Soca2Go!

Who say yuh too old tuh Soca?!?!

Toronto Revellers... the Peoples Band, once again catering to all ages & all sizes presents Soca2Go.

Come out & attend Soca Dance Classes each Friday starting this Friday June 27th 2008 at 7pm.

WHAT: Soca Dance Classes

WHERE: Toronto Revellers Mas Camp, 1320 Ellesmere Rd., Unit #5

WHEN: Every Friday starting on June 27th | 7pm

INFO: Call 416-441-1424

Come out, get moving, and show us how yuh does wuk up! Soca2Go!

This looks like fun, & lord knows some people (Caribana newbies) need some wining lessons. At the boxing gym Buublenut & I went to last year, they had some Soca classes, so I took one, what a riot that was! I wished they would have played some new or even recent Soca, but all we got was tourist Soca, you know, Dollar Wine.
You really get quite a workout from just wining.

Fish of the Deep

Christine's Pescado del profundo (Fish of the Deep) in The DEEP is a unique bound-to-be -popular section. Photos are from facebook group Ontario carnival "Bachannal Crew."





Masqueraders who want something different than a bra can consider the shimmery club inspired top.
Trini-in-Toronto played with the Bachannal Crew last year & was very pleased with his costume and their truck on de road.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2354122859

Ontario carnival "Bachannal Crew"

Bryant's Carnival 2008

When I saw these pictures, I really wanted to show off this very pretty section in Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club. All pictures are from Bryant's Carnival 2008, a facebook group I belong to. I played in Bryant Sinanan's fabulous section last year. Krystle Ramdial is the designer.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2450862476
Bryant's Carnival 2008

I especially like the coins on the flattering (real) bra and on the waist band.

I liked the dangling coins on the fl headpiece at the launch. For those looking for coverage, there's the shiny flame cape.

www.saldenahcarnival.com

Costumes stolen!

How pathetic is that, @10 Caribana costumes were stolen from the Luminat'Eau: Carnival H2O display at Harbourfront Ctr. Saturday evening.
What kind of loser would pull a mean-spirited crime like this? Jealous wanna-be mas maker? Steups.

http://v2.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/24hrstoronto/20080616/2008061601/

Luminato

Once again Luminato treated us with a fantastic Calypso performance by the King, David Rudder. To say Trini-in-Toronto is a HUGE Rudder fan is an understatement, and a chance to catch him free is always a big deal. Over the years we've seen him at some good venues like the old Bamboo (which is greatly missed, btw!) and for a free Canada Day Scarborough Town hall celebration, but he's particularly captivating at Harbourfront.

I was glad he sang his newest, Oil & Music, but was hoping he'd end it off with the faster version.

Luckily, the night didn't end with Trinidad's finest. Jamaica's Junior Reid came on as the sun went down.

He got the crowd going with One Blood, This is Why I'm Hot, No One, etc.

I liked his tunes and will be checking his music out.

Saldenah also had their Deep Rising kids crafts zone Saturday afternoon, and Blue Devils Mas had a display.
We won tickets to a Luminato concert this past Monday evening featuring Canadian artists, so all in all, this is a festival I will continue to look forward to. http://www.luminato.com/festival/eng/

the King is free!!!!!!!!

This just in!!!!! THANKS ~V~IDYA!!!David Rudder and Junior Reid perform Live at Harbourfront Centre, Toronto this Saturday Night! Both Shows are Free!
David Rudder
Saturday, June 14, 2008 8pm Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto


Newsweek calls him 'the King of Soca—as Bob Marley is to Jamaica and Bruce Springsteen is to New Jersey, so is David Rudder to Trinidad. While Shango Baptist chanting provides the heart of his music, his vibrant vocal style evokes American jazz, African folk music, scat-singing, and the high-energy spirit of rock.

Junior Reid
Saturday, June 14, 2008 9:45pm
Junior Reid, best known for the song "One Blood”, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall legend. His vocals and collaborations are now widely used in the hip hop and R&B scene, including stints and hit remixes with Alicia Keys, Wu-Tang Clan, The Game, Mims, Jim Jones, Fabolous, and Fat Joe- he is the go-to-artist when it comes to blending reggae vibes with that of rap, R&B and pop.

More info and full weekend schedule at www.harbourfrontcentre.com/luminateau

Gotta love the Harbourfront Ctr. The best was free Machel last year.
So you know where Trini-in-Toronto & I will be Saturday night! Say hi if you see us!

Calypso Tents to open this Weekend

The tents are opening this weekend and it is a great showcase of the Calypso talent that we have right here in the city. Below is the info on the individual tents that I pulled from the Caribana website.
I'm not sure why, but I can't seem to find (online) the price of admission. If anybody knows the cost, please leave a comment, I am especially interested in the price for the Professionals because I am in the West end.

De Great Iron Pot, 55 Nugget Avenue, Scarborough | Calypso City, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from June 13 - July 13, 2008; 8:00 p.m. - Midnight

This is an exciting annual showcase of Canada's best Calypso and Soca original music for the Scotiabank 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.

Kulture Calypso
Cutty's Hideaway, 538 Danforth Avenue (at Pape), Toronto
Fridays - June 13, June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11; 8:00 p.m.
Featuring: Calypso Cowboy, Smokey, Black I, Timer, Lady Lydz

The Professionals
Steel Workers Union Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
Saturdays - June 14, June 28, July 5, July 12; 8:00 p.m.
Sunday - June 22; 5:00 p.m.
Featuring: Jayson, Macomere Fifi, Beginner, Dick Lochan, Panman Pat, Drew Gonsalves, Naki, Valentino, Pensioner



Kaiso Forum
Sunday, June 15 - De Great Iron Pot, 55 Nugget Ave. (Sheppard & McCowan), Scar.
Sunday, June 22 - Scarlet Ibis Restaurant, 1800 O'Connor Drive (at Victoria Park)
Saturday, June 28 - Sidney's Island Restaurant & Lounge, 5120 Dixie Rd, Mississauga
Saturday, July 5 - De Great Iron Pot, 55 Nugget Ave. (Sheppard & McCowan), Scar.
Sunday, July 13 - Northern Tropics, 880 Ellesmere Rd. (at Kennedy), Scarborough
Featuring: Sailor, Scorpio, Sparkle, Susan G, Spivey, Structure, Connector, King Cosmos, Dynasty, Red Man, Web, Laura, Yellows, De Carra, Love Man Kent

This is an exciting annual showcase of Canada's best Calypso and Soca original music for the Scotiabank 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.

Heroes - Mas Toronto

The second launch we attended last night was Alicia and Errol Achues Mas Toronto Presentation of Heroes. Thanks Courtnay!

This was held at Embers banquet hall, it was really good that they used a higher elevated stage, it was much easier for those in the back to see the costumes. Also, after the presentation, the models hung around and there was ample opportunity for picture taking.

There are a lot of pretty interesting costumes to choose from, and as a man, I appreciate that some of the mens costumes looked pretty cool and weren't just an afterthough.... I know, I know Carnival is about WOMAN. Onto the pics...

Arc Angels
(Karabana's favourite picture)

Avatars

Beast Masters

This Shadow Lord was very theatrical

Fire Starters & Guerilla Infantry

Jeanean

Arc Angels & Wind Walkers

Beast Masters

Fire Starters & Shadow Lords

www.mastoronto.com

Toronto Caribbean Connection - Band Launch

Last night we had the pleasure of attending the Toronto Caribbean Connection (TCC) band launch. Thanks a lot Mervyn! The costumes were quite attractive and they were very proud to mention that all of their costumes were designed and made right here in Toronto. The name of the presentation was VISIONS-THRU ONE'S EYES. Toronto Caribbean Connection has the number 5 position on the road. I think that's a good time if you are fetein the night before and would like to take your time making it down to the CNE. www.tocarnival.com Onto the Pictures:

frontlines

!!Deep Rising!!

Dexter Seusahai came out strong again this year with Deep Rising, Tribal Knights presentation. Tribal Knights secured an enviable #2 position in the parade, and with Blaxx from Roy Cape providing music on de road, this band is going to have a fantastic year.

I really liked this in the launch photos, but it looks even nicer seeing it up close. I haven't seen a Caribana (or Carnival) bra like this before with individual flowers, it's so different! This is the type of out-of-the-box design that Caribana needs to see more of!

(click to zoom in & enlarge photos)

The purple green combination works so well with this one. The whole costume is vibrant & has fun touches that make it stand out. This is an example of what I mean by quality.

So well made with beautifully matching jewelery.

Costume Prices are still $140 ($220+ Frontline) and kiddies costumes are free with registration of adult costume. So when you're frustrated that the section you wanted in other over hyped bands has sold out, don't worry, Tribal Knights has pretty, great quality costumes. www.TribalKnights.com

In Deep

A favourite: firey red, lots of full feathers = fantastic frontline!

Saldenah Mas-K Club launched their long awaited In Deep. Big thanks Louis!!Lots of colour & feathers, all done up Sally style.

http://www.saldenahcarnival.com/

Rich purple, full headpiece

Christine's section, the bacchanal crew. The shimmery cleavage revealing top is a different design for carnival, it resembles club wear. Sheer belly dancer style skirt matches well.

I really like the coin belly dancer headpiece with full feathers in Bryant's section.