Make Way for Caribana in Toronto

By Saudia Mohamed

Let the festival begin!

The 46th annual Caribana Toronto Festival is right around the corner, in a matter of weeks Toronto will be kicking off the hottest festival of the summer. On Thursday July 17th The Scotiabank Caribana Official Festival will launch at Nathan Philips Square (noon – 2pm).

What was once a three-day event has now grown into a 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 this festivity, and will feature live music, a collection of delicious Caribbean food (Jamaican, Trinidadian, all sorts of amazing West Indian Caribbean foods), insightful art displays and theatrical performances that showcase Caribbean inspired life.

Caribana was introduced to Canada in 1967 by immigrants from Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada and Jamaica. The Festival was previously named Scotiabank Caribana, but on May 25, 2011 the festival released its new logo and new name, “Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto”.

Toronto Caribana’s signature event is still, of course the parade itself known now as the Scotiabank Caribana Parade being held Saturday, August 4th 2012 at Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Boulevard (10am – 6pm). Over 10,000 masquerades will participate as they strut and dance down that 3.6 km route in elaborate costumes and will set to the vibrant Caribbean beats of the famed mas bands.
The parade consists of 15 mas bands and thousands of colorful dancers and masqueraders. Some of the costumes can be 20 feet tall and weigh 400 pounds. Yikes!

Tell me, what kind of Caribana experience would it be 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 August 2nd – August 5th, 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. GET READY TO WINEEEEEEEEE!

Caribana Events

Toronto Caribana Parade
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Boulevard
The 2012 Caribana Parade is back for its 45th year celebrating Caribbean culture in Toronto.
o Crowd: Family Event
o Price: Free
o Music: Soca, Calypso, Live Music

VIP PASS
Thu. Aug. 2, 2012 @ Various Venues
The Ultimate Caribana VIP Pass gives you vip access into 4 of the hottest events for one price!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $85
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

4-Day Caribana Pass
Thu. Aug. 2, 2012 @ Various Venues
The 4-Day Caribana Pass allows you to select 4 events for $85!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $85
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Carnival Social
Sun. Aug. 5, 2012 @ London Tap House Nightclub
Caribana’s most exclusive and upscale affair for a mature clientele. This is a 21+ event with a stylish dress code so dress to impress!
o Crowd: Mature, Urban
o Price: $30
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Soca on the Roof
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Skybar Nightclub
Wine down on Toronto’s biggest rooftop patio!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $30.00
o Music: Reggae, Soca, Calypso …

Hot 97/BET Caribana Party
Sun. Aug. 5, 2012 @ Guvernment Nightclub
The 12th annual Hot 97 BET Caribana 2012 Party is back taking over the entire Guvernment Complex!
o Crowd: Urban, Twenties …
o Price: $30
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Director X’s 12th Annual Caribana Event
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Sound Academy (Polson Pier) Nightclub
Director X’s annual Caribana Saturday event!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $30
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Mr. Fete with Machel Montano
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Caesars Event Center Lounge
Mr. Fete Saturday Aug 4th 2012! Machel Montano Live in concert Saturday Aug 4th!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $40-$50
o Music: Soca

Fire Fete Caribana Sunday
Sun. Aug. 5, 2012 @ Sound Academy (Polson Pier) Nightclub
Get ready to get down and dirty for the 2012 Fire Fete with dozens of other artists!
o Crowd: Urban, Twenties …
o Price: $40
o Music: Soca

Set It Off
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Mansion & Loft Nightclub
Caribana Friday’s biggest event with 4 Rooms and 4 Sounds. The official Hot 97, Bad Boy, Ciroc Party.
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $30
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Soca or Die Carnival Saturday
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Wild Water Kingdom
Soca or Die Carnival Saturday!
o Crowd: Mixed
o Price: Other
o Music: Reggae, Soca

The Wet Fete
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Rich Nightclub
Saturday August 4th,2012 The Wet Fete The biggest Foam Party in the City!
o Crowd: Urban, Casual, Mixed
o Price: $20-$25
o Music: Reggae, Soca

Caribana Def Jam Party
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Kool Haus Nightclub
The annual Caribana Def Jam party for Caribana 2012 with over 3000 people!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $40
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae .

Caribana Above The City
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Toula on The Westin
Caribana’s only Semi Formal event on the 38th floor of The Westin Harbour Castle.
o Crowd: Mature, Urban
o Price: $35
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

SHINE
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Sound Academy (Polson Pier) Nightclub
Caribana Friday’s biggest soca event until the early morning!!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $35
o Music: Soca, Live Music

Soca Rave
Sun. Aug. 5, 2012 @ Kings Park Soca Village
Soca Rave 2012 at the Kool Haus is set to be Caribana weekend’s craziest Soca Fete from 10pm-6am!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $30
o Music: Soca, Live Music
Tickets

Cool Rock
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Orange Room Nightclub
Toronto’s Caribana nightlife events seem to cater mostly to soca and calypso music fetters. Well …
o Crowd: Mature, Urban
o Price: $25
o Music: Reggae, Dance Hall

Caribana Warm Up
Thu. Aug. 2, 2012 @ Tryst Nightclub
Start off strong this Caribana weekend inside Caribana Warm Up at Tryst Night Club!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $15 early bird tickets
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Carnival Vibez Boat Cruise
Thu. Aug. 2, 2012 @ Enterprise 2000
Escape to the Caribbean on the annual Carnival Vibez Boat Cruise this Caribana 2012 long Weekend!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $50
o Music: Soca, Calypso, Chutney

Another Croft Original Presents the 3rd Annual Carnival…
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ The Vue Nightclub
Another Croft Original Presents the 3rd Annual Carnival Decadence Fete Inside THE VUE 195 …
o Crowd: Mature, Urban, Young Professionals, Mixed …
o Price: $25+
o Music: Top 40, Hip Hop, R&B …

TRINIDAD & JAMAICA PARTY SERIES | CARIBANA EDITION | AUG. 4th…
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ 6 Degrees Nightclub
CARIBANA WEEKEND 2012……. CARIBANA SATURDAY AUGUST 4TH, 2012 WAYNE CHUNG & THE …
o Crowd: Mature …
o Price: $25+
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Make it Rain
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ City Nightclub
The annual sold out Caribana Saturday Event known as MAKE IT RAIN is back inside the 3 rooms mega …
o Crowd: Urban, Mixed
o Price: 25
o Music: Top 40, Hip Hop, R&B …

Byron Lee Dragonaires (Saturday) with Ken Lazarus & Lovindeer
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Double Tree by Hilton Hotels (Plaza Ballroom)
Byron Lee Dragonaire’s Saturday Aug 4th 2012
o Crowd: Mature, Urban
o Price: $50 (limited tickets)
o Music: Reggae, Soca, Calypso …

Xclusv Carnival Class Affair
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ TBA
Carnival Class Affair at Atlantis on Caribana Saturday is an upscale event at an elite venue. …
o Crowd: Mature, Urban, Twenties …
o Price: $50
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Beyond De Lime – 24 Hour Dusk to Dusk Event
Sat. Aug. 4, 2012 @ Ontario Place
Beyond De Lime – a 24-hour Dusk to Dusk event
o Crowd: Mixed
o Price: TBA
o Music: R&B, Reggae, Soca …

Sunday Blocko
Sun. Aug. 5, 2012 @ Rockwood Nightclub
Sunday Blocko Fete indulge in some of Toronto’s best Caribbean Food ever served! Join us for a BBQ !
o Crowd: Mixed
o Price: Other
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

CHUTNEY IN DE PARK – 3rd Annual Guyanese & Trini Family Picnic
Sun. Aug. 5, 2012 @ Bella Gardens
Chutney in De Park Family Picnic in King City offers fun games, music and entertainment.
o Crowd: Urban, Family Event
o Price: $15
o Music: Soca, Chutney, Live Music

Elite on the Water
Sun. Aug. 5, 2012 @ Empress of Canada
Elite on the Water is Caribana Sunday’s only upscale event and boat cruise!
o Crowd: Mature, Urban, Twenties …
o Price: $45
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Open
Thu. Aug. 2, 2012 @ TIME Nightclub
The mature solution to your Thursday night Caribana weekend warm up.
o Crowd: Urban, Casual, Mixed
o Price: $15-$20 ($10 with guestlist)
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

Caribana King and Queen Show
Thu. Aug. 2, 2012 @ Lamport Stadium
Mas Band leaders of the 2011 Caribana Parade compete for the title of King and Queen…
o Crowd: Family Event
o Price: $30
o Music: Soca, Calypso, Live Music

Splash Boat Cruise Caribana Thursday Night
Thu. Aug. 2, 2012 @ Empress of Canada
SPLASH – The WIC Boat Cruise Location: Empress Of Canada 11 Polson Street Sound …
o Crowd: Mature …
o Price: $25+
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …

UNION “De Caribana Edition”
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Aura Nightclub
Hosted by – MC LINX (G98.7fm/voice of choice) With special guest host – Comedian JEAN …
o Crowd: Mature, Sophisticated
o Price: $20-$25
o Music: Top 40, Hip Hop, R&B …

Byron Lee’s Dragonaires Boat Ride
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Empress
Get set for the Dragonaire’ annual soca & calypso concert cruise sailing on Friday, Aug 3rd 2012.
o Crowd: Mature, Urban, Thirties …
o Price: $50
o Music: Calypso, Live Music

Caribana Pan Alive
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Lamport Stadium
Check out Caribana 2011′s premiere steel pan competition Pan Alive at Lamport Stadium.
o Crowd: Family Event
o Price: $25
o Music: Live Music

Chutney Showdown
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Caesars Event Center Lounge
Friday, August 3, 2012 Go events, Stage Front, Uncle B and Caribbean Showtime, …
o Crowd: Mixed
o Price: $20-$25
o Music: Top 40, R&B, Soca …

Glow
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ Kool Haus Nightclub
Caribana’s White Party is back with the 11th anniversary edition of GLOW at the Kool Haus.
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $50
o Music: Soca

Wicked In White
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ TBA
The ultimate All White Fete which is indoor/outdoor with a foam patio!!
o Crowd: Urban
o Price: $30
o Music: Reggae, Soca, Calypso

HEATWAVE
Fri. Aug. 3, 2012 @ PERIDOT RESTO-LOUNGE Lounge
Caribana Friday August 3rd, 2012 “HEATWAVE” feat. Jason Chambers, …
o Crowd: Mature, Urban, Mixed …
o Price: $20-$25
o Music: Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae …