By Stephen Weir More than 80 reptilian mas’ models slithered, slinked and strutted onto a huge V-shaped stage in Toronto early Sunday morning. Despite a very late start, the models put on a fashion show that wowed the more than 1,000 people who crammed into the Grand Cinnamon Banquet & Convention Centre on McNicoll […]
Carnival Nationz whose theme this year is “The Music of Kes, ” launched its band on Saturday. More than 1.700 carnival fans showed up for the launch at the band’s mas’ camp in Scarborough ( Kes, a soca/pop group which hails from Trinidad , is known for its unique blend of soulful vocals, calypso inspired […]
Caribbean Island Mix ? Well, it could be a potent rum drink. Or a radio program highlighting the torrid beat of the music of the Antilles. Or perhaps a restaurant that serves up the spicy dishes of the Caribbean. But for Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2019, it’s the theme of Costume Creators Cultural Arts, founded by […]
By Stephen Weir All photographs by Anthony Berot Sunlime mesmerized almost 500 fans of Carnival last Friday night in North Toronto. It was almost a full house for the annual Sunlime Mas Band Costume launch. Using the theme “Mesmerize”, over 70 male and female models took to the stage of Eglinton East’s Latvian Cultural Centre […]
By Laxman. When I arrived at La Petite’s 50th Anniversary I knew I was in for a great evening. I was greeted by two gentlemen in tux and top hats, who opened the door with a bow, and welcomed me to what turned out to be an evening that I will remember for a very […]
By Stephen Weir Atlantic Carnival, one of the newest mas bands taking part in the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade, isn’t going to be competing in this year’s massive August 3rd event. That doesn’t mean you won’t see them out on the road, or hosting their signature gigantic mas costume launch – they have been […]
The Pan Arts Network’s 8th annual Gospel Praise on Steel concert will be held at a new location this year. The annual show, which was previously staged at the Canada Christian College, will be held on May 11th at Global Kingdom Ministries Church located at 1250 Markham Road in Scarborough. Organizers Wendy Jones and Earl […]
By Stephen Weir The Saldenah family pulled it off. There was too much at stake. Renowned masquerade bandleader Louis Saldenah and his family were able to get a record number – 2,800 people – into the Scarborough Cinnamon Banquet Hall. They had 120 fancy-dressed models on and off the stage before the bar closed at […]
By Stephen Weir The “Dean of Soca Music’’ on the Toronto airwaves is back! Jai is again behind the microphone playing the sweet sounds of soca and calypso music. The return of the broadcaster, simply referred to as Jai, occurred Sunday morning two weeks ago. Jai is best remembered for his presence on the Caribbean […]
The 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, produced in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, will be held May 4 – 12 and more than two dozen resorts, intimate inns, hotels and guest houses in the island are offering special rates and packages for the event. These include Aanola Villas, Aupic Paradise, Bay Gardens Beach Resort […]
