Cariwest Explained

Cariwest is an annual non-profit three-day Caribbean Arts Festival that takes place annually in the second weekend of August in the heart of downtown Edmonton, Alberta.^[1] Cariwest and its surrounding events attract more than 60,000 people each year. The festival gives the attendees a chance to enjoy Caribbean culture.^{[2] [3]}

History

Cariwest began in 1984 as part of the Klondike Days Parade (now K-Days) as a way for Caribbean immigrants in Edmonton to celebrate and share their culture.^[4] It was organized by The Western Carnival Development Association (W.C.D.A.), a non-profit organization under the Societies Act, and this group has been organizing Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival since then.^[5]

Activities

Cariwest employs the talents of musicians and dancers from all over the world to bring the melodies of Soca, Steel Pan, Reggae, Hip Hop, Calypso and Brass Bands to Edmontonians.^[6] There is also drama and street theatre. Cariwest provides an opportunity for those who are unfamiliar with Caribbean culture to experience the traditions.^[7] The festival is free and open to all who chose to attend; there is an entrance fee to some special events.

The "mas" in "mas band" is short for masquerade. Carnival mas bands originated in Trinidad and Tobago and are equivalent to the North American parade "floats". Every year, Cariwest hosts a parade in downtown Edmonton where the streets are filled with people in colourful costumes^[8] dancing to the beat of Caribbean music.^{[9] [10]} After the parade, Edmonton's Sir Winston Churchill Square is transformed into a Caribbean Village.^{[11] [12]} In the village there is Caribbean food,^[13] goods, beer gardens, and live music on the Cariwest stage.

External links

• [Official website link temporarily removed \ currently inaccessible on mobile devices]

Notes and References

1. http://www.thewandereronline.com/2013/05/07/what-makes-a-legendary-summer-in-edmonton-by-gina-wicentowich/ What Makes a Legendary Summer in Edmonton | By Gina Wicentowich – The Wanderer
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20120414175601/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/caribbean-people The Canadian Encyclopedia
3. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/5-things-to-do-in-edmonton-this-weekend-1.1306262 5 things to do in Edmonton this weekend - Edmonton - CBC News
4. http://www.edmontonsun.com/2013/08/11/cariwest-a-bouncin-success Cariwest a bouncin' success | News | Edmonton Sun
5. Book: Dawn P. Williams. Who's who in Black Canada 2: Black Success and Black Excellence in Canada : a Contemporary Directory. 2006. Who's Who in Black Canada. 978-0-9731384-2-9. 37–.
6. Book: David Divine. Multiple Lenses: Voices from the Diaspora Located in Canada. 2007. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 978-1-84718-110-7.
7. http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2013/08/01/caribbean-arts-festival-cariwest-returns-to-edmonton-aug-9-to-11 CariWest heats up Churchill | Edmonton Examiner
8. http://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/colour-costumes-splash-downtown-edmonton-for-cariwest-festival-1.910856 Colour, costumes splash downtown Edmonton for Cariwest festival | CTV Edmonton News
9. https://edmontonjournal.com/Thousands+flock+downtown+Edmonton+colourful+Caribbean+style+street+party/8774312/story.html "Thousands flock downtown Edmonton colourful Caribbean style street party"
10. https://archive.today/20140901015809/http://www.demotix.com/news/2400179/cariwest-parade-through-downtown-edmonton%23media-2399821 Cariwest Parade through Downtown Edmonton | Demotix.com
11. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2013/08/10/edmonton-cariwest-2013-parade.html Cariwest 2013 - Edmonton - CBC News
12. Book: Brett Lashua. Karl Spracklen. Stephen Wagg. Sounds and the City: Popular Music, Place and Globalization. 28 May 2014. Palgrave Macmillan. 978-1-137-28311-5. 229–.
13. https://archive.today/20140901015824/http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/50318/city-gets-taste-of-caribbean-flavour/ City gets taste of Caribbean flavour | Metro