Trinidadian-American Nancy Tannis says the Brooklyn-based Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA will “Watch Meh” for Junior Carnival this Labor Day.
“We came up with that theme after our band leader Jason Edwards had a dream of the kids and parents talking about their costumes and simply saying to each other ‘Watch Meh’”, Tannis, section leader for the Special Needs Section, told Caribbean Life. “The theme gives the kids the chance to show off in the true carnival spirit and essence.”
She said “Watch Meh” has five sections: Just Watch Meh, Watch Meh Bloom, Watch Meh Fly, Watch Meh Shine and Watch Meh Face.
“Overall, we would love to have 80-100 masqueraders in the whole band,” said Tannis, adding that the ages of the masqueraders range from 1-16, and that they were born in the United States but have parents and/or grandparents who were born in the Caribbean.
“A lot of the kids represent the different Caribbean countries, like Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent (and the Grenadines), St. Kitts (and Nevis), Haiti, etc.,” continued Tannis, a mother of two boys, Ian, 14, and Chayse, 8, who will be participating with this year’s carnival. “Ian is on the Autism Spectrum and is non-verbal.
“For this year’s stage performance, we have high hopes of presenting a fun-filled presentation, but the main goal is for the kids to enjoy from start to finish,” she said.
Over the years, Tannis said Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA’s performance on stage “has been great.
“The kids have truly enjoyed the experience,” she said, stating that, last year, the band placed 1st, with one of the Kings also placing 1st and the second King placing 2nd. In 2022, one of the Queens placed 1st.
“Throughout our time as a band for the West Indian American Day Carnival (WIADCA), we have placed in the top three spots at different times,” Tannis said. “This year, the masqueraders can expect a fun time on the road and stage.
“Our band leaders Jason Edwards and Christina, plus other members of our staff, have taken extra measures to ensure the kids have the best time of their lives on the road for this year’s carnival,” she added. “We have a lot of goodies from our sponsors for the kids.”
Tannis said preparations for this year’s carnival parade started in 2023.
“Once last year’s carnival was done, we started getting ready for the 2024 carnival season,” she said. “Our band leaders have things planned out to ensure a timely execution. We have a huge time helping us out this year from people in Trinidad, to Canada, friends and family.”
Tannis said the 2024 sections are designed by Gisselle Fritz, “who has been an important part of our development.”
Music will be supplied by Jumbie Sound, a subgroup of Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA. The music will be on a float pushed by volunteers, Tannis said.
She said, this year, a second float will “assist kids in Section 1, which is our masqueraders with special needs section.
“That float will also be pushed by volunteers as well,” Tannis said. “Our DJs for the parade are some of our very own members – DJ Nyles International, DJ Sha, DJ Matty, DJ Cheeke, DJ Lah, DJ Versatile.”
She said the band was formed in 2010 by Edwards “to give our Moko Jumbie kids a day to parade in the streets for a carnival of their own.”
Tannis said Kaisokah Moko Jumbies USA is also a stilt dancing group.“We are able to sustain the band with the help of friends, family, donors and sponsorships,” she said. “We welcome any and all help offered to us. It all counts. Running a carnival band is not cheap and is very costly.”
For more information, visit https://www.izzascene.com/kaisokah; social media @Kaisokajumbiesusa on Instagram; or call or text (347)286-5505.
