Hello my friends,
My goodness! This is going to be a heavy-duty week that will keep you jumping up and down, doing the James Brown, starting with Dr. Elaine Simon’s Baltimore-Washington Caribbean Festival. What a way to start a weekend. The 2023 Baltimore Washington One Carnival is an annual Caribbean-centric event that draws thousands of spectators and participants to Druid Hill Park and the surrounding areas in Baltimore. Officially known as the Baltimore Washington One Carnival, 2023 marks this event’s 42nd year which is organized by the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Baltimore, in conjunction with the DC Caribbean Carnival Committee. Carnival depicts Caribbean cultural expressions, historical significance and the most memorable, compelling performances by masqueraders and the community marching bands. Optimism and pride are the hallmarks that drive the Caribbean Festival, renowned for its colorful ethnic parade with creative and talented participants. Their efforts to promote their rich heritage and culture made the process of assimilation a much easier experience for the Caribbean people. Thousands of residents and visitors line the street with great anticipation for the parade to lead them to the festival site. Throughout the Baltimore-Washington One Carnival Festival, attendees get to enjoy live music and performances on stage and have access to plenty of mouth-watering Caribbean cuisine and a variety of arts & craft vendors.
I have had the joy of covering this event for 36 years, and I have always found it very exciting to see the different costumes, handmade by the many individuals who are wearing them, the music and the parade are one of a kind. The carnival brings you the sights, sounds and food of a Trinidad style street carnival. You will experience first-hand the rich culture of the Caribbean, spectacular costume, joyous revelry, and a generous dash of international flavor will once again bring the community plenty of spice that will dazzle all your senses. I will say the best example of this phenomenon is the festival’s parade, which will mesmerize you and those who participate as masqueraders, drummers, stilt walkers, floats, steel bands and everyday folks in the community. You will forget all your problems just for a little while. The Baltimore Caribbean Carnival Festival is an annual 3-day event starting at noon with a parade on Saturday, July 8th surrounding Druid Hill Park. I will see you there!
Now let me talk about a group of my musical children, named the Palovations. I personally worked with these three guys back in the day. I am so happy to know they are still together and doing well. Avery Yancy is one of the original group members and the leader of this trio. The group once had five members and now has three. They concentrate mostly on performing songs from the Motown era, specifically The Temptations. The members are Avery Yancy, Michael Thomas and Eugene Baily. They call him “Sonny.” There will be more written about this fantastic group in my later Rambling Rose column,” but right now before I run out of space, I want to invite you to their show at City View, located at 6700 Security Blvd. in Gwynn Oak, Maryland every Friday, starting Friday July 7 from 6-10 p.m. Admission is free. Miss Maybelle is the mistress of ceremony. We will see you there.
I’ve got to go folks. See you soon. Remember, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.