I’m back from six glorious days in New York City, the city that never sleeps.
New York and I were a good match, because, lately, I never seem to sleep either.
The last few weeks have been a whirr of activity, mostly involving late nights partying with friends, eating way too much food, and indulging in hearty belly laughs that weaken my bladder and deepen the smile lines around my mouth.
Toronto’s Carnival is very much to blame. Getting dressed up like this and gyrating in the street for hours can be fatiguing. Partying hard at Carnival-sponsored activities mean that I am out late and wanting for my bed.
But I’m not complaining.
Toronto’s 42nd annual Carnival is officially named the “Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival”. Up until two years ago, the event was officially known as “Caribana” but a legal dispute forced organizers to change the name and rebrand the whole affair.
Whatever the name, one thing remains the same: Toronto Carnival’s is synonymous with partying and always sure to be a good time.Toronto’s Carnival is actually a series of events that take place over a two week period, culminating in the parade that I participated in. A “closing ceremony” of sorts, the last few days of Carnival are always hectic with revellers partying it up in the hopes of finishing out the festival with a bang.
An estimated 1 million people attend the parade, many of them American tourists who bring many more tourist dollars to the city of Toronto. Caribana, if nothing else, is big business.
Knowing that the day of the parade (Saturday) would be tiring, my friends and I hung out Friday night in the hotel room we had reserved in downtown Toronto, then walked down the street for Milestones restaurant at Dundas Square. The area was buzzing with activity, the air seemingly electrically charged in the anticipation of the parade the next day.
The next morning, the day of the parade, was chaos in our hotel room: a bevy of beauties trying to look our best for the parade, there were feathers, makeup, and glitter everywhere. After agonizing what to do with my makeup, I left my face in the hands of my very talented friend, who decided to use yellows and blues on my eyes in order to compliment the colours of my costume. Another friend gifted me with some false eyelashes (my first time wearing them!) and another friend insisted that I put on face jewels. 35 minutes later, I was ready!
I put on my massive headpiece and waited for my friends to finish getting ready. I took these photos as we left the hotel. Don’t we look stunning?
I felt like a celebrity as we made our way to the beginning of the parade route. People approached us from all sides and asked to take our pictures. We took public transportation most of the way to the parade and I had trouble getting my massive headpiece through the doors of buses and subway cars. What an experience!
We got to the grounds of the CNE and immediately found the rest of our parade crew. For those who are familiar with the set up, there are a number of “bands” who have massive floats/trucks. Each band will have a whole bunch of costumed people who will represent that particular band. Each band will have a theme that they are promoting that year, and the costumes will represent that theme. I was affiliated with the band “Carnival Nationz” and their theme for this year was “Mythical Creatures”. Within my band there were different sections of people who wore different costumes; however all these costumes followed the same theme.
The sun was hot and the music was jumping. Reggae, dancehall, and soca beats shattered the air with their booming volume and intensity. While I’m not a big fan of this genre of music, the atmosphere was just so amazing that I couldn’t help dancing. So of course, I had to make a dancing video… 🙂
The vibrant colours were stunning. Everybody was happy and dancing. It was a good place to be.
Have you ever done anything similar? Would you? Why or why not?
25 Comments
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing X a million! First of all, how much fun! Second of all, you are smoking hot!!! Love love love this post!
Wow! Looks like soo much fun! Never been to a carnival anywhere other than Atlanta. It was fun, but not quite the same…I can't wait for my first carnival, hopefully in 2012!!
I had no idea Toronto even had a Carnival, much less that it was such a big event. You look absolutely amazing!
You are amazing!!!! I definitely I could get into if I had a group of friends with me 🙂
But you my dear, are a hottie 🙂
Woo Whee, you guys are looking good. That's just beautiful, all the costumes and colors. Looks like fun!
Empress!! LOL!! 😉
One day I'm going to have to go to Caribana. I'll be out of town for NYC's Carnival that happens in Brooklyn over the U.S.'s Labor Day weekend. I'm still hoping to play mas in Antigua's one day. I should have gone this year, but it was a little rained out due to tropical storms and such. Anyway, great post, honey!
AWESOME!!!! A dancing video, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
And hello, that makeup looks super cool too, I'm so glad you put up a closer up shot of it. The jewels and the blue and yellow tones are spot on, your friend did a great job.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, you are HOT Oneika!
Wow, you've got guts! Work it!
Those costumes are amazing.
ahhh memories! i don't attend the parade every year but it's always lots of fun (attended with my little brothers last year).
and you look smokin' chica! you are much braver than i – i don't think i'd have the guts to dress in costume..but you look fabulous!
I've jumped in the London carnival, and this weekend will participate in our streetparade(www.streetparade.ch) wearing some battyriders, bra-thingie and platform boots with a feather in my hair. Yup, still feel young. Won't pop pills though, just drink until I keel over(not really joking, mind) and rave to techno, drumNbass and house music!.
PS: Where're the pics of Caribbean food?. You promised!
PSS: Yeah, you're looking good.
PSSS: Why do people with rolls of fat think they can get away with wearing skimmy clothes?. Really is not pleasing to the eyes……..
Oneika, you were in NYC? Next time you should say hello. You look stunning in these pics!! Love your makeup too (I'm also a beauty blogger). Rock those lashes, gal!!!
@Butterflydiary
I've seen most of these pics up on facebook, but I still can't get over how awesome you looked! Did you rent, buy or make your costume? The yellow was a great choice for you 🙂
Nowhere does it better than the T-DOT!!!
You DO look fabulous, girl! You've got it going ON! I didn't know Toronto did this. I don't think I'd be brave enough but I bet it's very liberating to dance like that. Why not? As Diedre said, if I had a good group of friends to do it with!
Love, love, love it! Is the music/dance the difference between this carnival and the one in Brasil??
YOU LOOK FABULOUS!!!
@Andi: Thanks thanks!!
@AbsoluteADT: Luckily there are a bunch of carnivals to choose from in this part of the world!
@Emily: Thanks! It is not as known as Brazil's or the carnivals in the Caribbean but it's pretty big up here!
@Deidre: It was great having a support group of sorts.. 🙂
@Flaming: sooooooooooo fun!
@Terri: Next year! LOL @ Empress… *smh*
@Mamacita: Gracias, Kyle! Next up- dancing vid in Santiago!
@changingmoods: It's easier to do when there are many other people just as scantily clad!! 🙂
@kay: I haven't attended the parade in years, but participating definitely gave me a different perspective on things!
@foosrock: Girl you have me rolling over here! LOL @ batty riders… I DO have a patty post coming up so stay tuned!
@Charu: Shame that I missed you!! Thanks so much! It was my first time with lashes and I was afraid that they wouldn't come off, lol!
@Crystal: I bought my costume!! I chose it specifically because it was yellow.. 🙂
@Mil: Merci! You know, I guess I never really felt self-conscious about being so scantily clad because I figured that I was in costume and not really being myself but playing a role!!
@joycey4: I think that the music may be a little bit different: for Carnivals in the Caribbean (or Caribbean themed Carnivals in Canada or the States) the music/dancing is more reggae, dancehall, and soca. In Brazil I think it may be more samba type music?
@Kiki: Merci!!
I played mass in Caribana about 5 years ago. It was my first time in Toronto and it was a spur of the moment thing. These pics are bringing back memories. It was a lot of fun and very tiring. I remember everybody wanting to take pictures with my group too. I still have my headpiece 🙂
Next stop: Brazil? Work it girl!
Of the Comely: Awesome! Which band did you play with??
@Monique: I hope to one day!! 🙂
I LOVE Carnival! It always feels like Christmas to me! I played MAS this year and last year before home in St.Croix, I won't be able too this year since I'm moving to London in October. It's exhausting but sooo much fun, I always wanted to do it since I was little. After we fete we have a spa day…its good way to rejuvenate.
hello Oneika, thanks for sharing your experience, I was wondering, i might go to Caribana this August, where can i purchase a traditional Caribbean outfit for the festival? 🙂
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