MEDIA ALERT: BIG COSTUMES, KING AND QUEEN COMPETITION TONIGHT

MEDIA ALERT

MINISTER OF TOURISM & CULTURE TO OPEN KING & QUEEN COMPETITION
Honourable Lisa Raitt and Tim Hudak

Thursday, July 28th 2011
7 pm – 12 Midnight
The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival
King & Queen Competition
At Lamport Stadium on Thursday, July 30th

Last year the event was sold out. Big, big crowd expected

What: Ontario Minister of Tourism and Culture, Michael Chan, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, MP Joe Daniel, MPP Jim Karygiannis, MPP Tim Hudak, (Official Opposition Leader in the Provincial House), City Councillor Joe Mihevc and Councillor Michael Thompson will officially open Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival's King and Queen Competition, outdoors at Lamport Stadium.

At the King and Queen competition, costumes, sometimes 20-40 ft high will be paraded in front of a panel of judges so that the King and Queen of this year’s festival can be chosen. These grand costumes take hundreds of hours to design and build, and cost thousands of dollars to produce. Each band must portray a theme that is suitable of the carnival tradition, and each of the costumes competing at this show must convey this theme in a standout, grand way. Ticket info: www.torontocaribbeanfestival.com

Why: This signature show is a sit-down, family event affording its audience an unencumbered opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship of these elaborate costumes before they hit the streets for the 44th annual Parade on Saturday, July 30th. The evening includes Caribbean food, arts and crafts vendors, licensed bar

Who: All of the official 16 competing, 2011 masquerade (or mas) bands make presentations in the following categories hoping to win any of the following titles: King of the Bands, Queen of the Bands, Male Individual of the Year, and Female Individual of the Year. Ontario Science Centre to judge the costumes on the science used in their construction for a special OSC Award.

Other Confirmed Politicians:

· Federal Minister Lisa Raitt

· MP Joe Daniel, (PC)

· MP Jim Karygiannis, (Lib)

· MPP Tim Hudak, Official Opposition leader

· Councillor Joe Mihevc

Councillor Michael Thompson

When: Opening ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. sharp. Due to city bylaws, the competition MUST end before midnight. Event runs rain or shine.

Where: Lamport Stadium, 1155 King Street West,Toronto.

Photo Information: Me and Michael Chan.

Media Contact
Stephen Weir, Publicist
Email: stephen@stephenweir.com
Tel: (416) 489-5868 Cell: (416) 801-3101

Scotiabank Caribana 2010 - Event Calender issued by Stephen Weir & Associates

The official Caribana 2010 event schedule has been released. The current schedule does not include any new events but that could change in the coming months.

CARIBANA™ 2010 OFFICIAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Calypso Tents Music Series
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from June 5 - July 4, 2010; 8:00 pm - Midnight
This is an exciting annual showcase of Canada's best Calypso and Soca original music for the Caribana Festival. The series runs three nights each week (Friday Sunday) at various venues in Toronto, each night featuring a different cast of singers and 'live' bands performing Calypso in its best storytelling tradition: social and political commentary, humor and wit.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Official Launch
Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall
Tuesday July 13, 2010; Noon - 2:00 pm
This official ceremony launches the activities for the 2009 Caribana Festival Season. Patrons can meet and mingle with Federal, Provincial and Municipal officials, Caribana representatives and sponsors while sampling Caribbean and international cuisine. It is a snapshot of what's in store over the coming weeks.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Junior Carnival
Shoreham Drive | Yorkgate Mall
Saturday, July 17, 2010; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Junior Carnival provides festival-goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the thrills and joys as young masqueraders participate in their early festival years.

Art Exhibition
Royal Ontario Museum
Thursday July 22 – Monday Aug 2, 2010; Noon - 9:00 pm
The Association of African Canadian Artists presents original paintings and sculptures that have been influenced by the diversity of our people.

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Caribana Gala
Liberty Grand – Exhibition Place
Friday July 23, 2010; 6:30 pm – 1:00 am
An elegant evening of style and glamour, celebrating Caribana and paying tribute to its pioneers.

Kaiso 365 (Calypso Monarch Finals)
Venue TBA
Saturday July 24 - 7pm - Midnight
This is where the Calypso Monarch is crowned. Come and see the best and biggest Canadian Calypsonians battle for the crown. From the topical to the lyrical, the sweet soca rhythms will lift you out of your seat and get you moving.

King & Queen Competition
Lamport Stadium
Thursday July 29, 2010; 7:00 pm - Midnight
On the Thursday evening before Caribana Day the Kings and Queens of the Bands meet to do battle. Like peacocks they will primp and preen, eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from the audience. It is an honour for any participant to be enthroned the King or Queen of Scotiabank Caribana 2009. The King and Queen symbolically have the keys to the city, freedom of the streets. Their movements are supposed to be uninhibited. Band members and onlookers alike are to give them the respect, even if mockingly, usually accorded to real-life royalty
(Admission: $27 in advance. $35 at the door)

Pan Alive
Lamport Stadium
Friday July 30, 2010; 7:00 pm - Midnight
A thrilling evening showcasing the musical and tonal qualities of the steelpan as members of the Ontario Steelband Association compete before a panel of judges. This Panorama of the North is the biggest opportunity to hear this wonderful instrument in all its glory. The evening is devoted entirely to the capturing rhythms of the steelpan.
(Admission: $20 in advance)

Scotiabank CARIBANA™ Parade
Exhibition Place (Lake Shore Blvd)
Saturday July 31st, 2010; 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
This showcase event features an incredible display of colour and pageantry, commencing at Exhibition Place and proceeding west along Lake Shore Boulevard. Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Boulevard will come alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival!
(Admission: $18)

De CARIBANA™ Lime
Ontario Place
Sunday August 1, 2010;12:pm am – 8:00 pm
This event features a full day of performances from a variety of artistes, highlighting the diverse cultures of all the Caribbean people. Activities include a food competition, song, dance, theatrical drama and storytelling.
(Admission $14)
For more information please visit www.CaribanaFestival.com or post a comment on this site, and your questions will be answered!
Cutline: Blue stiltwalker at the Scotiabank Caribana Lime 09, Ontario Place. Photograph by Andrew Weir