Freddy Fills Dixwell With Drums, Dance, Pride

Dixwell Avenue burst to life in the Sunday afternoon heat as nearly 80 marching units, drill teams, bands and businesses joined politicians and city representatives for two hours of music, dancing and remembering neighborhood roots.

That was the scene Sunday from Bassett to Foote Street for this year’s Freddy Fixer Parade, one of New Haven’s premier Black cultural events that started decades ago as part of an effort to clean up and beautify Dixwell — a goal that has remained a central part of the annual event’s mission.

While it may have been TVE Dance Studio’s first time performing at the Freddy Fixer on Sunday, one wouldn’t be able to tell from their fierce moves. Escorted by a futuristic Tesla cybertruck, the girls strutted behind, with their choreography charming the audience in their dazzling white tops. As the group danced down Dixwell, TVE co-owner Vanessa White made sure the kids were ready to ​“get down and throw down.”

TVE, a Hamden-based dance studio, was founded in September 2023. White opened the studio alongside her mom, Teresa Sparks.

“She’s been telling me to open up a dance studio for years,” White said. ​“I’ve been dancing since I was three, and it took me some time, but it just wasn’t my timing, but we’re here now. and we are loving it!”

“We love the kids,” she added. ​“You know, we’re just a big family here. You become a dance family when you join TVE studio,” which offers classes in everything from hip hop to tap to jazz to ballet to, later this year, afro-dance. ​“I want them to just be free, learn how to express themselves through dancing and just having a good time and love Black excellence,” White said.

It’s this exact mindset that earned them second place of Best Drill Team from the parade’s judging committee, giving them bragging rights to say that they won at Freddy Fixer from their first ever performance.

Freddy Fixer Parade Committee Board of Directors President Petisia M. Adger and Vice President Diane X. Brown coordinated this year’s parade, as they’ve helped do since 2015. 

“Diane and I grew up in New Haven, and we’ve been to Freddy Fixers our whole lives, as kids and as participants, and then later on in life as organizers,” Adger said. 

While this year marks the last parade they’ll oversee before retiring from their roles, Adger and Brown hold fond memories of the Fixer and will continue to support it from wherever they are. 

“This actually is the largest parade we’ve had in 20 years,” Brown said, ​“and the parade is really a testament to the pride in the history of the Dixwell Avenue community and where it has been and where it’s gonna go.”

CEO and director of the Elite Drill Squad Ryshon Menafee is no stranger to the Freddy Fixer, as this was his third time performing in the parade. With a new routine, Menafee said his inspiration was ​“just being more open-minded to different ideas” but also basing it off the judges’ criteria.

“Following the rules is the number one key to everything, so once the Freddy Fixer rules come out I go through it with a fine-tooth comb,” he said. 

Established in 2018, The Elite Drill Squad includes kids from 4 – 18 years old who partake in dance, cheer, and drill. Last year they took home the first place prize for best drill team and Menafee was determined to replicate that success again, taking home first place for two consecutive years.

“We came with the army fatigue, so we ready for war!” he said.

This year also gave Menafee the chance to not only be a performer, but a spectator, with his placement in the lineup giving him the opportunity to view other acts.

“I honestly look forward to seeing all the other teams and participants come down the street because we’re first this year, so I get a chance to finally see the parade as we come out,” he said. 

Standing eagerly on the sidelines was Dixwell resident Angela Sutherland, watching to spot and wave to her family members as the Roberto Clemente team marched by. Prior to moving to Dixwell, Sutherland had lived in Cedar Hill for eight years and had just seen the Fixer’s resurgence in 2023 from its three-year hiatus. 

“Oh, it’s exciting, exciting! I just love it when you see people [and] family get together,” she said. ​“It’s wonderful. It’s like tears of happiness,” she said.

Spectator Tracey Collins knew that she couldn’t miss this year’s Freddy Fixer after being away from it for almost 20 years. Reclining in her lawn chair, Collins made herself at home, comfortably watching the parade under the refuge of a tree’s shade and sunglasses to block the harsh rays.

Collins said that drums and marching bands always caught her attention and were her favorite acts throughout the parade and urged people to ​“just come out and have a good time.”

Accompanying Collins was Belinda Gayer, who was quick to notice the heightened liveliness and vigor of the event compared to when she came out before its hiatus, and was glad to see the continued efforts of a ​“family tradition.”

“We’ve always been coming here ever since we were kids and it’s always been a big thing in the African American community, so I’m just glad to be here,” she said. 

Like Sutherland, Geyer also loved the community atmosphere of the event. 

“It’s a great experience and it’s not just exclusive to African Americans,” she said. ​“Anybody can come and enjoy and learn about our culture.”

Monitoring the parade’s progression was event volunteer Rosé Smokes. Smokes, a rising senior at Texas Southern University — who hopes to transfer to Clark Atlanta University for her final year — found spending time volunteering at a notable community event while returning home from school for the summer as an invaluable experience.

“I’m originally from New Haven, you know what I’m saying? Even though I go out of state for college, I don’t mind giving back to my community,” she said. 

Volunteering alongside her sister, Smokes highlighted how the parade increased awareness about the shops and services offered across the city. 

“I’m just surprised! I didn’t know a whole lot of these businesses existed,” she said, looking at the event lineup. 

Smokes only had one thing to say to onlookers.

“If you hear noise, come outside!” she said, bursting into laughter.

Below are the winners of the parade.

1st Place Award Categories

Grand Marshal’s Awards – Styles 2000

Elm City Freddy Fixer Spirit Award – Chris Randall (Community Photographic Chronicler)

Best Marching Unit – James Hillhouse High School Marching Band featuring the Majorette Dance Factory

Best Float – Survivors of Homicide

Best Motorcycle Group – New Haven Police Motorcycle Unit

Best Drill Team – The Elite Drill Squad & Drum Corps

Best Marching Band – Wilbur Cross High School Marching Governors

2nd Place Award Categories

Grand Marshal’s Awards – Chin Check Friday

Elm City Freddy Fixer Spirit Award – CT Transit

Best Marching Unit – Elm City College Prep Chapter School Band, Cheerleaders, and Dance Unit

Best Float – D&N Logistics, LLC.

Best Motorcycle Group – Flaming Knights Founding Chapter

Best Drill Team – TVE Dance Studio

Best Marching Band – Magic Soul Academy Drumline