‘Exotic Species’ at Caribana

This year, one of Toronto’s primer mas bands, Marlon Singh’s Callaloo band, is entitled “Exotic Species” and features 12 sections representative of beautiful butterflies, elegant birds, rare tigers, snakes and other indigenous creatures.

The sections include “Golden Lion Tamarin”, “Ulysess Butterfly”, “Siberian Tiger”, “Sea Horse”, “Flamingo” and “Poison Ivy” among others. Singh is looking forward to another successful year at the festival.

“We expect a record number of masqueraders this year and the presentation we are preparing for the big day will leave everyone in awe,” he said. Singh’s focus has not only been to promote Caribbean culture worldwide, but aims also to keep the tradition in his family. Singh’s son, 13 year-old Shane, sketched and designed the costume that recently won him the “2006 Junior King of the Bands” title. Since its inception in 1997, Singh’s Callaloo band has been consistent in high rankings. The band won two “Band of the Year” titles in 1997 and 2004; two “Queen of the Bands” titles in 2004 and 2005; one “King of the Bands” title in 2005; one “Male Individual of the Year” title in 2003; one “Junior King of the Bands” title and “Junior Band of the Year” title in 2005 and recently won another “Junior Band of the Year” title on July 22 at the 2006 Kiddies Parade.