By Lincoln DePradine The Coronavirus outbreak, which has forced the cancellation of large gatherings of people in cities around the world, and the adoption of other “social distancing’’ measures, could also impact this year’s Toronto Caribbean Carnival which is put on by the Festival Management Corporation (FMC). Carnival organizers, along with representatives of other festivals […]
By Stephen Weir The Sunlime Canada mas’ band’s annual launch is coming to a computer near you. On Sunday, March 29, the ever-popular medium sized band will be staging a live fashion show that can be seen only on the internet. “ We are trying something new for Toronto, a virtual launch,” said Sunlime spokesman […]
Editorial Will the virus kill the carnival? Mas’ makers who are already planning for the big Jump Up on “de Boulevard” this summer will tell you that they are not scared about the Coronavirus. Perhaps they are not as they push ahead with plans for their gaudy band launches. But there is growing concern that […]
By Stephen Weir April is the time in Toronto when Jerrol “Stretch” Augustine bandleader of EPIC Mas Launches his band and Stretch knows how to put on a fete. This year on April 18th his band is going to show the city just how exciting a band launch can be. The number one medium sized […]
By Stephen Weir Maybe it is time the annual carnival changed its name again. How about the Toronto and Brampton Caribbean Carnival? Newly minted band leader Johanna Grant, a long time Carnival reveller, is starting her own band – The Freedom Mas Band – and has already organized her mas camp in Brampton. She has […]
By Sherma Richards Downtown Port of Spain got its first taste of mas for Carnival 2020 on Friday 21st of February when the traditional characters parade on Friday. [ngg src=”galleries” ids=”35″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]
Veteran masqueraders Ted Eustace was crowned this year’s Carnival King in Trinidad early Monday morning. This represents the sixteenth time the Eustace family picked up the coveted trophy and the tenth time that brother Marcus Eustace who is the band leader of top Toronto band Carnival Nationz designed the winner. Eustace’s costume, “Lords Of De […]
By Stephen Weir Candice and Dwayne Dixon have launched a new competitive Mas Band that is using 21st cutting edge technology to put a new Wow factor into the costumes their dancers will be wearing down the road. Their name is SugaCayne, and the mas band already has a costume launch location and date, five […]
By Stephen Weir Last year photographer and long-time filmmaker Jenny Baboolal was a little green behind the ears when it came to starting a Mas Band. Now almost a year later, not only is she going green again but also plans to be bigger and better. “My belief is that Going Green is a win-win […]
OCPA appointed its new Board at the organization’s annual general meeting, which was held at end of 2019. The positions will be held up fall of 2021. The new President is none other than Pat “Panman Pat” McNeilly; the Secretary is Colleen Trotman; Treasurer is Tara Gonzalves, and Ossie Gurley is the Events and Program […]
