Caribbean Times 12.02.2016

ENTERTAINMENT
17
Caribbean Times | December 1-14, 2016
Caribbean Christmas Celebration
returns to New York
Festive fever takes over Brooklyn on Sunday, December 11, 2016
NEW YORK, NY – The festive fever
is already in the air and is set to take
over Brooklyn on Sunday, December 11
when Braata Productions will celebrate
its Fourth Annual Ole Time Grand Market
at the Holy Family Church Auditorium,
9719 Flatlands Avenue in Brooklyn.
Gates open at 4:30 pm and the concert
will begin at 5:00 pm.
The event, generally referred to as
Christmas Market or Grand Market is
a tradition that dates back many centuries
in the island of Jamaica. Braata’s
Ole Time Grand Market brings all the
fun and excitement that is characteristic
of this annual Christmas tradition, adding
some extra flavor with the inclusion
of a number of other Caribbean islands.
Patrons in attendance can expect an immersive
experience with food and craft
vendors showcasing traditional fare from
their native islands as well as a special
Caribbean Christmas themed exhibit
highlighting in a colorful and interactive
display what Christmas in the Caribbean
used to be like and continues to be like in
some places.
The highlight of the day though will be
the cultural performance which Braata
Productions has come to be known for.
The nonprofit performing arts organization
prides itself in always showcasing
the best of Jamaican folk culture and by
extension the wider Caribbean and this
concert line up is no different. This year’s
concert will include the award winning
Braata Folk Singers, powerhouse songstress
Ophelia Carter from Jamaica,
Smax Music representing Haiti, GAMAE
Garifuna Performing Arts Company representing
St Vincent & the Grenadines by
way of Belize, Kizzy’s Playhouse with traditions
from Trinidad and Tobago plus
balladeer Andrew Clarke.
“It was important in sharing the Caribbean
Christmas experience that we
including the entire region. Even though
Grand Market is traditionally a Jamaican
experience, we can learn from Braata’s
Ole Time Grand Market that there is so
much that connects us as people of African
descent living in these different
islands. Therefore celebrations like this
help to bring to the fore the many things
we share in common while enlightening
us to other things of significance that we
may not be aware of,” Founder of Braata
Productions & Festival Producer Andrew
Clarke noted.
Another feature of the evening that
many patrons have come to enjoy is the
parade of a traditional Jonkanno Band.
To round out the evening’s activities,
there will be a Christmas cake eating
contest, Christmas family portrait photography,
the popular Kiddies Christmas
grab bag and health screenings by the
Caribbean Nurses Group.
To learn more about Braata Productions
or to purchase tickets for Ole Time
Grand Market visit www.braataproductions.org