Results tagged “caribana2009”

One artist who particularly stands out is controversial dancehall musician Elephant Man, who apparently has been banned from headlining a Caribana-related event at CiRCA Nightclub on Sunday night due to an outcry from local activists. These stories often lead to the impression that Caribana is intrinsically homophobic, because in a nation such as Canada, which cherishes its rights and freedoms, how can an organization even remotely associate itself with artists whose music has indirectly contributed to the death, rape, and exile of Jamaican citizens?

                     

Toronto's Caribana parade is known the world over, drawing more than one million revellers every year for its bumper crop of imagination; it is spectacle after sparkling spectacle, accompanied by joy-inducing, waist-winding, and inhibition-loosening calypso/soca music. Of lesser fame is the Junior Carnival parade—which this year was held in the under-celebrated Jane-Finch area—but it remains fertile ground for future generations of mas masters.

MUSIC: Neko Case—of New Pornographers notoriety—is back in town after a couple of stellar shows last April. Case's Middle Cyclone is easily one of the best CDs out this year, and she puts on a great show. At the time of writing there were still tickets available, so pick them up if you can! Massey Hall (178 Victoria Street); 8 p.m.; tickets $29.50, $35.50, or $40.50.