Caribbean Carnival

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Caribbean Carnival is the term used for a number of events that takes place in many of the Caribbean islands annually.

Not about Ferris Wheels, theme park rides, or other events that use the word "Carnival" the Caribbean's Carnivals all have several common themes based on folklore, culture, and religion.

Carnival tradition is based on a number of disciplines including: "Playing Mas"/Masquerade; Calypso Music and crowning a Calypso King or Monarch; Panorama (Steel Band Competition); Jouvert morning; and a number of other traditions.

Contents

[edit] Old-Time Carnival characters

  • Burrokeets
  • Cow Bands
  • Dame Lorraine
  • Fancy Indians
  • Jab Jab & Jab Molassie
  • Midnight Robber
  • Moko jumbies
  • Pierrot Grenade, gives speeches on issues of the day, all in rhyme

[edit] Competitions

  • Calypso Monarch
  • Chutney Soca Monarch
  • Soca Monarch
  • Panorama
  • Roadmarch
  • Band of the Year
  • Queen of the Bands
  • King of the Bands
  • Junior Carnival (Kiddies Carnival)

[edit] Music

[edit] Music Styles

[edit] Local Carnivals

The following islands celebrate carnival; approximate dates are given for the concluding festivities on each island. (On some islands, most notably Trinidad and Tobago, the carnival season lasts for over a month, and the exact dates vary from year to year.)

[edit] International Caribbean Carnivals

[edit] Canada

  • Ottawa, ON / "Caribe-Expo" - In the city of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada.
  • Montreal, QC / "Carifiesta" - In the city of Montreal in Quebec, Canada, typically 2-3 weeks before Toronto's Caribana.
  • Toronto, ON / "Caribana" - Drawing close to a million visitors to the city, Caribana is known as the best Caribbean carnival outside of Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Hamilton, ON / "Carnival" - In the city of Hamilton 1 week after Toronto's Caribana.
  • Calgary, AB / "Carifest" - In the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada.
  • Edmonton, AB / "Cariwest" - Held annually the second week of August in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Cariwest boasts an amazing display of masqueraders in the road parade, as well as a beautiful festival full of food and entertainment in the heart of downtown.

[edit] Germany

[edit] United Kingdom

[edit] United States

  • Atlanta Carnival Atlanta, GA - Last weekend in May, usually falls on Memorial Day weekend
  • Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Caribbean-American Festival held every July in Druid Hill Park neighborhood in Baltimore. www.bcacarnival.net
  • Boston, MA - Last Saturday in August, Dorchester, MA
  • Cambridge, MA - Cambridge Carnival International, Last Sunday in August - Held in Kendall Square
  • Chicago, IL - Chicago CARIFETE, Third Saturday in August, on the Midway Plaisance in the confines of the University of Chicago Campus.
  • Austin, TX - Carnaval Brasileiro, February the 3rd
  • Houston, TX - Usually the weekend around fourth of July.
  • Long Island, NY - Weekend after Labor Day Carnival - Held in Hempstead
  • Miami Carnival Miami, FL - The second weekend in October, Columbus Day weekend.
  • Minneapolis, MN - CARIFEST - Usually held the third weekend of July along West River Road right next to the Mississippi River.
  • New York, NY - Labor Day Carnival - Held in Brooklyn, along Eastern Parkway, with over 2.3 million visitors annually
  • Orlando, FL - This is usually held the last weekend in May, which is typically Memorial Day weekend. Most recently been held at the Citrus Bowl.
  • Seattle, WA - Pioneer Square, annual Fat Tuesday celebration.
  • Tacoma, WA - PLU campus Carnival, near Fat Tuesday
  • Norfolk,VA - Virginia CaribFest, [1](2nd weekend in July)
  • Washington D.C. -DC Caribbean Festival usually between these dates : June 16-24 (every June). Run through Georgia Ave., Missouri Ave. all the way to Barry Place. dccaribbeancarnival.com
  • Charleston Carifest, Charleston, SC. Third weekend in June. Week before DC Carnival.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links