Media Scrum: Local and international media operatives were all agog over the arrival in Toronto last week of the largest contingent of Bollywood celebrities on a single tour - a 130-member cast and crew - now on their Unforgettable Tour of 11 cities across North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Their opening show last Friday evening at the Rogers Centre took the city by storm with the presence of Bollywood's star couple, actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai and her husband Abhishek Bachchan, her father-in-law and icon of Indian cinema Amitabh Bachchan and notables such as Priety Zinta, Ritesh Deshmukh, Madhuri Dixit, Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty among a host of other Indian superstars on tour. Some of the stars hosted a press conference last Thursday. Sitting at the head table above are, from left: Shekhar, Vishal, Shiamak Davar, Riteish Deshmukh, Preity Zinta, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan and Viraaf Sarkari.
Toronto waxing warm for 41st Caribana Festival
Masqueraders displaying their costumes in 2007 as they parade before judges hoping to capture the Band of the Year Title. No doubt they would be going all out again this year to the excitement of spectators, local and foreign.
By William Doyle-Marshall
Torontonians are ready to host visitors from around the world as they converge on this city to participate in one of North America’s biggest cultural festival – Scotia Caribana – produced by the Festival Management Committee. Caribbean cultural expressions are highlights of the celebration.
This weekend calypso lovers will be on hand to support their idols as they vie for the 2008 Canadian Calypso Monarch title. Nine contestants selected by a panel of judges from what was billed as an exciting music series will attempt to dethrone Structure, current holder of the title. Singers performed in two different calypso tents in the city – Kaiso Forum and The Professionals – exhibiting their craft and wit while presenting original Calypso and Soca compositions on social and political commentaries.
Saturday night’s line-up include Susan G (Susan Grogan) – Kaiso Forum; Naki (Nzunaki Tuitt) – The Professionals; Redman (Michael Thomas) – Kaiso Forum; Connector (Joel Davis) – Kaiso Forum; Structure (Bryan Thornhill) – Kaiso Forum; (defending 2007 OCPA Calypso Monarch); De Carra (Leslie Carabon) – Kaiso Forum; Beginner (Michael Moore) – The Professionals; Lady Pearl (Pearl Brereton-Robinson) – The Professional and Macomere Fifi (Tara Eulith Woods) – The Professional. Pan Man Pat (Patrick McNeilly) – The Professionals is the reserve performer.
This event offers composers a vehicle to present their best works although in the eyes of the panel of judges they may not walk away with the prize. Failure to capture the top prize could be blamed on multiple reasons on that fateful night. Over the years judges’ incompetence has surfaced without much being done to correct the situation.
One very interesting composition “The Power Of You” a message to a young man who doubted himself was Lady Pearl’s offering two years ago but it fell short of the judges’ approval. “You say you feel so insignificant… Like ah tiny grain of sand… of no importance. That is not true… that is not true. You’re a winner right from the very start. With the opportunity to play your part. So celebrate my son… the prize of life is you.”
The Junior Carnival Parade, first competitive festival event, in the city’s north west end attracted neighbourhood spectators and masquerade lovers from around the city. Children played themselves as they wore costumes designed by veteran Caribana bandleaders like Marlon Singh, Louis Saldenah, Curtis Eustace, Jamaal Magloire, Whitfield Belascoe, Jessie Matthews, Nip Davis, Courtney Doldron & Roshan Toolaram.
The unofficial results provided by the Festival management Committee, organizers of the festival Band of the year among the juniors were as follows: - 1st The Deep – Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah); 2nd Pirates – Carnival Nationz (Curtis Eustace); 3rd Alkebu’lan – Beyond The Nile – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)
Torontonians are ready to host visitors from around the world as they converge on this city to participate in one of North America’s biggest cultural festival – Scotia Caribana – produced by the Festival Management Committee. Caribbean cultural expressions are highlights of the celebration.
This weekend calypso lovers will be on hand to support their idols as they vie for the 2008 Canadian Calypso Monarch title. Nine contestants selected by a panel of judges from what was billed as an exciting music series will attempt to dethrone Structure, current holder of the title. Singers performed in two different calypso tents in the city – Kaiso Forum and The Professionals – exhibiting their craft and wit while presenting original Calypso and Soca compositions on social and political commentaries.
Saturday night’s line-up include Susan G (Susan Grogan) – Kaiso Forum; Naki (Nzunaki Tuitt) – The Professionals; Redman (Michael Thomas) – Kaiso Forum; Connector (Joel Davis) – Kaiso Forum; Structure (Bryan Thornhill) – Kaiso Forum; (defending 2007 OCPA Calypso Monarch); De Carra (Leslie Carabon) – Kaiso Forum; Beginner (Michael Moore) – The Professionals; Lady Pearl (Pearl Brereton-Robinson) – The Professional and Macomere Fifi (Tara Eulith Woods) – The Professional. Pan Man Pat (Patrick McNeilly) – The Professionals is the reserve performer.
This event offers composers a vehicle to present their best works although in the eyes of the panel of judges they may not walk away with the prize. Failure to capture the top prize could be blamed on multiple reasons on that fateful night. Over the years judges’ incompetence has surfaced without much being done to correct the situation.
One very interesting composition “The Power Of You” a message to a young man who doubted himself was Lady Pearl’s offering two years ago but it fell short of the judges’ approval. “You say you feel so insignificant… Like ah tiny grain of sand… of no importance. That is not true… that is not true. You’re a winner right from the very start. With the opportunity to play your part. So celebrate my son… the prize of life is you.”
The Junior Carnival Parade, first competitive festival event, in the city’s north west end attracted neighbourhood spectators and masquerade lovers from around the city. Children played themselves as they wore costumes designed by veteran Caribana bandleaders like Marlon Singh, Louis Saldenah, Curtis Eustace, Jamaal Magloire, Whitfield Belascoe, Jessie Matthews, Nip Davis, Courtney Doldron & Roshan Toolaram.
The unofficial results provided by the Festival management Committee, organizers of the festival Band of the year among the juniors were as follows: - 1st The Deep – Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah); 2nd Pirates – Carnival Nationz (Curtis Eustace); 3rd Alkebu’lan – Beyond The Nile – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)
King of the Carnival Bands Rudy Rampersad and his wife Queen Fara
Junior King of the Bands:- 1st Fabian Lee – Leo the Lion – Magic Of The Zodiac – Callalloo (Marlon Singh); 2nd Jerdine Calirson – Life of the People – What Cortez Saw – D Aztecs – Pleasure Players (Whitfield Belascoe) and 3rd Vaughn Shears – Pirates Graveyard – Pirates – Carnival Nationz (Curtis Eustace)
Junior Queen of the Bands:- 1st Paige Lewis – Molly Flanders – Pirates – Carnival Nationz (Curtis Eustace); 2nd Shamika Phillips – High Priestess of Africa – Alkebu’lan – Beyond The Nile – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire); 3rd Khyle Matthews – Rhythm of Rumba – Dancing With The Starz – Jessie Matthews & The Calabash Company (Jessie Matthews)
Junior Male Individual of the Year: - 1st Lashain Bennett – Warrior – Somewhere In The Orient – Nip Davis & Associates (Selwyn “Nip” Davis); 2nd Darian Joseph – Visions of the Shaman – Visions – Thru One’s Eyes – Toronto Caribbean Connection - TCC (Mervyn Skeete); 3rd Kishi King – The Young Nobel Warrior – VISIONS – Thru One’s Eyes – Toronto Caribbean Connection - TCC (Mervyn Skeete).
Junior Female Individual of the Year: - 1st Shenique Timothy – Aries Arising – Magic Of The Zodiac – Callaloo (Marlon Singh); 2nd Alissa Correira – Dance Zulu Dance – Alkebu’lan – Beyond The Nile – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire); 3rd Kanika Balgrove – Fire Gems – Jewels Of D’isles – Hcpi Mas Players Intl. (Courtney Doldron & Roshan Toolaram)
These same bandleaders will enter the adult competitors in the King and Queen Contest at Lamport Stadium Thursday July 31 and the grand street parade next week Saturday August 2 in their quest for royal supremacy during the 41st annual Caribana festival. Rudy Rampersad who won eleven King of the Caribana masquerade Bands titles and placed second a couple times over the past twenty years is not in this year’s competition. Rampersad got himself a wonderful gift last year – a wife who supports his mas playing avocation.
From our conversation Rudy’s decision is firm and there is no chance of swaying him into competing again. “I think I have to step back now. The costumes are getting larger and heavier and I feel it’s a little bit risky at my age to be carrying those things,” he reflected.
The mystic of Caribana is unmistakable. Spectators and masqueraders make repeat visits for the spectacle from the four corners of the globe. Whether it is the music, the masquerade or purely good hospitality, once they get a taste of Caribana they’re hooked for life. Dave DeCastro (de Bandit) won the Calypso Monarch title in 1969 with his composition “Caribana Is Coming”. It has been re-released on a new compact disc in time for this year’s festival – Sello and Theresa – Latin/Caribbean Flavours.
The song heralds the arrival of people in the city for the big fete Caribana, whose name they must remember. He promises whether sun or rain, “we playin’ mas like in Port of Spain.”
Junior Queen of the Bands:- 1st Paige Lewis – Molly Flanders – Pirates – Carnival Nationz (Curtis Eustace); 2nd Shamika Phillips – High Priestess of Africa – Alkebu’lan – Beyond The Nile – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire); 3rd Khyle Matthews – Rhythm of Rumba – Dancing With The Starz – Jessie Matthews & The Calabash Company (Jessie Matthews)
Junior Male Individual of the Year: - 1st Lashain Bennett – Warrior – Somewhere In The Orient – Nip Davis & Associates (Selwyn “Nip” Davis); 2nd Darian Joseph – Visions of the Shaman – Visions – Thru One’s Eyes – Toronto Caribbean Connection - TCC (Mervyn Skeete); 3rd Kishi King – The Young Nobel Warrior – VISIONS – Thru One’s Eyes – Toronto Caribbean Connection - TCC (Mervyn Skeete).
Junior Female Individual of the Year: - 1st Shenique Timothy – Aries Arising – Magic Of The Zodiac – Callaloo (Marlon Singh); 2nd Alissa Correira – Dance Zulu Dance – Alkebu’lan – Beyond The Nile – Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire); 3rd Kanika Balgrove – Fire Gems – Jewels Of D’isles – Hcpi Mas Players Intl. (Courtney Doldron & Roshan Toolaram)
These same bandleaders will enter the adult competitors in the King and Queen Contest at Lamport Stadium Thursday July 31 and the grand street parade next week Saturday August 2 in their quest for royal supremacy during the 41st annual Caribana festival. Rudy Rampersad who won eleven King of the Caribana masquerade Bands titles and placed second a couple times over the past twenty years is not in this year’s competition. Rampersad got himself a wonderful gift last year – a wife who supports his mas playing avocation.
From our conversation Rudy’s decision is firm and there is no chance of swaying him into competing again. “I think I have to step back now. The costumes are getting larger and heavier and I feel it’s a little bit risky at my age to be carrying those things,” he reflected.
The mystic of Caribana is unmistakable. Spectators and masqueraders make repeat visits for the spectacle from the four corners of the globe. Whether it is the music, the masquerade or purely good hospitality, once they get a taste of Caribana they’re hooked for life. Dave DeCastro (de Bandit) won the Calypso Monarch title in 1969 with his composition “Caribana Is Coming”. It has been re-released on a new compact disc in time for this year’s festival – Sello and Theresa – Latin/Caribbean Flavours.
The song heralds the arrival of people in the city for the big fete Caribana, whose name they must remember. He promises whether sun or rain, “we playin’ mas like in Port of Spain.”