Celebrate Black History Month at KUUMBA - February 1-3, 2013

Hi Readers,

Kick off your Black History Month celebrations with KUUMBA at Harbourfront starting tomorrow.....

Check out the website for all the events:

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/kuumba/

Here are some highlights:

The Return of Soca on Ice with Dr. Jay de Soca Prince

February 2, 2013

Dr. Jay De Soca Prince brings his soca beats to The Natrel® Rink for what promises to be this winter’s hottest night on ice. Skate rentals available.

Co-presented with DJ Skate Nights.

Hosts: Anne-Marie Mediwake and Dwight Drummond, co-hosts of CBC News Toronto, weeknights starting at 5pm on CBC Television.

PRICES

Everyone: FREE

Saturday, February 2, 2013

8:00PM – 11:00PM

235 Queens Quay West

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/seasonalfestivals/index.cfm?id=4645

Late Night Kuumba Films: I'm Santana the Movie

February 2, 2013

The Trinidadian muppet web sensation that went viral online before being made into a theatre-packing feature film. 

Directed by Roger Alexis and Ian Pantin.

In partnership with CaribbeanTales Film Festival.

Don't miss our other Late Night Kuumba Films screening over the weekend: The Story of Lover's Rock.

PRICES

Everyone: FREE

Saturday, February 2, 2013

10:00PM – 12:00AM

Studio Theatre

York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West

Video Alert: LYRIKAL 25/8 OFFICIAL VIDEO

Video Alert: Machel Montano, Kerwin Du Bois feat. Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Possessed

R.I.P. Penguin

Hi Readers,

Veteran Calypso Icon Penguin (Seadley Joseph) passed away this morning.  He was the 1982 Road March King with "Deputy Essential" as well as the 1984 Calypso Monarch with "We Living in Jail" and "Soft Man".

Do you remember these songs?

2013 Chutney Soca Monarch Results

The 2013 Chutney Soca Monarch is Raymond Ramnarine singing 'I EH MARRIEDIN NO MORE'



Here are the full results:

1) 43.7 Points - Raymond Ramnarine ($1,000,000)
2) 42.6 Points - Rikki Jai ($300,00)
3) 33.7 Points - KI ($200,000)
4) 25.5 Points - Kenneth Supersad
5) 23.9 Points - Drupatee
6) 22.9 Points - Anil Bheem
7) 22.5 Points - (TIE) Hunter AND Rick Ramoutar
8) 22.2 Points - Prophet Benjamin
9) 21.2 Points - (TIE) Omadath Maraj AND Sally Sagram
10) 20.8 Points - Saleem "Stinky" Beharry

VIDEO ALERT: Machel Montano - Float

VIDEO ALERT: I AM PARADISE - Alternative Quartet [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Saldenah 2013 Band Launch - Saturday, April 27, 2013

Santimanitay.....cometh Summer 2013

Hi Readers,

If you loved Across from Lapeyrouse

 then brace yourself

......Santimanitay cometh this summer!!!!

Like the Commess Univeristy page on Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Commess-University/113418232025170

2013 Toronto Carnival Vendor Applications

Hi Readers,

Vendor Application Forms are now available online for Toronto Carnival 2013.

Click here for the forms - http://torontocaribbeancarnival.com/pagedisplay.aspx?i=266

Important Dates to put in your calendar:

Toronto Carnival Launch - July 9
Junior Carnival - July 20
King and Queen - August 1
Parade - August 3 

Save the date: Carivibe 2013 - Saturday, June 15, 2013

TruDynasty presents Atlanta Carnival Express

Hi Readers,

TruDynasty is heading to Atlanta Carnival once again.  Check out their Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/TruDYNASTY

Toronto Revellers 2013 Toronto Carnival Theme - 007 Mas Never Dies

FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!! 2013 Groovy and Power Soca Monarch Finalists

Here are the 2013 Groovy Soca Monarch Finalists set to hit the stage on Fantastic Friday!!!


Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch Finalists

Benjai - Feter



Denise Belfon - Wining Queen


Destra Garcia - Call My Name


Farmer Nappy - Stranger


Ravi B - Prescription


Patrice Roberts - A Little Wine


Drupatee - Indian Gyal


Iwer George - Bubble


Nadia Batson - Manager


Defending Champion - Machel Montano -  The Fog 




Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch Finalists

Superblue - Fantastic Friday 


Shurwayne Winchester - We Control D Road


Destra - Carry On


Lil Bitts - Raise D Dust


Swappi - Cha-os


Devon Matthews - Start it up


Benjai - Engoma


Fya Empress - Rum Please


Talpree - Muddy Jab


JW & Blaze - Timing it


Defending Champion - Machel Montano - Float

Carnival Jewelry....Add a little more to your costume

Hi Readers,

If you're looking for jewelry to complete your carnival costume check out CARNIVAL JEWELRY.  Delivery is available for the Toronto/Montreal area.......

http://Www.Website: carnivaljewelry.net

Twitter: @carnivallady85

2013 Chutney Soca Monarch Finalists

The 2013 Chutney Soca Monarch Finals take place this Saturday, January 26, 2013.  Here are the 17 finalists including the Reigning Monarch - KI - defending his title.
  
SALEEM ‘STINKY’ BEHARRY


OMADATH MAHARAJ


ADESH SAMAROO


DRUPATEE RAMGOONAI


SALLY SAGRAM


HEMLATHA DINDIAL


VEEKASH SAHADEO


MICHELLE X


KENNETH SUPERSAD


PROPHET BENJAMIN


RICK RAMOUTAR


RIKKI JAI


ANIL BHEEM


RAYMOND RAMNARINE


HUNTER & JUNJEEZY


ROGER HINDS – (GUYANA CHUTNEY SOCA MONARCH)


KI PERSAD – DEFENDING CHAMPION

Video Alert - Machel Montano - The Fog

Goosebumps......

Mas Toronto Model Casting Call for Toronto Carnival

A LITTLE WINE - PATRICE ROBERTS (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Vidoe Alert: KES THE BAND - TUESDAY ON THE ROCKS MUSIC VIDEO

Video Alert: Friends For The Night - KI - OFFICIAL VIDEO

Video Alert: Machel Montano & Freetown: REPRESENT (REMIX) Short Film

WELL DONE!!!

Black Sage Carnival 2013 Toronto Carnival Theme - Spice of Life

Callaloo 2013 Toronto Carnival Theme - Rebirth

CHUTNEY SOCA MONARCH SEMI FINALISTS 2013

1. JASON RAMLAL
2. KENNETH SALICK
3. JUDE NIDHAN
4. RANJEEV RAMDEEN
5. MICHAEL SALOUM – SOCA ELVIS
6. NAVIN PRABHOO
7. NARESH PRABHOO
8. LALCHAN HUNTER BABWAH
9. VEEKASH SAHADEO
10. RAJIN DHANRAJ
11. ONEIL BHAJMAN
12. MICHELLE XAVIER
13. RICK RAMOUTAR
14. BOODRAM HOLASS
15. RESHMA RAMLAL
16. HEMLATHA DINDIAL
17. KERRON TYRON WILLIAMS - WACKERMAN
18. KAREEM NOEL
19. NIGEL GOBIN
20. DEVON SAMUEL – PROPHET BENJAMIN
21. OMADATH MAHARAJ
22. OSCAR BENJAMIN
23. CHRIS GARCIA
24. DAVE LALL
25. SALEEM BEHARRY
26. BRENT EVELYN
27. NATALIA WOHLER
28. NEESHAN PRABHOO
29. ANIL BHEEM
30. AMBIKA YANKERAN
31. KAVITA MAHARAJ
32. SASSY RAMOUTAR
33. LEON COLDERO
34. RIKKI JAI
35. SALLY SAGRAM
36. SW STORM
37. KENNETH SUPERSAD
38. DOLLYBOY
39. DRUPATEE RAMGOONAI
40. ANANT HANSRAJ
41. SARA ALI YANKERAN
42. ADESH SAMAROO
43. RAYMOND RAMNARINE
44. TERRY GAJRAJ
45. JOEY RAMOUTAR

International Power Soca Monarch Semi Finalists 2013

1. Fay Ann Lyons - De Stage Open
2. Austin ‘Super Blue’ Lyons - Fantastic Friday
3. Destra Garcia - Carry On
4. Neil ‘Iwer D Boss' George - Unfinished Business
5. Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc - Engoma
6. Shurwayne Winchester - We Control D Road
7. Nadia Batson - Gutter
8. Edghill ‘MX Prime’ Thomas - Rell Vibez
9. Wilt ‘Tallpree’ Cambridge - Muddy Jab
10. Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart - In Charge
11. Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle – Monster {Reigning Monarch in St. Vincent}
12. Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd-Reid - Rum Please
13. Marvin ‘Swappi’ Davis – Cha-os
14. Timel ‘BoyBoy’ Rivas - Put yuh flags up
15. Devon ‘Prophet Benjamin’ Samuel - No Lokani
16. Jeffrey ‘Peter Levels’ Biddeau - Ready Again
17. Rickey ‘Lil Rick’ Reid - Cyah Bother We
18. Trevor Gore - Once Again
19. Anslem Douglas - Bacchanal
20. Jason ‘JW’ Williams & Ancil ‘Blaze’ Isaac Jr. - Timing It
21. Devon Matthews - Start It Up
22. Megan Walrond - Full Flight
23. Marcus ‘Lavaman’ James - Psycho {Reigning Monarch in Grenada}
24. Shivonne ‘Lil Bitts’ Churche - Raise D Dust
25. Emmanuel ‘Chris’ Garcia - No Soup
26. I-Stan ‘Chosen’ Scott - Bring A Flask And Come
27. Anthony ‘Squeezy Rankin’ La Fleur - The Renaissance
28. Erphaan Alves - Doh Test We
29. Ronald ‘Natro Date’ Wickham - Masquerader Drunk
30. Olatunji Yearwood – Tunji Mantana

http://www.socamonarch.net/new/media/latest-news/184-play-whe-international-power-soca-monarch-a-digicel-international-groovy-soca-monarch-competitions-2013-semi-finalists.html

International Groovy Soca Monarch Semi Finalists 2013

1. Ian ‘Bunji Garlin’ Alvarez - Differentology
2. Neil ‘Iwer D Boss’ George - Bubble
3. Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart - Nah Get Away
4. Destra Garcia - Call My Name
5. Nadia Batson - Manager
6. Denise Belfon - Wining Queen
7. Shurwayne Winchester - We not Stopping
8. Darryl ‘Farmer Nappy’ Henry - Stranger
9. Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc - Feter
10. Drupatee Persad - Indian Gyal
11. Kerwin Du Bois - Wettin
12. Kenneth ‘K Rich’ Richards - Wine Back
13. Patrice Roberts - A Little Wine
14. Terrin ‘Super Jigga TC’ Callender - We Liming
15. Ravi ‘Ravi B’ Bissambhar - Prescription
16. Stephenson ‘Shal’ Marshall - Wickedest Wine
17. Roderick ‘Chucky’ Gordon - I Never Wine
18. Akil ‘5 Star Akil’ Borneo - Partier
19. Sheldon ‘Sheldon Nuggets’ Bullen - Not Yuh Manager
20. Leslie ‘EL-Jay’ James - Trini Beauty
21. Denyse Plummer - Rock and Roll
22. Michelle ‘Michelle X’ - Xavier - Hold Somebody
23. Lawrence ‘Mr. Renzo’ Adams - Xrated
24. Nesta ‘Sekon Sta’ Boxhill - Stick It
25. Jenelle ‘J'Angel’ De Leon - Jook It
26. Charlene ‘Charli’ Griffith - Go Down Low
27. Kevon ‘Yankey Boy’ Heath - Rumors
28. Devon ‘Lyrikal’ Martin - 25/8
29. Santeney Rampersad - Movin Alone
30. Sean Daniel - Magnet

http://www.socamonarch.net/new/media/latest-news/184-play-whe-international-power-soca-monarch-a-digicel-international-groovy-soca-monarch-competitions-2013-semi-finalists.html

Toronto Carnival News - Carnival Angelz and Callaloo

So are Callaloo and D'Bandit teaming up for 2013 Toronto Carnival?  This morning's Trinidad Carnival Diary post caused me to wander over to the Carnival Angelz website where I found this news release....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
D'Bandit jumps Carnival Nationz ship to bring Angelz to Callaloo Mas

Toronto, Canada - Tuesday January 8th, 2013 - With the start of a new year comes great expectations, resolutions, and a universally recognized moment where one can wipe the slate clean and re-invent. Taking full advantage of this moment, Callaloo Mas Band has confirmed recent speculations of a collaboration with Toronto’s newest carnival brand, Carnival Angelz Inc.
Who is Carnival Angelz? A subsidiary of D’Bandit Enterprises, Carnival Angelz represents years of international experience in Caribbean entertainment. Under the leadership of Dwayne (D’Bandit) Pitt, Carnival Angelz is proving to be the new era of Toronto Mas.
Determined to shed Toronto Carnival of its status quo state and usher in a season of ‘Rebirth’, Marlon Singh (Callaloo Band Owner) shares - "It's not enough to coast on our past success; there’s room in Toronto to broaden creative possibilities… We’ve recognized our limitations and in order to continue building Toronto’s Mas Culture, we're expanding our family to include Carnival Angelz.”
For nearly a decade members of the newly formed, Carnival Angelz have been at the forefront of many creative masquerade ventures. Among these initiatives, is the influential role played in branding the popular, Carnival Nationz. Dwayne’s team has presented many stunning costumes during his span with the multiple 'Band of The Year’ winning organization - the most impressive being large elegant ‘Angel Wings’ inspired by Victoria’s Secrets, Angels. After playing a major role in securing consecutive ‘Band of the Year’ titles in the last two years (2011 + 2012), Carnival Anglez has jumped the Carnival Nationz ship both satisfied and victorious.
Echoing, Marlon Singh’s sentiments on present limitations and creative possibilities, Dwayne Pitt shares,“Carnival Angelz is a brand built on years of trial and error. Just as we acknowledge our shortfalls, we continue to challenge our formula for success.” When asked, what masqueraders can expect from Callaloo this year, Mr. Pitt eagerly offers – Toronto’s first eco-friendly paperless billing system, modern costumes designed by Designing Darryl, as well as the creative expertise of international (King and Queen) designer, Curtis Eustace (10-Time Trinidad and Tobago King of The Bands).
As the official brand behind Callaloo Mas, the Carnival Angelz creative team will lead the production of Callaloo’s 2013 Toronto Carnival presentation, ‘Rebirth’.
With an online presence already established, curious masqueraders can view teaser art by visitinghttp://www.carnivalangelz.com/index.php. You can also get instant updates via social networks athttp://facebook.com/carnivalangelz and http://twitter.com/carnivalangelz

I'm looking forward to seeing what the Carnival Angelz brand will bring to Callaloo's 2013 presentation - Rebirth.  (I imagine some wings might be involved).  All will be revealed on the band launch date - Saturday, April 20, 2013....mark your calendars and check out the Carnival Angelz website in the meantime - http://www.carnivalangelz.com 

Carnival Revolution 2013 Toronto Carnival Theme - Home for Carnival

16th Annual Snowflakes on Steel - Saturday, January 19, 2013

Video Alert - Kerwin Dubois - Wettin (Official Music Video)

HAPPY NEW YEAR....WELCOME 2013!!!