Brooklyn Museum parking lot
Washington Ave. & Eastern Pkwy.
September 1-4
718-467-1797
www.wiadca.com
The West Indian American Day Carnival will host millions of spectators lining Eastern Parkway, thousands of marchers in elaborate, colorful costumes, and big trucks pumping out loud music on Labor Day, but the partying actually begins on September 1 outside at the Brooklyn Museum, with several hot concerts leading up to the parade. On Thursday, September 1, the Official Welcome to New York Event ($25, 7:00) features Dr Jay, Back to Basics, Anonymous, Casanovas, Mad Man Maddy, Trinibago Massive Rhythm Section, and many others. On Friday morning, the Official Stay in School Concert (free, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm) includes a fashion show, spoken word, karate, and live music and dance, while BrassFest ($45, 8:00) will get things moving and shaking that night with Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, WCK, Skinny Fabulous, Lyrikal, Devyn, Kutters Rhythm Section, and Machel Montano HD & Kes the Band, “the only place to experience Road March King, the Soca Monarch King, and the Groovy Monarch Kings together.” On Saturday morning, the Junior Carnival ($2, 9:00) begins at Kingston Ave. & St. Johns and heads to the Brooklyn Museum, while that night is highlighted by the Steel Band Panorama Competition ($40, 8:00), with such competitors as Pan Sonatas, Casym, D’Radoes, Sesame Flyers, Harmony, Adlib, Despers USA, Pantonics, Crossfire, and Metro Steel Orchestra. And then, on Sunday, the annual Caribbean Gospel Fest 2011 ($20, 2:00) takes place in the afternoon, followed by Dimanche Gras ($35, 7:00), an all-night extravaganza with Sparrow, Devyn, David Rudder, Allrounder, Benjai, Swallow, Red Plastic Bag, Kofi, stilt walkers, rhythm masters, Golden Harps Steel Orchestra, and many more, all leading up to the best annual parade in the city.