It Happened In North Toronto - Caribana Iced

King Cosmos on Ice

Last Saturday at Mel Lastman Square. Caribana Iced – Small Crowd. Warm Response

By Stephen Weir

There were no Triple Axels or Salchows from Calypsonian King Cosmos (Henry Gomez) as he gingerly skated out onto the ice at Mel Lastman Square last Saturday.  What he lacked in skating finesse he made up for with his singing and his warm and friendly greeting to the people who came out Saturday to watch Caribana on Ice.

Wearing all black except a colourful feathered headdress with matching wristlets and ankle splashes.  Master of Ceremonies, King Cosmos told the family audience they were watching a first – a professional presentation of the Carnival Arts on Ice.

Dance Skaters steps on ice

“This is the first time this has been done in Toronto, “ he said to a cheering and clapping crowd standing on the edge of the large outdoor rink.  “I think it has to be the first time in North America.  We usually do this sort of thing on the street in the summer, but, what is more Canadian than being here (outdoors in winter)?”

In the past, the group has held other CaribanaOn Ice events, albeit with a more informal approach. “This year we have designed what one could describe as a ‘mini’ Caribana on the Ice presentation,” said Event Programmer Amah Harris.

The previous Caribana on Ice family skate days at the outdoor rink at the downtown City Hall's Nathan Phillips Square. Saturday’s two plus hour show was on the ice in front of the old North York City Hall (south of the Yonge Finch intersection).

Mas Skater At Center Ice

The ice rink was centre stage. People stayed on the boardwalk that surrounded the stage and clapped and cheered on a non-stop parade of performers.  As this reporter discovered clapping was the preferred method to keep warm. As well there was a wood fire stove heating a patio. Vendors sold hot chocolate and freshly cooked Caribbean food. People were also welcomed inside the nearby civic building to thaw out.

Dance Caribe Stay Warm Waiting Their Turn

Over the course of the afternoon skaters in costume, Dance Caribe dancers, Pan performers and singers, took their turn on the ice, or on solid ground at the edge of rink. Even though there was a light snow and below freezing temperatures, the conditions were perfect for an on-ice skating show.

Although no formal statement was made by the CAG if there will be a 2020 Caribana On Ice, one of the Mas costumed skater on told me that  it was so much fun she is ready to perform again. "Hey, I will sharpen my blades and break out the feathers - just say the word!"

READ THIS STORY IN THE CARIBBEAN CAMERA

Caribbean Magazine Launches At ROM Tuesday Night

MEDIA ALERT - MAGAZINE EVENT TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM. 5th FLOOR.

Afrocaribe International Magazine will be hosting its official Toronto launch on Tuesday August 13, 2013 at The Royal Ontario Museum.  This diversity and lifestyle focused publication highlights the African and Caribbean diaspora filling a void within the Afro-Caribbean print publication selection.   The magazine was founded in Trinidad in 2009, and has grown to a circulation of over 500,000 in regions including NYC, the U.K. and Africa.

Entertainment for the evening will include award-winning singer Liberty Silver, Calypsonian sensation King Cosmos, and fashion from Fenix Couture.  All guests will receive a complimentary copy of the August 2013 issue.

The launch kick offs at 6:00 p.m. in the 5th floor restaurant  at The ROM located at 100 Queens Park.

The man in the Red Bra is our new Caylpso Monarch!

Structure Wins It All

The 2011 Calypso Monarch competition was held this evening at the Chinese Cultural Centre’s P.C. Ho Theatre in Scarborough. Structure beat out 8 other competitors in a 4-hour showdown amongst Canada's best Caylpso singers.

Structure (Bryan Thornhill) won the crown, besting last year's Queen, Macomere FeFe (Eulith Tara Woods) and long-time performer Panman Pat (McNeil). Woods and McNeil tied for second place.

Structure won the contest in part because of a song that he wrote and performed about a series of murders that occurred around Canadian Air Force Base Trenton. Structure wore a woman's pair of red underwear underneath a Canadian Forces' green jump suit, much as Russell Williams, the convicted Trenton murderer and fetish burgler, is known to have worn.

THE RESULTS

Calypso prize goes to Structure

Canada’s top calypso music prize – Kaiso 365 – was captured by Bryan Structure Thornhill before a capacity crowd in the P.C. Ho Theatre of the Chinese Cultural Centre. In a hotly contested battle between nine singers performing two songs each, Barbadian-born Structure also won the coveted People’s Choice Award and several other Special Awards for Lyrics, Melody, Presentation, Originality, Rendition and Humour.

2011 “KAISO 365” CALYPSO MONARCH RESULTS

Winner Structure – Bryan Thornhill
2nd (tie) Macomere Fifi – Eulith Tara Woods
Pan Man Pat – Pat McNeilly
4th Beginner – Michael Moore
5th Spice – Denise Quammie Alexander
6th Mr. Wonderful – Steve Clarke
7th (tie) Newton P – Newton Phillips
Redman – Michael Thomas
8th King Smokey – Clieve Henry

2011 “KAISO 365” CALYPSO MONARCH – SPECIAL AWARDS

BEST LYRICS: Structure – Trenton Monster

BEST MELODY: Structure – Trenton Monster

BEST PRESENTATION:
(tie) Structure – Trenton Monster
Newton P – Old Age Pension

MOST ORIGINAL CALYPSO:
Structure – Trenton Monster

BEST RENDITION:
Structure – Trenton Monster

BEST COMPOSITION ON A LOCAL TOPIC:
Panman Pat – Stop The Gravy Train

MOST HUMOUROUS CALYPSO:
Structure – Trenton Monster

BEST ARRANGEMENT:
Michael “Skel” Redhead – Tackling The Issues(sung by Macomere Fifi)

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Structure
Structure has won the Calypso Monarch title in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Structure will take home a cash prize of over $6,000.00 and will be sent to represent Canada in London, U.K in next year’s Notting Hill Carnival, as part of an exchange programme with the Association of British Calypsonians (ABC) that saw their 2010 Calypso Monarch Alexander D Great perform here as a Special Guest.
For more information contact OCPA at (416) 795-2722 or visit our website at
www.ocpacalypsoca.com


Cutline: some of the 8 other contestants stand behind the throne as Structure is crowned the 2011 Calypso Monarch.
Middle: Singer King Cosmos (Henry Gomez) strips Structure on stage revealing a set of red women's underwear.
Bottom: Structure sings his winning song to the media.