City and Mas Bands Getting Ready for Carnival 2022
Celena Seushai
Celena SeushaiBy Stephen Weir
“The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is back,” exclaimed special events expert Petronilla Marchan, after she helped Mayor John Tory and City Council announce the return of Carnival and many other major festivals to the city. Mas Costumed models, the Face of the Festival and carnival festival organizers braved the cold to warm up the May 4th Nathan Phillips Square pressers.
“We were feeling the vibes at Friday’s Press Conference,” continued Marchan. “The beautiful Face of the Festival for 2022 Celena Seushai was stunning and warm in Hot Pink. Her official costume added to the beauty of the Toronto Carnival costumes presentation. The city is welcoming back all, and we are ready with open arms. Get ready because the party now starts.”
Standing amongst a group of models in Carnival costumes, Mayor John Tory announced to the media the return of major festivals and events to Toronto’s streets, public spaces, and parks. He was joined by Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson.
Because of the progress Toronto has made on the vaccine front, the press conference welcomed back in-person events and festivals. Back in January, the city announced a new Funding Program to assist cultural festivals. This is one way the city is supporting economic recovery for the arts and culture sector impacted by COVID-19.
Some of the Festivals which are confirmed to be return be returning include Pride, JerkFest, Luminato, Taste of the Danforth, The CNE Ex and the Toronto International Film Festival.
“This announcement marks a very important milestone in our reopening efforts. The return of in-person events to Toronto is a sign that we are ready to move forward after two very challenging years. This is all thanks to the resiliency, patience and strength of Torontonians who have stepped up to get their vaccine, to protect themselves and their community, ”said the mayor. “Welcome back to the Toronto we know and love!”
The confirmation from the city that it was helping to finance the 2022 Toronto Caribbean Carnival, has encouraged the stakeholders – Calypsonians, Pan Orchestras and the Mas Bands – to start making announcements of their own concerning performances, fetes and costume launches. Over the past two weeks The Revellers and Carnival Nationz released information concerning their themes and launches. This week three more bands have announced.
Toronto’s largest Mas Band Saldenah Carnival is now using social media to let Carnival followers know the theme. It is “Streets on Fire”. It is expected to soon announce the date and location of their launch.
The E.P.I.C Mas Band has started taking pre-orders on costumes for 2022. Although no date or location has been chosen for their launch, they did tell the Caribbean Camera their theme is Energy!
Tribal Carnival has issued information about their participation in two Carnivals – the Batabano Carnival on Grand Cayman Island May 4 -10 and here in Toronto on August 1stwith Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s Grand Parade. Tribal’s theme this year is Kingdom and according to Instagram their launch is set for April 30th.
Two weeks ago, the Caribbean Camera wrote that Jamaal Magloire’s Revellers Mas Band would be holding its launch on April 2nd at the Don on Danforth. Because of ticket demand and parking, the event will now be held April 2nd at Edwards Gardens 755 Lawrence Avenue East.
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