by Stephen Weir There were no surprises last week when Wendy Jones and Pan Fantasy Steelband won the Panorama (Pan Alive) competition for the 10th time. What sent a shockwave through the audience Friday night was that Earl LaPierre Jr wasn’t on stage leading AfroPan, and the former downtown steel orchestra wasn’t able to give […]
By Lincoln DePradine The Ontario government has an ambitious plan of connecting everyone living in the province to a doctor, nurse and other primary healthcare providers. The government, through health minister Sylvia Jones, last week announced an investment of $14 million under the plan. Among those benefitting from the investment are TAIBU Community Health Centre […]
By Dwaine Plaza Oregon State University The much-anticipated Kaiso 365 competition roared to life at the East Town Banquet Hall last night, delivering a dazzling showcase of Caribbean culture and musical prowess. The event drew a lively sold-out crowd of attendees, reaffirmed why the Calypso Monarch remains a highlight of Toronto’s Caribbean carnival. The stage […]
By Ravendra Madholall The 2024 Global T20 tournament is set to bowl off on Thursday at the CAA facility in Brampton, Ontario. Vancouver Knight Riders will clash with Toronto Nationals from 4pm and a keen contest is highly anticipated. Six franchised teams will be competing with Montreal Tigers, the defending champions, taking on Bangla Tigers […]
By Rhoma Spencer Born in Dublin to an Irish mother and the very popular Trinidadian HIV Doctor, Professor Courtnay Bartholomew (deceased), Finbar ‘Barry’ Bartholomew, Trinidad and Tobago’s celebrity Chef comes to Toronto for the Canadian Premiere of his nephew, Adam Bartholomew’s film, Panazz: The Story, where he trades his Chef hat for that of being […]
By Lincoln DePradine Trinidadian Darryl Henry has been making music for more than 30 years and is in high demand as a soca artiste. Most of his fans do not know him as Darryl but as “Farmer Nappy”, the man who sang memorable hits like “Hookin’ Meh”, “Chippin’ With Meh Own Woman”, and “Big People […]
By Camille Hernández-Ramdwar This year the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (still fondly referred to as Caribana by many) turns 56 years old. It has undeniably been a major cultural institution not only for Toronto, but for the entire country. Within Caribbean communities in Canada, it has been a central fixture for generations. At the same time, […]
By Stephen Weir Photos by Gilbert Medina If it wasn’t the largest annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Junior Caribbean Parade, it must have been close. Organizers of the annual parade estimate that 20,000 people showed up in Malvern to cheer on the children. Eric Delfish, the longtime organizer of the parade, said it was perfect […]
By Lincoln DePradine Panorama, the competition held annually in Toronto to determine the top steel orchestra in Canada, will be hosted at a new venue this year, and will be missing a longtime member-band of the Ontario Steelpan Association (OSA). The contest, also referred to as “Pan Alive”, is moving from Lamport Stadium on King […]
By Stephen Weir The Queen of Soca, Destra, is coming to Toronto next week to perform. Don’t look for her on the Lakeshore or at any Carnival events (unless she makes a surprise appearance or two); the Trinidadian singer will be on stage, outdoors at Harbourfront on August 2nd. The Harbourfront Centre will once again […]
