CNW NEWS RELEASE ABOUT DEATH AT FESTIVAL

FLOAT ACCIDENT ON LAKESHORE


Toronto, August 4, 2013 – On behalf of the organizers, volunteers and revellers involved in today’s Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival parade, we would like to express our heartfelt sympathies to the friends and family of a young man who died in a tragic accident earlier today.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss,” said Denise Herrerra-Jackson, CEO Festival Management Committee. “The Toronto police are conducting a full and thorough investigation and we will assist them in any way we can.”

MEDIA CONTACT

Stephen Weir
stephen@stephenweir.com

Destra and Michael Coteau at the King and Queen Competition

 

MEDIA ALERT

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival’s King and Queen Competition Kicks Off The Big Weekend, Thursday Evening Lamport Stadium

 

King and Queen Competition - Anthony Berot

The media is invited to join Soca singing superstar Destra and Provincial Minister Michael Coteau (Immigration) at the first big event for this year's Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival. The King and Queen competition will be held the evening of August 1^st at Lamport Stadium in downtown Toronto.

This nighttime event showcases the elaborate costumes, which will be worn by the Kings and Queens in the Grand Parade.  Kings and Queens from 12 different Mas Camps will wear picturesque and oversized costumes (some 10+ metres tall 12+ metres wide) will dance in front of a SRO stadium as they vie for top honours at this year’s festival.

Doors open at 6pm for the outdoor competition.  At 7pm MPP Michael Coteau will officially open the event. Trinidad Soca singing superstar Destra will be in the stadium at 11.30 for the crowning of the King and Queen and the presentation of the Ontario Science Centre Innovation Award.

 This year marks the third year of the Ontario Science Centre Innovation Award that will recognize innovation in costume design at the celebration, widely known for its vibrant and dazzling costumes. The Award will shine a light on the intricate art and scientific merit of costume design by honouring the creators of these innovative masterpieces shown at the King and Queen competition.

The King and Queen Competition is considered the first big event of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival weekend. On Friday evening Pan Alive, North America’s largest steel drum orchestra competition will be held at Lamport Stadium. On Saturday August 3^rd, the Grand Parade will be held along Lakeshore at Exhibition Place and on Sunday the Chutney Soca party will be held in Mississauga. 

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 46th 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, Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, Caribbean Connection, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, OLG. The Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand.

About Scotiabank 

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival's official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Email: info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

For media inquires:

Stephen Weir
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
Phone 416-489-5868
Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Bahamian Junkanoo Legends perform at the airport

MEDIA ADVISORY - SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL EVENTS
Tuesday & Wednesday
Airport Greeting and Underground Railroad Ride on the Red Rocket

Date: TUESDAY, July 30, 3pm -5pm
Caribbean Carnival is coming to Toronto Pearson! In celebration of the 46^th annual event, on Tuesday, July 30 ^th, airport guests will experience some of the city's biggest celebration of all things Caribbean right in terminal! Here they will see some of the very best Caribbean culture has to offer, including music, dance, art and a moving parade to kick-off Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto .

Media and airport guests are invited to attend the fun-filled kick-off event taking place in Terminals 1 and 3 at Toronto Pearson (pre-security). Canadian calypso pioneer and Juno winner, the legendary "Pan Man Pat ", and the world renowned Bahamian Junkanoo Legends will perform and parade their way in true Caribbean style through the airport surprising guests.

1. Performance by world-renowned Bahamian Junkanoo Legends starts at Terminal 3 International Arrivals and will parade its way to Departures in Terminal 3 before heading over to Terminal 1.
2. Steel pan performance by legendary "Pan Man Pat " and his musical crew.
3. Parade of masqueraders will tour through both terminals to entertain departing and arriving guests as well as airport staff.
4. Caribbean-themed art exhibit on display in Terminal 1.
5. Interviews with Toronto Pearson, Caribbean Carnival representatives and performers.

“THE UNDERGROUND FREEDOM TRAIN”
Tuesday 11.15 pm to Wednesday midnight.

On Wednesday Itah Sadu (host of the Caribbean Carnival Gala and the Calyspo Monarch Competition) is leading a memorial subway ride to note the anniversary of the abolishment of slavery in the British Empire and the 100th anniversary of the death of  Harriet Tubman.

People wanting to take the ride should be at Union Station 11.15pm this Wednesday NIGHT. They will board a special car to DOWNSVIEW. Arriving just before midnight. At midnight they will mark the August 1st anniversary of the Emancipation of the Slaves of the Caribbean. The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834. Emancipation Day is widely observed in the Caribbean during the first week of August. In many countries the Emancipation Day celebration is a part of Carnival, as the Caribbean Carnival takes place at this time

Tubman was one of the driving forces of the Underground Railroad - bringing freed slaves to Canada. She lived for a number of years in St Catharines. She died  March 10, 1913.

This is how Itah Sadu describes the event:

 “THE UNDERGROUND FREEDOM TRAIN” WEDNESDAY JULY 31st, UNION STATION @ 11:15PM SHARP!

Journey with members of the Caribbean Canadian community on the underground from Union Station to Downsview Station as we usher in Emancipation Day! Get on board the FREEDOM TRAIN for a train ride with special performances, special guests and YOU! Assemble at the TICKET BOOTH @ UNION STATION for 11:15pm SHARP!

SOCA MONARCH RESULTS - FIFI FIRST WOMAN TO WIN CROWN FIVE TIMES!

Macomere Fifi makes a clean sweep at the 'Kaiso 365'with a song about Rob Ford!

2013 Monarch - Macomere Fifi

Britain's 2012 Calypso Monarch Sheldon Skeete

Redman performs Tell Dem Rasta

The Kaiso 365, the finals of the annual Calypso Monarch competition, was won convincingly last night by the reigning monarch, Macomere Fifi. Defending her crown at the packed Chinese Cultural Centre's P.C. Ho Theatre, she not only won the coveted title for the sixth time, but also won in every category - Best Lyrics, Best Melody, Best Presentation, Best Vocal Rendition, Most Original, Best Composition on a Local Topic, Most Humorous, and Best Arrangement.  To complete the clean sweep, Fifi also won the People's Choice Award, where patrons got to choose their favourite performer by ballots distributed in the Kaiso 365 program booklet. 

Eight finalists joined Macomere Fifi, each performing two original songs in hope of winning Canada's top Calypso prize of $5,000. plus a trip to the U.K. to perform at the Notting Hill Carnival.  Kaiso 365 official placings and song titles are:

1. Macome Fifi      'Too Much Guns' and 'Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde'
2. Structure            ' Lyrics Better Than Bullets' and 'Monkeyia'
3. King Cosmos      'Ikea Monkey' and ' Tell Them No'
4. Pan Man Pat      'Mayor of Dodge' and 'Get Off The Fence'
5. Dennis James    'She Mother Know Dat' and 'Gloria (When They Ole like Dat'
6. Connector          'If We' and 'Respect'
7. Dynasty              'Ducking' and 'Obeah'
8. Spivey                'Ah Begging' and 'Cry for the Missing Children'
9. Redman              'We Carnival' and 'Tell Dem Rasta'

Kaiso 385 host Itah Sadu did an excellent job in keeping the evening moving along and the house band, under Ossie Gurley's direction, provided fine accompaniment for the cast of nine singers and special guests.  Britain's 2012 Calypso Monarch Sheldon Skeete was featured while judges were tallying scores and the young singer gave strong renditions of two songs that won him the U.K. top calypso prize in London in 2012.

While Fifi's win and clean sweep of all the categories met with full audience approval, there was controversy over the judges' choices for the other positions. The crowd's favourite song for the evening was Macomere Fifi's 'Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde', a Carlyle Bailey composition that cleverly pleaded for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to show his true identity.

The Kaiso 365 is held each year to give exposure to new Canadian calypso songs written for the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Calypsonians will gather this week on Wednesday, August 1st in the back patio of A Different Booklist, 746 Bathurst St., to celebrate with an 'After Work
Bottle & Spoon Lime' acoustic jam session. It's a free event and a good chance to hear calypsonians in an informal Caribbean setting.

On Monday, August 5th Macomere Fifi and a cast of top performers will be on the large open-air WestJet Stage at Harbourfront Centre at 4:00 pm for a final free concert to wrap the Island Soul festival. 

For more information on OCPA's upcoming events please visit our website at www.ocpacalypsoca.com or email ocpacalypsoca@gmail.com

DESTRA – THE CARIBBEAN’S ROAD WARRIOR PLAYS MAS IN 2013 TORONTO CARNIVAL

DESTRA – THE CARIBBEAN’S ROAD WARRIOR PLAYS MAS IN TORONTO

Famed Soca singer to appear at King and Queen, The Grand Parade and more! 

 Hundreds of thousands of Torontonians have jumped up to the music of Destra while taking part in the annual Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival over the past decade.  This year, for the first time ever, Destra will actually be taking part in the parade and playing mas with her legion of Canadian and American fans!
Destra Garcia, the Trinidadian performer who has written and recorded Road Songs that revelers play Mas to at Carnival parades around the world, has been named the Monarch of the Scotaibank Caribbean Carnival. She will help officiate at this year King and Queen competition and the Grand Parade!
Destra is noted for her high-energy performances, harmonious vocal skill, her song writing ability and her unique fashion style.   She sings about carnival life and the joy of playing Mas.  Songs like It’s Carnival, I Dare You and Fly have become anthems for revelers and will be heard over-and-over on the Toronto parade route this August 3^rd.
She is also known for contemporary life-style lyrics.  “Tonight I’m in de mood, (ah want to wine and behave rude) “ is the refrain from “I Dare You” is oft repeated and covered by Soca singers all over the world.
Destra Garcia will appear at the Thursday August 1^st evening King and Queen costume Competition at Lamport Stadium (King / Dufferin).  She will assist in the crowning of the King and Queen of the Parade.  On Saturday, August 3rd she will appear at the judging stand of the Grand Parade in Exhibition Place and then will perform for revelers inside the Park at the Band Shell at 2pm. Performance also by JW and Blaze, KI, Orlando Octave and many more.
And finally on Sunday August 4^th Destra is headlining the Caribana Fire Fete at the Sound Academy at Polson Pier (formerly The Docks).  Over 3,000 people are expected to attend the Sunday night (10pm) party with Destra and her band.  Also appearing on the bill will be Alison Hinds and her band and KI & 3veni‎.

‎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 46th 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, Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, The Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Email: info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

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To interview Destra and for Media information:

Stephen Weir
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival 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

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Performing in front of the Junior Parade judges

Unofficial Results From The Children's Carnival

(slightly adjusted since Saturday July 20th)

JUNIOR FEMALE OF YEAR 

1st Place

Masquerade Theme: THE BEAUTY OF NATURE  

Theme For Female of the Year: THE BUTTERFLY MENAGERIE  

Band Leader: DEXTER SEUSAHAI  

Player:  CANEISHA EDWARDS

2nd  Place

Masquerade Theme: THE REEF

Theme For Female of the Year: D'ZEBRA FISH

Band Leader: MARCUS EUSTACE

Player:  KAI CASTLE

JUNIOR MALE OF YEAR 

1st Place

Masquerade Theme: ONCE UPON A TIME

Theme For Male of the Year: JACK AND HIS BEANSTALK

Band Leader: JAMAAL MAGLOIRE

Player:  JALEN MAGLOIRE 

2nd  Place

Masquerade Theme: THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

Theme For  Male of the Year: MANTIS, THE PREDATOR

Band Leader: DEXTER SEUSAHAI

Player: COURTNEY ST. Louis

JUNIOR FEMALE QUEEN  OF YEAR 

1st Place

Masquerade Theme: HEAVEN AND EARTH

Theme For Female Queen  of the Year: HEAVEN CAN'T WAIT 

Band Leader: LOUIS SALDENAH 

Player:  FAITH HERMELIJN 

2nd  Place

Masquerade Theme: THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

Theme For Female Queen of the Year: THE LOTUS QUEEN

Band Leader: DEXTER SEUSAHAI  

Player:  CELENA SEUSAHAI 

JUNIOR MALE KING OF YEAR 

1st Place

Masquerade Theme: THE BEAUTY OF NATURE  

Theme For Male of the Year: MARAHOOTAH THE GUARDIAN

Band Leader: DEXTER SEUSAHAI  

Player:  MALIK ADAMS

2nd  Place

Masquerade Theme: ONCE UPON A TIME

Theme For  Male of the Year: ANANSI WEAVES A TALE

Band Leader: JAMAAL MAGLOIRE

Player: TY WILLIAMSON

JUNIOR BAND OF THE YEAR 

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

FIRST: ONCE UPON A TIME - JAMAAL MAGLOIRE 

2 HEAVEN AND EARTH - LOUIS SALDENAH 

3 THE REEF -  MARCUS EUSTACE 

4 THE BEAUTY OF NATURE DEXTER SEUSAHAI  

5 MINI LEGENDS WILL MORTON 

6 IN FLIGHT MERVYN SKEETE 

7  CELBRATING OUR  HERITAGE - WHITFIELD BELASCO 

8 HOME FOR CARNIVAL - OSEI BRAND 

9 LOST CIVILIZATIONS - NARISSA ALI 

10 SUGAR AND SPICE - COREY HOWARD 

11 MAMA THIS IS MAS - MICHAEL WILLIAMS  

MEDIA ALERT: North America’s largest Carnival Junior Parade

 

Saturday Junior Carnival & Family Day at the Downsview Park. 10.45 AM

Kids at Carnival Nationz show off the costumes that they will wear at the Kiddies Parad

 Toronto, ON, 17.07.2013: Families, carnival lovers, a steel band orchestra and corporate leaders from General Motors and Scotiabank will be attending the launch of the free Scotibank Caribbean Carnival Toronto’s Junior Carnival Parade.  The ribbon - cutting ceremony will take place at 10.45 on Saturday July 20^th at the Downsview Park (Sheppard Ave / John Drury Drive) immediately following the parade of the costumed children there will be an event filled Family Day party!

Where:  The brief ribbon cutting ceremony will be at an easy-to-see tent located at the corner of John Drury Drive and Canuck Ave. The parade itself will travel from the William Baker Park on Robert Woodhead Crescent cross a bridge south over Sheppard Avenue to Canuck  Ave, left on John Drury Drive and ending on  Carl Hall Road for dispersal inside the Downsview Park.  The children will then take part in lunch, refreshments and free showcase concerts for the rest of the day.

When: Saturday, July 20th.  The opening ceremony begins at 10:45 am and the parade starts at 11:00 following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Family Day begins at 2:30pm and runs to 6 pm.

What: The Official ceremony begins at 10:45 with the Canada National Anthem played by the St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra. Government officials, and representatives from the title sponsor - Scotia Bank, the Junior Carnival presenting sponsor - Chevrolet and the Festival Management Committee will participate in the opening ceremony.  Up to 2,000 children in costumes representing 12 Mas Bands will take part in the parade. This is the largest Carnival children’s parade in North America.

Family Day: Family Day events include. Marketplace with lots of food, excitement for the children, including a Midway, Face Painting, and Caricatures.

Family Day Entertainment includes:

The Junior Steelband Showcase is sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Steelpan and will feature: Pan Fantasy Steel Orchestra, CCAH Steel Orchestra, Salah's Steelpan Academy and the St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra.

The Junior Calypso Showcase sponsored by Ontario Calypso Performers Association features: MC’s Young Rashida and B.J. Thornhill; Ngozi Trotma; Zavion Peters; DYC Drummers; Ashtina McDermott; Shanica Davis; Brittany Dardain and Jaeden Doyle-Marshall

Dance performances will be by Mabouya Dance Company, Roots and Branches and the Hummingbird Dancers of Oshawa.

 

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

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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 46th 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, Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, The Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand. 

For media inquires:

Stephen Weir
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
Phone 416-489-5868 Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.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