J’Ouvert is It as Steelbands and ole Mas own the streets of New York

[Pan Times]

New York's J'Ouvert 2009 was the place to be this past Labor Day. If you were not there you missed one of America's most entertaining, live, community-based performing arts mediums. America's got major talent - and no where is it better displayed than at New York's J'Ouvert celebrations. From Flatbush Avenue around Grand Army Plaza, across Empire Blvd., then down Nostrand Avenue - imps, devils, jab jabs, ole mas characters, satirical and political visual commentators, skits, and more were in the driver's seat along the streets, parading in all their glory. And at the heart of it all - were the steel bands and rhythm sections - providing the musical tapestry to which all the scenes unfolded.
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