Press Release
For Immediate Release
REVISED – July 20th, 2009

VENUE CHANGE!!
De Scotiabank Caribana Lime

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009
12 Noon – 8pm at Heritage Square, Ontario Place

Toronto, ON, Canada – On Sunday, August 2nd, 2009, the Scotiabank Caribana Festival continues at Heritage Square, Ontario Place with a family-oriented event that will feature many different activities for the young and the young at heart.

There will be two stages (one featuring acoustical performances only) with the other main stage for majors artists. Entertainment will include Ballet Creole Dance & Drummers, N2 Chutney featuring Ravi Sookhoo, Moses Revolution, Neu Jenerashun, Samba Squad, Jay Douglas Reggae All Stars, Bele Children’s Dance Group, the Dominican Swinging Stars, the Haitian group Black Parents, comedian Donald Carr, and Tigress (of the United Sisters fame, with her current hit, “Mr. Rowley”). Headlining our stage show will be international Soca star Iwer George, and the legendary Black Stalin who is currently celebrating 50 years the entertainment business!

This year, we have two villages. There’s a Children’s Village where the kids can learn how to make mas costumes and the art of wire bending. Our new Caribbean Village will feature live performances showcasing Chris Pinheiro Mas Players and moko jumbies, and Grenada Shortney/Jab Jab. For those who like to play cards, there will even be an All-Fours Tournament!

Fans of local calypso will enjoy performances from the Organization for Calypso Performing Artistes 2009 Calypso Monarch, and 2009 People’s Choice Winner (both to be crowned on July 18th). A singing “battle” will take place featuring Lady Pearl, Structure, Macomere Fifi, Spice, De Carra, Jayson, King Cosmos and Susan G. Other performers include upcoming singer Naki, gospelyso artist Dennis James, the lively Black-I, and young Kempha Fields, a graduate of Pass the Torch (a school that teaches children how to write and sing Calypso music).

Steelpan lovers will be serenaded by the Ontario Steelpan Association 2009 Pan Alive winners (to be decided July 31), and the Trinidad & Tobago 2009 Panorama Champions, Silver Stars.

Roving around the park will be minstrel singers, various rhythm sections, Pan around the neck bands, and Tassa drummers.

As always, a number of vendors will be serving authentic Caribbean food and beverages. In addition, there will be various displays of Caribbean memorabilia and artifacts.

So come bring your family and friends to enjoy the best of the best entertainment that our festival has to offer! Advance tickets are $14 (for ages 6 - 64), $11.75 (for ages 4-5, and 65 and over), and Kids under 3 are free. At the door, tickets are $17.75 (for ages 6 - 64), $11.75 (for ages 4-5, and 65 and over), and Kids under 3 are free. Advance tickets are available online at www.caribanafestival.com.

About Scotiabank Caribana

The Scotiabank Caribana Festival is an exciting two-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 42nd year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Caribana is an international cultural phenomenon, the great metropolis of Toronto and its environs will come alive as the city explodes with the pulsating rhythms and melodies of Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Chutney and Steel Pan music. The Festival Management Committee oversees the running of North America’s largest outdoor festival.

For complete listing information, visit www.caribanafestival.com.

Scotiabank Caribana 2009 Festival Office is located at 263 Davenport Avenue, Lower Level; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5R 1E9. It can be contacted at Tel: 416-391-5608; Fax: 416-391-5693; Email: info@caribanafestival.com

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