Latest news with #CaribbeanCarnival
CTV News
26-05-2025
- CTV News
In wake of Vancouver tragedy, Toronto renews funding to enhance safety at festivals
Paraders march down Lakeshore Boulevard at the Caribbean Carnival in Toronto on Saturday, August 3, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michelle Siu TORONTO — The City of Toronto will allocate $2.1 million this year to help festivals stay secure, after 11 people were killed in a vehicle ramming at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival last month. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced the renewal of a special events funding program at an event on Monday that gathered about 150 festival organizers and security experts to discuss safety. Chow said what happened in Vancouver at the festival organized by Filipino BC was heartbreaking. "We mourned," she said. "Our spirit is strong, the spirit that comes from working together, the spirit that comes from all the thousands of organizers that organized the most successful festivals, from all over the world." She said people in Toronto must not let fear dictate their lives, and the city will work with festivals to ensure they are successful, safe and "remain joyous." Chow said the city will also provide a $100,000 seed grant and technical assistance for festival organizers to create a nonprofit association that can promote their interests. The City of Toronto said it will also share new resources to support event planning and delivery. The deadly attack on a Vancouver street festival prompted event organizers across Canada to comb over their security practices in a bid to protect attendees and assure them festivals are safe. Some planners had already begun that process when British Columbia Premier David Eby announced last month he would call an independent commission to investigate how other regions handle festival security, to ensure residents of his province feel confident going to community events this summer. But some say a spate of international attacks in recent years and increased demands from insurance companies meant they were already attuned to the issue — particularly given the rising cost associated with security. Eleven people were killed and dozens more were injured when a man drove an SUV into the crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on April 25. Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai said a risk assessment was conducted before the event and police had decided no heavy-vehicle barricades were necessary. He said he was confident in the assessment process, but police would review the decision. The festival summit in Toronto on Monday was a success and allowed participants to share knowledge, Chow said. "We learned a lot about best practices of how we could collectively buy insurance together, what are some of the mitigation effects, how we could work with the emergency services and what kind of things we must do to make sure it's safe," she said. The money Chow announced Monday will go towards Toronto's Special Events Stabilization Initiative. The city introduced the program last year, offering $2 million to help cover festival expenses in 2024 related to health, safety and security. That included funding for fire and paramedic services and "hostile vehicle mitigation," which is meant to lower the threat of a criminal or terrorist attack. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025. Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
In wake of Vancouver tragedy, Toronto renews funding to enhance safety at festivals
Paraders march down Lakeshore Boulevard at the Caribbean Carnival in Toronto on Saturday, August 3, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michelle Siu TORONTO — Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says the city will allocate $2.1 million this year to help festivals stay secure, after 11 people were killed in a vehicle ramming at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival last month. Chow announced the renewal of a special events funding program at an event today that gathered about 150 festival organizers and security experts to discuss safety. She says what happened in Vancouver at the festival organized by Filipino BC was heartbreaking. But she says people in Toronto must not let fear dictate their lives, and the city will work with festivals to ensure they are successful and safe. Chow says the city will also provide a $100,000 seed grant and technical assistance for festival organizers to create a nonprofit association that can promote their interests. The City of Toronto says it will also share new resources to support event planning and delivery. Written by Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oasis guitar up for auction to celebrate 'Manchester Live 25' huge summer of music
With their iconic homecoming gigs now only weeks away, music legends Oasis are donating a guitar for auction to celebrate their return and help kickstart a big summer of music. The guitar, an Epiphone Riviera, has been signed by Liam and Noel Gallagher, and will go on display in Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square ahead of the band's live return to their home city this July. It will then be auctioned off in September, to raise money for grassroots music projects and venues across Manchester. The guitar will be the centrepiece of an auction that will also feature new and 'pre-loved' guitars from celebrities, including other Manchester musicians - and members of the public are invited to donate their guitars, too. Selected donated guitars will be displayed in shop windows and other venues across the city in July and August. An Oasis spokesperson said: "We're delighted to donate this guitar, signed by Liam and Noel, to help support Manchester's grassroots music projects and kickstart the series of celebrations." The auction is part of 'Music for the Senses,' a city centre takeover commissioned by the city council, from global art producer Wild in Art, and in association with charity Forever Manchester. The takeover will see guitar-themed artworks, exhibitions, and other installations appear throughout Manchester's streets and squares in July and August. Pop-up shops, impromptu performances, music-themed markets, and a festival bar are also planned. Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council and local councillor for Burnage ward, where the Gallagher brothers grew up, said: "This promises to be the summer of all summers in Manchester as we get set to welcome music fans from every part of the globe for a massive three months of nonstop live music. "To have the legends that are Oasis back in town for a supersonic string of homecoming gigs front and centre of Manchester this summer is going to be epic. "A huge thank you also to Liam and Noel for getting behind our end-of-summer guitar auction to help up-and-coming young artists and raise money for our fantastic grassroots music projects and venues across the city. "Music for the Senses will be one of Manchester's iconic attractions this summer. "It's an incredible donation from them to kickstart the auction and is certain to attract plenty of bidders on the night." Music events in Manchester from June to August, not least the Oasis gigs at Heaton Park, have prompted the moniker 'Manchester Live 25.' Performances from Charlie XCX, 50 Cent, Elbow, Fontaines DC, Sam Fender, and Hacienda Classical (at Parklife, Sounds of the City, and Live in Wythenshawe Park) are expected during the period - while other live events, including the annual Caribbean Carnival at Alexandra Park, are also planned. Ms Craig added: "Manchester has the biggest music economy in the UK outside of London and is known the world over for the music it makes - not just for the headliners and big acts, but for our vibrant and thriving new music scene supporting the headliners of the future. "What's also significant about this is the impact that music and culture have on other businesses in the city. "Last year alone, music and culture had a multiplier effect on other businesses in Manchester that generated an economic impact of more than £342m for the city and supported more than 4,800 jobs. "With 1.3m music fans set to hit the city's streets this summer, businesses in the city look set to see a lot of added benefit from this beyond the obvious music impact." A callout is now underway for Mancunians and others to contribute guitars to become part of the Music for the Senses art trail and auction. All donors will be named and credited as part of the trail. Up to 50 guitars will be painted, or otherwise embellished, by professional artists for display in shop windows and other venues in Manchester. A further 100 guitars will be used for the interactive installation, Guitar Street, coming to a "soon-to-be-revealed" city centre street, which will see Manchester artist Liam Hopkins (aka Lazarian) repurposing the guitars. Any donated guitars that are deemed fit for reuse will be assessed by partners Rigby Music MCR, before being donated to a music charity. More information on how to donate guitars is available at
The Independent
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Why a Caribbean holiday is the best way to celebrate life's big moments
Showing now | Lifestyle 06:23 Simon Calder This week, TravelSmart is all about marking those big moments – from weddings to birthdays – in the incredible region that is the Caribbean. Independent Travel explores a place where music, culture and good times can be found against the backdrop of sun-drenched beaches and turquoise waters. If you're newlyweds on a honeymoon or marking years of marriage, nowhere does tropical romance like these islands, and we share the best ways to indulge, whether you're looking for adventure or pure relaxation. If it's a landmark break with the family, let us guide you through the beaches and activities that will make a holiday memorable. And for a celebration like no other, learn more about Caribbean Carnival. Watch TravelSmart on Independent TV.
