Darian Joseph’s mas journey to Toronto Carnival king For Toronto Revellers’ 2025 King, Early Roots in Mas Darian’s journey started at just two years old, playing with his uncles’ band, Arnold Hughes and Assoc. What began as a toddler in costume soon became a passion. By the time he entered junior competitions, he was already […]
New York’s tribute to Caribbean culture is set to return with full force as the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) prepares to launch Caribbean Carnival Week on Thursday. The long-standing celebration, now in its 58th year, is expected to draw tens of thousands of revelers under the theme Vive Le Carnivale! The opening ceremony […]
Carrying a King Costume Defines Carnival Spirit Carnival has always been more than sequins, feathers and a parade down the road. It is joy, sacrifice, art and spirit all bound together in one rapturous release. Over the years, I have heard many say that playing mas’, especially carrying a king costume, is too strenuous, too […]
By Twylan Best For Saldenah Carnival’s Male Individual, Adam Ali, mas’ isn’t just about the costume you wear or the title you win. It’s a story he’s been writing since he was nine years old—one that began with beads, foil, and community hours for his older brother, but grew into a lifelong passion for […]
Born in Trinidad on October 11, 1960, Gerard “Gerry” Weekes died doing the one thing that he loved most – playing mas’. It is with profound sadness that the Caribbean community in Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and beyond mourns the passing of Weekes who died in Calgary on August 16 last. He died following a […]
Ten bands graced the stage at the Lamport Stadium in Toronto last Thursday evening for the annual King and Queeen show. The bands competed in four categories -King,Queen, Male Individual and Female Individual, each one telling a story through tbe artistry of big mas’. Some costumes rolled in on towering wheels, while others were carried […]
Pan Fantasy strikes gold again at Toronto’s Panorama Pan Alive Steelpan spirit soars at Lamport Stadium and Neilson Park celebrations By Anthony Joseph The competition was fierce, but once again, Wendy Jones and Al Foster led Pan Fantasy to the top, repeating as Panorama Pan Alive champions in a show of musical mastery and community […]
Time for a change By Anthony Joseph The 2025 Toronto Caribbean Carnival, still fondly known to many as Caribana, is now in the books. Another year of feathers, music, celebration, and culture. And while we find pride in the ways our community continues to show up and shine, we must also confront the harsh truth: […]
Saying “thank you” may seem simple, but the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible work that made KAISO 365 a resounding success last Saturday at the Hungarian House. The event showcased the best of Canadian Calypso and crowned this year’s Calypso Monarch—Guyana-born The Crooner (Bill Newman)—whose song “The […]
By Kojo Despite sitting out of this year’s Panorama steelband competition, Toronto’s iconic steelband Afropan is not missing a beat. “We’re coming on the road as usual,” confirms Earl La Pierre Sr., founder and leader of Afropan. “We won’t be part of the competition this year, but we’ll still be playing for the people, because […]
