The Blue Haze

The West Indian Day Parade gets a lot of attention every year.  Whether that's because it's actually the largest parade event in NYC or whether it's the expectation of violence I can't say.  Carey Gabay, 43, the first deputy general counsel for the Empire State Development Corp., was shot in the head on Bedford Ave. near Sullivan Place in Crown Heights at 3:41 a.m. while he and his brother tried to take cover from the gang gunfire.  He grew up in that neighborhood so being out at J'ouvert is what is done.  This was during J'ouvert last year.  Unfortunately because of incidents like this many cops lined the parade route.  I was happy to see NYC's finest not because I fear violence or crime during Carnival but because I want them to see my people in one of the greatest creative endeavors of the year in NYC.

WIADCA 2016: Carnival on the Parkway

WIADCA Carnival this year taught me about patience.  The beginning, unlike last year, was not that eventful.  As in all other Carnivals on the parkway, they start with the Politicians and then the revelers.  My natural inclination is to position myself with the ability to get the best shots and to make certain that we're in the best position for choices of shots to  be easier.  But later came a slew of great costumes and revelers.  The costumes were very colorful. as always.  I enjoyed the spectators as well.

First Annual Art of Carnival:NYC'16

I had and amazing time this night. Just about all aspects of my life was represented. From Lambert Houses in the Bronx and my Junior High to the H.S. of Art and Design to de 32pct to Latent Print and the Forensic Artist Unit to Flagler County. These are special people in my life and I was delighted to the MAX!!! Thanks to all who made this a special event!

Brooklyn Kids 2015

Every year these kids show remarkable desire to strut their stuff.  Here are a few picts to wet the palette.

Some sort a bacchanal goin' on here.

Carnival can't all be bout clean fun.  There gotta be fire and wickedness.

Miami Broward Carnival 2015

There was all kind a bacchanal today.  Sexy women whinin all round the place.  Bumpa to bumpa... all the ladies gettin on bad.  It was a hot day.

Miami Broward Carnival is over and I am wanting.  I want more.  As a West Indian American I long for my culture.  I long for the smell and taste of the food.  I long to see  my Caribbean sisters with their sensuousness in full array with the sound and rhythm of Soca music massaging my ear.   Wow...I have to wait a whole year for Miami Broward Carnival.  At least I am charged.  The energy I felt as Xavier and I took our regular regiment of images.  I'm set!  We took thousands of photos which will make my task harder.  I now have to sort through them to come up with the art for my Caribbean Carnival series.  I have uploaded a few of the photos I felt would tantalize you as to what you have missed iust in case you didn't attend the fete. You now have a year to plan to attend.

Mas in Affect

Celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of our Caribbean Queen.

by Weldon Ryan

As Xavier and I scouted our field of view for these perfect pictures we came across a basic theme.  Most of the vendors were women.  Here are some of the vendors we snapped.

Miami Broward Carnival Panorama Champion 2014

Miami Broward Carnival Panorama Competition Set to Showcase Trinidad and Tobago's Rich Heritage Through Melodic Steel Band Performances

Pantastic Steel Orchestra Strives to Keep Band of the Year Title

The jovial and melodic sound of the steel pan has always been a staple element in not only Caribbean culture but of Carnival festivities all together. In celebration of the musical tradition, Miami Broward One Carnival presents their annual Panorama Steel Band competition on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Central Broward Regional Park from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

Twitter -      @miabrocarnival

Instagram - @miabrocarnival

Facebook -   Miami Broward One Carnival(please use a space between each word)

Miami Kids Carnival Oct 4th

Venues forthe 2015 Miami Broward Carnival

Central Broward Regional Park - 700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, FL 33311

Miami-Dade County Fairgrounds-10901 Southwest 24 Street, Miami, FL 33165

SCHEDULE

Miami Broward Jr. Carnival — 10/4-1pm-8pm

Location: Central Broward Regional Park - 3700 NW 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311

Miami Broward Carnival Kings/Queens/Individual and Panorama — 10/9-3pm-11pm

Location: Central Broward Regional Park - 3700 NW 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311

Miami Broward Carnival Official J’Ouvert — 10/10-7am-2pm

Location: Central Broward Regional Park - 3700 NW 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311

Miami Broward Carnival Parade of Bands and Concert — 10/11-11am-11pm

Location: Miami-Dade Fairgrounds - 10901 Southwest 24 Street, Miami, FL 33165

Go to http://www.miamibrowardcarnival.com/ for the winners of the competition.

A Painting Session with my A&D H.S. Painting Teacher Max Ginsburg.

I had three objectives for my visit to New York.  My first objective was to cover the traditional West Indian American Carnival Mas.  My second and probably the most anticipated was to see Max Ginsburg for the first time 15 years.  The third was to catch up with friends and family we hadn't seen in years. I called Max and the first question he asked was "Do you have your paint box."  Of course I said yes.  It was a four hour live model session but as usual  getting traffic was a nightmare.  I was an hour late.  Max asked; knowing I have issues with my knees Max as me if I needed help.  Check out the pix.

Max works so intuitively.  To have an opportunity to be tutored by one of Americas Premiere Great Masters was very special.  As good as I thought I was I learned a few things that if I worked with Max's teachings I would be a far better painter. ( behind us is the painting "Bus Stop" which graces the cover of his retrospective book "Max Ginsburg"

 http://www.maxginsburg.com/index.html

Island People Mas

Xavier came across this beautiful model not knowing how fabulous her costume is.  We met the designer as well as others in his party.  Mr.Derek Luis is a Trini responsible for being founder of Island People Mas. 

Designed by Derek Luis of Island People.  The builder is Michael Lim Chow.  Go to http://islandpeoplemas.com

Designed by Derek Luis of Island People.  The builder is Michael Lim Chow.  Go to http://islandpeoplemas.com

Brooklyn N.Y.C. West Indian Day Parade

by Weldon Ryan

We had a super day for photo's.  The costumes and the beautiful faces and body made it impossible to get all of the shots we needed to concentrate on.  We came with a game plan to shoot full, half and portrait shots with emphasis  action shots.  Overall, can I use these images  for more than photographic aesthetics.

Digicel Reveler/Dancers tearin up the scene at the West Indian Day Parade.

These Dancers melted the space they stood and move on.  They were hot!

NYC Kids Carnival 2015

Great costumes and beautiful kids participated in this marvelous spectacle of color creativity and showmanship.  There were so many people out and about celebrating this day.  Some people say they enjoy this part of carnival weekend better that the adult mas. These pictures were taken by Xavier Ryan.

Carnival Tampa St.Pete 2015

Ashlee John, a physical fitness instructor known as Fete Fit, attends Carnival each year. "It's rich in culture, music, and vibe, there's unity, "  Tampa Bay Carnival, Sunday June 7, 2015 in St. Petersburg, FL.

The team had a great time at this small for Mas Band carnival.  It wasn't taxing with teens rowdy  impeding the bands and other revelers.  This Carnival was short but inviting.  It doesn't hurt that St.Pete is a beautiful city.