The First Lap: Keeping the Carnival Alive

 First Lap Won’t Be Canada’s Last Lap - It All Happens This Sunday 

Reveller's Mas Costume Model on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Catwalk 

By Stephen Weir / photographs courtesy of Toronto Carnival. What’s in a name these days?  For followers of the carnival arts, the moniker First Lap: Keeping the Carnival Alive presented by Carib Beer speaks long and loudly of the reemergence of the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival traditions and all of its moving parts.

(Macomere Fifi right)

Coming to a cell phone, tablet and computer near you will be a taped gathering of the Mas Bands. You will see the launch of new Mas Band costumes, the sweet sounds of Soca star David Rudder (i.e. King David), a performance by Dance Caribe and the best in Canadian style Pan Music.

 

The 2021 First Lap is a professionally shot feature length programme that will soon be aired in Toronto and the Caribbean. It happens this Sunday evening (April 11).  For 90 minutes the Toronto’s top carnival models will be showing for the first time this carnival season costumes from six Toronto Mas Camps.

(Tribal Carnival model right)

“ We have been working on the First Lap online show for the past two weeks,” explained Digital Imaging Technology manager Anthony Berot. 

Using a seasoned crew and broadcast quality cameras, the show was filmed over two days on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage (Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto), explained Berot.  

That was before the latest round of Covid restrictions were dropped. The broadcast crew made sure that all the guidelines were followed and that everyone stayed safe.

(Mas K Camp Model at right)

The First Lap: Keeping the Carnival Alive will air free on April 11^th on the Festival’s website (www.torontocarnival.ca) and on the Festival’s FaceBook, YouTube and Twitch accounts.  As well Trinidad’s Wack Radio (a popular Caribbean online Radio/Television station dedicated to promoting the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago) will be streaming the show on Sunday at 7pm.

All-star Pan Orchestra on stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

The actual nuts and bolts of putting this show together was handled by three veterans producers of the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade - Wendy Jones, Kwesi Thomas, and Adrian Charles.

David Rudder on stage left

The Toronto Carnival has already posted a 3-minute First Lap video tease on Facebook. Narrated by SKF the Champ, (DJ Sheldon K Francis); he introduces the models from Louis Saldenah’s Mas K Camp, Epic Carnival, Tribal Carnival, Venom Carnival,  Carnival Nationz and NBA great Jamaal Magloire and his Revellers.

Epic Model on Stage Wearing Carnival Mas Costume

 

Interspaced between the costume reveals, SKF introduces international Soca star David Rudder and his band. Performing as well are two top Calypsonian singers – Connecter (Joel Davis) and Macomere Fifi (Eulith Tara Banks) as well as a Pan all-star band drawing in musicians from the Ontario SteelPan Association 

(Carnival Nationz Mas Model left)

It is the First Lap programme -- the precursor to more carnival events online and live in 2021.  Mas Bandleader Louis Saldenah recently spoke to the media about carnival activities this summer.  He and his fellow leaders are hoping to do lots more this year but they are watching closely what the Province of Ontario is doing in terms of Covid restrictions on public events in 2021.

Calypso singer Connector performs on First Lap

“The festival is secondary to people’s health and controlling the coronavirus, he told the Toronto Star and other online news outlets. “Dead people can’t participate in a parade.”

“First Lap: Keeping the Carnival Alive Presented by Carib show is already to roll this Sunday,” said Anthony Berot. “There are many different platforms that will be airing the programme. If people miss the 7pm airing or want to see it again, check out the www.torontocarnival.ca website. We will have it up and running during the month of April.”

Miss Dolly, David Rudder and Macomere Fifi Are All On Board for the Friday July 31^st Emancipation Day Underground Freedom Train Ride Live and Online

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 30, 2020 ... This year’s 15^th annual Freedom Train Ride is going live and virtual! Get on board live on A Different Booklist Cultural Centre’s YouTube page beginning at 10:45 PM on the eve of Emancipation day, Friday July 31st, 202.0

The Emancipation Day “Underground Freedom Train” Ride is symbolic of the role of the Underground Railroad within Canada’s history. This train ride is recognition of the historic date of Emancipation Day on August 1^st when slavery was abolished in the British Empire. It is also a celebration of the power and potential of the peoples of African descent.

A Different Booklist Cultural Centre (ADBCC) and the 2020 Freedom Train Ride Committee are pleased to announce this year's Conductor, Ms. Dorothy Sharp. Dorothy Sharp is a pillar in the Ontario Black Community. Affectionately known as "Ms. Dolly", she is over ninety years strong and is the matriarch of a family that has made significant contributions in Canada.  

David Rudder

Joining Ms. Dolly online are two well known Soca and Calypso performers – David Rudder and former Calypso Monarch winner Macomere Fifi (Eulith Tara Woods).  Both Mr. Rudder and Ms. Woods will be singing live during the event broadcast.

"We are excited about bringing the train ride to a virtual platform and the world's stage," said Itah Sadu, Founder and Chair of the Freedom Train Ride Committee. "This year we are connecting with people nationally and internationally with the theme of diasporic crossings and relationships, and furthering the conversations on reparations for people of African descent.  We have traveled by foot, by bus, by train and by water, and now we are traveling virtually."

The train ride will be held online and live on A Different Booklist Cultural Centre's YouTube page from July 31st, 2020 at 10:30 PM to August 1st, 2020 at 12:15 AM. 

Fifi crowned Monarch

Everyone is welcome on this Underground Freedom Train Ride to celebrate Emancipation Day.  Sponsors of this year’s digital ride include the African Canadian Heritage Association, The Coalition of Black Trade Unionist, the TTC, A Different Booklist Cultural Centre and the Zero Gun Violence Movement.

For Further Information Contact:

Itah Sadu

A Different Booklist

416-538-0889

Twitter @FreedomTrainTOR

Trini Carnival had a huge Canuck connection in 2018

By Stephen Weir, as published in the Caribbean Camera

By all rights the Trinidad red, white and black flag should now have a small maple leaf stitched into it’s corner tin honour of Canada’s participation in the just concluded Trinidad Carnival. A large contingent of Canadians came to the island to supply costumes, pan music, inspiration, comedy and song to the world famous festival.

From the King and Queen competition, to Panorama, to the J’ouvert and the actual parade, Canadian carnival experience was put to work. Hundreds more joined bands and jumped up in the street, or, simply stood on the sidewalk and took it all in.

The annual event got off to a rocky start when reports of a possible terrorist plot became a much repeated news item across the Caribbean, The UK, and the US and in Toronto.  Last Thursday, according to the Trinidad Guardian “T&T Police Service revealed they had uncovered and prevented a threat to disrupt Carnival activities mere days before the festival … 13 persons were detained.”

There were no “terrorist activities” although the Trinidad News reported this Wednesday that there had been four murders, a series of robberies, shootings and the death of an elderly United States citizen (who died when a float truck backed over him) were some of the incidents “that marred this year’s Carnival celebrations’.

“How come so many Canadians in T&T this year? No idea...but we did see quite a few,” said  Toronto Mas Maker and artist Jackie Forde. “It probably is because it has been so bloody cold this year in Toronto, but strange as the flights were ridiculously expensive. There were less Americans. Maybe the terror threat scared them off. We had no issues at all and felt quite safe.”

“There were no problems that I saw during Carnival.  None at all. I didn’t play Mas, opting instead to walk around Port of Spain, taking in the fetes and watching it all,” said Caribbean Camera’s Alicia Sealey who is currently in Trinidad managing the 32^nd Music Festival in Port of Spain.

Ted 

--> Eustace in second place place King costume - photo Ted Eustace

“There were heavily armed officers carrying machine guns on the street and three and four officers and inspectors at every major intersection.  People I talked to said they were happy that there was a police presence (given the earlier threat).”

“There is a new law in place that for the first time forbids a man from coming up behind a strange woman and winning on her,” continued Ms. Sealey. “ If the woman complains he is arrested on the spot. I don’t know if anyone was taken in, but, women feel good about the new rules.”

 “What a morning “ said Toronto ticket promoter and commercial printer Tony Chankar. “San Fernando is the best place in the world to play J’ouvert!!  I am seeing a lot of Canadians. You couldn’t get a flight to Trinidad  (from Canada) in the past two weeks!”

 

Tony Chankar and friends (TC selfie)

So who were some of the Canadians making the Carnival the success it was?  The Camera talked by phone, email and Facebook with over a dozen people taking part in the festival.

Carnival Nationz – Marcus Eustace was an integral part of this year’s King and Queen Competition at the Dimanche Gras at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Sunday.

“I designed and built a King and Queen costume. Both placed second,” said Marcus. “The king lost by one point which prevented me from a 3-peat (Marcus costumes won in 2017 and 2016). My brother Ted Eustace wore the king and Krystal Thomas the queen.”

Earl Thompson was the 2018 King of Carnival winner in “Death And The Maiden, The Fancy King Sailor Plays Pegasus” while Ted Eustace grabbed second place with "Los Bandditos”. Krystal Thomas, tied for second place in the Eustace costume De Head Huntress.”

Mas K Camp - Louis Saldenah didn’t make it to carnival but his brother and son did, with good reason.  “Yes. Trini Revellers played a tribute to Harold Saldenah my father (and famous Trinidad Mas Man),” said Louis Saldenah. “My brother lives there and my son Ronnie went down for carnival so we were well represented.”

Tribal Carnival – Although the Toronto mas band wasn’t on the road this year, their costumes were. Dexter Seusahai and his daughter Celena supplied custom costumes to Canadians to wear in Trinidad.

Tribal costume

AfroPan - Many members of Toronto based oldest pan orchestra were in Trinidad playing with different local groups.  Kerry-Anne Wright performed with the Renegades Steel Orchestra, the winner of Panorama. 

“Hey! Yes I was! “texted Kerry-Anne Wright. “It was my first time playing Pan in Trinidad and my very first Panorama. There were a few others from Afro Pan and a couple other people who play pan with Pan Fantasy with us.”

LaToya Brown, another AfroPan member joined the Skiffle Steel Orchestra who took second place.

Earl LaPierre Senior.  The founder of AfroPan Earl LaPierre was a radio host for a live broadcast on WACK 90.1 FM covering the Panorama Semis with host Kenny Phillips. Earl LaPierre Junior was also playing in Trinidad for Carnival.

 

T&T Camboulay Riots Reenactment Photo by Jackie Forde 

Many of the entertainers performing both at carnival events and fetes have a strong Canadian connection including: Singer David Rudder – Trinidad’s favourite son (and now Toronto resident) at the Socadrome and on the road with Lord Nelson and the Etienne Charles' Street Party. Comedian Sean Paul was in Trinidad for Carnival, as was Connector the Canadian Soca Monarch.