Same Festival, Same Vibe!

TORONTO, May 25, 2011 /CNW/ - The Festival Management Committee (FMC) today announced a new name to the Festival that has captured an audience of more than 1.2 million people annually on the August long weekend: The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival (STCC) will be back in July with the same line up of events featuring the Toronto Mas Band Association (TMBA), the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes and the Pannists, as well as an array of new programming leading up to the Parade on July 31^st.

"This is the 44^th year for the Parade, and all of the participants are preparing for another major turnout of attendees this summer," said Denise Hererra Jackson, CEO of the FMC.  "Rebranding ourselves as the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival allows us to move forward with an exciting program that will appeal to members of the community of all ages."

"The Festival is an important summer celebration of diversity through arts and culture in Toronto and as such, is important to the roots of this city," said Chris Alexander, CFO of the FMC.  "The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival will continue to grow and meet the needs of the attendees, while reinforcing its relationships with the Toronto community, its sponsors and other stakeholders."

In addition to its commitment of title sponsor, Scotiabank also announced $10,000 in prizing to be divided among the TMBA, Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes and the Pannists, based on competitive judging.

"Scotiabank's partnership with the FMC opened an exciting new chapter for the Bank - given our extensive presence in the Caribbean and the importance of this event to the City, our customers and our employees, this event is a natural fit for us," said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Toronto Region.  "Today we have come together to reinforce our support for the Festival Management Committee - their decision to rename the Festival, the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival, continues to reflects our diverse and multicultural communities.  We're looking forward to a great festival!"

The STCC has released the official programme for the summer festivities today, and festival goers will see new additions, including a sports component featuring athletics of the Rugby League.  Programme details can be found in the backgrounder and a new name and logo will appear in all marketing materials as well as on the revised interactive website, www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com.

About the Festival:

The Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 44th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America. As Carnival 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, Steel Pan and Brass Bands. The Festival Management Committee is responsible for the managing and staging of North America's largest outdoor festival.

Corporate sponsors of this year's festival include: Scotiabank, The Toronto Star, Sway Magazine, The Grid, CTV, CP24, The Federal Government of Canada, The Province of Ontario, The City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, Mobilicity, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Ontario Place, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Public Libraries, Yorkgate Mall, Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex & Liberty Entertainment Group, The Caribbean Camera Newspaper, Toronto-Lime.Com, and GraceKennedy (Ontario) Inc.

The Festival Management Committee presents Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival (STCC) - North America's largest and most exciting summer Carnival and Festival!

July 16 to August 2, 2011 in the Greater Toronto Area

Offering traditional carnival events, the 2011 STCC features many expanded programmes and a NEW event - the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Cup - in partnership with the Canada Rugby League.

This year's official 2011 Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival events are:

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Junior Carnival Official Media Launch - July 5. It's all about the kids. Media will see the new costumes and some of the children who will be playing Mas down Jane St on July 16^th
Location: Yorkgate Mall (Jane and Finch)

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Festival Official Launch - July 12:  This is the event that kicks off the festival for both the media and people working in the downtown core. Brief speeches and lots of carnival entertainment.
Location: Metro Toronto City Hall's Pecaut Square. Noon.

GTAA Launch - July 15. It's another year for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority partnership with the Festival Management Committee to promote the festival at the gateway to the City of Toronto with Caribbean entertainment and tastings.
Location: GTAA Pearson Airport

Citizenship Ceremony - July 27  Witness new Canadians being sworn in as citizens of Canada with a welcoming flavour of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival and Festival. Location:  North York Civic Centre

Carnival Art - July 14 to July 31 - A unique display of Carnival costumes and photography capturing Carnival around the city.
Location: Media Conference at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) - July 14 Opening at the Gladstone Hotel - July 21

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Junior Carnival - July 16.  10 am - 2pm the kid's version of the Marquee parade attracting over 30,000 spectators. The parade features 2,000 mini masqueraders, some as young as two years old. The three-kilometre parade ends at the Yorkgate Plaza - Jane Finch.   
Location: Jane and Finch, North Toronto

CTV/CP24 BBQ - July 21 - It was so successful last year that the festival and CTV have decided to do it again - a lunch time outdoor BBQ from Queen Street to Richmond Street that celebrates the festival with costumes, music, and of course, delicious food.  Location: 299 Queen St West, Toronto

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Gala- July 22. An elegant evening at the Liberty Grand that showcases masquerade models, music, dancing, exotic food, signature drinks - sensational sights, sounds, and tastes. This is the festival's showcased event, which attracts well-heeled clientele supporting worthy causes.
Location: Liberty Grand Entertainment CNE Grounds

Calypso Monarch - July 23. After weeks of performances, calypsonians that have made the final cut will compete in the evening competition for the crown!
Location:  Chinese Cultural Centre, 5183 Sheppard Avenue East Scarborough

King and Queen Competition and Show - July 28.  A spectacular display of the talent and artistic skill of the designers and costume builders of the King, Queen, male and female individual costumes paraded in front of a captivated audience. These masqueraders compete in costumes that weigh two to three times their body weight.  Location: Allan Lamport Stadium, King and Dufferin

Pan Alive - July 29. This event showcases the talent of steel pan performers ranging in age from early teens to adults as they perform their original renditions at the Allan Lamport Stadium. Location: Allan Lamport Stadium, King and Dufferin

Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade - July 30.  10 am - 6 pm. This is the marquee parade that is the showcase of the Festival.  After months of preparation, masqueraders in colourful and striking costumes and steelpan bands wind their way from the assembly area at Exhibition Place along a 3.5 kilometre stretch on Lakeshore Boulevard.  This performance of bejeweled masqueraders continues to draw millions from all over the world.  There is VIP seating in designated, controlled areas, which will include upgraded seating, tents, and marketplace. Free outside the review areas.
Location: Exhibition Place, Ontario Place, Lakeshore Boulevard.

Grace Tropical Rhythm Food Festival - Islands Come to the Islands at Ontario Place - July 31 and August 1. All Day Events. Continuing the tropical Caribbean ambience of the festival, cool down on the south beach of Ontario Place or have fun in the park while enjoying 'de lime' with food, music, dance, and an array of fun activities for two days. Bahamian Jankanoo bands, ShortKnee performers from Grenada and the Rhyming chef is the best way to end the long weekend. Enjoy the Tropical food festival and island hop to tasty, spicy morsels of Caribbean islands.
Location - Ontario Place

Canada Rugby League - July 31. A new event for rugby fans is adding the sporting dimension to the festival. The event in Markham will feature a match-up between the Jamaican International Team and Canada for the first annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Cup. March includes a concert featuring artistes from Jamaica.
Location: 743 19th Ave, Fletcher's Field, Markham.