Caribana Official events

CARIBANA™ 2008 OFFICIAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Luminat’eau: Carnival H2O (formerly “Carnivalissima”)

Friday June 13 - Sunday June 15, 2008; Noon - 6:00 p.m.Harbourfront CentreLuminato month long event closing at Harbourfront.

Calypso Tents Music Series

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
from June 13 - July 13, 2008; 8:00 p.m. - MidnightDe Great Iron Pot, 55 Nugget Avenue, Scarborough Calypso City, 25 Cecil Street, TorontoThis is an exciting annual showcase of Canada's best Calypso and Soca original music for the Caribana Festival. The series runs three nights each week (Friday Sunday) at various venues in Toronto, each night featuring a different cast of singers and 'live' bands performing Calypso in its best storytelling tradition: social and political commentary, humor and wit.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Official Launch
Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall
Tuesday July 15, 2008; Noon - 2:00 pmThis official ceremony launches the activities for the 2008 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 coming weeks.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Junior Carnival
Shoreham Drive Yorkgate MallSaturday, July 19, 2008; 10:00 am - 4:00 pmJunior Carnival provides festival-goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the thrills and joys as young masqueraders participate in their early festival years

Roots to Rhythm
- Art ExhibitionRoyal Ontario Museum Thursday July 24 – Monday Aug 4, 2008; Noon - 9:00 pmA Visual Art Exhibition – COLOURblind International – ‘Roots to Rhythm’ produced by the Association of African Canadian Artists. An intriguing collection of over 60 works that have been influenced by our journey.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Caribana Gala
Liberty Grand – Exhibition PlaceFriday July 25, 2008; 7:00 pm – 1:00 amAn elegant evening of style and glamour, celebrating Caribana and paying tribute to its pioneers. Proceeds from this event will be directed to a Caribana Foundation.

'Kaiso 365' Calypso Monarch Finals
Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto Saturday July 26, 2008; 8:00 pm - 1:00 amThis 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 your seat and get you moving.

King & Queen Show
Lamport Stadium Thursday July 31, 2008; 7:00 pm - MidnightOn the Thursday evening before Caribana Day the Kings and Queens of the Bands meet to do battle. Like peacocks they will primp and preen, eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from the audience. It is an honour for any participant to be enthroned the King or Queen of Scotiabank Caribana 2008. The King and Queen 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

Pan AliveLamport
Stadium Friday August 1, 2008; 7:00 pm - MidnightA 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 biggest opportunity to hear this wonderful instrument in all its glory. The evening is devoted entirely to the capturing rhythms of the steelpan.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Parade
Exhibition Place (Lake Shore Blvd) Saturday August 2, 2008; 10:00 am - 6:00 pmThis showcase event features an incredible display of colour and pageantry, commencing at Exhibition Place and proceeding west along Lake Shore Boulevard. Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Boulevard will come alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival!

De CARIBANA™ Lime
Island FestivalOlympic IslandSunday August 3, 2008; 10:00 am – 6:00 pmThis event features a full day of performances from a variety of artistes, highlighting the diverse cultures of all the Caribbean people. Activities include a food competition, song, dance, theatrical drama and storytelling.

Our first band launch of the year

This Saturday April 26th is the calalloo band launch. And we will probably check it out, so I should have some pics by Sunday. I'll let you all know how it went.

See the flyer for details

Province to help spread the Caribana Word

Hi Everyone,

I know I promised to blog more often, but really, apart from band launch announcements... (and the spring fetes), I don't see much going on yet.
I'm not saying that I won't post any launch info, its just that I don't really want to post stuff that is easily accessible elsewhere. Caribana virgin has a nice post on Launches

http://caribanavirgin.blogspot.com/

Anyways, I was reading the 24 hours newspaper and I came across an article saying that Mr McGuinty and his liberal government has announced $300,000 to market and promote Caribana outside of the province.( with focus on our American friends). This money comes from a $10 million "celebrate Ontario" fund, which assists in promoting events in the province. There weren't any details on how they are going to spend this money, but I'm sure it can only help to raise the profile of the festival.

The article also mentioned that the Toronto Sun newspaper has joined the list of major sponsors for Caribana. For years, it was a widely held belief among many of the West Indians in Toronto, that the editorial slant of the Sun was at odds with our best interest. I try to be optimistic, so I hope that this is a sign of ongoing reconciliation and good relations.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080422.CARIBANA22//TPStory/National

Above is a globe and mail article about the funding and it also mentions plans to try and link Caribana with other festivals to help marketing efforts.

Its really is a good article and it makes me really excited. I think that under the new management committee, the festival gained a "higher level of organization and professionalism" which has attracted more private and public sponsorships than ever before.

Everything isn't perfect yet, prize money........ But you still have to give praise where praise is due.

This can only be good for the future evolution of Caribana