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!

~Soca or Die 6~

One of the biggest fetes in the west end to kick off Caribana '07 was well worth the wait in the cold ass line up. This was my sis & bro-in-law's first fete, & I think it was a good first time experience. They got some excellent shots, including Wanda's above TriniGyrl, & Rudder below.
The high priest himself King David Rudder started off the show at 1:30, & he delivered his standard strong set, including The Hammer, Trini 2 de Bone, & Bahia Girl.

Jeremy Leadbeater

Kerwin Du Bois's Madology and Party Rocker were both good.

Mamacita is one of my fave hottest tunes this season, so I was especially looking forward to Collie Buddz, but his 20 or so minutes on stage was rather underwhelming. The crowd was feeling Come Around & Mamacita, but his other stuff, not so much.At 3:00 Nadia Batson performed with KES the Band & brought down de place with My Land and Lion.
Ziggy Rankin was a no show as apparently he couldn't get into the country. (Hmmmm...??)

The great quality corn soup & bake n shark after were hot & tasty enough to almost make you stop shivering. Tasted like Trinidad, but didn't feel like Trinidad ...maybe in June.
Up next, Carnival Nationz Big Top band launch!