Real Plenty pics from Caribana official launch

Caribana is OFFICIALLY here, Yeah baby!!!!!!

While Karabana was hard at work, she sent me down to the launch to get some pics. I didn't really want to spend the afternoon taking pictures of young ladies in costume, but I didn't want to let down the readers :)
The event started on time, but there was about an hour of speeches before the soca started. That was ok though, I hear government funding and more importantly private sponsorship is at an all time high. So if the guys who helping to pay the bills want to get their message out, I can't complain.
It really was a beautiful day and the costumes, pan and performances were outstanding.

Check out the picks and let me know what you think.



Nice Action shot

Nothing can beat flowing beads
She was feeling the Tassa vibes... did I mention there was a tassa band

The younger generation
Throwing waist to the tassa
This is in front the fountain at city hall
tassa causing it again

The costume is brilliant, and she wears it beautifully, but feather eyelashes just bug me... I don't know why.
Real nice head piece ent?

I know some people aren't finding it sexy enough, but I really like this Green IPADA BO-OLOG BON section. Not only do I think it looks real good, I like that if you didn't know what the theme was, you could guess it was something African

This green one is Karabanas' pick for favorite costume this year
I like to see people look happy like this when they are modeling a costume
All these nice gardens are in the heart of our busy city.... come visit us for CARIBANA

The Tassa band
This is John Kam, he is the festival producer


This man is not in costume, this is his normal clothes. He seem like a nice enough fella, he wanted $5 for taking his picture, then eluded to some other arrangement if I didn't want to pay. I think he was, joking but I left anyway.

Caribana official Launch

Tomorrow is the official launch of Caribana 2008.

So if you are working downtown, make your way over to Nathan Phillips Square at lunch time. There will be a live band, over a hundred costumed masqueraders and lots of food on sale.
Plus you might get on TV, since the press will be present.

Official Launch
Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall
Tuesday, July 15, 2008; Noon - 2:00 pm

This 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.

Also If you all are looking for tickets for official caribana events and you don't wish to buy them online, check out

Outlet	Address	Telephone
Nicey's - Pickering	1794 Liverpool Road, S. W	905 837-8228
Nidey's - Scarborough	60 Morecambe Gate	416 497-9717
Nicey,s - Toronto	621 Vaughan Road	416 656-5648
Nicey's - Mississauga	325 Central Parkway W	905 270-4417
Nicey's - Brampton	107 Kennedy Road S	905 450-6045
Charley's	1170 Morningside Avenue	416 283-1441
Charloo's	1646 Victoria Park Ave	416 759 7680
Charley's	10-3057 Hurontario St	905 896-3663
Play De Record	357A Yonge Street	416 586-0380
A Different Book List	746 Bathurst Street	416 538-0889
Bad Lad Prime Time	1970 Ellesmere Road	416 627-5292
FMC Caribana Office	263 Davenport Road	416 391-3008

AFROPAN 2008 Season

Afopan has started practice for the performances on the road during the parade as well as preparing for the Pan Alive competition.

Please feel free to drop by the pan yard to listen to them play. I suggest walking with a lawn chair and aiming to reach once it starts to get dark, thats because in the early evening they are usually doing individual drills and not necessarily playing as a band.
Its a nice family atmosphere, so feel free to bring everyone from granny to the toddlers to come and hear some pan.
Also, they are having some pan yard limes if you prefer to hear polished performances instead of practices. They usually take place the 2 Sunday evenings before Caribana, but I find out and let you know for sure.

Hamilton Mardis Gras Parade

I want to Give Hamilton Mardis Gras a little plug. It takes place the weekend after Caribana, so make your plans to attend, and arrange a carpool because it is definitely worth the drive to Hamilton. I will make a more detailed post during the week following Caribana, but I just want to let you guys keep it in the back of your mind for now.

This is their 7th year and I can proudly declare that I have attended every year, and I was in costume every year except year one (Thats because I didn't know that I could have walked with my same Toronto costume and play mas twice!!!!)

YES YOU GET TO PLAY MAS IN YOUR SAME TORONTO COSTUME!!!!

I really like Hamilton Carnival, at first I thought it was because its a smaller crowd and I tend to be more relaxed and I might drink a little more. Or then I thought it might be because the fellow masqueraders seem to be friendlier or I could get better pictures because of the smaller crowds.

Now, I think its because it reminds me of Caribana before it got so huge and they moved us onto a hwy instead of letting us parade in the heart of the city. I like chippin down city streets interacting with people, who may not have even come out looking for the parade. Last year we pass by a banquet hall and took some pics with this couple who were having their wedding reception. I love ducking into local bars and grabbing a couple cold beers to chase my rum thats getting warm. It really is a great time. MAKE YOUR PLANS to check it out. If you have never been, you're missing out

Check out their website, they even have this really catchy Hamilton Calypso on there ... take a listen http://www.hamiltoncarnival.com/index.html

Stop Sticking and Get Off the fence

I know it have plenty people here who planning to make the trek down to the lake shore for Caribana who are kinda thinking about playing mas but they only sticking.

It have REAL plenty costumes still available. From what I hear, is only Nationz who are pretty much sold out. That leaves REAL options for the masquerader who still thinking about playing mas.

Believe me, this is really the only way to truly enjoy yourself to the fullest. Unless you are walking with your young kids, I don't see any excuse for not finding yourself in a band.

Why would you want to stand up in the hot sun waiting for bands to come down the road, just so you could see people having a ball while you are looking on? YOU KNOW, they having PLENTY more fun than you.

Ladies, don't you want to get your sexy costume on, and pay yourself? And fellas, Ah know all trinis feel they is the sweetest.... but you does get a plenty friendlier reception from the costumed ladies if yuh in a costume.
True, you could go down and storm, but you know the BESSST bands have taken security to another level, and you aren't really going to be able to jump the whole route without getting harassed. True you might get in near the end, but you really want to deal with that crush of people? When all the Bacchanal start nearing the end of the route is the time costumed masqueraders looking to duck out and head back up the road to look for a pan side.

IT is not too late check out the links and go and get a costume

You can't say "If I did only know I wouldah play mas for true"

Ah done talk.

www.borokeetecanada.com
www.TribalKnights.com
www.CarnivalNationz.com
www.TorontoRevellers.com
www.tocarnival.com
www.callaloo.net
www.mastoronto.com
www.saldenahcarnival.com
www.nipdavis.com
www.jessiematthews.com | myspace.com/calabashcompany
www.evolutioncarnival.com
hitmanentertainment.com | ilovesoca.com
www.phoenixmas.com

BIG People outdoor fete

I really like everything about this fete. I love the venue, I like the crowd, I love the atmosphere. I like that its not far from home and there is plenty free parking. (at least it has been free in the past)

Because its outdoors there is plenty of room to move around and the smokers can smoke the the drinkers can drink and there is often food on sale inside the fete, it has a lot of choice offered. And you can can get pretty close to the stage without too much confusion. Its a nice vibes.

And big people doesn't mean its a strictly back in times fete...... its soca with a big people vibe. You still have you Nadia Batson and Kess... its not just aging artists.

So if you are around my age and are coming to Caribana for the first time and you are looking for a fete to go to that doesn't involve going downtown and paying $25 to park and lining up outside somebody club like you are begging to get in, or you don't really like being surrounded by a bunch of teens , and you like the sound of the line up... this fete is a good option.

We had a real good time last year, below is a link if you want to check out some picks and relive the memories

http://karabana.blogspot.com/2007/08/last-caribana-2k7-fete.html

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