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Showing posts with the label Toronto

When Sisters Speak

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  The Spoken Words Of Dwayne Morgan Dwayne Morgan is a name that has been garnering attention recently. The Scarborough spoken word poet delivered a performance on the first day of Black History Month at the Power Plant art gallery at Harbourfront. Next month, he is set to present "When Sisters Speak" at the St Lawrence Centre as part of Black Mental Health Week. On January 1st of last month, to be precise, he received the Order of Ontario! Since 1993, Dwayne Morgan has been a prominent figure and an integral part of Canada's spoken word and live arts scene. Affectionately nicknamed 'The Godfather' of Canadian spoken word poetry, Morgan has been providing a platform for women of color to share their stories and experiences through spoken word poetry for the past 24 years. "When Sisters Speak" is the largest and longest-running spoken word showcase featuring Black women in North America. This year's event will be held on March 9 as part of Black Menta

LAST MINUTE CARMEN CUTLINE FOR THURSDAY MORNING CARIBBEAN CAMERA PAPER

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EDGY PRODUCTION OF 'CARMEN" COMING TO TORONTO'S MERIDIAN HALL America meets Spain on the Canadian stage this evening American dancer Kayoko Everhart born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and an African American father takes on the lead role in Spain's Compania Nacional de Danza's edgy production of "Carmen." This classic opera is set in Seville and explores, through dance, the consequences of jealousy and rage when the young gypsy Carmen refuses to be controlled by Don José. While Carmen represents freedom and independence, Don José symbolizes the struggle between his obsession for her and his duty as a soldier. The company performed last night in Toronto and apparently blew the lid off the staid Meridian Hall (St Lawrence Centre) will be performing again tonight (SATURDAY 3 FEB 24), and then they leave town. Will file a report after the show.  

JUST IN TIME FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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Rashaan Rori Allwood and Kathryn Patricia Cobbler - three city tour in February KATHRYN PATRICIA COBBLER In a celebration of Black History Month, two exceptional Canadian musicians of Caribbean descent, Rashaan Rori Allwood and Kathryn Patricia Cobbler, are set to dazzle audiences with their multi-media performance titled "Unyielding Roots." This powerful presentation of original compositions aims to reflect upon the complex experiences of the Caribbean immigrant and African diaspora within the context of North American colonial landscapes. Joy Bullen, the long-time creator behind Black History Month Music, designed this event to showcase young Black Canadian musicians breaking stereotypes and making history. Since 2015, the initiative has been a platform for artists excelling in areas where Black voices have often been silenced. "Unyielding Roots" will be performed in Halifax, Ottawa, and Toronto, in collaboration with cultural and not-for-profit organizations acro

NEW SORTING STATION THE HOUSE THAT JACKSON BUILT

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ALBERT JACKSON’S FAMILY STAMP HIS NAME ON NEW SCARBOROUGH BUILDING   If you don’t know who Albert Jackson was or what he looked like, you probably haven’t been s If you don't know who Albert Jackson was or what he looked like, you probably haven't been sending letters home to Mommy. Tall, fit, and finely groomed with a mustache, Canada's first Black mailman cut quite the figure walking his route. So much so that Canada Post put his painted portrait on a stamp back in 2019. Born into slavery in the United States, Jackson was just a boy when his family escaped to Canada via the underground railroad. In Toronto, he pursued his education and won a position as a letter carrier in 1882. When he reported for work, he faced discrimination from his colleagues, who refused to train him. The debate over the situation raged for weeks until political pressure, especially from Toronto's Black community, triumphed, and Jackson was able to walk his route. He passed away in 1918 at the

DRINK THE WATER WITH PATRICE

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  Patrice - the art of the blur HEADS WE WIN, TAILS NYC LOSES AS FANS MIND THEIR BUSINESS LOUDLY Patrice on stage Patrice Roberts had to make a tough choice last Thursday: Should she come to Toronto and perform outdoors at the CNE Bandshell, or should she fly to New York City to attend the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards? Patrice chose Toronto, and the city is delighted that she did! Thursday marked Soca Night at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), where the Trinidad and Tobago singer headlined a special Soca concert at the Bandshell. It was an evening dedicated to celebrating the art form and marking Trinidad's 61st birthday. As for the Caribbean Music Awards, their loss was Toronto's gain. While Patrice was on stage performing for an estimated 6,000 people, she was named the Female Artist of the Year, and her music video "Mind My Business" won the SOCA Video of the Year Award. The skimpy chic leather-clad singer never stopped singing, and neither did the audien

CARIBBEAN TALES FILM FESTIVAL SHOW OPENER

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Turtle Meat and Popcorn. Caribbean Tales Film Festival goes down the Eden River with a paddle It all begins on Wednesday. The Annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival kicks off its 2023 program at Harbourfront, showcasing "Eden River," a creepy, eerie, suspenseful American movie made on a river. It is 1961, and three poachers are paddling along a swampy river in Belize in a boat that has seen better days. They have no food, only a bottle of what looks like homemade hooch. They are illegally hunting for green turtles, hoping to score big by selling poached turtle meat. However, there are no turtles to be found. There is no mosquito repellent, and there is no motor at the stern of the single mast dinghy. Oh yes, and there is no love lost between the three men, even though one of them swears he is the half-brother of one of the other sailors, and the third claims he believes in love, peace and the Bible. Arguments and a man overboard, accompanied by a musical score about Zombies, le

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA TAKES UNDERGROUND FREEDOM TRAIN RIDE

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 Justin Rode That Train (we are not kidding) Photos by stephen weir and KJ Mullins I want to dispel a growing urban myth. Despite what people are saying, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did, in fact, ride the Underground Freedom Train on July 31st. The voice that they heard over the subway train’s speaker system on Monday night WAS NOT a recording of the PM’s voice; that was him in person (and I have included a picture to prove it). For the past ten years, Itah Sadu a bookstore owner, community leader, and the driving force behind the newly emerging Blackhurst Cultural Centre has spearheaded the Underground Freedom Train Ride and Emancipation ceremony in conjunction with the TTC. The late-night event provides an actual non-stop underground experience via the subway system, representing the underground railroad journey. The ride ends at Downsview Station a few minutes after midnight with an outdoor service marking the dropping of the 19th-century Emancipation Act by the British government

PM IN THE AM WITH MALVERN KIDS

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 Prime Minister Selfie Madness Slows Down the Kiddies Parade Photos by Herman Silochan & Prime Minister's office. Story by sweir The Junior Carnival Parade in Malvern is an annual event that never fails to captivate and entertain, and this year was no exception. Held last Saturday at the Community Centre & Neilson Park, the parade brought together thousands of kids, parents, and neighbors to celebrate diversity, freedom, and Caribbean cultures. However, what made this year even more special was the unexpected appearance of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. For the second time, Prime Minister Trudeau graced the Kiddies Parade with his presence, surprising the organizers with short notice. Earlier in the day, he attended the Fun Philippines Toronto Street Festival: Mabuhay! Following that event, his team informed the Carnival parade organizers about his plan to make an appearance. The news of the Prime Minister's arrival was met with mixed feelings. While the children and sp

BLUE JAYS CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL!

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Putting Carnival Spice into the Toronto Blue Jays Sagging Game July 28TH   The Blue Jays are about to get a big helping of Carnival Spice this Friday night and with any luck it will give the baseball team the jolt they need to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers.July 28 th  is the Toronto team will be celebrating  the  Blue Jays  Caribbean Carnival!   With performances by Toronto Caribbean Carnival pannists, models and dancers, the fans, and perhaps the players themselves, are expected to be immersed in the pulsating rhythms and colourful spectacles of the carnival. For the second consecutive year, the Sky Dome has invited the renowned Carnival Spice, Canada's top providers of Caribbean dance and Caribbean fitness classes, to elevate the atmosphere and energize the crowd. The festivities aim to bring the essence of Caribbean culture to the baseball diamond, setting the stage for an unforgettable match against the formidable Los Angeles Dodgers. The Blue Jays have experienced a mixed sea

CARNIVAL MONEY WOES TAKE TO THE AIRWAVES

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  Carnival Hopes That The Feds Are Listening. Public Safety At Stake Organizers of this year's Toronto Caribbean Carnival have their fingers and toes crossed and their ears to the ground, hoping to hear the sound of approaching government funding. They have reason to be hopeful. Early this week, the Feds announced an emergency grant of money to the country’s Pride Festivals to cover rising fixed costs. On Tuesday, Toronto Pride learned that it will be receiving money from the Federal government to cover the costs of added security measures at this year's Pride parades. The Feds is providing up to $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures this year. Half of that money goes to Pride organizations in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Like Pride, the Toronto Carnival is facing a hefty increase in the cost of insurance, security, and other fixed costs this summer. However, to date, it has not received an increase in funding to pay the bil

WORD ON THE STREET. SMALLER THAN THE PRE-COVID DAYS

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  Luck or Divine Intervention? Toronto's Word on the Street Festival Is Once Again Blessed with Perfect Weather LOVES BOOKS BUT HATES EVERYTHING ELSE! - sweir T oronto's annual Word on the Street outdoor book festival is known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse literary offerings. This year, the festival was blessed with outstandingly perfect weather, making it a visitor-friendly event that attracted thousands of people downtown. As visitors browsed through books, indulged in delicious food truck offerings, networked with fellow book lovers, and even campaigned for votes, it was clear that the weather played a significant role in enhancing the overall experience. Among the attendees was Mitzie Hunter, a former Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and now a mayoral candidate. When asked why she attended the festival, MitziE Hunter expressed her love for books and reading. “I like books, I love to read!” she told Stephen Weir (the Caribbean Camera).  I like books! Mitzie Hun

KIDDIES LAUNCHES KEEP THE CARNIVAL TRADITIONS ALIVE

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Saldenah Carnival's Free Kiddies Launch: Celebrating the Parade's Future 2022 section photo for last year's Kiddies launch As the anticipation builds for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s highly anticipated Grand Parade, the spotlight is also shining on the upcoming July 22nd Kiddies Parade, a beloved tradition that celebrates the young participants and offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of masquerade.  With the aim of fostering a sense of camaraderie and introducing children to the rich traditions of carnival, the Saldenah Carnival’s annual Kiddies Launch is set to take place on Sunday, May 28th at 280 Consumers Rd Unit 344 in Scarborough. Hayden Harbin, Saldenah Carnival's organizer, emphasizes the significance of the Kiddies Parade, stating, "The Kiddies Parade is just as important as the Grand Parade that the Big Kids take part in. They are the parade's future."  Harbin encourages parents to bring their children to the free mas camp launch this Sun