By Lincoln DePradine
The 2024 Toronto Caribbean Carnival is over. However, not the summer season of Caribbean festivals and performances within the metropolis by Caribbean artistes.
Amongst different occasions carded for this month are Jamaica Day, Grenada Day Celebration and TD JerkFest – the annual Worldwide Jerk Meals and Music Competition.
JerkFest begins this Friday, August 9, and runs till Sunday, August 11, at Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Highway, Etobicoke.
Caribbean Promotions Arts and Tradition (CPAC) Inc., organizer of the occasion, has promised “an entertaining line up of worldwide and native artistes to hit the TD JerkFest stage with soca, dancehall and reggae vibes”.
The weekend of “leisure festivities”, in keeping with CPAC, begins Friday night time with “new-generation dancehall sensation Masicka. Dancehall artist Ding Dong might be becoming a member of Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths, and Soca Star Farmer Nappy, on Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11”.
Inside two weeks of JerkFest, there would be the internet hosting of Grenada Day in Toronto and Jamaica Day in Brampton.
Jamaica Day, described by organizers as a “household, meals and music competition”, with guarantees of “enjoyable actions for adults and youngsters”, is being placed on by Sunshine Expertise Program (STP).
STP, a non-profit group, has been liable for the staging of Toronto Jamaica Day since 1991.
Hewitt Loague, public relations officer for STP, advised The Caribbean Digital camera that preparations are continuing properly for the competition, saying extra particulars might be disclosed subsequent week.
“We’re planning a press convention for Tuesday, the 13th,” Loague stated.
This 12 months’s Jamaica Day is Saturday, August 24, and Sunday, August 25, at Brampton Sports activities Park, 7575 Kennedy Highway.
STP calls it a “vibrant and unforgettable celebration”, and a “spectacular tribute to the wealthy tradition, historical past and spirit of Jamaica”.
The 2-day occasion permits patrons entry to things like genuine Jamaican delicacies; an arts and craft market; egg and spoon race; an grownup dance-off; face-painting and storytelling for kids; and “back-to-school giveaways”.
Nonetheless, the principle sights at Jamaica Day are anticipated to be the reside musical leisure.
Among the many stellar forged of entertainers might be Sanchez, Mikey Spice, Jay Douglas, Papa Michigan, The Manhattans, and Majestic Warriors Band.
Tickets to Jamaica Day value $50 every. Nonetheless, STP is providing reductions on tickets to “early fowl” consumers and people buying prematurely of the occasion.
As well as, there’s a “group appreciation sale”, the place an individual can purchase three tickets and get one freed from value.
Ticket shops are positioned in Brampton, Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough and Malton.
Additional Jamaica Day data is accessible by calling 647-891-4749.
Grenada Day in Toronto coincides with this 12 months’s observance of the nation’s fiftieth anniversary of independence from Britain.
Unison Joseph, treasurer of the Grenada Day Cultural Affiliation (GDCA), estimates that organizers are about “90 %” in readiness for the occasion, with all of the requisite permits secured.
The entertainers will embrace no less than three former Grenada Calypso Monarchs – Black Wizard, Inspector and Flying Turkey.
Grenada Day Celebration, an annual occasion launched in 2006, is a program of arts, craft and meals, in addition to reside leisure.
GDCA’s mission, it says, is “to showcase the wealthy heritage of our Tri-island State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to the Diaspora and past, via our numerous meals, music and tradition”.
The Grenada Day Celebration is Saturday, August 24. Like final 12 months, will probably be held at Coronation Park, 2700 Eglinton Avenue West.
For extra data on the Grenada Day Celebration, name 647-706-7254.
