More partners join in the festivities in celebration of Canada's largest
cultural festival of its kind.TORONTO, April 21 /CNW/ - To launch the 2009 Scotiabank Caribana Festival
Calendar today, the Festival Management Committee (FMC) and Scotiabank
announced a three years sponsorship extension taking title sponsorship of the
event through 2012. The FMC also celebrated the 42nd annual Festival Calendar
launch by announcing new media partners and green initiatives for this year.
"It is through the strength of partnerships and our network of supporters
that the Scotiabank Caribana Festival thrives," said Joe Halstead, Chair,
Festival Management Committee. "In 2008, the Festival attracted more than 1.3
million spectators and participants and we expect continued success in 2009."
"The Scotiabank Caribana partnership has opened an exciting new chapter
for our Bank, our customers and employees," said Scotiabank District
Vice-President Christine Williams. "We are pleased to support Canada's largest
cultural festival, making a commitment to host the Scotiabank Caribana
Festival for years to come."
Scotiabank Caribana's FMC also announced a new multi-year media
partnership with CTV and CP-24 which is scheduled to broadcast live from the
Scotiabank Caribana Parade on August 1st. CTV has previously sponsored the
event in 2007.
Joining the 42nd annual Scotiabank Caribana as broadcast partner this
year is CFRB, long-time supporter of the festival; SWAY Magazine as magazine
sponsor; LIME.com as social media partner and Toronto SUN as print media
partner.
Continuing their support and encouragement of this international cultural
fixture is the City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Federal Government,
RIM/Blackberry (supporting the Scotiabank Caribana Gala), State Farm
Insurance, Tourism Toronto, GTAA, ROM, Liberty Grand, Westin Harbour Castle,
and the Caribbean Arts Group.
Scotiabank Caribana's summer Festival Calendar includes a series of
events beginning with Calypso Tent Music Series, Jun 6 - Jul 5; Calypso
Monarch Finals and Junior Carnival, Jul 18; Scotiabank Caribana Art
Exhibition, Jul 23 - Aug 3; Scotiabank Caribana Gala, Jul 24; King and Queen,
Jul 30; Pan Alive, Jul 31; Scotiabank Caribana Parade, Aug 1; and De
Scotiabank Caribana Lime, Aug 2. This landmark festival is a key tourist
attraction for the City of Toronto.
Scotiabank Caribana is a cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine,
revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Launched in 1967 as a
Centennial Project, the world famous festival has become a major international
event and an expression of Toronto's multicultural and multiracial society.
The Festival is now celebrating its 42nd anniversary. For more information,
please visit http://www.caribanafestival.com/events.html.
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 2008 the Bank provided about $43 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.SEE ATTACHED BACKGROUNDER: 2009 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Scotiabank Caribana
2009 List of Events Feel De VIBE
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Event Event
Name Date Venue Time Description
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Calypso Tent Jun 6 - various The series runs 3 nights
Music Series Jul 5 locations TBD each week (Fri-Sun.) 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, humour and
wit.
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Official Nathan 12:00pm The official ceremony
Launch July 14 Phillips - launches the activities
Square 02:00pm for the Scotiabank
Caribana Festival Season.
It is a snapshot of
what's in store over the
coming weeks.
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Calypso Queen 7:00pm This is where the Calypso
Monarch July 18 Elizabeth - Monarch is crowned. Come
Finals Theatre, 12:00am and see the best and
CNE biggest Canadian
Calypsonians battle for
the crown. From the
topical to the lyrical,
the sweet soca rhythms
will lift you out of your
seat and get you moving.
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Junior Yorkgate 10:00pm Junior Carnival provides
Carnival July 18 Mall - festival goers and the
04:00pm surrounding community the
opportunity to experience
the thrills and joys as
young masqueraders
participate in their
early festival years.
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Art Jul 23 - Royal 12:00pm The Association of
Exhibition Aug 3 Ontario - African Canadian Artists
Museum 09:00pm presents original
Daily paintings and sculptures
that have been influenced
by the diversity of our
people.
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Scotiabank July 24 Liberty 6:30pm An evening of elegance
Caribana Grande celebrating Carnival
Gala Exhibition Music and Arts.
Place
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King & Queen July 30 Lamport 7:00pm On the Thursday night
Show Stadium - before the Scotiabank
12:00am Caribana Parade, 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 reveler
to be enthroned the King
or Queen of his or her
band.
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Pan Alive July 31 Lamport 7:00pm A thrilling evening
Stadium - showcasing the musical
12:00am and tonal qualities of
the steelpan, as members
of the Ontario Steelband
Association compete
before a panel of judges.
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Scotiabank Aug 1 Exhibition 10:00am This showcase event
Caribana Place - features an incredible
Parade & 06:00pm display of colours and
Lakeshore pageantry. Toronto will
Blvd come alive with the
sights and sounds of
Carnival.
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De Aug 2 Olympic 12:00pm This event will highlight
Scotiabank Island - the various cultures of
Caribana Lime 08:00pm all of the Caribbean
people. It's a
celebration of food,
song, dance, theatrical
drama and story telling.
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For further information: Stephen Weir, Scotiabank Caribana Publicist,
(416) 391-5608 or Stephen@stephenweir.com; Alicia Sealey, Scotiabank Caribana
Publicist, (416) 599-0664 or atchp@the-wire.com; Livy Feldgajer, Scotiabank
Public Affairs, (416) 866-6203 or livy_feldgajer@scotiacapital.com
