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PARANG SATURDAY NIGHT DECEMBER 2

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  Celebrate the Spirit of the Caribbean at Carnival Winter Market and Parang Extravaganza on Saturday, December 2nd Princess Trinidad “The Carnival Winter Market and Parang Extravaganza is the work of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival,” explained the newly reconfirmed President of the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) Henry Gomez (aka King Cosmos). “We are providing the evening’s entertainment.” Hosted by the charismatic King Cosmos, the Parang Extravaganza features performances by some of OCPA's artists, including Caribbean Monarch Macomere Fifi, Guney Cedeno, Princess Trinidad, and DJ Red X. In addition to his MC duties, King Cosmos will also be performing during the evening. Expect a joyful sound from the singers on stage because it has been a joyful year for the Calypso organization who have seen a rebirth to performing in the city. “We held the first Calypso Monarch competition this summer since 2016,” continued Gomez, “It was a sold-out event. There was also a C

ROY CAPE'S HAPPY KISS TO TORONTO (WHILE KING COSMO LOOKS ON)

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  Soca. Calypso. Helping Children. Its Roy Cape, and he has the Jean Augustine Trophy to Prove it Two film festivals are taking place in Toronto simultaneously this week. Where do you think the paparazzi and cameras (except ours) were on this past Saturday night when celebrities like Sean Penn, Willem Dafoe, Spike Lee, Lil Nas X, Nickelback, and Viggo Mortensen were spotted on King Street? Well, most readers probably already know the answer. The world's attention was focused on Saturday night TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). It's a shame because they missed the opportunity to cover a historic Caribbean evening at the CTFF (Caribbean Tales Film Festival) a few blocks away. Call it a Big People Party that combined a birthday fete for the famed retired Grenadian Canadian politician Jean Augustine, the showing of a Trinidadian documentary about saxophonist Roy Cape, an award presentation and a live wild performance by Ozzie Gurley which ended with two of his brass sectio

CALYPSO SINGERS DO IT ALL AGAIN FOR FREE THIS MONDAY

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  Calypso Returns with a Song And a Laugh Or Two: Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch of Canada Competition Thrills Audience           Macromere Fifi, the new queen After a seven-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Kaiso 365 Calypso Monarch of Canada Competition made a triumphant comeback last Sunday at the Latvian Canadian Center in North York, Ontario. Organized by the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA), the event drew an electrified crowd that packed the venue to its full capacity. The evening began with a heartfelt tribute, as OCPA honored eight individuals who played pivotal roles in the development of Calypso music in Canada. Among the honourees were Lennox Borel, Glenda Bostic, Ken Bruzual, Dr. Rita Cox, Elsworth James, George Maharaj, Jai Ojah Maharaj, and Selwyn Woods. Their contributions to the genre were acknowledged with deep gratitude, setting the stage for an unforgettable night. The competition itself featured an impressive lineup of talented performers, each vying

55 And Still Alive

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  Henry, so how do we get to hear the music? Last week the Caribbean Camera published a news story about 55 Still Alive, a Calypso song written by performing artist King Cosmos, that is meant to commemorate the 55 th  anniversary of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Last week the song was still being worked up and we didn’t tell readers how to hear the new music.  Bad mistake, you the readers let us know that it was unfair to hold back on the tune. Well, we hate to do this again but Calypso fans will have to wait until the end of the month.  The song drops June 1 st  on Spotify, Apple Music and all the other social media music platforms. What will you hear? The call-and-response style song pays tribute to  Canada’s largest multi-cultural festival from past to present. Composed, written and produced by King Cosmos (Henry Gomez) is all about the originators, artists, organizations and stakeholders who nurtured the festival since its inception in 1967.  Mixed and mastered by Ossie Gurley, c
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King Cosmos on Ice Last Saturday at Mel Lastman Square.  Caribana Iced – Small Crowd. Warm Response By Stephen Weir There were no Triple Axels or  Salchows from  Calypsonian   King Cosmos (Henry Gomez) as he gingerly skated out onto the ice at Mel Lastman Square last Saturday.  What he lacked in skating finesse he made up for with his singing and his warm and friendly greeting to the people who came out Saturday to watch  Caribana on Ice . Wearing all black except a colourful feathered headdress with matching wristlets and ankle splashes.  Master of Ceremonies, King Cosmos told the family audience they were watching a first – a professional presentation of the Carnival Arts on Ice. Dance Skaters steps on ice “This is the first time this has been done in Toronto, “ he said to a cheering and clapping crowd standing on the edge of the large outdoor rink.  “I think it has to be the first time in North America.  We usually do this sort of thing on the street in the