YAY MONTREAL - CARIFIESTA IS BACK FOR 2011

Good news Montrealers......Carifiesta is back for 2011!!! Parade day is July 9, 2011....

Hello all Carifiesta members,

We would like to first thank all the supporters of the CCFA organization for helping us and encouraging us in the journey that has lasted for now 3 years.

That being said, we are glad to announce that there will be Carnival again in Montreal this year and CCFA has been chosen as the promoter of the 36th edition of Carifiesta!!

We’ve been waiting for it and now it’s time to go to work to make this edition an unforgettable one!!

CCFA will be hosting an information meeting where we will be going over what will be needed from all of us in order to start the preparation for Carifiesta.

For all of you that have asked to be a part of the organization, to be a volunteer, to bring a band, make costumes and to help in any way you can, this is the time to put your words into actiosn. Our community has greatly suffered from the decline of Carifiesta and now is the time to show how important this event is to our culture.

Do not sleep on it, be a part of this great community event!!

The meeting will be held at 6767 Côte-des-Neiges on Thursday, March 17 @ 9pm.

For more information, do not hesitate to leave us a message and we will get back to you within the following 24 hours.

Tru Dynasty update

Hi Readers,

Here's an update from TruDynasty........

Many many of you have been asking about our 2011 costumes. Thea has been hard at work and you know the costumes are gonna be CRAZY! We are still looking for a few models for our upcoming photo shoot and fashion show so if you are interested please send a full body picture (preferably in a swimsuit) to info@TruDYNASTY.com and we will get back to you.
Get first dibs on our costumes as they go on sale AT THE BANDLAUNCH!! Yes!!! Our launch will take place on Saturday April 16th at the UNDERGROUND located at York University in the Student Centre-4700 Keele St. Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 10pm. You will be in for a treat! TruDYNASTY presents The ROARING 20's. Think flapper girls, gangsters, showgirls and cigarette girls. We will also pay tribute to Bonnie & Clyde, Josephine Baker and COCO Chanel. You will be able to reserve a costume at the launch to avoid disappointment. Remember, because we came in 1st last year, we are now an A band and will be at the FRONT OF THE PARADE!

TruDYNASTY is making history! This year, we are taking things to another level. Jump Up And Give Back! $10 from every costume sale will be going to one of 9 different charities that we are supporting this year. So, if you know someone with sickle cell, HIV/AIDS, a mental or physical disability, in an abusive relationship etc. we will be supporting them and now you can too!

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR DVD??
If you played with us for 2010 you should have received your DVD. If you have not received it please respond to this msg asap with your name and address and we will get one out to you!

Have a great week.

OH OH.......City denies Afrofest an event permit | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun

City denies Afrofest an event permit | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun

The popular Afrofest festival that has celebrated the sounds of the dark continent for 23 years at Queen’s Park has had the plug pulled on this year’s festivities.

Also refused a special event permit by City Hall is the Toronto Freedom Festival which was slated for May also on the north lawn of Queen’s Park.

Disappointed Afrofest organizers said the city’s park, forestry and recreations department refused to issue them a permit for the two-day event in July that is a highlight for the African community in Toronto.

“This is the most significant event every year,” said festival president Michael Stohr. “People are shocked and stunned by what is happening.”

Stohr said the refusal came as vendors, bands and musicians were being booked.

“I think Afrofest as we know it is gone,” he said on Monday. “I think the festival would be set back 20 years if we moved to another venue.”

He said there were complaints regarding noise, traffic and other issues over the years.

But, city officials said in an e-mail the complaints included issues related to noise, parking, damage to turf, excessive garbage and failure to clean up.

Manager Sandy Straw said Afrofest’s request for a permit won’t be considered because of violations in 2010 and previous years.

“I encourage you to develop a plan that is in compliance with parks, forestry and recreation special event guidelines,’’ Straw told event organizers.

Afrofest board member Alistair Wentworth said planning is underway as organizers try to find another location.

“The event has made a big contribution to the culture of the city,” Wentworth said. “We are going ahead with our plans and will be looking at venues.”

He said the event, which has dozens of vendors booths, attracts about 30,000 fans daily who are entertained on three stages by dozens of performers.

The festival pumps about $1 million yearly into the local economy, organizers said.

Freedom Festival spokesman Crystal Reinhard said her event was about to celebrate its fifth event this year.

“We are very disappointed,” Reinhard said on Monday. “We are still hoping to have an event at Queen’s Park but we are also looking for another venue.”

The event, which boasts a marijuana march through downtown, attracts about 30,000 people yearly, she said.

Blogging Vacation is over.....(Carnival 2011 Results)

Hi Readers,

Yes, the blogging vacation is over and its back to blogging business.

If you missed T&T Carnival 2K11 and you're still wondering who won what, here's a roundup of all the results:

Chutney Soca Monarch

1) Rikki Jai

2) Ravi B

3) K.I.

Groovy Soca Monarch

1) Kees Dieffenthaller

2) Benjai

3) Destra

4) Blaxx

Power Soca Monarch

1) Machel Montano

2) Iwer George

3) Bunji Garlin

4) Fay-Ann Lyons

Panorama Results - Single Pan Bands

1) San Juan East Side Symphony

2) Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force

3) Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services

Panorama Results - Small Conventional Bands

1) Arima Golden Symphony

2) Merrytones

3) Tornadoes

Panorama Champs- Medium Bands

1) Katzenjammers

1) ValleyHarps

3) NLCB Buccooneers

Panorama Champs - Large Bands

1) Neal & Massey Trinidad All Stars

2) Sagicor Exodus

3) PCS Silver Stars

Queen of the Bands

1) Peola Marchan - "D Jewelled Chandelier"

2) Gloria Dalsingh - "Splendour of Lights"

3) Kay Mason - " Island Queen"

King of the Bands

1) Wade Madray - "Pacific Tsunami"

2) Owen Hinds Jr. - "Battle of the Marabuntas"

3) Curtis Eustace - "Buzo-D Legend Lives On"

Calypso Monarch

1) Karene Asche -"Careful What Yuh Ask For"/"Uncle Jack"

2) Michael Osouna - Sugar Aloes - "Not One Word"/"De Cause"

3) Dr. Hollis Liverpool - Chalkdust - "Wounded Pride"/"Power of the Pen"

Band of the Year - Small

1) "Beauty beneath the Sea" - Belmont Original Stylish Sailors

2) "Gathering of the First People" - Tribal Connections

3) "Greece the Legacy" - Belmont Jewels

Band of the Year - Medium

1) "Survivors" - Ronnie and Caro Mas Band

2) "Village Life" - Rosalind Gabriel and Associates

3) "The Latin Flavour" - d Harvard Revellers

Band of the Year - Large

1) "Humanity - Circle of Life" - Macfarlane Carnival

2) "Tales of Merrie Old England" - Trini Revellers

3) "South Pacific" - Legacy

Road March

1) Machel Montano - "Advantage" (played 410 times)

2) Rodney Le Blanc - Benjai - "Trini" (played 107 times)

3) Neil "Iwer" George - "Come to Meh" (played 61 times)

(The Jugding points: Queen's Park Savannah (Port of Spain), Adam Smith Square (Port of Spain), Picadilly Greens (Port of Spain), South Quay (Port of Spain), Arima, San Fernando, Tobago)

2011 Panorama Order of Appearance

Order of appearance

Medium Bands

Band/Selection/Arranger

1. Pan Elders - "A Raging Storm" (Alvin Gittens)

2. Power Stars - "It's Showtime (Arddin Herbert)

3. Katzenjammers - "Wake Up" (Edwin Pouchet)

4. NLCB Buccooneers - "Calling Meh" (Seion Gomez)

5. Steel Xplosion - "Wake Up" (Carlton Alexander)

6. Pamberi - "TKO" (Brian Villafana)

7. Sangre Grande Cordettes - "Calling Meh" (Andes Kappel)

8. Valley Harps - "Do Something For Pan" (Michelle Huggins-Watts)

9. Courts Sound Specialists - "Calling Meh" (Ken "Professor" Philmore)

10. Arima Angel Harps - "TKO" (Shelton Besson)

Large Bands

Band/Selection/Arranger

1. Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars - "It's Showtime" (Leon "Smooth" Edwards)

2. Sagicor Exodus - "Calling Meh" (Pelham Goddard)

3. NLCB Fonclaire - "A Raging Storm" (Ken "Professor" Philmore)

4. Petrotrin Phase 11 Pan Groove - "Do Something For Pan" (Len "Boogsie" Sharpe)

5. WITCO Desperadoes - "Trini" (Beverly Griffith/A. Robles/Eddie Quarless)

6. Starlift - "In She Rainorama" (Liam Teague)

7. Caribbean Airlines Invaders - "Doh Be On Dat" (Arddin Herbert)

8. PCS Silver Stars - "It's Showtime" (Edwin Pouchet)

9. Petrotrin Siparia Deltones - "Trini" (Carlton Alexander)

10. RBC/RBTT Redemption Sound Setters - "It's Showtime" (Winston Gordon)

2011 Soca Monarch - Order of Appearance

Order of appearance

Groovy Soca

1 Ras Star

2 Jahmoun

3 Yankee Boy and Patch

4 Kes The Band

5 Blaxx

6 All Rounder

7 Shurwayne Winchester

8 Destra Garcia

9 Chucky

10 Benjai

11 Denise Belfon

12 Patrice Roberts

13 Kerwyn DuBois

14 Megan Waldron

15 Cassie

Power Soca

1 JW and Blaze

2 Andy “Blood” Armstrong

3 Skinny Fabulous

4 Michelle Xavier

5 Shal Marshall

6 Tallpree

7 Iwer George

8 Nadia Batson and Patrice Roberts

9 Machel Montano

10 Destra Garcia

11 Ravi B

12 Bunji Garlin

13 Tian Winter

14 Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez

2011 Calypso Monarch Finalists

Here are the eleven (11) finalists competing against reigning Calypso Monarch, Kurt Allen for the 2011 title at Dimanche Gras on Sunday, March 6, 2011.......

Brian London – “We Fed Up”

Devon Seale – “Ah Need Meh carnival”

Dexter “Stinger” Parsons – “Mystic Revelation”

Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool – ‘Wounded Pride”

Joanne “Tigress” Rowley – “Woman to Woman”

Karene Ashe – “Uncle Jack”

Kizzy Ruiz – “De Engine Stall”

Michael “Sugar Aloes” Osouna – “Not One Word”

Rodney “Benjai” L Blanc – “Trini”

Tameika Darius – “Ungrateful”

Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins – “ Compare and Contrast”