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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Events on Thursday and Friday


I know you Americans (and others) are going to be arriving soon, so I wanted to give you some info as a Toronto local on whats happening. 


Thursday night 

King and Queen show @ Lamport stadium..

This is the crown jewel of the events leading up to the grand parade. This is where we showcase the Kings and Queens of the mas bands under bright stadium lighting and it really is impressive. 
 this year, for the first time, they will have a jumbo tron so you can get a better view. I don't know if this has anything to do with the addition of Chevy as a sponsor, but it should be cool.
Are you accustomed to attending this event, and sitting in the stands? Have you ever envied the guys with the floor seats, with center pieces getting served food and ting? Well, to score those seats in the past, you had to work for a sponsor, be a politician, be high up in media (blogs don't count) or some other form of big papi. 
Now, all you need is a $100 VIP ticket, and you too can be the envy of the folks in the stands. For this price you get prime seating, non-alcoholic drinks and cutters and you are really close to the beer/alcohol tent.
Cost:  Advance $30.00 / Gate $35.00 / Seniors $30.00 / V.I.P $100.00 VIP

Friday Aug 03, 2012

Pan Alive @ Lamport stadium
This is a thrilling evening displaying the musical and tonal qualities of the steel pan as members of the Ontario Steelpan Association compete before a panel of judges. This show is the best opportunity to hear this wonderful instrument in all its glory. This event highlights the talent of pannists ranging in age from early teens to adults as they perform their original renditions. Cost: Advance $25.00

 
Also, if you are looking for something free to do Friday night before you hit jouvert fish fry or a fete, you have two festivals to choose from: Irie music festival and Island soul festival.


Island soul festival
Friday 3, 2012
Together Panman Pat and Percussionist Jeff have been thrilling their audiences with a Caribbean callalloo of musical styles. Tonight they’re doing it "Soul Village style.” Bring your own percussion instruments and join them in an impromptu steel pan parade!
Prices

Tribute to Lord Kitchener

August 3, 2012
A not-to-miss musical tribute to Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts), grandmaster of classic calypso music and one of Trinidad's best-loved calypsonians. Featuring Moses Revolution.
myspace.com/mosesrevolution

Prices

Everyone: FREE
Friday, August 3, 2012
8:30PM – 9:30PM

The Mighty Shadow

August 3, 2012
Winston Bailey, better known by his stage name The Mighty Shadow, is a unique calypsonian and soca artist from Trinidad and Tobago.

Prices

Everyone: FREE
Friday, August 3, 2012
10:00PM – 11:00PM




If you don't like anything yet, you can cruise over to Nathan Philips square you can see FAY-ANN LYONS perform for, yes, free 9pm till 10PM.

Nathan Phillips Square

TIME FRIDAYAUG 3, 2012 SATURDAY AUG 4, 2012 SUNDAY AUG 5, 2012 MONDAY AUG 6, 2012
ALL DAY
IRIE ART EXHIBIT IRIE ART EXHIBIT IRIE ART EXHIBIT
11:00AM
SOUNDCHECK SOUNDCHECK SOUNDCHECK
12:00PM
SOUNDCHECK SOUNDCHECK SOUNDCHECK
12:30PM
SOUNDCHECK JCA Flag Raising SOUNDCHECK
1:00PM
DJ
DJ
2:00PM
IRIE Latin Baque de Bamba DJ Poetry:
Charlie Bubus
Patrick de Belen
2:45PM
 DJ
DJ
3:00PM

IRIE DANCE
Dance Immersion Summer Showcase

3:15PM


Likkle More
3:30PM
Luanda Jones
(DJ Break)
4:00PM
(DJ Break) DJ/TD Dancers IRIE REGGAE – Lillian Allen
4:45PM
(DJ Break) IRIE REGGAE – House of David Gang DJ/TD Dancers
5:00PM
 King Fabulouso

5:15PM

 DJ Kaysha Lee
5:30PM
DJ/TD Dancers IRIE REGGAE – The Memberz Empress Divine
5:45PM


IRIE REGGAE
tba
6:00PM DJ “D’ ENFORCAS” IRIE REGGAE
Colin Levy

 Donna Makeda
6:15PM

Ammoye
6:30PM
IRIE REGGAE
(DJ Break)
6:45PM
 Shalli IRIE REGGAE – Ibadan
7:00PM


IRIE REGGAE
DAWN PENN
7:15PM Jaxx (DJ Break)

7:30PM

(DJ Break)
7:45PM IRIE SOCA
Jaxx
IRIE REGGAE
Odell


8:00PM Trevor B
IRIE REGGAE
THIRD WORLD
CLOSE
8:30PM (DJ Break – D’Enforcas) (DJ Break)

9:00PM IRIE SOCA
FAY-ANN LYONS
IRIE REGGAE
RICHIE SPICE


10:00PM CLOSE CLOSE CLOSE

Checking in on TruDynasty


There was a buzz of activity when we stopped by TruDynasty's new mas camp location on Toryork Dr. A dj was blasting the tunes at their Sunday fix lime, band leader Dario was helping people with costumes, and band leader Thea was off doing a CHRY radio interview which we caught on the way over. This creative couple is gearing up for King & Queen on Thursday.







I hope costume pick up is going well, many bands started distributing today. I've been reading some organized bands sent messages a few weeks ago with pick up dates. Kudos to those who are avoiding the dreaded late Friday night before the parade!

Monday, July 30, 2012

NO PARADE IN BARRIE CARIBFEST THIS YEAR!


Despite organizers best efforts, they have not been unable to secure a suitable alternative venue for a parade in Barrie.
We have been to Caribfest in Barrie for the last four years. In the first few years, I felt really welcome, like they were happy to have us. We paraded through downtown and ended up in beautiful Centennial Park. Last year, I felt a little less welcome with the route starting within sight of the lakeshore and ending at the park, but I had a great time anyway.
It was a little surprising to me that the necessary permits were not granted for the parade or the festival at Centennial park. I read in the Caribbean Camera that one of the factors considered was the consumption of alcohol in public areas and the policing of such behavior.
This is really unfortunate, especially considering the festival draws a more family oriented crowd, often with everyone from grandparents to little kids. The crowds are small and manageable (with little need for police intervention apart from traffic control), and I haven’t witnessed or heard of any problems occurring.

Below is a press release for the remaining events.

 NO PARADE IN BARRIE CARIBFEST THIS YEAR!
See the Caribfest Caribbean Costumes on Sat Aug 25, Kerr Park, 130 Beaumont Drive, Bracebridge, Ontario starting at 1:00 PM
Barrie Caribfest 2012 Schedule of Events
Thur Aug 16 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hot n Spicy
Details Coming Soon
Fri Aug. 17 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Welcome to the Caribbean
Army Navy & Air Force Club, 7 George St, Barrie, ON
Adm $5
Fri Aug. 17 9:15 PM – Midnight
Caribbean Boat Cruise
Serendipity Princess, Barrie, ON
Adm: $20 advance Groups of 6 $15 each advance Door $25
Sat Aug18 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Caribbean Showcase – Featuring Soca/Calypso Super Star CRAZY
Army Navy & Air Force Club, 7 George St, Barrie, ON
Adm: $5
Sat Aug 18, 9:30 PM – 2:00 AM
Rupee in Concert (plus 5 of Toronto’s top DJs)
West 46, @ 46 Dunlop St West, Barrie, ON (Formerly Roxx Night Club)
Special Adv. $20
Sun Aug 19 1PM – 6PM
Caribbean Steel Extravaganza Hosted by Canadian Federation of Steel Pan
West 46, @ 46 Dunlop St West, Barrie, ON (Formerly Roxx Night Club)
Adm: $5
Caribfest 2012 Media Update
Unfortunately we did not receive a permit to have the parade in Barrie for the 2012 Barrie Caribfest. A permit was also not granted for us to use city owned Centennial Park to hold Caribfest. We tried to find an alternative outdoor location for the parade and the event but although there was interest from a number of possible venues they were already booked for other events on the date that Caribfest is scheduled to be held this year. In light of the fact that so many people had already booked time off for vacation and reserved hotel rooms we have decided that rather than cancel the event we would move it indoors. This means that visitors can still come to the city and enjoy all the activities and support the many tourism related businesses that operate within the region. We encourage you to see your visit to Barrie this year as an opportunity to discover and enjoy the many tourism attractions that make this region one of the most beautiful and exciting in Ontario. The local hotel and tourism businesses will welcome you. Please remember to tell them that you came to Barrie because of Caribfest.
You can find a comprehensive list of local tourism attractions at Tourism Barrie’s website: http://tourismbarrie.com/things_to_do.aspx
Although we will not have access to the Barrie waterfront we still have a full four days of Caribbean events that is sure to help you experience some of the sights, sounds and tastes of the Caribbean that Barrie Caribfest has become known for providing. This include the appearance for the first in the region of pop super star, Rupee, famous for the song “tempted to touch” and many other well known hits. Soca/Calypso artist Crazy will also be at the event this year headlining the Caribbean Show at the ANAF, located at 7 George Street, Barrie. We will also be hosting the first steel pan extravaganza with the appearance of six national steel pan groups at the West 46, formerly the Roxx Night Club on Sunday August 19.
Despite our best efforts we know that many people will be missing not seeing the beautiful costumes. We have a solution for that problem. On the following weekend, Aug 25 – 26 we will hold the 3rd Annual Reggae Muskoka Festival at Kerr Park, 130 Beaumont Drive in Bracebridge, Ontario. This year we will have many of the beautiful Caribbean costumes in a parade display in the park. The focus of the parade will change as we explore the artistic aspects of the beautiful costume creations and experience the stories they tell in their themes. You can find more information about Reggae Muskoka at www.reggaemuskoka.com
Thank you for your support of the events. We look forward to seeing you at the Indoor Barrie Caribfest and the Outdoor Reggae Muskoka.
For further information please email: info@caribfest.ca

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch Finals 2102


 Macomere Fifi regains the Calypso Monarch crown

For the second year, Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch Finals were held at the Chinese Cultural Centre's lovely P.C. Ho Theatre. Britian's Calypso Monarch 2011 Alexander D Great performed several Calypsos. Nine finalists sang two original songs lead by Ossie Gurley's band. Lively and humourous host Itah Sadu again kept the evening along smoothly. 
 
 Pan Man Pat
 Beginner
Connector
 

 Macomere Fifi 
 
 
 The Crooner
 Dennis James
 
Some Calypsonians included dancers and masqueraders as part of presentations. The prizes went to compositions that were about controversial topics and showed originality. The crowd for the most part seemed pleased with the results, which are as follows:
Best Presentation: Connector
Best Composition on a local topic and Best Arrangement: Macomere Fifi
Most Original Calypso: Calypso Web
Best Lyrics, Best Rendition, Best Melody and Most Humourous Calypso: Dennis James
People's Choice:  Macomere Fifi 

Second Runner Up: Dennis James
First Runner Up: Structure
First Place: Macomere Fifi
 Macomere Fifi 
 
 Calypso Web
 Redman
 Structure
 
Congratulations to Macomere Fifi!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Do it up!

With the parade in just 8 days, how are you doing with your preparations? Of course by now Caribana divas not only have their costume and footwear, but makeup and accessories.  I admit, I don’t know exactly what I’m doing for my makeup. I’ve always wanted it done by a pro, maybe this will be the year…

Here are some awesome eyes that I like for inspiration.

PastelsFor the many pink costumes     Funky eye makeup  http://cultureofcute.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/halloween-makeup.jpg   http://mayanka.com/largeimage/AngelicGlitterEyesHALORhinestoneAngelCostumeMakeupXoticEyesCCL.jpg

http://www.eyeshadowlipstick.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/purple_blue_glitter_eyesh.jpg


Peacock!

Since peacock feathers & mas go hand in hand, what do you think about these eyes?

I do have some fun accessories, including a cute gemmed bangle, a panja gift from a friend, a belly chain from Faire de la Mode & a feather extension.


I really love this...

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQqYDwuvhTcWvjCM2U5N_t7UzxuMC0xWkk_gmhKUB1a9poo5cAxPvXrpcNB3q1EN-n02E4t-deIvsTIqgtCGiVR-V8fwRRj66VxmsLNObOj30mRN1NaAiELCdF30x11lwRf0b/s1600/feather+earrings.jpg

... and these!

Fun nail art has really taken off this year, much to my pleasure. I always have manicured nails, and this year, I have been trying water marbling. 


There are many, many nail tutorials you can watch that are quite helpful, and Pinterest is good for creative pictures. There are so many options now, like foil strips, crackle, and shellac which are big trends. Embellishing nails with rhinestones or “caviar” is a perfect accompaniment for most costumes. I also love the funky glittery nail art with one gemmed nail.




pretty rhinestones ^_^



I spotted these nail rings and think they’d be ideal for playing mas.

         white nail polish and shimmer rings!   golden nail ring


                      Candy lips Rhinestones       http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com/thumbs/c2/54/lips,bite,black,crystal,gems,nails-c254fc2f9d78ac8a9aab12893effccc2_h.jpg

What about gems on lips, has anyone tried this while playing mas? They look fantastic in pics, but unfortunately I can’t see how they’d stay on. I know some models wear glitter on their lips for launches, but it won't last on the road.  
lots of feathers hair extensionsBlueblack on red
       

Another cool trend, feather extensions. 

 Tinsel Extensions

Very nice, but when I read how to put on the tinsel strands, I thought are you serious, you have to do all that for one strand of hair? Maybe I’m not that patient. (or handy with hair styling)

So what do you think, for you are these extras, or necessities? What are must have’s for you this year?

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