Film Screening: CALYPSO DREAMS @ North Orchard, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ON - Fri Jul 31st!

This remarkably engaging film captures the triumphant human spirit and dynamic musical genius of venerable kaisonians from Trinidad and Tobago. With a hard-worn urban edge infusing its cultural sensitivities, Calypso Dreams (which won Best Caribbean Documentary at the Jamerican Film Festival) features an intimate portrait of several Calypso stalwarts, including Calypso Rose, Lord Kitchener, Lord Superior, Lord Blakie and the Mighty Sparrow. With on-screen narration by David Rudder and Chalkdust, the film shatters the popularized perception of calypso spawned internationally in the 1950s by Harry Belafonte (who also contributes a fascinating interview to the film) and provides a contextual framework for the music's political and anti-colonial origins. Critics have heralded the film as “the best film ever made about calypso” and “one of the of greatest films of the English-speaking Caribbean.

Fri, July 31

Time:  9:00pm–11:00pm
North Orchard
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON
Everyone: FREE

More info here

This is part of the Island Soul festival which runs from July 31st - August 3rd

Alison Hinds Live @ West Jet Stage, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ON - Fri Jul 31st!

All hail the Queen of Soca! Alison Hinds is a leading figure in the contemporary soca scene, recognized for her high-energy performances and captivating vocals throughout the islands and abroad. Throughout her career she has inspired and influenced emerging female soca singers with her commanding and empowering presence. Hinds has collaborated with many popular Caribbean stars, such as Machel Montano, Richie Spice, Shaggy and Jah Cure.

Fri, July 31

Time:  9:30pm –11:00pm

Location:  WestJet Stage, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON

FREE

More info click here

Full schedule for Harbourfront Friday is here

Island Soul Festival @ Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ON - Mon Aug 4th!

Island Soul Festival

at

Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto, ON

Schedule for Monday, August 4th

Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario presents: ‘Entre Pinceau et Enclume’ Between Colour and Anvil

12:00pm – 6:00pm

Gerard Balfour & Ricardo Seales

12:30pm – 1:15pm

Steelpan prodigy Gerard Balfour teams up with fellow Tobago Jazz musician Ricardo Seales for a high energy pan performance on the West Jet Stage. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Oware Games by MACPRI - ASO Services International

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Using a 'pit and pebbles' style of game play, families will be reconnected with a traditional African game that has gone through Caribbean incarnations. The legacy of this game will bring families to the past while creating new legacy for future fun.

Caribbean Faces

1:00pm – 5:00pm

Christopher Pinheiro of SwizzleStick Theatre will create face art masterpieces based on Caribbean kids’ stories.

Moko Jumbie: Dancing Spirits of Trinidad Workshop

1:00pm – 4:00pm

This hands-on workshop is an elementary introduction to the traditions of Moko Jumbie, a stilt-dancing spirit of the forest.

Film Screenings:  Tobago 1677 & Nine Feet of Rope (Tobago Day Double Feature)

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Tobago culture comes to the big screen as we show two films taking a cinematic look at Tobago history and daily life. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Kids Activities - Games and Crafts

1:00pm – 6:00pm

Kids of all ages are invited to create their own Carnival-inspired masks.

Tastes of Tobago: Dasheen-stuffed plantain rolls with Chef Yzanne Williams-Chance

1:30pm – 2:30pm

Hand-selected ripe plantain slivers stuffed with savoury dasheen filling and baked to perfection, served with sweet and spicy tamarind dip. In partnership with Tobago Day. 

Tobago Heritage Drummers & Dancers

1:30pm – 2:30pm

The rich history of Tobago comes to life through dance and song as the Tobago Heritage Drummers & Dancers perform on the WestJet stage. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Tambrin Drum Making Workshop

1:30pm – 2:00pm

Come learn the magic behind the special sound behind the Tambrin Band drums. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Tobagan Folk Dancing Workshop

2:30pm – 3:30pm

Learn the steps from the experts. Tobago’s beautiful folk dances are shared with you in this fun workshop. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Limbo Technique Workshop

2:30pm – 3:00pm

How low can you go? Come learn to limbo with the best of the best at this fun workshop for the whole family. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Afro-Pan Steel Orchestra

3:00pm – 4:00pm

Since 1973 Afropan, under the leadership of Earl La Pierre Sr., has won the Best Playing Steelband Competition at the Caribana Festival a total of 28 times. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Tastes of Tobago: Tobago coconut bake and shark kebabs with Chef Yzanne Williams-Chance

3:30pm – 4:30pm

Pan fried medallion of shark fillet skewered with freshly-baked coconut bake, fresh pineapple chunks and tomatoes served with chadon beni sauce and pineapple chutney. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Princess Adana

4:00pm – 5:00pm

Princess Adanna performs her reggae-infused R&B hits. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Tobagan Folk Song and Choir Workshop

4:30pm – 5:00pm

The rich history of Tobago comes to life through dance and song in this fun and interactive workshop for the whole family. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Calypso Stars presented in partnership with The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes

5:00pm – 7:00pm

(Roger Gibbs and Sheldon Skeete)

Top Canadian calypso and soca singers are featured along with the Calypso Monarch of the UK, performing their latest hits in a last-lap concert that also includes steel pan and traditional carnival mas characters. In partnership with Tobago Day.

Location:  Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto, ON

Time:  12p - 7p

Admission is FREE

For the complete detailed schedule of events click here

Note:  Times and artists subject to change

Island Soul Festival @ Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ON - Fri Aug 1st - Mon Aug 4th!

The cultural legacy of the Caribbean comes to Toronto's waterfront for four days of music, dance, food, film and more

August 1 - 4

Note:  This is a Partial Schedule.  All events are free with the exception of Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah performance on August 1

August 1

Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah perform
9:30pm –11:00pm

Saturday August 2

Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario presents: ‘Entre Pinceau et Enclume’ Between Colour and Anvil
12:00pm – 8:00pm

Lake View Market
12:00pm –11:30pm

World Café
12:00pm –11:30pm

Moko Jumbie: Dancing Spirits of Trinidad Workshop
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Kids Activities - Games and Crafts
2:00pm – 8:00pm

Domino Tournament
2:00pm – 8:00pm

Shakara Natural Tips: Hair Workshop
2:30pm – 3:15pm

Oware Games by MACPRI - ASO Services International
3:00pm – 6:00pm

House of David Gang
3:00pm – 4:00pm

Caribbean Faces
3:00pm – 7:00pm

Kids Steel Pan Workshop
3:30pm – 4:15pm

Cultural Guru Steelband
4:30pm – 5:00pm

Legends of Ska
5:00pm – 6:30pm

Cuban Dance Workshop with Caliente Entertainment
5:30pm – 6:30pm

Shakara Natural Tips: Identifying Hair Types
6:00pm – 6:45pm

Strolling Pan Parade
6:00pm – 6:30pm

Joy Lapps Project
6:15pm – 7:00pm

Jerk Jam Down Competition
7:00pm – 9:30pm

Jamaican Sounds: Panel Discussion
7:00pm – 8:00pm

Oasis of Rhythms
7:30pm – 8:00pm

Mountain Edge Roots and Culture
8:00pm – 9:00pm

Dance Caribe
9:00pm – 9:30pm

Marcia Griffiths
9:30pm –11:00pm

Jamaican Sounds: Late Night Jam
10:30pm – 2:00am

Sunday August 3

Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario presents: Tamsir Drumming
12:00pm –12:30pm

Moko Jumbie: Dancing Spirits of Trinidad Workshop
1:00pm – 4:00pm

Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario presents: Party with DJ Moet
1:00pm – 6:00pm

Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario presents: FONKSYON band
3:15pm – 4:00pm

Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario presents: Melorize
9:00pm – 9:30pm

Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario presents: Boukman Eksperyans
9:30pm –11:00pm

Monday August 3

Gerard Balfour & Ricardo Seales
12:30pm – 1:15pm

Tobago 1677 & Nine Feet of Rope (Tobago Day Double Feature)
1:00pm – 3:00pm

Tastes of Tobago: Dasheen-stuffed plantain rolls with Chef Yzanne Williams-Chance
1:30pm – 2:30pm

Afro-Pan Steel Orchestra
3:00pm – 4:00pm

Calypso Stars presented in partnership with The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes
5:00pm – 7:00pm

Location:  Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto, ON

For the complete detailed schedule of events click here

Times and artists subject to change

Island Soul Festival @ Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ON - Fri Aug 2nd - Mon Aug 5th!

One of our most popular festivals! Island Soul celebrates the rich artistic traditions, emerging art forms, innovative expressions and vibrant lifestyles of the Caribbean.

Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario presents its free Festival Day at Harbourfront Centre, on Sunday August 4th, featuring live Creole music, dance workshops, gastronomy, children's activities and more!

Friday Night - August 2nd - Deep Fried Reggae - Patrick Roots and DJ Chocolate are on the decks while Nates Palate dishes out deep-fried festivals - 7:00p

Saturday Night - August 3rd - I Wayne and the Hardcore Band Live at 9:30p

Location:  Harbourfront Centre,  235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON 

FREE event

Click here for weekend schedule

Island Soul Festival @ Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ON - Fri Jul 29th - Mon Aug 1st!

Various events including performances by Saidah Baba Talibah, Elaine 'Lil Bit' Shepherd, Steele, Mutabaruka, Pan Fantasy, plus Jouvay, Moko Jumbie, Socacize demos, reggae dance demos, steel pan workshops and more!

Location: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto, ON

For full schedule visit:

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/festivals.cfm?festival_id=85