The great thing about carnival season is the joy, the celebration, and the festivities it brings...the bad thing, is that it only happens once a year.
People in Toronto have always said that "once Caribana passes, the summer is over." This has been the saying for decades...there's a build-up towards the Caribbean parade...and then once it passes, the summer always seems to slow down, take a little decline in activity, and the fall breeze blows in and we mentally get ready for winter.
Happens every year.
But the good thing about the "spirit" of carnival, and the love of the culture it that it doesn't have to go away. Of course, if your pockets can support it...you can go from Caribana in July/August, drive down to Labor Day in Brooklyn in September, hop on a plane to Miami for October, and gear up for Trinidad in the new year.
OR...you can sign up for Socacize.
God Bless Ayana Lee-Rivears for conceptualizing this phenomenon. Women across the city have fallen in love with this soca-inspired aerobics session, and I think it has been a wonderful addition to the yearly routine and preparation for the "summer body" and the carnival stamina. And of course, a healthy lifestyle.
Fortunately, Socacize doesn't have to "just" be a pre-Caribana thing. Right now you can catch classes year-round in all corners of Toronto, or even buy a DVD to sweat at home...and keep the spirit of carnival and the joy of soca music in your system, even when the degrees drop and winter approaches.
This year, the Toronto Revellers mas band was fortunate to have our resident reveller Keishia Facey provide Socacize classes at our mas camp on Monday evenings. Her jovial spirit, big smile, encouraging words, and welcoming energy were appreciated by all who attended.
Below, Keishia's personal message and update:
Hi All,
I just wanted to let everyone know that we will be commencing the new Fall Socacize Session on Saturday, September 10th at 10am. Classes will be held at Footnotes Dance Academy. I am hopeful that I will see everyone out.
Class Times/Fees
Saturdays
8 week Session - September 10th, 2011 - October 29th, 2011 - Entire Session $80.00 or $12.00 Drop In
Tuesdays
8 week Session - September 13th, 2011 - November 1st, 2011 - Entire Session $80.00 or $12.00 Drop In
Please contact me if you are interested in participating in both the Saturday and Tuesday sessions for additional savings on session fees!!
Please also be advised that Footnotes Dance Academy will also be offering additional Socacize Classes, check http://www.footnotesdanceacademy.com/ for more information.
Thank you again,
Keishia Facey
Licensed Socacize Instructor
647-981-5256
pin: 27209BC1
www.socacize.com
It's that time of year again! Time for the Toronto Revellers to reveal their spectacular costume lineup for the 2012 Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival! This year's theme is Bollywood: Lights, Camera, Action! so Revellers can expect to see some fabulous colours, gorgeous fabrics, lots of gold and silver, and all of the excitment, glamour, and beauty of the Indian film industry.
