Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

2024 King and Queen and Panorama leaving Lamport Stadium? There it goes! Or is the Caribbean Camera reading this correctly? Is the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival King and Queen competition a goner after over twenty years at the Lamport Stadium? Earlier this week, the Festival Management Committee sent out an update on what is planned for this summer’s carnival. A copy landed on the desk of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, implying that the premier evening event of the Carnival, the King and Queen competition at the King Street stadium, might not be held there this year; instead, it will be incorporated into the daytime parade. The King and Queen competition has been selling out the Lamport Stadium since the last century. Politicians, entertainers, VIPs — this has always been the hardest ticket to get during Festival week. “The King and Queen show has traditionally kicked off the Toronto Caribbean Carnival weekend every year since the beginning. The leaders of Caribana Mas Bands will ...

  Two countries celebrated St. Patrick’s Day On Monday. One of them wasn’t Ireland. Earlier this week, the 5,000 residents of the Caribbean island territory of Montserrat went down the road to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. While Montserrat and Ireland are the only two nations to celebrate the day as a national holiday, the reasons for their parades and costumes are very different. In Ireland, March 17th is known as St. Patrick's Feast Day, marking the date of his death in 461 A.D. The island celebrates this day as both a religious and cultural holiday to commemorate Ireland's patron saint and the legacy he built for Irish culture. Meanwhile, on the small island of Montserrat (near Antigua and Nevis), they mark the date with a ten-day festival. There is a serious side to the fête the locals call 'Green Week and the Heritage Feast and Market Day.' The final parade is one of emancipation commemorating the nine slaves who lost their lives in the failed slave rebellion of M...

  CARIBBEAN FASHION THE NEW WAVE The surge in popularity of Caribbean Canadian fashion comes as no surprise to global fashion authorities, who attribute this phenomenon to a combination of factors such as the region's climate, the creativity of local designers, and the distinctive "Caribbean Canadian attitude." These elements collectively contribute to the burgeoning influence of the Toronto community’s fashion trends on a global scale. Among the often overlooked sources of inspiration is indeed Toronto's vibrant cultural scene, with Carnival playing a significant role in shaping the unique and explosive style emanating from the Caribbean. Anthony Berot and Michaela Palmer have collaborated to redefine the Caribbean Canadian fashion scene. They have recently published the Reverie Faces LookBook, which has quickly gained traction in the city's social media scene, catching the eyes and turning heads of many. Readers will likely recognize these names. Berot, known fo...

The first-ever Nunavut Carnival Launch Party,   The people of Iqaluit should call it Arctic Mas after a weekend of Caribbean carnival costumes and live music in the city of snow (and more snow). And there are plans in the works for an Easter weekend redux! Earlier this month, costume maker and carnival leader Thea Jackson( above ) borrowed an oversized Canada Goose coat and caught a plane with Calypso singer Edwin Yearwood( pictured below ) and DJ DOC (Doc Wright) to the frozen north. They were headed for Iqaluit, the capital city of the Canadian territory of Nunavut. “It took us two days to get there from the Ottawa Airport,” said Jackson. “Flights were canceled, and those that flew left late.” photo from Facebook “It was blizzard conditions with winds up to 80 km,” she continued. “When we finally landed, it was like arriving in the Caribbean, but only in reverse. Instead of instant heat, it was instant frozen nostrils as we exited by the back ramp.” It was also weather shock for ...

Darker Shade Of Blue Reporting for Duty At A Bookstore Near You It usually doesn’t happen this way. A retired Black York Region police supervisor wakes up at 4 am from a sound sleep, goes upstairs to his office, and sits down to begin writing his autobiography. Fast forward a few years, Keith Merith, without introduction, an agent, or an editor, mails off his manuscript to ECW publishing house in Toronto, who immediately pick it up! “They weren’t the only ones interested in my story,” Keith Merith told the Caribbean Camera. “I think there were four others (publishers) that were interested!” Now, with the book published and ready to appear on bookshelves across Canada, Merith is preparing for the launch. Typically, a book launch will attract 10 to 30 book lovers, so the event is usually held in a bookstore or a library, not a Scarborough restaurant bar. But, as the author explains, there are too many people wanting to come out to the launch that he had to find a place large enough to ac...

WATERSPORT EXPRESS in the 90s early 10s I was the associate editor of Watersport Expres, published by Diver Magazine. This magazine is from the Jan/February issue of 2001 Volume 11 #1   Creative Writing Class, 3rd year, Windsor university. End of semester Chat Book, short story fantastical from each of the 14 members of the class. Mine is called the Last Kiss. Last Kiss concert at the Windsor Casino, husband and wife scheme to get the last kiss from Gene Simmons (along with his tongue). read story at https://draft.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/488399485515759859/5013461623508662917

  Windsor Celebrates the Launch of Dr. Howard D. McCurdy's Autobiography: A Legacy of Activism and Achievement Last week, the University of Windsor, in collaboration with Toronto poet George Elliott Clarke, played host to a distinguished book launch and signing event for "Black Activist, Black Scientist, Black Icon: The Autobiography of Dr. Howard D. McCurdy." The just-published work delves into the life of one of Canada's most influential figures in science, civil rights advocacy, and Canadian politics. Held in one of the university's expansive atriums, the event was a celebration of Dr. McCurdy's monumental contributions to academia, politics, and civil rights. As the first Black person to hold a tenure-track position at a Canadian university, achieved during his tenure at the University of Windsor, and the second Black elected to Parliament, Dr. McCurdy's life story is a tapestry of pioneering achievements. Brenda McCurdy, alongside writer/editor George...

  Carnival Models and Cricket are up to the Blue Jays' plate in May and July of 2024 Attention carnival revellers who are also baseball enthusiasts, the Toronto Blue Jays are set to bring a pair of Caribbean special events to Rogers Centre with their much-anticipated 2024 Blue Jays Caribbean Carnival night at the baseball stadium. This marks the third consecutive year for the Blue Jays Caribbean Carnival, scheduled for Friday, July 26th. The team has collaborated with the Toronto Caribbean Carnival to make this vibrant celebration possible. The highlight of this carnival extravaganza is the Blue Jays Neon Hat giveaway, available in four distinct colours. This ensures that fans can showcase their team spirit with style. Building on the success of the previous edition, when the Carnival Spice models in mas costumes and a lively pannist, adding an extra layer of Caribbean festivity to the baseball experience. For Caribbean cricket enthusiasts, a special treat awaits with the return of...

Class Assignment, Review a Literary Event. Done! I was the anomaly. I was the only white senior citizen without a grandchild in tow, attending last Saturday afternoon’s Canadian launch of "Summer Island" at the Different Booklist Bookstore in downtown Toronto. The 36-page picture book was written by American author Deborah C. Mortimer and illustrated by Canadian artist Ken Daley. Beyond its role as Toronto’s only major Black bookstore, A Different Booklist serves as a community hub, hosting events, author readings, and discussions that spark cultural understanding within the Black community. It actively promotes diverse voices, making it a vital and cherished institution within Canada's literary landscape. While it is often said that an author can’t make a living in Canada, the industry and federally funded BookNet have recently issued a report on 'KidsLit' that shows, as of 2022, children’s literature is selling very well, thank you. 'Juvenile and Young Adult...

  TWO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL BRING A WRAP TO BLACK HISTORY MONTH As Black History Month draws to a close, Toronto witnessed two significant Black film events, showcasing the vibrancy and richness of Black culture in the film industry. The Toronto Black Film Festival honoured actress Pam Grier, while the new Directors Black Actors and Film Guild of Canada celebrated their inaugural awards ceremony, acknowledging talents like Black Santa and Ryan Singh The 12th edition of the Toronto Black Film Festival spanned five days, featuring over 80 films from 20 countries, including Canada, USA, Germany, France, Rwanda, Sudan, South Africa, United Kingdom, Ghana, and Jamaica. The festival concluded earlier this week, leaving a lasting impact on the celebration of Black history through cinema. A standout moment occurred at the Isabel Bader Theatre during the festival, where a tribute was paid to American actress Pam Grier. Hailed as the Queen of Blaxploitation and the first female action hero, G...

3 SISTERS HAVE LEFT RUSSIA FOR NIGERIA In a ground-breaking fusion of classic Russian drama and Nigerian history, Toronto's vibrant theatre scene is set to welcome a bold and innovative production presented by Soul Pepper and Obsidian Theatres on the last evening of Black History Month. A quirky adaptation of Anton Chekhov's timeless classic, "Three Sisters," will take centre-stage at the downtown Soul Pepper Theatre, reimagined as a Black version set against the backdrop of Nigeria during the Biafran War. This avant-garde production first performed in the UK four years, makes its Canadian debut tonight with the first of five previews this evening. The 4-Act play has its official opening on March 7th and closes March 24. Written by London based Nigerian poet and playwright Inua Ellams, his 4 act play promises to provide a fresh perspective on Chekhov's exploration of spiritual emptiness. and societal upheaval by transporting the narrative to a pivotal moment in Af...

  WALMART WORKS WITH KWAME DELFISH TO CELEBRATE BHM In a press release issued by Walmart Canada to mark Black History Month(BHM), the large retail outlet turned the spotlight on Caribbean Canadian artist Kwame Delfish. The Toronto artist was commissioned by Walmart to design their exclusive Black History Month merchandise celebrating Black excellence. Who better to hire? As a multidimensional artist, with a career spanning over 30 years, Kwame’s most recent work includes designing both the 2022 and 2023 Commemorative Black History Month coins featuring the Underground Railroad and the No. 2 Construction Battalion for the Canadian Mint. According to Walmart, Delfish’s BHM design, entitled "The Tree of Heroes," encourages individuals to use their imagination to dream big and pursue their goals regardless of the systemic barriers that they will inevitably encounter on their journey. We become empowered to push through adversity when we see ourselves in others who share our ident...

  What If You Spend the End of Black History Month In Mississauga check out Carnival Parade costumes? Looks like Mississauga's Black History Month's final significant event for 2024 is set to take place this Sunday at the city’s Small Arms Inspection Building on Lakeshore Road. The Freedom Mas Band is concluding the month with the year's first Carnival costume launch, which they've named the Black History Month Carnival Edition! The Freedom Mas Band is an integral part of the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival and is scheduled to participate in the Grand Parade in Toronto on August 3rd. Band leader Johanna Grant shared with reporter Stephen Weir that the Band Launch on Sunday afternoon will unveil their new costume lines inspired by the 2024 theme, "What If." The free launch event is scheduled to run from 11 am to 6 pm. Alongside the adult and children carnival costume launch, there will be a vendor's market, music, and activities for children. Throughout ...

 Fantazia already dreaming about  making their Caribana costumes! costume launch 2013 by Parris Visuals You know that spring is right around the corner when Wiarton Willie doesn’t see his shadow, the kid’s snowman is now a puddle and Fantazia has posted posters for their Spring 2024 costume launch! The mas band is marking its 15th annual launch on April 14th this year at the Peter N Paul Banquet Hall in Scarborough (Milner Ave). And, while band leader Will Morton says it is a little early yet to let all the details of the coming fete, in a recent talk with the Caribbean Camera he let a few things slip out including the theme of the party. “We are coming a month earlier than last year,” said band co-leader Will Morton. “We hope to be bigger than in 2023. But don’t want to say too much right now about but as the picture on our website show, it is Uncut Gemz!” “We will be announcing our sections and the gemstones that they are (using for inspiration).” And yes, diamonds in the ...