The Toronto Caribbean Carnival (please note: little to no Black or Caribbean people call it this – we call it Caribana) sits alongside Afrofest as one of the few public events in the 6ix where Black lives matter, but in an arty, bacchanalian kind of way.
However, the organization itself and its marquee event, the parade, feel like they’re on life support, for a plethora of reasons: new paid parade admission schemes, a shaky sponsorship situation, chronic Festival Management Committee and black community disconnect, parade floats running on CST when fest attendees are on EST.
But that doesn’t mean the events surrounding it don’t carry the emancipatory feelings that the parade once had. There are about 87 Caribana-themed events happening in the 6ix – and that’s just on Caribana Friday! So I’m here to help my fellow 6ixizens wade through the seemingly endless stream of unsolicited FB event invite gunk. Disclaimer: I love my hip-hop, so token non-Caribbean-music-fuelled events are part of the mix.
Jab Jab J’Ouvert
Listen, people. The genuine Carnival experience does not consist of standing against a wall in a club downing Carib lager. It involves dressing up and smearing your fellow Carnival participants in powder and paint street-party-style while being doused with water. Jab Jab J’Ouvert is one of the closest to the real thing in terms of energy and intent, so there will be no Atlanta trap hip-hop mega-mixes blended in here, please and thank you. Pure unadulterated soca sweetness, with Tallpree, Skinny Fabulous, JW & Blaze, Lavaman, Fireman Hooper, Salty, Strayaway and many others.
At the Wilson Outdoor Arena (1677 Wilson), Friday (July 29). $40. jab-jab.ca.
The 6 Boat: Tribute To Drake & OVO
Everybody is trying to make money off of the back of Drake and the 6ix’s newfound popularity, including me (my Drake biography, Far From Over, is available through ECW Press, holla!) Plus, boat cruises are the new black, if you’re Black. Drizzy is dabbling in so much dancehall nowadays, you may actually get your Yardie fix on the 6 Boat. So Gwan Big Up Urself, like Roy Woods. “Drake will not be in attendance,” but paying homage to the 6 God and his associates can never go stale.
Leaves from Stella Borealis (333 Lake Shore East), Saturday (July 30), 2:30 pm. $40. tdotclub.com.
Carnival Kingdom
Sure, Trinidad & Tobago’s soca royal couple Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons play alongside Rupee and others, but I’d go see DJ Dr. Jay de Soca Prince, who earned his honorary doctorate from USU (the University of Soca University) in Port of Spain many moons ago, mash down di place with his original blends of soca and calypso. This Andrew Lalla- and Naveen Sharma-produced festival also promises “one massive surprise performance” that you’ll just have to come out and see now, won’t you?
At Wild Water Kingdom (7855 Finch West, Brampton), Saturday (July 30), 9 pm. $45-$55, VIP $65-$150, sosfestinc.com.
Chutney In De Park
The rumours are true. Us Caribbean folk don’t all look alike. We come in all shapes, sizes and colours, and speak different languages, too. Imagine that. Within this multiracial scheme, the Indo-Caribbean community’s musical presence has always been significant. Chutney In De Park compiles a large collection of A-list Caribbean musicians of South Asian descent, including Guyanese chutney and soca artist Terry Gajraj, and India’s Jeffrey “Prince of Bollywood” Iqbal for his first appearance in Canada. Big.
At Bella Gardens (12700 Jane, King City), Sunday and Monday (July 31 and August 1), from noon. $20-$40. chutneyindepark.com.
Karibana House Party – Celebrity Marauders
At the last Celebrity Marauders party in May, which doubled as Kardinal Offishall’s b-day party, world-famous outlaw comedian Dave Chappelle just happened to show up, as did Grammy-winning singer Estelle, while NHL phenom P.K. Subban could be found doing shots with his crew. At this one, expect multi-generational audiences who enjoy Caribbean and urban music from all eras and genres, spun by a rotating cast of DJs: NYC’s Cipha Sounds, UK’s Dready, Kardinal and Starting from Scratch. Early ballers and shot callers already announced include Ebro from Apple Beats 1, Russell Peters and Rihanna’s dancehall-flavoured choreographer of choice, Tanisha Scott. Who you think taught Drake those Hotline Bling dance moves?
At the Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), Sunday (July 31), 10 pm.$25. ticketgateway.com.
Get more Caribana event ideas here.
music@nowtoronto.com | @daltonhiggins5
