Harbourfront Centre spotlights the diversity and creativity of Toronto through 'CARNIVALISSIMA'

Machel Montano to perform a FREE 90 minute
concert at CARNIVALISSIMA

Harbourfront Centre spotlights the diversity and creativity of Toronto through 'CARNIVALISSIMA'

From June 8th - 10th, downtown Toronto's waterfront will be transformed into a 'Carnival Square', filled with music, dance, arts and more. Produced by Luminato and Harbourfront Centre, Carnivalissma is will be a spectacular fusion of local, national and international performances. The festival will engage 'Carnival' traditions from all over the world; including Brazil, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba, Africa, Columbia and more. According to event producers, "never before have all of the world's festivals been combined in a celebration of this nature". Best of all, the event is free to the public all weekend.

Some of the 'Caribbean Carnival' highlights will include; steelpan performances by Afropan and Pan Fantasy, a dance workshop by Tamla Matthews, Calypso Calabash, Chutney Soca Jubilee, and a 90 minute concert by the most sought after Soca phenom Machel Montano.

Carnivalissima kicks-off at Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West) from June 8-10, 2007.

Carnivalissima Event Schedule:

Friday June 8
~ Viva Mexico, 6:45pm - Congo Square
~ The Masquerade Ball, 8:00pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ Buckwheat Zydeco, 8:00pm - Concert Stage
~ Brazil Nativa, 9:00pm - Congo Square
~ Dirty Dozen Brass Band, 9:30pm - Concert Stage
~ Nick "Brownman" Ali & Cruzao Grupo Monstroso, 11:00pm - Brigantine Room
~ Banethi - Fire Performance, 11:00pm - Congo Square


Saturday June 9
~ Symphonyx Steel Orchestra, 1:00pm - Topsy Turvy Lawn Stage
~ Afropan Steelband, 1:00pm - Congo Square
~ Past Perfect with Jeannette Zyngg of Opera Atelier, 1:00pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ The Magic Flute - Shoestring Opera, 1:45pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ Shiamak Indo Jazz, 2:00pm - Topsy Turvy Lawn Stage
~ Symphonyx Steel Orchestra, 2:30pm - Topsy Turvy Lawn Stage
~ Tambora Sinaloense "La Mazatleca", 2:30pm - Congo Square
~ Big Chief Brian Nelson and the Mardi Gras Indian Collective, 2:45pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ Magia Negra, 4:00pm - Topsy Turvy Street Tent
~ Chutney Soca Jubilee, 4:30pm - Concert Stage
~ Big Chief Brian Nelson and the Mardi Gras Indian Collective, 4:30pm - Congo Square
~ Lisa Odjig and Eddy Robinson, 5:30pm - Topsy Turvy Lawn Stage
~ Voodoo Magic, 5:30pm - Grand Carnival Café
~ Escola de Samba de Toronto, 8:00pm - Concert Stage
~ Rumba Iyabo - Cuban Batta Drummers and Dance, 8:00pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ FireWalk, 8:30pm - Congo Square
~ Guiomar Campbell and Parabolica, 8:30pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ Capoeria, 9:00pm - Congo Square
~ Olodum, 9:30pm - Concert Stage
~ Maracatu Nunca Antes, 9:45pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ Guiomar Campbell and Parabolica, 10:00pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ Baro Dunumba, 11:00pm - Brigantine Room
~ Banethi - Fire Performance, 11:00pm - Congo Square
~ Dancing with DJ John Santos, 11pm to 1am - Carnivalissima Tent

Sunday June 10
~ Swiss Band, 1:00pm - Congo Square
~ Tamla Matthews, 1:30pm - Congo Square
~ Ngoma Dance and Drum Ensemble, 2:00pm - Topsy Turvy Lawn Stage
~ Voodoo Magic, 2:30pm - Grand Carnival Café
~ Pan Fantasy Steelband, 2:30pm - Topsy Turvy Street Tent
~ Calypso Calabash, 3:00pm - Carnivalissima Tent
~ Pan Fantasy Steelband, 3:00pm - Congo Square
~ Rhema Concert Choir, 3:30pm - Topsy Turvy Lawn Stage
~ Machel Montano HD, 4:00pm - Concert Stage
~ Lisa Odjig and Eddy Robinson, 4:15pm - Topsy Turvy Lawn Stage
~ Voodoo Magic, 5:30pm - Grand Carnival Café
~ Tout monde ca Danse (The whole world is dancing) 5:30pm - Congo Square

See www.harbourfrontcentre.com/luminato/carnivalissima/music.php for full event schedule and performance details.

For more info call 416-973-4000 or visit http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/luminato/carnivalissima/

Carnival Nationz vie for a 3-peat; the post-launch update

Sunday May 27th, 2007 -- Defending Toronto CARIBANA champions 'CARNIVAL NATIONZ' unveiled their 2007 offering to a sold out venue last night at Next Level nightclub. CARIBANA revellers got a full serving of what to expect on the road come August 4th.

CARNIVAL NATIONZ' 2K7 presentation entitled 'THE BIG TOP' engages a circus theme and offers 11 sections; including 'Jugglers', 'Cotton Candy', 'Sexy Clowns', 'Siberian Tigers', 'Lion Tamers', 'Acrobats' and much more.

The two time CARIBANA 'Band of the Year' winners will vie for a 3-peat in only their third year competing in CARIBANA. Another win this August will preserve the leading mas band's undefeated record and will solidify their quest in becoming a Carnival dynasty.

Bandleaders Bryce Aguiton, Dwayne Pitt, Curtis Eustace and Marcus Eustace first introduced their mas band 'CARNIVAL NATIONZ' in 2005 and shocked the city with their winning presentation 'Dis is Paradise'. In 2006 Toronto celebrated 'V La Copa Mundial' as CARNIVAL NATIONZ payed tribute to the 'Soca Warriors' and swept almost every major prize in the festival (including Band of the Year, King of the Bands, Queen of the Bands and Best Male Individual).

The Eustace brothers have not only tallied countless wins with CARIBANA legend 'Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club' in previous years, they also hold the record for the most Trinidad & Tobago 'KING OF CARNIVAL' titles (tied with Peter Samuel with 8th wins). Bryce (IslandBoyz.com) is one of Toronto's top event promoters and Dwayne (http://www.dbandit.com/) is also a top promoter and international DJ. Together, this cast of young minds have produced benchmark events such as 'Redemption', 'Boarding Pass Fete', 'Scream', 'Memoirs of Soca', 'All Ah We' and 'Unite D Nationz'.

No strangers to success, the CARNIVAL NATIONZ committee will be on the hunt to cop yet another 'Band of the Year' title and continue their path to Carnival 'Hall of Fame' greatness.

CARNIVAL NATIONZ registration opens next Saturday (June 2nd) at the Mas Camp (533 McNicoll Ave @ Victoria Park) from 3pm. Registration fee is $145 CAD for regular costumes and frontline sections are available at a premium. Four kiddies sections will also be available for the annual Junior Caribana parade.

For more information call 416.676.6504 or visit www.CarnivalNationz.com.

To view photos from last nights launch, see www.toronto-lime.com/pictures/carnival/2007/070526_carnival_nationz_launch/

http://www.toronto-lime.com/news/news_2007_carnival_nationz_launched.htm

Order of the bands announced for CARIBANA 2K7

Saturday May 26th, 2007 -- The drawing of parade positions by the sixteen CARIBANA bandleaders took place earlier today. Errol Achue's Mas Toronto will lead off the parade, followed by Saldenah Mas-K Club. Jamaal Magloire's band (now called Toronto Revellers) is third in the line-up and defending Band of the year champ Carnival Nationz is fourth. (For the full order of appearance, please see below).

Several bands have already launched their 2007 presentations and have begun accepting costume registrations; including Callaloo (www.callaloo.net), Tribal Knights (www.tribalknights.com), Saldenah Mas-K Club (www.saldenahcarnival.com) and Toronto Revellers (www.torontorevellers.com).

For a preview of the 2007 costumes, go to www.toronto-lime.com/pictures to view photos from the recent launches.

Upcoming CARIBANA band launches include Carnival Nationz (May 26 @ Next Level), Evolution Carnival (June 2 @ Fox & Fiddle), Toronto Caribbean Connection (June 2 @ Sugar Lounge), Burrokeete Canada (June 8 @ Valdrina's), Mas Toronto (June 9 @ Thornhill Community Centre), Bazodee Connection (June 16 @ Bazodee Mas Camp).

For a full listing of CARIBANA Mas Band information (incl. mas camp locations, pricing, contact info, websites, launch dates, etc) see www.toronto-lime.com/carnival/toronto_mascamps.htm

The order of appearance for the 40th annual CARIBANA street parade will be as follows:
# -- Band Name -- Bandleader -- 2007 Presentation
1 -- Mas Toronto -- Errol Achue -- "PETIT MONDE"
2 -- Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club -- Louis Saldenah -- "THE RAINFOREST"
3 -- Toronto Revellers -- Jamaal Magloire -- "VIVA LAS VEGAS"
4 -- Carnival Nationz -- Curtis Eustace -- "THE BIG TOP"
5 -- The Calabash Company -- Jessie Matthews -- "THRYTHM OF LIFE"
6 -- Arnold Hughes & Assoc. -- Arnold Hughes -- "QUEST FOR GOLD"
7 -- Callaloo -- Marlon Singh -- "THE CONQUEST OF ALEXANDER"
8 -- Toronto Caribbean Connection -- Mervyn Skeete -- "FUSION"
9 -- Scarborough Caribbean Sports Club -- Alvin Adore -- "REFLECTIONS 2K7"
10 -- Bazodee Connection -- Cecil & Roz Roach -- "THE ENCHANTED GARDEN OF SOCALAND"
11 -- Pleasure Players -- Whitfield Balasco -- "AMAZONIA"
12 -- Evolution Carnival -- Andre & Ken Defreitas -- "DREAMSEEKERS"
13 -- Mas Players Int'l -- Melissa & Courtney Doldron -- "DANCING SPIRIT OF RESILIENCE"
14 -- Nip Davis & Associates -- Selwyn "Nip" Davis -- "IN FLIGHT"
15 -- Borokeete Canada -- Frank Ramsaroop -- "ATLANTIS"
16 -- Tribal Knights -- Dexter Seusahai -- "TRIBAL KNIGHTS"



http://www.toronto-lime.com/news/news_2007_caribana_order_announced.htm

CARIBANA gets an injection from Caribbean Vibration's SIN CITY.

Toronto Carnival, August 4, 2007 will turn forty this year and it will have a new injection of style with the addition of the new section in the band Toronto Revellers "Viva Las Vegas."

The section is called Sin City (designed by Royette of TV's Caribbean Vibrations, currently in it's fifth year.) Royette has travelled to Carnivals around the world playing Mas with bands such as Island People in Trinidad, Louis Saldenah in Toronto and Bacchanal Jamaica. She came right back to her hometown to create Sin City, a Section that could compete in any of the world Carnivals, with it's sophistication, while keeping in line with the theme of "Viva Las Vegas" and what it has to offer. Toronto Carnival boasts one million visitors each year and is now the biggest North American Carnival.

The Section Leader of Sin City, Royette, invites you to come enjoy Mas and revelry in Toronto with Sin City... only if you are up for pure intoxicating excitement.
For more information call Alain (647) 889-7589 email - royaltyp@gmail.com



http://www.toronto-lime.com/news/news_2007_cv_sin_city.htm

http://www.toronto-lime.com/ www.MySpace.com/TorontoLime

Zoelah is number one and two in SVG – A first look at St. Vincent’s hottest new Soca vixen.

By Karen L. Richardson (07-05-20)



Everybody crawls before they can walk, but one soca baby is taking leaps ahead of the competition. Zoelah Boyde is the sassy voice behind “Go Down Low”, an instant ladies anthem shooting straight up the charts in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Her steady climb to success was accelerated by winning the Best New Song competition at the recent Vincy Mas Carnival Launching at the Chamber of Commerce Car Park in Kingstown.

“At the new song competition, the crowd went crazy before she even went on stage,” said manager Alex ‘Kubiyashi’ Barnwell. Zoelah successfully crushed the opposition she has not looked back since.

“I feel it’s a blessing,” said Zoelah retracing her steps in the music industry. The 22-year-old hails from Campden Park, a suburb of the capital that is also home to former Vincy Soca Monarch and OECS Soca Monarch Bomani.

She was just 17 when she began touring as a frontline vocalist with Signal. After contributing her crystal vocals to the mix for nearly two years, Zoelah set out on her own to release 'In and Out' for Vincy Mas 2003.

Next she would move to Tortola where she continued to sing. Zoelah returned to St. Vincent with a bang in 2006. Kicking Dust earned her a place in the Soca Monarch Finals. Dressed in white, and dancing up storm, no one could deny this was a talent to watch.

“In S.V.G. Zoelah is number one and number two,” said manager Alex Barnwell. Boyde’s second carnival release 'Fly Away' perks the ears immediately due to a chorus line reminiscent of Kelly Clarkson’s Since You’ve Been Gone. But make no mistake, Zoelah’s sound is completely fresh.

“I want to keep soca music cultural. When I hear a riddim, I start thinking about lyrics and melodies and real Caribbean party vibes,” said Zoelah. That was her writing process for 'Go Down Low'. Add top soca arranger/producer, Kubiyashiof Non-Fiction Recordings to the Callaloo and you’ve got yourself a hit. The rest of the recipe fell into place thanks to guitarist Zan George, whose rock inspired accents give the song its gritty edge.

“She almost sounds like a young Destra,” said DJ Chief, a Toronto-based club disk jockey co-host of the World Wide Wake Up Show on 89.5 FM. At this stage, only a handful of DJ’s outside the Caribbean have Zoelah’s music in their bag of tricks. However, her voice continues to bellow over the airwaves and in the dancehalls.

“[It] is everywhere. It’s in Canada. It’s in England. So after July I hope to be very busy travelling outside of St. Vincent,” said Zoelah. The international response indicates she may be doing just that.

For more information on Zoelah visit www.myspace.com/zoelah.

http://www.toronto-lime.com/news/news_2007_zoelah.htm

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TORONTO-LIME.com is the world's leading Caribbean entertainment website. It is THE most popular entertainment website of its kind; now attracting over 100,000 "unique" visitors and generating more than 8,000,000 hits daily. In September 2006, Toronto-Lime.com was honoured with the 'Favorite Soca Website' award by the SAO International Soca Awards. The site is not only currently ranked the number one Caribbean website, but is also ranked amongst the top 6,000 websites globally, according to market researchers.

As a TORONTO-LIME.com contributer you'll produce material which contains original content (articles, reviews, FAQs) written by you.

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Swanky International sweeps at Grand Cayman's Batabano Carnival

Grand Cayman - Saturday May 5th, 2007 -- New Carnival mas band 'SWANKY INTERNATIONAL' led by top radio personality Graig Frederick (Festa from Hot 104.1FM) took top honors at Grand Cayman's Annual Batabano Carnival today; including 'King of Carnival', 'Queen of Carnival' and 'Band of the Year'.

This year's presentation 'Cayman Fanta-Sea' was produced by Toronto mas group 'Tribal Knights' led by Dexter Seusahai who is a 15 year veteran in the business. Tribal Knights will also launch their very own presentation for Toronto's Caribana this coming weekend (May 12) at the Ramada Hotel. For more info on Tribal Knights see www.tribalknightscom.

Photos from Batabano 2007 are available at www.toronto-lime.com/pictures/carnival/2007/070505_batabano
Swanky International will also be producing a section for Toronto CARIBANA with Tribal Knights. Updates will be posted at www.swanky.ky.

Official Batabano Results are as follows:
Band of the Year - Swanky International
King of Carnival - Swanky International
Queen of Carnival - Swanky International
Spirit of Batabano - Sailors


Swanky Int'l Bandleader Craig Frederick celebrates with the ladies

http://www.toronto-lime.com/news/news_2007_swanky_sweeps_batabano.htm