Caribana is a Caribbean festival that occurs annually in Toronto, Canada, the first weekend in August. It was started in the late 1960's by people with roots in Trinidad -- hence the predominance of the infectious Soca music! Featured in the banner is a shot of vibrant feathers, beautifully assembled into bodacious headdresses, that accentuate the costumes worn by the masqueraders on parade day.
While its name has officially been changed to "Scotiabank Caribbean Festival", it is colloquially known as "Caribana", so I'll continue to call it that... Besides, that is a lot more fun to say "Caribana", anyway! Aside from the name change, I have attended this festival, and played mas five times, and have enjoyed it each time! Check out my article "Caribana Dreamin'" for an anecdotal take on the festival.
While the most popular event of the Caribana festival is the Grande Parade on Saturday, there are several events that happen a couple weeks in advance, that kick off the celebration. The events are fun and entertaining, but don't be fooled that the events are just for the fun of it -- each event that occurs is a competition, and every band is striving for the highest honors! The major competitions of the festival are: Kiddie Carnival, King and Queen Competition, and Band of the Year.
Kiddie Carnival
King & Queen Competition
Grande parade (Band of the Year)
The music that drives the parade is the high-energy, infectious Soca Music.
Definitions:
Play mas: v.To wear a festive costume from a particular band and masquerade in a carnival parade.
(Caribana) Band: n.An organization of volunteers that coordinate to design and assemble costumes for the different sections within a band, year after year. On the day of the Grande Parade, a single band can have upwards of 2,000 masqueraders! For the Grande Parade, there are 12-15+ bands that compete
Grande Parade: n.The main event of Caribana where twelve to fifteen or more different bands compete for the top honor of "Band of the Year". Before hitting the parade route, each section of each band will pass in front of the judges' stage, and after all groups have made their best effort, the judges determine who is the "Band of the Year".
Frontline: n.The group that leads a section of masqueraders as they cross the judges' stage. These costumes are usually larger and more elaborate, hence need to be featured first, to make the best impression on the judges.
While its name has officially been changed to "Scotiabank Caribbean Festival", it is colloquially known as "Caribana", so I'll continue to call it that... Besides, that is a lot more fun to say "Caribana", anyway! Aside from the name change, I have attended this festival, and played mas five times, and have enjoyed it each time! Check out my article "Caribana Dreamin'" for an anecdotal take on the festival.
While the most popular event of the Caribana festival is the Grande Parade on Saturday, there are several events that happen a couple weeks in advance, that kick off the celebration. The events are fun and entertaining, but don't be fooled that the events are just for the fun of it -- each event that occurs is a competition, and every band is striving for the highest honors! The major competitions of the festival are: Kiddie Carnival, King and Queen Competition, and Band of the Year.
Kiddie Carnival
King & Queen Competition
Grande parade (Band of the Year)
The music that drives the parade is the high-energy, infectious Soca Music.
Definitions:
Play mas: v.To wear a festive costume from a particular band and masquerade in a carnival parade.
(Caribana) Band: n.An organization of volunteers that coordinate to design and assemble costumes for the different sections within a band, year after year. On the day of the Grande Parade, a single band can have upwards of 2,000 masqueraders! For the Grande Parade, there are 12-15+ bands that compete
Grande Parade: n.The main event of Caribana where twelve to fifteen or more different bands compete for the top honor of "Band of the Year". Before hitting the parade route, each section of each band will pass in front of the judges' stage, and after all groups have made their best effort, the judges determine who is the "Band of the Year".
Frontline: n.The group that leads a section of masqueraders as they cross the judges' stage. These costumes are usually larger and more elaborate, hence need to be featured first, to make the best impression on the judges.