STORY AND PHOTOS BY NADIA HUSSEIN
Two cultures were blended together for one great event in Newmarket last Saturday.
The Caribbean & South Asian Showcase took place at the Newmarket Community Centre featuring the music, art, food, and fashion of both areas.
Throughout the six hour festival, there was plenty of entertainment to enjoy. Attendees were transported to the islands by the sounds of the steel pan.
The ‘SteelBandits’ transitioned seamlessly between their songs. Their set started off with the soca song ‘Bacchanalist’ before going into Bollywood territory with ‘Kal Ho Na Ho.’ Many patrons moved to the beat in their seats as the group continued with ‘Nah Going Home’ and ‘It’s Carnival.’
The crowd was treated to dancing by the Footsteps Hot Divas consisting of Brianna Bridgemongal, Jasmine Ramcharran, and Selena Ramcharran-Smith. They put on a high-energy performance to the chutney tunes ‘Bacchanal’ and ‘Sawan Ke.’ As well, sisters Alana and Aleah Pitamber were well choreographed to ‘Anarkali Disco Chali.’
Other acts included the popular calypso, reggae, and soca singer Mon-T-Hama, the soul and jazz stylings of Guyanese singer George St. Kitts, and bhangra and dhol by the Nachdi Jawani group.
Guests were not only invited to try the cultural foods, from chicken curry to butter chicken, but bring along a non-perishable food item for donation to the Newmarket Food Pantry.
The Caribbean & South Asian Showcase was a free event presented by the Ranji Singh Foundation, which has a dedicated organizing committee.
“I believe we have a lot to offer in a society where multiculturalism prevails,” the foundation’s president Ranji Singh said. “Our foundation’s purpose is, to help neighbours appreciate and celebrate this diversity time after time through events and programs,” he said.
