Toronto - Caribana Weekend 2010

Continuing my "Summer of Love Tour" the next stop was Toronto, Canada for the Caribbean Carnival named "Caribana". This was my first time attending and my first adult/dj experience in Toronto. I have been told by many people that Caribana is on one of the largest and most influential weekends in the soca/calypso genre.

Within my first few moments surveying the city on the way from the airport, the city seemed oddly familiar to me, so many buildings and sub-sections seemed like somewhere I've been. As soon as I got into downtown, it all hit me at once! Toronto is the northern cousin to New York City! My hotel was in the heart of downtown so I spent every spare moment walking around downtown, roaming like I lived there all my life. Due to the busy weekend I was unable to do any fine dining, but when you walk into your hotel in downtown, and they are giving you free beef patties because it's carnival weekend, you know that your in a great city…




Here is a quick run down of events that I worked and attended

Friday 30 July 2010
KOS Jouvert @ Embers Hall

Saturday 31 July 2010
(Daytime)
Caribana Parade
I Dj'd on Jamal Magloire's(Miami Heat Center) truck Toronto Revellers with
Machel Montano, Giselle D Wassi One, Dj Revs, Rudy, Barrie Hype, Dr Esan, Don Iko and much more…
**Sorry for horrible audio**

Caribana 2010 from Dj Crown Prince on Vimeo.

(Evening)
Socavivor @ Wild Water Kingdom


Sunday 1 August
Fire Fete @ Sound Academy

Skinny Fabulous at Fire Fete (Toronto 1 Aug 2010) from Dj Crown Prince on Vimeo.

Some Pictures from the weekend

BERMUDA " The Fantasy Island"

Day 1

Landing on the beautiful atlantic island of Bermuda one week before their world famous Cup Match Weekend, you can sense that there is an energy in the air, and people where ready for the upcoming week's events. I felt great knowing that I was flown in for what some said was considered the first major party of the week..

The island is relatively small in size with the widest point being 2 miles in width. With that size they have adopted a very strict transportation policy which allows only one automobile per address, everyone else in the family of driving age will have to use a scooter(awesome). They also have a Mass Transportation system that includes buses and ferrys to assist people traveling around the island. While driving I noticed that all the roofs were white and where designed the same, after inquiring I was told that it's basically a system designed to collect water for each household. I was quite impressed with what seemed to be a more green focused mentality on the island.

Now I have a motto in regards to settling in on a trip; "Good food will always make you feel at home…" We stopped at small take out shop named Art Mels, where I ate the biggest sandwich I've ever had. After that meal I was good for the rest of the day. After a brief nap, I got dressed and we headed out to the event, on the way I stopped off by a friend's house where I was introduced to a drink named, DARK and STORMY which is a mix of Black Rum and carbonated ginger beer. We then headed out to the main event, "Fantasy Island." The event was was just of the mainland on a small island, the smell of food filled the air and music was at the perfect level where you felt the energy but didn't go deaf. My good friend Dj Rusty G graciously assisted with being my M.C. as i mixed music for the people. It went extremely well and the crowd seemed to be in sync with the music and the night was filled with energy and love…


Day 2

After spending the early morning in a zombie like state, my hosts Keidric and Talia told me that it's time to get dressed and hit the beach. When we got there it didn't take long for me to realize that I may be in trouble while surrounded by professional drinkers. They introduced me to another drink they named swizzle, I'm not sure what the ingredients were but it was basically a really dangerous Bermuda version of Rum Punch. I left the beach and met up with some friends at a pool party, where they had two rules; 1) Everyone gets thrown in the pool(I was pardoned thankfully…) 2) Don't drop your drink! I had to be the person who dropped his drink! Punishment was drinking swizzle through a vuvuzela!
After many drinks later we headed out to a small nightclub where we drank some more, played some billiards, and spoke about the music industry, djs, promotional ideas, etc.

I will simply say that Bermuda is an amazing island, and I met some of the greatest people there. I look forward to my next trip there...

Weekend Review July 17-18

This past weekend I played at two events; Strictly Soca and Sunday FUNday. I've attached pictures from both parties for your viewing pleasure...

1) Saturday, July 17th 2010
Strictly Soca @ Club 954(Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Promoter: Party People
DJ's: Crown Prince, Eternal Vibes, Dr Esan, Barrie Hype, Don Iko, Gemstone Int'l

This edition of Strictly Soca was filled with many of South Florida's prominent Caribbean music figures and guest from all over. There were appearances by Papa Keith, Gisselle Di Wassi One, Sizwe C, Barrie Hype, Soca Diva, Steelie Back, Eternal Vibez, Natural Mystic(Orlando), Don Iko(Trinidad), Jusshane, Gemstone Int'l and many more. It was also a birthday celebration for Dr. Esan, Anita, and Brittany Walker. The night was filled with much energy as the birthday celebrants made sure everyone enjoyed the night as much as they were. Strictly Soca was blessed with the ultimate infusion of Caribbean music from Soca, to Reggae, Merengue, and Dancehall.

P.S. Strictly Soca is Every 3rd Saturday at Club 954, Ft Lauderdale FL

2)Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Sunday Fun Day @ Sky 60(Orlando)
Promoter: Barnard Fluerima
DJ's: Crown Prince, Pointblanc, Will Duran

After only 4 hrs of sleep, it was time to hit the road to Orlando, Florida for Sunday FUNday. This event takes place on the rooftop venue named Sky 60 every Sunday from 2pm to 9pm. Despite the heat and rain that comes with the summer season in Florida, it has become quite the popular event among the Orlando socialites. We have a simple formula when it comes to promotion for these type of events. Barnard Fleurima said it best; "We don't do parties for black people, white people, Caribbean people, or Spanish people... We do events for THE PEOPLE!" With that type of multi-cultural initiative, it's not hard to understand how this event has become a beacon for that "multi ethnic" flow of vibes and fun... Mix that with Lemy Currey providing an amazing Caribbean lunch/dinner, and you have the formula for the perfect Sunday.

P.S. Sunday FUNday is every Sunday @ Sky60 Lounge, Orlando FL