FREEDOM Family Entertainment, led by overseas-based Guyanese entertainer and businessman, Marlon Jacobs, is launching NOMADS Carnival Band on July 6 in Brooklyn, New York, which will be the first Guyanese band to participate on the parkway for Labour Day festivities.
The band embodies a fusion of diverse cultures and its team of skilled creators is expected to present dynamic performances, creating an unforgettable experience at the Labour Day parade which will be held on September 2, 2024, in New York.
The band aims to promote inclusivity and diversity while ensuring all participants feel comfortable and enjoy themselves. “Joining this band offers a blend of reasons, including a sense of homecoming. With music from various countries and movements reflecting cultural backgrounds, the NOMADS carnival launch…promises a fantastic time for all,” Jacobs said.
According to him, it’s the first Guyanese truck that will be on the road in New York, which he said will be a big deal as many Guyanese will naturally gravitate to the band.
“There’s such a huge Guyanese population in New York…With the Labour Day festivities, people come from all over the world to take part and it’s always a disappointment that there’s Bajan bands, Trini bands, Jamaican bands and there’s never like a wholesome Guyanese band; something we can be proud of,” expressed Jacobs.
The idea that Jacobs has in mind is to take his band to carnival festivities all over the world. “It’s called NOMADS because we’re starting in New York but eventually we want to move to other places. There’s carnival in Atlanta, in London, Canada, all over the Caribbean. So it just won’t be a New York-based carnival band.”
Beautiful costumes are expected to be showcased, with three designers already working on sketches for them. “We are going out there with a bang,” Jacobs said.
The official casting for models, make-up artists, and anyone who wants to get involved will be on June 28, followed by the official band launch.
Jacobs, originally from Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, celebrated the 10th anniversary of Freedom Family Entertainment last May.
Known as ‘Freedom Boss’ or ‘The Goat’, Marlon has been in the entertainment business for some time now, doing music, promotions, and even marketing. His nickname is Goat because he was born in January and wants to promote the Capricorn season. It also apparently stands for ‘Greatest of all time’.
