West Indian Day 2009 Carnival

NEW YORK (AP) – It’s a holiday twice over for New Yorkers and others with ties to the Caribbean.

Labor Day also is the day for the annual West Indian American Day Carnival. The Brooklyn parade is is one of the largest in the city.

The event is modeled on traditional pre-Lenten Carnival festivities. It generally features elaborate costumes, miles of food stalls, reggae beats, colorful floats – and plenty of politicians kicking off the fall campaign season.

Leeds turned into Rainbow City for a few joyous hours yesterday as the 43rd annual Leeds West Indian Carnival brought the streets to vibrant, multi-coloured life.
Thousands of people flocked to Chapeltown for the annual Caribbean flavoured bank holiday gala.

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The tempting smells of jerk chicken, goat curry and Jamaican rum wafted through the air as the crowds gathered in Potternewton Park to enjoy the pre-parade entertainment, including steel bands, Soca music, and arts and crafts stalls.

It was all a buzzing build-up to the main event – the carnival procession.

A magnificently adorned army of carnival troupes of all ages had the watching crowds enthralled as they wound their way out of the park from around 2pm.

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Led by the new carnival queen, the procession – including dragons, sun gods, tigers, peacocks, giant butterflies and a whole menagerie of magical costumes – made its way down Harehills Avenue for the beginning of a three-hour tour of inner-city Leeds.

Blazing sunshine had ensured a massive attendance for the 2010 community party.

Local families came out of their houses to watch the procession, with a cacophony of whistles and vuvuzelas welcoming the floats and fancy-dressed participants.

And coachloads of visitors from other cities were proof – if it was ever needed – that no one does carnival like Leeds!

One reveller summed up the mood saying: “It’s carnival man! It’s a celebration!”

Another visitor, Joanne Stevens, who was there with husband Andy and their two young children, said: “It’s great fun. It’s so colourful and magical, the children love it.

“Our favourite part was the procession, but the food was great too!
“The atmosphere is amazing and everyone seems to be having a fabulous time. We’ll definitely be back next year.”

A week of carnival- themed events in the lead-up to the big day ensured even those who couldn’t make it to the main day did not miss out on the party vibe.

The traditional King and Queen Show on Friday at Millennium Square featured the RJC Dance Group, the New World Steel Orchestra and a host of African dancers.

Participants had gathered early at carnival HQ, the Leeds West Indian Centre, on Monday for the traditional J’ouvert Morning call and warm-up.

The 2010 MIAMI CARNIVAL will be held on Sunday, October 10th, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium (Dolphin Stadium) in the City of Miami Gardens. Miami Carnival is a celebration of creativity: an eruption of revelry, colorful and spectacular costumes and pulsating music. It is a time when the diversity of the caribbean community can be seen as people of all ages and races come together to shed their inhibitions and enjoy a release from everyday stress. Dolphin Stadium is home to numerous NFL Super Bowls and major entertainment productions, including Jazz in the Gardens.

The Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Sun Life Stadium and its affiliates and the Miami Dolphins organization to secure the Stadium as a venue for the Miami Carnival on Columbus Day Weekend each year. This spirited agreement represents a major opportunity for the Miami Carnival to build the future and sustainability of the Carnival brand at a world renowned venue.

Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee, Miami Carnival Inc. (MCI) and Broward Caribbean Carnival Inc. (BCCI) united last year, and hosted one of the most successful Carnivals in the world that attracted over 50,000 people on Carnival day. This Caribbean cultural experience and spectacular riotous blend of colors, pageantry and fantasy, is depicted through a kaleidoscope of incredible costumes, steel bands, calypso, soca and konpa music. The annual event attracts over 100,000 people from throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to the South Florida area. The unified Miami Carnival has a significant impact on annual tourism and the overall economy in South Florida.

“The richness and diversity of the Caribbean culture is an important part of the fabric that makes South Florida unique. We are excited about the possibilities that are ahead of us with a viable venue, renewed energy and the continued support of our bandleaders, masqueraders, steel bands and promoters. The time spent over the last few months provided us with a foundation to elevate Miami Carnival to a new level”, adds Mario Zamora, Chairman of Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee and BCCI representative.

“We are excited to finally have the opportunity to announce the venue for Carnival 2010. We thank all our stakeholders, including our bandleaders, masqueraders, steel bands, promoters and the tens of thousands of attendees who travel from all over to attend Carnival for their patience and support for this important community celebration. Miami Carnival would not be possible without their continued support. We are committed to finalizing all plans for one of the most successful productions of Carnival that South Florida has ever seen.”, states Ruthven Williams, director of Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee and MCI representative.

Miami Carnival will be held on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium.

The year is 2014, the earth has been destroyed by the hands of its inhabitants…mankind. One tiny island on the earth where carnival was the one activity that took them away from the troubled and depressing strains of their reality is also destroyed. However, the story does not end there, thanks to the brilliance of one gifted scientist, who in his wisdom saw the destruction coming, assembled a team to create costume
designs to withstand the test of time and launched them into space in special pods into…the universe.
His hope was that one day the costumes would be discovered by other life forms and if by chance any one man or thing survived the destruction, they would one day relive and restore what we knew as Carnival.

This costume is just a preview of what designs were discovered.To see what other designs are revealed patrons will have to go to the
Islandpeople Mas Carnival 2011 presentation, ‘Shades of the Universe.

Friday, August 20 at Pier One at 10:00p.m. Tickets for IP Mas: Members – $210.00 and Non-masqueraders-$260.00.
Tickets are available at the IF House, on Tragarete Road and from the IP Mas Band Mas Camp, 50 O’Connor Street, Woodbrook.

Source: Carnival Fetish

Hundreds of people lined the streets as the Caribbean Carnival parade brought an explosion of colour to south Manchester.

The sun finally shone as extravagantly-dressed dancers, musicians and DJs took part in a joyful procession through Whalley Range, Hulme and Moss Side.

Around 20 floats blasted out Caribbean beats as dance troupes followed behind.

Saturday afternoon’s parade kicked off the carnival, which is being held in and around Alexandra Park this weekend. The theme for 2010 is ‘Diversity Explosion’.

Coun Roy Walters, from the Moss Side ward, was among the hundreds of people enjoying the carnival.

He said: “It is a fantastic day and a fantastic turn out. The weather is glorious, the sun is shining and everybody is enjoying themselves.

“There is a real diversity explosion. It is an important event because it is brings the community together. There is a variety of different nationalities here today, it’s a great example of social cohesion.”

Some parade participants had looked set for disappointment after police stopped two floats leaving Alexandra Park just after 1pm.

The floats had been delayed in leaving the starting point so had been separated from the rest of the parade – and police officers at the event felt they would not have been able to supervise two different processions.

Musicians and dancers who had been left behind protested fiercely with police, who after 45 minutes agreed to escort the two remaining floats to the top of Alexandra Road so they could join the parade as it passed by.

A number of top reggae and soul-calypso acts are due to take the stage over the weekend and this year’s carnival queen is to be crowned in the park.

Organisers say the abolition of slavery is being celebrated with an unprecedented number of dance troupes.

Police have advised motorists to expect disruption in the area on Sunday as the carnival continues.

Source: Manchester News

“Carn-nee-val is very sweet, Please don’t stop de Car-nee-Val”

If you’re looking for some great Summer reading, BVI Music highly recommends the Herman Wouk novel “Don’t Stop The Carnival”. Based on a true story, this exciting page-turner follows the exploits of New York public relations man Norman Paperman as he literally drops everything and heads to the Caribbean to follow his dreams of running a hotel. The Gull Reef Club, located in Amerigo ( a fictional island), could literally be Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, The Last Resort, Marina Cay… take your pick.

For individuals living in the Caribbean, Wouk’s tale will strike a deep chord in your souls – the characters from “Don’t Stop The Carnival”, will be people you know. The problems that Paperman encounters will be problems you’ve most likely become familiar with – a lack of water, people coming and going on short or no notice, labor issues, power outages, the food, stopping in the middle of roads, endless drama… the list goes on and on.

Norman Paperman’s departure for the Caribbean sets off a fire storm with his friends in New York – jealousy takes control and he becomes the envy of his friends and acquaintances. The former-life pals only see a man fulfilling his dream – he is declared to be a genius for the move.

Also remarkable about “Don’t Stop The Carnival”, is that Wouk collaborated with Jimmy Buffet to create a musical based on the novel – so when you finish the book, you can enjoy the songs, written and arranged by Jimmy Buffet in conjunction with Wouk. The musical was not exactly a smash Broadway hit – but it did break some records at The Coconut Grove Theatre in Miami. Of note also is that following the collaboration, Buffet actually purchased part ownership in a Caribbean hotel and helped to run it for 10 years until a fire closed it.

When you finish the book, you can check out the enhanced CD by Jimmy Buffet, here.

We can’t think of a more timely recommendation for reading with the Festival in swing… festival, carnival … it’s really quite the same thing. If you’re looking for a new book & new music with a definite Caribbean Flair, pick up “Don’t Stop the Carnival”, now.

Caribbean music, dances and food will be on display, as well as arts and crafts and other activities, during Carifest 2010 on Saturday. The festival kicks off with a parade that begins at 11 a.m. at Liberty Pole Way on East Main Street, proceeding west toward North Plymouth Avenue.

Then from 1 to 10 p.m. at the Riverside Festival Site, at Court Street and Exchange Boulevard, the Rochester West Indian Festival Organization will put on a party as diverse as the countries in the Caribbean, from Jamaica to Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago. Entertainment includes Impack 2, Vision X, Kau Jah, Mastamind and the Alfred St. John Steel Band. Call (585) 234-0909 or go to www.rwifo.com.

Caribana in Toronto

When: July 15 – August 2, 2010

Caribana Parade Weekend: July 30th – August 2nd

The 43rd annual Caribana Toronto Festival is just around the corner and hundreds of Caribbean inspired events, classes and parties have been planned to mark to this year’s festival. Toronto’s Caribbean Caribana festival has grown exponentially since its start in 1967 and is currently North America’s largest cultural festival. What was once a three-day event has now grown into three weeks of celebration, absorbing most of the city with its infectious feel-good vibes.

Over a million tourists are expected in Toronto during the last week of July to experience everything Caribana has to offer. The beauty of Caribana in Toronto is the varied audience it attracts: everyone from families across Canada and the U.S, young singles looking for a good time, to celebrities throwing Caribana themed parties in clubs across Toronto.

Caribana Festival 2010 officially kicks off Thursday July 15th with the Scotiabank Caribana Official Festival Launch at Younge & Dundas Square (Noon – 2pm). Thousands of people are expected to attend the afternoon affair that will feature live music, an array of delicious Caribbean food (Jamaican, Trinidadian, Cuban), insightful art displays and theatrical performances that showcase Caribbean inspired life. If you can’t make it to this one, no need to worry, there will be over a hundred official and unofficial events to see and experience such as Pan Alive (the highly entertaining steelpan competition), the Junior Carnival Parade and the King & Queen Competition – one of the festival’s craziest events has the leaders of the mas (masquerade) bands compete to win the title of King and Queen of the Caribana parade.

Toronto Caribana’s signature event is still, of course the parade itself – known now as the Scotiabank Caribana Parade being held Saturday, July 31st at Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Boulevard (10am – 6pm). Over 10,000 masquerades will participate as they strut and dance down the 3.6 km route in elaborate costumes, set to the vibrant Caribbean beats of the famed mas bands.

It wouldn’t be a well rounded Caribana experience if you didn’t hit a Caribana party or two… or ten! This year, over 30 Caribana-nightlife events will take place during the parade weekend alone. From July 30 – August 1 get your drink and dance on as top North American DJ’s spin at exclusive club events, eat and dance aboard Festival Boat Cruises, check out live Soca, Calypso, dancehall, reggae and be sure to find one of several pumping street parties – sure to kick your Caribana weekend into high gear.

Let CaribanaToronto.com be your Caribana Festival Guide to all the daytime and nightlife events that are happening in Toronto this July.

The Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) says that this year’s CDC organized events attracted a record number of persons.

Chairman of the CDC Dennis Ambrose described the festival as a success, saying the numbers are an indication of the positive growth of the festival.

He added that this year, the soca releases and the mas production dominated the festival. Meanwhile Coordinator of Rural Carnivals, Ezzie Roberts said that Rural Carnival activities continued over the weekend with activities in Barrouallie and Georgetown.

He added that 2010 rural activities will climax at the end of the month with the Canouan Carnival.

Recently renamed, the First Citizens Group Miss Carival 2010 Beauty Pageant, the event will therefore see ladies from nine other countries come up against local beauty Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2010 Aphiesha Matthews for the coveted crown.

Head of the Beauty Shows Committee Cheryl Rodriguez, speaking at a press event last Tuesday at Young Island Resorts said that the 2010 Miss Carival show is going to be, “one of the best ever”.

A few new innovations have been added to the event. The show, first held in 1985 will this year begin with the singing of the national anthem by songstress Kahelia Beache. The show will have as Masters of Ceremonies Bernard John and Shevrelle ‘Candy Man’ McMillan, also known as Contestant Number 12. On the night of the show, the Potential Steel Orchestra will be honored (30th anniversary) while Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste will also be honored for her years of service to the Beauty Shows Committee. The show will also see performances from, La Garcia Dancers, Calypsonian Bridgette Joy C Creese, the 2010 Ragga Soca King and panists Rajon Baptiste and Saed Bowman. Other acts include Cornelius Poorsah Williams and reigning Soca Monarch Skinny Fabulous.

Seven of the Miss Carival contestants arrived via LIAT last Monday June 28th and will leave on Saturday July 3rd. Rodriguez said that the Miss Carival pageant has met and surpassed its objectives which are, “participation from Caribbean countries gained at fostering greater links and bonds between many islands, encouraging persons to return here and showcasing the beauty and diversity of Caribbean women”. Six Vincentians have won Miss Carival while the reigning queen hails from Grenada in the form of Asheida Charles. The winner of this year’s pageant will get among other things US$4300. Second place gets US$1300 and third receives US$700.

The names of the ladies from the nine countries which are expected to compete against Matthews are, Miss Anguilla – Sangrena Harris, Miss Antigua & Barbuda – Shelana George, Miss British Virgin Islands – Jasmine Perez, Miss Dominica – Marcia Baptiste, Miss Martinique – Joane Daniele Lirus, Miss St Kitts & Nevis – Sudeakka Francis, Miss St Lucia – Iva Satney, Miss Trinidad & Tobago – Keda Lou-Ann Pascal and Miss Venezuela- Lucia Di Matteo Cacua.