MEDIA LAUNCH ADVISORY - TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

 50^th Year For Caribbean Festival in Canada

Media Launch With Minister of Tourism

Costumes, New Parade Route and New Sponsors

 

MEDIA LAUNCH ADVISORY

We have been celebrating our Caribbean Canadian heritage for the past 49 summers here in Toronto. On June 1^st, MinisterEleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, will be the keynote speaker at the Media Launch for the 50^th annual Caribbean festival.  The 11.45 am press conference will be held at Toronto’s Ontario Science Centre.

The highly visual media/social media only event is to announce several important changes to the festival including a new direction for the August 5^th Grand Parade, a new corporate sponsor for the event, new 50^th anniversary events during the month long festival and a fashion show of 22 new costume designs – both male and female - that will be worn on the parade route this year. Music. Food.

When:  Thursday, June 1, 2017
11.45 Sharp.

Doors open at 11am. Please allow 10-minutes to travel from Science Centre entrance to the Hot Zone. Camera crews contact Science Centre for parking near the Hot Zone entrance on the Southside of the building. Caribbean Reception to follow

Where:
Toronto, Ontario Science Centre

“The Hot Zone” Hall

770 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, ON M3C 1T3

Who:

The Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Mi nister of Culture.  The Honourable Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education, Toronto Police. Costume Designers.  “Face of the Festival” model in costume, 22 parade models, mas camp leaders, corporate sponsors.  Master of Ceremonies for the event is  CP24/Bell Media’s Patricia Jaggernauth. Pannists. Calypsonians. Carnival Run founder. Grace Food’s Junior Carnival Chef.

Why:

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival will run from July 7, 2017 to August 7, 2017 with events showcasing originality, culture, and history to millions of spectators who come to the events in downtown Toronto or watch it on television and on-line. The theme this year is Celebrating our heritage from then to now'. It is the theme for the entire festival from the parade route, to the shows and all our performers including Singers, Pannists and Calypsonians.

Media should register at the event for Event credentials this festival.

Action Requested:

Information on the carnival https:// torontocaribbeancarnival.com/
To RSVP and for further details, please contact:

 

Stephen Weir

Carnival Communications

416-489-5868

stephen@stephenweir.com

@sweirsweir

 

KOMAGATA MARU and other true stories in Brampton

Tough Stories are an Important Part of Canada's Past

A nation’s history can hurt. This spring there are exhibitions at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) in downtown Brampton that explore tough stories of Canada’s past as the nation celebrates its 150^th year. These are questionable historical events that are told for learning and reflection and as catalysts for positive change for this country’s collective future.

Passengers aboard Komagata Maru in 1914, Vancouver Public Library.

KOMAGATA MARU: A JOURNEY TO CANADA

Runs until June 11, 2017

 Last month the city of Brampton named on park after the ill-fated Komagata Maru.  Why would a landlocked city pay homage to a tramp steamer that sailed the North Pacific a 103 years ago?

The story begins in May 1914, when the Japanese registered ship, the Komagata Maru arrived at the Port of Vancouver. Her passenger list included 376 British subjects (most were Sikh, Hindu and Muslims) from India who wanted to immigrate to Canada. They were and all were denied entry.  Now in the 21^st century the Canadian government has apologized to the descendants of that voyage. Canada Post has issued a stamp in their honour, and here in Brampton the new park and the PAMA exhibition are key to exploring racism and are part of  the museum and gallery’s Canada 150 program.

Upper Canada Gazette 19 August 1795 N31 ARCHIVES OF ONTARIO

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Runs Until - September 4, 2017

Most people don’t realize that Black enslavement existed here in Canada. But it did from the 1600s until it was abolished in 1834. This exhibition, presented in partnership with the Archives of Ontario, looks at untold stories that are now being told for our understanding of true Canadian history.

THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN PEEL IN THE 19TH CENTURY

On now - Sept. 4, 2017

This small but impactful exhibition shares some of the results of PAMA’s ongoing research into the history of Black residents of Peel in the 1800s. To date, this research has raises more questions than answers. However, they are essential questions to ask in order to better understand our history and our communities.

JAMES SIMON MISHIBINIJIMA: RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL PAINTINGS

Opening June 29 – October 15, 2017

          

This early summer exhibition will turn the spotlight on First Nations artist James Simon Mishibinijima. The 63-year old painter lives and works on the Wikwemikong Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island. Though given the name James Alexander Simon by the missionaries who could not pronounce his native name, he proudly signs his work Mishibinijima.

James Simon Mishibinijima, Angels came to me              

Simon Mishibinijima, @the artist

There are 45 paintings in the show and they are all about Mishibinijima’s mother and her experiences while she was a student at a Residential School in Spanish, Ontario. They present in symbolic forms her trauma as a student.

WE ARE HERE:  THE STORY OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE IN PEEL REGION

This permanent exhibition was created in collaboration with an Aboriginal Advisory Committee in Peel.

Aboriginal people have lived in Peel for generations, but, their personal stories, music and art aren’t known by many outside of the Aboriginal community. This exhibition changes that - visitors are invited to come into the lodge and listen. The show also looks at the genocide, which took place within the residential school system.

PAMA is a located at the corner of Wellington Street and Main Street, opposite Brampton's City Hall. We are open seven days a week except on some civic and statutory holidays. Check the website for hours of operation https://pama.peelregion.ca/en/visitpama/hoursandadmissionfees.asp. 

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