Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

Canada is the only country with a Caribbean Diaspora contingent participating in Carifesta XIV.  A contingent of nearly 50 nationally recognised artists, arts administrators and their supporters will be participating in the Festival.

The contingent is being managed by the Toronto-based Canadian-Caribbean Arts Network (C-CAN). C-CAN Artistic Director Rhoma Spencer said the organisation was formed in 2017 when she invited a chosen group of artists, arts administrators and professionals to come together to plan and execute Canada’s first official participation of artists in the Caribbean Diaspora at CARIFESTA XIII. “We are excited to make an impact with our performances and to make potential artistic collaborations between Canadian-Caribbean artists and their counterparts in the Caribbean. This is an incredible opportunity for our youth to not only perform the work they love, but to also showcase in the Caribbean what we in the diaspora have to offer. We are also looking forward to engaging our youth in cultural exchange workshops with local groups.”

 Co-founder Michael G-A Lashley, Chef de Mission/Project Manager of the contingent said, “We are pleased that Canada is part of a festival that has historically been created and designed for countries of the wider Caribbean region. Two years ago, we participated at CARIFESTA in Barbados with great success. This year we have an even bigger group and we are expecting an enhanced international experience for our Canadian contingent.”

This year’s contingent will include: five-time 2018 DORA nominee Daniel Ellis presenting the play Speaking of Sneaking; KasheDance, joining as part of its 10th anniversary international tour; leading Calypso Jazz ensemble Kalabash; Carnival Artists SugaCayne Designs; The Children and Youth Dance Theatre Toronto (CYST); and, the Roots and Branches Dance Company.

Spencer said that, in addition to performances, the contingent is most looking forward to connecting with artists from the region for future collaborations both in Canada and the region. “We see ourselves as arts and cultural connectors. We are also looking forward to experiencing exchange workshops for our youth dancers with youth folk performing companies in the region. In that way, they could experience the true source of the dances they do in Canada.”

She said it is necessary to have continuous Canadian-Caribbean linkages because “Canada is a very multicultural country and sometimes in Canada, people think that Caribbean culture starts and stops with the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly known as Caribana.  The Caribbean has created and shared a rich and varied wealth of cultural and artistic work with the rest of the world. It is C-CAN’s very pleasant duty to continue to stimulate and nurture the valuable work that focuses on our cultural heritage, the work which speaks to the essence of what we do as arts practitioners.  It’s important that we show Canada the breadth and depth of what makes the Caribbean so special, and we’re proud to have an organization that focuses on just that.”

Spencer said it is important for other countries to facilitate similar diasporic linkages, “as it allows for emerging, younger artists to be repeatedly exposed to other artists and artistic practices, as well as to international audiences. Their gradual mastery of their art forms guarantees the future of the Caribbean’s arts and culture, tourism and hospitality industry.”

Members of the contingent will be performing on August 17 during Decades of Dance and Cultural Exchange with India at Queen’s Hall and the NCIC Nagar in Chaguanas respectively. Other members will be performing in the We Dancing Trinbago show on August 18 at SAPA, and in Urban Experience on August 19 at Naparima Bowl. On August 20, they will participate in the Country Showcase 4 at the Central Bank Auditorium, where Ellis will perform his play, and in All Jazzed Up at NAPA. On August 21, they will perform in Jewels of the Caribbean at Central Bank at 4 pm and at the C-CAN Country Night at the Queen’s Park Savannah, beginning at 7 pm. On August 22, the contingent will take part in the Live Music District at Stages Restaurant, Collage at SAPA, Rangeela…We Mark Your Memory at Central Bank and the Live Music District Monarchs show on Ariapita Avenue. Their final performance will take place on August 23 at the Youth Village’s Freestyle Friday event. For more information, visit www.carifesta.net.