What started out in 1967 as a just a small and quaint heritage event marking Canada’s centennial year, has grown into the largest cultural festival in North America.
Caribana 2010 will start at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 13th in the heart of downtown Toronto at Yonge and Dundas Square. Well over a million tourists are once again expected to descend upon Toronto and be emerged in all things Caribbean.
Photography by Gadjo Sevilla
The marquee event of Caribana 2010 with be, as always, the Caribana Parade. This year’s parade is scheduled for July 31st, and it will once again feature thousands of dancers dressed up in spectacular Caribana costumes, and moving to the rhythms and beats of the mas bands down Lakeshore Blvd.
Photography by Gadjo Sevilla
Before the parade takes place, dozens of other Caribana 2010 events will transform Toronto into an island nation and electrify Toronto’s already vibrant and diverse cultural life.
In addition to the Caribana parade, other highlights of Caribana 2010 include
- Jul 17th: Junior Carnival, Yorkgate Mall – Junior Carnival provides festival goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the trills and joys as young masqueraders participate in their early festival years. Ideal for kids and families
- Jul 24th: “Kaiso 365″ Calypso Monarch Finals, Ontario Science Centre – 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.
- Jul 23 – Aug 13: “From the Soul” Art Exhibition, Royal Ontario Museum – Now in its 4th year, this art exhibition will feature a collection of over 100 worksfrom African-Canadian artistes to be showcased in one space. This year’stheme is “From the Soul – A collection of works that will arouse the conscious,still the mind and soothe the soul.”
- Jul 23rd: Scotiabank Caribana Gala, Liberty Grand – An evening of elegance celebrating Carnival Music and Arts
- Jul 23rd: Scotiabank Caribana Gala After Party, Liberty Grand – The Liberty Grand Complex will be transformed into an island of sensational colour, rhythmic vibrations and exotic extravagance.
- Jul 29th: King & Queen Show, Lamport Stadium – On the Thursday night before the Scotiabank Caribana Parade, all 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 reveler to be enthroned the King or Queen of his or her band.
- Jul 30th: Pan Alive, Lamport Stadium – 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.
- Jul 31st: Scotiabank Caribana Parade, Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Blvd – This showcase event features an incredible display of colours and pageantry.
- Jul 31st: TEMPERATURE ‘DE FESTIVAL’, Lamport Stadium – Expected to be the summer’s hottest Parade After Parade party. The fun starts right after the parade, with live high-energy performances featuring some of the hottest artists from Trinidad, Jamaica, Grenada and other islands.
- Aug 1st: Grace Tropical Rhythms/Caribbean Food Festival, Ontario Place – Grace Food’s presents the 1st annual “Tropical Rhythms” Caribbean Food Festival (TRFF) as part of the 2010 Scotiabank Caribana Festival (SBCF).
- Aug 1st and 2st: De Scotiabank Caribana Lime, Ontario Place – This family-oriented event is another opportunity to gather or “lime” as we celebrate the Caribbean culture in food, song and dance. Another new and exciting addition is the ‘Grace Tropical Rhythms Food Festival’ sponsored by Grace Food’s and Western Union. Jump into some Gourmet style Jerk Chicken From Jamaica, relax with roti from Trinidad and Tobago and quench your thirst with variety of tropical beverages.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE CARIBANA FESTIVAL OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
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PROMO VIDEOS
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