OCPA Calypso Tent Music Series ends July 13th!
Toronto, ON, Canada: July 7th, 2008 - If you haven’t gone to any of The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) 2008 Calypso Tents, this upcoming weekend will be your last chance to see all the calypsonians in their home tents. On Saturday July 12th and Sunday, July 13th, the judges will be in attendance at each tent to adjudicate who are the best to move forward to the finals of the Calypso Monarch Competition on Saturday, July 26th titled KAISO 365 to be held at Leah Posluns Theatre.
So get your tickets early, as these last two shows are when all competing calypsonians put their best foot forward!
THE PROFESSIONALS
Date: Saturday, July 12th
Venue: United Steelworkers Union Hall – 25 Cecil Street, Downtown Toronto
Showtime: 8pm
Performers: Beginner, Macomere Fifi, Dick Lochan, Naki, Drew Gonzalves, Pan Man Pat, Jayson, Pensioner, Lady Pearl, Valentino King (from Aruba) and other guest performers
House Band: Toronto Soca Bunch
More Info/Tickets: Judith Thompson at 416-769-7888
KAISO FORUM
Date: Sunday, July 13th
Venue (REVISED): Northern Tropics – 889 Ellesmere Avenue, Scarborough
Showtime (REVISED): 4pm
Performers: De Carra, Red Man, Delee, Sailor, Dynasty, Sparkles, Connector, Spivey (from Montreal), King Cosmos, Structure - 2007 OCPA Calypso Monarch, Lady Scorpio, Susan G, Laura, Web, Love Man Kent (from Montreal), Yellow and other guest performers
House Band: Neu Jenerashun
More Info/Tickets: Norma Coar at 905-794-0637 and/or Bryan Thornhill at 905-883-6224
This is an exciting annual music series showcasing the best Calypso and Soca performers in Canada. It runs for two nights (Saturdays and Sundays) at various venues in Toronto. Each night features a different calypso tent performing original Calypso and Soca music in its best storytelling tradition: social and political commentary, humour, and wit.
The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) is a registered not-for-profit arts organization founded in 1981 by a group of individuals who saw the need for an umbrella group to guide the growth and development of the calypso in Toronto and Canada. Its mandate – as set out in its Constitution and Bylaws – is to promote the calypso art form in all its diversity: storytelling, social and political commentary, and comedy in song; to create opportunities to compose, perform and record calypso; and to facilitate calypso music’s growth and development in general. Contact OCPA directly at ocpa2007@gmail.com. OCPA is a stakeholder of the Scotiabank Caribana™ Festival which is managed by The Festival Management Committee (FMC).
Scotiabank Caribana™ is a cultural explosion of Caribbean music, revelry as well as visual and performing arts. Launched in 1967 as a Centennial Project, this world famous festival has become a major international event and an expression of Toronto’s multi-cultural and multi-racial society. The Festival is now celebrating its 41st anniversary. For more information, please visit www.caribanafestival.com.
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities. In 2007, Scotiabank provided more than $43 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com.
