Soca rang out inside New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Thursday, 12 November, as Trinidad and Tobago soca star, Kees “Kes” Dieffenthaller, and Kes the Band brought a taste of Trinidad and Tobago culture to Manhattan. The band was billed as the headliner for NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health’s “Every Child Thrives” Masquerade Gala.
The gala, themed “Every Child Thrives”, raised funds to help children across New York City get earlier access to developmental screenings and specialised care. In a photo shared by the band, Kes poses at the foot of The Met’s illuminated staircase. The band gave the evening a Trini name of its own, #FeteInDeMet.
Kes has become a cultural ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago through his music. The band sold out Central Park’s SummerStage in 2024 and brought “Hello”, “Wotless” and “Savannah Grass” to NPR’s Tiny Desk in May. This time, the sound of home made its way to a Manhattan masquerade.