While most masqueraders, perhaps, never traveled to Tonga, Mas Productions Unlimited says it will give them a peek preview of the South Pacific island when it portrays “Tonga” on Labor Day.
“We just wanted to do something different,” said veteran Vincentian-born producer and designer Wesley Millington in a Caribbean Life interview.
Millington said the band, with about 100 adults and 75 children, boasts nine sections – six adults and three children.
“We’re just trying to have fun and to get things going,” he said. “We invite everybody to come out and enjoy the carnival.”
Last year, Mas Productions Unlimited placed third in the small band category in which it portrayed “Seven Plus,” signifying the seven “deadly sins” and the three virtues.
Millington said the “deadly sins” were greed, envy, gluttony, pride, anger, wrath and lust; while the virtues were faith, hope and charity.
Over the years, Mas Productions Unlimited has also won a few notable prizes, including Band of the Year in 2005 in the medium-size category, with “Garden Exotica.”
Millington, who has been playing mas since a kid in his native St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said he expects a contingent of Belizean masqueraders to again, as done perennially, to augment his production.
“A lot of people are having problems because of the economy,” he said. “It takes a lot to put a band out there (on Eastern Parkway for Labor Day). It’s important to keep the cultural events of Caribbean people together.”
Nonetheless, Millington said he expects his diverse band to continue to attract masqueraders from many Caribbean islands.
The mas camp is located at David’s Bakery, 3405 Avenue H, between East 34th and 35th streets.
You can call the mas camp at 866 MAS-BKNY or 866-627-2569.
Photo credit: Mas Productions Unlimited
