Hot Caribana DJ

copyright 2006: BrownSugarMagazine, email for permission

Spice Bistro, Toronto. Caribana Festival, 2006

This DJ spinning at Spice Bistro was amazing. We tripped under his spell by accident Caribana weekend on Toronto's College Street club strip. Actually our first intention was to check out Kwame and DJ Dave Campbell's party down the street at the Octopus Lounge on Palmerston at College but when we arrived, the crowds were lined up and clamouring to get in. We felt ready and breathless for the party when organizer Kwame came outside to tell us that DJ Dave and himself could allow no more revelers in. "Go away, seriously people," he yelled. "I don't want to waste anyone's time. We're at full capacity.'' A woman with blue hair in front of us said she felt she'd been in line for three hours. Okay, seriously: three hours! Who does that?

So we went down the road (accompanied by the woman with blue hair); first checking out the New College Bar -- but there was a tough line-up there and it didn't feel very Caribana in there, if you know what I mean. So we crossed the street and hit Spice. For the record, all females in the crowd were slightly reluctant to enter; Spice is the one lounge on College you actually get your ass pinched. Yes, blink your eyes, this is 2006.

Spice was empty-ish when we arrived but quickly filled with Kwame-stragglers and others getting off shows and drinking rounds elsewhere. Then the DJ got going and the place got jumping. Soon we missed Dave and Kwame no more. The DJ spun us around with reggae, soca, and old soul.