September is now upon us and the Caribana dust has settled… I guess I should probably share my photos an ting before the snow comes huh? To be honest, I have attempted to blog about TO Carnival multiple times but kept going in different directions like:
- do I celebrate “thiefin’ ah wine” off Kes?
- should I speak up for all my peers who had issues with their costumes both on the road or on pick up day at different mas camps?
- do I praise Toronto Revellers for providing an excellent road experience?
- do I vent about how messed up the logistics of the parade was ANOTHER year in a row (get it together FMC!)?
There is so much to talk about! I will start by saying that the Toronto Caribbean Carnival that I know and love is not the same anymore and requires immediate resuscitation. Designers, masqueraders, media, spectators from near and far spend months preparing for this grand occasion only to be disappointed by how poorly the festival is being managed.
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| You know there is a problem when the top news story is "THE FENCES ARE COMING DOWN" ...girl bye |
Nonetheless, I have fun where ever I go, so despite having the day cut short by one of my crew members (lol), I had a pretty good carnival day. My make up and costume shined bright in the sun (I successfully survived my first wire bra). As mentioned, Revellers provided a pretty impressive experience on the road with endless food and COLD beverages, good djs, live performers, and active marshals. Plus, they happened to be in the first position along the parade route which allowed for more space to move, feel free, and play my mas.
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Shakera be like: "Heyyy, can I take a photo with you ladies?"
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| Revellers, AYAHUASCA |
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| MAN DEMM #TheMacaw |
What made this year most special though was being able to curate a carnival experience for 15 of my friends and students… many of which had never played mas before. From costume selection, to make-up/ hair/accessories, to hotel accommodations twas a hectic process…but MAN was it worth it. My heart was so full seeing them all in formation decked out in their feathers, glitz, and glam. You will be able to see a couple of them in the gallery below.
Gallery
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| Such a pleasure jumpin' up with MPP Jagmeet Singh |
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| Revellers - LUPUNA |
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| Revellers - El Tunchi and KES <3 |
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| Revellers - XIPAYA and KARABANA in Fever Mas (Saldenah) |
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| Revellers - WAHURA PEOPLE |
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| Revellers - XIPAYA |
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| Revellers - SPANGLED CONTINGA |
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| Revellers - THE MACAW |
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| Black Lives Matter |
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| Revellers - EL TUNCHI |
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| SALDENAH (Very Popular Section) |
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| TRIBAL CARNIVAL |
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| CARNIVAL NATIONZ (My FAVE section on the road) |
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| SALDENAH |
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| FANTAZIA |
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| CARNIVAL NATIONZ (my second fave section on di road) |
My third fave section (THAT I DIDN'T GET A PHOTO OF) was Saldenah's ASHANTI section! So gorgeous... yes I am a sucker for neons :)
Overall my score sheet is as follows:
Pre-Carnival Season 10/10
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| View more Sunshine Girl photos HERE |
The Carnival Spice ladies had a blast this season. Between band launches, Festival Promotion, Performances & Classes, life for the last few weeks have been crazy busy but super blessed. My team and I were featured multiple times on different TV networks, we added Scarborough and Brampton to our class locations and I was selected as a Toronto “Sunshine Girl” for this year’s Carnival edition.
The costume itself was a solid 10. It was beautiful, bright, comfortable, and VERY well made. However it ended up costing much more than I anticipated due to miscommunication from my section leaders… And PLEASE doh ask me why model’s had to pay for costumes they modelled cause I doh have an answer for you…
Toronto Revellers proved to me why they are the “People’s Band”; my experience with them was a 10 too. A friend in my section even told me that our section leader had glue gun onsite to tack any loose gems or costume pieces (should you need it). The key to my heart is through my stomach hence why hot food (other than pelau, doubles, and sandwiches) coupled with a variety of cold beverages won me over real quick. Revellers provided breakfast, lunch, AND dinner... Plus snacks!!
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| Photo By: Jef Lo |
Did I mention I got to thief a wine off Kes???? Best 2 minutes of my life! hahaha! Points on this section score are lost for logistical issues that have nothing to do with the Toronto Revellers … such issues fall on the hands of the parade’s Festival Management Committee (FMC). They are the body of individuals who decide marketing, security, route organization, creative planning, social media and here’s a big one BUDGETING for the parade… I only can identify 3 members of this committee… everyone else is a mystery. Considering there aren’t any fresh ideas flowing through that committee from fresh blood, I can only anticipate the same ole’ for the festival’s big 50th birthday in 2017. Sigh… (I will try to stay optimistic ya’ll)
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| Di "Stage" |
Caribana for another year in a row has left me wanting more. More road, more stage, more Carnival vibes. For all the time and effort that goes into that day the score should be 15/10. My little carnival heart can only remain hopeful that positive changes will come. I will continue to support it and recommend others to attend. Toronto Carnival a.k.a Caribana is a staple event within the Canadian Caribbean community because it is a means of HIGHLIGHTING and SHOWCASING our Caribbean history, talent, and energy... SO WE CANNOT STAND AND WATCH IT WITHER AWAY.
I do encourage you all to support the initiatives below that are actively working to improve the festival:
(petition - needs 400 more signatures!)
My Tabanca has definitely set in which leaves me looking through flight and costume prices to attend another Carnival.
“Carnival Tabanca”: The feeling of hurt and pain when a Caribbean carnival experience has ended often compared to the feeling of being lovesick…
I missed Nottingham Carnival by a matter of days while on vacation so that made my Tabanca EVEN WORSE. Plus NYC Carnival kicks off right now… and since I am currently sitting at my dining table I clearly will not be in attendance.
So the question is… WHO’S COMING TO MIAMI CARNIVAL THIS THANKSGIVING? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
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