Kevin Williams, president of GM to kick off junior carnival parade at 11.02

President of General Motors to cut ribbon

Community Leaders Will Come Out To Launch Saturday’s: Junior Carnival & Family Day at the new Downsview Park

Toronto, ON, 19.07.2012:  An all-star line-up of politicians and corporate Canada leaders will be attending the launch of the free Scotibank Caribbean Carnival Toronto’s Junior Carnival Parade.  Confirmed to attend the 10.45 ribbon cutting ceremony is Kevin Williams the president of General Motors Canada. He is to be joined by Mark Adler, MP York Centre, Michael Coteau, MPP Don Valley East, Councillor Maria Augimeri, Ward 9, York Centre, members of the Festival Management Committee and Scotibank.

Where:  The brief ribbon cutting ceremony will be at a tent adjacent to 35 Carl Hall Road, past the Downsview Administration Building.  The parade itself will travel from Canuck Avenue, to John Drury Drive, across Sheppard Ave to Robert Woodhead Crescent and back into Downsview Park.

When: Saturday, July 21st.  The opening ceremony begins at 10:45 am and the parade starts at 11:00 following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Family Day begins at 2pm and runs to 8 pm.

General Motors Canada (GM) is the new corporate sponsor for the 2012 Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Junior Carnival Parade and Family Day.  The event, which will see thousands of children in Mas costume taking part in the annual kiddies parade, followed by a Family Day party.  There are two guest bands and 13 Masquerade Bands with 2,250 kids participating in the parade. 

Junior Carnival Parade and Family Day is an integral part of the 3-week Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Parade. “ The children of today are the people that will be running our festival in years to come, so it is vital that we get youngsters enthused about playing Mas,” explained Chris Alexander, the festival CAO. “ The generous support of Chevy / GM guarantees that the traditions of Carnival will continue to be passed onto the youth of Toronto.”

Children as young as 6-months old take part in the parade.  This year over 2,000 youngsters have registered with 15 Mas Camps to dance along the streets around Downsview Park. Parents and Spectators will swell the size of the event to over 5,000 people.  This year it will be the largest children’s carnival parade in North America. A Family Day Party follows the Parade.  The Parade will begin at 10.45 am and is expected to end by 2pm. Family Day ends at 7pm.

General Motors is the new corporate sponsor of the free Junior Carnival Parade.  The Canadian car company will also be sponsoring the King and Queen Competition and Show, Presented by Chevrolet Thu. Aug. 02, 2012 at Allan Lamport Stadium. GM joins Scotiabank, the Children’s Breakfast Club and the Toronto Police in supporting the junior parade and family day.

General Motors (Canada)

Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL) employs over 10,000 people across the country and is a recognized leader in green manufacturing.  GMCL markets the full range of fuel-efficient Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles and related services through Canada's largest automotive dealer network, which employs over 23,000 people dedicated to delivering a top customer experience. GMCL also plays a leadership role in automotive design and engineering, engaging in innovative research and development partnerships with leading Canadian universities and research institutes. In addition, through its Canadian Engineering Centres, GMCL conducts development activities ranging from cold weather testing to the advancement of key electric vehicle and green technologies. More information regarding GMCL models can be found at www.gm.ca, or by following @GMCanada on Twitter.  

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 45th 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, General Motors, The Toronto Star, Sway Magazine, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, WinTV, WinRadio, El Dorado Rum, 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, 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.

For further information, contact:

Stephen Weir, Festival Publicist | Phone 416-489-5868 | Cell: 416-801-3101 | Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Darling Nicky, Cultural Liaison | Cell: 905-399-5322 | Email: darlingnicky.ca@gmail.com  

International Rugby Match on Saturday Night in Toronto - Scotibank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Jamaica Rugby team out for revenge in the second annual

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Rugby Cup

New Field. More Seating. More Entertainment.

July 17, 2012  (Toronto) – The Reggae Warriors are out  for revenge. The Jamaica based team lost last year’s inaugural Scotibank Toronto Caribbean Rugby Cup to a Canadian National Team (The Wolverines) who had never won an international match before that game!   The two teams will have a rematch, July 21^st, in a much large venue during this year’s Caribbean Carnival festival.

The Reggae Warriors and the Wolverines will meet the evening of July 21^st at the Lamport Stadium in downtown Toronto. The Cup Match will include not just rugby but also live entertainment before, during and after the game.

“They are hungry for this rematch,” said Cory Tukeli, cup organizer and President of the Canada Rugby League.  “They think we got lucky. Well we will see. We have strengthened our team since last summer, adding players from the Ottawa Region and we have coach Richard Moore behind the bench.”

“Last year we played in North Markham where the maximum seating is under 3,000. At Lamport we have triple the capacity – there is room for 9,600 spectators,” he continued. “ And this year the match will be televised. Sports Net will tape delay the match nationally!”

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. Now in its 45th 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, CTV, CP24, FLOW fm, WinTV, General Motors, El Dorado Rum, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Yorkgate Mall, Liberty Grand, and Grace Kennedy Foods.  

For more information about tickets for the Rugby Match and all other programmes and events, please visit the festival's official website at http://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.

Stephen Weir, Festival Publicist | Phone 416-489-5868 | Cell: 416-801-3101 | Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Darling Nicky, Cultural Liaison | Cell: 905-399-5322 | Email: darlingnicky.ca@gmail.com                                                       

Tel: 416-489-5868 | Fax: 416-488-6518
www.stephenweir.com

UPDATED MEDIA ALERT FOR TUESDAY LAUNCH OF THE SCOTIBANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL TORONTO

MEDIA ALERT

 

45th YEAR – THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE SCOTIABANK TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

Tuesday, July17th 2012

Noon (sharp) –  2pm

 

Official Launch for the Carnival at Nathan Phillips Square

85 Mas Dancers (a record), NFL /NBA stars, Calypso Performers, Soca Music, and More

What:        Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2012 is kicking off the 3-week summer festival at Nathan Phillips Square. The Noon Hour launch showcases the many events that will entertain and energize Toronto.  Speeches. Musical performances. Dance troupes and over 80 men and women in this year's colourful Mas costumes. Calypso singers.  Soca music. Pan orchestra.

Why:         Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an important tourism event.  It annually brings hundreds of thousands of tourists into the city. New events.  Children's Parade is moving to Downsview Park.  Major Caribbean performers, including Popcaan to appear at  the Food Festival and Concert at the Docks Entertainment Complex the day after the parade.

                   

Who:         Scheduled to speak:  NFL star Orlando Franklin (Denver Broncos). NBA Star Jamaal Magloire (Raptors). MPP Dipika Damerla, Mayor Rob Ford. Police Chief Bill Blair. Jacquelin Ryan -- Scotiabank. General Motors. Festival Management Committee. 

When:         Media tent opens at 11.30am.  Last chance for media to register for the big parade.  Speeches 11.59 am to 12.30 pm. A cavalcade of Caribbean entertainment until 2pm.

Where:     Nathan Phillips Square. Queen Street -- Toronto City Hall.

How:         All media are welcome to cover the event. www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The public is encouraged to attend this FREE fun event.  Food vendors on site.

 

-30-

 Media Contact :

Stephen Weir, Publicist                                                                       Darling Nicky

stephen@stephenweir.com                                                                 darlingnicky999@gmail.com

Toronto Office: (416) 489-5868 Cell: (416) 801-3101                      

 

 

 

PROGRAMME FOR MONDAY'S MEDIA LAUNCH - KIDDIES PARADE AND FAMILY DAY

 

MEDIA LAUNCH – July 9, 2012

For Junior Carnival Parade and Family Day

Downsview Park (West of 35 Carl Hall Road)

Everybody takes pictures at our press conferences, even the models!!!

 

11:15am

Pan Fantasy Trio

Steelpan Music

11:30am	Junior Drummers from BEYOND SOUND	Lead the masqueraders from 40 Carl Hall Rd to the tent at 35 Carl Hall Rd
11:35am	MC, June Matthew-Lewis	Introduce Shamroy Parkinson to sing the Canada National Anthem
11:40am	Nativity Dance	Dance Performance, “All Together”
11:45am	Band Leaders Costume Presentation	§       Carnival Nationz, Empires – bandleader Marcus Eustace §       Blues Carnival Fusion, Apocalypse – bandleader Narissa Ali §       Carnival Revolution, Warriors come out and play bandleader Osei Brand §       Fantazia International, Wonders of the Enchanted Forest bandleader Will Morton §       Toronto Revellers, "The Jungle book meets Bollywood" – bandleader, Jamaal Magloire §       Callaloo, Adventures of Sinbad – bandleader Marlon Singh §       Renaissance Mas Productions, Gods and Goddesses bandleader Kathleen Noel
12:05pm	Pass the Torch	Calypso Presentation
12:10pm	MC, June Matthew-Lewis	Introduces in order of appearance: §       Hon. Judy A. Sgro, MP for York West §       Maria Augimeri, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 9, York Center §      Anthony Perruzza, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 8, York West §       Michael Lloyd, Scotiabank Branch Manager at Queen and Lansdowne §       P.A. B., Advertising Integration Manager, Of Parades New Corporate Sponsor!!!! §       Denise Herrera-Jackson, FMC CEO Acknowledges the presence of other Officials /Guests
12:25pm	DJ	Musical Finale

Media Preview of Children's Carnival on July 9th

MEDIA ALERT

Junior Carnival Queen Costume 2011

Monday July 9th 29th 11.30 am - 12.30pm

Media Launch to announce MAJOR changes to the 2012 FREE Junior Carnival Parade

Free Kiddies Parade and Family Day Event Moves to Downsview Park.  New Programmes. Kid Safe Route. Good TTC links

June 29, 2012  (Toronto) The media is invited to join Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto’s CEO Denise Herrera Jackson, local MPPs, city of Toronto councillors, and members of the Caribbean Canadian community for the releasing of information about this year’s Junior Carnival.  For the first time in a decade the parade will not be held along Jane Street, it will instead be held in Downsview Park on July 21st. 

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.  As well children from several mas camps will be showing their new costumes for the first time!  There will also be Junior Calypso singers, a dance group and steelpan performances.

Why: There has been a major venue change and programme additions to this year’s Children’s Carnival.  Because of traffic safety concerns and because of space limitations, this growing event has had to find a new home! Over 2,000 children  in mas costumes are expected to take part in the parade, making it the largest children s carnival parade in North America. A Family Day Event follows the Parade until 8pm.

Who: Spokespeople from the Parade, MPPS, city councillors and Scotiabank will speak at the press launch. Children in costumes. Steel pan orchestra. Calypso singers

When: 11.30 a.m to 12.30pm

Where:   35 Carl Hall Road, east of the John Drury Drive (within Downsview Park - enter on John Drury Drive - off Sheppard Ave W)

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 45th 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, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, WinTV, WinRadio, General Motors, El Dorado Rum, 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, 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.

Stephen Weir Festival Publicist.
Phone 416-489-5868 Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com                                  

Journalist broadcaster finds Homolka in the Caribbean

 

Paula Todd tracks down Karla Homolka and discovers mother of three in the Caribbean for original ebook

(Toronto – June 21, 2012) This spring, investigative journalist Paula Todd boarded a plane to Guadeloupe, following an obscure lead that Karla Homolka, one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers, had been living there in hiding for several years. Incredibly, what she discovered after days of searching, was that Homolka, a woman who had killed three children in southern Ontario, was now married with three children of her own.

Finding Karla, the riveting and suspenseful story of how Todd came to spend an electrifying hour in Homolka’s apartment, is available on Kindle Singles, Kobo, iBooks and Nook for $2.99. The forty-six page ebook is published by the Canadian Writers Group.

In the early 1990s, Karla Homolka and her then-husband, Paul Bernardo, became known around the world as the “Ken and Barbie Killers” after the pair were convicted of crimes related to the rape and murder of two teenage girls. Homolka struck a deal with prosecutors in 1993 to serve twelve years in prison for manslaughter.
When she was released from prison in 2005, Homolka lived briefly in Montreal, where she was confronted by reporters. By 2007, she had disappeared. Some said Homolka had changed her name and left Canada for Haiti, France, or the Czech Republic. Others said she was living in the Bahamas with a bisexual porn actor named Luka Magnotta.

These rumours had Homolka in the news once again last month when Magnotta allegedly killed and dismembered a man in Montreal, mailing his body parts to the offices of two major Canadian political parties and to at least two schools on Canada’s west coast, making him the subject of an international manhunt.

Paula Todd

About Paula Todd:
Paula Todd is a writer, lawyer and an independent investigative journalist. She is a print and broadcast journalism professor in Toronto and sits on the board of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. Her bestselling book, A Quiet Courage: Inspiring Stories from All of Us, details the secrets of ordinary people around the world who survived and thrived after profound tragedy. Paula is currently at work on another non-fiction book, Inside Out, which documents the post-prison lives of violent criminals. She has worked for Canada’s largest broadcasters and newspapers, and is a frequent public speaker.

About Canadian Writers Group:
The Canadian Writers Group represents more than 100 of Canada’s top independent writers and journalists. To learn more about the agency and its writers, please visit our web site.

For interviews with Paula Todd and media information:

Stephen Weir
Stephen Weir & Associates | stephen@stephenweir.com
Tel: 416-489-5868 | cell: 416-801-3101

Fashion as Art: Exposed! (one night only at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection)

On the cover: The Group of Seven Fashion Designers Exhibit presents models wearing one-of-a-kind creations made especially for this event. Photo: Yuri Dojc  | Makeup: Glen E. Daniel, MAC | Model: Laura Vermeulen

The Group of Seven's New Clothes. The Fashion of Art

Gala drafts designers, Beker and Yuri Dojc to help out

Back in the early 70s, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute was Canada's incubator for the practical arts. Journalism, Radio. Television. Layout. Design. Fashion. Theatre. And, most importantly, Photography.

And while each discipline was taught in a different silo at the downtown Toronto campus, there was convergence at one place - The weekly Eyeopener newspaper.  I was self proclaimed poetry editor.  Christie Blatchford, Rosie DiManno, Paul Patterson, Dawna Lee Aprile and a host of others wrote amazing  news busting feature stories. It was the student paper in the country and it was the supreme  social moment for the volunteer writers, designers, illustrations and photographers of Rye High.

I can't remember anything I wrote, but I do remember the photographs.  They were outstanding. Cutting edge. No more so than  what came from the camera of Yuri Dojc.  He was our photo editor when I was at the Eyeopener.  Aside from trying to talk us all into posing in the nude, he didn't speak much English then, so, he made his camera do his talking for him.  His covers were works of art, clipped out and taped to the inside of lockers that lined the halls of the Quad.

I haven't seem him in a long long time.  The gallery at the end of my street that carried his art has closed. My Dojc cover clips have faded and curled but still have a treasured spot in my Ryerson trunk. He is still making great art. Yes, and some of that art involves nudes.

D’Arcy Moses sketch for Gal

 I was a little surprised when I volunteered to help with the promotion of a June 16th gala for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection to find out that Yuri has supplied images for the self-billed Spiritual Home Group of Seven. Well it turns out that  the Fashion as Art: Exposed! is a coming out fundraising Gala for the McMichael, and Yuri's photograph is gracing the evening's printed programme.  It is a new era in Kleinburg, and Dojc photography, pictured above is leading the charge.

Fashion as Art: Exposed! celebrates the fusion of art and fashion with some of Canada’s leading fashion designers, artists and celebrities, including a private viewing of the cutting edge Fashionality: Dress and Identity in Contemporary Canadian Art exhibition with noted curator and fashion theorist, Julia Pine. 

The event is proudly being hosted by internationally renowned fashion personality Jeanne Beker. This unique evening provides guests the perfect combination of thought-provoking art and unique Canadian fashion. “I am thrilled to participate and support this incredible celebration of two of my greatest passions, fashion and art. Innovative fashion trends and art techniques have, and will continue to evolve over the years, however, both mediums are timeless with respect to their influence and impact reflected and presented in every culture worldwide. This unique collaboration of exceptional Canadian talent is an Avant Garde symbiosis that will portray fashion as art in an entirely new perspective to contemplate and enjoy,” says Beker. Fashionistas, recognized industry crème de la crème, and art lovers alike will be treated to a glamorous, red carpet evening filled with innovative design, gourmet cuisine and fabulous music.   

D’Arcy Moses sketch for Gala

The “Group of Seven Fashion Designers” for the evening are; Joeffer Caoc, Comrags, Greta Constantine, David Dixon, Thien Le, Lucian Matis, and D’Arcy Moses.Two of Moses' sketches are printed above.

Art will prevail through every detail of the evening, including provocative décor, cuisine by Via Allegro and entertainment from DJ Bellosound and Dr. Draw, and a live body-painting art performance by Toronto artist, JessGo.  
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the unveiling of these incomparable, art-inspired, designer creations.   Media interested in covering this one-of-a-kind event should contact me asap at stephen@stephenweir.com or at 416-489-5868.