There’s just a month to go before the official launch of Toronto Caribbean Carnival (11 July), which will be followed by a host of activities in the build-up to Carnival Day, Saturday 5 August.
Toronto’s great celebration of Caribbean culture began as a project to mark Canada’s centenary in 1967 – the year after the effective start of Notting Hill Carnival. The London and Toronto carnivals have faced many of the same challenges, including management, funding and space.
The first was addressed recently in Toronto when the overall organiser, the Festival Management Committee (FMC), brought in as directors the heads of what London has called the carnival disciplines or arenas. Henry Gomez, president of the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA), flies the flag for calypso and soca; steelpan is represented by Terrence Wilson, president of the Ontario Steelpan Association (OSA); and the voice of the mas bands is Louis Saldenah, president of Caribbean Arts Canada.
Reportedly, the move has defused some of the tension between the different elements of Carnival and encourages more co-operative working. “We have become a team,” said Wilson.
The new directors hope that revitalised FMC board will amplify Carnival’s collective voice when making their case to funders and decision-makers. According to FMC, Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2022 contributed $467.6 million to Ontario’s economy – that’s around £277 million! – and there were 1.76 million attendees for the final weekend alone.
Despite those impressive figures, Carnival’s creators see little of that income reaching them. Wilson noted that a priority for the steelpan community is finding a permanent home – OSA’s HQ is Wilson’s own house and bands struggle to find space for storage and practice. Saldenah is also set on having a permanent base for Toronto Carnival (perhaps he has in mind something along the lines of London’s Carnival Village), “where winning costumes can be displayed, steel bands can practise and traditions learned in Trinidad and elsewhere can be taught to future generations”.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival/Caribana and Notting Hill Carnival clearly have much in common and are well suited to sharing their experiences. Indeed, there’s a strong and productive history of collaboration between the two events. This especially true in calypso, where London Calypso Tent regulars will have fond memories of Macomere Fifi and other visiting artists from Canada. It’s to be hoped that renewed efforts will be made this year to strengthen ties between London and Toronto.
For details, check out torontocarnival.ca.
