Canadian Representation at the 2015 International Panorama

Canada - Pan Fantasy - Lucy 


Canada - Salah’s Steelpan Academy - Outta De Box

2012 Parang Season in Toronto

Hello readers,  

I hope you will take the time to support our local, hardworking, culture sustaining Parang Bands this season. 

 De Parang Now Start!!!

Dionne Brand is city's new poet laureate - Posted Toronto

Dionne Brand is city's new poet laureate - Posted Toronto

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By Megan O'Toole, National Post

Dionne Brand, a renowned Toronto-based poet and novelist, has become the city's third poet laureate.


City council formally approved Ms. Brand's appointment on Wednesday, with Mayor David Miller saying he was "thrilled" to see the prolific and distinguished author serving in the role.

As poet laureate for the next three years, Ms. Brand will receive an annual honorarium of $10,000 while she serves as the city's literary ambassador, championing poetry and the arts.

Ms. Brand said it was an "honour" to be chosen.

"I have a great passion for this city," she said. "In its multiplicity it is constantly rich and surprising. ... that wild waiting at traffic lights off the end of the world, where nothing is simple, nothing. In the city there is no simple love or simple fidelity; the heart is slippery."

Ms. Brand has published nine volumes of poetry and earned numerous laurels, including the Governor General's Award and the Trillium Book Award. Her work is taught internationally, and she has written extensively on Toronto and the experience of new Canadians.

American poet Adrienne Rich called her "an intellectual conscience for her country."

Born in 1953, Ms. Brand immigrated to Canada about four decades ago to attend the University of Toronto, earning a Masters in education philosophy. She currently teaches English at the University of Guelph and has a new collection of poems, entitled Ossuaries, coming out next year.

Before announcing Ms. Brand's selection as poet laureate, officials said they believed the new poet laureate was someone who would have a more populist appeal than traditional appointees.

Since 2001, Toronto has had two other poets laureate: Alligator Pie author Dennis Lee held the inaugural post, followed by Italian-born poet Pier Giorgio di Cicco.

Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2009/09/30/dionne-brand-is-city-s-new-poet-laureate.aspx##ixzz0Si4QxxJH

2009 CARIBANA - SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Time to mark your calendars folks.....

(JULY 14th to AUGUST 2nd, 2009)

Calypso Tent Music Series
Various locations
June 6 to July 5, 2009
The series runs 3 nights each week (Fri-Sun.) 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, humour and wit.

Official Launch
Nathan Phillips Square
Tuesday, July 14, 2009; 12:00 pm 02:00 pm
The official ceremony launches the activities for the Scotiabank Caribana Festival Season. It is a snapshot of what’s in store over the coming weeks.

Junior Carnival
Yorkgate Mall
Saturday, July 18, 2009; 10:00 pm 04:00 pm
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.

Art Exhibition
Royal Ontario Museum
July 23 to August 3, 2009
The Association of African Canadian Artists presents original paintings and sculptures that have been influenced by the diversity of our people.

Scotiabank Caribana Gala
Liberty Grand – Exhibition Place
Friday, July 24, 2009; 6:30 pm
An evening of elegance celebrating Carnival Music and Arts.

Calypso Monarch Finals
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, CNE
Saturday, July 18, 2009; 7:00 pm - 12:00 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.

Scotiabank Caribana King & Queen Show
Lamport Stadium
Thursday, July 30, 2009; 7:00 pm - 12:00 am
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.

Pan Alive
Lamport Stadium
Friday, July 31, 2009; 7:00 pm - 12:00 am
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.

Scotiabank Caribana Parade
Exhibition Place (Lake Shore Blvd)
Saturday, August 1, 2009; 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
This showcase event features an incredible display of colours and pageantry. Toronto will come alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival.

De Scotiabank Caribana Lime
Olympic Island
Sunday, August 2, 2009; 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
This event will highlight the various cultures of all of the Caribbean people. It's a celebration of food, song, dance, theatrical drama and story telling.

Damn.......its COLD!!!

Brrrr.......Toronto is in the under a cold snap for the next couple of days.....damn that Arctic air!!!! My decision to skip Carnival 2Kwine is starting to weigh heavily upon me :-(

Anyway, do you know how to identify frostbite or frostnip??? I checked out CityNews.ca for some tips on how to deal with the frosty conditions:

Frostnip

This is a mild form, where only the skin freezes. It can appear yellowish or white, but feels soft if touched. It's accompanied by a painful tingling or burning sensation.

What you should do

Warm the afflicted area gradually. Putting it under hot water or hot air could cause a burn - and you may not be able to feel it before it's too late. Try not to rub or massage the area, which could cause further damage.

Generally, frostnip isn't serious and is easily cured when you get out of the cold.

Frostbite

A more extreme form of the cold, it can have far more serious consequences. In this case, both the skin and the underlying tissues are affected, making your flesh look white and waxy and feel hard when touched.

But chances are you won't be able to feel those touches - the area usually goes completely numb.

Symptoms:

• Redness or pain
• White or grayish-yellow skin
• Skin feels firm or waxy
• Numbness
  

What you should do

As before, gradually warm the area, using either body heat or warm (not hot) water. Beware of burning the skin, especially since you can't feel anything right away.

Avoid rubbing or massaging the affected area and if the sensation doesn't return soon, seek medical attention.

There are also other things you should know before medical attention comes along. Among them:

Put your hands someplace warm - like under your armpits. This will help get them back to normal temperature.

Do not rub the areas with snow. This is a myth and will make the problem worse.

Try not to thaw out if you plan on going out again right away. This could make your frostbite worse.

Remember, it doesn't happen often but untreated frostbite can lead to amputation if the damage is too severe.

Warding off winter

According to the city of Toronto, here's some other things you can do to prevent the season from getting the bite on you:

Maintain a heated environment (City law requires landlords to maintain an adequate heat level of 20 degrees Celsius/68 degrees Fahrenheit between September 15 and June 1 of each year).

Wear layers of warm, dry clothing, including hats and gloves.

Be aware of hypothermia (body temperature of 35 degrees Celsius/95 degrees Fahrenheit or less). Signs include stiff muscles, puffy face, slurred speech, shivering uncontrollably, slowed breathing, poor physical condition and mental confusion. If these signs are recognized, call 911.

Drink non-alcoholic beverages such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate or soup.

Some prescription drugs may increase vulnerability to cold. Check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Be aware of elderly and disabled people living alone; offer assistance if necessary.

Don't use your oven as a heating device. All space heaters are a fire risk if used improperly.

STAY WARM EVERYBODY

My TTC Alerts

The TTC is now providing its customers with email alerts of any disruptions in their service.

By registering with My TTC e-Alerts you can choose to receive convenient and important service alerts by email. My TTC e-Alerts are real-time email notices that keep you informed of all major subway and RT service disruptions.

In the near future, you will be able to customize My TTC e-Alerts to your usual surface, subway or RT route, and days/times that you typically travel. That way, you only receive notices of delays that affect you.

Check out the website to register for My TTC e-Alerts:
https://www3.ttc.ca/Service_Advisories/My_ttc_e_alerts/index.jsp

Parang in Toronto

Saturday November 29th, 2008
DR. JAY & Mom, alongside SOCA SWEETNESS & Mom proudly co-present....
THE BIG PEOPLE COMEDY & PARANG SHOW
@ The Armenian Community Centre (45 Hallcrown Place at Victoria Park & 401)
FEATURING THE BEST IN PARANG & CHRISTMAS SOCA:
LEON COLDERO - Trinidad's own performing hits such as "La Sapa", "Curry Christmas", "Ron", "Parangin' In Brooklyn"
alongside two of Toronto's top Parang bands:
LOS PAJAROS (featuring the "Toronto Scrunter")
LOS AMIGOS (featuring Connector)
FEATURING COMEDY TO MAKE YUH LAUGH TILL YUH BELLY BUSS BY:
TOMMY JOSEPH (legendary Comedian from Trinidad)
JEAN PAUL (Toronto via Trinidad)
JAY MARTIN (Toronto via Jamaica)
WITH MUSIC BY:
Dr Jay De Soca Prince, Soca Sweetness and Jay 'Stretch' McNeilly
For the VERY FIRST TIME, we are combining TWO SOLD OUT shows into ONE HUGE EVENT!
This would be the 5th Annual BIG PEOPLE PARANG SHOW & DANCE brought to you by DR. JAY and MOM,
and this would be the 3rd Annual COMEDY & PARANG SHOW brought to you by SOCA SWEETNESS and MOM;
so we combined the two to create one amazing event for the entire family to enjoy!
Plenty traditional Caribbean Christmas food will be on sale as well. So come join us on SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29th and get in touch with your culture at the BIG PEOPLE COMEDY & PARANG SHOW!
LIMITED $25 advanced tickets in outlets now.
TICKET OUTLETS
CENTRAL:
Play De Record - 416.586.0380
EAST END:
Dr. Jay - 416.245.6411 (ex. 2)
Soca Sweetness - 416.806.3383
Dianna - 905.428.3639
Kay Adams - 416.286.0667
WEST END:
Charlie's (Mississauga) - 905.896.3663
Drupati's (Etobicoke) - 416.745.4189
DOORS OPEN AT 6p. SHOWTIME 7p