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Monday, 29 December 2014
Mainstream and Social Media invited to attend the Short List press Conference
Sunday, 14 December 2014
CHRY - Talks Non-Fiction Books with Noreen Taylor and David Staines
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| After the show: L-R - Linda Doyle-Marshall, Noreen Taylor, David Staines and William Doyle-Marshall |
UNEXPECTED FACE IN PHOTO!
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| Group shot gone wrong! |
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
RBC Taylor Prize Announces the 2015 Non-Fiction Longlist
Ben
McNally (l), the owner of Toronto's famed Ben McNally Bookstore, rings
in a dozen books for Noreen Taylor, the founder of the RBC Taylor Prize
and Vijay
Parmar (r), President, PH&N Investment Counsel, RBC Wealth
Management, and a Prize trustee look at the dozen non-fiction books
that have been named to the 2015 RBC Taylor Prize Longlist
Compilation
of twelve literary non-fiction titles includes two previous Taylor Prize
winning authors
Noreen Taylor, chair of the Charles Taylor
Foundation and founder of the RBC Taylor Prize today announced the Longlist for
2015. Founded in 1998, the RBC Taylor Prize is Canada’s most prestigious award
for literary non-fiction. This year’s jurors, Ms. Kevin Garland, Martin Levin,
and Andrew Preston, reviewed and debated the merits of 118 submissions from
Canadian authors. The following twelve longlisted books are undergoing further
scrutiny as the jurors work toward finalizing the 2015 Shortlist, scheduled for
release at a press conference on Wednesday, January 14th, 2015 at the Omni King
Edward Hotel. The winner announcement will be made on March 2nd also at the
Omni King Edward Hotel.
“The 2015 Longlist illustrates the amazing growth
and maturation of the genre of literary non-fiction in this country,” explains
Mrs. Taylor, “The dozen authors whose works our jury has chosen have written
books that clearly demonstrate Canada’s expanded interest in ALL matters that
effect the Global Village. Be they resident here in Canada, or the UK or
Europe, our treasured authors articulate with a shared Canadian vision. The RBC
Taylor Prize sees the release of this Longlist, at the height of the holiday
gift giving season, as an opportunity for readers to familiarize themselves
with that unique Canadian voice.”
The 2014 RBC Taylor Prize Longlist:
1. The
Necessary War, Volume One by TIM COOK
(Ottawa, Ontario), published by Penguin Canada
2. The
End of Absence: Reclaiming What We’ve Lost in a World of Constant Connection by MICHAEL HARRIS (Toronto, Ontario), published by
HarperCollins Canada
3. They
Left Us Everything by PLUM JOHNSON
(Toronto, Ontario), published by Penguin Canada
4. This
Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate
by NAOMI KLEIN (Toronto, Ontario), published by Knopf Canada
5. Berlin:
Imagine a City by RORY MacLEAN (London,
England), published by Hachette Book Group Canada
6. Happy
City by CHARLES MONTGOMERY (Vancouver,
British Columbia), published by DOUBLEDAY Canada
7. One
Day in August: The Untold Story Behind Canada’s Tragedy at Dieppe by DAVID O’KEEFE (Montreal, Quebec), published by
Random House Canada
8. Warsaw
1944: Hitler, Himmler, and the Warsaw Uprising
by ALEXANDRA RICHIE (Warsaw, Poland), published by HarperCollins Canada
9. Puckstruck:
Distracted, Delighted and Distressed by Canada’s Hockey Obsession by STEPHEN SMITH (Toronto, Ontario), published by
Greystone Books
10. The
Last Asylum: A Memoir of Madness in our Times
by BARBARA TAYLOR (London, England), published by Hamish Hamilton Canada
11. And
Home Was Kariakoo: A Memoir of East Africa
by M. G. VASSANJI (Toronto, Ontario), published by Doubleday Canada
12. Boundless by KATHLEEN WINTER (Montreal, Quebec), published by
House of Anansi Press
There are two Longlisted authors with previous
affiliations with the Prize this year; they are Dr. Tim Cook and Charles
Montgomery. Tim Cook won the 2009 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction
for Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting The Great War, 1917-1918. His Warlords: Borden, Mackenzie King and
Canada’s World Wars was a finalist for the
2013 Prize and he served as a juror in 2010. Charles Montgomery won the 2005
Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction for The Last Heathen:
Encounters with Ghosts and Ancestors in Melanesia.
About The RBC Taylor Prize
The RBC Taylor Prize is awarded annually to the
author whose book best combines an excellent command of the English language,
an elegance of style, quality of thought, and subtlety of perception. The Prize
consists of $25,000 for the winning author and $2,000 for each of the runners
up. The Prize has established the RBC Taylor Prize Emerging Writer’s Award,
which provides $10,000 to an emerging author. The RBC Taylor Prize winner
chooses the emerging author each new Prize cycle.
The Emerging Writer’s award was established in 2013
to provide recognition and assistance to a Canadian published author who is
working on a significant writing project, preferably but not limited to
literary non-fiction. Through mentorship from the nominating author, and a
$10,000 cash award, it is intended that the writer will be able to progress
toward the creation of a first draft work.
The trustees of the Charles Taylor Foundation are:
Michael Bradley (Toronto), Vijay Parmar (Toronto), David Staines (Ottawa), and
Noreen Taylor (Toronto).
The presenting sponsor of the RBC Taylor Prize is
RBC Wealth Management, its Major Sponsor is Metropia, its media sponsors are The
Globe and Mail (exclusive newspaper
sponsor), CNW Group, The Huffington Post Canada, Maclean’s magazine, and Quill & Quire magazine; its in-kind sponsors are Authors at Harbourfront Centre, Ben
McNally Books, Event Source, Kobo Inc., and The Omni King Edward Hotel.
To download high-resolution images of these titles
please go to:
For more information please visit:
www.rbctaylorprize.ca
Visit RBC Taylor Prize on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/taylorprize
Follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RBCTaylorPrize
— 30 —
Media contact: Stephen Weir & Associates
Stephen Weir: 416-489-5868 | cell: 416-801-3101 |
sweir5492@rogers.com
Noreen Taylor and Vijay Parmar enjoy the 12 non-fiction titles that are on the 2015 RBC Taylor Prize Longlist. Standing in front of a table covered with the nominated books Ms. Taylor, the founder of the RBC Taylor Prize, looks at hard copy copies while Prize trustee and President, PH&N Investment Counsel, RBC Wealth Management, Vijay Parmar uses a new Kobo to read the same books electronically. The picture was taken inside the downtown Toronto Ben McNally Bookstore on Bay Street.
Ben McNally, Noreen Taylor and Vijay Parmar and the Longlist
Ben McNally (l), the owner of Toronto's famed Ben McNally Bookstore, Noreen Taylor, the founder of the RBC Taylor Prize and Vijay
Parmar (r), President, PH&N Investment Counsel, RBC Wealth
Management, and a Prize trustee look at the dozen non-fiction books
that have been named to the 2015 RBC Taylor Prize Longlist
Below: Ben McNally (l), the owner of Toronto's famed Ben McNally Bookstore, Noreen Taylor, the founder of the RBC Taylor Prize and Vijay
Parmar (r), President, PH&N Investment Counsel, RBC Wealth
Management, and a Prize trustee look at the dozen non-fiction books
that have been named to the 2015 RBC Taylor Prize Longlist. The picture was taken inside the downtown Toronto Ben McNally Bookstore on Bay Street.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
So you always wanted to run a parade. Here is your chance
So, you always wanted to run a parade. Here is your chance. The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival is looking for a Parade Manager for next summer. The job description is below. Please note I am in Iceland till Tuesday morning, so if you have questions please respond, by email, to my associate Margo Harris at margo@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.
JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION:Parade Operations, Manager (5 months contract position April -August)
JOB SUMMARY:Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the incumbent is responsible for the efficient planning and execution of Parade for the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the events outlined in the Summary of Responsibilities. The incumbent is also responsible for the management, supervision and execution of the of Junior Carnival Parade and Grand Parade activities.
This is a multi-dimensional position which requires an individual who is a self-starter, with strong written and verbal communications skills and the ability to relate to the many different entities involved in the planning and execution of the Festival.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. (a)The Junior Carnival, ensuring that:
• Liaise with Festival Administrator to ensure all permits and Licenses are obtained.
• Receive all non-competitive guest bands applications and fees and determine in conjunction with CAO which applications are to be accepted for the parade.
• Meetings with City of Scarborough, and all the relevant authorities e.g. Police, EMS, Fire Services, Transportation, Malvern Community, Parks Recreation and Forestry etc.
• Liaising with bandleaders relative to junior parade planning and execution.
• Work closely with the Events Logistics Execution Manager to ensure that Logistical arrangements are successfully completed and Executed.
• Prepare all approved entertainment contracts for the Jr. Carnival Parade
• Work closely with OCPA to present the Junior Showcase performance after the parade
• Responsible for communication to residents in the Scarborough and Toronto areas advising of the date and time of the event in writing and distribution of letters.
• Work closely with Festival Administrator and Event Manager assigned to Jr Carnival Parade.
(b) The Carnival Grand Parade including:
• Liaise with the Festival Administrator all permits and Licenses pertinent to the parade are obtained.
• Receive all non-competitive guest bands applications and fees and determine in conjunction with CAO which applications are to be accepted for the parade.
• Meeting with the Police Special Events Unit, EMS, and Fire Department on matters of parade security.
• Liaising with bandleaders and steelbands relative to parade planning and execution.
• Parade staging including site plans pertaining to parade flow, preparation of facilities pertaining to parade flow, permits, judging, mas’ bands assembly crew, midpoint/steelband exit crew and related marshaling activities.
• Work Closely with Festival Administrator and Event Managers Assigned to the Grand parade.
• Responsible for communication to residents in the Scarborough and Toronto areas advising of the date and time of the event in writing and distribution of letters.
• Work closely with the Festival Events Logistics and Execution Manager to ensure that Logistical arrangements and supplies are successfully completed and Executed.
2. Represent FMC at the city Liaison Committee meetings and FMC and Stakeholder meetings when required to do so.
3. Interfacing with Stakeholder Organisations namely TMBA, and OSA (this deliverable includes the rules and regulation document) In collaboration with the CAO, preparation and presentation of a high level pro-forma event plan no later than (14) fourteen days prior to each event listed
4. To provide to the CAO the ongoing operational reports comparing plan versus actual at predetermined intervals.
5. Prepare all approved entertainment contracts for the Parades.
6. At all times, to adhere strictly to FMC’s Methods, Policies and Procedures to prepare a comprehensive events report within 21 days after the completion of the final Toronto Caribbean Carnival event.
7. Ensure the following is adhered:
1. Logistical deliverables met according to the agreed plan
2. All Parades started and ended according to the stipulated time
3. All performing bands, both mas’ bands and steelbands must exit the CNE Compound prior to 5.00pm on parade day on to the Lakeshore Blvd.
4. There must be a clear and smooth flow of bands along the parade route throughout parade day.
COMPETENCIES:
Self-starter, flexible, energetic and motivated.
Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, or other similar software package.
Strong Oral and written communication skills, demonstrating customer service orientation;
Strong organizational skills;
Ability to work under pressure with conflicting priorities.
Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion in all matters;
Ability to work co-operatively with other staff to accomplish team and organizational objectives.
SALARY:Commensurate with Experience.
RESUME:
Interested applicants should submit their resume to the FMC office no later than November 30th 2014.
Resume can be email to margo@torontocaribbeancarnival.com attention Festival Administrator with the subject line “Parade Operations Manager”.
JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION:Parade Operations, Manager (5 months contract position April -August)
JOB SUMMARY:Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the incumbent is responsible for the efficient planning and execution of Parade for the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the events outlined in the Summary of Responsibilities. The incumbent is also responsible for the management, supervision and execution of the of Junior Carnival Parade and Grand Parade activities.
This is a multi-dimensional position which requires an individual who is a self-starter, with strong written and verbal communications skills and the ability to relate to the many different entities involved in the planning and execution of the Festival.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. (a)The Junior Carnival, ensuring that:
• Liaise with Festival Administrator to ensure all permits and Licenses are obtained.
• Receive all non-competitive guest bands applications and fees and determine in conjunction with CAO which applications are to be accepted for the parade.
• Meetings with City of Scarborough, and all the relevant authorities e.g. Police, EMS, Fire Services, Transportation, Malvern Community, Parks Recreation and Forestry etc.
• Liaising with bandleaders relative to junior parade planning and execution.
• Work closely with the Events Logistics Execution Manager to ensure that Logistical arrangements are successfully completed and Executed.
• Prepare all approved entertainment contracts for the Jr. Carnival Parade
• Work closely with OCPA to present the Junior Showcase performance after the parade
• Responsible for communication to residents in the Scarborough and Toronto areas advising of the date and time of the event in writing and distribution of letters.
• Work closely with Festival Administrator and Event Manager assigned to Jr Carnival Parade.
(b) The Carnival Grand Parade including:
• Liaise with the Festival Administrator all permits and Licenses pertinent to the parade are obtained.
• Receive all non-competitive guest bands applications and fees and determine in conjunction with CAO which applications are to be accepted for the parade.
• Meeting with the Police Special Events Unit, EMS, and Fire Department on matters of parade security.
• Liaising with bandleaders and steelbands relative to parade planning and execution.
• Parade staging including site plans pertaining to parade flow, preparation of facilities pertaining to parade flow, permits, judging, mas’ bands assembly crew, midpoint/steelband exit crew and related marshaling activities.
• Work Closely with Festival Administrator and Event Managers Assigned to the Grand parade.
• Responsible for communication to residents in the Scarborough and Toronto areas advising of the date and time of the event in writing and distribution of letters.
• Work closely with the Festival Events Logistics and Execution Manager to ensure that Logistical arrangements and supplies are successfully completed and Executed.
2. Represent FMC at the city Liaison Committee meetings and FMC and Stakeholder meetings when required to do so.
3. Interfacing with Stakeholder Organisations namely TMBA, and OSA (this deliverable includes the rules and regulation document) In collaboration with the CAO, preparation and presentation of a high level pro-forma event plan no later than (14) fourteen days prior to each event listed
4. To provide to the CAO the ongoing operational reports comparing plan versus actual at predetermined intervals.
5. Prepare all approved entertainment contracts for the Parades.
6. At all times, to adhere strictly to FMC’s Methods, Policies and Procedures to prepare a comprehensive events report within 21 days after the completion of the final Toronto Caribbean Carnival event.
7. Ensure the following is adhered:
1. Logistical deliverables met according to the agreed plan
2. All Parades started and ended according to the stipulated time
3. All performing bands, both mas’ bands and steelbands must exit the CNE Compound prior to 5.00pm on parade day on to the Lakeshore Blvd.
4. There must be a clear and smooth flow of bands along the parade route throughout parade day.
COMPETENCIES:
Self-starter, flexible, energetic and motivated.
Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, or other similar software package.
Strong Oral and written communication skills, demonstrating customer service orientation;
Strong organizational skills;
Ability to work under pressure with conflicting priorities.
Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion in all matters;
Ability to work co-operatively with other staff to accomplish team and organizational objectives.
SALARY:Commensurate with Experience.
RESUME:
Interested applicants should submit their resume to the FMC office no later than November 30th 2014.
Resume can be email to margo@torontocaribbeancarnival.com attention Festival Administrator with the subject line “Parade Operations Manager”.
Monday, 15 September 2014
Media now using drones at the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto parade
IN THE CARNIVAL'S PR WORLD TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING EVERYTHING
I am busy writing my final media report for the 2014 Caribbean Festival. I always start by looking at the report I wrote the year before and reflect on how the media coverage has changed in a year. And while Festival years come and go, the issues and challenges of the parade remain about the same (money & security), the real change is in how the world finds out and follows North America's largest Carnival event.
Three or four years ago the vast majority of media registering for media passes worked for traditional working media - print, radio and television. This year the festival limited media access to the parade to 300 journalists/photographers/bloggers (plus 100 badges for CTV and the Toronto Star for their extended coverage crews) down from 500 badges issued last year.
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| Caribbean Connection TV live from the Caribbean Carnival Parade |
Two thirds of the 300 were for virtual and social media - newspapers that only are readable on the net (Independent Newspaper), radio stations (like WACK), TV shows (Caribbean Vibrations) primarily shot for the web, networks shooting for digital tv (WIN HD TV) and even a TV network shooting shows for the web while waiting for the CRTC licence to finally come through (Farley Flex's FEVA TV). A very large number of the media are now self-employed and self-financed compared to years gone by when the media were employed by traditional outlets.
Thousands of more YouTube videos have been shot about the parade than TV news items prepared by mainstream TV, and the spread between the two media grows larger every year as hundreds of parade goers become youtube earth station journalists. One only has to look at what Caribbean Connections (Paradise Hendrickson and Ed Hawk) did this year with a single video camera and a suitcase full of gear to see how non-traditional media outlets are using new technology to get a leg up on the competition and reach carnival lovers around the world.
Caribbean Connections used to have a regular weekly show on CBC TV (and will soon be back on air with another broadcaster), right now their shows are available on You Tube and through their website. During the carnival season they covered every single event of the Carnival - from costume launches to the parade - in real time by live streaming their camera onto the Internet. Audiences around the world started following the Festival by watching their live coverage.
At the parade they had great live coverage until the CNE refused them power at the judging stand (I was dealing with stormers and couldn't help). But before they went dark they used something I had never seen before at the parade - a Go-Pro camera built into a mini-drone. While traditional TV show a ground level view of the parade, it was only Caribbean Connections and CP24 (who used a bridge mounted camera) that showed the sheer mass of the Mas!
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
From a Purple Pope to Iron Mike - John Scott has a new show opening Thursday night, King Street Toronto 6pm
Media Alert: The official opening of the DARK COMMANDER – THE ART OF JOHN SCOTT. Thursday night, 6pm. Nicholas Metivier Gallery. King St
From a purple pope to Iron Mike - an exhibition of new works by Governor General Award winning artist John Scott.
The media are invited to join Toronto’s art community for the opening of this important Canadian art exhibition. Opening runs 6-8pm. The artist will attend. Blog followers welcome too.
What & When:
Opening reception – Thursday September 11 - with artist, Canadian art buyers, Toronto’s art community, musicians and actors. Scott’s new work to be unveiled. Brief speeches at 7.00pm. Event 6-8pm. The show will continue through to October 11.
N I C H O L A S M E T I V I E R G A L L E R Y
451 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1K4 T 416 205 9000
Why:
This fall marks two important milestones in Scott’s distinguished career; his fifth solo exhibition opens in September at Nicholas Metivier Gallery and his first comprehensive survey exhibition, Dark Commander – The Art of John Scott, opens in October at the Faulconer Gallery in Iowa.
The title of the exhibition, Dark Star - an object composed of dark energy that outwardly resembles a black hole – is a nod to Scott’s long-time fascination with space and science. The oxymoron also references the sinister side of our notions about heroes. In his drawing and canvas of Iron Mike, (Mike Tyson), Scott highlights the vulnerability of this fallen athletic giant. Tyson’s boxing gloves are lowered and he dons bunny ears, (a trademark symbol of Scotts’ representing humans’ likeness to scared animals). These, as with many other works in this exhibition, are poignant examples of Scott’s everlasting creativity and timeless voice.
The exhibition will also include two recently released lithographs. The prints were published by Scott and Nicholas Metivier Gallery and printed at Open Studio in Toronto.
Scott was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1950. In 2000, Scott was awarded the inaugural Governor General’s Award in Visual Arts and Media. He has exhibited extensively across Canada for the past 30 years and is collected by almost every major institution in the country including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto and the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. Scott’s work is also held in numerous museum and private collections outside of Canada including the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Scott is currently an instructor at OCAD University where he has taught for the last 15 years.
How:
All media are welcome to cover the event
Media Contacts
Stephen Weir
Phone 416-489-5868
Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com
Sunday, 7 September 2014
JOHN SCOTT - NEW ART FROM DISTINGUISHED TORONTO ARTIST
John Scott is a Governor General Award winner, a teacher at OCAD, a lover of Science Fiction and an artist of international fame. I am helping with his upcoming show - Dark Star - at the Nicholas Metievier Gallery
Dark Star, is an exhibition of new works by John Scott. The exhibition will open on September 11 and will be on view through October 11 with a reception for the artist on Thursday, September 11 from 6– 8 PM.
John Scott, Innocent Pope, 2014, oil on canvas, 81 x 53 inches
This fall marks two important milestones in Scott’s distinguished career; his fifth solo exhibition opens in September at Nicholas Metivier Gallery and his first comprehensive survey exhibition, Dark Commander – The Art of John Scott, opens in October at the Faulconer Gallery in Iowa. The survey will include over 60 drawings, canvases and sculptures from the early 1970s to present day including a re-fabrication of Europe, a seminal sculpture by Scott exhibited at The Powerplant in Toronto in 1991. Daniel Strong, Associate Director and Curator at the Faulconer Gallery, discovered Scott’s work in 2010 at Nicholas Metivier Gallery’s booth at Pulse art fair, New York. He has been at the helm of organizing Scott’s survey exhibition and promoting his work in the United States ever since.
Over the last 40 years, Scott has developed a devout following for his raw-edge drawings about the dark, often callous, world we live in. The work’s appeal lies in Scott’s disarmingly childlike visual language that is embedded with remarkably sharp intelligence, insight and wit. In preparation for his exhibition at Faulconer Gallery, Scott sifted through his archive of earlier works. This process inspired Scott to revisit some of his most iconic images about war, technology and the human condition. In his latest body of work, Scott uses these timeless themes and revitalizes them with contemporary subjects. Perhaps the most compelling of these new characters is Innocent Pope, Scott’s wheelchair rendition of Francis Bacon’s visceral interpretation of Diego Velázquez’s painting, Portrait of Pope Innocent X.
The title of the exhibition, Dark Star - an object composed of dark energy that outwardly resembles a black hole – is a nod to Scott’s long-time fascination with space and science. The oxymoron also references the sinister side of our notions about heroes. In his drawing and canvas of Iron Mike, (Mike Tyson), Scott highlights the vulnerability of this fallen athletic giant. Tyson’s boxing gloves are lowered and he dons bunny ears, (a trademark symbol of Scotts’ representing humans’ likeness to scared animals). These, as with many other works in this exhibition, are poignant examples of Scott’s everlasting creativity and timeless voice.
 |
| Iron Mike - John Scott |
The exhibition will also include two recently released lithographs. The prints were published by Scott and Nicholas Metivier Gallery and printed at Open Studio in Toronto. The images - a two-headed figure, (The Disappointed Gaze), and a bunny in armour, (Imperious Rabbit) - were resurrected after first appearing in Scott’s artist issue of General Idea’s publication, FILE Megazine, in 1985.
Scott was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1950. In 2000, Scott was awarded the inaugural Governor General’s Award in Visual Arts and Media. He has exhibited extensively across Canada for the past 30 years and is collected by almost every major institution in the country including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto and the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. Scott’s work is also held in numerous museum and private collections outside of Canada including the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Scott is currently an instructor at OCAD University where he has taught for the last 15 years.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
BAD NEWS FROM CITY HALL FOR TROUBLED AFRICAN FESTIVAL
Toronto African Film and Music Festival Says that Toronto Council Is on the verge of shutting down this weekend's events on Toronto Plaza Hotel's Wilson St grounds
Statement issued a few minutes ago by festival spokesman Paris Rogers
As an organization, we make a special appeal to our supporters and those within the GTA community to help us see this Vision become a reality. As of yesterday, the City
Council has been trying to take measures to impede our festival by refusing to endorse this event as they assume the event will be similar to previous allegedly offending event that took place on the same grounds (1677 Wilson Ave, Toronto Plaza Hotel grounds) over a month ago. The Toronto African Film & Music Festival has no affiliations or connections with any other events in the City and therefore is being discriminated against solely because of it’s assumed demographic.
TAFMF is a multicultural festival that encourages and fosters diversity of all cultures and ethnicities. Further, City Council is using the obscure excuse of improper zoning to punish our event partner, the Toronto Plaza Hotel, and effectively legislate them out of the entertainment event business, regardless of the nature of any future event, indefinitely. This is wrong. This is unfair. This is anti-business and contrary to the City’s goal to become a larger hub for the music industry. Lastly, it is unbecoming of a city that prides itself as a ‘summer festival city’.
Previously issued Press Release:
Toronto, Ontario – August 26th, 2014 – Returning for its fourth year, the Toronto African Film and Music Festival (TAFMF) comes alive showcasing films, musical artists, food and fashion from over 50 countries from August 27 to 31st.
This year’s festival will screen 3 world premier films & feature 15 musical acts, 3 fashion shows, and 30 marketplace vendors celebrating the rich & diverse cultural mosaic that is Africa. This Year’s festival starts on August 27 with the opening of our Film Festival at the Royal Cinema, 608 College St, just west of Bathurst in Toronto Tickets are $15 in advance $20 at the door. There will be a combination of World Premiers and North America Premiers to enjoy.
From Aug 29th to Aug 31st, we are pleased to announce our three day music festival, allowing families to experience the very best in local & international African talents as well as emerging artists. This year promises to be our biggest yet, with entertainment for the whole family. Prices are $15 Adult, $12 Student/Senior, and $5 for children 12 and under.
We are excited to announce a new addition to our music festival, TAFMF will be hosting a Family Day on Friday, August 29th, sponsored by CVR Entertainment Empire, with bouncy castles, music and a carnival atmosphere for the whole family from 12 noon until 9 pm!
For Interviews contact Paris Roger, Executive Director att 647-852-4072 Call Paris Roger, Executive Director at 647-852-4072 494 Mortimer Ave, Suite 102, East York, M4J 2G7
Thursday, 24 July 2014
SUBWAY SYSTEM IN TORONTO WILL FEATURE CARNIVAL ARTISTS
Confluence: Shifting
Perspectives of the Caribbean
Kicks
off Caribbean Carnival Toronto Arts Line Up
Toronto –
July 23,
2014 –Join PATTISON Onestop,
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and Third Space Art Projects at the launch and sneak peek screening of
images from the public exhibition of Confluence:
Shifting Perspectives of the Caribbean on Thursday July 24th from
6:00pm – 8:00pm at BAND Gallery and Cultural Space.
Curated
by Pamela Edmonds and Sally Frater of Third Space Art Projects, Confluence:
Shifting Perspectives of the Caribbean highlights the work of 11 artists with cultural ties to the
Caribbean: Nicole Awai, Sandra Brewster, Charles Campbell, Delio Delgado,
Polibio DÃaz, Zachary Fabri, Jérôme Havre, Karyn Olivier, Sheena Rose, Wayne
Salmon, and Natalie Wood.
Confluence:
Shifting Perspectives of the Caribbean
brings the Caribbean Carnival
to local and international visitors, as well as millions of commuters. Confluence will be presented every 10
minutes on PATTISON Onestop subway platform screens across Toronto from July 25
– August 29, as well
as on 2 PATTISON billboards along the Gardiner Expressway from July 21 – August 3. The project will also
appear on shopping malls screens across Canada until the end of August.
Drawing
inspiration from the geographical term that references the meeting of two or
more bodies of water, the artists in Confluence: Shifting Perspectives of
the Caribbean address
myriad subjectivities and concerns yet all in some manner or form embody the
notion of movement. The artists have roots in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago,
Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Guyana and Martinique. Their works touch on
themes such as hybridity, the performative, migration and transformation,
highlighting the notion of a space that is always in flux, refracting and
shifting to illuminate new perspectives.
Confluence:
Shifting Perspectives of the Caribbean is a co-presentation of PATTISON Onestop and Scotiabank Toronto
Caribbean Carnival, and was commissioned as part of
PATTISON’s ongoing Art in Transit programme.
Sneak Peek Screening
and Launch – Thursday, July 24th, 2014
BAND Gallery and Cultural
Space
1 Lansdowne Avenue, 2nd
Floor (Queen St. West/Lansdowne Ave)
6:00pm – 8:00pm; remarks
begin at 7pm
For more information please visit: www.artintransit.ca
-30-
About
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival -
www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com
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. 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.
Third
Space Art Projects
Third Space
Art Projects is a Canadian-based curatorial collective co-founded by Pamela
Edmonds and Sally Frater. It is a forum for the promotion, presentation and
development of multidisciplinary contemporary art projects that engage
transcultural and diasporic communities, with a particular focus on visual
cultures of the Black Atlantic. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Third-Space-Art-Projects/317921244898640
PATTISON Onestop, a division of PATTISON
Outdoor Advertising, Canada’s
largest Out-of-Home advertising company serving 200 markets coast-to-coast, is
a world leader in the development and operation of Digital Out-of-Home Media
(DOOH) for mass transit, mall, retail, hospitality, residential, office, and
outdoor environments. Art in Transit represents PATTISON Onestop’s ongoing arts and culture programme.
Art in
Transit represents PATTISON Onestop’s
ongoing arts and culture programme, presenting thought-provoking projects that
enhance our shared environment and transport commuters, shoppers and
city-dwellers, if only momentarily, out of their daily routines.
For more
information contact:
NEW COURIER / MAIL ADDRESS
STEPHEN WEIR
Stephen Weir & Associates | stephen@stephenweir.com
109 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON
CANADA. M4R 1G5
Tel: 416-489-5868 | cell: 416-801-3101
www.stephenweir.com twitter: sweirweir
STEPHEN WEIR
Stephen Weir & Associates | stephen@stephenweir.com
109 Castlefield Avenue, Toronto, ON
CANADA. M4R 1G5
Tel: 416-489-5868 | cell: 416-801-3101
www.stephenweir.com twitter: sweirweir
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