(Toronto, Ontario, Canada - August 3-7, 2000)

The August long weekend is close at hand, and this means the launch of one of North America's biggest Caribbean cultural events, Caribana(tm). As all Torontonians well know, this weekend supplies non-stop action, and a whole heap of good food as well. "Caribana delivers a wonderful opportunity to explore the culture of Canada's relatively large and nationwide West Indian Community." Caribana is a weekend that melds cultural events, with all in all outright parties, some of which could hardly be considered cultural. However, materialism and jiggyness aside, this weekend is a good time to meet up with family, friends, and crew, and just have fun. The recent influx of good'ol Yankees has gradually diluted the event, but also has resulted in much needed tourism dollars for the city. In any case, we can't let these Americans ruin our event...right? Well, this years events have taken a more corporate approach, as such companies as Royal Bank and Guiness have joined as sponsors. In addition, there has been a more conscious direction taken this year in the organization of the weekends events, ensuring that the event maintains it's cultural theme and tradition. The theme of this years event are of MAS, PAN and CALYPSO. The following are key official events incorporated into this years Caribana celebration.

NOTE: Official Tickets and Festival Guides are on sale. Call (416) 465-5884 for further information.

MEDIA: contact Towa Beer by phone (416) 737-6865, or email towa.beer@home.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3:

King & Queen Competition
Time: 7 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Venue: Lamport Stadium (1151 King St. W. at Jefferson Ave.)
Admission: Adults $20 Advance, $25 Door / Children/Seniors $15 Advance, $18 Door
Ticket Info: (416) 465-4884

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4:

The Docks
Time: 7:30 p.m. - ?
Venue: The Docks (11 Polson Street)
Soca, Limbo Reggae, Steelband, Salsa, Zouk, Hip Hop
Caribana TM Blastoff
Admission $75

Sunset Boat Cruise
Date: Friday, Aug. 4
Time: 7 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Venue: Mariposa Cruise Line
Admission: $50

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5:

The Parade
Time: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Venue: Exhibition Place
Admission: $10 Premium Seating

The Docks
Time: 9:00 p.m. - ?
Venue: The Docks (11 Polson Street)
Caribbean Style Buffet, Steelband, Limbo
After parade Party
Indoor & Outdoor party
Admission: $30

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6:

The Docks
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Venue: The Docks (11 Polson Street)
After Island Beach party
Admission: $20

OTHER WEEKEND EVENTS (non-official events)...

DIVAS AND DREADS
feat. soca, reggae, calypso, soukous, kora

Friday, August 4 - Monday, August 7
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queen's Quay W.
Info: (416) 973-3000
Full Line-Up Of Events: http://www.toronto.com/E/E/TORON/0024/28/13/

ATLANTIS NIGHTCLUB
1st Annual World Caribana Music Festival

Friday, August 4
ALL LIVE 93.7 WBLK
Time: 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Venue: Atlantis Entertainment Complex and Ontario Place's Island Club
Featuring 3 International Artists performing *live*
WBLK airforce including Huker, Break-a-Dawn, Al Wood and more.
DJ Baba Kahn will be providing your beats all night long!

CARIBANA DREAM CRUISE 2000

Friday, August 4
Time: 12 midnight - 5 a.m.
Venure: The Matthew Flanders
Music: Afrique, Klassique, Klassique Classic, Soulville
(416) 665-7777

CARIBANA LINK UP 2000
presented by Ron "Bus The Dance" Nelson

Friday, August 4
Reggaemania Live to Air Broadcast (88.1FM - CKLN)
Venue: Rocky McKool's Nightclub (2025 Winston Park Drive)
QEW and Winston Churchill, Mississauga
Deejays: King Turbo, Golden Touch, Super Fresh, Military

DANCE HALL SALUTE
feat. CAPELTON, ELEPHANT MAN, WARD 21, TONY CURTIS, GINUWINE, more
presented by Unity Productions ance Hall Salute

Saturday, August 5
Venue: Air Canada Centre (40 Bay St.)
Feat: Capleton, Elphant Man, Ward 21, Agony Polesh, Tony Curtis, Ginuwine,
Canadian artists: Lenn Hammond
Info: (416) 410-ROCK

BUJU BANTON, WAYNE WONDER, and GREGORY ISAACS
presented by Jones & Jones

Saturday, August 5
Venue: Brampton Entertainment Centre
7575 Kennedy Rd. S. (Brampton)
Info: (905) 452-1911

HYPE WILLIAMS BIRTHDAY BASH

Saturday, August 5
Venue: Embryus (257 Adelaide St.West)
Also: Casting party for new videos Sunday, Aug. 6 at Embryus

CARIBANA BOAT CRUISE
presented by Tri Star & Triple A

Saturday, August 5
Time: 10:30 p.m. - ?
Old Skool Style
Music: Stonelove, Military, Heatwae, Soulville
Info: (416) 520-5447

NV NIGHTCLUB
The Aftermath

Saturday, August 5
Time: 9p.m. - 5a.m.
Free buffet all night long, pager and cell phone give-a-ways, cd's, whistles, mixtapes and more.
First floor: Baba Kahn and guests playing the urban vibe
Third floor: D'bandit from the Kingdom of Soca and a Surprise Soca Band

TURBO NIGHTCLUB
Ladies Leave Your Man at Home
presented by Dirty Cash Ent Brings

Saturday, August 5
Venue: 360 Adelaide Street West
Deejays: Skimpy Ent, Dr Jaym, Lindo P, Soul Survival, Saga Boyz, DJ Shiva
Info: (416) 418-2762

OFF THE WALL PART II at EMBRYUS
Hosted by: Larenz Tate (Love Jones, Inkwell, etc.)

Sunday, August 6
Embryus Nightlife(formerly Houston's)
257 Adelaide Street West
Music by: the Juiceman Jonathan Shaw with MC Wade O. Brown
Advance Tickets: $15
Locations: Play de Record, Loosenz, Nappy's (all) Info: (416) 271-0773

HALF PINT and MAJEK FASHEK

Sunday, August 6
Venue: Opera House (735 Queen @ Broadview)
Info: (905) 452-1911

GLASS LOUNGE
Island Breeze

Sunday, August 6
Caribana's only Rooftop Patio Event.
You'll get a Rooftop Patio Dome with a house and urban vibe
Deejays: Baba Kahn, Clymaxxx, One Touch, DVS, Jiten, Boo Boo Saxena, SOS, TNT.
Hosted by: Smooth, Soulshock, Addictive Sounds, and Joker's Wild.

STONE LOVE, BLACK REACTION, MILITARY

Sunday, August 6
Venure: 5 Star Banquet Hall (1811 Albion Rd. @ 27)
Info: (905) 520-5447

SPLASH 2000

Venue: Wild Water Kingdom
Music: Soulville, King Turbo, Kid Fariegna, Lt. Richie, Lady Luscous
Info: (416) 986-8495