Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

 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...

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 hav...

    Black Tape Or Not this Rated R Section Will Be Turning Heads on the Parade Route By Stephen Weir The biggest question of the spring wasn't about the revealing costumes that the Rated R section will be wearing on the road at this August's Grand Parade. It was whether anyone would be brave to actually sign-up and join in. Imagine revelers confidently dancing down the Lakeshore, cracking whips. They will be adorned in black and purple S&M-inspired fishnet costumes, with optional black X tape covering their nipples and super small silver codpieces to ensure legality. Their full-contact performance will be truly captivating. "Yes, of course we sold out!" exclaimed Thea Jackson, the leader of the R-Rated section. "We received a fantastic response and actually have about 60% American participation, which I love. It's evident that those who choose to wear this costume are incredibly comfortable in their own skin and enjoy pushing boundaries. However, we also ...

1,000 will ride the midnight subway train Tenth Year For The Midnight Underground Toronto Train Ride There is a serious annual spiritual event during this Carnival season in Toronto, and it is coming down the track straight at you. The Emancipation Day "Underground Freedom Train" Ride begins on July 31st and ends early on August 1st, with over 1,000 people on board. This year marks the tenth time that the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has partnered with the Blackhurst Cultural Centre (formerly A Different Booklist Cultural Centre) to provide an actual underground experience via its subway system, representing the underground railroad journey. This is a very emotional song filled train ride, probably Canada's largest of its kind,  and open to all Canadians, for the price of token. "The Emancipation Day 'Underground Freedom Train' Ride is symbolic of the role of the Underground Railroad within Canada's history," explained Itah Sadu, one of the found...

  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...

  JAMBANA says FAB 5 not High 5 on August holiday Monday JAMBANA, the annual One World Festival, has found its perfect home for the free daylong cultural celebration. Gage Park in downtown Brampton will host the event on Holiday Monday, August 7, 2023, from 1 PM to 9 PM. This year's festival promises to be a vibrant showcase of Canada's multicultural communities, featuring internationally acclaimed bands, artists, dancers     and     Jamaica’s Fab 5.  The annual JAMBANA One World Festival has a rich history, originating from the efforts of Jones & Jones Productions Ltd, founded by the late Denise Jones and Allan Bucka Jones in 1987. The inaugural event, called Reggae On Yah, took place in 1987 at The Great Hall in downtown Toronto. It featured an all-night reggae music extravaganza, highlighting the best of Canadian Reggae. The event concluded with a feast of Blue Mountain Coffee and Ackee and Salt Fish. Since its inception, JAMBANA™ One World Festival ...

  Toronto FC Unveils "Energy Kit" Jersey  Amidst Fan Enthusiasm and Concerns Toronto FC has created a buzz with the launch of their new "Energy Kit" jersey earlier this week.  The soccer team’s announcement was accompanied by an attention-grabbing video featuring the North York New Dimension Steel Orchestra and Mas models wearing skimpy v mas costumes. The video, making rounds on social media platforms, has garnered significant attention. The team plans to wear the Energy Kit jersey during Toronto FC's annual Caribbean Heritage Night match against St Louis at BMO Field this Saturday.  The event will be a combination of Caribbean cuisine, pre-game tailgates with Soca DJs, steel pan band performances, and appearances by participants from the Junior Carnival Parade. Notably, Soca superstar Machel Montano will be part of the kit's  lookbook  and provide the campaign's soundtrack.  The Energy Kit will be sold at the BMO Field retail stands for $189 dur...

With school ending tomorrow, students give a shout out against racism and bullying Be it through video, podcasts, or spoken word poetry, a group of Toronto District students have something to shout about what is happening in schools these days: racism, bullying, and violence are real issues for teenagers. The Student Equity Collective is urging the Toronto  school board to take action, and they made their voices heard yesterday. Ontario's first Poet Laureate, Randell Adjei Earlier this week, a group of high school students, who refer to themselves as the Student Equity Collective, along with the Anti-Cyber Bully Collective, took to the stage at the Royal Ontario Museum to speak their truth. Renowned author and community leader, Itah Sadu, acted as the ring leader as students from all over Toronto shared their experiences of life in the city's high schools. It was a unique event, and the realities discussed were often harsh . Students at the logo wall after the event ends "...

Metivier Gallery Bands Together with Black Artists "Demoiselles d'Avignon." riff by  Artist Ehiko Odeh It was a night of richness in the art garden last Thursday when the Band Offsite Exhibition opened at the Nicholas Metivier Gallery. Three emerging Black Canadian artists were showcasing their work in a gallery that typically features well-known contemporary artists. And best of all, the exclusive show opening was packed. Khalid Romain says cheese The exhibition, BAND Offsite, features three artists: Ehiko Odeh, Khalid Romain, and Moses Salihou. In previous years, BAND has collaborated with the upscale Nicholas Metivier Gallery. However, this year, with the BAND gallery building in Parkdale undergoing reconstruction, the Metivier Gallery has extended a helping hand to BAND while also providing their client base with a unique opportunity to explore the rich and diverse world of Black Canadian art. With thought-provoking pieces and the exceptional talent of the participati...

 RESIGNATIONS BRING REFLECTION TO FMC After 17 years of "dedicated involvement" with the Festival Management Committee (FMC), Accountant Eddison Doyle has made "the difficult decision" to step down from his position as CFO.  This time, he says, it is a permanent choice driven by personal reasons and the belief that it is the right time for him to move on. Despite the timing being close to the upcoming grand parade, Doyle is confident that his departure will pave the way for success and foster a more collaborative and communicative organization. He extends his best wishes to the FMC, expressing gratitude for the hard work of the board, CEO, and festival general manager.  As one of the founding directors alongside Joe Halstead and Courtney Betty, Doyle takes immense pride in the organization's achievements, including 17 years of clean audits, a cumulative surplus, and the successful implementation of the Black Business Educational Program (BBEP) which he spearhead...