TORONTO-LIME.com: Mas in Yuh Rass... who to jump with?

Over the past weekend, two more big bands launched their presentations (Saldenah Mas-K & Evolution Toronto) and either did not dissappoint.

With only a couple Mas Bands still left to launch (including Mas Toronto & Toronto Caribbean Connection; launching this weekend - June 7), Toronto revellers not only have a vast selection to choose from, but will have the difficult task of deciding who they should 'JUMP UP' with.

Masqueraders usually factor in several elements before making a decision on who they should 'chip' down the Lakeshore with; including cost, music on the road and parade position.

Below is the most updated listing of Mas Bands along with all their details. Most bands today are 'All-Inclusive', but of course as you may know it is illegal to advertise such perks in Ontario. You may wish to inquire with your bandleader and section leader before registering.

Also listed below are the Steelbands performing at the parade. Click on the link to view contact info if you wish to particpate or visit the panyards.

:: Toronto CARIBANA Mas Bands 2008 ::
(in order of appearance)

Parade Position: #1
Borokeete Canada (Frank Ramsaroop)
2008 Presentation:"HIDDEN TREASURES"
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: 7
Costume Price: $100.00 - $130.00
Kiddies Costumes: $50.00
Mas Camp Location: 363 Bering Ave, Etobicoke (South of Bloor St /East of Kipling Ave S.)
Mas Camp Hours: 11am-11pm (open from June 7)
Phone: 416-234-1551 905-823-2795
Email: info@borokeetecanada.com
Website: www.borokeetecanada.com
2008 Launch Date: Sat May 3rd @ Clarkson Community Centre
Launch Photos: N/A

Parade Position: #2
Tribal Knights (Dexter Seusahai)
2008 Presentation: "DEEP RISING"
Music on de Road: Blaxx (from Roy Cape), Mr Playhouse, Eternal Vibes (Miami), Giselle D Wassi One (Miami), Crystal Vibez, Platinum sounds (New York), Jason Chambers (FLOW 93.5FM), De Outlawz, MarXman (KOS)
Number of Sections: 9
Costume Price: $140 $220+ (Frontline)
Kiddies Costumes: FREE with registration of adult costume
Mas Camp Location: 2410 Lawrence Ave East, Unit #16 (Lawrence & Kennedy)
Mas Camp Hours: Sun-Thur 1pm-8pm, Fri and Sat 1pm-12am
Phone: 416-396-3780 (camp) 416-893-1867 (cell)
Email: carnivalartsent@hotmail.com
Website: www.TribalKnights.com
2008 Launch Date: May 17 '08 @ Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay E)
Launch Photos: toronto-lime.com/pictures/fetes/2008/080517_soca_or_die_pt1/

Parade Position: #3
Carnival Nationz (Curtis Eustace)
2008 Presentation: "PIRATES"
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: 9
Costume Price: $155
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 533 McNicoll Ave
Mas Camp Hours: 7pm-10pm weekdays 2pm-6pm weekends (open from June 7)
Phone: 416-676-6504 416-565-4079
Email: fortressnorth@hotmail.com
Website: www.CarnivalNationz.com
2008 Launch Date: May 24 '08 @ The Solarium
Launch Photos: toronto-lime.com/pictures/carnival/2008/080524_carnival_nationz_launch

Parade Position: #4
Toronto Revellers (Jamaal Magloire)
2008 Presentation: "ALKEBU'LAN - BEYOND THE NILE"
Music on de Road: T&T Sounds, Dr. Jay, DJ Chief, Soca Monarchs and more
Number of Sections: 11
Costume Price: $150 (Frontline: $350 and up)
Kiddies Costumes: 6 Sections ($55 - $75 depending on size)
Mas Camp Location: 1320 Ellesemere Rd, Scarborough, ON M1P 2X9
Mas Camp Hours: Daily 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Phone: 416-412-1424

Email: carnival@jamaalmagloire.com
Website: www.TorontoRevellers.com
2008 Launch Date: May 10 '08 @ Armenian Comm. Centre (45 Hallcrown Place)
Launch Photos: toronto-lime.com/pictures/carnival/2008/080510_toronto_revellers_launch

Parade Position: #5
Toronto Caribbean Connection - TCC (Mervyn Skeete)
2008 Presentation: "VISIONS-THRU ONE'S EYES"
Music on de Road: DJs Bad Lad, Audiotainment, Soca Supreme, Stretch da Real Ting
Number of Sections: 7
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 1970 Ellesmere Road, Unit # 2, Scarborough
Mas Camp Hours: Mon to Thu 6pm-11pm, Fri & Sat 1pm-midnite, Sun 1pm-10pm
Phone: 416-289-1700 416-492-5584 647-295-5584
Email: moskeete@aol.com VISIONSTCC@aol.com
Website: www.tocarnival.com
2008 Launch Date: June 7th, 2008 @ Sugar Lounge
Launch Photos: N/A

Parade Position: #6
Callaloo (Marlon Singh)
2008 Presentation: "MAGIC OF THE ZODIAC"
Music on de Road: Kerwin Du Bois, Shal Marshall, Blaxx, Blazer Dan, Rita Jones, Ghetto Flex, JMC 3Veni, Foreign Bass (NY), DJ Shiva, BASS (89.5FM), Blackberry Soundcrew, DJ Spinz, Gemstone Int'l, Tony Soul (Miami)
Number of Sections: 10
Costume Price: $135 (Basic) $200 (Frontline)
Kiddies Costumes: Inquire @ The MasCamp
Mas Camp Location: 116 Howden Rd, Unit 3 (Off Lawrence Ave, West of Birchmount
Mas Camp Hours: noon - 11pm
Phone: 416-757-9MAS (9627) 416-576-0694
Email: marlonsingh@aol.com callaloocarnival@aol.com callaloo_mas@hotmail.com
Website: www.callaloo.net
2008 Launch Date: Sat Apr 26 @ Viva City
Launch Photos: toronto-lime.com/pictures/carnival/2008/080426_callaloo_launch

Parade Position: #7
Mas Toronto (Errol Achue)
2008 Presentation: "HEROES"
Music on de Road: DJ Bad Lad , CG the Soca General and K.V Charles from T&T and more
Number of Sections: 8
Costume Price: $120.00 - $170.00
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: Tam Heather
Country Club - 730 Military Trail, Scarborough, (west of Morningside)
Mas Camp Hours: Mon-Thur 6-10:00pm Sat 6-11pm Sun 6pm-8pm
Phone: 416-282-7712

Email: info@mastoronto.com
Website: www.mastoronto.com
2008 Launch Date: Sat June 7th, 2008 @ Embers Banquet Hall
Launch Photos: N/A

Parade Position: #8
Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club (Louis Saldenah)
2008 Presentation: "THE DEEP"
Music on de Road: Dil-E-Nadan (from Trinidad) Soca Vibes, D'Enforcas, Soca Prophets, Soca 101, Wuk Up Productions
Number of Sections: 12
Costume Price: $140
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 1530 Birchmount Rd, (Just South of Ellesmere)
Mas Camp Hours: Daily noon-11pm (open from June 7)
Phone: mas camp 416-444-9118 cell 416-560-4419
Email: saldenah@hotmail.com
Website: www.saldenahcarnival.com
2008 Launch Date: May 31 '08 @ Embers Banquet Hall
Launch Photos: www.toronto-lime.com/pictures/carnival/2008/080531_saldenah_launch

Parade Position: #9
Pleasure Players (Whitfield Balasco)
2008 Presentation: "WHAT CORTEZ SAW? AZTEC"
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 45 Ernest Avenue
Mas Camp Hours: 11am-10pm
Phone: 905-568-9136
Email: werfamily2@hotmail.com
Website: N/A
2008 Launch Date: TBA
Launch Photos: N/A

Parade Position: #10
Nip Davis & Associates (Selwyn "Nip" Davis)
2008 Presentation:"SOMEWHERE IN THE ORIENT"
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 60 Barbados Blvd, unit 4 & 5
Mas Camp Hours: 11am-midnight
Phone: 416-849-5988 647-426-3060
Email: nipdavis@hotmail.com
Website: www.nipdavis.com
2008 Launch Date: TBA
Launch Photos: N/A

Parade Position: #11
Jessie Matthews & The Calabash Company (Jessie Matthews)
2008 Presentation: "DANCING WITH THE STARZ"
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: 6
Costume Price: $90 - $100
Kiddies Costumes: $55
Mas Camp Location: 85 Dynamic Drive, unit 2A, Markham (off McNichols/Markham)
Mas Camp Hours: 12noon - 12midnight (open from June 16th)
Phone: 905-470-2738 647-882-0037 416-283-2238 416 754 0955
Email: jessandconso@yahoo.ca
Website: www.jessiematthews.com myspace.com/calabashcompany
2008 Launch Date: TBA
Launch Photos: N/A

Parade Position: #12
Evolution Carnival (Andre & Ken Defreitas)
2008 Presentation: "EXOTICA"
Music on de Road: Renegades
Number of Sections: 6
Costume Price: $120
Kiddies Costumes: $50 or One free with One Adult registration
Mas Camp Location: 299 Campbell Ave, unit 1
Mas Camp Hours: Mon-Thu 12pm-6pm; Fri 12pm-8pm; Sat 12pm-10pm; Sun 12pm-7pm

Opening & BBQ: Sun June 22/08 @ 2 pm
Phone: 416-516-6357
Email: info@evolutioncarnival.com
Website: www.evolutioncarnival.com
2008 Launch Date: Saturday May 31 @ Lions Gate Lounge
Launch Photos: toronto-lime.com/pictures/carnival/2008/080531_evolution_toronto_launch

Parade Position: #13
Mas Players Int'l (Courtney
Doldron & Roshan Toolaram)
2008 Presentation: "JEWELS of D'ISLES"
Music on de Road: DJ Hitman, Production Sounds & Calm
Number of Sections: 6
Costume Price: $80.00
Kiddies Costumes: $35.00
Mas Camp Location: 1780 Albion Rd. Unit # 5, next to Caribbean Temptation Rest. & Bar in the Albion-27 Plaza
Mas Camp Hours: Open from 6pm on weekdays, 1pm on weekends
Phone: Mas Camp 416-745-0542 Courtney 416-579-7875
Email: csdoldron@gmail.com
Website: hitmanentertainment.com ilovesoca.com
2008 Launch Date: Saturay May 31st @ Caribbean Temptation 416-744-2113
Launch Photos: N/A

Parade Position: #14
Phoenix (Troy Logan)
2008 Presentation: "RISE FROM THE ASHES"
Music on de Road: Dee Jay Lexx, Fire Kid Steenie, Greenz Connection
Number of Sections: 4
Costume Price: $120 (All-Inclusive) $200 Frontline
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 85 Dynamic Rd. #2A (Markham North above Finch/West on McNicoll to Dynamic)
Mas Camp Hours: Fri 7pm-2am Sat 3pm-10pm Sun 3pm-12am
Phone: 647-218-6812

Email: info@phoenixmas.com

Website: http://www.phoenixmas.com/
2008 Launch Date: Sat June 14th @ Palazzo Entertainment Complex
Launch Photos: N/A

Parade Position: #15

Russel / Jerry Jerome
2008 Presentation: "RHYTHMS"
Music on de Road: TBA
Number of Sections: TBA
Costume Price: TBA
Kiddies Costumes: TBA
Mas Camp Location: 2490 St. Clair Ave W, unit 2
Mas Camp Hours: TBA
Phone: 416-767-3873
Email: N/A
Website: N/A
2008 Launch Date: TBA
Launch Photos: N/A