Nadine with Scotiabank Caribana Dir of Marketing Bobby Adore
SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL is sometimes billed as North America’s largest street festival, is a
celebration of Caribbean culture and traditions and rhythms but mainly, of it’s people and their souls. If it wasn’t for the energy, creativity, love and dedication of Toronto’s Caribbean residents – - SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL would not be what it is today. Every summer in the city of Toronto, Ontario, hundred of thousands of tourists from around the globe celebrate the Caribbean in Toronto’s lakeshore pumping an estimated $300 million into its local economy.
Introduced to Canada by immigrants from the Caribbean, SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL is a showcase of its music and rhythms. Steel pan, soca and calypso originating in Trinidad and Tobago were the first rhythms that launched the SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL. Throughout the years, other Caribbean nations, traditions and music have been included, especially those from the West Indies like Jamaica, Barbados, and Guyanas. Today, you even find some of the Spanish speaking islands like Cuba and the Dominican Republic. A chutney from Trinidad & Tobago, the Bob Marley family and history, the Jamaican reggae and the Cuban salsa - – SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL has it all, every summer, in the centre of Toronto.
Charles Roach
A Trinitarian born musician that also is a lawyer and civil rights advocate, Charles Roach, through his work became a leader within Toronto’s Black community in 1967 and, at that time, was one of the founders of the festival, serving as it’s first chair. As a tribute to Canada’s Centennial year, SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL originally started as a gift of Canada’s West Indian community. For years the Caribbean Cultural Committee (CCC), a non-profit organization ran the festival.
Like in every new multicultural venture, its board members were mostly Caribbean nationals living in Canada and not very well versed in the organization of an event with a sudden and enormous growth and without the proper backing and funding. In 2006, the CCC ran into financial troubles with the City of Toronto and SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL almost disappeared. It was, once more, Charles Roach with his legal background that fronted the discussions with the City. In the meantime, the CCC, together with the City of Toronto, and it’s SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL’s trademark has continued to provide their mystical element of rhythm in the shores of Toronto.
Charles Roach, in his new quest, with time, will also find the road where the allocation of SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL’s financial rewards will be fairly divided within his community.
Nadine Ramkisson
Why would someone leave being the host of the most popular show in Toronto in 2002, Electric Circus?
Nadine Ramkisson, is a Trinidadian born television host and a motion picture actress.
She worked on the popular show Electric Circus, starting out as a dancer and eventually becoming the show’s host from 2000 to 2002. With an energy difficult to match, Nadine not only interviewed the hottest stars, singers and athletes but also befriended them. Fluent in French and Spanish, Nadine includes her languages in her interviews giving them a zest and gusto rarely seen in TV.
The title to her movies are a perfect representation of Nadine’s looks and personalities, Exotica in 1994 and Soul Survivor in 1995.
After Electric Circus, Nadine has being going back and forth to Trinidad on a soul searching mission and like she constantly say, “I think I left my soul in T&T”.
In T&T, during the Trinidad Carnival, she was interviewing and socializing with Beyonce; Faye Ann (the winner of all the People Choice & International Soca Awards totaling $1.2 million plus while almost in a full term pregnancy) and Jamaal Magloire, only Trinidadian in the NBA who also has his own band, constantly winning Parade of the Band titles and surely promoting Toronto’s Carnival to all the Trinitarians because, she “don’t want SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL to miss this musical moment in our Carnival history.”
In Toronto, she “was actually filming elements of SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL right through the end of the long weekend”. Rhythms & Soul, eh?
Rasta Phil
Phillip Thomas, popularly known as ‘Rasta’ Phil was the Mentor, co-producer, and spiritual advisor to many famous musical groups through the 80’s and 90’s, such as New Kids on the Block, New Edition, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, and more.
This talented Trinidadian-born musical genius started his musical career as a popular local DJ and soon became a force in the local Boston musical scene. Rasta Phil has a vibe that moves people; he has made a difference with his music and the vision of a better world.
With personal friends like Mark Wahlberg, “each individual has their own story within a story, but Rasta Phil is the main ‘brethren’ who even fathomed the idea of me doing a rap album long before Hollywood came knocking,” says Mark.
Like every year, Rasta Phil works with SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL and assists artists, managers, etc., as that is part of his life mandate, Trini-Town. Below an excerpt of the song dedicated to his homeland.
Went down to my home Trini-Town That’s where I found my roots and who I be Thanks to Jah my saviour the almighty For settin’ me free
SCOTIABANK CARIBANA FESTIVAL a success? For sure, the rhythms and souls of their people will make it work forever and ever. Remember, Jah is backing them up!
