41st TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL (CARIBANA) FESTIVAL
It began as the Toronto Caribbean community's salute to Canada's Centennial year. Now in its second millennium, its fifth decade and its 41st year, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) Festival is one of North America's greatest celebrations, attracting an estimated million participants annually. Rooted in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, it has become an international festival where you might experience Jamaican reggae, Brazilian samba or African djembe rhythms alongside Latin salsa, Haitian zouk or urban sounds, all blended with calypso and soca vibes.
Luminat'eau: Carnival H2O (formerly "Carnivalissima")
Location: Harbourfront
Date: Friday, June 13 - Sunday, June 15, 2008
Timings: Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Scotiabank Caribana is a participant in this event – a spectacular water themed finale of the LuminaTO: Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity produced by LuminaTO and Harbourfront Centre.
Calypso Tents Music Series
Location: De Great Iron Pot, 55 Nugget Avenue, Scarborough
Location: Calypso City, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
Dates: Fridays, Sat & Sun from June 13 - July 13, 2008
Timings: 8:00 p.m. - Midnight
This is an exciting annual showcase of Canada's best Calypso and Soca original music for the Caribana Festival. The series runs three nights each week (Friday Sunday) at various venues in Toronto, each night featuring a different cast of singers and 'live' bands performing Calypso in its best storytelling tradition: social and political commentary, humor and wit.
Official Launch
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall
Date:Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Timings: Noon - 2:00 pm
This official ceremony launches the activities for the 2008 Caribana Festival Season. Patrons can meet and mingle with Federal, Provincial and Municipal officials, Caribana representatives and sponsors while sampling Caribbean and international cuisine. It is a snapshot of what's in store over the coming weeks.
Junior Carnival
Location: Shoreham Drive | Yorkgate Mall
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008
Timings: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Junior Carnival provides festival-goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the thrills and joys as young masqueraders participate in their early festival years
Art Exhibition
Location: Royal Ontario Museum
Date: Thursday, July 24 – Monday, Aug 4, 2008
Timings: Noon - 9:00 pm
A Visual Art Exhibition – COLOURblind International – ‘Roots to Rhythm’ produced by the Association of African Canadian Artists. An intriguing collection of over 60 works that have been influenced by our journey.
Caribana Gala
Location: Liberty Grand – Exhibition Place
Date: Friday, July 25, 2008
Timings: 7:00 pm – 1:00 am
An elegant evening of style and glamour, celebrating Caribana and paying tribute to its pioneers. Proceeds from this event will be directed to a Caribana Foundation.
'Kaiso 365' Calypso Monarch Finals
Location: Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Timings: 8:00 pm - 1:00 am
This is where the Calypso Monarch is crowned. Come and see the best and biggest Canadian Calypsonians battle for the crown. From the topical to the lyrical, the sweet Soca rhythms will lift you out of your seat and get you moving.
King & Queen Show
Location: Lamport Stadium
Date: Thursday, July 31, 2008
Timings: 7:00 pm - Midnight
On the Thursday evening before Caribana Day the Kings and Queens of the Bands meet to do battle. Like peacocks they will primp and preen, eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from the audience. It is an honour for any participant to be enthroned the King or Queen of Scotiabank Caribana 2008. The King and Queen symbolically have the keys to the city, freedom of the streets. Their movements are supposed to be uninhibited. Band members and onlookers alike are to give them the respect, even if mockingly, usually accorded to real-life royalty.
Pan Alive
Location: Lamport Stadium
Date: Friday, August 1, 2008
Timings: 7:00 pm - Midnight
A thrilling evening showcasing the musical and tonal qualities of the steelpan as members of the Ontario Steelband Association compete before a panel of judges. This Panorama of the North is the biggest opportunity to hear this wonderful instrument in all its glory. The evening is devoted entirely to the capturing rhythms of the steelpan.
Caribana Parade
Location: Exhibition Place (Lake Shore Blvd)
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2008
Timings: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
This showcase event features an incredible display of colour and pageantry, commencing at Exhibition Place and proceeding west along Lake Shore Boulevard. Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Boulevard will come alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival!
De Caribana Lime - Island Festival
Location: Olympic Island
Date: Sunday, August 3, 2008
Timings: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
This event features a full day of performances from a variety of artistes, highlighting the diverse cultures of all the Caribbean people. Activities include a food competition, song, dance, theatrical drama and storytelling.
