2011 Poster Design for $500

Carifest Calgary is proud to introduce the 2011 poster competition. Do you, or someone you know under the age of 25, have an artistic side? Submit your design ideas for Carifest 2011 and your vision could be the official design for the upcoming festival! The winning entry will be awarded $500 and have their work featured on all Carifest 2011 marketing material!

Download Rules Here

Alison Hinds made Carifest 2010 fantastic!

Alison Hinds, joined by Grenada's "Tallpree", T&T's Nadia Batson and "Patch" rounded out a fantastic day of outdoor festivities at Shaw Millennium Park on Saturday June 12th for Carifest 2010.  Thousands of patrons enjoyed the fun filled day of food, music and a vibrant Sunshine Market.  More pictures available here.

Alison Hinds, Carifest 2010

Carifest 2010 welcomed Barbados Soca singing sensation Alison Hinds to Shaw Millennium Park's Sunshine Festival on Saturday June 12th. She was on the main stage along with international acts Nadia Batson, Talpree, Patch, and local talent for the year's festival. Performances during the day were FREE as a teaser for the actual show at the Chinese Cultural Centre later that evening.

Carifest 2010 performers

Here were the scheduled performance times for the Sunshine Festival 2010

Noon - Steel Band (Organettes)
12:30 - Carifest Dancers
1:10pm - Infiniti
1:50pm - Candice Ramsumair (dance)
2:00pm - Steel Band (Organettes)
2:20pm - Caribbees
3:00pm - Calgary Samba
3:40pm - Explosion
4:00pm - Calgary Samba
4:30pm - Ayanna Lee-Rivers (Limbo) -
4:40pm - Maximum Force
5:10pm - Shalli, Patch, Nadia Batson, Tallpree, Allison Hinds
6:30pm - Closing Announcements
7:00pm - Festival wrap up

Showcase Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the first annual Carifest Showcase, Friday June 11th 2010. Performing to a packed house, the top 3 singers were:
3) Aisha Mendes
2) Karella "Diamond" Cummings
and new Showcase Monarch Lynn Olagundoye who took home the trophy and $1000.00



In the costume category, the big winners were:

2nd place - Stephanie's portrayal of the "Sea Nymph" from Ivan Baharally and Friends.






1st place - "Sabby" from Sykotik Mas' 2010 offering "Emotionz"

Pursuit Art Gallery - Documentary Screening



Breathless in Trinidad & Tobago v1.5 (Video Documentary)
A video documentary that empowers youth through the arts by using faith, love and hope.

Celebrate culture, hope and diversity during Carifest with a video documentary short from Trinidad and Calgary that feature how the arts can change peoples lives!  The full documentary is now featured below:


Breathless in Trinidad & Tobago from Vincent T Joachim on Vimeo.

The Pursuit Art Gallery traveled to Gonzales, Trinidad and setup a free photography program with over 20 marginalized youth in 2008 and 2009. This workshop documented the Carnival, the youth, their community and culture through hope and empowerment. Also view additional video clips created by youth in Calgary from Holy Cross School and St. Mark’s Church in a program called Trinity Art. Presented in partnership with the Calgary Public Library and the Pursuit Art Gallery.

On June 8th, 2010, a free viewing of the video documentary short, “Breathless in Trinidad & Tobago,” was shown at the Central Public Library at the John Dutton Theatre located on 616 Macleod Trail SE.

The Pursuit Art gallery empowers youth through the arts using faith, love and hope. The organization has been offering art workshops since 2007 and became a non-profit organization in Jan 2010. The Pursuit has created many youth workshops and has teamed up with the City of Calgary, Red Cross, Calgary Learning Village Collaborative, the Bridge Foundation for Youth and Tallman Foundation just to name a few. Workshops are offered in Canada and in Trinidad & Tobago. The main art mediums the Pursuit offers are photography, video, popular theatre and writing.

For more information, please visit http://www.thepursuit.ca or call/email Vincent T Joachim at (403) 399-2471 / info@thepursuit.ca or Karina Ramdath at (403) 714-7824.

Carifest Showcase Friday!

Limited tickets are still available for Friday's showcase. For your convenience all remaining tickets are available online for $25 (surcharge included) or at the GRAND box office.


Get your tickets now for this year's Showcase. (charge or by phone)




The competition will be held at Theatre Junction GRAND. (608 1 St SW, Calgary AB) The show starts at 8:00pm, Friday Jun 11th 2010.

Follow Carifest on Twitter

Stay up to date with performance dates and event times by following Carifest on twitter.  www.twitter.com/thecarifest

2K10 Ultimate Jump-Up


After all the FREE festivities at Shaw Millennium Park on Saturday, don't forget to get your tickets for the hottest afterparty!

XQUISITE HAIR DESIGN (403)8061212,
FROM THE ROOTS (403)2302103,
ISLAND BEAT (BOTH LOCATIONS) (403)2735683/5683766,
BLUE LAGOON RESTURANT (403)2486504

Carifest Showcase - Jun 11th 2010



Get your tickets now for this year's Showcase. (charge or by phone)





Here are the singing competition finalists. They will be competing for the $1000 first prize and are listed here in no particular order.

  • Da Barber and D'Original Andy
  • Christopher Johnson
  • Cornel
  • Racquel Ramsumair
  • Lynn Olagundoye
  • Sterling Hunte
  • Brad Bosch
  • Kully
  • Aisha Mendes
  • Karella "Diamond" Cummings(Edmonton)


Registrations are closed for 2010, thank you all who submitted music for consideration. We will be accepting submissions for 2011 soon! You can review the criteria for the showcase here: Download the 2010 registration form/rule guide!

Sykotik packages for 2010


Sykotik Mas gives us a look at what they are bringing to the road for Carifest 2010. The Band is called Emotionz and there is still time to get your costume. Kids are $50, Men $100, Women $120. Here are the packages that are being offered to masqueraders:

Emotionz Premium: $160 includes costume(adult only, shell only for females), meal after the Parade in Calgary and ticket to Moses and the Revolutions after party on June 11, 2010.

Emotionz Ultimate: $175 includes costume(adult only, shell only for females), meal after the Parade in Calgary and ticket to Moses and the Revolutions after party on June 11, 2010 & Carifest 2k10 Ultimate Jump Up Party on June 12th.

For more information. Visit their site at www.sykotikmas.com

Parade Route

The Parade starts Saturday morning at Olympic Plaza, 11:00am.  We proceed up 8th Avenue SW to the Sunshine Festival Grounds (Shaw Millennium Park)

Shaw Millennium Park



3x3 Basketball Tournament




Carifest is calling high school and Jr high students to participate in a friendly 3x3 Basketball Tournament. Come on down and test your skills against your peers and receive a gift certificate prize for your efforts. (Prize details to be posted.) Participants will enjoy an afternoon of basketball with the sounds of the Caribbean in the background.

Location: Shaw Millennium Park
Date: June 12, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
Team size: 4


Each game will be 10 mins or until the 1st team reaches 15 points. Each team will play a minimum of 2 games to determine who goes to the next level.

You can pre-register by contacting Steve at 403-975-0231 or submit your registration to
admin@carifestcalgary.com. Provide each player’s name, age and grade. Last minute registration will also be available at the festival grounds between 11:00 am – noon at the basketball court.

School ID must be presented to verify age and grade

Carifest Showcase




Were giving away over $3000 in cash and prizes for the first annual Carifest Showcase. This contest is open to all Caribbean singers performing any and all traditional Caribbean Music genres, eg. Reggae, Calypso, Soca, Zouk, etc.

Judging Criteria: Total 100pts/judge/song

1. Stage Presence – 20pts
2. Vocal Ability – 30pts
3. Melody - 20pts
4. Crowd Response - 30pts

Contestants must perform two (2) songs

First Place: $1000
Second Place: $500






Carnival constumes will also be judged on the night. Again, open to all ages with a size restriction on the costumes. Costumes MUST BE NO LARGER than 7'x7' .

Male and Female costume criteria:

1 Poise / Portrayal (20 points)
2 Creativity / Visual Impact (Design & Colors) (30 points)
3 Mobility / Agility (25 points)
4 Originality (Theme) (25 points)


Totaling 100 points
1st Prize $1000
2nd Prize $500


Join us and make your claim for best individual and band of the year for 2010!
Deadline for Registration is: MAY 15th 2010
Submit mp3s and/or Youtube links to showcase@carifestcalgary.com or call 403-774-1300 for further details.

The competition will be held at Theatre Junction GRAND. (608 1 St SW, Calgary AB) The show starts at 8:00pm, Friday Jun 11th 2010.

How can I get a booth at Carifest?

Our positions for this year have been filled!
If you are interested to get a Food booth or "Sunshine Market" space for CARIFEST 2012? Either leave a message for our vendor co-ordinator at 403-774-1300 or email: vendors@carifestcalgary.com


Click here for review the Sunshine application process.

Click here to populate the Contacts & Ware Information form.

Click here to view the Terms & Conditions and complete the application form.

Shaw Millenium Park

Carifest 2011: Performers for this year still TBA


All performers please forward inquires to: perform@carifestcalgary.com

or call 403-774-1300


Take Note: The Friday Night Showcase is open to all singers for a chance to win cash and the title of Carifest Showcase Monarch.


__________________________________________________________



SAT. June 12th 2010

Caribbean Music and atmosphere for FREE all day! Here are more of the artists performing.


Nadia Batson



This T&T singer shot to fame in 2006 with her Zouk-inspired hit "One Island", but this sultry songstress spent many years behind the scene penning numerous chart-topping singles for other Soca artist such as Michelle Sylvester and Terry Seales, and providing her much sought-after background vocals to many more.  She is now a sought after headliner and will bring her talents to Calgary for the first time



Shalli

Shalli is a sweet combination of sass and sophistication. She developed her musical talents by idolizing such soulful greats as Luther Vandross and Chaka Khan and today has developed her own unique style: passionate, infectious, soulful, real and full of life.

Shalli began honing her musical talents as early as age five in her church and school choirs. Born of Jamaican and Dominican descent, Shalli was destined to travel a musical path as her father - a musician for over 30 years - helped her to never forget her rhythm-rich heritage.
Listen to her music here.



Maximum Force

You just have to experience this locally based band that play Reggae in all styles from Rock Steady to Dance Hall and Ska. They mostly deliver original compositions but also spice things up with crowd favorites. Maximum Force delivers the true spirit of the music as band members get the crowd involved throughout their performance.

Maximum Force have shared the stage with such Artists as Capleton, Morgan Heritage, Bennie Man, Road Hammer, System of a Down, Lucky Dubay, Half Pint, Tony Curtis and many more. Listen Here





Explosion Band is one of the most versatile and dynamic bands in Calgary. They provide a diverse repertoire of high energy dance songs from pop and Caribbean styles. For 2010, Explosion Band will deliver the hottest Soca from the Islands directly to Calgary's festival audience.






T and T Organettes
It wouldn't be a true Caribbean Festival without the sounds of Steel Pan in the air. The "Organettes" have been gracing Carifest for years and have also made a name for themselves performing annually in Calgary's world famous Stampede parade. Come experience the wonderful sounds that this band provides at Carifest 2010.





Calgary Samba
The Calgary School of Samba, founded in 2001 by Malcolm Lim and Barbara Oliveira-Lim, is a funky Brazilian-inspired drum and dance ensemble. The Bateria, or percussion ensemble, performs on traditional Samba percussion instruments including surdos, caixas, repiniques, tamborims, chocalhos, cuicas, and pandeiros. The Passistas, or dancers, perform energetic choreographies that match the beat of the drums. Barbara sings on top of the irresistible beat and draws elements from a range of Afro-Brazilian, Rap, and Reggae songs. Don't miss them at this year's Sunshine Festival June 12th.

Limbo and Socacize®

Carifest welcomes Canada's “Limbo Dancer Extraordinaire”. Ayanna Lee-Rivers started “Socacize®" to promote a fun way to exercise with a combination of dance moves, weight and strength training. She works closely with various fitness centres corporate companies, recreation centres, schools, and dance companies. Ayanna will be bringing her limbo to the park on June 12th and will be conducting a Socacize® instructor class in Calgary June 13th 2010.
(Results Fitness Inc. 925 1st Ave. NE 8:30-6pm)




Indian Dance
Candice Ramsumir is an accomplished Indian dancer who has performed throughout Canada and the world. Caribbana in Toronto, Folk Fest in Saskatoon, Indiafest, and many other shows in Calgary. She has been performing for the past 20years and is originally from Trinidad where she led the dance group, Durga Shakti before migrating to Canada. With her dance group, she has travelled the Caribbean (Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Martinique, Guyana just to name a few) and was also a member of Trinidad's national contingent in Germany for the Fifa Word Cup 2006.






All performers please forward inquires to: perform@carifestcalgary.com or call 403-774-1300

Gospel Concert


The Gospel Concert 2010! Falconridge Full Gospel Tabernacle, 155 Falconridge Crescent N.E. Calgary. Tickets are $10 Adults/ $5 children and seniors available at, Joycee's, Caribbean Choice and Island Beat.

Thank you to all who came out and helped make this a huge success. Special thanks to Robert McPherson and members of the NBCC - Calgary for organizing this year's event.

Get involved in Carifest 2010

Attention, CARIBBEAN VENDORS, COSTUME BANDS, AND SINGERS:

The Caribbean Community Council of Calgary is proud to announce the dates and our plans for the 2010 festival season. These include added events, incentives and prizing for Carifest!


After a fantastic turnout for last year's Sunshine Festival on June 13th we hope to grow on the success of the event with the re-addition of some previously notable events. There has been a healthy injection of funds into the organization over the last year which will allow for some exciting expansion of the festival.

2010's CARIFEST will start on June 5th with the CARIBBEAN GOSPEL CONCERT. The concert will be helmed by esteemed members of the National Black Coalition of Canada (Calgary) who put on Gospel events throughout the city annually. This event has proven to draw well over 1000 patrons in the past and this year we hope to exceed that number.

On Friday June 11th , CARIFEST will expand to include the FRIDAY NIGHT GALA. This event is planned as Calgary's re-introduction to “MAS”. Individual Male and Female Carnival costumes will compete for cash and prizes on the night as well as a Caribbean Music competition to fill out an over 2hr evening event.

This will all lead into Saturday June 12th 2010 which will start the morning with The CARIFEST PARADE down Stephen Avenue, starting at OLYMPIC PLAZA at 11:00am and ending at the Festival grounds, SHAW MILLENNIUM PARK. Carnival bands from all over Canada are encouraged to partake, as this year the competition will be for thousands of dollars in cash, prizes and trophies. Substantial prizing returns for best band, and individual prizes for those who enter costumes in the Friday night show.

The entire Saturday will of course be fun filled as the sights and sounds of the Caribbean fill Calgary's Downtown. With the resounding success of last year, Carifest will expand the offerings on the grounds to more vendors, more entertainment and a larger capacity beer garden. The event will once again be FREE to the public and run all the way until 7pm.

The Council will continue its annual commitment to helping from within the community as a significant portion of proceeds from events will be donated to the Haitian relief effort

To stay informed please check out: www.carifestcalgary.com or send an email to admin@carifestcalgary.com.

We look forward to you getting involved in Calgary's re-energized CARIFEST for 2010 and expanding the culture to the masses!


Regards,
Carifest President
Drew Allum

Carifest Donates to Haiti relief

In response to the devastating earthquake that hit south of Port-au-Prince Haiti on January 12, the Caribbean Community Council of Calgary has quickly come together to do what we can in terms of monetary aid to the troubled nation.  In addition to the individual pledges from members, the executive and the board of directors, The Council has allocated an intial $2000 to be sent to Haiti relief efforts.  The efforts will be ongoing for 2010 on our part, and we will be sending proceeds when we can as the year goes on.  We urge members of the Caribbean Community and visitors to this site as a whole, to get involved.  The Government of Canada has created the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians, the Government of Canada will contribute one dollar to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, up to a total of $50 million


For further information on donations from Canada, click here: 
Government of Canada's Haiti Earthquake Relief fund

Gospel Show - Sat Jun 5th 2010

Carifest proudly re-introduces the Gospel Show to kick of Carifest 2010! Here are some of the choirs performing.

Headlining this year will be "Essence of Praise" from Edmonton.
The Essence of Praise (EOP) This Choir is based out of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, where Reverend O.G. Simpson is the Pastor (www.buctoday.com). EOP creates dynamic melodies with rich harmonies whether they are performing as a quartet or a 25-strong choir. The choir is known for their hype gospel flair, hand clapping, feet stomping, traditional and soulful arrangements, and mostly for their love of Praise & Worship


Also Performing; the Berean International Youth Church Choir,
'Showers of Blessing' Choir, Devon Powell, Dalton Francis, The 4Gs,
Diversity Dance Troupe,








New Look

Hey. We've been hard at work updating Carifest Calgary to reflect the things we have in-store for this year. You will see more frequent posts, as well as the newest music and videos featured here. Enjoy.

The Carifest Calgary Team