J’Ouvert City International kicked off its 2018 celebration by honoring 25 individuals from our community who have worked hard behind the scenes to ensure that our culture is maintained in Central Brooklyn. They were known as “J’Ouvert Cultural Ambassadors”.
J’ouvert 2018 will go down in history as a splendid demonstration of heritage, national pride and community cooperation. The pre-dawn celebration which takes place in the heart of Central Brooklyn was incident free. The participating bands of which there were more than 25 displayed exotic themes such as: Carenage Meets Wakanda, A Sailor’s Journey, All Hands on Deck, Colon Panama 507 and The Spirit Warriors. Included were several Steelband orchestras and Rhythm groups that filled the air with sweet musical sounds. It was a spectacular event to witness. However, the only thing marring this year’s celebration was the post media reports maligning the festival with a barrage of negative publicity attempting to link us to violent crimes which took place far removed from the parade route.
STEELBAND "Bomb" Competition
Winning Steelband Bomb Competition - Pan Liberty - J’Ouvert 2018 Brooklyn
| Results | Steelbands | Tune Played/Arranger | Points |
| 1st | Pan Liberty | Caribbean Queen - Reynold "Pro" Huggins | 269 |
| 2nd | Next Generation In Steel | A Wonderful World - Jelani Fernando | 203 |
| 3rd | Legend Stars | Mora - Jeffery Pierre | 190 |
| 4th | Hearts of Steel | I Write This Letter – Tony Trebuse | 152 |
| 5th | Philadelphia Pan Stars | Sound Check - Yohan Popwell | 146 |
| 6th | Port of Spain Pan Groove | Beyond the Stars - Oscar Williams | 132 |
| Despers USA | did not play a Bomb Tune | n/a | |
| D’Radoes | did not play a Bomb Tune | n/a |
STEELBAND CALYPSO Competition
Winning Steelband Calypso Competition - Despers USA - J’Ouvert 2018 - Brooklyn
| Results | Steelbands | Tune Played/Arranger | Points |
| 1st | Despers USA | Year for Love - Odie Franklin | 356 |
| 2nd | Pan Liberty | Hello - Reynold "Pro" Huggins | 348 |
| 3rd | D’Radoes | Year for Love - B.J. Marcelle | 342 |
| 4th | Next Generation In Steel | Hello - Iman Pascall | 333 |
| 5th | Hearts of Steel | Hello - Ryan Williams | 321 |
| 6th | Philadelphia Pan Stars | Year for Love - Yohan Popwell | 318 |
| 7th | Port of Spain Pan Groove | Madness - Oscar Williams | 307 |
| 8th | Legend Stars | Hello - Jefffery Pierre | 306 |
RHYTHM BANDS
New York Jab Jab, Kutters Rhythm, Paint Army,
Spice Isle Rhythm, Steve Massive Rhythm, Sumkinabakanaal, Real Jab Jab
Jab Jab - J’Ouvert 2018 - Brooklyn
| Results | Rhythm Bands | Points |
| 1st | Paint Army | 264 |
| 2nd | Sumkinabakanaal | 251 |
| 3rd | Spice Isle Rhythm | 249 |
| 4th | Steve Massive Rhythm | 234 |
| 5th | Kutters Rhythm | 229 |
| 6th | New York Jab Jab | 198 |
| 7th | Real Jab Jab | 180 |
MASQUERADE BANDS:
Wendell & Associates, Pagwah, 2J & Friends, Roy Pierre & Associates, Legend Stars, Green House Jab Jab, Oildowners, No Sleeping, New York Jab Jab, Barbara & Associates, Kutters Mas, Carenege United, The Real Jab Jab
FANCY OLD MAS:
Winning Fancy Old Mas Competition - Roy Pierre & Associates - J’Ouvert 2018 - Brooklyn
| Results | Mas bands | Portrayals | Points |
| 1st | Roy Pierre & Associates | All Hands On Deck | 385 |
| 2nd | Pagwah | The Spirits Warriors | 380 |
| 3rd | 2 J & Friends | Colon Panama 507 | 340 |
| 4th | Legend Stars | Tout Baggi | 245 |
| 5th | Barbara & Associates | Life's Ah Jungle | 240 |
| 6th | Kutters | The Spirits That Live In The Mangrove | 215 |
TRADITIONAL OLE MAS:
Winning traditional Old Mas Competition - Carenage United - J’Ouvert 2018 - Brooklyn
| Results | Mas bands | Portrayal | Points |
| 1st | Carenage United | Carenage Meets Wakanda | 345 |
| 2nd | No Sleeping & Wendell & Associates | A Sailor’s Journey to Egypt | 340 |
| 3rd | Oildowners | Who Is Mad | 335 |
| 4th | Greenhouse Jab Jab | The Agony Of The Heat | 330 |
| 5th | The Real Jab Jab | 260 | |
| 6th | New York Jab Jab | 220 |
INDIVIDUALS - MALE
| Results | Bands | Individuals | Portrayals | Points |
| 1st | 2 J & Friends | Kendell Julien | El Man Manuel Noriega | 335 |
| 2nd | Roy Pierre & Associates-John Anderson | Eric the Viking | John Anderson | 325 |
| 2nd | Pagwah | Tribute to African Tribal Warriors | Curtis Noel | 325 |
| 3rd | Carenage United | Black Panther of Wakanda | Herman Gillman | 305 |
INDIVIDUALS - FEMALE
Winning Individual Female - Sandra Bell - Pagwah - J’Ouvert 2018 - Brooklyn
| Results | Bands | Individuals | Portrayals | Points |
| 1st | Pagwah | Sandra Bell | The Spirits Warriors | 350 |
| 2nd | 2 J & Friends | Janet Lewis – 1st Lady | Lorena Castillo de Valera | 345 |
| 2nd | Carenage United | Magajiya from the Kingdom of Carenage | Debbie Lawrence | 345 |
| 3rd | Roy Pierre & Associates-John Anderson | Lasertha Viking Warrior Woman | Carol Corridon | 340 |
| 4th | Kutters | 160 |
Flag Waver
Winning Flag Waver - Elizabeth Taylor - Carenage United - J’Ouvert 2018 - Brooklyn
| Results | Bands | Individuals | Points |
| 1st | Carenage United | Elizabeth Taylor | 180 |
| 2nd | Pagwah | June Bristone | 140 |
| 3rd | Despers USA | Najami Lazama | 110 |
| 3rd | Hearts of Steel | Jennie | 110 |
From the News Desk of J'Ouvert City International (JCI)
Replies
+Well done. (Kudo's) aka: Tahzann/ aka: Curly!!!