Masquerader portrays “Guardians of Azedyah.”
Photo by Verified Visuals Productions LLC/Valdon Baptiste
Eduard Caprice-Conner, the St. Maarten-born co-band leader of Stronjeh International, says his band is portraying “Royal Kingdom” in the Junior Carnival this Labor Day weekend.
Brooklyn resident Caprice-Conner, whose mother hails from St. Maarten and father from Guyana, told Caribbean Life that the online band — on Facebook and Instagram — chose “Royal Kingdom” because “it’s a fantasy of glams, glitz, jewels, colorful, vibrant.”
“We need to be more elegant, more sassy, more of a brand situation,” he said. “We wanted to give the kids a more futuristic look.”
Caprice-Conner said “Royal Kingdom” comprises seven sections: Gypsy Royal, Enchanted, Jewel of the Crown, House of Dragon, Roaring Wings, Dove Destiny, and Guardians of Azedyah.
With 40-50 masqueraders in each section, Caprice-Conner expects 250 to 300 masqueraders overall.
He said most masqueraders are Caribbean nationals.
“Some are born in this country and some are born out of the country,” he said. “It’s a pepper pot blended up; no particular environment you come from – just different islands coming together; a new generation of our future adults.”
Caprice-Conner said he continues to play mas and produce costumes because “it’s a passion.”
“I love the history; it’s something of a nature,” he said.
“Our performance is of a road experience,” he added. “Once we get to the museum, we put on a show. The truck is the most important part because the kids cannot perform without it.
“Over the years, we’ve done a great job,” Caprice-Conner continued. “Our band is big because we do a good job going down the road. Last year, we placed second; we intend to place first this year.”
He said masqueraders can expect “a great experience on the road” this year.
“We have a lot of props we give out to them,” he said. “We set up breakfast. It’s all about what they enjoy – the music going up the road.”
Capice-Conner said preparations are slower than usual this year.
“I don’t know if it’s the economy,” he said. “We have a great number; we’re not far-fetched from the number; we’re not complaining; but we can see the difference in how quickly parents react to kids playing mas.”
Caprice-Conner said that while Stronjeh prepares the prototype, with a team that does the features and wire-bending, the overproduction for the Junior Mas is done in China.
He said masqueraders will sway to DJs “who usually are teenagers, 13 and up.
“Normally, we have three (DJs).”
Caprice-Conner said he and Trinidadian Akin Ross started Stronjeh International in 2016.
Co-band leader Alicia Bethea (Azedah) said she started playing mas as a little girl in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I fell in love with the art as a young woman,” she said. “I then dated Steven Derek’s nephew, and he also helped build the big costumes, and I couldn’t stay away from the carnival. It was all so fascinating to me.
“I came here to live in this country and, having my kids, I got them all interested in playing and loving the art,” Bethea added. “This thing called carnival and costume making is just in me. Seeing other kids enjoy it makes all the difference in the world.
“We are here to take first place,” she continued. “But once the kids enjoy themselves, we are winners.”
Bethea said masqueraders can expect “fun, energy, great music, lots of food and drinks and snacks, individual pieces.”
For more information, email [email protected], IG@stronjehkids, or FB: stronjehinternational. You can also call Caprice-Conner at 347-693-2064 or Ross at 347-792-0980.