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Global Carnival, GALA Style, Reginald F. Lewis Museum


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Saturday evening, November 12, 2016, The Reginald F. Lewis museum, located downtown in Baltimore hosted its annual fall fundraising gala. Ticket proceeds annually supports the museum's inspiring programs and exhibits that showcase the achievements of African-Americans from Maryland and around the world, in order to offer an engaging experience for school children, families and communities that partake in the museums exhibits.

This year's gala theme,was #GlobalCarnival which explores cultural carnival festivities of the caribbean diaspora.Carnival is one of the most popular and significant events experienced across the islands of the caribbean.

VI Mooki Jumbies in 2015 Baltimore Carnival

A festive and colorful tradition, carnival is based on a number of facets including: "Playing Mas"/masquerade; calypso music and crowning a Calypso King or Monarch; Panorama (steel band competition); J'ouvert morning; and a number of other traditions.

US Virgin Islands Flag with the three islands in the backdrop.

So of course as a child of the Caribbean, an island gyal, I had to attend such an enthuse culture event Lewis museum to rep my Caribbean roots and culture, St. Thomas USVI which will be celebrating the 65th Carnival April 1-29, 2017. #VI4Life . Across the United States and Canada, the Caribbean culture is alive and has integrated the carnival experience ,in multiple states, but on a smaller scale that includes a touch of many islands found in the Caribbean (West Indies). In fact here is a great article by A.J. Samuels ranking The Top 10 Carnivals in the Caribbean.

Gala Event coordinator with carnival masqueraders

Unlike the tropical rays of the sun that shines down upon you during carnival season, the Baltimore night air was chilled, rendering the wearing of scarves, gloves, and coats walking towards the museum doors. However, a walk along the global red carpet into the Museum provided guest with a change in the atmosphere, being greeted to the sounds of Carnival, embracing the warmth culture and tropical feeling of paradise.

Dressed in either black tie or festive attire, among the guest in attendance were museum members & supporters, community organization representatives, local politicians, and local celebrities, to include former NFL player, artist and philanthropist, Aaron Maybin, who was also one of the night's Gala Ambassadors.

Once inside, I saw many familiar faces, but one of the many spotted in the crowd, bringing the carnival experience to life, was my younger cousin, the #CarnivalBaby herself, sashaying across the floor in traditional carnival attire worn by masqueraders participating in the parades among many islands. So of course, in partaking of the carnival experience, we had to pose for the perfect picture together. #FamilyTime. A familiar face within a crowd allows one to feel closer of being in the carnival element.

In further, perusing through each level of the museum, there were Samba dancers, carnival masqueraders, caribbean vibing tunes, a comedy show, live musical performances, rum punch, plantain, jerk & curry chicken and many other caribbean and southern delights that could be found at carnival festivities.

With all of these facets of the carnival experience, this allowed me to feel more in my element for raising my flag and "palancing" across the dance floor to the soca "chunes".

Participating in the Global Carnival and being encapsulated by the exhibits and artwork of the museum, added to a definitive experience for supporting a worthy community cause while having fun. I can't wait to see what will be next year theme gala at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.

But of course, this is how I Sparkle in my "I".✨✨👁✨👁✨

To see more pictures of the the Reginald F. Lewis Museum event click here.

If you are inspired to partake in the next carnival around the globe, comment where you will be playing mas and share this blog post to keep us in the loop.

@Copyright 2016 Sparkle In My "I" by Tunesha Marie....All Rights Reserved.

All content is property of the author unless otherwise noted.

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