IT ALL STARTS TOMORROW IN DOWNTOWN TORONTO

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Official Launch of STCC Kicks Off at David Pecault Square

Over 100 masqueraders will be on the Square to pose for pictures

MEDIA ADVISORY: The Official Launch of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Kicks Off at David Pecault Square

100 Masqueraders, Soca and Calypso Music, Caribbean Food and More

TORONTO, ON - (July 02, 2015) - The media are invited to join Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Michael Coteau, Mayor John Tory, Scotiabank VP of the Toronto East District Christine Williams, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, Ontario Science Centre CEO Maurice Bitran, Festival CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson and CAO Chris Alexander, members of the Canadian Caribbean community to kick off the 48th annual Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7 at David Pecault Square.

What:

The NOON HOUR launch showcases the many events that will entertain and energize Toronto leading up to the Grand Parade on Saturday, August 1. Hosted by CTV Toronto's Colin D'Mello and CP24's Pooja Handa, the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2015 launch will be followed by a colourful parade of over 100 Mas players, Salmon Cupid and the All-Stars (steel pan), calypso singers and Caribbean dancers. Caribbean food vendors will be on-site with free entertainment to follow.

When: 

National anthem at 11:55 a.m. sharp. Speeches from 11:59 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Caribbean entertainment until 2 p.m.

Where: 

David Pecault Square, Metro City Hall at 215 King St. West.

All media are welcome to cover the event. www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The public is encouraged to attend this FREE event.

UPDATED: Toronto Caribbean Carnival - Media Preview for Junior Parade on July 2nd

90 kids in costume at Wednesday's launch, Rathika and Raymond too

The Junior Carnival Parade Moving Back to Malvern

Media Launch/Preview on July 2, 2014

TORONTO, ON - The media is invited to join Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival's CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson, local MPPs, city of Toronto councillors, Scotiabank representatives and members of the Caribbean Canadian community for the releasing of information about this year's RELOCATED Junior Carnival/Family Day. The colourful 11.30 am media preview will be held at the soon-to-be-opened Malvern Family Resource Centre (90 Littles Rd).

The Festival Management Committee, members of the Toronto Mas Band Association and The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes will be releasing key information about this year's Children's Parade and Carnival. Starring in the media preview with be 90 children in costumes (with signed model releases) from nine mas camps and will be showing their new Mas dance moves for the first time! There will also be Junior Calypso singers, a dance group and steelpan performances.

For the past two years, the Parade and Family Day has been staged in Downsview Park. However, since this summer the roads and bridge that the children danced along are slated to be closed for reconstruction, the parade is coming to the Malvern community. On Saturday July 19^th, over 1,500 children in Mas costume will be taking to the streets between Malvern and Neilson Park south of Finch and Neilson Road for the annual parade.

Who: 90 children in mas costumes.
Jr steel pan orchestra (OSA), Jr calypso singers (OCPA)

MC Calypso star - Dick Lochan
Spokespeople from the Junior Carnival Parade, An MP and a city councillor and Scotiabank will speak at the press launch.

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:  

MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan, Scarborough Rouge River Riding

Councillor Raymond Cho Ward 42 Scarborough-Rouge River

Scotiabank branch manager  Michael Lawrence 

CEO Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Denise Herrera-Jackson

When: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 90 Littles Road (east of Morningside Ave and Sewells Rd)
What: The children will hold a short parade along Littles Road into the new Malvern Family Resource Centre. Parking available

For more information about the programs 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.

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. 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, OLG, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, Virgin Radio, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Ontario Science Centre, and the Liberty Grand.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada's most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us atwww.scotiabank.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• For media inquires:
  
  Stephen Weir Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
  Phone 416-489-5868
  Cell: 416-801-3101
  Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com
  
  Diana HartScotiabank, Public, Corporate & Government Affairs
  Phone: 416-866-7238
  Cell: 647-821-3849
  Email: diana.hart@scotiabank.com

2014 Carnival Season About To Begin. Join Minister Joe Oliver At Festival Kick-off

The Official Face Of The 2014 Carnival In Toronto

FESTIVAL BEGINS ON THURSDAY AT THE SCIENCE CENTRE WITH MEDIA PREVIEW       

Toronto, ON (5/20/2014) - The media is invited to join community leaders, Caribbean performers, Federal and Civic politicians at the official media launch for this year's Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival on Thursday, May 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ontario Science Centre.

Note: because of the Provincial election no MPPs will be speaking/attending the launch.

WHAT: The Festival Management Committee will be releasing key information about this year's Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, including that events will be moving to the Malvern Community and the Toronto Islands. There will also be a live steel pan performance, Calypso singing and Masquerade Mas models showing this year’s Carnival costumes.

WHY:  There have been major venue changes and program additions to this year's three-week carnival. There are also new themes and costumes on the parade route this year.

WHO:  Speakers include the Festival Management Committee, Scotiabank, The Toronto Star and the City of Toronto, Ontario. MC: Pooja Handa (CP24). Finance Minister the Honourable Joe Oliver will speak at the launch.

WHEN: Thursday, May 22, 2014

              11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

WHERE:  Great Hall, Ontario Science Centre.

     770 Don Mills Road, Toronto, ON M3C 1T3

     Free parking - media please identify themselves at the parking kiosks.

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For further information:

Information about the programs and events, please visit the festival's official website at www.caribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue, Toronto. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693;

Email: info@caribbeancarnival.com

Media Information:

Stephen Weir

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist

Phone 416-489-5868

Cell: 416-801-3101

Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Diana Hart

Scotiabank

Cell: 647-821-3849

Email: diana.hart@scotiabank.com

King of Trinidad Carnival is now running the Caribbean Carnival parade in Toronto

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Experienced hand at the wheel of Toronto’s Carnival. Curtis Eustace now the Parade Manager

Curtis Eustace

 Toronto, ON, 05.01.2013 – The Festival Management Committee announced today that Curtis Eustace has been named the Parade Operations Manager for this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade.  The Parade annually attracts over 1-million spectators and participants.

Curtis Eustace is an experience parade organizer, cultural event promoter and participant in Carnival style events in Toronto and throughout the Caribbean.  He replaces long-time parade manager Sam Lewis who retired at the end of the 2012 festival.

Mr. Eustace is the founder and bandleader of two very successful Mas Bands in Toronto - Carnival Nationz and the All Spice Mas Band.  He has been an integral member of the Toronto Mas Band Association for over a decade, and was founding board member of the Festival Management Committee (the non-profit board that oversees the annual Toronto festival).

In 2012 Mr. Eustace was named as one of the top 50 persons of Caribbean Heritage living in Canada and promoting Caribbean culture.  Mr. Eustace is revered in Trinidad, the birthplace of the Carnival parade.  He has won the title of King of Carnival of Trinidad and Tobago a record nine times!  As well Mr. Eustace has promoted and managed large scale concerts and cultural events in Toronto.

“ This is a key appointment for the festival,” explained festival CEO Denise Herrera-Jackson. “Curtis responsible for the efficient planning and execution of the Grand Parade for the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the execution of the of Junior Carnival Parade as well.  Curtis will make sure that all of the bands get out on the parade route and that we put on the BEST show that Toronto is ever going to see!”

The Junior Parade will be held Saturday July 20^th at Downsview Park in North Toronto.  The Grand Parade will be held on Saturday August 3 along Toronto’s Lakeshore Blvd.

About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, 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, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, The Government of Canada, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Ontario Place, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Liberty Grand, and Grace Kennedy Foods.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is now located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: info@ torontocaribbeancarnival.com.  Media Info: Stephen Weir Festival Publicist. Phone 416-489-5868 Cell: 416-801-3101 Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

AMEN! LAST EVENT OF THE YEAR FOR SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

Photograph from the Children's Parade

 CLOSING FESTIVAL CHURCH SERVICE

This could be my last Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival posting for this year! The Festival Management Committee invites everyone to the Closing Church Service, which is a new addition to this year's carnival. This Sunday's church service will take place at the St. James Cathedral and will be presided by The Very Reverend Douglas A. Stoute. The church is at Church and King near the St Lawrence Market. Lotsa Room. One of the biggest Anglican churches in Canada.



Church Service 4.30  -5.30 p.m followed by reception.

Feds give Scotiabank Caribana $416,000.00

Scotiabank Caribana 2009 is set to receive significant funding from Federal Government

June 12, 2009 (Toronto) – At a Westin Harbour Castle Hotel morning press conference, Scotiabank Caribana and the Federal Government announced that the festival is receiving a $416,000 contribution from the Government of Canada. The announcement was made by the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas) and Joe Halstead, Chairman of the Festival Management Committee, Scotiabank Caribana Festival.

Peter Kent, MP for the riding of Thornhill, Ontario explained to the media that the $416,000 contribution to this year’s Scotiabank Caribana Festival is coming from the Federal Government’s Marquee Tourism Events Program (MTEP).

"We are very pleased to receive the support of the Government of Canada for our festival. In general terms, it is an investment in our community," said Joe Halstead, Chairman, Festival Management Committee, Scotiabank Caribana. "It will afford us the opportunity, not only to better market the festival in Canada, the US and internationally, but also provide enhanced programming, and therefore bring about a stronger tourism sector for Canada."

At the press conference, Mr. Halstead explained that the Marquee Tourism Events Program funding will make it possible to enhance the festival's marketing efforts both nationally and internationally, as well as to introduce new and enhanced programming. This will serve to facilitate a richer tourist experience during the festival season.

The Festival Management Committee will use a portion of the funds to support Feel de Vibe of Carnival Spirit and Mini Caribana Villages. These programs include the development of information kiosks at tourist 'hotspots;' giving the festival an opportunity for performers to entertain the public as they enjoy the parade.

Although the Federal Government has long been a supporter of the annual festival, the size of the grant announced today is over four times larger than last year’s allotment.

Corporate sponsors of this year’s festival include:CTV, CP24 Toronto's Breaking News, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, Scotiabank, Research In Motion (RIM)/BlackBerry, State Farm Insurance, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Royal Ontario Museum, Liberty Grand, Westin Harbour Castle, Ed Mirvish, The Toronto Sun, CFRB, Sway Magazine, Toronto-Lime.Com, and the Caribana™ Arts Group. More company names are expected to be added soon.

Large crowds are expected as more GTA residents migrate toward the city during the summer, along with long-time festival fans in US border states that traditionally attend in large numbers as the festival is an affordable vacation destination in the middle of the summer heat.


CUTLINES:
TOP MP Peter Kent
BOTTOM - Minister Kent with costumed Mas dancers following the Friday morning press conference. Photo by Sandi Destonis Photographer Copyrt09

About Scotiabank Caribana

The Scotiabank Caribana Festival is an exciting two-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 42nd year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Caribana 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, and Steel Pan music.

The Festival Management Committee oversees the running of North America’s largest outdoor festival. This year the Official Launch for the Festival will take place at Noon on Tuesday July 14. The main parade will be staged Saturday, August 1, 2009; 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. For a complete listing information, visit www.caribanafestival.com


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Scotiabank Caribana 2009 Festival Office is located at 263 Davenport Avenue, Lower Level; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: info@caribanafestival.com


Stephen Weir Alicia Sealey
Publicist Publicist
Tel: 416-489-5868 or 416-801-3101 Tel: 416-599-0644
Fax: 416-488-6518 Fax: 416-599-5056
Email: stephen@stephenweir.com Email: atchp@the-wire.com