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 […]
By Stephen Weir Trinidad and Tobago’s 2020 Carnival is roaring down the track and Dr. Kim Johnson, author and film maker, has turned to social media to get his book about Pan on board! Last week on Facebook, postings began appearing about his IndieGoGo crowd funding campaign to reprint his seminal, Illustrated Story of Pan. […]
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 […]
By Lincoln DePradine The future of England’s Notting Hill Carnival is “challenging’’ and there is “dissonance’’ around the festival, says Ansel Wong, a Trinidad-born cultural and political activist. “In terms of the United Kingdom context, carnival can’t be stopped because it’s deeply rooted in the fabric of the society. It’s the major tourist event of […]
Two Black activists reflect on their struggles and journeys through the social, cultural and political landscapes of the United Kingdom. Zainab Abbas and Ansel Wong were leaders of the Black Liberation Front, a Third World revolutionary organization founded in North London in 1971. The Black Liberation Front combatted fascist violence in Britain, constructed “central communal […]
Machel Monday 10 will be the final show of the popular Carnival concert series. This surprise announcement was made by soca superstar Machel Montano, 45, during his first official performance for the 2020 Carnival season at Black 2 Blue Breakfast Party on Saturday morning. The ten-time Road March champion did not give a clear reason […]
By: SW. Photos By: Herman Silochan Long considered the soul of Caribana and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, John Kam, 68-year former bandleader and festival executive, passed away last Monday after a lengthy illness. The funeral will be held on Friday (tomorrow) November 22, at 10 am at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Sheppard Avenue East […]
Keeping parang soca alive in Canada Whoever said that parang soca is a dying art form, should have attended the 19th annual Lime put on by Joan Alexander and Friends on Sunday at the Metropolitan Centre in Scarborough. Hundreds filled the hall for what is arguably the biggest annual parang soca show in Canada. […]
Sharlan Bailey, aka Dread Wizard, son of the late Winston “Shadow” Bailey, released his first 2020 offering, Shadow Son, last Friday. The song, in which the Dread Wizard identifies who he is, has a haunting bass line reminiscent of Shadow’s Dat Soca Boat. It was recorded at Nexrise studios, produced by Bailey and mixed by […]
