Leading up to the main parade climax, a number
of Caribbean music artistes will make an
appearance to Toronto where they will perform in
many smaller parties held around the city by the
resident Caribbean community. These parties are
generally called "Fêtes"
(Pronounced "fett") which is a French-creole
Caribbean word meaning Festival. These Fête will
usually begin in June-July and will be carried
out on the weekends leading up to the parade.
Each Fête held will tend have its own theme. A
"Wet Fete" means usually there will be a bubbles
machine at the venue which will soak party goers
while they dance the night away to up tempo Soca
music. The "You must wear-white Fete" means
you're supposed to wear nothing but white
clothing where all sorts of
black light effects will make everyone's
clothes a dazzling part of the party's light
show. The "Mad hatters ball Fete" is a fete that
you're supposed to wear your craziest
head-gear/hat that you can find.
Caribana has run annually since 1967, and was
originally performed as a gift from Canada's
West Indian community, as a tribute to
Canada's Centennial year.
This weekend traditionally coincides with the
Ontario statutory holiday
Simcoe Day named after
John Graves Simcoe who, among other things,
abolished slavery in
Upper Canada in 1810.
While the largest
Caribbean festival in North
America kicks into high gear on the Saturday before
the first Monday in August with its 1.5 kilometre
parade running all day along Lakeshore Blvd., the
organizers season of events begin at the beginning
of summer in June. Now Toronto has announced a
major new 10-day arts festival,
LuminaTO with a standout
multicultural Carnaval component,
Carnivalissima, anchoring the main 2nd
weekend in June.
The
City of Toronto, has been investing in its culture
as if it was going to host the Olympics. The city
slogan of
"To Live with Culture" has been translated
into a billion dollar spending program that whose
original purported ending in 2010 with the opening Bell Festival Centre.
However this new home to the #1 Toronto
International Film Festival is being challenged by a
new museum proposal celebrating the history of
Toronto and the stories of its multicultural
communities being planned for an iconic site on the
central waterfront: at the foot of Bathurst St.
adjacent to the giant Canada Malting Company silos.
The museum, which could be called the
Global City
Centre, won't open before 2012 at the
earliest.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Caribana Festival is an
expression of Toronto’s multicultural and
multiracial society. Carnival is an international
cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto
and its environs will come alive as the city
explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of
Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Hip Hop, Chutney, Steel Pan
and Brass Bands during a phenomenal 6-week carnival
countdown season.
Caribana is the largest cultural event of its kind i
n North America, and this year's event drew in over
1.5 million visitors. Aftrer years of financial and
leadership struggles, the event has thrived in the
past few years under new leadership, even turning a
small profit in the past year. And now,
after
10 years on the Caribana organizing committee, Ward
21 (St. Paul's) councillor Joe Mihevc wants to push
for federal funding. He notes that the federal
government reaps considerable profits from sales tax
during the event, but is a minor financial
contributer. The federal government contributes
heavily to art-based events such as the Stratford
and Shaw festivals, but it's $100,000 contribution
to Caribana has not increased in 10 years.
There are a massive number of large
soca fetes leading up to Carnival weekend. Other
keynote events include the King and Queen of the
Bands Competition and the two-day Olympic Island
Caribbean Arts Festival. Toronto pioneered the
Carnival Caribbean boat cruises and has more than
any other Carnival anywhere.
is
a jammed as Carijama weekend with innumerable
events filled with a wide variety of music,
cultures and foods.
Exhibition Place
had decorating Masala! Mehndi! Masti!
2007, a celebration of South Asian culture. Lots
of merchandise for sale inside
CNE's Better Living Centre. Outside a
spectacular multi-generational presentation
connects today's world with the wonders of 5000
years of civilization, its ancient traditions
and modern influences as doors open to cross
cultural collaborations and diverse thinking.
www.masalamehndimasti.com/
Ontario
Place
the next complex down just
across Lake Shore Blvd., was the Chinese
Lantern Festival which will then from Aug
1st to August 6th become
Carijama Village
Toronto
International Beaches Jazz Festival
closed to vehicular traffic
about a dozen blocks of
Queen St.
E. between Woodbine and Beech, and enjoyed a
record weekend which was estimated by the
producer at 750,000. As many as 45
performers per night could be enjoyed from
participating restaurants. clubs and at
designated sidewalk performance areas.
Free
hip hop lessons could be found on the
linoleum floor outside the
Harbourfront Centre
during the
Global Hip Hop
festival
which also included a film festival.
The
Organization of Calypso Performing Artists' (OCPA)
puts on whatthey call Kaiso 365, The 2007
Canadian Calypso Monarch Competition Finals. It
will take place in the George Weston Recital
Hall at the
Toronto Centre for
the Arts at
5040 Yonge [and Sheppard Avenue West St.] in
North York.
The Islands
Wakestock brought gawking water-sport
enthusiasts to the Islands for 4 days
combining it with some bigger name acts
Deftones, De La Soul and ska-punk
crowd-pleasers Goldfinger. De Las Soul
was upset to see large tree branches
being cut down to accommodate the moto-cross
jumping. The place was packed.
In the style
typical of most large events
held in the city, attendees
find themselves fuming
through endless lineups for
food and beer tickets that
can be exchanged at the end
of further lineups for a
narrow range of food or the
privilege of gagging down a
single brand of beer in a
charmless, tightly policed
"ID zone."
Ben Rayner
STAR
Entertainment Reporter
Anne was admired during the Avonlea convention
at Black
Creek Pioneer Village.
The inaugural Toronto Just for Laughs Festival
was an
unforgettable 3-day comedy extravaganza at
Yonge-Dundas Square
and an
additional two city blocks
http://www.hahaha.com/toronto/
July 8, 2007
Theatre Activity/Cultural Singing/Dance
Drumming
Scarborough
This event will highlight the various
cultures of all of the caribbean people. It
will include a food competition, Theatrical
drama and story telling. The event will be
held in three locations, namely Scarborough,
Brampton and Missisauga.
July 13, 2007
Official Launch
Nathan Phillips Square
The official ceremony launches the
activities for the Caribana Festival Season.
Patrons can meet and mingle with federal,
provincial and municipal officials, Caribana
Representatives and Sponsors while sampling
Caribbean and International cuisine. It is a
snapshot of what’s in store over the next
two weeks.
July 15, 2007 Theatre Activity/Cultural
Singing/Dance Drumming
Brampton
This event will highlight the various
cultures of all of the Caribbean people. It
will include a food competition, Theatrical
drama and story telling.
July 21, 2007 Junior Carnival
Yorkgate Mall
Junior Carnival provides festival goers and
the surrounding community the opportunity to
experience the trills and joys as young
masqueraders participate in their earlier
festival years.
July 22, 2007 Theatre Activity/Cultural
Singing/Dance Drumming
Mississauga
This event will highlight the various
cultures of all of the caribbean people. It
will include a food competition, Theatrical
drama and story telling.
July 26 - Aug 6, 2007 Art Exhibition
Distillery District
A display of Visual Arts, Sculpures and
Artifacts depicting a wide range of
creativity of Caribbean Culture.
July 27, 2007 Calyspo Monarch Finals
Venue TBA
This is where the Calypso Monarch is
crowned. Come and see the best and biggest
Canadian Calypsonians battle for the crown.
From the topical to the lyrical the sweet
soca rhythms will lift you out of you seat
and get you moving.
July 29, 2007 Concert in the Park
Venue TBA
Free Concert hosted in conjunction with City
of Toronto.
August 2, 2007 King & Queen
Lamport Stadium
On the Thursday night before Caribana Day
all the kings and queens of the bands meet
to do battle. Like peacocks they will primp
and preen, eliciting oh and ahs from the
audience. It is an honour for any reveller
to be enthroned the king or queen of his or
her band. The kings and queens symbolically
have the keys to the city, freedom of the
streets. Their movements are supposed to be
uninhibited. Band members and onlookers
alike are to give them the respect, even if
mockingly, usually accorded to real-life
royalty."
August 3, 2007 Pan Alive
Lamport Stadium
A thrilling evening showcasing the musical
and tonal qualities of the steelpan as
members of the Ontario Steelband Association
compete before a panel of judges. This
panorama of the North is the best
opportunity to hear this wonderful
instrument in all its glory. Devoted
entirely
to the capturing rhythms of the steel pan.
August 3, 2007 Caribana Ball
Westin Harbor Castle
An evening of style, glamour and pomp,
celebrating Caribana 40th anniversary.
August 4, 2007 Parade
Exhibition Place
This showcase events features an incredible
display of colours and pageantry along a 3.6
kilometer parade route on Lakeshore Blvd.
Saturday August 4, 2007
Machel Montano After Parade Bash
Lamport Stadium Date:
Description: de JUMBE mash up TnT…flatten
NY…and now coming to Toronto. Join Machel
Montano a host of other artists for a
Caribana after Parade Bash at Lamport
Stadium.
Sunday August 5, 2007Caribana IMAGINE Music
Festival Molson Amphitheatre – Ontario Place
Caribana celebrates its 40th anniversary
with the Imagine Music Festival. Join
superstar performer Grammy Award-nominated
R&B and pop singer-songwriter Ne-Yo, Grammy
award winner Sean Paul, Soca Queen Destra
Garcia, as they all perform together on ONE
stage!
August 9 - 12th, 2007
And the "Beat" continues - JAZZ
Distillery District
Jazz extension to the traditional carnival
type events. The event will be held the week
after Caribana in conjunction with the Nu
Jazz Society and featuring the vibes of
Caribbean Jazz.
2007
CARIBANA BAND OF THE YEAR (A Category) RANK - THEME - POINTS - BANDLEADER - MAS BAND
1. 'Viva Las Vegas' - (436) - Jamaal Magloire (Toronto Revellers)
2. 'Rainforest' - (425) - Louis Saldenah (Saldenah Mas-K Club)
3. 'The Big Top' - (416) - Curtis Eustace (Carnival Nationz)
4. 'La Petit Monde' - (398) - Errol Achue (Mas Toronto)
5. 'Conquest of Alexander' - (393) - Marlon Singh (Callaloo)
6. 'Fusion' - (391) - Mervyn Skeete - Toronto Caribbean Connection
7. 'Quest for Gold' - (372) - Arnold Hughes (Arnold Hughes & Associates)
8. 'Rhythm of Life' - (359) - Jessie Matthews (The Calabash Co.)
2007
CARIBANA BAND OF THE YEAR (B+C Category) RANK - THEME - POINTS - BANDLEADER - MAS BAND 1. 'Tribal Warriors' - (424) - Dexter Seusahai (Tribal Knights)
2. 'Atlantis' - (418) - Frank Ramsaroop (Borokeete Canada)
3. 'Dream Seekers' - (413) - Ken/Andre Defreitas (Evolution Carnival)
4. 'Myth of D'Amazon' - (403) - Whitfield Belasco (Pleasure Players)
5. 'In Flight' - (398) - Nip Davis (Nip Davis & Associates)
6. 'Dancing Spirit of Resilience' - (379) - Bridget Renne/Troy Logan
(Masqueraders Int'l)
7. 'The Enchanted Garden of Socaland' - (370) - Dr. Roz Roach (Bazodee
Connection)
8. 'Reflections' - (237) - Alvin Adore (Scarborough Caribbean Sports
Club)
Kings & Queens Official 2007 Results
2007
CARIBANA ADULT KING OF THE BANDS RANK - MAS PORTRAYER - THEME - POINTS - MAS BAND
1. Rudy Rampersad - 'The Ring Master' (434) - Carnival Nationz
2. Ronnie Desvignes - Toharqa: King of the Tribe' (417) - Mas Toronto
3. Dexter Seusahai - 'Spirit Hawk: Chief of the Pow Wow' - (416) -
Tribal Knights
4. Satish Narinesingh - 'The Shaman Rising' (412) - Pleasure Players
5. Anton Saldenah - 'D'Proctor' (409) - Saldenah Mas-K Club
6. Bobby Mansingh - 'The Final Battle' (392) - Callaloo
7. Martin Scott-Pascall - 'Vire La Rou (Spin the Wheel) (381) - Toronto
Revellers
8. Keith Thomas - 'Lycaena Gorson, The Copper Butterly (370) - Nip Davis
& Associates
9. Andre Defreitas - 'Bachac toting Ganja' (367) - Evolution Carnival
10. Albert Sledderman - 'The Golden Phoenix' (356) - Arnold Hughes &
Associates
11. Gavin Williams - 'The Seventh Fire Prophecy' (354) - Jessie Matthews
& the Calabash Co.
12. Phillip Dopwell - 'The Catalyst' (345) - Toronto Caribbean
Connection
2007 CARIBANA
ADULT QUEEN OF THE BANDS
RANK - MAS PORTRAYER - THEME - POINTS - MAS BAND
1. Tamara Alleyne-Gittens - 'Abracadabra' (435) - Carnival Nationz
2. Carol Cuffie - 'A Nubian Queen' (422) - Arnold Hughes & Associates
3. Susan Low - 'Lady Shanghai' (414) - Evolution Carnival
4. Betty Toney - 'D'Rising of the Phoenix' (411) - Tribal Knights
5. Michelle Kelly - 'Olympia, The Wicked' (400) - Callaloo
6. Alicia Achue - 'Mother Earth: Together As One' (397) - Mas Toronto
7. (TIE) Lenore Caterson - 'Shaki: Queen of the Amazon' (395) - Pleasure
Players
7. (TIE) Laverne Moore - 'Showgirl Spectacular' (395) - Toronto
Revellers
9. Daria Francis - 'Airborne: Masquerade & Flight to Freedom' (391) -
Nip Davis & Associates
10. Carrol Tanis - 'Butterfly of the Rainforest' (390) - Saldenah Mas-K
Club
11. Shanna Campbell-Joseph - 'Kulu Malikiya' (381) - Scarborough
Caribbean Sports Club
12. Dr. Roz Roach - 'Utopia' (362) - Bazodee Connection
13. Karen Baptiste - 'The Jeweled Pearl' (360) - Borokeete Canada
14. Whitney Doldron - 'Waves of Viva City' (357) - Masqueraders Int'l
15. Lauralee James - 'The Ritual ance of the Scarlet Ibis' (353) -
Jessie Matthews & the Calabash Co.
16. Joella Crichton - 'Fusion in Bloom' (328) - Toronto Caribbean
Connection
2007
CARIBANA ADULT MALE INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR
RANK - MAS PORTRAYER - THEME - POINTS - MAS BAND
1. Kerth Alexander - 'Master of the Seals' (417) - Carnival Nationz
2. Andy Charles - 'The City That Never Sleeps' (406) - Toronto Revellers
3. Gaelen Sidney - 'Dreamscape: Limbo of the Lost' (397) - Evolution
Carnival
4. Shane Richards - 'Cold Fusion' (395) - Toronto Caribbean Connection
5. Shane Mungal - 'D'Last Tribe of Oceania' (390) - Tribal Knights
6. Micah Akal - 'Tiki Tiki: The Jumbie Prince of Unity' (382) - Mas
Toronto
7. Victor Hooper - 'Ajax, The Great' (381) - Nip Davis & Associates
8. David Cowan - 'Lurking in the Rainforest' (376) - Saldenah Mas-K Club
9. Anton Alexander - 'Soaring High: Majestic Power' (373) - Jessie
Matthews & the Calabash Co.
10. Harry Dass - 'Reflection of the Caribbean Sun' (357) - Scarborough
Caribbean Sports Club
11. Cordell Adore - 'Coming Home to Roost' (352) - Scarborough Caribbean
Sports Club
2007
CARIBANA ADULT FEMALE INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR
RANK - MAS PORTRAYER - THEME - POINTS - MAS BAND
1. Joanne Boisson - 'Gateway to Atlantis' (424) - Borokeete Canada
2. Rebecca Kerr - 'The Fire Dancer' (423) - Carnival Nationz
3. Cyrese Pounall-King - 'Andromcia: Subduer of Men' (412) - Tribal
Knights
4. Monica Lewis - 'Zena, Road Warrior Travelling the Universe' (410) -
Nip Davis & Associates
5. Patricia Caterson - 'Morning Dawn of the Amazon' (400) - Pleasure
Players
6. (TIE) Jessica Belasco - 'The White Witch of the Amazon' (393) -
Pleasure Players
6. (TIE) Nneka Elliott - 'Accent on Pink' (393) - Toronto Caribbean
Connection
8. Venessa Dupie - 'Golden Glow Fairy' (392) - Bazodee Connection
9. Carleen O'Brien - 'A Magical Fantasy' (387) - Toronto Revellers
10. Merlyne James - 'Goddess Hathor: Lady of Light' (383) - Jessie
Matthews & the Calabash Co.
11. Thea Jackson - 'Egytian Ra' (373) - Callaloo
12. Liz Magloire - 'La Femme Fete De Monde: Women of the World' (369) -
Mas Toronto
13. Pat Horsham - 'The Wanderer' (368) - Saldenah Mas-K Club
14. Nicole Brand-Dixon - 'Assyrian Princess' (354) - Arnold Hughes &
Associates
15. Lystra Ford - 'Babylon Ah Bon' (352) - Callaloo
16. Zakiya McGregor-Ricketts - 'Rainbows End' (336) - Arnold Hughes &
Associates
17. Gloria Whitney - 'Wings of Faith' (321) - Masqueraders Int'l
18. Aisha Saintiche - 'Temptress' (296) - Bazodee Connection
2007 CARIBANA Junior Carnival Results
2007
CARIBANA JUNIOR BAND OF THE YEAR RANK - THEME - POINTS - BANDLEADER - MAS BAND
1. 'Viva Las Vegas' - (258) - Jamaal Magloire (Toronto Revellers)
2. 'Rhythm of Life' - (253) - Jessie Matthews (The Calabash Co.)
3. 'Tribal Warriors' - (248) - Dexter Seusahai (Tribal Knights)
4. (TIE) 'Atlantis' - (245) - Frank Ramsaroop (Borokeete Canada)
4. (TIE) 'Conquest of Alexander' - (245) - Marlon Singh (Callaloo)
6. 'Myth of D'Amazon' - (240) - Whitfield Belasco (Pleasure Players)
7. 'Quest for Gold' - (238) - Arnold Hughes (Arnold Hughes & Associates)
8. 'Reflections' - (237) - Alvin Adore (Scarborough Caribbean Sports
Club)
9. 'The Big Top' - (230) - Curtis Eustace (Carnival Nationz)
10. 'Rainforest' - (229) - Louis Saldenah (Saldenah Mas-K Club)
11. 'Dream Seekers' - (217) - Ken/Andre Defreitas (Evolution Carnival)
12. 'Dancing Spirit of Resilience' - (210) - Bridget Renne/Troy Logan
(Masqueraders Int'l)
2007 CARIBANA JUNIOR KING OF THE BANDS
RANK - MAS PORTRAYER - POINTS - BANDLEADER - MAS BAND
1. Andrew Ramsaroop - 'The Atlantean Prince' (243) - Frank Ramsaroop
(Borokeete Canada)
2. Jameal Antoine - 'Casino Royale' (242) - Jamaal Magloire (Toronto
Revellers)
3. Fabian Lee - 'Alexander's Chariot' (236) - Marlon Singh (Callaloo)
4. Jordine Caterson - 'Jumbie in D'Amazon' (228) - Whitfield Belasco
(Pleasure Players)
5. Darian Joseph - 'Goldfish' (208) - Arnold Hughes (Arnold Hughes &
Associates)
6. Kahneal Blagrove - 'Xochipilli' (201) - Bridget Renne/Troy Logan
(Masqueraders Int'l)
7. Shawn Nicholson - 'King of the Tribes' (191) - Dexter Seusahai
(Tribal Nights)
2007 CARIBANA
JUNIOR QUEEN OF THE BANDS
RANK - MAS PORTRAYER - POINTS - BANDLEADER - MAS BAND
1. Keyra Best - 'Keeper of the Coral Reef' (272) - Frank Ramsaroop
(Borokeete Canada)
2. (TIE) Tamika Thomas- 'Battle at the Granicius River' (241) - Marlon
Singh (Callaloo)
2. (TIE) Cherica Edwards - 'Queen of the Butterfly' (241) - Louis
Saldenah (Saldenah Mas-K Club)
4. Genika Bennett - 'Rainbow Country' (238) - Alvin Adore (Scarborough
Caribbean)
5. Ashley Gangaram - 'D'Spirit of D'Antilles' (236) - Bridget Renne/Troy
Logan (Masqueraders Int'l)
6. Pia Stewart - 'Life in the Rainforest' (231) - Whitfield Belasco
(Pleasure Players)
7. Lindsay Ohid - 'Majestic Beauty' (230) - Ken/Andre Defreitas
(Evolution)
8. Paige Lewis- 'Aerial Fantasy' (225) - Curtis Eustace (Carnival
Nationz)
9. Chelsea Seusahai - 'Queen of the Tribes' (221) - Dexter Seusahai
(Tribal Nights)
10. Kyona Brand - 'Apache Princess' (220) - Arnold Hughes (Arnold Hughes
& Associates)
11. Khyle Matthews - 'Rhythm of the Sky' (218) - Jessie Matthews (The
Calabash Co.)
12. Shamika Phillips - 'No Business Like Show Business' (213) - Jamaal
Magloire (Toronto Revellers)
2007
CARIBAN JUNIOR MALE INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR
RANK - MAS PORTRAYER - POINTS - BANDLEADER - MAS BAND
1. Kishi King - 'Apache Warrior' (231) - Arnold Hughes (Arnold Hughes &
Associates)
2. Le Shaun Bernett - 'The Spirit of Trinidad & Tobago' (218) - Alvin
Adore (Scarborough Caribbean)
3. Devante M. Jacobs - 'Guardian of the Oasis' (212) - Marlon Singh
(Callaloo)
4. Anthony Narinesingh - Protector of the Amazon'' (203) - Whitfield
Belasco (Pleasure Players
5. Dillon Correia - 'Deal or No Deal' (196) - Jamaal Magloire (Toronto
Revellers)
6. Jhamal Hewitt-Romeo - 'Spirit of the Tribes' (178) - Dexter Seusahai
(Tribal Nights)
2007 CARIBANA
JUNIOR FEMALE INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR
RANK - MAS PORTRAYER - POINTS - BANDLEADER - MAS BAND
1. (TIE) Coryn Defreitas - 'Fly Pretty Butterfly Fly' (219) - Ken/Andre
Defreitas (Evolution)
1. (TIE) Chenez Power - 'The Atlantean Princess' (219) - Frank Ramsaroop
(Borokeete Canada)
3. Keleshaye Christmas-Simpson - The Amazon Princess' (209) - Arnold
Hughes (Arnold Hughes & Associates)
4. Destiny Gunness - 'Persian Princess' (208) - Marlon Singh (Callaloo)
5. (TIE) Celena Seusahai - 'Eyes of the Tribe' (202) - Dexter Seusahai
(Tribal Nights
5. (TIE) Caneish Edwards - 'Princess Sunflower' (202) - Louis Saldenah
(Saldenah Mas-K Club)
7. Kanika Balgrove - 'D'Spirit of Africa' (201) - Bridget Renne/Troy
Logan (Masqueraders Int'l)
8. Faith Edwards - 'Sunrise in the Amazon' (191) - Whitfield Belasco
(Pleasure Players)
9. Alissa Correia - 'Dance De Las Vegas Style' (181) - Jamaal Magloire
(Toronto Revellers)
Pan Alive 2007 Results
1.
Salah's Steelpan Academy - 271 points
2. (TIE) Pan Fantasy, Afropan, Silhouettes - 266
5. New Dimension - 263
6. Pan Vibrations - 248
7. Panatics - 242
8. Metrotones - 239
9. Pan Masters - 228
10. (TIE) St. Jamestown, Hamilton Youth Band - 227
12 - Symphonex 225
Kaiso! Kaiso
highlights new music for the Caribana 2007 festival
with Calypso tents featuring various performers.
The Calypso Vanguard Tent starts
Fri. June 15th; 7:30 p.m. at Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas
St. W.;
The Professionals Calypso Tent
starts Sat. June 16th; 8 p.m. at Steelworkers Union Hall, 25
Cecil St.;
Kaiso Forum Tent starts Sun.
June 17th; at Scarlet Ibis, 1880 O'Connor Dr. More info at
416-729-4383.
Eight finalists were chosen
over three consecutive nights of performances that ended on
Sunday, July 15th. The reigning Calypso monarch - Montreal-based
Dennis James - will defend his title against an impressive cast
of singers, backed by a 8-piece band plus 3 supporting vocalists
and led by Musical Director Jeremey Ledbetter, leader of the
band Canefire.
The eight challengers are Crooner, Drew Gonsalves, Naki, Pan
Man Pat, Skippy, Structure, Susan G. and Victorio. Drew and
Naki are newcomers to the competition while others are past
monarchs or seasoned calypsonians. The Finals
will be hosted by MC Rhoma Spencer.
One Voice, One People, One Love
is the 2007 Caribana theme
From HQ:Caribana Festival Management Committee
"There will be a whole new host of events
that will be a credit to our community. It is something not to
be missed,"
Joe Halstead,
head of the Festival Management Committee, said to the Sun on
June 14
"This year, the B'nai Brith is a sponsor, as well
as 20 other national organizations ... including the Russians
and Italians," he said. "That's what Toronto is all about. "It
is the most multicultural city in the world and Caribana
reflects that."
"There's just not enough product to make it
(Toronto) a first-tier city," she said.
"People are
no longer conventional tourists...They're looking for an
authentic experience."
That authenticity comes not from novelties,
but from grassroots events and organizations.Toronto is trying
too hard to copy Chicago and Paris, and it hasn't found a way to
embrace what it does offer: multicultural neighbourhoods and
greenery, People don't visit a city to visit a museum, they come
for the feel of a city."
TICKETBREAK Corp., Canada's fastest growing
full-service ticketing company is proud to announce our
partnership with the 2007 Caribana Festival. TICKETBREAK will be
exclusively handling all on-line ticket sales as well as
offering our 'Entry Management' solution on site. This year's
festival features six events and is expecting over 60,000 people
to attend.
ABOUT THE CARIBANA FESTIVAL: The Caribana Festival, an
expression of Toronto's multicultural and multiracial society,
is an exciting two-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music,
cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. In this,
its 40th year, it has become a major international event and the
largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. more at
ticketbreak.com/
Before pride week begins there is the
Pride Toronto
Media Launch and VIP Party then there is the Official Pride Week Kick-off Launch
Party. These are the links go to the official events at
the official site pridetoronto.com
The Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall Pride Toronto
kicks off with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall.
Citizens, politicians, friends and community members
hear the Mayor read the Pride Week proclamation, raise
the Rainbow Flag and enjoy food and entertainment
The
Community Fair & Marketplace Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th
Seven
Entertainment Stages over three days Friday June
22nd – Sunday June 24th
The Pride Toronto Community Fair provides activists, community and
non-profit groups with a public forum to explain their
role in our community, educate about their mission,
recruit volunteers and garner support for their cause.
Family
Pride Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th
This child-friendly, interactive space provides an oasis
for families of all kinds. Family Pride features crafts,
games, children's entertainment by Rainbow Songs and
face painting as well as on-site daycare on the Saturday
and Sunday of Pride Weekend.
The
Dyke March Saturday June 23rd
a focus on women. It is open to women loving women of
any race, culture, orientation, ability, health,
economic group, family structure, faith or age. The
March is for women only; however, men are encouraged to
support the women from the sidelines.
Visit our Toronto
Parade Gallery
The spectacular
Pride
Parade on
Sunday June 24th 2007
The Pride Parade is the climax of the Pride Week
celebrations. During the week the past and future of the
culture in concert with all who choose to support us is
celebrated. The Pride Parade is the community's
opportunity to express freedom, gratitude and pride for
being able to live in harmony in the moment.
June is Pride
Month for our Planet.
Particularly noteworthy are celebrations in Carnaval
sister cities of London, New York and
San Francisco.
From June 8 to 10, Harbourfront
will be transformed with special events and performances that
incorporate elements of Carnival in Venice and Rio, Mardi Gras,
Jamaica’s Junkanoo, Bolivia’s La Diablada, Columbia’s
Barranquilla, Trinidad Carnival and many other traditions. “I try to break down the
boundaries between the arts, and carnival does that,”
says Theodoro Dragonieri, multidisciplinary artists and
head of the Arts Department at Dante Alighieri Academy
The main component will be dispalys of masks and performances by
the art high school students. Dragonieri is also curating an art
exhibit called “Carnival: The Spirit and the Soul” features carnival-related work representing several
cultural traditions. These include photographer Jeffrey Chock
from Trinidad; Italian mask maker Paolo Consiglio; New
Orleans mask maker Rob Faust; Dutch artist Mieke
Bevelander, whose drawings examine mask from a personal
perspective, and Toronto photographer Vincenzo Pietropaolo. [more]
organizers season of events begin at the beginning
of summer in June. Now Toronto has announced a
major new 10-day arts festival,
LuminaTO with a standout
multicultural Carnaval component,
Carnivalissima, anchoring the main 2nd
weekend in June. 
Caribana Toronto
News
The
Organization of Calypso Performing Artists' (OCPA)
puts on whatthey call Kaiso 365, The 2007
Canadian Calypso Monarch Competition Finals. It
will take place in the George Weston Recital
Hall at the
Toronto Centre for
the Arts at
5040 Yonge [and Sheppard Avenue West St.] in
North York. 
