Experience Carnival
The Musical Instrument Museum
(MIM) in Phoenix invites the
community to embrace the
Carnival spirit on Feb. 8 and 9.
Music, dance, costumes and
cuisine highlight the cultures of
Trinidad and Tobago, the
Dominican Republic and other
Caribbean countries.
“Experience Carnival” is the latest installment in MIM’s “Unity Through Diversity” partnership with Phoenix-based PetSmart. The initiative celebrates musical traditions and cultural diversity, while reinforcing music as a unifying element of humanity around the world.
Historically, Carnival has been a vibrant, energetic festival of life in preparation for a time of fasting and reflection; it is celebrated around the world in February and March with music, dancing and costumes. MIM’s ‘Experience Carnival’ program will explore the traditions from several Caribbean nations.
– Celina Chiarello, public programs manager at MIM.
Caribbean Cruisers
The weekend event, supported by the Caribbean American Phoenix
Carnival Cultural Association of Arizona, will feature performances in MIM’s
main courtyard throughout the day: a “bachata” performance by Bella Q Dance
Studio; a “bomba” music and dance performance by Grupo Folklorico I'naru;
steel-pan performances by Ansel Joseph and James “JT” Taylor; reggae, soca,
junkanoo and calypso music by Arizona’s own Caribbean Cruisers.
Costumed performers, a stilt walker and
face painting will contribute to the Carnival
atmosphere. Local artist James Taylor will
teach guests how to play a steel pan during a
drop-in workshop. Guests will also discover
how steel pans are made and tuned during
a presentation by Ansel Joseph, whose
instruments are currently on display in the
Latin America and the Caribbean Gallery.
Café Allegro will offer a Caribbean-inspired menu including:
potato okra and kale soup; “arroz con pollo” (rice with chicken); Jamaican-style pork ribs with baked sweet potato and red peas; pork and mango empanada; and a sweet treat of “refresco de papaya” (papaya and milk smoothie).
Carnival-goers will also see a dazzling
“King Sailor” costume made for MIM
by one of Trinidad’s most famous
designers, Brian MacFarlane.
The blue, white and green
costume is decorated with feathers
and colored glass “jewels,”
as well as iridescent sequins and
beads in patterns resembling crocheted
lace. Accessories include an ornate
staff, glass-jeweled gloves and
a large crown commemorating
the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The costume will be displayed
for the first time at the weekend event.
> Click here to see the full program
