indicates kid-friendly events
Thursday, July 30
Beyond The Rhythm Caribana art exhibition featuring 50 works on canvas. To Aug 3. Free w/ admission. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park. caribanafestival.com.
caribana kick off Baba Kahn, Ill Kidz and Kid Kut alongside Snax, One Touch, Lil Milz and others. 10 pm. $15-$25. Circa, 126 John. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Caribana King & Queen Show Kings and queens of the mas bands meet to compete for the title. 7 pm-midnight. Lamport Stadium, 1151 King W. caribanafestival.com.
caribana warm up Logun and others play hip-hop, soca and reggae all night. 10 pm. $15-$25. Frequency Nightclub, 289 Richmond W. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
carnival vibez boat cruise Crystal Vibez and Soca Sweetness spin for this five hour boat cruise. Boarding 7 pm. $45-$60. All white dress recommend. Enterprise 2000, 242 Cherry, pier 35. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
The Harder They Come Perry Henzell’s dramatic adaptation of the film about reggae musician Jimmy Cliff, starring Rolan Bell, runs to Aug 23. $25-$95. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212.
Iriefest Boat Cruise Cruise the harbour aboard the Aurora Borealis to music by Missa Blackz and Gramps Morgan. 7-11 pm. $60. Info. 905-799-1630 ext 29, ticketbreak.com.
jump-off party Reggae, dancehall and hip-hop with DJs Maysr, Abel, Fathom and Serious. $5 cover. Vdara, 735 Queen W. wildstyles@gmail.com.
Toronto Black Pride Celebration Queeribana launch with Terrence Dean reading from Hiding In Hiphop, a performance by Michelle Ross and more. 10 pm-3 am. Donation. Harlem Lounge, 67 Richmond W. anopenmindgroup.com.
Word! Sound! Powah! Dub theatre festival with Jamilah Malika, Liza Paul, d’bi.young and others plus a screening of the film In The Round. Today and tomorrow. $10. anitAFRIKA! Dub Theatre, 62 Fraser. 416-434-1823, anitafrika.com.
Friday, July 31
byron lee’s dragonaires boat ride Five hour boat cruise w/ live music. Boarding 8:30 pm. $50. Semi formal. Empress of Canada, Terminal Pier 29, 261 Queens Quay E. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
caribana heat and foam fete DJs spin soca, reggae, calypso, hip-hop and top 40. 10 pm. $20-$40. Cabana/Moon, 287 & 289 Richmond W. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
cool rock dance hall edition Reggae Affair Caribana edition. 10 pm. $20-$30. Guvernment Orange Room, 132 Queen’s Quay. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Dancehall Unruly Twin spins at a party for the Caribbean LGBT community. 10:30 pm. $15. Fazoolis, 294 Adelaide W. anopenmindgroup.com.
glow Soca and reggae party with live performances. 9 pm. $30-$40. Kool Haus, 132 Queens Quay. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
hot 97 jump off DJ Cipha Sounds spins hip-hop, R&B, reggae. 10 pm. $20-$40. Circa, 126 John. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Island Soul Festival of Pan-Caribbean culture with reggae, Creole and calypso music, plus dance, food demos and more. Featuring Tche Kreyol 7 pm, Roy Cape & the Kaiso All Stars 8 pm, and the Mighty Shadow at 9:30 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Jamaica To Toronto Global grooves concert. 8 pm. Free. Yonge-Dundas Square. ydsquare.ca.
j’ouvert Dr Jay, Benjai, Problem Child, Skinny Fabulous and others spin soca, calypso and reggae plus live performances. 10 pm. $40-$50. Embers Banquet Hall, 781 Warden. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
The Language Of The Heart Andrew Moodie’s play based on a novel by Wallace Thurman about the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, with jazz by Joe Sealy. Runs to Aug 1. $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529.
Pan Alive Caribana steelpan competition. 7 pm-midnight. Lamport Stadium, 1151 King W. caribanafestival.com.
reggae central caribana Louie Don and Reggie Niceness spin reggae and roots. Thymeless, 355 College. 416-928-0556.
Shine Soca Sweetness, Back to Basic, D’Bandit and Lindo P. Doors 10 pm. $15. Sound Academy, 11 Polson. dbandit.com.
Soca Fever Indigo vibes’s queer caribana fete with a performance by Guyanese diva Kera Keys, plus DJs Roxy and Arif spinning. 10 pm. $8, after midnight $10. Barn, 418 Church. 416-407-0366.
Saturday, August 1
bigness Big Boi, Young Dro, Kid Kut, Little X doors 10 pm. $40. Sound Academy, 11 Polson. maxamusent.com.
caribana aftershock Caribana rave w/ live performacnes by Zoelah, Logun and a mystery guest. 10 pm. $20-$40. Cabana/Moon, 287 & 289 Richmond W. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
caribana def jam Jadakiss, Starting from Scratch, DJ Enuff, DJ Kholes, DJ Capone, Renaissance Disco and General perform. 10 pm. $40-$60. Kool Haus, 132 Queens Quay. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
caribana kompa creole edition Miami Haitian Kompa band Zenglen perform alongside Evens Jean, DJ Supa Duke and DJ Woo. 9 pm. $45-$60. Dress code in effect. Opera House, 735 Queen E. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com.
Caribana Parade The pageant of music and costumes rolls out along Lake Shore from the CNE to Parkside. 10 am-6 pm. Free, ticketed seats in CNE. caribanafestival.com.
caribana jump off 2K9 DJs Carl Allen, Spanish Fly, Ambassador spin R&B, hip-hop, soca, reggae, and old skool. Harlem, 67 Richmond E. 416-368-1920.
Caribana Tent Theatres Masquerade bands, soca and calypso artists, musical storytelling and more. 10 am-6 pm. Free. Marilyn Bell Park, 1250 Lake Shore W. caribanafestival.com.
carnival in yuh backyard Ravi B, Faye-Ann, Benjai, Blaxx, Bunji, Hunter, Karma, Roy Cape, Rita Jones and others play this outdoor soca/reggae fete and concert. 7 pm. $40-$60. Wild Water Kingdom, 7855 Finch W. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
creole jazz concert Zenglen performs. Doors 9:30 pm. $40. Opera House, 735 Queen E. caribanatoronto.com.
flow 93.5 caribana saturday Dj Drama, Ill Kidz, Platinum Touch and Spex spin hip-hop, reggae and R&B. 10 pm. $20-$40. Home Nightclub, 117 Peter. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Irie Music Festival Performances by Byron Lee & the Dragonaires, DJ Billy Bryans, the Diaspora Band, Roberto Linares Brown Orchestra and others. DJ dance parties, boat cruises and more. 4-10 pm. Free. Queen’s Park. iriemusicfestival.com.
Island Soul Festival of Pan-Caribbean culture with reggae, Creole and calypso music featuring The Arsenals 8 pm, Charles Town Maroons 8:45 pm, and Leroy Sibbles at 9:30 pm, plus dance, food demos and more. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
official bad boy party Day 26 and Baba Kahn perform. 10 pm. $40-$50. Embassy, 137 Peter. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Splash Saturday Party for queer Caribbean women with music by Whiplash and Unruly Twin. 10:30 pm. $20. Fazoolis, 294 Adelaide W. anopenmindgroup.com.
There goes the neighbourhood caribana Queer-friendly party with DJs Vivi Diamond, Dr Baggie, Rory Them Finest, Barbi, Vaneska, Yes Yes Y’all DJs, Cozmic Cat, Le Freak C’est Keek play for dancers here. The Barn, 418 Church. 416-593-9696.
21+ caribana saturday DJ Clymaxx, Black Chiney and Tony Cruz spin hip-hop, R&B and reggae for partiers. 10 pm. $20-$40. Fluid, 217 Richmond W. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
xclusiv carnival class affair: meet me at the waterfront Five rooms, five different vibes with DJs spinning hip-hop, R&B, reggae and soca. 10 pm. $35-$50. Dress code in effect. Atlantis Pavillions, 955 Lake Shore W. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Sunday, August 2
AllStar Celebrity Party Ron Browz and Serani perform, plus DJs Enuff, Kholes and Capone. Guvernment, 132 Queens Quay E. 416-564-0639.
atl overproof Lloyd & DJ Drama from Atlanta alongside Jahvon & A-Game from Toronto at this party. 10 pm. $20-$40. Home Nightclub, 117 Peter. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
big people outdoor fete Black Stalin, King Swallow, Kes the Band, Dr Jay, Roy Cape All Stars, Nadia Batson, Zoelah, Blaxx and Benjai play soca and calypso. 9 pm. $40-$50. Wild Water Kingdom, 7855 Finch W, Brampton. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
caribana celebrity ball DJ Envy, Fabolous, Trey Songz, Black Chiney, Deo Brown, Michael Ealy and others perform at this upscale hip-hop urban event. 10 pm. $40-$60. Circa, 126 John. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Caribana Lime Music, song, dance, theatre, storytelling and food celebrate the various cultures of the Caribbean. 10 am-8 pm. $14. Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore W. caribanafestival.com.
caribana nightlife DJ Envy and 3 top club DJs spin for dancers here. 10 pm. $20-$30. Seven, 220 Richmond W. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
dragonaires and ken lazarus Tribute to Byron Lee. Doors open at 7 pm. $50. Semi-formal dress code. Double Tree Plaza Hotel, 655 Dixon. 416-833-6154, clubrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
elite 2009 on the water Upscale boat cruise w/ DJs 4Korners, Kid C, Scott Boogie and DJ Kholes. Boarding 10 pm. Dress code in effect. $45-$55. Empress Of Canada, 261 Queens Quay E, pier 29. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
hot 97/bet caribana boat cruise Hip-hop, R&B and reggae at this all-star celebrity boat cruise. 1 to 6 pm. $50-$70. Aurora Borealis, 25 Queens Quay E. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Irie Gospel Gospel music with various performers. Noon-10 pm. Free. Queen’s Park. 416-338-0338.
Irie Music Festival Performance by Gramps Morgan and others, DJ dance parties, boat cruises and more. Noon-10 pm. Free. Queen’s Park. iriemusicfestival.com.
Island Soul Festival of Pan-Caribbean culture with reggae, Creole and calypso music featuring Kalabash 2 pm, Silhouettes Steel Orchestra 4:30 pm, Pan Fantasy Steelband 7 pm, Hardcore Band w/ Peculiar I 8 pm, Tony Rebel 9:30 pm, and DJ Patrick Roots and DJ Natty B at 11 pm. Dance, food demos and more. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
the last lap DJ Carl Allen spins. Harlem, 67 Richmond E. 416-368-1920.
recession summer jam DJ Magic spins R&B, reggae, soca and hip-hop. 10 pm. $20-$30. Cabana/Moon, 287 & 289 Richmond W. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
soca rave – the people’s fete Dr Jay, Benjai, Iwer George, Zoelah, Nadia Batson, Hunter, Radica Salick, Duboir and others perform at this soca rave. 10 pm. $40-$60. Mirage Entertainment Complex, 1917 Albion (hwy 27). 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
Summer Showcase danceImmersion presents performances by Akwaba Cultural Exchange, Harambee Dance Co and others. 4 pm. Free. Queen’s Park. 416-203-0666, danceimmersion.ca.
Summer Singles Queeribana grand finale for Caribbean LGBT people with guest DJs and performers. 10:30 pm. $15. Suba Lounge, 292 College. anopenmindgroup.com.
Monday, August 3
Caribana Gospel Music Festival Judith Gayle Wright, Sean Daniel, Minister Goddy Goddy, Cariene Davis and Latoya Cunningham. 4-10 pm. $12-$15. Revival Time Tabernacle, 550 Kingston, Pickering. 416-630-9346.
change clothes Designer Eyeware Affair w/ barbeque and party. 5 pm. $15-$30. Mink, 150 Pearl. 416-833-6154, clubcrawlers.com/CaribanaToronto.
irie music festival Fab 5, Friendlyness & Human Rights, Fredlocks Asher & Ultraflex Crew, Jason Wilson & Tabarruk perform. 1 to 8 pm. Free. Queen’s Park. iriemusicfestival.com.
Island soul Gilson Lubin, the Sherriff, the Voyce, Kerian Piper 1:30 pm, Swingin’ Stars 3 pm, and Heritage Singers 4:30 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.
Jambana Cultural Festival Performances by comedians Oliver Samuels and Terri Salmon, music by Byron Lee’s Dragonaires, Steele, Luanda Jones and others plus kids’ activities and more. 1-9 pm. Free. Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall. jambana.com.
Tuesday, August 4
Ultra Bam Boom Dancing to DJs Matt C, Baby Joel and others plus Caribbean drinks and barbecue. 5 pm. Ultra, 314 Queen W. 416-263-0330.
