Statement from the Caribbean Carnival with regards to a fatal shooting this evening

A Statement from the Caribbean Carnival

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is aware that a fatal shooting took place this evening near the Festival parade along Lakeshore Blvd. CEO Denise Herrera Jackson and CAO Christopher Alexander are both shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the lose of life.
"We are saying prayers for the injured and the dead," said Ms. Jackson. " Our festival is about love and community, and to have this happen so close to our event is devastating. We work so hard to make our event safe and family friendly, it is unthinkable that such a thing could happen."
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival held its annual parade today. The parade, which involved over 17,000 performers and musicians, officially ended at 6.20 with the announcement of the prize winners from the parade.
" The shooting occured about an hour after we closed up our operation," said Mr. Alexander. " Most of our staff had left the grounds when were heard the sirens. I went immediately to the site, but, was unable to learn very much about what occurred this evening. We have a very good relationship with the Toronto Police and we trust that details of the what occured today will soon be made public.
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival had over 250 security officers from 5-different firms (including Metro Toronto Police pay duty officers) working on the 4.5 km parade. The police cooporated very well with us to ensure that the parade was safe and successful.

For further information

Stephen Weir
4160489-5868

Band Leader Eustace Wins It All

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS from 2011 KING & QUEEN COMPETITION

Queen of the band

Name: Joella Chichton

Band Theme: Mythical Creatures

Costume name: Metal Morpheus


King of the band

Name: Shane Reid-Mundal

Band Theme: Mythical Creatures

Costume name: King Haites


Female individual

Name: Mishka Crichton

Band Theme: Mythical Creatures

Costume name: Medusa


Male Individual

Name: “Mr.Meggy”

Band Thme: Mythical Creatures

Costume name: Draconia


Ontario Science Centre Innovation in Mas Award: Bitter Lemon Carnival (band leader Clarence Forde) for their King costume entitled "The Storm" portrayed by Keith Pascall, designed by Jackie Forde.

Female Individual of the Year:
1. Carnival Nationz
2. Saldenah Mas-K Club
3. Callaloo

Male Individual of the Year:
1. Carnival Nationz
2. Saldenah Mas K-Club
3. Mas Toronto

Queen of the Bands:
1. Carnival Nationz
2. Saldenah Mas-K Club
3. Callaloo
4. Renaissance Mas

King of the Bands:
1. Carnival Nationz
2. Callaloo
3. Tribal Knights
4. Saldenah Mas-K Club

BULLETIN - AFROPAN HAS WON THE 2011 PAN ALIVE PRIZE. JULY 29, 2011 LAMPORT STADIUM

THIS SUNDAY: Inaugural Caribbean Carnival Rugby Cup

SCOTIABANK TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL - NEW EVENT, RUGBY THIS SUNDAY, THE CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL CUP - FLETCHER'S FIELD

"Canada Rugby League is introducing sporting culture to the already massive ScotiaBank Caribbean Carnival. Canada Rugby League is proud to be the first and only official sporting partner of this festival. “I believe that the addition of Rugby League to the Caribbean Festival means that more than ever, there is something for everyone at this diverse celebration of culture.” Said Cory Tukeli, President of the Canada Rugby League.

On Suday July 31st, CRL Presents the Inaugural Caribbean Carnival Cup. Kickoff between Team Canada Wolverines and the Jamaican National team begins at 3:30pm. Gates at Fletcher’s Field open at 2pm with food vendors, a Cool Zone, activities and a live DJ. The facility is located at 2743 16th Ave in Markham, close to Woodbine Ave., extending the Caribbean Festival to this part of the GTA for the first time.

This matchup promises to bring heated Rugby League action to the festival, due to the fierce rivalry developed between the Team Canada Wolverines and the Jamaican Nationals at the Atlantic Cup and other competitions. Find out more about this exciting, historic event atTorontoCaribbeanCarnival.com and CanadaRugbyLeague.com, home of Canada Rugby League and the Team Canada Wolverines."

Cutline: Cory Tukeli announces the new Rugby Cup at the offical launch of the Festival in Toronto.



Stephen Weir
Festival publicist | stephen@stephenweir.com
or sweir5492@rogers.com
2482 Yonge Street, Unit 45032, Toronto, ONT.
CANADA. M4P 3E3
Tel: 416-489-5868 | CELL: 416-801-3101
www.stephenweir.com

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

Bleacher Seats Added, But Parade, As Always, Is FREE

20,000 Ready to Keep on Jumpin’ this Saturday

Toronto July 28 … Fresh on the heels of a highly successful Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival (STCC) Yorkgate Mall Children’s Parade, organizers have announced improvements and a route change to the FREE Big July 30th parade. And, indications are that the will involve a record number of costumed dancers and a record number of people in the stands!
“The Mas Camps are now open, and, according to the Toronto Mas Bands Association, people are lining up to purchase costumes and commit to the big event,” said Festival CEO, Denise Herrera-Jackson. “The route is being expanded to allow more dancers on the road at one time. We expect close to 20,000 people on the route this summer and over 1.2 million people lining Lakeshore to watch them play Mas!”
In addition to changing the route of the parade, STCC is adding a market area, rides, and food, merchandise vendor and paid seating to accommodate up to 30,000 spectators. There is still no charge to observe the parade along the western end of the route. Most of the new seating is near the expanded parade route and does NOT infringe on traditional free viewing areas.
“ We worked with the Toronto Mas Band Association to improve the parade route,” said Chris Alexander, the festivals CFO. “We will start the parade heading east inside the CNE grounds and then head south at the Automotive Building before heading west onto Lakeshore Blvd near the entrance to Ontario Place. This will ensure that all bands will make it onto the parade route this year and there will be seating for anyone who wants to see the parade in comfort.”
The parade will start on the CNE grounds, south of the BMO field. From the BMO field the parade heads east towards the Princess Gates. At the Automotive Building (now called the All Stream Centre) the route turns south to Lakeshore Blvd.
At Lakeshore Blvd the parade route points west, towards its traditional route. Just after the Mas Bands enter Lakeshore they will pass the new Judges stand where they will perform their routines. After leaving the Review Stand the bands will head west in a Road March parade mode.
Near the Judges stand there will be a VIP section where spectators can purchase individual tents for companies and families and friends. They can also be part of the very large VIP tent. Price for the individual tents are $150 and VIPs paying $50 each can purchase that tent for a group.
The bleacher seats near the BMO field are $15 each and the rest of the parade route is free. Seating can be purchased at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

About the Festival:

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 44th 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 is responsible for the managing and staging of North America’s largest outdoor festival.
Corporate sponsors of this year's festival include: Scotiabank, The Toronto Star, Sway Magazine, The Grid, CTV, CP24, Urbanology, FLOW The Federal Government of Canada, The Province of Ontario, The City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, Mobilicity, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Ontario Place, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Libraries, Yorkgate Mall, Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex & Liberty Entertainment Group, The Caribbean Camera Newspaper, Toronto-Lime.Com, and GraceKennedy (Ontario) Inc.
For more information about the programs and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Office is located at 263 Davenport Avenue, Lower Level; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5R 1E9. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com
Cutline: Chief Bill Blair and Mas Models at the recently held official launch of the Parade.

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival helping to swear in new Canadians, media welcome to cover

Media Advisory

Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival welcome 60 new Canadians at a special citizenship ceremony at North York Civic Centre

What: 60 new Canadians from 33 countries and their families will come together for a special citizenship ceremony hosted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival.

Presiding official: Judge Raminder Gill
When: Thursday, July 28, 2011
8:30 a.m.

Where: North York Civic Centre - Council Chambers
5100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M2N 5V7

Special guests: Chungsen Leung, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and MP Willowdale
David Zimmer, MPP Willowdale
Delores Lawrence, Order of Ontario and Chair of Operation Vote Canada
Chris Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival

Media are invited to attend. Photography and audio-visual equipment are permitted.

For more information on Canadian citizenship ceremonies held across the country, please visit the Celebrate Citizenship section of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website at www.cic.gc.ca.

The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine and arts. Now in its 44th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. For more information, please visit the festival’s website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com.


Media contacts:

Jen Burkholder
Media Relations, Ontario Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
416-954-2819
jen.burkholder@cic.gc.ca

Stephen Weir
Media Relations
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival
416-489-5868
stephen@stephenweir.com

ScotCaribbean Carnival Kicks Off Celebration at Toronto Pearson

SCOTIABANK TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

ATTENTION:

City, Assignment, Photo, News, and Lifestyle Editors
Media Advisory/Invitation July 21, 2011
Caribbean Carnival Kicks Off Celebration at Toronto Pearson

- Chef Roger Mooking, the Bahamian Junkanoo Legends and Steel Pan Players Welcome Guests -

Toronto, ON – Get ready to jump up Toronto! In celebration of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2011, Toronto Pearson is welcoming guests in style to the city’s world renowned celebration of Caribbean culture. On July 27, Toronto Pearson will transform into an island oasis, bringing the best of Caribbean music, food and culture to Canada’s premier airport.

As part of Toronto Pearson’s renewed focus on guest experience, media are invited to jump start the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival weekend while the airport surprises and delights guests arriving into Terminal 3 with Toronto chef Roger Mooking, and the world renowned Bahamian Junkanoo Legends from the Bahamas on hand to entertain Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival guests as they arrive in Toronto.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

1. Performance by world renowned Bahamian Junkanoo Legends from the Bahamas that starts at departures and will make its way to arrivals in Terminal 3. Band member John Zonicle will be onsite and available for interviews.

2. Sampling of Caribbean fare, including salt cod fritters prepared by one of Canada’s premier chefs, Roger Mooking, available for interviews by appointment after the demonstration

3. Steel Pan Players

4. Interviews with Toronto Pearson and the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival representatives

DATE: Wednesday, July 27
TIME: 3:45 p.m.

· 3:45pm – The Bahamian Junkanoo Legends start at Terminal 3 departures, performs en route to Terminal 3 arrivals

· 4:00-4:15pm – The Bahamian Junkanoo Legends arrive at stage area in Terminal 3 arrivals

· 4:15pm – Roger Mooking cooking/demo/sampling

WHERE: Toronto Pearson, Terminal 3, International Arrivals. For drivers, park in the Terminal 3 garage and you will be given a parking voucher at the event. Directions to Terminal 3 parking can be found here: http://www.torontopearson.com/en/toandfrom/directions/

WHO:

Roger Mooking has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s premier Chefs by developing a culinary philosophy built on perfect execution of globally inspired culinary traditions. As a third generation restaurateur and chef he began his formal training through the George Brown Culinary Management Program where he earned Top Student Honors diploma and is now the Chair of the Professional Advisory Committee.

Roger continued his training at Epic Dining Room in Toronto’s world renowned Royal York Hotel before co owning and consulting on many food and beverage operations.

He is the Host and Co-Creator of his own internationally broadcast television series Everyday Exotic. He is also the Co-host of the upcoming series Heat Seekers airing on Food Network Canada.

In addition he is the recording artist and creator of Soul Food; a unique food and music project released by Warner Music. For Roger, music and the epicurean world are seamless. One feeds the body, the other the soul; it is all food in all its various forms.

The Bahamian Junkanoo Legends: born from a group of Bahamians missing Junkanoo music - the sweet sound of their home. This group simply wanted to share the most recognizable culture and distinct music from the country of their birth to their new home. After a 20 year absence from the Festival's parade, the Association of Bahamians in Canada have resurrected the core group with a contingency of 50 "Legends" flying up from the Bahamas.

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 44th 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, Sway Magazine, The Grid, CTV, CP-24, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Ontario Place, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Yorkgate Mall, Liberty Grand, FLOW FM, The Caribbean Camera Newspaper, Toronto-Lime.Com, Urbanology Magazine and Grace Kennedy Foods.

For complete listing information, visit www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com, the only official website for the Festival. Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Festival Office is located at 263 Davenport Avenue. Lower Level, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Tel., 416-391-5608; Fax, 416-391-5693; Email: info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com

About Toronto Pearson International Airport

The GTAA is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada's biggest airport and one of the largest airports in North America in terms of passenger and air cargo traffic. In 2010, Toronto Pearson handled an estimated 31.9 million passengers and is ranked 4th largest in international passenger traffic in North America. The focus of the GTAA continues to be on competitiveness, growing the airport's status as an international gateway, meeting the needs of our guests and ensuring the long-term success of the organization, our airline customers and the regional economy.
CUTLINE:
Top: Celebrity cook Roger Mooking hit it out of the park while cooking on CP24 (and shamelessly promoting the GTAA taste of the carnival.
Bottom: Mas Dancers stand behind Mooking's spread for Breakfast TV.

For more information, contact:

For Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival:
Stephen Weir
Stephen Weir & Associates
stephen@stephenweir.com
416-489-5868; 416-801-3101

Craigg Slowly
Stephen Weir & Associates
CraiggSlowly@gmail.com
416.333.6781

For Toronto Pearson International Airport:

Noor Marzook
Edelman
noor.marzook@edelman.com
416-849-8914


Issued By:

Stephen Weir
Stephen Weir & Associates | stephen@stephenweir.com
or sweir5492@rogers.com
2482 Yonge Street, Unit 45032, Toronto, ONT.
CANADA. M4P 3E3
Tel: 416-489-5868 | cell: 416-801-3101
www.stephenweir.com