Waitin' For Di Stage...

ONE DAY I will have stage photos with my eyes open! HA! ... I can't help but be in the moment and while enjoying the vibes. Photos like this make me so excited for what’s in store for the summer. My nephews are preparing for school in September, my best friend is getting married, and of course Toronto Carnival season is underway.

As you know with the Carnival Spice team and I, Carnival runs all year round… but we can’t help but excited with the extra buzz in the summer! I want to highlight some of the awesome events and initiatives that Carnival Spice has in store. If you are considering participation in Caribana this year,  THEN YOU DEFINITELY do not want to miss this::

Carnival Spice Summer Sessions

Let’s jam to the sweet sounds of soca, dancehall, chutney and more! Dance up a sweat with amazing members from your community and have fun while getting a great workout! You will definitely leave feeling ENERGIZED from the Caribbean vibes!

BONUS: With Toronto Carnival just weeks away

We will help you get ready for di road!!****

Join Us June 4th - July 21st at the following locations:

DOWNTOWN, TORONTO

527 Bloor St West (inside Dance Annex)

Saturdays 12pm - 1pm

SCARBOROUGH

2065 Midland Avenue #2 (inside Southside Muay Thai)

Mondays 7pm to 8pm

MISSISSAUGA

626 Burnhamthorpe Road West (inside Grooves Dance Studio)

Wednesdays 8pm - 9pm

BRAMPTON

180B Sandalwood Pkwy E suite #2000 (inside Synergy Performing Arts Academy)

Thursdays 7pm - 8pm

Summer Session Promo Rate is $99 and includes:

- unlimited access to all Carnival Spice classes at all four locations

- Carnival Spice "Caribana" workbook; feat. carnival playlists, costume discounts & more

- free gift for the first 50 registrants 
(hint, it will make jumping and waving much easier!)

- offer expires Friday, June 3rd, 2016

Register ONLINE HERE

OR send email transfer and contact information to info@carnivalspice.com (Password “carnivalspice”)

Check out some of the action in the video below:

If the video link is not visible, please click here: https://youtu.be/CZmNjzvpT6U

Mississauga Dance Fitness Workshop 

Mississauga crew ahganize yuhself! 

Bring your sweats, water bottle, and rag or flah! 

MISSISSAUGA CENTRAL Saturday, May 28th, 2016 11am to 1pm

626 Burnhamthorpe Road West (inside Groove Fitness Studio)

located east of Mavis - minutes away from Square One Shopping Center.

Click HERE For Further Information.

TESTIMONIAL from Spring Workshop Participant Kadaajah J.L

CARNIVAL SPICE PRESENTS: "Summertime Lunch & Lime"

Join us Sunday, June 26th, 2016 from 1pm - 4pm for a chance to connect with your community and experience Caribbean culture while tantalizing your taste buds.

Enjoy Creole food with a Caribbean flair while relaxing in the atmosphere of Harlem Restaurant. Dress to the nines. Mix and mingle. Let yourself go while we entertain all your senses.

$30 ADVANCE TICKETS

- food inclusive + live performances*

- limited tickets available

Click HERE for tickets

The Toronto Carnival Run with “Di Spice Crew"

Once Carnival Spice summer session is complete we would love for everyone to participate on our team “Di Spice Crew” for the Toronto Carnival Run taking place Saturday, July 23rd. This is a 5k run or walk meant to encourage wellness and community involvement with a Caribbean carnival theme. 

Join our team HERE

Thanks for reading! 
Join me on my social media pages below:

Facebook: Simply Shakera
Twitter: @SimplyShakera
Instagram:  @SimplyShakera
YouTube: Simply Shakera
Email:  info@simplyshakera.com

In Case You Missed It (I.C.Y.M.I)

The aim of Simply Shakera Inc. is to spread Dance, Fitness, and Culture throughout the community. These areas are very dear to me so I thank you all for embracing the work I put out from them. When you are moving around so much writing becomes challenging; hence the small gap since my last post but surge of videos on my YouTube channel. Nonetheless, with Toronto Carnival season in full swing and Pan Am Games on its way the GTA will be buzzing! There will be lots to see, lots of moments to capture, lots of people to meet, and even more things to write about – can’t wait!

Below are a few highlights from the past couple of weeks:

Dance

'SS Flash Mob' on the Marilyn Denis Show

Disguised as audience members, the SimplyShakera flash mob initiated a marriage proposal on the March 31st episode of the Marilyn Denis Show.

If the video is not visible, click the link here: http://youtu.be/anfWAsk5zAQ

Thank you to the awesome dancers and volunteers who brought the mob to life:
For booking inquires please email info@simplyshakera.com.

Meet Me At The Diner with High Society Cabaret

A showcase taking you back to one of the most popular hang out spots in the 1950s. Thank you to all who were in attendance! The ladies and I had a blast in our crinoline poodle skirts. Here are a few great photos taken by Billy Archos. 

Fitness

Socialize, Energize, Exercise (S.E.E.)

I missed this so much last month! S.E.E. you Friday, May 29th for Socialize, Energize, Exercise! New location same vibes! Dress to sweat ladies! This event is dedicated to women connecting, women enjoying a night out and women getting physically active!
Looking forward to the latin fusion workout instructed by Carnival Spice.

Ticket info and further details available HERE.

SNAPD visited S.E.E. as well - check out their review!

https://etobicoke.snapd.com/event/804992#/

Photo Courtesy of SNAPD Etobicoke

The Carnival Spice Workout Series

If you ever attended a Dance An Ting event or taken a Carnival Spice workout class then you KNOW the vibes are coming. Carnival Spice will be hosting TWO three-week workouts in the GTA just in time for Toronto Carnival & Cropover in Barbados. Classes are 70 minutes long and each will be a different adventure. Bring on the Caribbean vibes and save the dates!

Monday July 6^th, 13^th, & 20^th.

Downtown Toronto – 7:30pm to 9pm

Thursday July 2nd, 9th, & 16th.

Downtown Brampton – 7:30pm to 9pm

Photo Courtesy of SNAPD Cabbagetown

Registration info and further details will be released via the Carnival Spice Facebook Page. Click HERE to join the page!

Culture

Toronto Caribbean Carnival is only a few weeks away!  The Carnival Spice model team hit the runway at costume launches for Saldenah Mas, Carnival Nationz, Toronto Revellers, and Fantazia International – pretty mas everywhere! I am curious to know what costume you have selected for the big day. Please share in the comments section below.

 

Photo Courtesy of The Caribbean Camera

Be sure to check out #Countdown2Carnival on YouTube. #Countdown2Carnival are video installment that will be shared with the public through my eye. Toronto Carnival Season is full of many highlights - all which lead up to the grand parade on Saturday, August 1st. Look out for costume tips, engage with other masqueraders, get behind the scene action from special events, and check out various performances by Carnival Spice entertainment. 

Episode One: The Saldenah Mas Costume Launch

If the video is not visible, click the link here: https://youtu.be/RYG9lQ__wx0

Episode Two: The Toronto Revellers Costume Launch

If the video is not visible, click the link here: https://youtu.be/nKrUG48OTAQ

That’s all folks! Till next time.

Xoxo,

Stay Connected With Me Via:


Twitter: @SimplyShakera
Instagram:  @SimplyShakera
YouTube: Simply Shakera
Email: info@simplyshakera.com

Keep Calm It’s Carnival Weekend

Hello Lovelies,

I wanted to take a moment and wish you all a happy, blessed, and prosperous August! It’s the last month of “summer” so make it count.

I also would like to wish you a safe, energized, E.P.I.C., colorful, blissful Caribana weekend full of flags in di air, laughter, glitter, feathers, Johnny walka, loved ones, soca, sunshine and PLENTY vibes.

You can find me jumpin and waving with my Jamaican flag in the band Saldenah Mas as they present “The River of Mirrors”. It will be quite interesting because the band has sold over 4000 costumes! Not sure where all those people will fit but it shall be interesting to see.

The costume section I will be wearing is “Cristales”. Costume designer Rodney Minguel describes the section as follows: “Carnival is color and color is mas and legend has it that there is a river so beautiful; it's known as the river than ran away from paradise. Cano Cristales or the Liquid Rainbow is a unique biological wonder and is famous as the river of five colors. Together, this explosion of natural colors represents the vibrance, splendor and uniqueness of all carnivals.”

What I look forward to the most this Toronto Carnival weekend is jumping down the lakeshore with two close friends of mine. These two will be playing mas for the first time! Are you a first timer? Carnival Virgin? Mas Rookie? 

Here Are Some Tips For You:

-          Insoles will be your best friend – Wear them in your shoes!

-          Bring your OWN water bottle. They heat will getcha if you’re not prepared. I have learned that the hard way. Stay hydrated!

-          Take lots of pictures

-          Have fun! 

  

  

KNOW THESE SONGS or you may feel left out, lol

 

-          Too Real – Kerwin Du Bois

-          Doh Tell Me Dat – Flipo

-          Epic – Machel Montano

-          Truck On The Road – Bunji Garlin

-          Skinny Banton - Saltfish (Soak it Good)

Last but not least, watch the video below.
My Carnival Spice ladies and I will bring di vibes!

If the video isn't visible, click the link here: http://youtu.be/4ljPe-rbfFk

H’alright Time Fi Mash Up Di Placeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 

Some Carnival related work I did in the past - Check it:

Written

My “Carnival Spice Up Your Life Article” written for Eligible Magazine

http://www.eligiblemagazine.com/2013/10/05/carnival-spice-up-your-life/

Photo

My Toronto Sun “Carnival Sunshine Girl” Photoshoot

http://www.torontosun.com/sunshine-girl/2013/08/01/shakera

Video

Interviewing the Queen of Bacchanal Destra Garcia

http://youtu.be/WF1Cj3ec-mM

Stay Connected With Me Via:


Twitter: @SimplyShakera
Instagram:  @SimplyShakera
YouTube: Simply Shakera
Email: info@simplyshakera.com