Booster Shot: Understanding Atlanta Carnival,

Ever since I announced that I would be attending Atlanta Carnival this year, I have been flooded with questions as to what to check out.  Here's what sucks, things got real iffy.  All of sudden the carnival is one week away...and I'm getting the impression I won't be out there to celebrate with ya.  The official word is RECESSION, but I'm not gonna let THAT stop me from answering YOUR questions.  Big up Tony Tempo and G13 for trying to keep me in the loop.  Truss me, if by some act of God I make it down there, I would check you all for sure!

First things first.  There are two different events that refer to themselves as Atlanta Carnival.  First you have the one the Caribbean Festival Village "Atlanta Carnival", held in downtown Atlanta at 695 North Avenue.

It's separate from the ACCBA Atlanta Carnival, a two-hour road parade that ends in a big outdoor show.

There's also, "Georgia Carnival" which happens in neighbouring Dekalb County.  All three take place during US Memorial Day Weekend, May 23rd and 24th.

In 2009, Atlanta Carnival.net refers to:

-  a two day street festival infused with music, food and cultural exhibitions.

- workshops highlighting the steel drum, costume making and soca performance

- live performances from a stellar cast:

KMC 
Iwer George
Skinny Fabulous 
Peter Ram 
Zoelah 
Patch 
Jamesy P 
David Rudder

Superblue
The Mighty Shadow
Hunter (Dominica)
Red Hot Flames

Jadine

Jam Tyme 
D Soca Unit 

There is NO masquerade road parade at this event

Atlanta Carnival dot org offers the following:

May 2nd, 2009 – Queen / Princess Pageant

May 9th, 2009 –  Pan in the City
May 16th, 2009 – Children's Carnival
May 21st, 2009 – King /Queen Competition

The main event would be the short road parade followed by this crazy line-up:

Destra 

Burning Flames 
Rudy
WCK
Trini Jacobs
Benjai

Ziggy Ranking...and others       Alternatively there is Georgia Carnival:

This main event here is the road parade which happens on Saturday 23rd May.  But there's other cool stuff too.  

May 16th, 2009 – Kiddies Carnival - “A Family Affair”

May 21st, 2009 – Ole MAS Competition
May 22nd, 2009 – Smokey and Bunty Lime

May 23rd, 2009 – Parade of Bands - “On de Road Again”
May 24th, 2009 – Soccer Tournament

I had to laugh when I checked out the Georgia Carnival website.  In the MEDIA section of their website, I bumped into MY YouTube Video from Trinidad Carnvial 2008!  (Not sure who thanking me, but you're welcome anyway!)

Just like any other carnival event, there are LOTS of private events going on in the area, with their own scheduled entertainment.  You can see a pretty up-to-date list 

HERE. To the average person, it doesn't matter who is organizing what.  My advice would be to check out all the listings and take advantage of so many options to see such an amazing variety of Caribbean entertainers on American soil.  

I'm sure you'll have a great time!!! But, if you do head to the dirty south for carnival....PLEASE....let me know how it was.  Leave your reviews HERE for a chance to get your words published right here on (Nurse) Karen (Etc)!