Celebrate the Best of Caribbean Culture at Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre presents the 25th edition of Island Soul: A lively summer weekend celebrating the rich legacy of Caribbean music, art, performance and food
July 13, 2023 – TORONTO – Huge Fete, Big Soul! Soak up some island flavour on Toronto’s waterfront as Harbourfront Centre celebrates the vibrant people and culture of the Caribbean with the 25th edition of Island Soul. With its extended four-day weekend of festival programming from August 3–7, 2023, visitors and audiences can revel in an exciting lineup of free and ticketed events, ranging from live dancehall, Soca and reggae performances at beautiful lakeside venues to multidisciplinary arts, comedy, film, fun family crafts and activities and delectable cuisine, all of which represent the many distinct islands of the Caribbean.
Some of the highlights festival-goers can expect include:
- A return of its popular performers showcasing a unique blend of Island cultures, from Soca royalty, Naliah Blackman and the award-winning DJ Power to international comedy legend, television star and Hollywood writer Gina Yashere, the six-piece, genre-bending ensemble straight from Trinidad and Tobago Freetown Collective, and more.
- Audiences can dance the summer weekend away at the late-night events Island Soul After Dark and Riddim Nights, a fitness-inspired dance session with a Soca sound alongside Carnival Spice and find their rhythm with Empress Mash Up, a reggae mash-up featuring Canada’s all-female reggae band, the Rayzalution Band featuring four female solo artists.
- Literary enthusiasts can join award-winning children’s book author Yolanda T. Marshall for an engaging and family-friendly story time. Film buffs will have the opportunity to see a screening and meet the creative team of When Morning Comes, a dramatic narrative film focused on a young Jamaican boy who grapples with the idea of saying goodbye to his homeland, plus many more exciting events and workshops.
Closing out the summer September 1–4, 2023 is the Hot and Spicy Festival spotlighting India. Audiences will enjoy Bollywood folk music from Padmashri Kailash Kher, backed by his Indian fusion band Kailasa on the Concert Stage, JUNO-nominated contemporary jazz and funk ensemble Autorickshaw (with key vocalist Suba Sankaran), laugh with Abish Mathew at his comedy special and indulge in delicious food representing the diverse culinary culture of India.
Also returning this summer are fan-favourite festivals, Tirgan 2023, Habari Africa and TAIWANfest, promising a rich exploration of cuisine and culture.
Detailed information and dates for all summer programming, and food and market vendors can be found at HarbourfrontCentre.com.
ISLAND SOUL FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING
TICKETED EVENTS
The Woman King of Comedy: Gina Yashere
August 3 at 8pm, Harbourfront Centre Theatre
Returning to our stage, international comedy legend, TV star and Hollywood writer Gina Yashere brings the laughs in a big way to Island Soul.
Island Soul After Dark
August 5 at 11pm, Lakeside Terrace
The real party starts when the sun goes down as DJ Starting from Scratch invites the hottest talent around for a night of big sound by the lake.
Riddim Nights
Freetown Collective, Sound Curator, DJ Mendosa, DJ Lambo
August 6 at 10:30pm, Brigantine Room/Patio
The dance floor will be on fire with this clash of performers like Freetown Collective, Sound Curator, DJ Mendosa and DJ Lambo.
.jpg "Gina Yashere - Photo courtesy of the artist")
FREE EVENTS
MUSIC
Nailah Blackman and DJ Power
August 4 at 9:30pm, Concert Stage
Big riddim! Soca songstress Nailah Blackman and international producer DJ Power bring the heat this Island Sould for an evening of wining all night long!
Empress Mash Up
Tiffanie Malvo, Chelsea Stewart, Natural Fyah, Donna Makeda, Rayzalution Band
August 5 at 5:30pm, Stage in the Park
Four reggae empresses reign in fire backed by a five-piece reggae band, promising a night of the best island sounds nort of di bordah.
French Caribbean Percussion Workshop
August 6 at 3pm, Stage in the Park
Immerse in vibrant rhythms at this French Caribbean percussion workshop. Learn drumming, explore body percussion and have endless fun!
Daniel Bellegarde
August 6 at 6:30pm, West Lawn
Daniel Bellegarde presents a fusion of Haitian, Celtic, and Brazilian influences. Experience a historical journey, exploring the cultural identity of Haiti, Guadeloupe, and Martinique.
Freetown Collective
August 6 at 8pm, Concert Stage
A unique blend of Caribbean rhythms, this six-piece band pulls on every heart string, plucking them with the passion of calypso.
Pan Fantasy
August 6-7 at various times, Stage in the Park
Don't miss an Island Soul favourite performance at our Stage in the Park. Get ready to move!
The Recipee Band
August 4 at 7pm, West Lawn
Preheat your oven to loud as this Recipee calls for six cups of reggae and two dashes of soca. If you don’t already have the dance moves, store-bought is fine.
The Clash
August 5 at 8:30 pm, Concert Stage
A head-to-head smackdown of The Recipee Band VS DJ Starting From Scratch, presenting sound-crushing sets of their biggest hits. Who wins? You decide!
Kirk Diamond
August 6 at 9:30 pm
Experience the multi-JUNO Award Winner Kirk Diamond and The Movement of Ahryel on our Concert Stage.
Calypso Stars
August 7 at 3pm, Concert Stage
Close out Island Soul with a returning favourite fête of premiere calypso artists that will be sure to send us off in style!
.jpg "Nailah Blackman - Photo courtesy of the artist")
%20-%20Photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20artist%20(300%20DPI).jpg "Empress Mash Up (Chelsea Stewart) - Photo courtesy of the artist")
DANCE
Silent Disco
AIRMOVES
August 4–6 at various times, South Lawn
Dance the night away with a provided set of headphones and some music mixed right!
Soca with Carnival Spice
August 6 at 2pm, North Orchard
Join a cardio dance experience in a super-session from Toronto’s own Carnival Spice devoted to elevating Caribbean Carnival arts.
DanceFIRE
August 5 at 2pm, North Orchard
Get fit and have fun with Dione Mason's dance fitness workout. Join her for a fun and sweaty class of energy and movement.
FILM
When Morning Comes
Kelly Fyffe-Marshall
August 7 at 7pm, Studio Theatre
When Morning Comes is a 95-minute dramatic narrative film focused on 10-year-old Jamal Sutherland, who lives in rural Jamaica, and the domino effects of his actions after he overhears that he is being sent to live with his grandmother in Toronto. Guest starring the king of comedy Oliver Samuels (Oliver at Large) and Paul Campbell (Shottas, Dancehall Queen), the film aims to pay homage to Jamaica’s lively culture and some of its biggest homegrown legends. Come join us, and end your long weekend by relaxing and enjoying some free popcorn.
Stories At Dusk
August 4 at 6pm, Studio Theatre
Enjoy this cathartic watch in our boutique-style cinema. This shows two complementary and contrasting feature-length films examining cultural influences and social implications of multiple aspects of Caribbean life at home and abroad. The two films featured are Zarico, a 1984 film directed by Andre Gladu, and Ninth Floor, a 2015 film directed by Mina Shum.
Living in Colour
August 5 at 6pm, Studio Theatre
Join four emerging young filmmakers in an inspiring panel discussion following a showing of their film Living in Colour focusing on the Black community across the GTA.
Shorts Night
August 6 at 5pm, Studio Theatre
Join us for a spot away from the bustle with short films from the National Film Board spotlighting Caribbean stories.
LITERARY/STORYTELLING
Lores by Yolanda
Yolanda Marshall
August 6 at 4:30pm, Main Loft
Award-winning author Yolanda T. Marshall invites you to immerse in the vibrant world of Caribbean stories! Experience the joy of C is for Carnival and more. Jump, wave and sing along!
Calypso 365
Roger Gibbas (AKA Rajiman) and Henry Gomez (AKA King Cosmos)
August 7 at noon, Lakeside Terrace
Presented by the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes and Harbourfront Centre, Calypso 365 is a two-hour workshop on the rudiments of calypso composition. Participants will work individually and in groups in the workshop and will have the opportunity to perform their compositions.
Iris Malcom Library
August 5-6 at various times, West Hallway
Join us for a library experience featuring York regions first Afro-Caribbean centric library for all ages!
ART
Carnival Collage Creations
August 5-7 at various times, HarbourKIDS Tent
Join visual artist Jasmine Vanstone from VIBE Arts in two unique opportunities to create Caribbean and Carnival-themed creations!
Carnival Character Creations
August 5 at noon, Main Loft
Join Karen Bell-Higgins to create Caribbean-themed clothespin characters using both traditional and recyclable materials.
Detailed information and dates for all Island Soul programming can be found at HarbourfrontCentre.com
.png "When Morning Comes (Movie Still)")
About Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is a leading international centre for contemporary arts, culture and ideas, and a registered, charitable not-for-profit cultural organization operating a 10-acre campus on Toronto’s central waterfront. Harbourfront Centre provides year-round programming 52 weeks a year, seven days a week, supporting a wide range of artists and communities. We inspire audiences and visitors with a breadth of bold, ambitious and engaging experiences, and champion contemporary Canadian artists throughout their careers, presenting them alongside international artists, and fostering national and international artistic exchange between disciplines and cultures. Harbourfront Centre gratefully acknowledges its Programming Partners: Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and City of Toronto, as well as its Corporate Site Partner: Labatt.