I'm a shame that I'm going to be out of town, or else I'd attend the The Toronto Youth Arts Festival (TYAF). The event is designed to engage youth in the arts and showcase their talents.

According to co-director Nicole Green, The Toronto Youth Arts Festival is an event and a movement that serves to showcase, promote and display cultural diversity among youth in Toronto. Using theatre as a forum to engage youth and educate the community about issues affecting young people in our society is a big part of the event.

The show happens today at 7:30 (Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge). 647-403-2072

I have to give credit where credit is due and the new track "The City Is Mine" by T-dot's own Drake AKA Aubrey Graham isn't half bad (yeah he's the dude from Degrassi).

Despite the bare bones beat and Laffy Taffy inspired styling, the production is on point and sounds like it can compete with anything the States have to offer. Which, arguably, is the standard Canadian rappers should strive for. It's quite obvious that Drake -- unlike some others who segue from TV to music -- takes this pretty seriously.

Not bad for a dude from a cheesy Canadian television show.

Photo: Matt Barnes

Yes, ladies and gentlemen it's Caribana...er...Toronto Carnival...um...what's the official name again?

A time for some to party and for the rest to flee north to cottage country. A time for overpriced concerts and clubs and stiff competition with American dudes for the females' attention. A time for snide comments about expecting a shooting...and a time for extreme disappointment when some bonehead decides to live up to that expectation.

Contrary to popular belief, 99.9% of Caribana participants are there for a good time. The official events are typically incident free -- if anything crummy goes down it's usually when the downtown nightclubs let out (around 4am) and some goof decides to do something shady. Anyhoo...tomorrow's the big day...parade day along Lakeshore...soca, calypso music, reggae....good times....let's have fun out there. Don't know what to do or where to go? I've got your back.

Behold! Official and unofficial Caribana events:

http://www.caribana.ca/
http://www.torontocarnival.com/
http://fetenet.com/
http://www.caribana.com/
http://iriemusicfestival.com/
http://www.socialites.ca/toula.html

Glad to help...

Photo: Caribana.com

The last two JazzByGenre events were on point, so I don't see why this Friday's Latin and Brazilian Jazz show at the Mod Club (722 College St.) will be any different.

The last shows featured Roy Ayers (Jazz fusion) and David Rudder (Caribbean Jazz) -- this time it's Toronto's all-star Latin-Brazilian music community turn to shine.

Nick "Brownman" Ali heads up a Brazilian ensemble with Permutacoes, and headliners Cimarron (led by Luis Mario Ochoa) and Latin/jazz/urban big band Cruzao Grupo Monstruoso strut their stuff.

I've got to brush up on my Latin dance steps...

Photo: Luis Mario Ochoa

Not even rain could stop the annual chariot festival.

I live right across from the Sri Varasiththi Vinaayagar Hindu Temple and can hear the drum beating and chanting throughout the day and night. The Tamil Hindu festival causes minor traffic chaos but it's all good. It's only once a year and appears to be a huge affair.

Even as Soul Brother Number One (trademark registered) I have to confess -- I wasn't always hip to Joe Bataan. I knew all about the legendary "King of Latin R&B" and that the music he created back in the 1970's is heavily sampled by modern day hip-hop, but didn't get into his music until recently.

Last year's Call My Name, his first new album in over two decades is a perfect intro to his superfunk and soul proclivities. Afro-Filipino brother Bataan plays live and in living colour tonight at Harbourfront (it's free!).