PHOTO GALLERY: Carnival Nationz 2014 Band Launch “HAVANA”

Photography by Darling Nicky, Cultural Liaison and PR Team for Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

PHOTO GALLERY: Saldenah Mas-K Club 2014 Band Launch “River of Mirrors”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Darling Nicky, Cultural Liaison and PR Team for Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival’s King and Queen Competition – Thursday Aug. 1, 2013

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival’s King and Queen Competition Kicks OffThe Big Weekend, Thursday Evening Lamport Stadium

The media is invited to join Soca singing superstar Destra and Provincial Minister Michael Coteau (Immigration) at the first big event for this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival. The King and Queen competition will be held the evening of August 1^st at Lamport Stadium in downtown Toronto.

This nighttime event showcases the elaborate costumes, which will be worn by the Kings and Queens in the Grand Parade.  Kings and Queens from 12 different Mas Camps will wear picturesque and oversized costumes (some 10+ metres tall 12+ metres wide) will dance in front of a SRO stadium as they vie for top honours at this year’s festival.

Doors open at 6pm for the outdoor competition.  At 7pm MPP Michael Coteau will officially open the event. Trinidad Soca singing superstar Destra will be in the stadium at 11.30 for the crowning of the King and Queen and the presentation of the Ontario Science Centre Innovation Award.

 This year marks the third year of the Ontario Science Centre Innovation Award that will recognize innovation in costume design at the celebration, widely known for its vibrant and dazzling costumes. The Award will shine a light on the intricate art and scientific merit of costume design by honouring the creators of these innovative masterpieces shown at the King and Queen competition.

The King and Queen Competition is considered the first big event of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival weekend. On Friday evening Pan Alive, North America’s largest steel drum orchestra competition will be held at Lamport Stadium. On Saturday August 3^rd, the Grand Parade will be held along Lakeshore at Exhibition Place and on Sunday the Chutney Soca party will be held in Mississauga.

About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, and revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 46th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Carnival is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. The Festival Management Committee oversees the running of North America’s largest outdoor festival.

Corporate sponsors of this year’s festival include: Scotiabank, Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, Caribbean Connection, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, OLG. The Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Email: info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

For media inquires:

Stephen Weir
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
Phone 416-489-5868
Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Sheena Findlay
Scotiabank
Cell: 647-628-3501
Email: Sheena.findlay@scotiabank.com

DESTRA – THE CARIBBEAN’S ROAD WARRIOR PLAYS MAS IN 2013 TORONTO CARNIVAL

DESTRA – THE CARIBBEAN’S ROAD WARRIOR PLAYS MAS IN TORONTO

Famed Soca singer to appear at King and Queen, The Grand Parade and more!

 Hundreds of thousands of Torontonians have jumped up to the music of Destra while taking part in the annual Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival over the past decade.  This year, for the first time ever, Destra will actually be taking part in the parade and playing mas with her legion of Canadian and American fans!

Destra Garcia, the Trinidadian performer who has written and recorded Road Songs that revelers play Mas to at Carnival parades around the world, has been named the Monarch of the Scotaibank Caribbean Carnival. She will help officiate at this year King and Queen competition and the Grand Parade!

Destra is noted for her high-energy performances, harmonious vocal skill, her song writing ability and her unique fashion style.   She sings about carnival life and the joy of playing Mas.  Songs like It’s Carnival, I Dare You and Fly have become anthems for revelers and will be heard over-and-over on the Toronto parade route this August 3^rd.

She is also known for contemporary life-style lyrics.  “Tonight I’m in de mood, (ah want to wine and behave rude) “ is the refrain from “I Dare You” is oft repeated and covered by Soca singers all over the world.

Destra Garcia will appear at the Thursday August 1^st evening King and Queen costume Competition at Lamport Stadium (King / Dufferin).  She will assist in the crowning of the King and Queen of the Parade.  On Saturday, August 3rd she will appear at the judging stand of the Grand Parade in Exhibition Place and then will perform for revelers inside the Park at the Band Shell at 2pm. Performance also by JW and Blaze, KI, Orlando Octave and many more.

And finally on Sunday August 4^th Destra is headlining the Caribana Fire Fete at the Sound Academy at Polson Pier (formerly The Docks).  Over 3,000 people are expected to attend the Sunday night (10pm) party with Destra and her band.  Also appearing on the bill will be Alison Hinds and her band and KI & 3veni‎.

‎About Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival

 The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, and revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 46th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Carnival is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. The Festival Management Committee oversees the running of North America’s largest outdoor festival.

Corporate sponsors of this year’s festival include: Scotiabank, Chevrolet, The Toronto Star, CTV, CP-24, FLOW fm, The Canadian Federal Government, The Province of Ontario, City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, The Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Library, Eglinton Square Mall, and the Liberty Grand.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For more information about the programmes and events, please visit the festival’s official website at www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com. The Festival Office is located at 19 Waterman Avenue. Contact info: Tel: 416-391-5608; Email: info@torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

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To interview Destra and for Media information:

Stephen Weir
Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Publicist
Phone 416-489-5868
Cell: 416-801-3101
Email: Stephen@stephenweir.com

Darling Nicky, Cultural Liaison
Cell: 905-399-5322
Email: darlingnicky.ca@gmail.com