Carnival mas producer Pat Nurse presents ‘Mas! Pan! Calypso!’ at Five Myles Gallery

As the carnival spirit heightens in Brooklyn this weekend, culminating with the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade on Eastern Parkway on Labor Day Monday, Trinidadian carnival mas producer Pat Nurse is urging carnival lovers and the public in general to visit her presentation “Mas! Pan! Calypso!” at Five Myles Gallery in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

“My presentation of ‘Mas! Pan! Calypso!’ tells the viewers a short story of the history of mas (short for masquerade); pan – the history of the steel orchestra, from its inception in stages to what it is today; calypso – photos of many of the calypsonians who supplied some of the music played on the steel pans and in the streets for masqueraders to parade to,” Nurse, the founder/director of the children’s mas band, Carican Costumes, told Caribbean Life over the weekend.

Junior King “Halloween.”Photo by Nelson A. King

“Everybody will benefit from this display, because those who know the history will enjoy a walk down memory lane, and visitors will be enlightened about the rich history that is displayed all over the world and especially on Eastern Parkway every Labor Day in New York City,” added Nurse, who has been producing costumes for over 20 years.

Currently, she is producing a Junior King costume for Elijah Hicks, called “A Visit to Africa,” in Antoine International Mas Band in Brooklyn’s Caribbean Carnival 2024.

Moko Jumbie – “An Angel.”Photo by Nelson A. King

“I hope to add history in color for New Yorkers and for visitors to enjoy my special part of the Labor Day season,” said Nurse about her third production at the Five Myles Gallery, located at 558 St. John’s Place, between Franklin and Classon avenues in Brooklyn.

A depiction of “Calypso” with some of the famous calypsonians.Photo by Nelson A. King

She said “Mas! Pan! Calypso!” will be on display at Five Myles Gallery until Sept. 7, 2024.

Nurse said the non-profit gallery, founded in 1999 and directed by Hanne Tierney, exhibits visual and performance art.

“A Short History” of carnival.Photo by Nelson A. King

“You can visit all day and all night because the founder of Five Myles Gallery left the lights on, because this production is to enhance the Labor Day season,” she said.

“For the Labor Day Carnival, I wish everyone would enjoy the season,” Nurse added. “In doing so, they must be kind to each other during the parade. The parade’s origin is to enjoy yourselves, and extend greeting to anyone that you make eye contact with or bump into.

“As part of your Labor Day entertainment, you must visit ‘Mas! Pan! Calypso!’ continued Nurse, who can be reached at [email protected]