Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

Harbinger of parades to come in Toronto this week The cars honked, the bikers waved, and merchants came out of their Bloor Street stores to offer encouragement. TV news crews filmed the drummers drumming. Tuesday afternoon's weather was perfect for the second annual Emancipation on Bloor event. The blue skies, moderate summer temperatures, and a slight wind to cool the 50 individuals, all dressed in white, marching on the sidewalks of one of Toronto's busiest streets made it all worthwhile. It was the day after the night before for most of the participants. Following The Underground Freedom Train Ride, which ended in the early hours of Tuesday, and attending a Blackhurst funding announcement at noon, the dedicated members of the community took to Bloor Street to march to the sounds of Pan Man Pat's walking pan band from the Blackhurst Cultural Centre near Bloor and Bathurst to the Christie Pits Park. Participants were asked to wear white and come with wrapped heads, and mos

  Bank of Montreal Make Big Deposit in Blackhurst Building Account At noon on Tuesday inside a packed a Blackhurst Cultural Centre ( Different Booklist ) there was a noticeable murmering of Wows, and Oh My Gods, when two officials from the Bank of Montreal announced a $750,000 donation to the Blackhurst Cultural Centre.  From left Michael Lashley, Itah Sadu, BMO Stanley Julien also Board member BCC and Renee Lantaigne BMO Made in conjunction with the Centre's annual Emancipation Day walk down Bloor Street, the size of the Bank’s largest did not fail to impress. BMO Is the lead partner of Blackhurst's capital campaign,  Tuesday’s donation will support construction of a new Cultural Centre celebrating and preserving Black history in Toronto's Mirvish Village currently under constructions. The donation also supports an operating and endowment fund to help the Centre deliver outreach programs such as youth arts programs and a business e-course in partnership with the Schulich S

 Justin Rode That Train (we are not kidding) Photos by stephen weir and KJ Mullins I want to dispel a growing urban myth. Despite what people are saying, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did, in fact, ride the Underground Freedom Train on July 31st. The voice that they heard over the subway train’s speaker system on Monday night WAS NOT a recording of the PM’s voice; that was him in person (and I have included a picture to prove it). For the past ten years, Itah Sadu a bookstore owner, community leader, and the driving force behind the newly emerging Blackhurst Cultural Centre has spearheaded the Underground Freedom Train Ride and Emancipation ceremony in conjunction with the TTC. The late-night event provides an actual non-stop underground experience via the subway system, representing the underground railroad journey. The ride ends at Downsview Station a few minutes after midnight with an outdoor service marking the dropping of the 19th-century Emancipation Act by the British government

 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 have experienced a mixed sea

    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 has grown and evolved