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Showing posts with the label michael thompson

IT IS OFFICIAL, THE TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL HAS BEGUN - SUCCESFULLY CITY HALL LAUNCH

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  Toronto Caribbean Carnival Kicks Off  with HOT  HOT HOT Launch Event everybody loved Olivia Unedited news story by sweir: Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square came alive on a scorching hot day as the 56th Caribbean Carnival was officially launched on Tuesday. The vibrant atmosphere was filled with excitement as approximately 2,000 enthusiastic audience members gathered to celebrate the rich Caribbean culture. The event took place at Toronto City Hall, where a jampacked list of speakers and performers graced the outdoor stage. The ceremony was hosted by CTV Nathan Downer and CP24's Jessica Smith, who successfully wrangled the line-up of speakers. Among them was Jennifer Hirleheym, the new Chair of the Festival Management Committee, who kicked off the proceedings with an extensive review of the exciting changes and improvements for this year's festival. "We pride ourselves in creating a welcoming, safe environment for this shared celebration of Caribbean culture," Hir

Will there be a Toronto Caribbean Carnival parade this August 1st?

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Carnival Mas or Corona Mess?  Not a Lot of Answers in this Time of Crisis By Stephen Weir Breaking News: I received a note from the SunLime Mas Band l this evening announcing that they have postponed their previously announced March 29th virtual launch "to a later date. We will keep you updated as time goes on". We have also received a notice from the Toronto Revellers that their Saturday April 11th costume launch is being postponed until May. " Due to the current global crisis, we are postponing our band launch to a date in May (TBD)." The picture above is from the SunLime's model shoot which was held two weeks ago. Although the SunLime band has embargoed pictures and videos from that costume photo shoot, I did get permission to use this photograph (again) with the model blurred to obscure the costume. What the Mas Camps, Pan Bands and the Festival Management Committee need right now is the city’s biggest Crystal Ball. Something that will ans

Freedom Train Conductor Plans Taking Emancipation Message to the Feds

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Look Down The Track Senators – Wanda’s Emancipation Train Is Heading For Ottawa. By Stephen Weir Wanda Thomas Bernard at the mike Union Station Stand back  honourable members of the Senate. The Emancipation Train is heading to Ottawa and Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is going to blow her conductor’s whistle until Canada’s Upper House listens to the voices of the Caribbean and African American communities. Dr. Bernard championed a bill proclaiming August 1 st  Emancipation Day in Canada. Even though the legislation was passed by the Liberal Government and made it through two readings in the Senate, it failed to come up for the final vote before the Senate recessed.  The bill will not be brought back for a third and final reading. At last Wednesday’s Freedom Train Ride in Toronto, the Nova Scotia senator said she is not going to give up.  Speaking to a crowd of close to 1,000 people inside TTC ‘s Union Station she told them  “I am 66 years old and I don’t have to retire (

A record! 2,800 attended Toronto Mas launch Saturday night

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THE BIGGEST SO FAR THIS COSTUME LAUNCH SEASON SALDENAH CARNIVAL   IS ALL HEART AND SOCA! By Stephen Weir The Saldenah family pulled it off.  There was too much at stake. Louis Saldenah was able to get a record number of people – 2,800 people into the Scarborough Cinnamon Banquet Hall,  He had 120 fancy dressed models on and off  the stage before the bar closed at 2 am and didn’t have a heart attack getting the job done! Saldenah Carnival, the largest and most winning Canadian band in the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade is taking it all to heart in 2019.   Note that their theme is the Heart Beat: the Thrill of Life. And to keep the whole thing beating a record 17 sections were needed to show all the costumes they will have on the road this year. “ We expect to be making 6,000 costumes this season,” said  Hayden Harbin. “ There will be five trucks on the road with special guest stars on the floats (Caribbean Camera hears that Trinidadian singer Nadia Batson

Bob Marley Day Awards In Toronto

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One Love. For One Day. In Toronto By Stephen Weir for the Caribbean Camera For the 27th year in a row, the City has declared February 6th as Bob Marley Day in Toronto.   In a special ceremony a proclamation from Mayor John Tory was read out, Bob Marley Day Awards were presented to community leaders and a Jamaican surfing reggae star performed to a small group of Marley supporters. Bob Marley Day began in 1991 with the first proclamation made by the former mayor of Toronto, Mayor Art Eggleton. This year, Mayor Tory signed the Bob Marley proclamation and had councillor Michael Thompson read it out at the Friday noon hour award ceremony and mini reggae concert.   Pictured left: Jamaica reggae star and owner of the island's surf club, Billy Mystic performed at the City Of Toronto's Bob Marley Day proclamation ceremony. On Friday at noon the city proclaimed February 6 as Bob Marley Day in the city.. Organizer Courtney Betty (l), Billy Mystic and councillor