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TORONTO
CARIBANA 2012 COVERAGE
Joy Juice back in the T.DOT! With camera, lens, batteries, chargers, flash, short pants, t-shirts, jeans, vests, sneakers, shades, sunblock, business cards, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and other road necessities all in check ... WE ready to hit Caribana 2012 hard. For the second time, Joy Juice rolling up north to Canada. But, it's my first time for Caribana. The first trip across the boarder was when I played semi-pro soccer with Caribbean Stars in 1996. So obviously, this trip too long overdue. But ah ready! After a long ride with the TJJ family on the road from NY to Toronto, we landed at FLARE on Friday to kick off my Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2012! Toronto rep Ted aka Stallion Juice showed up Dr. Jay's annual KOS J'OUVERT, and from our view, it was a site to see. You just had to be there to believe how wicked this fete was! As for FLARE, it was roof-top business at the Skyy Bar and Lounge in the Guverment building (a building built specifically with clubs in mind). With great weather, good DJs, boss food and drinks flowing like water all on hand, there was no stopping this event. The food by the way, was sponsored by Tasty's Caribbean Restaurant, and I don't mean to be biased, but this man could rel cook. Can you imagine current rolls, sweat bread, roast bake and other Caribbean delights were all on hand at this event? With cotton candy and snow cone vendors as an added touch. From FLARE, we got in a few minutes of rest before heading to SHINE TORONTO. Crowd thick like ah doh know what! With Iwer, Kerwin Du Bois, Shal Mashal and Super Jigga TC all representing, alongside D' Bandit and Back to Basics and a host of world class DJs, the Toronto Shine edition lived up to its expectations. And not to mentioned the beautiful women in the party! Boy oh boy!! And as soon as it hit 4AM, the food came out ... and guess who was serving food again? If you guessed Tasty's Caribbean Restaurant, then you are right! They starting to get like Trini Jungle Juice... showing up everywhere! And again, the food was best. Luckly for us, most of the major events on Carnival Friday night were in the same vicinity, making it easy for us to roll from one place to the next. We hit up Island Style's GLOW TORONTO where every man jack had on white from head to toe ... shoes, pants, belt, undergarments, tops, bandanna... you name it ..... it WHITE! We even see a white wallet ... no joke!! Both Machel Montano and Kerwin Du Bois graced the stage and did their thing. Carnival Saturday fantastic! In the morning, the people came out in the thousands for the PARADE that has made Caribana what it is today. The costumes were well designed and the women adorned them well... believe me! The music trucks were set and ready to go and the spectators were ready for a grand show. And what a treat they got. The pictures do not tell a lie! Saturday night had two major events, SOCA OR DIE! and MR. FETE featuring Machel Montano HD. Machel is Machel ... and as he continues to be one of the most popular Caribbean entertainers, he is continuously attracting sell out crowds..... a major plus for promoters. At Dr. Jay's SOCA OR DIE! held at Wild Water Kingdom's massive Savannah Stage, the patrons were treated to a more than spectacular event. Problem Child, Benjai, Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons, Kerwin Du Bois, Kes, Shal Mashall, Iwer, TC and Swappi (just to name a few) had their shining moments on stage and gave the audience what they deserved. A great show! Finally, we closed out Caribana 2012 with CARNIVAL BLISS CRUISE hosted by D' Bandit and the 7th annual BIG PEOPLE OUTDOOR FETE promoted by Dr. Jay & his mom Dianna. Bliss Bliss Bliss.... I will sum this up like this ... WE ROCKED THE HELL OUT OF THAT BOAT!! And to the people who did not get on, we are SORRY! And the promoter sorry as well. Get there early next year. As for Big People Fete, if you cannot handle 'Big People' ting, stay home! Kes, Swappi, Shal, Nadia Batson and her band gave the grown folks something to be proud about .... our music, our culture and in true grown folk fashion. At the end of the day, the batteries and shades came in handy for this year's Toronto Caribbean Carnival. As we left out, we stop by Uncle Anthony for a little roti and rest up before we hit the road. So the big question ... Caribana 2013? Yuh asking like yuh not sure!! Joy Juice ... Out and About! <<
Caribana 2011 Coverage >> |
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