DESTRA – THE CARIBBEAN’S ROAD WARRIOR PLAYS MAS IN TORONTO
Famed Soca singer to appear at King and Queen, The Grand Parade and more!
Destra Garcia, the Trinidadian performer who has written and recorded Road Songs that revelers play Mas to at Carnival parades around the world, has been named the Monarch of the Scotaibank Caribbean Carnival. She will help officiate at this year King and Queen competition and the Grand Parade!
Destra is noted for her high-energy performances, harmonious vocal skill, her song writing ability and her unique fashion style. She sings about carnival life and the joy of playing Mas. Songs like It’s Carnival, I Dare You and Fly have become anthems for revelers and will be heard over-and-over on the Toronto parade route this August 3rd.
She is also known for contemporary life-style lyrics. “Tonight I’m in de mood, (ah want to wine and behave rude) “ is the refrain from “I Dare You” is oft repeated and covered by Soca singers all over the world.
Destra Garcia will appear at the Thursday August 1st evening King and Queen costume Competition at Lamport Stadium (King / Dufferin). She will assist in the crowning of the King and Queen of the Parade. On Saturday, August 3rd she will appear at the judging stand of the Grand Parade in Exhibition Place and then will perform for revelers inside the Park at the Band Shell at 2pm. Performance also by JW and Blaze, KI, Orlando Octave and many more.
And finally on Sunday August 4th Destra is headlining the Caribana Fire Fete at the Sound Academy at Polson Pier (formerly The Docks). Over 3,000 people are expected to attend the Sunday night (10pm) party with Destra and her band. Also appearing on the bill will be Alison Hinds and her band and KI & 3veni.
About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival
The Scotiabank Toronto
Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of
Caribbean music, cuisine, and revelry as well as visual and performing
arts. Now in its 46th year, it has become a major international event
and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As
Carnival is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis
of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with
the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney,
Steel Pan and Brass Bands. The Festival Management Committee oversees
the running of North America’s largest outdoor festival.
Corporate sponsors of this year’s festival include: Scotiabank,
Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal
Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto,
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, The Ontario Science Centre,
Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is
committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both
in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program,
Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and
among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and
philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average
approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world
over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Email: info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.
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To interview Destra and for Media information:
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
Phone 416-489-5868
Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com
Darling Nicky, Cultural Liaison
Cell: 905-399-5322
Email: darlingnicky.ca@gmail.com
