By Stephen Weir Photos By Anthony Berot Carnivals around the world, in their full glory, have not been held since the early days of the pandemic. Two summers, but now at least in Toronto plans are afoot for a triumphant return to the streets of Toronto. The world famous Toronto Caribbean Carnival has a story. […]
By Stephen Weir Photographer Anthony Berot is taking his art to the streets, even if it means that he and his Mas Model must be prepared to dodge cars, bikes, and bell-ringing streetcars. For the past 12 years, Berot has been the official photographer of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival taking pictures of it all, […]
By Stephen Weir When it comes to Carnival, Canada’s longest serving Mas Man, Michael Williams is never off duty, except next Sunday. He started the D’Regulars in 1973 and now 49-years later with a slightly different name, he will be presenting a costume launch for this year’s Mas Band. Canada’s Armed Forces generals are […]
By Stephen Weir Trinidad and Tobago marks the 60th anniversary of its independence this summer, and has asked their best friends to help celebrate. Earlier this week the twin-island nation sent out an invitation to Torontonians to take part in a number of diamond anniversary fetes and events taking place in Toronto and Brampton beginning […]
By Stephen Weir Forgot how busy summer is in the city of Toronto? The weekly Caribbean Camera carnival list begins here. With the Covid Pandemic apparently in retreat, Carnival event planners have quickly booked event halls, outdoor concert venues and even amusement parks for every weekend of the spring and summer all beginning this weekend. […]
By Stephen Weir A new release and theme song by the president of the The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA), Henry Gomez, is going to be launched to commemorate the 55th or Emerald Anniversary of Caribana/Toronto Caribbean Carnival. The gem that the Caribbean people created when called upon to contribute to Canada’s Centennial celebrations […]
“The people of Toronto are hungry, hungry, hungry for carnival and 2022 is going to be the year.” By Stephen Weir Louis Saldenah, Canada’s most winning Mas Man said it before last month’s Saldenah Carnival’s Streets of Fire costume launch and he is saying it now for sure. “I told you so! The people of […]
A samba group which highlighted prejudices against Afro-Brazilian religions has been crowned as the champion of this year’s hotly-contested carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro. The Grande Rio Samba School won its first title with a song, costume and floats that paid tribute to Exú, a god revered by many African cultures. Afro-BraRio Carnival: […]
There will be a tribute to the late carnival and OSA volunteer Michael Phillip. Recognition of Trinidad and Tobago 60th independence anniversary By Lincoln DePradine President of the Ontario Steelpan Association (OSA), Terrence Wilson, says a “spectacular’’ musical event could be expected from steel orchestras as part of this year’s Toronto Carnival. Steelbands will perform […]
D&S Group, a Toronto brokerage firm, and Atlantic Mas Foundation, a Caribbean cultural organization, announced last Friday in Pickering the approval of a non-profit long-term care home in Durham that will provide ”designated spaces” for the Afro-Caribbean cultural community. Atlantic Mas Foundation is the license holder for the project – the first of its kind […]
