indicates kid-friendly events
indicates queer-friendly events
Thursday, July 31
Events
BACCHANAL THURSDAY ELECTRIFIED Performances by Soca Sweetness, White Bwoy, Jester, Jrdyrt, DJ Ritz, DJ Stephen and Jeff Jam. Luxy Nightclub, 60 Interchange Way, Vaughan. 416-806-3383.
BLACK CARNIVAL IN THE 21ST CENTURY Presentation on the history of the Caribana festival by professor Rinaldo Walcott. 6:30 pm. Free. Maria A Shchuka Library, 1745 Eglinton W. 416-394-1000, torontopubliclibrary.ca.
CARIBANA WARM UP DJ B-Ware, DJ Capone, Blax Dun D Place, DJ Cirius and others. $5 guestlist till 11:30 pm. Gravity Soundbar, 296 Richmond. 416-564-0639.
KING AND QUEEN COMPETITION Caribbean Carnival Toronto presents male and female costumers parading for the titles. 7 pm-midnight. $30-$35. Lamport Stadium, 1151 King W. torontocaribbeancarnival.com.
Friday, August 1
CARIBANA WEEKEND: TRINIDAD & JAMAICA DJ Phat Kat, DJ Chief and DJ Smartiez. $25. Hush Lounge, 303 Queen W. gqhenderson.com.
CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL: JAB JAB J’OUVERT Music by Talpree, Lava Man, Skinny Fabulous, Bunji Garlin, Fayann Lyonns, Problem Child, JW & Blaze, ASA Banton, Mr Leggs, Tommy G and G Bolo. 10 pm to 4:30 am. $40-$60 (ticketgateway.com). Wilson Avenue Outdoor Arena, 1677 Wilson. torontocaribbeancarnival.com.
ENTRE PINCEAU ET ENCLUME/BETWEEN COLOUR AND ANVIL Festival Kompa Zouk presents Haitian art with paintings by Hilomé José and Lafortune Felix, and iron sculptures by Serge Jolimeau. Today 7-10 pm tomorrow noon-8 pm Aug 3 noon-8 pm Aug 4 noon-6 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, Marilyn Brewer Community Space, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.
HIGH NOON Day cruise floating party. Boarding at noon. $50. Enterprise 2000, 242 Cherry, Pier 34. ticketgateway.com.
ISLAND SOUL: FESTIVAL KOMPA-ZOUK Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah and House of David Gang perform. 8 pm. $20-$30. Harbourfront Centre, Harbourfront Centre WestJet Stage, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.
PURE…THE DAY CRUISE Caribana bacchanal party with DJs Spice, Soca Sweetness, Jester and MeJustik. Boarding at 1 pm, cruising 2 to 6 pm. $45. River Gambler, 333 Lakeshore. ticketgateway.com.
REGGAE EXPLOSION Stone Love, Spex, Chris Mikes, Strong and Renegade Squad perform at this Caribana party. $10 before 11:30 pm, more later. luxyclub.ca.
RIP THE RUNWAY: KIDDIES’ EDITION Costumed child and teen models walk the runway to soca music. 6-9 pm. Centennial Recreation Centre, 1967 Ellesmere. 647-519-3932.
SOUL KITCHEN: CARNIVAL EDITION Music by Jester, Spoonz and Kid Kut. 10 pm. Skybar @ the Guvernment, 132 Queens Quay E. 416-869-0045.
SPIRIT OF CARNAVAL Ballet Creole celebrates its 25th anniversary in this abstract story drawing from street art with live musical accompaniment. 8-8:45 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, WestJet Stage, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.
Saturday, August 2
CARIBANA PARTY Gage, Tristan Fievstar, Razor B, Eyesus, Alicia Cinnamon, Kerri French, Don Million, Fire Lion, Nitro, Magnum Force, DJ Superstar and others perform. Adv $30. Blue Diamond Hall, 21 Toryork. reggaemania.com.
CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL GRAND PARADE Dance along Lake Shore as masqueraders and steelpan bands parade from Exhibition Place to Sunnyside. 9 am-6 pm. Free along Lake Shore Blvd ($5-$35 inside Exhibition Place). torontocaribbeancarnival.com.
CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL TORONTO: SUMMER SLAMM Bunji Garlin, Fayann Lyonns & the Viking Band, Destra, Iwer George, JW & Blaze, Ki, Drupate, Major Lazor, Lava Man and many others perform. Gates open at 8:30 pm, show at midnight. $40-$45. Wilson Avenue Outdoor Arena, 1677 Wilson. ticketgateway.com.
CARNIVAL SATURDAY: STAMPEDE Reggae, soca, dancehall, calypso, hip-hop and more with Lindo P, Fatkat Ent, Tasha Rozez & Chris Dubbs. Doors 9 pm. $15-$20 (playderecord.com). Classic Lounge, 30 Beverly Hills. reggaemania.com.
DEF JAM PARTY Party with Fabolous, DJ Self, DJ Koles, Firekid Steenie and others. Kool Haus, 132 Queens Quay E. inktickets.com.
DOLLARS DOLLARS: THE CARIBANA FLOSSING AFFAIR Party with Stone Love, Military, Nitro Da CD Sound and No Limit Sound. $27. Throne Nightclub, 200 Advance. 647-767-2650.
FESTIVAL KOMPA ZOUK DJAKOUT NIGHT 10 pm. $40, adv $30. Macedonian Church Banquet Hall, 76 Overlea. fkzo.ca.
HEATWAVE: CARNIVAL SATURDAY Reggae performers Ammoye, Tasha T & Blessed. 10 pm. $15 adv. Rivoli, 334 Queen W. ticketfly.com.
IRIE MUSIC FESTIVAL Jamaican reggae artist Richie Spice performs at 9:30 pm. Free. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen W.
ISLAND SOUL House of David Gang, Cultural Guru Steelband and Joy Lapps Project perform. 3 to 7 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.
ISLAND SOUL LATE NIGHT JAM: JAMAICAN SOUNDS Ricky Turbo, Moss Man, Johny Black, DJ Chocolate and Choppa Choppa play this affair. 10:30 pm. $5. Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Rm, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.
JAMAICAN SOUNDS Panel discussion on the legacy of Jamaican music coming out of Toronto in the past 40 years. Panelists include David Dacks, Patrick Roots, Ricky Turbo and DJ Chocolate. 7-8 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.
JEANS PARTY DJ Phat Kat, DJ Chief and DJ Smartiez play R&B, soca, hip-hop and reggae. $25. Hush, 303 King W. 416-704-5487.
JERK JAM DOWN COMPETITION Judge which of the dishes offered by local chefs will win the title for most mouth-watering jerk chicken in T.O. 7-9:30 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, South Orchard Tent, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.
KIDS STEEL PAN WORKSHOP Joy Lapps, Princess of Pan, leads an interactive workshop for kids. 3:30-4:15 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, South Orchard, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.
LEGENDS OF SKA Screening of the documentary on the music of Jamaica focusing on 1962-66 vintage and contemporary concert footage. Q & A w/ ska legends Herman Sang, Jo Jo Bennett, and Roy & Yvonne. 5-6:45 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Studio Theatre. harbourfrontcentre.com.
THE MAIN EVENT: HD EDITION Celebrate Carnival Saturday with Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons, Machel Montano, Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts, Kerwin du Bois and Ravi B & Karma. 8 pm. $60-$85. International Centre, 6900 Airport. 810-634-4151, maineventtoronto.com.
MOKO JUMBIE: DANCING SPIRITS OF TRINIDAD WORKSHOP Hands-on elementary introduction to the traditions of Moko Jumbie, stilt-dancing spirit of the forest. Today 2-5 pm tomorrow 1-4 pm Aug 4, 1-4 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, North Orchard, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.
STAMINA Mr Killa, Ki, Fay Anne Lyons, Mighty Sparrow, Bunji Garlin and others. $35-$40 (ticketgateway.com). Wild Water Kingdom, 7855 Finch W. 416-898-3535.
SUMMERSPLASH Party with Kranium, Steenie, Black Reaction, Infamous, Whitebwoy and others. adv $20 (playderecord.com). On The Rox, 1600 Steeles W. 416-586-0380.
Sunday, August 3
BEYOND DE LIME Dusk to dusk party. Price tba. Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore W. caribanatoronto.com.
CARIBANA SUNDAY AFTER-PARTY Host Kwame, Carlos & Pedro and Wan Luv and DJs Dave Campbell, Paul E Lopes and Mike Tull. $15. Tattoo, 567 Queen W. hotstepper.com.
CARIBANA WEEKEND: HIPHOPNOTIQ DJ Phat Kat, DJ Chief and DJ Smartiez. Adv $20. Hush Lounge, 303 King W. 416-704-5487.
CARNIVAL ISLAND Music by Destra, Crazy, Drupatee and others, dancing, food and more as part of the Caribbean Carnival festivities. 11 am-9 pm. $10-$20. Olympic Island, Toronto Islands. torontocaribbeancarnival.com.
FESTIVAL KOMPA ZOUK TORONTO DAY Children’s games, dance and musical instrument workshops, costume show, cooking demonstrations, concert featuring Boukman Eksperyans, J-Perry, Nux, Dinh N’guyen and others. Noon-11 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. fkzo.ca.
HOT STEPPER SUNDAYS & WHAT IT IS Caribana Sunday after-party with DJs Paul E Lopes, Mike Tull and Dave Campbell. Doors open 9 pm. $15. Tattoo, 567 Queen W. 416-703-5488.
ICON: DESTINATION YYZ Music by DJ Starting from Scratch, Jester, Soca Sweetness, Lindo P, Renegade Squad, Kid Kut and Brenton B, plus host Lamman Rucker. 10 pm. $25. Product Nightclub, 364 Richmond W. ticketgateway.com.
IREMEMBER X DUTTY: SIMMER DOWN Shai and Choppa Chop play reggae in celebration of Caribana. $10. Revival, 783 College. 416-535-7888.
IRIE FESTIVAL DANCE IMMERSION SUMMER SHOWCASE Beyond Sound Empijaha, Esie Mensah, Caribbean Dance Theatre, Manding Foli Kan Donis and Tsingory Dance and Music of Madagascar perform. 4 pm. Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen W. iriemusicfestival.com.
KOMPA ZOUK FESTIVAL/ISLAND SOUL: LATE NIGHT PARTY DJ Moet spins for dancers here. 11 pm. $5. Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Rm, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.
N.A.K.E.D Champion Squad and Noah with DI Powa at this reggae party. On The Rox, 1600 Steeles W, Vaughan $20-$40. oshawn.com.
SKA ISLAND PARTY Music by Prince Perry and King Kong 4, island style food, dancing and more at this all ages party. 5 pm (live music from 8 pm). Toronto Island Marina, 89 Queens Quay W. fb.me/6BsoKmfmu
TRIBAL COUNCIL BALL 2 AND URBAN JUNGLE: FEVER DJ Blackcat spins for competing dancers, followed by DJs Pleasure, Lady Supa and Nino Brown playing dancehall, soca, calypso, urban house with guest Jully Black hosting this dance party. Army, jungle, combat, print and sexy threads encouraged. 9 pm. $10-$20. Club 120, 120 Church. club120.ca.
Monday, August 4
CARIBANA HANGOVER MC Crazy Chris hosts this day and night party with music by Whitebwoy, Infamous, John J, FireKid Steenie, Worm and others. Adv $15. Guvernment Skybar, 132 Queens Quay E. 416-944-9850.
CARNIVAL BOAT CRUISE Music by DJ Starting from Scratch, Germaine King, Ian Andre Espinet and others. Noon-5 pm. $40. Aurora Borealis, 1 Queens Quay East, pier 27. 416-293-4812.
FESTIVAL KOMPA ZOUK: A CREOLE EXPLOSION Featuring performances by Exile One and Sandy Gamma Band. 6 pm. $40, adv $35. Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow. 416-301-5279 or 647-783-3655, fkzo.ca.
ISLAND SOUL: TOBAGO DAY Tobago Heritage Drummers and dancers, Princess Adana, Gerard Balfour & Ricardo Seales and others perform all day from noon. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000.
TOBAGO DAY DOUBLE FEATURE Cinematic look at Tobago history and daily life with screenings of Tobago 1677 and Nine Feet Of Rope 1-3 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Studio Theatre. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
