REFLECTION & REASON

In the spirit of preserving, enhancing, and operationalizing the culturally significant event that is Caribbean Carnival, we have created a template that can be used in any city, for carnival enthusiasts who are looking to select a band to play mas with. MAS BAND EXPERIENCE: There are many factors that contribute to the overall experience participants will have with the mas band they select, from the band launch to crossing the stage and the road march. We've listed 20 items to consider including the band leader, DJs, road performers, trucks, refreshments, the band launch, costume registration, pickup, and quality, the mas camp vibe, website and social media performance, customer service, special events, band reputation, and participants diversity. By giving each area a score from 1-5, the template will automatically tabulate the overall grade for the band, which you can compare across 5 bands using our worksheet. Additional factors to consider, for reference: mas band size, the ma...

CARNIVAL SPOTLIGHT (2014) by SM Robinson Paperback | Ebook I wrote this book as a follow up to " Video Light " and the lives of the main characters Delia and Ryan Wright. An admirer of Sister Souljah's writing , I truly appreciated how she would take various characters from her books, and develop them independently at another space in time. I loved the way that readers had the opportunity to follow up with characters later in life, and continue the fictional journey with them in another book. In writing "Carnival Spotlight" I wanted to explore Delia and Ryan's relationship and whether or not it was capable of evolving. In 2014, I was also headpiece-deep in the production and administration of Toronto's Caribbean Carnival with one of the city's larger masquerade bands, the Toronto Revellers , and I would often observe the social aspects of mas making and marvel at how unique and niche the experience really was. Participating in Toronto Carnival as a...

It's often hard to articulate just how wonderful Caribbean carnival is as a cultural occurrence, as a point of legacy, as a hobby, and most importantly as a creative outlet for so many individuals around the world. The neverending calendar of carnivals, fetes, and launches give global carnival enthusiasts a permanent anticipation knowing that in just another few weeks there is another carnival...somewhere. For those of us residing in Toronto, that somewhere is right here on Lakeshore Boulevard, the CNE grounds, and the streets and parks of downtown that are embraced by the Caribbean festival every summer. The highlight for many, as it takes place during the long weekend preceding our Civic Holiday Monday (the first Monday in August), is that it also tends to mark the "end" of the official fete and boatride season, and the winding down of summer holidays in the weeks leading up to Labour Day and the beginning of a new school year. Right now, June, it is prime Toron...

Carnival Nationz Mas Camp Shantal Otchere for Now Toronto It's tradition. After the spring launches of the individual Toronto Caribbean Carnival masquerade bands, carnival enthusiasts and participants across the city and beyond can also look forward to the Mas Camp grand openings and the true physical beginning of the carnival season in the city. The Mas Camp is the hub of activity, construction, design, and camaraderie in the carnival community. It is a dedicated space where costume designers and their teams begin to carefully construct their costumes in preparation for parade day. It is the home for the individual mas bands, working towards the coveted titled of Band of the Year, based on their creativity, adherence to theme, and cohesiveness of their group/band overall. Carnival Nationz Mas Camp, Shantal Otchere for Now Toronto At the mas camp, not only can you witness creatives at work, but you can also take part in the development of the mas band for the seaso...

Now that Toronto Caribbean Carnival season has passed, and the festivities formerly known as "Caribana" are a few weeks behind us, I can't help but reflect on what this occasion has meant to the city, the country, and the Caribbean culture. Here are our thoughts, on behalf of myself and Kya Publishing (who have been involved in the administration and production of carnival on the mas band level since 2011), as posted on our speciality site: @CarnivalSpotlight earlier this week. "It's more than just  # JumpingUp  in costume, dancing on Lakeshore Boulevard, taking selfies with  # SocaArtists , having the biggest  # SoundSystem  and the prettiest truck  # OnDeRoad , and IG recording the  # WickedestWine . It's more than just  # CostumeDesign , and parade logistics, media appearances, and the coveted  # BandOfTheYear  title. Each year our  # TorontoCarnival  comes and goes. For 51 years we have looked forward to this ...