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/

Caribbean Folk Performers promote Caribbean culture through music, dance and fitness with 'SOCASIZE'

Toronto, Wednesday April 18th, 2007 -- After almost 20 years of promoting Afro-Caribbean culture mainly through dance, the Caribbean Folk Performers (CFP) continue to strive toward creating new programs to benefit the community. Their latest addition to their already extensive repertoire includes a special fitness workshop called SOCASIZE™.

The new program is an exhilarating aerobics work-out combined with an Afro-Caribbean dance workshop and consists of aerobic and strength training, along with various dance movements to Soca music and African drumming.

To date CFP has hosted several workshops within the GTA and have attracted from individuals from all age groups and all walks of life, including many young professionals and students. SOCASIZE™ is an alternative to having to go to the gym three times a week. It's the equivalent to having a regular daily fifteen minute daily workout, but compressed into a one day 2 hour session." says CFP founder and artistic director Cheryl Findlay. "It is designed for individuals that do not have the time to exercise during the week or simply don't have the motivation to keep fit.

SOCASIZE™ workshops are held monthly (usually on a Sunday from 2-4pm) at various dance studios around the GTA.

About Caribbean Folk Performers
Caribbean Folk Performers is a Toronto based company of exciting dancers and musicians. Their beautifully costumed drummers and dancers constantly have audiences cheering for more. Specializing in Afro-Caribbean dance; including Limbo, Calypso, Shango, Sokou, Brakata, Bele, Pique and more, CFP continues to dazzle audience around the world with their famous 'Flaming Limbo' and 'Bottle Dances'. Founded in 1988 by Cheryl Findlay, Eddison Lindsay, Janice Dyer and Marlene Richardson, the company is committed to preserving and promoting traditional African and Indigenous Caribbean Culture through dance, music and drama.

For show bookings or classes please contact via e-mail: cfp1@rogers.com

For more information on upcoming workshops please contact:
Cheryl Findlay 416-560-2783
Ayanna Lee-Rivears (416) 728-5545
Tamara Alleyne-Gittens (647) 299-7427

www.myspace.com/caribbeanfolkperformers