Plans are already in place for the first Carnival Village Annual International Labor Day Soca Monarch Competition to be held on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Caribbean Performing Arts Center (C-PAC), located at 1020 East 48th Street in Brooklyn , New York. The purpose According to community organizer, Gerry Hopkins, "The goal is to inclusively bring together West Indians living in North America and the Diaspora to collectively celebrate, preserve and promote our culture. This will be one of several other major cultural activities wherein everyone will have an equal place,” Hopkins added. The activities The planned activities include: 1) The Semi-Finals of the Carnival Village Annual International Labor Day Soca Monarch Competition, scheduled for The Marcus Garvey Center on Church Avenue in Brooklyn on August 23. 2) Soca Gold at Carnival Village featuring Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, the Roy Cape Band and several major performing artists from various Caribbean nations - happening on Friday, August 29 at C-PAC. 3) The Carnival Village Celebrity Affair with the Mighty Sparrow & Friends – a Caribbean boatride complete with authentic Caribbean food and music, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 24. 4) The Finals of the Carnival Village Annual International Labor Day Soca Monarch Competition at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 30. 5) The Labor Day Jump Off to be held on Sunday, August 31, at a venue to be announced. An equal opportunity to participate Artists interested in participating in the Soca Monarch Competition, may register by immediately sending an email expressing interest to carnivalvillagesocamonarch@gmail.com. Proper registration, which includes submission of a processing fee of $60.00 and the chosen song on a CD or as an mp3 file, must be completed no later than August 18, 2008. The event is open to male and female artists from any and every nation. The contenders will be vying for cash prices, trophies and a crown – all done in pursuit of the advancement and preservation of our expressive cultural heritage. Contact: carnivalvillagesocamonarch@gmail.com 347-489-1424 or 718-753-0429