The kiddies palanced at Junior Carnival

Congrats to Louis Saldenah for their BIG wins today: Band of the Year, Queen, King and Female Individual!!!
So we just got back from the Caribana Junior Parade for 2010.
We had a really nice time. There were 12 bands and we have to give shout outs to both the FMC and the band leaders, because we started exactly on time. Very impressive. The costumes looked really good and there were lots of kids having a great time. These are a few pictures that we took, the kids had a blast, so if you have little ones and they weren't in the parade, you need to sign them up next year. Some bands had costumes for as little as $20.
The parade ended up at Yorkgate mall and there was music and lots of food and entertainment for the kids.
- Trini-in-Toronto.


Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Over 1,600 children performing in 13 masquerade (or mas) bands took part in this morning’s Scotiabank Caribana/Yorkgate Mall Junior Carnival Parade. An estimated crowd of 5,000 watched as the children danced their way from the Black Creek Pioneer Village down Jane Street to the Yorkgate Mall at Finch Avenue.

The Parade is designed to give children a taste of what the (adult) Scotiabank Caribana Parade is like on Saturday, July 31^st, 2010. As well, it showcases the Jane/Finch neighbourhood in a positive light. Each band in the parade was judged for a number of titles and prizes. What follows are the results of the competition (only the top three are sited below). Competitors have only 48 hours to contest these results. If unchallenged, they become official on Tuesday, July 20^th, 2010.

2010 Junior Band of the Year

RANK – 2010 THEME/NAME – MAS BAND (BAND LEADER)

1^st EXPRESS YOURSELF – IT’S PORTRAIT TIME – Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)

2^nd DISCO FEVER … AIN’T NO STOPPING US NOW – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)

3^rd SPARROW D’LEGEND – Carnival Nationz (Marcus Eustace)

2010 Junior King of the Bands

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER, AGE – COSTUME’S NAME – 2010 MAS BAND THEME (BANK LEADER)

1^st Fabian Lee, 9 – Portrait of Trinidad - A Tribute to the Mighty Sniper

– EXPRESS YOURSELF – IT’S PORTRAIT TIME – Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)

2^nd Malik Adams, 10 – The Arabian King – HOLLYWOOD: GLITZ AND GLAMOUR (Dexter Seusahai)

3^rd Demeko Minott, 13– Come Dance with Me – DISCO FEVER … AIN’T NO STOPPING US NOW

(Jamaal Magloire)

2010 Junior Queen of the Bands

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER, AGE – COSTUME’S NAME – 2010 MAS BAND THEME (BAND LEADER)

1^st Destynee Charles, 11 – A Star is Born – EXPRESS YOURSELF – IT’S PORTRAIT TIME

– Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)

2^nd Celena Seusahai, 12 – The Glamour Goddess – HOLLYWOOD: GLITZ AND GLAMOUR (Dexter Seusahai)

3^rd (tie) Paige Lewis, 14 – Queen of the Band – SPARROW D’LEGEND (Marcus Eustace)

3^rd (tie) Toshada Benjamin, 13 – Two Worlds, One Destiny – WONDERS OF THE WORLD (Whitney Doldron)

2010 Junior Male Individual of the Year

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER, AGE – COSTUME’S NAME – 2010 MAS BAND THEME/NAME (BAND LEADER)

1^st Darion Jackson, 5 – The Suns for My Sunflower – EXPRESS YOURSELF – IT’S PORTRAIT TIME

– Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)

2^nd Adam Ansil Ali, 15 – Boogie Night - Disco Night – DISCO FEVER … AIN’T NO STOPPING US NOW

(Jamaal Magloire)

3^rd Maven Lee, 8 – Nyte Life T.O. – EXPRESS YOURSELF – IT’S PORTRAIT TIME

– Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)

2010 Junior Female Individual of the Year

RANK – MAS PORTRAYER, AGE – COSTUME’S NAME – 2010 MAS BAND THEME/NAME (BAND LEADER)

1^st Haley Prescod, 15 – A New Day Dawning – WONDERS OF THE WORLD (Whitney Doldron)

2^nd Caneisha Edwards, 8 – Sweet Cherry – HOLLYWOOD: GLITZ AND GLAMOUR (Dexter Seusahai)

3^rd Anastasia La Rose, 12 – Disco Diva – DISCO FEVER … AIN’T NO STOPPING US NOW (Jamaal Magloire)

A panel of volunteer judges adjudicated all contestants/bands using the following criteria: Visual impact (max. 20 marks); Authenticity (10); Creativity (20); Mas on the Move (10); Clarity of Theme (10); Presentation (20); and Craftsmanship (10) for a total of 100 marks. The order of merit is determined by discarding the highest and lowest score per participant.

Caribana 2010 Launch

I endured the sweat hot heat to feel de vibe & be part of the official launch of Caribana 2010.
The truly devoted expatriates and young new Caribana fans made their way down to uncovered Dundas Square in the middle of our blasted 2 week heat wave (it now still feels like 37° with the humidity!) to kick off the festival. Hmmm, I suppose it did feel like Trinidad.
There was a noticeable absence of many of the top bands representing at this years' launch. Only a few bands sent models actually. The costumes that were paraded around sure looked spectacular in the sun though, and it did get me into the mood about playing mas in 2 weeks.

Macomeh Fifi

Redman

Structure

How fantastic are these boots!!? I just love them, & wait...

...check out the back! Super sexy!

Next on the festival check list: Junior Carnival in 2 days!

More than the Parade

Louis Saldenah Portrait of India

Get your copy of the Scotiabank Caribana official guide to the festival. It's available at all festival events, including tomorrow's launch. They're promising Caribana is more than the parade. Besides the event listings and mas band info, the guide has an article on e-pan, a special Caribana family reunion, and artist Cheryl Rock. It even has a profile on Trinidad & Tobago. Tribal Knights Moulin Rouge

Caribana events this week

Caribana is finally here, the official  Launch will take place this Thursday (July 15th) at Yonge and Dundas square from 12noon to 2pm. So if you are working downtown or you have some time off, its certainly worth the trip. You will see costumes from most of the bands, plus there will be music and steel pan as well as you get a chance to chat with bandleaders or other Caribana organizers. It is a really nice event and gets you in the spirit for the big show to come. Also, there will be lots of good food on sale. So if you just want to come and get lunch and look at some beautiful masqueraders, I can't think of a better way to spend my lunch hour. I'll try and make it, but Karabana will be there for sure, so we will have some pictures of costumes in all their glory under the midday sun.


ALSO, don't forget the Junior parade is this Saturday July 17th. 11am till 4pm.


If you have little ones or not, you need to come check out this event. Its a nice, calm child centered event and a real nice lime too. Parents, if your kids are in the parade for the first time, here is a tip, drive to the staging area up near Jane and Shoreham, drop mom and the kids off then drive down to the Yorkgate mall and park your car (for free) in the hydro field next to the mall, (please leave the mall parking spots for the shoppers) then walk up to the staging area. That way, the younger ones only have to walk the route once, and your car (and cooler) will be close to the mall after the parade finishes.
Also, there are portable toilets at the staging area, and in the mall parking lot, but there aren't many bathrooms along the route, so let the kids go easy on the "sweet drink" until they finish the parade.

Interview with a band leader - Mervyn Skeete

Connections band leader Mervyn Skeete has a long history with not only Caribana, but (Trinidad) Carnival. Mervyn got involved with Caribana due to an unfortunate loss of his closest friend, he said. Mas making was an outlet which detracted him from his loss. He started off with Mas Toronto and was the first person to have won a major competition in the King and Queen contest for the band (Male Individual of the Year-1999). It was designed, built (with assistance) and portrayed by Mervyn.

He then took over TCC (now Connections) band leader's responsibilities in 2006. Prior to that he assisted master craftsman Geraldo Vieira with his production of Kings for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, during which time they captured 2 King of T&T Carnival titles.

Mas making didn't run in his family, but because of his engineering background, he was encouraged to design large costume frames which led to him designing and producing a male individual in Toronto, he said. He won the Caribana 1999 Male Individual award. This opened up a great deal of opportunities for Mervyn, designing and producing costumes here in Toronto and later in Trinidad where in his first attempt in 2003 and second in 2004, his designs and productions placed 2nd in consecutive years at the prestigious Dimanche Gras competition, a feat never before achieved.

From then to the present, his productions have continually been in at least the semifinals in Trinidad and have won numerous category titles. The production most liked by many of Mervyn's assistants he said was "Fusion...the Spirit of Togetherness," which placed 5th. He mentioned "A Musical Ensemble...Pan and Brass", which also placed 5th and which picture was used on the front of the recently concluded Commonwealth Summit brochure in Trinidad and Tobago.

A Musical Ensemble

When I asked Mervyn where his design ideas come from, he said the first step in designing a costume is to determine the theme which is being played by the band in which you're involved in. That governs everything he said, then research is done and ideas will flow, and that's when the development and form take place. The name is secondary.

Visions - Thru One's eyes - Toronto Caribbean Connections, 2008

How different is designing in Trinidad and in Toronto, I asked? "Well fundamentally the basics are the same", said Mervyn, "and the one major difference is the competition, in terms of whom you'll be competing against. In Trinidad, the field is much larger therefore more competitive. Most times the contestants taking part amount to, on an average, 45, both in Kings and Queens, and run through 3 stages which include the final, which constitute the 10 best costumes, which is no easy accomplishment."

With regard to materials and supplies, Mervyn says he uses the one guideline which has proven successful for him over the years: always try to source different materials which are not common to the Toronto market. This impacts on the costumes and makes them different, which is a marketing advantage for those who prefer something different, he said.

Connections 2009 Gem Stones - Smoky Quartz

"Having said that, there are those critics who would disagree with my policy, which is "make it right here in Toronto." I believe the importation of costumes is having an adverse effect on the skill of costume designing and production. Some designers have found it financially rewarding to order costumes from abroad." This to me, said Mervyn, is a formula for disaster and will lead to the demise of the art form of costume designing, but to each his own. Some of us prefer to admire our work, others prefer to make the big bucks generated from someone else's designs. He said it should be noted that "whether produced locally or abroad, materials and availability are becoming more and more distressful to come by, nevertheless, what I can guarantee though, is that all our costumes were produced locally and that there will never be a complaint with regard to improper fitting, costumes falling apart, and the untimely delivery which is common with the imports." Further, he said they can also assure masqueraders of having a good time in a family like oriented band.

Toronto Caribbean Connections Fusion - Primrose Path, 2007

Connections is planning on going to Hamilton or Brampton and Barrie, which will give his masqueraders an extended wear of their costumes. In addition to that, they are offering a student and a group rate. "To top it off", said Mervyn, "we have an offer for all those from Toronto who intend to play mas in Trinidad for Carnival 2011. We'll be doing a section with d'Harvard Revellers and will be offering a TT$200.00 discount on each costume purchased." Details can be provided at their mas camp.

Everyone has an ideal Caribana experience, so what would yours be, I asked. One would hope the powers that be will eventually recognize the value of the designers and producers contribution and reward them accordingly, Mervyn said, and consequently, this will encourage the stakeholders to seek a much better organized festival which will culminate somewhere in a controlled environment where one can enjoy the benefits of a family like gathering filled with entertainment.

Mervyn envisions looking down the road, in years to come, and provided that the funders of the Caribana festival take cognizance that the existence of this festival is of vital importance to the community at large and treat it as such, then we will surely be what I have always hoped that our society will be... a truly multicultural society.

Blue Devil Mas

We have been away for a little bit and didn't really have too much time, but I want to let you know about blue devils mas.  You have probably seen these guys before doing appearances down at harbor front or on the islands.

Ricardo McRae and his crew are bringing out a section in  Mas players international, and its a good alternative to playing "Pretty mas" if you want a break from the bikini and beads thing.

It looks like a lot of fun

They have an early bird special that ends this Sunday

You can find all the details on their website
http://www.bluedevilmas.com/

Accessorize!

I don't know about you, but I saw many good accessory finds this Caribana season.
I always check out dollar & bargain stores, and this summer, Everything for a Dollar Store came strong with so many rhinestone options! It's like they heard the cry of masqueraders!

They've got rhinestones of all kinds: self adhesive rhinestones, stick on rhinestones, rhinestone border stickers. Most stores have many colours, sizes, & shapes. I like the new pearl sticky ones. Yup, all $1.

Can't get enough feathers? Something else I saw was these feathered earrings. In blue, yellow, orange, green, & purple, they look like they came with many costumes. You can always add a string of beads or rhinestones to take them from simple to a perfect costume match.


How great is this - $2 feathered boas! For those who want to decorate their boots, or supplement their costume.

This adorable pouch caught my eye for Fallen Angel. It's big enough to fit most cameras with room to spare.

fanny pack - American Apparel
for Jean & Dinah

Speaking of Caribana bags/pouches, I'm still searching for the perfect pouch. In the past, I've used camera or water bottle bags (not so stylish), I had an over the shoulder small purse style but the string was uncomfortable, and a small clutch that hooked onto my waistband. I want to be hands free, but sometimes I don't like having to fuss with a strap. I also don't like the worry of wearing a clutch & wondering that it's securely fastened. Pouches look super cute, but they're not practical for me, as it has to be attached to me in some way, I can't be holding it. If I could find one that I could attach a strap to, I think that would work best. As yet, I'm not sure what I'll do this time. We're on vacation right now (at the Edmonton airport actually waiting for our connecting flight) so I've been looking, & have some ideas. Maybe I should make my own!

Next, tights & makeup...

Caribfest in Barrie

Well Caribfest has announced the artists who are performing. When I heard the names I wondered how are they paying these people? Well I got my answer, they are going to be charging admission to get into the main stage area. Here are the details they have announced so far: Their website

One thing of note is that they are really targeting the mature Jamaican crowd, with Beres Hammond, which is a good thing because its Caribfest, not Trinifest:)

Beres, Fay-Ann and Bunji are all performing on Sunday, so, it looks like we might have to make a full weekend of it, because we don't want to sit in the traffic on Saturday morning and now we can't leave before Sunday, so its a whole weekend thing then? What you all think?

6th Annual Dinner & Dance Cruise – July 10th, 2010

9:00pm - 1:00am

Click here to get the tickets

Barrie Caribfest Main Stage – Friday August 13, 2010

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Friday Only Passes

Click here to get the tickets

Barrie Caribfest Boat Party - Friday August 13th, 2010

10:00pm - 1:00am

Barrie Caribfest Main Stage – Saturday August 14th, 2010

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Saturday Only Passes

Click here to get the tickets

Barrie Caribfest Late Night Cruise – Saturday August 14th, 2010

11:00pm - 2:00am

The Official Caribfest After Party Saturday Aug 14th, 2010

10:00pm - 4:00am

Barrie Caribfest Main Stage – Sunday August 15, 2010

1:00pm - 7:00pm

Sunday Only Passes

Click here to get the tickets

Weekend Passes Fri/Sat/Sun

Push bumpers

So what are you doing to get in shape for Caribana? The last few years I've seen more exercise classes advertising to help get your bumper ready for de big day.
Check out Camille Ross' Guyana Beat Caribana Boot Camp video. Looks like they've got you doing all the required squats & leg exercises. Being outside is fantastic - but do you hear or get to play your own soca music?
Caribana BootE Camp is the latest with a certified personal trainer offering to help get you that perfect Caribana body. Since there is a west end location, I may check it out.
I've always wanted to take a Socasize class, but unfortunately they don't have a west end or North York location yet. From the video clip, their classes look like fun, very similar to an aerobics class.
I love the idea of exercising to soca, & actually while I'm doing my exercise program of choice, P90X, I mute the music & play D.J. Private Ryan mixes.
There was a Karibana Boot Camp in 2008, did anyone do that?
What about diets, is doing a cleanse, cabbage soup or something as extreme? I'm not into dieting, I've never been able to deny myself the good things in life for long - namely chocolate.