Canada Day Long Weekend with the Toronto Revellers and the "Wicked" Section

It's amazing how time flies. We began this process as new section leaders back in the fall of 2010, and now we find ourselves in the middle of production and increasing anticipation as the summer officially begins tomorrow.

We've been in the carnival mindframe since there was snow on the ground and subzero temperatures...so to feel the sun shining, to hear the music playing at the Toronto Revellers' map camp (2135 Sheppard Avenue East) and to know that the actual parade day is drawing nearer is very exciting.

I believe the upcoming Canada Day long weekend will be the unofficial official kick off to a summer of activity at our camp, as the countdown towards the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival begins.

The Toronto Revellers have an exciting weekend planned starting with "FETEISH" on Canada Day (Friday, July 1) from 4pm - midnight. Infinity Sound Crew, DJ Chris Nice, and DJ 2Touch will provide the musical vibes as we celebrate our band outdoors, and enjoy the city. Hosted by Machel Montano and other special guests...what better way to spend your holiday? Only $20.

On Saturday, July 2 the fun continues with "TABOO," an all-inclusive event that will give you good food, good music, and drinks for just $40.

Tickets for both events are available at the mas camp, and also online at http://www.ticketgateway.com/.

In the meantime and inbetween time, we the "Wicked" [witch of the west] and "Winkie Guard" section are hustling hustling hustling (everyday!) to make sure our costumes are of the best quality, available on time, and that the ladies and gentlemen of our section are ready for the road!

Join the "Wicked" and "Winkie Guard" section for Toronto carnival 2011!

We invite you to participate in the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival [Caribana] 2011 with the Toronto Revellers' section "Wicked" [witch of the west] and the male section "Winkie Guards." Here's a look at our costumes...for more information, visit the mas camp Emerald City at 2135 Sheppard Avenue East, email us at WickedRevellers@gmail.com, or visit the Revellers' website http://www.TorontoRevellers.com.

Toronto Revellers - Junior Revellers Band Launch 2011

Childhood movie-watching isn't complete without knowledge of The Wizard of Oz, or at least The Wiz. On Sunday, May 29, 2011, the Toronto Revellers launched the junior costumes for 2011 at Emerald City, showing a few of the movie characters in all their glory.

Toronto Revellers Mas Camp Opening

Days after the official band launch, the Toronto Revellers opened their doors to the public to view the costumes of Welcome to Oz.

The Toronto Revellers Band Launch 2011

The big day finally arrived! All sections were ready to display their 2011 costumes for Toronto Revellers' Welcome to Oz. At a special tent in the Emerald City lot, friends and supporters gathered to see the models strut their stuff down the yellow brick road...

The Photoshoot

The night before the band launch, we gathered at Emerald City (the Toronto Revellers' mas camp) to take official photos for the website. Take an inside look at the makeup, preparation, and execution of the photoshoot, with photography by Jai Chapman.

Preparing the Costume Prototype

Trial and error. This is what we learned as we prepared to create our very first "Caribana" costume prototype. With help from the Toronto Revellers, past section leaders, personal experience, and team collaboration, we came up with an inaugural version of the "Wicked" costume...and eventually the final version of our interpretation of the Wicked Witch of the West. And let's not forget her faithful "Winkie Guard."

Getting ready for Oz!

Before the costumes were designed, before the production began, and before we even got into 2011, we gathered a few of our friends to pay tribute to the "Welcome to Oz" theme for Toronto Revellers 2011 carnival presentation.

Our talented associates each gave us their own rendition of the Wizard of Oz classic, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Kwansa


Lisa Banton


JD Keyz