PRESS RELEASE #1
For Immediate Release
April 21st, 2008

2008 UPCOMING EVENTS SCHEDULE!

Toronto, ON, Canada: The 41st annual Scotiabank Caribana™ Festival will take place in Toronto from Tuesday, July 15th through to Monday, August 4th, 2008.

Luminat’eau: Carnival H2O (formerly “Carnivalissima”)
Date/Time: Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8, 2008 – 12 Noon to 6pm
Place: Harbourfront
Scotiabank Caribana is a participant in this event – a spectacular water themed finale of the LuminaTO: Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity produced by LuminaTO and Harbourfront Centre.

Calypso Tent Music Series
Date: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from June 13 to July 13, 2008
Time: 8pm to 12 Midnight
Place: De Great Iron Pot, 55 Nugget Avenue, Scarborough; Calypso City, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
This is an exciting annual showcase of Canada's best Calypso and Soca. It runs for three nights each week (Friday Sunday) at various venues in Toronto; each night featuring a different calypso tent performing original Calypso and Soca music in its best storytelling tradition: social and political commentary, humor and wit. Produced by The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA).

Official Launch
Date/Place: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 – 12 Noon to 2pm
Place: Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall
This official ceremony launches the activities for the 2008 Scotiabank Caribana Festival Season. Patrons can meet and mingle with Federal, Provincial and Municipal officials, Caribana representatives and sponsors while sampling Caribbean and international cuisine. It is a snapshot of what's in store over the coming weeks featuring live entertainment and Caribana costumes on display.

Junior Carnival
Date/Place: Saturday, July 19th, 2008 – 10 am to 4pm
Place: Shoreham Drive/Yorkgate Mall
Junior Carnival provides festival-goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the thrills and joys as young masqueraders participate in a children’s version of the main Caribana Parade.

Art Exhibition
Date/Place: Thursday, July 24 to Monday, August 4, 2008 – 12 Noon to 9pm
Place: Royal Ontario Museum
A Visual Art Exhibition – COLOURblind International – ‘Roots to Rhythm’ produced by the Association of African Canadian Artists. An intriguing collection of over 60 works that have been influenced by our journey.

Caribana Gala
Date/Time: Friday, July 25, 2008 – 6.30pm to 1am
Place: Liberty Grand, Exhibition Place
An elegant evening of style and glamour, celebrating Caribana and paying tribute to its pioneers. Proceeds from this event will be directed to a Caribana Foundation.

‘Kaiso 365’ Calypso Monarch Finals
Date/Time: Saturday, July 26, 2008 – 7.30pm to 1am
Place: Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto
This is where the OCPA Calypso Monarch is crowned. Come and see the best and biggest Canadian Calypsonians battle for the crown. From the topical to the lyrical, the sweet Soca rhythms will lift you out of your seat and get you moving. Produced by The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA).

King & Queen Show
Date/Time: Thursday, July 31st, 2008 – 7pm to 12 Midnight
Place: Lamport Stadium
On the Thursday evening before Caribana Day, the Kings and Queens of the each competing Band meet to do battle to be enthroned as the King or Queen of Scotiabank Caribana 2008. The King and Queen symbolically have the keys to the city, freedom of the streets. Their movements are supposed to be uninhibited. Large Individual costumes are also adjudicated at this competition. A sold-out event every year, this is wonderful opportunity to experience an up close look at the detailed artistry of the large costumes that will grace the Lake Shore at the annual Scotiabank Caribana Parade.

OSA Pan Alive
Date/Time: Friday, August 1, 2008 – 7pm to 12 Midnight
Place: Lamport Stadium
Produced by the Ontario Steelpan Association (OSA), this competition is a thrilling evening showcasing the musical dexterity of the steelpan. Each steelband performs two songs of arrangements which could come from any musical genre (classical, pop music and of course Calypso or Soca, etc.) for a panel of judges. This Panorama is the biggest opportunity to hear this wonderful instrument in all its glory.

41st Annual Scotiabank Caribana™ Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, August 2, 2008 – 10am to 6pm
Place: Exhibition Place (Lake Shore Blvd)
This showcase event features an incredible display of colour and pageantry, commencing at Exhibition Place and proceeding west along Lake Shore Boulevard. With over 1 million in attendance every year, Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Boulevard will come alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival!

De Caribana Lime – Island Festival
Date/Time: Sunday, August 3, 2008 – 10am to 6pm
Place: Olympic Island
This event features a full day of performances from a variety of artistes, highlighting the diverse cultures of all the Caribbean people. Activities include a food competition, song, dance, theatrical drama and storytelling.

Managed by The Festival Management Committee (FMC), the 41st annual Scotiabank Caribana™ Festival 2008 takes place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from July 15th through to August 4th, 2008. For more information, check the official Scotiabank Caribana™ Festival 2008 website at www.caribanafestival.com.