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Ann's Blog

Toronto, Canada:
August, 3, 2011
Carnival heats up the waterfront

This past weekend was Carnival time in Toronto. Two must-dos for Steve and me: Saturday’s big parade, and Friday’s performance at Harbourfront by Trinidad’s rapso kings, 3Canal. We’d never managed to catch one of their performances in Trinidad, so a free concert a five-minute walk from our condo was impossible to pass up. Rapso is a Trinidadian musical style – its name is derived from a combination of rap and calypso (or its offspring, soca) – and the words are important. There’s message in the music. (On the 3Canal website, rapso is described as “the power of the word in the rhythm of the word.”)

The seats at Harbourfront’s Westjet Stage filled early, and then, in true Trini fashion, we squeezed together to fit another body or two or three in our row.

3canal_caribana_toronto_2011_0
3Canal in Toronto: Uniquely Trini style
When I turned around to look behind me a few numbers into the show, the SRO crowd extended right to the water’s edge. People danced in the aisles, at their seats, and even at one point on the stage, to songs such as “Boom Up History,” “Slaves,” and “Good Mornin’ Neighbour.”
blue_devil_caribana_2011
Blue Devil loose in the crowd
Though the performance lasted two electrifying hours, I left wanting more of their music.

“3Canal free concert?? In downtown Toronto?? You lucky guys. Sounds like that is the place we should be!” our friend Jesse emailed us from Trinidad. “On the flip side, we have d’ best doubles over here!”

Yep, Jesse, you have d’ best doubles in Trinidad, but don’t count Toronto out. Part of the reason to go to the Carnival parade is the food stalls that sprout on the grassy stretches along the route.

alis_doubles_caribana_2011_0
Just like Trinidad (except a doubles costs about 1/6th as much there)
We homed right in on d’ Original Ali’s Doubles and ordered two apiece. Pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth, just-fried bara bread, lightly curried channa (chickpeas), and real Trini peppah. Yum.
doubles_caribana_toronto_2011
Freshly fried: Our tastebuds
told us the bara bread was
made on the spot
before our eyes did

“Is that fish?” a man asked me, curling his lips at the sight of us inhaling our doubles. I assured him what we were eating was completely vegetarian, and thoroughly described the snack – and its deliciousness. He walked off in the opposite direction, away from Ali’s. Poor guy. Didn’t know what he was missing.

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3 comments on “Toronto, Canada:
August, 3, 2011
Carnival heats up the waterfront”

  1. Elliot on said:

    Glad you had a great time with us. I’m the drummer for the band and we had a short but awesome time in Toronto. Hopefully we can get back there next year or some time soon.

    Keep on flying the Trini flag high!

    3Canal come dong!

  2. Brad on said:

    Do you know when it is scheduled for next year? I want to go! I live just over the border in NY. My boat is in BVI and I want to sail to Trinidad soon.

  3. Ann on said:

    The Toronto Caribana parade is Sat., August 4th, this year, but there are events going on all weekend. Here’s a link to the website: http://www.caribanatoronto.com/

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