Toronto Revellers 007 "Mas never Dies" band launch 2013

Revellers announced they were teaming up with Mac Farlane and Ronnie + Caro.
I thought to myself, that's strange, Jamaal bringing two bands or what?
I was picturing on the road some Ronnie and Caro chick wandering into the Mac Farlane section and being told “Miss lady, you don’t belong here, if you want to jump and wave go so!! We play "marse" over here, if you want to wine up your tail, get in your section” LOL.
I guess Revellers realizes you kind of have to do both, you need to bring a bunch of  BBF (bikini, beads and feathers) sections (that can hold their own with anyone), to appeal to the young masses. And you can still provide some more theme based costumes with lots of cloth for the artistic/modest in the crowd. Anyone who has tried to bring an entire band shunning the BBF formula has either fallen by the wayside or is currently on life support. Also if you slap a designed by Mac Farlane label on it, not too many will dare criticize it when it doesn't fit today's mold. 

This is not a costume but a gold dancer

A Revellers launch always has some theatrics in addition to the costumes. We saw a pretty cool Bond martial
arts fight scene complete with professional actors. Also a singer did a very nice rendition of Goldfinger, and there were some great golden dancers too.

Her Majesty's Secret Service

 

Thunderball

 

 

 

 

 SkyFall

 

 

 

 

 The Spy Who Loved Me

 

 

 

 

 Goldfinger

 

 

 Casino Royale

 

 

 

For Your Eyes Only  

 

 

Coolest male costume this year (my not so humble opinion)

 

 Diamonds are Forever 

 

 

 Moonraker

 

Goldeneye

 

Octopussy 

Jamaal has used his celebrity to promote some really positive messages to youth (outside of carnival). Ideas of non-violence, financial responsibility and cultural pride.  From a Carnival point of view, I see him trying to show younger players that mas can be more than just a street party. There is still room for all ages and artistic expression.
On a lighter note, he is announcing all these collaborations, I only hope he cleared this with the the powers that be, otherwise they might slap a brace on him like he is from some invading Tribe, or is a Bandit. ;)            

Toronto Revellers 2013 band launch "Mas Never Dies"

Brian Mac Farlane joins with Toronto Revellers for 2013 Toronto Caribbean Carnival Presentation The Toronto Revellers mas band is delighted to announce that Brian Mac Farlane, one of the most celebrated costume designers from Trinidad and Tobago; will be participating in Jamaal Magloire's 2013 Toronto Caribbean Carnival presentation of MAS NEVER DIES. 

Brian Mac Farlane

Brian Mac Farlane is recognized for his work both in the Caribbean and for his now famous presentation at the 2012 Olympics in London, United Kingdom. Also in 2012, Mac Farlane was featured in an exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum on Trinidad Carnival and its reproduction in diasporic Caribbean communities throughout the world. Mac Farlane is a record-holding Trinidad and Tobago carnival costume champion in the last two decades, Mac Farlane has won countless awards and accolades for his awe-inspiring designs.

Brian will not compete in the 2014 Trinidad carnival celebrations but will continue lending a hand to promote the growth and spread of the Caribbean carnival culture internationally. Brian's many fans and masqueraders in North America will be delighted at this opportunity to play mas in Toronto in one of the traditional sections. It will be a unique opportunity for the people of Toronto to participate in the art of this visionary.

Gerard Weekes, the reigning King of Trinidad and Tobago's 2013 Carnival from Brian Mac Farlane's presentation, JOY the Finale, winning with his presentation entitled the "Joy of Friendship", will also be assisting the Toronto Revellers with Mac Farlane's designs.

Please join us at our band launch on Saturday May 11th, 2013, at the Armenian Community Centre, 45 Hallcrown Place (Victoria Park Ave. & 401). The mas camp will be open soon after, located at 1001 Ellesmere Road (Southwest corner of Ellesmere & Kennedy), Toronto, ON, M1P 2L7. Please visit our website for updates following the launch.

Toronto Revellers Cultural Association, is a cultural non-profit organization that aims to contribute to the multicultural landscape of Canada by promoting, celebrating and exploring the rich cultural diversities and traditions of the Caribbean. Since entering the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival competition in 2005, the Toronto Revellers have become a premier masquerade band in the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival.


For further information or interview requests please contact:

Tony Ishmael
tonyishmael@torontorevellers.com

Toronto Revellers presents MAS NEVER DIES  
Armenian Community Centre
Address: 45 Hallcrown Place (Victoria Park & 401) Toronto, ON
Time: Doors open at 10pm
Price: $20 Adv., MORE AT THE DOOR
This is a 19+ event