Carnivalissima
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8, 2008 – 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
PLACE: Harbourfront
The Festival Management Committee/Scotiabank Caribana is a participant in this event, which is a bold celebration of the world's most lavish carnivals produced by Luminato and Harbourfront Centre
Calypso Tents Music Series
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 13 to Saturday, July 13, 2008 – 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
PLACE: TBA
This is an exciting annual showcase of Canada's best Calypso and Soca original music for the Caribana Festival. The series runs three nights each week (Friday-Sunday) at various venues in Toronto, each night featuring a different cast of singers and 'live' bands performing Calypso in its best storytelling tradition – social and political commentary, humor and wit.
Media Launch
DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 3, 2008 – 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
PLACE: Metro Hall
This event is the media launch of the Caribana Festival. The media will be introduced to the upcoming events to and given a small sample of what is in store throughout the duration of the Festival.
Official Launch
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 – 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
PLACE: Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall
The official ceremony launches the activities for the Caribana Festival Season. Patrons can meet and mingle with Federal, Provincial and Municipal officials, Caribana representatives and sponsors while sampling Caribbean and international cuisine. It is a snapshot of what's in store over the coming weeks.
Junior Carnival
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 19, 2008 – 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
PLACE: TBA
Junior Carnival provides festival goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the thrills and joys as young masqueraders participate in their primary festival years.
Art Exhibition
DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 24 – Monday, Aug 4, 2008 – 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
PLACE: Royal Ontario Museum
A visual Art Exhibition "COLOURblind! International!" produced by The Association of African Canadian Artists who have been influenced by the diversity of our people.
Caribana Gala
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 25, 2008 – 7:00 pm – 1:00 am
PLACE: Liberty Grand
An elegant evening of style and glamour, celebrating Caribana and paying tribute to its pioneers.
Calypso Monarch Finals
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 26, 2008 – 8:00 pm - Midnight
PLACE: TBA
This is where the Calypso Monarch is crowned. Come and see the best and biggest Canadian Calypsonians battle for the crown. From the typical to the lyrical; the sweet soca rhythms will lift you out of your seat and get you moving.
King & Queen Show
DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 31, 2008 – 7:00 pm - Midnight
PLACE: Lamport Stadium
On the Thursday night before Caribana Day all the Kings and Queens of the Bands meet to do battle. Like peacocks they will primp and preen, eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from the audience. It is an honour for any reveller to be enthroned the King or Queen of his or her band. The King and Queen symbolically have the keys to the city, freedom of the streets. Their movements are supposed to be uninhibited. Band members and onlookers alike are to give them the respect, even if mockingly, usually accorded to real-life royalty.
Pan Alive
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 1, 2008 – 7:00 pm - Midnight
PLACE: Lamport Stadium
A thrilling evening showcasing the musical and tonal qualities of the steelpan as members of the Ontario Steelband Association compete before a panel of judges. This panorama of the North is the biggest opportunity to hear this wonderful instrument in all its glory. The evening is devoted entirely to the capturing rhythms of the steelpan.
Caribana Parade
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 2, 2008 – 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
PLACE: Exhibition Place (Lake Shore Blvd)
This showcase event features an incredible display of colour and pageantry along the streets of Exhibition Place and parts of Lakeshore Blvd. Exhibition Place will come alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival!
De Caribana Lime—Island Festival
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 3, 2008 – 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
PLACE: Olympic Island
This event features all-day performances from a variety of artists highlighting the various cultures of all the Caribbean people, including a food competition, song, dance, theatrical drama and story-telling.
