CARABANA

the411 · #1 07-12-2000, 05:44 PM

Hi, All!

If you've ever been to Carabana in Toronto, Canada, I'd love to know what to expect. I went to Toronto for a business conference back in May, and I had the TIME OF MY LIFE! I am very much looking forward to the festival and parade. Please let me know if you're going!

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Pi Kappa
#3 SPR97
QUINTESSENCE

meeks · #2 07-12-2000, 07:07 PM

hey 411,

I attended Carabana last year with my boyfriend and some childhood friends of ours. Girl WE HAD A BLAST!!!!!!!!! Our hotel was connected to the mall. The mall is sooo big and has great shops! My advice to you is if you are the clubbing type to get in line early. We couldn't get in to this one club called Atlantis (i think) cause the line was just off the map. also there is a pretty good club called The Government. It stays open till 6am (this is good again if you are the partying type) it cost $30 canadian.

there is also a hard rock caf and planet hollywood out there. the best thing is the parade, last year it rained when we got there and we missed it, but i heard its fantastic! I could go on and on but i won't take up anymore space so feel free to email me...

ps if you go have a GREAT TIME AND BE SAFE!!!!

meeks

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The truly educated never graduate!

RedAngel · #3 07-13-2000, 03:34 AM

Soror,
I went there three years ago and Caribana is definitely "Off The Hook". There are other events during the week and I would suggest you check out a website like www.toronto.com to check out what events there are surrounding Carabana. The Parade in the Exhibition Palace is a must see! I believe it runs over six hours (I only stayed 3 1/2 the last time because of the heat). People representing other groups or districts dancing in caribbean costume with the different color plumes, sequence to Caribbean music. Many of the night spots stay open late during Carabana (that saturday). You will have the time of your life. I'm definitely going this year and maybe we can meet before the Parade. Send me an e-mail at Talisred@hotmail.com.
On a side note did anybody attend Carifesta in Montreal this past weekend? I found out about it too late.
RedAngel
#11-Spring'96
A(NY)AC

the411 · #4 07-13-2000, 07:52 AM

Thanks so much! That website is great! When I was there in May, a club called the Berlin was the new craze. To date, it is the best club I've ever been to, even though I didn't get to meet Vince Carter (I hear he hangs out there quite often). People tell me that there is a huge black greek representation at Carabana; I find it exciting that so many black folks from the US are there. RedAngel, I am definitely trying to hook up. We're staying at a Holiday Inn in North York (a 'burb of Toronto) because all the local spots were either fully booked or way too expensive. We are driving, though. What do any of you know about parking availability and costs? I would think our best bet is to commute via taxi-- what do you think?

If anyone else is going, let me know so we can hook up, too. It's the 1st weekend in August this year and the parade is Saturday, the 5th.

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Pi Kappa
#3 SPR97
QUINTESSENCE

RedAngel · #5 07-14-2000, 06:54 AM

the 411:
I'm driving up to Toronto as well and I'm at the Best Western/Carlton Place in Eticoke, another suburb of Toronto. The last time I went when I was at the Novotel I was advised to take the bus. You can park at the Exhibition Palace but you are not talking about established parking places so you might get blocked in. I'm parking at another parking area since downtown does have a few(hopefully on Lakeshore Blvd) so I can walk down or bus it down. Thanks for the club information and I'm glad the website was helpful. There is a large black greek representation at Carabana and a lot of black folks from the U.S. attend (by the busload). I'm definitely looking forward to hooking up with you 411.

RedAngel
11-Spr'96
A(NY)AC

Holly1973 · #6 07-14-2000, 10:59 AM

Hi Ladies,

I've only recently decided to attend the Caribana. Needless to say, rooms are few and far between. How far away do you think Eticoke is from the downtown area?

Just to make sure, the parade is on the 5th of August, right??

Take care

the411 · #7 07-14-2000, 11:20 AM

Our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) is about 20 minutes from downtown, near the airport, but I reserved my room months ago at a rate of $89 bucks a night (before the prices started jumping up). Everything downtown is either booked full or at least $200 a night. RedVelvet clued me in on the advantages to taking the bus, so we'll just do that to save even more dough.

Yep, the parade is that Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. There is a cruise on Friday that begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets ($50) for that just went on sale last week, and as of yesterday, they still have over 600 left. I am definitely trying to check that out. On Sunday and Monday there will be a big Caribbean arts and crafts festival. I'm getting more and more excited each day!

See you there!

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Pi Kappa
#3 SPR97
QUINTESSENCE

trini_girl · #8 07-14-2000, 01:50 PM

Hi 411
If you think Carabana in Canada is off the hook, then you wouldn't know what to do with yourself if you went to Carnival in the beautiful island of Trinidad (okay so I'm a little bias :-) The event takes place in February usually in the second or third week.

Quote:

Originally posted by the411:
Our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) is about 20 minutes from downtown, near the airport, but I reserved my room months ago at a rate of $89 bucks a night (before the prices started jumping up). Everything downtown is either booked full or at least $200 a night. RedVelvet clued me in on the advantages to taking the bus, so we'll just do that to save even more dough.

Yep, the parade is that Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. There is a cruise on Friday that begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets ($50) for that just went on sale last week, and as of yesterday, they still have over 600 left. I am definitely trying to check that out. On Sunday and Monday there will be a big Caribbean arts and crafts festival. I'm getting more and more excited each day!

See you there!

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One Love,
Trini Girl

RedAngel · #9 07-15-2000, 05:10 PM

Holly1973, Eticoke(sp) is about 10 miles from downtown Toronto and 20 minutes drive time. I'm also by the airport as well. I hope you have a place to stay because if you are looking now----you might be further out than 20 minutes away.
411, you did what I should've did a few months ago---reserve my room but I was able to get one at $100 a night three weeks ago.
I'm going to miss the cruise but I plan to make up for it on Saturday.
Trini-girl, you are right!

the411 · #10 07-16-2000, 01:39 PM

Trini-girl,
I'll mark my calendar! I'm always up for some sunshine and warm weather in February (as long as it doesn't conflict with Mardi Gras).

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Pi Kappa
#3 SPR97
QUINTESSENCE

Holly1973 · #11 07-18-2000, 12:59 AM

Whew, hew, I got a room, as a matter-of-fact, I have two rooms. Yeah!!!!

I'm only 10 miles away from the ACTION. If anyone is trying to get a room, register as a "Priority Member" with the hotel you are speaking with. I found that opened the doors to available hotel rooms. It is free and you get discounts!