Afro pan Blocko

They say to wear something Camouflage


Afro pan is having a blocko this Sunday Evening July 22nd, 2007.

Thats when they invite the public to come and hear them play.
Its a really nice family lime where you can walk with a lawn chair and a cooler.

Honestly, this is one of my favorite Caribana traditions which really reminds me of when I was small and relatives would take me to St. James to hear the steel bands practise.

They usually have one next Sunday also, but I haven't heard anything yet. Also they practise every night, so if you just want to hear them play and not really interested in a large crowd, just show up any evening before caribana (once the sun goes down, they will be practising)

Afropan's pan yard, 1 Jefferson Ave. (just off King St. just East of Dufferin)

Just go to the end of the street that runs alongside Lamport stadium and the panyard is located at the foot of the street right next to the GO train tracks.

Dont miss this lime.

Wore my camo, but was one of the very few who did!

Queen Macoomeh - Forty Years

Below is a link to a article written by a Toronto based Expat author named Queen Macoomeh.

Its entitled Forty years.

Its a wonderful, funny article that talks about the progress Caribana has made and some of the obstacles it faces.
Please follow the link and let me know what you think

http://www.taghaboni.com/main/2007%20stories/forty%20Years.htm

Caribana Fetes for the thirty-something Crowd

First and foremost, I have to say that I really love how West Indians can have very good multi-generational parties. You really see the difference when you go into clubs here in North America.

Also I have excluded any strictly DJ fetes because we are really spoiled here in Toronto to have a large crop of talented soca DJs who live here, and we wait with anxious anticipation to see soca superstars perform for Caribana.

For complete fete listing please go to http://www.toronto-lime.com/events_tdot.html
That is where I pulled my info.

I have gone to this fete a few times and always had a good time
Friday July 27th, 2007

"IslandVybz Annual Midnight Boatride"
Aboard: The River Gambler - 261 Queens Quay E
Featuring: Roy Cape All Stars w/ Blaxx, Olatunji Yearwood & Trini Jacobs
Adm: $45 adv (food incl)
Boarding: 10pm | Depart 11pm | Return 3am

http://www.toronto-lime.com/flyers/070727_islandvybz_midnight_boatride.jpg

I have gone to this fete a few times and always had a good time
Saturday July 28th, 2007
"Annual Real Party 2007"
@ WILD WATER KINGDOM - 7855 Finch Ave. West, Brampton, Ontario
Featuring: ROY CAPE ALL STARS
Adm: $25 in Advance, more at the door

Saturday July 28th, 2007
Black Creek Pioneer Village Presents…
“Community Concert Series”
@ Black Creek Pioneer Village - Steeles and Jane St., Toronto
ALL AGES
www.northernlightsorchestra.com

Caribana Tuesday July 31st, 2007
DE RED RIDE - The 5th Annual Wear Red Boat Ride!
Yuh must wear something red!
Aboard the luxurious Enterprise 2000
Port of Toronto - Pier 35, off Cherry Street, downtown Toronto
Two FULL sets by Roy Cape All Stars •"Dutty" Blaxx • Sexy Trini Jacobs • Olajunti • Farmer's Rhythm Section • D'Enforcas • Chief and much more!
•• On-shore lime before and after de ride with Farmer's Rhythm Section ••
Boarding 7pm, departing 8pm sharp! (Rain or shine...the Enterprise is a covered boat)
** Limited $40/$45 Adv. Tickets ** SOLD OUT EVERY YEAR SO DOH STICK!! **
Includes generous helpings of the absolute best premium Chinese/West Indian dinner by Island Mix. Every year people talkin' about the food so come hungry!

Wednesday August 1st, 2007
"CALLALOO 10TH ANNUAL BOAT CRUISE"
Aboard: The River Gambler - Boarding Yonge & Queens Quay (Toronto, ON)
Entertainment TO BE ANNOUNCED
Adm: $40
Info: 416-576-0694
Tickets at the mas camp ~ buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment

Caribana Thursday August 2nd, 2007
I.S. Promo presents...
"BOAT JAM '07" - Lava Lake
@ Captain John's - 1 Queens Quay E
Featuring: Bunji Garlin & Faye-Ann Lyons
Music by: Soca Monarchs, Enforcas & SKF
Info: 905-840-2450 | www.IslandStyleMusic.com
VIEW FLYER

Friday August 3rd, 2007 (Caribana Friday)
KOS Brings You Their Tradition Like NO Other:
The 12th Annual KOS J'OUVERT FETE
@ Palazzo Nightclub & Patio. An Indoor and Outdoor Venue! - 99 Peelar Road (Hwy 7 & Jane St.)
-----------------------------------------
Featuring A Massive Lineup Of Exclusive Live Performances By:
KES THE BAND (Trinidad's hottest band with Soca's sex symbol - "Lion", "Push")
ROY CAPE ALL STARS (#1 Brass Band in the Caribbean - "Mr. Cape")
MAXIMUS DAN (the original Soca Warrior - "Fighter", "Soca Train")
NADIA BATSON (the Caribbean Girl - "My Land", "Caribbean Girl")
BIGGIE IRIE (2007 Groovy Soca Monarch from Barbados - "Nah Going Home", "Band on Fyah")
ZOELAH (St. Vincent's princess - "Go Down Low", "Fly Away")
BLAXX (the power J'ouvert anthem - "Dutty")
ZIGGY RANKING (the groovy J'ouvert anthem - "Love How Yuh Wining")
PROBLEM CHILD (WINNER of the Vincy Mas road march in 2007 - "Party Animal", "Mad")
OLATUNJI (young and energetic performer - "Get Wild")
TRINI JACOBS (sultry and sexy - "Sexy Ways")
CHUCKY (making his Toronto debut - "Turn Around", "See You")
FARM P. (Toronto's own - "Its Over", "Tan Tan")
SLAMMER CUTTER (the freestyle pro - "Mash Up Meh Life")
-----------------------------------------
YUH CANT PLAY MAS IF YUH 'FRAID POWER SO WE BRINGIN' YUH:
PAINT * MUD * POWDER * FOAM * WATER TRUCK
WE BRINGIN' EVERY $^!#IN' TING!
THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE TO BE CARIBANA FRIDAY: KOS J'OUVERT. THE COMPLETE FETE.
-----------------------------------------
TICKETS:
LIMITED $30 ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE AS OF FRIDAY JULY 13^TH

I went to this fete every year for a long time, but KOS Jouvert is closer to home. If you are staying downtown this is a good option

Friday August 3rd, 2007 (Caribana Friday)
I.S. Promo presents...
"GLOW Toronto 07" - YOU MUST WEAR WHITE
@ Kool Haus - 132 Queens Quay E
Featuring the Superheroes of SOCA: Atlantik w/Destra, Traffik w/Shurwayne, Candy Hoyte & Sean Caruth, Asylum w/Bunji, Faye-Ann, Scar, Ninjitsu
DJ's: Soca Monarchs, Hytek Sounds, De Professor
Hosted by: SKF
19+ event . ID REQ
Dresscode: WEAR WHITE
Ticket Outlets...

This is a huge event, not to be missed. Especially if you live in a city where there isn't that that much of a pan presence. I kinda miss the vibe when they had it at the Fort, but Lamport isn't bad...

Friday August 3rd, 2007 (Caribana Friday)
Ontario Steelpan Association presents...
"THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF PAN ALIVE!"
@ Lamport Stadium - 1155 King Street West, Toronto
www.CaribanaFestival.com

CARNIVAL IN YUH BACKYARD 4.0 - Savannah Xplosion!
The Soca Savannah @ Wild Water Kingdom - 7855 Finch Ave. West, Toronto
(Finch exit, west off Hwy 427 N, huge park complex on your right)
4 BIG BANDS • 25+ ARTISTES • 1 MASSIVE OUTDOOR FETE!!

Live Outdoors In Concert...
TRAFFIK • KES THE BAND • ROY CAPE ALL STARS • JMC TREVINI • Iwer George • Shurwayne Winchester • Bunji Garlin • Maximus Dan • Nadia Batson • Kees • Faye-Ann • Biggie Irie • Blazer • Benjai • Sean Caruth • Rikki Jai • Blaxx • Candy Hoyte • Trini Jacobs • Adesh Samaroo • Keisha Stewart • Sarika Mahabir • Farm P • Olatunji • Farmer's Rhythm Section • And Much, Much More!

Adm: $30 Early Bird // $40 Adv.

Everybody knows about Machel HD. If you feel you still have energy after J'ouvert and MAS, more power to you. This is the event to hit

Saturday August 4th, 2007 (Caribana Saturday)
Caribana Festival, IBz and CMEustace present...
"the greatest concert Caribana will ever see"
MACHEL MONTANO HD
Celebrating 25 years in the business… on CARIBANA Saturday Night in Toronto

COURTESY FOSTER PONTIAC BUICK GMC at this event…. Text “GM” to FOSTER (367837) to enter contest – A BRAND NEW PONTIAC SOLSTICE
At: Lamport Stadium - 1151 King Street W
Music By: MACHEL MONTANO HD
includes: Machel ~ Zan ~ Patrice Roberts ~ Benjai ~ and surprise guest artistes, dancers and much much more…
Plus: DESTRA & Atlantik ~ David Rudder ~ Adesh Samaroo ~ Rikki Jai


Admission: $40 adv early bird (plus s.c.) ~ $100 VIP
Event time: 8pm – 2am (Machel performs @ 11:30am)

Saturday August 4th, 2007

"CARIBBEAN MUSIC FEST '07" - DAY 2
@ ST. JOHNS HALL IN MISSISSAUGA - 2185 STAVEBANK RD ONT.
Featuring: Byron Lee & the Dragonaires
Alongside CINDY LEWIS, OSCAR B, JUMO PRIMO, NIGEL LEWIS & more
DJ'S: SPIN CITY SOUND CREW, DJ SILVERBAC & DJ PAUL
ADM: $45.00 MORE @ DOOR.
DOORS OPEN AT 7:00PM SHOW TIME 9:00PM
FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CALL 416-282-4416 OR 416-781-4816.
OR CHECK OUT www.caribbeammusicfest.com
VIEW FLYER

They only have $50 tickets left...not sure what we will do.

Sunday August 5th, 2007 (Caribana Sunday)

"FIRE FETE 6" - The 25th Celebration Of a Lifetime"
Inside: The DOCKS - 11 POLSON ST (Downtown, Toronto) {ROOM FOR 5,000}
Performances by the biggest cast of Superstars:
Machel Montano HD
Shurwayne Winchester & Traffik
Bunji Garlin & Asylum
Iwer George
Maximus Dan
Crazy
Faye-Ann Lyons
Lil Bitts
plus from G-Unit Hip Hop Star Lloyd Banks

TICKET PRICE...
$25 Early Birds 'SOLD OUT'
$40 Regular 'SOLD OUT'
$50 Limited
$60 V.I.P Media Passes
* Buy ur Fire Fete 6 ticket now & Get $10 off ur ticket

Not a bad second choice, more mature crowd, I'm a long time Rudder Stalker, they usually have free parking and close to home....not sure yet, have to talk to Kara

Caribana Sunday August 5th, 2007
DR JAY is proud to bring you an outdoor fete with a once in a lifetime lineup:
THE BIG PEOPLE OUTDOOR FETE
@ CARIBBEAN COVE in WILD WATER KINGDOM (7855 Finch Avenue West)
-------------------------
If you were there last year, you know that this fete is the place to be on Caribana Sunday for those looking for a mature vibe.Come out to The COVE for incredible music with live performances by the CARIBBEAN'S best.
THE CARIBBEAN COVE IS YOUR CARIBANA SUNDAY DESTINATION.
-------------------------
FEATURING A ONCE IN A LIFETIME LINEUP:
~ KING DAVID MICHAEL RUDDER
~ CARL JACOBS
~ KES THE BAND
~ NADIA BATSON
~ ANSLEM DOUGLAS

This should be good... younger crowd though

Sunday August 5th, 2007 (CARIBANA Sunday)
"IMAGINE MUSIC FESTIVAL"
At: Molson Amphitheatre - Ontario Place
Featuring: Sean Paul, Ne-Yo, Destra w/Atlantik
www.CaribanaFestival.com

RHYTHM OF LIFE

Jessie Matthews & The Calabash Company's Caribana 2K7 presentation is RHYTHM OF LIFE.

Because the mas camp address is incorrectly listed as 750 Progress Ave., it made for much confusion trying to find it. There is no 750 Progress Ave., but luckily I got Jessie on the phone, and she gave me directions to Tropicana Community Centre, 16 Consilium, where the mas camp is located. She stood outside where I met her, lol, and I made my way in to check out the sections on display. Costumes are $90-$100. Kiddies are $55.

The traditional costumes are beautifully made and looked lovely at the Caribana launch.

JUMBIE, JUMBIE DEM!

This gypsy skirt is quite popular for Caribana 2K7.

like the pan pants

& the metallic rhythm section

Someone we met online from the US played mas for the first time last year with Jessie Matthews and said they enjoyed it. http://www.jessiematthews.com/ is a flyer.

Big People Midnight Boat ride

Trini Jungle Juice photo

OK people, please don't start calling me old. "I is a Big People"

We've been going to this fete for a few years now and even if you were born after me (1972) you will still enjoy yourself. It attracts a real nice crowd, in a very intimate setting and when "DE Farmers" start to beat iron in the belly of the boat and Dr Jay throw on some Black Stalin from back in the day, it does be REAL HARD JAM.
Plus, Who doh like Scrunter?
One word to the wise, Dress to sweat, it gets heated downstairs where the action is.
Doh stick getting allyuh tickets, they will sell out.

Caribana groups reach out to youth

A lot of the Caribana's critics argue that we have been putting on a festival in this city for 40 years now and all we do is party and jump and wave and at the end of the day we have nothing to show for it.
So when I see a mainstream publication writting an article that put Caribana and its organizers in a positive light I wanted to show it to you bloggers living outside of the city. Enjoy...

This is an article I pulled from one of our daily papers in Toronto called 24 hours
The article was written by SOPHIE NICHOLLS

It's not just about celebrating music, dance and culture, it's about building for the future.
More than a dozen community groups across the city have united to reach out to Toronto's youth during the 40th annual Caribana festival.
Several programs and events including arts camps, workshops and employment opportunities during this year's festival are working to empower young people between 16 and 24 years old, encouraging them to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.
"We are going to try to make this happen and change the world," said NBA star Jamaal Magloire at the Eaton Centre Thursday, where community leaders and politicians announced the festival's new initiative. "These are only small steps ... we have to keep it going year after year."
The highlight for more than 500 youths selected by the 16 organizations will be the Imagine Music festival on Aug. 4 when they will receive a free day pass to Ontario Place, the official Caribana Village and a ticket to an evening concert featuring R&B and pop singer-songwriter Ne-Yo and Grammy award winner Sean Paul.

Caribana Official launch

Caribana Festival 2007 has officially launched downtown at Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday. Politicians, sponsors and representatives attended the event, but the crowd was really there to check out the costumes.

Mas bands that participated were Bazodee Connection, Callaloo, Jessie Matthews, Toronto Caribbean Connection, Toronto Revellers, Scarborough Caribbean Sports Club, Mas Toronto, and Tribal Knights. Hummingbird Tassa Drummers and the Munthadi International Drummers were among the performers. Good to see Mervyn, Bootsman & Courtnay!
I'm very impressed with new band Tribal Knights extremely well designed vibrant costumes (first two pictures below) http://www.tribalknights.com/

Callaloo costume sale

- The Caribbean Camera

Callaloo is having a costume sale, selling three sections costumes tomorrow at reduced prices.

League of Corinth, not pictured in the ad.

Crusader of the Crodosion Desert

Gems of India

It's rather surprising these well made pretty sections are not selling as well as the others, I would have thought they would have been among the first to sell-out. To reduce their price is an interesting tactic, I will be curious to hear how their sale goes.

http://callaloo.net/

Fusion - Toronto Caribbean Connection

Fusion - A diverse merging of a unified whole...

is Toronto Caribbean Connection's Caribana 2007 presentation.
I've played mas in Band Leader Mervyn Skeete's section in Saldenah in 2002. Mervyn was there making costumes and welcomed me to the small and accessible mas camp. All 7 sections are available in mens as well, and costume prices vary from (I think) $125 - $200 front line. Prices also include food, drinks and more. Also available to purchase at the camp are mas boots designed by Bootsman MB.
Toronto Caribbean Connection will participate in Junior Carnival on July 21.

Primrose Path

I really like this one, the detail on the bra is a nice colour mix and the gypsie skirt is not only cute, but can be worn to belly dancing class! ;-)

Indigo Power

Solar Energy

Bootsman MB designs

Inquire at the mas camp about boots.

Ever-Green

The ribbon is a different touch and the fine beading on the waist band is pretty.

Encounters in Pink

Harmony and a Kiddies costume

The silver waist band is quite va va voom. I like the twisted ribbon, it's nice to see small yet unique touches to costumes.

Passion

Check out their nice website www.tocarnival.com and to register, the mas camp address is 34 Golden Gate Court, Unit 4.