Caribbean-American Heritage Month in Prospect Park ~ Steelpan Day

Join Prospect Park Alliance and partners to celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month at Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park. Brooklyn’s Backyard will be home to a month of celebrations of Caribbean culture. Enjoy music, dance, games and much more for Brooklynites of all ages.

All participating artists and practitioners for Caribbean-American Heritage Month have roots in Little Caribbean NYC, and hail from Trinidad, Panama, Haiti and elsewhere.

Legendary Traditional Characters of J’Ouvert – Sunday, June 11

Location: Lefferts Historic House

Time: 2 – 5pm

Join Prospect Park Alliance and JouvayFest Collective, Bush Wo/man Conversations Project, and 2J & Friends at the Lefferts Historic House for a fun and informative family-friendly event about the legendary traditional characters of J’Ouvert. J’ouvert (pronounced Jew-vay) translates as ‘I Open.’ It marks the beginning of the annual Carnival celebrations in many Caribbean islands. J’Ouvert was started by formerly enslaved Africans in the predominantly French speaking colonies, when they began participating in the pre-Lenten festivities of the ruling class. In Trinidad and Tobago, the tradition was further solidified through the Canboulay riots in 1881. J’Ouvert remains a potent living tradition and symbol of the power of history and culture in the Caribbean, Brooklyn, and beyond. This event will be held rain or shine.

Juneteenth + One Love Little Caribbean Day | Sunday, June 18

Location: Lefferts Historic House

Time: 12 – 5pm

Prospect Park Alliance invites you to pull up to Juneteenth, I AM CARIBBEING style, with DJ sets, peer-to-peer gaming powered by Fun With Friends and Little Caribbean artisans.

Steelpan Day | Sunday, June 25th

Location: Lefferts Historic House

Time: 5 – 7pm

Prospect Park Alliance and I AM CARIBBEING invite you to celebrate Brooklyn’s Steelpan Day with live performances by Hearts of Steel alongside steelpan musicians from Little Caribbean and beyond.

I AM CaribBEING is supported by NYC Department of Small Business Services, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council for the Arts, Con Edison, TD Bank and KeySpan.