Some changes to this years' parade

I know everyone is hoping for our carnival to run smoothly and to always have a better time than we had the year before.
So, I want to share with you some changes that I have heard about for this years parade and request that you chime in with any developments that you know about that I'm not aware of.

1.      Expanded parade route with the CNE.

We are going to be making a full 3.5km parade with about half of that taking place within the CNE. Masqueraders will be able to play their mas unencumbered and be judged within the exhibition grounds before heading out onto the lakeshore for the 2^nd half f the parade.

2.      General Admission to the CNE (no seating) is reduced to $5 per person.

You see, the organizers do listen to us. This is a price drop from $20 last year. There is also a family pass of $20 for 5 people. Bleacher seating is available for $20 per person. If you have to ask how much are the cabanas…. Anyway, they are $100 per person, $950 for 10 and $30 for kids.

3.      There will be lots of Caribbean food available within the CNE grounds.

 Last year, many guys who paid for bleacher seating, cabanas or general admission into the CNE complained that they had to walk long distances to find Caribbean food on sale. This year I heard from the person in charge of hospitality and she assures me that the air will be filled with jerk and curry aromas. 

4.      Mas on the Move (2nd  judging point)

This was described to me as a special and separate cash prize to be judged near the beginning of the parade. The idea is to give the bands an incentive to get things moving on time. It’s supposed to be a judging point but not a stage where you stop and cause traffic jam while preparing your time consuming dance presentations and so on. You just file by this area on time and you could win a prize.

5.      Pan will be at the back of the parade.

For years some bandleaders have been blaming the steelbands for contributing to gridlock and slowing down the parade. So, this year you can't blame the pan because they have been bumped to the back of the parade. I find it hard to believe that they are a major issue... yeah, they take time, but, I wonder how big of an impact this will have. I fear that no steelband will make it onto the road before the 6pm deadline. You can’t blame steel bands for the 2 hour gap between the last guest band and the first big band going down the road.

I do think that masqueraders have to take some responsibility here. If all of the masqueraders are in the band, in their section and ready to play mas at 10am, nobody would get locked in the CNE. It's a competition, the band isn't crossing a stage until 95% of their band is present and in their sections.

So, please masqueraders, especially if you are playing with Toronto Revellers in position 1, if you go out and fete for J'ouvert, make every effort to reach in your band as early as possible.

6.      Truck skirting.

This year all trucks will be inspected and issued with a safety certificate to ensure that their wheels are properly skirted. Without this certificate, the police will not let you enter the Lakeshore.

They also claim that they are limiting the number of permits issued to support vehicles allowed on the route… I hope this is true, as they have too many knuckle heads in minivans who feel they are playing a critical role to the parade. Just because the band leader is your nephew, doesn’t mean you need to drive your minivan in the parade with some water and macaroni pie in the back. We get it, you are with the band.

7.      No more wee-wee trucks.

Now, this is supposed to be a safety issue. They have decided that they will distribute porta potties along the parade route inside the fenced off area. So masqueraders aren’t having to jump the fences to find a bathroom, or trying to climb onto moving trucks to use the bathroom. This sounds like a good idea, but I could see band members being upset when they are queuing up to use a washroom along with a bunch of stormers who should be behind the barricades.

8.      This brings us to the stormer issue, I haven’t heard of any new development that is worth repeating. I did hear about double fences at some point, but nothing that I really understood. If anyone knows something, I’d love to hear about it.

Well, although we don’t always see all of the changes that are made every year, there is a group of administrators who tirelessly try to tweak the operations to improve the festival. It’s a thankless job, so thank you.

If you guys want to share any new initiatives I’m not aware of, or if I got something wrong, please leave a comment and I will update the post

Caribana Flags and colours Parade pics

Usually, when I am editing photos to put up on the blog, it's after a band launch around 4:30am. I’m sleepy, grumpy and often hungry

Today, I have this silly grin on my face. I’m looking at these pics and I’m just smiling. The kids have this happiness in them that is contagious. I even smile when I look at the little ones who are crying.

Caribana Flags and Colours had another successful parade and it was a lot of fun. You could tell it was election year, the mayor, John Tory and Olivia Chow all showed up…. insert sarcastic comment here.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Don’t forget, Machel is performing tonight for free at Nathan Phillips square (9:30pm Sharp… This is not Trini time) conduct yourselves accordingly.

Also, The Toronto Caribbean Carnival Junior Parade is next Saturday in Malvern. 

Before I forget, If you still haven’t gotten your sheer to waist Mas tights, you can still use your Karabana discount at Toronto MAS tights (click the ad up top for details). Don’t make me have to put up your picture wearing control top panty hose….  I wouldn’t do that to you :) Handle your business

Trini-in-Toronto  

Caribana Flags and Colours (kiddies carnival) 2014

Hi folks,

Next Saturday there is a junior carnival parade at Yorkgate mall (Jane and Finch)

Before you all get confused, There are two junior carnivals and there have been two for the past few nears now. The one this coming Saturday July 12th is put on by the  (CAG) Caribana arts group.

We have been attending this event for many years and I urge you to come out and support.

These are our children and there is one Caribbean community, so come show them your support. They aren't involved in our adult politics, but they are the future of our festival.

My Favourites

Tribal Carnival

Guardian Angel

So having attended all the band launches, and getting to see every single costume, I thought I'd choose my personal favourites. I narrowed it down to one overall costume, then best bra, or best headpiece. It wasn't hard actually to decide going through my thousands of pictures.  I've chosen based on my personal taste, obviously, but not necessarily what I'd wear. Sometimes I considered what stood out on stage, how the models wore it, and what will work well on the road.

Speaking of the stage, I have to give praise to the many models who really "sold" costumes this season. They walked the runway with a purpose - to SHOWCASE the costume, help the potential masqueraders imagine themselves in it. They showed enjoyment and PRIDE in wearing the costume, which was demonstrated by their walk or wine, happy expressions, and stopping to pose - not a quick pass, then faster retreat.

First is

Tribal Carnival's Guardian Angel.

One of the best colour combinations this season, with those full arm and leg pieces, this costume is going to be stunning on the Lakeshore. 

I also liked how it moved on stage, as shown here.  

Best bra - Angel of Lust

I really like how the feathers and jewels look here. I included the waistband since it's very pretty as well.

 Fantazia

Creamsicle

I'm normally not wowed by white, but the peach adds to this creating a very attractive costume. This is one of the best suits I've seen this season out of all the bands.

 The lighting isn't the best, but zoom in to see the detail in the work done here. 

Best bra goes to the "sport" style bikini top from Lust. I like to see something different yet still pretty and this design was it!  

Saldenah
Arwak Princess

This colour combo together just pops, it's so vibrant. It's great how the fringe creates movement, which is ideal for mas. The feathers add to the Arwak feel, and the jewels & beads are for the princess-y side.



Best body suit - Ancient Goddess, which is I know, a no brainer. I mean, those jewels! And who doesn't want a necklace like that?
I imagine those playing in this have been living at the gym and munching on what, lettuce? since they registered to do it justice like Ranae here.
No pressure.   

Carnival Nationz

Timba

The colour combo is stunning and the hips to leg pieces and arm pieces make it look on point from all angles.

Feminine & feathery for many = fabulous.

 

 

Favourite headpiece, Revolution. 

 I know we've seen mohawks for a few years now, they are very popular for mas. If you've never worn one, you really need to, it's an amazing experience! The guys happens to be in the shot too because I think men will like this one. Not all fellas want feathers. 

Connections

Winds of Discord a Black Sage design.

Discord is a lack of harmony, and with all these colours and the question mark style back pack, one could see chaos. But I don't see disunity, I'm rather drawn to how everything here works so well together. It certainly made a visual impact on stage, as it's bound to do on the road. 

Aurora Borealis - Favourite headpiece. This needs to be acknowledged for the fun and different design that it is. It's this type of artistic creativity that mas needs more of. 

Toronto Revellers

Wrath of the Barbarian

The blades, unpretty makeup and barefoot models really emphasized these are warriors ready for battle. I like the leather look details, the side mini, red & bronze belt and headgear. This has a video game vixen vibe.

Avalanche, Ice Warrior is my favourite because it's refreshing to see something other than feathers be used to create a standout headpiece clearly representing the theme. There wasn't a single feather used in this costume, and the end result is definitely an icy warrior.

Carnival Revolution

Good use of gold and silver to compliment black so it's not stark and unappealing. Nothing overdone or excessive, yet not subdued either.  



D'Regulars

This entire costume came together well, I appreciate the cohesiveness of it, and I like how a skirt was used, as opposed to a waistband.

When considering what makes the best launch, there are several things I prefer. #1 is definitely starting on time, around midnight is great.

Let's talk about proper lighting. While playing around with different stage lighting is a fun effect, it often ruins the photos.  And just ditch the smoke machine. If you really want smoke for whatever reason, use it at the beginning of your show, before the costumes need to be seen and photographed. Wait till the smoke clears & then send the models out.

It's all about the models, so models that take their time on stage, know how to pose for photographers, and keep expressions on their face that photograph well are what we need to see. Remember that shots are being taken of you at every angle, so if you screw up your face for example, it's going to come out in pictures. I know some ladies aren't experienced with doing these launches, they don't listen to soca &/or know how to wine, so for them, it's like a runway gig. I'm ok with that -  my goal, along with all the other photographers,  is to see the costumes being displayed long enough to get a good shot. When ladies walk too quickly, don't pose, and then get off the stage, it's such a waste, IMO.  

I can see models for several shows were instructed to walk a certain unified path then turn back, so I don't blame them. The way I look at it, you've (band leaders) spent the money and time making the costume, and hiring the makeup artists, so they should take a good pass displaying themselves on the stage. You want your costumes to be seen in the best possible light, right?

The best launches also provide the names of the sections. You can do this in a few ways, in your visual show, in a brochure, by giving media a list, or just putting them on your website the following day.

Have a website ready after your launch. Everything should be done online now, and people need to be able to reach section leaders with their questions, and certainly for registration. But that's another issue I guess for another post...     



2014 order of the bands for the Toronto Carnival (Caribana) parade

Following are the positions in which bands will be parading for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
1.Toronto Revellers
2. Fantazia International
3. Mas-K Club
4. Carnival Nationz
5. Tribal Carnival
6. Connections Mastumes Band
7. Concept Costumes Creators
8. Carnival Revolution
9. D Regulars

D'Regulars band launch Carnival Dreams

D'Regulars Arts & Cultural group launched their Carnival Dreams tonight at the Howard Johnson on Warden. We applaud a band that starts on time, at midnight. Also when those modeling look like they are enjoying themselves, and spend enough time on stage and posing or wining at the finale.