Discover the holiday of Carnival as it is celebrated in the Caribbean. Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before the Catholic observance of Lent. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus and public street party. People often dress up in masks and costumes during the celebrations. It is Carnival time at the Queens Museum, and we’ve invited local artists who come from the Caribbean islands to share some of their  Carnival traditions with you!

Schedule of Events

Caribbean Storytelling with Michael Manswell “€“ 1pm

Michael Manswell is a dancer, singer, choreographer, teaching artist, and an artistic director. Michael  began his artistic life as a storyteller at arts festivals winning many prizes and awards. As a singer he has toured Europe, the UK, and the Caribbean and has performed as a soloist in many productions of opera and oratorio. He studied dance at the Trinidad Dance Theater with Eugene Joseph training in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Ballroom, and Folkloric styles. Michael worked with Geoffrey Holder on “€œDougla II”€ and “€œLa Valse des Bakas”€ for TDT and toured with the company in the USA and the Caribbean. He was named one of “€œBrooklyn’s Black Men of Distinction 2000″€ and “€œBrooklyn’s Black Dance Kings 2010″€. He is currently teaching for Something Positive Inc., the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), the Brooklyn Arts Council, the Caribbean Cultural Center and is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Lehman College (CUNY).

Mask-making Workshop – 2pm-3pm

Museum teaching artists will show you how to make cool masks that you can wear while dancing to the steel drums and processing around the museum in true Carnival style immediately afterwards.

Patrick Davis & Friends SteelPan Players “€“ 3pm

A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Patrick Davis has been playing steel drums for many years. He has played in various countries and concert halls throughout the world. He performs regularly with the Steelpan Band Journeyagents bringing the vibrant rhythms of the Caribbean in his unique style. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.

The Caribbean Carnival Festival is part of  the Queens Museum’s Inaugural Cultural Festival, a year-long series of events that celebrate the rich and varied cultures found in Queens, the most diverse county in the nation. Building upon the spirit of our opening celebrations for our new building, we celebrate the communities in the Museum’s surrounding neighborhoods with a focus on dance, music, food, crafts, storytelling, and rituals.

Sponsored by Delta, official airline of the Queens Museum.