Caribana 2022 - The Recap
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Caribana 2022
The Recap
Carnival Come Back Again!
Shakera, it’s been days since Caribana, and you’re still talking about it?
Absolutely.
Let’s unlearn this practice that cultural aspects are to be discussed within specific weeks, days or months. Caribbean culture is so rich in heritage and vibes… plus there is so much to learn about it. It deserves to be celebrated year round.
Overall, I had a great Caribana season. Toronto Carnival month ran from July 7th to August 1st. I am usually working with Carnival Spice throughout the weeks leading up to the Grand Parade so that I can try and keep that day for myself. Here’s a recap of how my time went.
~Knix Partnership~
I am so happy to share that I am one of the newest ambassadors for KNIX. I also had the pleasure of working with the company on three Caribbean Carnival themed activations for Caribana.
The first was an in-person soca dance workshop attended by fellow Knix ambassadors and local influencers. The energy in the room was amazing. I loved seeing how everyone came with such an open mind and open heart.
Secondly, I collaborated with Knix on a “Get Ready With Me” video which shared my process for getting ready for parade day - SEE HERE.
I also wrote an article for the Knix website called: “The 4 Magical M's of Caribbean Carnival — and the Incredible Women Behind Them”. It was such a pleasure to highlight some of my favorite ladies from the Toronto Carnival community. Read the article here: https://knix.com/blogs/knix-blog/caribbean-carnival
Want to try Knix products?
Shop KNIX and use code: “SIMPLYSHAKERA_10OFF” for a % off of your purchase.
~ Carnival Spice Events ~
I need to first send lots of love to the Carnival Spice team who spread the vibes all over the GTA. It was beautiful to witness and experience. We provided entertainment for companies such as Pepsi and CAMH while collaborating with organizations such as Phnx Fithouse and the WellConnected. A clear favourite moment was being invited by THE Toronto Blue Jays to perform at the Rogers Center. Below you will find a recap of that magical evening.
~The Parade~
My overall road experience was about a 5/10.
The bad - everything, lololol. kidding! Although drinks were very accessible, we were only offered donuts, samosas, and chips. Even though I ate a hearty breakfast before leaving home, by around 4pm, I thought I was going to pass out. For a big band like the Toronto Revellers that has access to many sponsors, I expected more. I’ve played with them before and never had this issue, so not sure what happened this year. What made matters worse was we had to locate our food tent that was stationed AT THE END OF THE ROUTE to get our dinner. The tent was damn near impossible to find. I actually still have my wristband with all the food tickets still on it. No food plus extremely hot and dry temperatures was hazardous. On top of that, the vibe on the road was boring - I blame the DJs for this and quality of the speakers. The same 5 songs rotated for hours - Out and bad, Famalay, Savannah Grass, Top Striker and Trending. I was yearning for some small island soca or at the VERY LEAST something from 2022. I experienced maybe 15 minutes of vibes when DJ DOC started to play his set but then the truck needed to turn on the lakeshore so the music was turned off for safety reasons. We ended up looking for music at other bands at this point. Right before getting ready to throw in the towel and head home, WE FOUND DJ KEVIN CROWN! Listen. This man saved my carnival experience. We got at least an hour of non-stop tunes from all the islands, EVEN HAITI - which is a rarity in Toronto.
The good - I had excellent section leaders (@crownmasto) that provided a seamless costume pick up with a super stacked goodie bag. We had different body types within our group and they were super accommodating with modifying costumes to size. They also had their own photographers and videographers for the section which was a great touch. A major win was spotting one of our section leaders as we were about to leave who arranged food for us. His help was truly a game changer - I honestly don’t think I would have made it home safely if we didn’t eat. We enjoyed a hot tasty meal from King Catering that was served with a smile.
Other thoughts: For the most part, it felt so good to be back on the road again and just be surrounded by my people. Joy was all over the place and it was felt by the young, old, different shades, body types and genders. Because the band was first on the road, I didn’t really get to see to many people outside of who I played mas with. Remind me never to take transit to the parade again. I was lateeee so missed crossing the stage - that was crushing, but totally my fault. I am super sad that I didn't get to witness Suga Cayne mas’s stage presentation. Watch one of their sections here! It was far beyond anything our festival has seen before. I am sure we will see a lot more choreography infused in Toronto costume launches and stage presentations in future years because of them!
I typically keep my thoughts to myself about the Grande Parade itself because honestly I hate scrutinizing the one opportunity we have to celebrate the culture in Toronto at such a large capacity. BUT MAN, we really need to start holding organizers accountable for this lack lustre experience that we get year after year.
Have I seen improvements over the years? Maybe a handful like a risen stage area and more modern social media presence from the Toronto Carnival account… but that’s it as it pertains to the masquerader experience. The majority of the “improvements” seem to benefit the stakeholders more and that’s unfair. Something as basic as sending out an experience survey to participants is just a simple step towards making positive changes that will impact the PEOPLE who make the parade what it is.
From my neutral vantage point, it seemed like festival organizers were focused on generating income from attendees versus building more brand partnerships and masqueraders were focused more on stormers (the large group of individuals who enter the parade route without wearing a costume.) versus freeing up.
I understand that storming is a problem but has anyone asked why does storming even happen? What active measures are being made to address this problem that seems to increase each year? My unpopular opinion is that non-costumed participants are a part of the festival too. How are people who want to enjoy the vibes, but don’t want to play mas, being engaged?
I saw a post where a Toronto carnival influencer suggested that stormers are just “broke people” taking up space. Not only is that insensitive coming out of a global pandemic, but that is completely unfair based on how Toronto Carnival functions. I know a lot of people that have lots of money and still do not want to play mas in Toronto because flat out - the appeal is not there anymore for many reasons.
“From an anti-capitalist and Caribbean history perspective, we have “stormers” in the Caribbean and we call THEM revellers. Costumes have become a status symbol of wealth instead of traditionally it was for symbolism in a time when this was the only way we could send a message to our oppressors to have a voice in the Caribbean”
A costume with a big band on average starts at about $400. You’re expecting from the band to get the costume you seen on website or launch, music trucks with quality DJs, food, beverages, and marshals. 9 times out of ten YOU DON’T GET ALL OF THIS!!!!!
From the parade, by way of the festival management committee, you expect to get a seamless parade route, washroom access, first aid access, a stage… 9 times out of ten YOU DON’T GET THIS!!!!! So insulting everyone who doesn’t want to play mas in Toronto is unreasonable.
I often see folks comparing Caribana to other Toronto parades such as Pride and the Santa Clause Parade. Both these events host 1000s of people and seem to have no issue with overall crowd control. Why do we think that is?
Key factors I think should be considered is the event location, access to funding and the mindset of everyone involved at each event.
photos by @sidnaidu
~Recommendations~
Here are a few recommendations I will freely offer the FMC and Toronto Carnival bands who year after year seemingly go to sleep between September and February - then pop up In March when it’s time to sell costumes. This is not okay.
EDUCATE YOUR AUDIENCE.
There should be a FMC sub-committee SOLELY focused on this. Educating folks on Toronto Carnival rules and regulations while connecting it to the history of mas is minimal significant in maintaining the integrity of the parade and festival at large. It’s 2022, at least 70% of the people who participate in carnival are on social media. Where was the education? Where was the information? No funding? .. then why weren’t organizations who produced content to fill the gap not amplified?
History should be top of discussion. Consent and body autonomy should be top of discussion. Body positivity and Inclusivity should be top of discussion. THEN sell costumes and highlight event sponsors! The costumes sell themselves - especially those found within the larger bands.
It’s 2022, why do we not have a Toronto Carnival app dishing out pertinent information?
Why are we waiting until band launch season to engage with masqueraders?
ENGAGE SPECTATORS
After 55 years, expecting people to just now stop and watch the parade only is naive and negligent at this point. People are looking to feel vibes, see their community and have fun.
Perhaps add a concert area in the band stand? or maybe a kids zone with face painting bouncy castles, mascots, SOMETHING?!
Perhaps we could utilize all of these corporations that capitalize off the festival and put something back into the community. Mek dem give out free tings, sponsor performances within the exhibition grounds… millions of people show up for this - there is nothing like it in Canada! Why are we not leveraging our greatness?
A masquerader from out of town shared all her expenses for participating in Toronto Carnival - it was very eye opening: WATCH HERE
TRANSPARENCY
Every year the festival management committee release 1-2 people to be the face of staff and they select one model from the community to be the face of festival… that’s it.
Who are the decision makers? How are funds being used? Where are all these government grants being applied? Why isn’t the community being involved in how the plans are being made? Is there priority for customer (masquerader) experience or is it only the stakeholders that are valued?
A DESIGNATED SPACE FOR MASQUERADERS
My unfortunate food experience wasn’t a Revellers issue, it is for fact, a Toronto Carnival issue. A few years back I remember all bands were mandated to remove washroom trucks and food trucks off the road due to safety concerns… but this continues to affect the quality of the masquerader experience. I am yet to receive a positive review this year from a participant in any band regarding food… just talks about cold pizza, and cold chicken and rice and limited vegetarian options. SAME OLE SAME OLE! Plus the moment you leave your band to go to an external washroom, the chances of you finding your band again is slim.
Perhaps the FMC can get clearance to use the exhibition food building that is located right beside the go train bus terminal? How cool would it be to have a central area for masqueraders to be served HOT food and have access to clean washrooms. The facility already exists, why can’t we access it? What other ways can we improve the masquerader experience? There is no mas without the masquerader and there is no grand parade without the mas… let’s not forget that!
If you have gotten this far, thank you for your time. I am sorry if this review came off a bit disgruntled but I am so invested in this topic and I’m just tired of conditions remaining the same. Do I think I can run the festival any better? This answer is no. However that’s because no one person can fix this. Improving an event of this size will take a lot of work by multiple teams - but most of all it will take UNITY and WILLINGNESS TO LEARN. I appreciate the festival we have but I know we deserve better. Especially when we have qualified and talented people in this city to execute. We all play a major role in keeping this gift, that is known to us as Caribana, safe, enjoyable, and educational. Let’s keep conversations going and be open to grow as a community.
Cheers to another Toronto Carnival season coming to end… but may the vibes continue on and the culture continue to be represented throughout the rest of the year.
