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 Atlanta Carnival 2008 Comes Alive with Internationally-Acclaimed Artists
The Official Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Mainstage Comes Alive with a Line-up of Internationally-Acclaimed Artists
By Jacqueline Louis
Program Starts at 4 PM at The
Carnival Festival Village on Saturday, May 24, 2008
The City of Atlanta comes alive on Saturday, May
24, 2008 with the festive celebration of the 20th Annual Atlanta
Caribbean Carnival in downtown Atlanta.
“We are not only excited, but also, proud of this year’s festivities,”
says Annette Lemonn, President of the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders
Association (ACCBA). “As we celebrate
our 20th Anniversary, we have worked tirelessly to organize a
valuable experience that brings the essence of Carnival from the Caribbean into
the City of Atlanta, and beyond.”
This
all-encompassing celebration includes a Parade of Bands that begins at 12 PM on
West Peachtree, marches through Peachtree Street, and ends at the Festival
Village on Auburn Avenue (between Jesse Hill Jr. and Hilliard) at 2 PM. Through the ongoing festivities at the
Festival Village (from 11 AM-10 PM), the historic Auburn district will be
transformed into a mini Caribbean get-away, with a variety of sights, sounds
and tastes of the Caribbean. This
includes food, arts and crafts vendors, an interactive children’s area, as well
as live onstage entertainment-which begins at 4 PM.
“These onstage activities will not only entertain,
but also engage people of diverse backgrounds in a wide array of entertainment
that is geared towards stimulating a deeper appreciation of the Caribbean culture,”
says Wasi Philbert, Entertainment Chair of the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival. Internationally-acclaimed artists such as Iwer
George, Peter Ram, Problem Child, Jamesy P, Tizzy, Zoela, and many other surprise
guest artists will grace the stage with energetic performances. Also included, will be rhythmic infusions by
live soca bands such as Burning Flames and WCK, with all other performances backed
by De Soca Unit-the official backing band of the 2008 Trinidad & Tobago
Soca Monarch Competition. One of the
highlights of the night’s events will be the unprecedented award presentation
by the City of Atlanta, recognizing the many talents of Machel Montano as the
“Caribbean Music Ambassador,” as well as the public proclamation of the Atlanta
Caribbean Carnival as the one and only “official” Carnival and hallmark event
of the Caribbean community in Atlanta, GA.
This year’s theme “Unity
through Diversity,” pays homage to the vast range of people of the Diaspora,
who are rooted in a strong sense of pride in the rich Afro-Caribbean heritage. It also recognizes the sincere drive to unite the
many Caribbean sub-cultures, organizations and events, while creating long-term
partnerships with non-Caribbean entities and organizations. The goal is to build upon the strength of
cultural diversity to stimulate a sense of “unity” and promote the ongoing
growth and viability of the respective communities. Expected throughout the day, are more than
20,000 diverse local, national and international audiences coming together to
revel in this annual festival.
Main sponsors of the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival
events include: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, VP Records, Jamaica
Tourist Board, Renaissance Hotel Downtown Atlanta, Radio One, Caribworldnews.com,
POSH, Jamrock Magazine, Blazin 98, Trini Jungle Juice, Atlanta Journal
Constitution, among other promotional partners.
For media inquiries and/or
interviews, contact Jacqueline Louis at jacquelinelouis@msn.com or 404-664-0541. For general information,
contact Annette Lemonn at 404-587-5195, info@atlantacarnival.org.
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Views expressed in the article are those of the author and are not necessarily the opinions of CaribbeanChoice, its staff or members.
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