MEDIA ALERT

45th YEAR – THE LAUNCH OF THE SCOTIABANK TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 

Noon – 2 p.m.

Official Launch for the Carnival at Nathan Phillips Square

80 Mas Dancers, Calypso Performers, Soca Music and More

What:        Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2012 is kicking off the 3-week summer festival at Nathan Phillips Square. The NOON HOUR launch showcases the many events that will entertain and energize Toronto.  Speeches.  Musical performances.  Dance troupes and over 80 men and women in this year's colourful Mas costumes. Calypso singers.  Soca music. Pan orchestra.

Why:         Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an important tourism event.  It annually brings hundreds of thousands of tourists into the city.  New events.  Children's Parade is moving to Downsview  Park.  Fish Fry and  J’Ouvert at the CNE.  Major Caribbean performers to appear at the Carnival Lime at the Docks Entertainment Complex     

Who:         Scheduled to speak:  Scotiabank. Federal Government. Festival Management Committee. Other dignitaries will be announced soon

When:       Media tent opens at 11.30am.  Last chance for media to register for the big parade.  Speeches 11.59 am to 12.30 pm.  A cavalcade of Caribbean entertainment until 2 pm.

Where:      Nathan Phillips Square. Queen Street -- Toronto City Hall.

How:         All media are welcome to cover the event. www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The public is encouraged to attend this FREE event. 

Media Contacts

Stephen Weir, Publicist                                                                     Darling Nicky

stephen@stephenweir.com                                                               darlingnicky.ca@gmail.com

Toronto Office: (416) 489-5868 Cell: (416) 801-310

The MASCAPAN MEGA LAUNCH

 Media Advisory and Release – May 16 2012

On Sunday June 10 2012, MASCAPAN is staging its first ever festival season launch at Thornhill Community Centre, 7755 Bayview Avenue (corner of Bayview and John Streets). Our logo will be unveiled. 

MASCAPAN is a recently formalized collaboration of the Toronto Mas’ Bands Association (TMBA), Organization of Calypso Performing Artists (OCPA), and Ontario Steelband Association (OSA). These three organizations have come together to show their solidarity and reaffirm Mas’, Calypso and Steelpan as the core artistic components of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Festival.  

MASCAPAN will engage in year-round, vigorous community outreach activities to ensure the preservation, proliferation and perpetuation of these three cultural art-forms in the Greater Toronto Area.  

The June 10 Mega Launch will showcase the best GTA based artists in Masquerade, Steelpan, and Calypso. The presentations will include individual and group performances, costume displays, traditional Carnival (Ole Mas’) characters, and a variety of interactive and fun activities for the whole family, including mas’ making and learning to play the steelpan. 

MASCAPAN’s Mega Launch will culminate in a joint multi-arts presentation of the three collaborators all on stage at the same time. There will also be opportunities for individuals to learn more about the three collaborating organizations; as well as how to actively participate in their festival programs.  

For media interviews or more information about MASCAPAN or the Mega Launch, please contact Ian Jones (416) 535 -3927 or (416) 276-1504. 

Contact us for tickets!  MASCAPAN LOOKS FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT...

It's happening on SUNDAY JUNE 10, 2012 at 

the Thornhill Community Centre from 3pm to 11pm.

TICKETS ARE $20 ADVANCE, $25 AT DOOR, $10 STUDENTS (UNDER 16)

Website Alert - Toronto Mas Bands Association

So happy to see this happen......good work TMBA!!!