If you are reading this and it is Friday - fuhgeddaboudit

Tonight. I snoozed and now I lose out on the summer best masquerade fete – Beyond the Mas.

By Stephen Weir

If you don’t have a ticket for tonight’s Toronto Caribbean Carnival Gala put your wallet away.  Organizers of the “Beyond the Mas – A Celebration of Freedom” fete report that the 400-seat event is sold out.

This time it is true, if you snooze you loose.  What you are going to miss is a formal party where the guests are encouraged to come in their finest Mas costumes, and dance and play with the Hoi Polloi of Toronto’s festival world. You are also going to miss a luscious Caribbean dinner with island influenced cocktails!

“This is not your average gala,” one organizer told the Caribbean Camera. “This will be a fabulous interactive party where the ticket holders are part of the magic and the thrill of Carnival.”

Beyond the Mas – A Celebration of Freedom is being held this evening at the Riviera Banquet Hall (2800 Highway 7). The event starts at 6.00 pm on Friday night and ends early Saturday morning at 2.00 am.

Bookstore owner and community activist Itah Sadu will be ring-mistress of this futuristic party.  She will be helped along by Caribbean Tassa drumming, Cajuca Mas Arts, a fine dining experience prepared by a Riviera Banquet Hall Caribbean chef and the sounds of Ossie Gurley and the Truth and DJ Vince.  This will be an all-inclusive event.

Ticket holders in costume will be invited out on the dance floor to let their fellow revellers judge their clothes Door prizes will be given to guests with the best  Mas look in the building. As the organizers say, attendees will experience the Toronto Carnival’s newest and hottest party.