MORE THAN THE PARADE: Scotiabank Caribana kicks-off its 43rd year

Feel De Vibe at North America's biggest festival from July 15 - August 2

TORONTO, July 15 /CNW/ - Soca artists, pan orchestrators and mas dancers in 'full' costume took over Yonge and Dundas square today to officially kick-off Scotiabank Caribana in its 43^rd year, and announce the upcoming events and festivities that help make the festival More Than The Parade. This year's festival is expected to attract more than one million people to downtown Toronto.

"We are thrilled to see all of the Scotiabank Caribana events back this year, and we have added many more to show that the event is More Than The Parade!" said Joe Halstead, Scotiabank Caribana Festival Management Committee. "Last year, close to 1.2 million people participated in Scotiabank Caribana and festival enthusiasts are looking forward to all of the exciting events that we have lined up for this year. They are coming back to Toronto to Feel de Vibe!"

Margaret Best, Provincial Minister of Tourism and Culture was present at today's launch and recognized Scotiabank Caribana as a key cultural event for Toronto. The Minister noted that Scotiabank Caribana was both an attraction and an economic engine for the city.

"With all of the costumes, music, food and energy at today's launch, it really feels like the Caribbean Vibe is back in Toronto," said Cecil Arnold, Scotiabank Assistant General Manager, International Banking, Caribbean. "Once again, this is a true celebration of the diversity that we're fortunate to have here in our city and Scotiabank is thrilled to support cultural events like the Scotiabank Caribana festival, one of the greatest summer traditions in Toronto."

For all current festival updates and route information on-the-go, festival enthusiasts can download the Scotiabank Caribana Navigator app by visiting the website at www.caribanafestival.com.

This year's Scotiabank Caribana Festival events include:

Junior Carnival, July 17: Junior Carnival provides festival goers and the surrounding community the opportunity to experience the 'trills' and joys as young masqueraders participate in their early festival years. Mobilicity joins the Yorkgate Mall as the official sponsors of this growing parade and carnival at Jane and Finch. 11am - 4pm.

From the Soul: Scotiabank Caribana Art Exhibition, July 22-August 13: The Association of African Canadian Artists presents original paintings and sculptures at the Royal Ontario Museum. Now in its fourth year, the exhibition will feature 170 works from African-Canadian artists. "From the Soul" will arouse the conscious, still the mind and soothe the soul.

Calypso Monarch Finals, July 24: The Calypso Monarch will be crowned this year at the best and biggest Canadian Calypsonian battle for the crown. At the Ontario Science Centre, the event will take place from 7 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Scotiabank Caribana Gala, July 23: The third annual Scotiabank Caribana Gala is an evening of elegance celebrating Carnival Music and Arts with proceeds benefitting Haiti Relief. The Gala runs from 5:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. at the Liberty Grand Ballroom, CNE Grounds.

King & Queen Show, July 29: The Thursday before the Scotiabank Caribana Parade, all the Kings & Queens of the Bands meet to do battle. It is an honour for any reveler to be enthroned the King or Queen of a band. The battle runs from 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. at Lamport Stadium.

Pan Alive, July 30: A thrilling evening showcasing the musical and tonal qualities of the steelpan. At Pan Alive, members of the Ontario Steelband Association will compete before a panel of judges at Lamport Stadium from 7 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Scotiabank Caribana Parade, July 31: This showcase event features an incredible display of colours and pageantry. Toronto will come alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival. This year's Parade is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the CNE and along Lakeshore Blvd.

Scotiabank Caribana After Parade Party - Temperature De Festival, July 31: NEW EVENT for 2010! After the Parade fun along Lakeshore Blvd, all are invited to enjoy a spectacular open-air evening concert at Lamport Stadium. The summer's hottest Parade After-Party will feature live high-energy performances from some of the hottest artists from Trinidad, Jamaica, Grenada and more. The fun begins right after the parade!

De Scotiabank Caribana Lime, August 1 & 2: De Lime highlights the various cultures of all of the Caribbean people. It's a celebration of food, song, dance, theatrical drama and story telling at Ontario Place.

Grace Tropical Rhythms, Caribbean Food Festival August 1: Running alongside De Scotiabank Caribana Lime at Ontario Place, Grace Food's presents the 1st annual "Tropical Rhythms" Caribbean Food Festival showcasing the Caribbean food and culture.

ABOUT SCOTIABANK CARIBANA

The Scotiabank Caribana Festival is an exciting three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Now in its 43^rd 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 oversees the running of North America's largest outdoor festival.

Corporate sponsors of this year's festival include: Scotiabank, The Toronto Star, Sway Magazine, Eye Weekly, CTV, CP24, The Federal Government of Canada, The Province of Ontario, The City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, Research In Motion (RIM)/BlackBerry, 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, Caribana^TM Arts Group, The Caribbean Camera Newspaper, Toronto-Lime.Com, and GraceKennedy (Ontario) Inc.

For more information about the programs and events, please visit the festival's official website at www.caribanafestival.com.The Scotiabank Caribana Festival Office is located at 263 Davenport Avenue, Lower Level; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5R 1E9. Contact info: Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; Email: [email protected].

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2009 the Bank provided around $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Please visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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