds who will have an opportunity to browse the park grounds, tasting, sampling or just sharing in any one of a number of activities including; story-telling, basket weaving, health pavilion, games and a cultural exhibit, when the gates are officially open at 1.00 pm.
The festival features traditional folk forms and experiences from the different Caribbean territories and will be presented in three sections; the Stalls or Island Baskets; the cultural performances and a pop-up cultural exhibition, giving the event a unique profile.
“This is event is dedicated to folk forms and folk culture and will help re-establish the importance and relevance of folk, as a viable, vibrant contributor to the Caribbean brand,” according to Andrew Clarke, founder and executive director of Braata Productions, which is celebration ten years of showcasing Caribbean folk culture in the USA.
Founded in 2009, Braata Productions is dedicated to giving Caribbean born, Afro-Caribbean and Caribbean American artists, a platform through which to showcase their work and talent through; the theatre, educational programs, community outreach and folk performances.
The Bankra Caribbean Folk Festival is being 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.
Corporate partners include; NY Culture, Emandee Acres, Affinity Health Plan, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), and Jamaica YMCA.
For information on the festival, call: 917.668.2209, e: braat
