Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/19029
The following evening, a quick stop at Harlem Restaurant Underground for a trendy take on southern cooking was just the comfort food I needed to feel right at home. As a Harlem, NY resident I went in with a very crit- ical eye and was pleasantly surprised to find its cuisine def- initely lives up to its name www.harlemrestaurant.com/- underground/artgallery. Afterwards we stood witness to the excitement and energy generated from Pan Alive, a thrilling event showcasing the musical and tonal qualities of the steelpan. The pivotal moment for me during my stay in Toronto Toronto, with commentary on the contributions made by Toronto’s early Black residents provided by Richard Fiennes-Clinton of Muddy York Tours www.muddyyork- tours.com. Lunch at the critically acclaimed 360 restau- rant atop the CNTower provided panoramic views of the entire city, mouthwatering cuisine, and superb service www.cntower.ca. Revolving more than 1,151 ft. in the air, the views from the CN tower will make even the most experienced dare devil question taking that step of faith onto the glass floor, which we were relieved to find can support the weight of 14 hippos. We concluded our day with a narrated tour of the sce- nic Harbour and Islands where boat passengers were able to get a unique water level view of Toronto’s sky- line. Dinner at The Real Jerk later that evening was a perfect way to get in the Carnival spirit.With fresh and authentic Caribbean Flavour,The Real Jerk transforms you from the concrete streets of Toronto to the tropics of the Caribbean. Be warned, this place is famous for a jerk chicken that can bring a tear to a grown man’s eye – only authentic flavors and spices here! Our night ended with a front row viewing of the Scotiabank Caribana King & Queen Show. This is an annual event the evening before Caribana Day where the Kings and Queens of the Bands meet to battle in front of a panel of judges.What is so magnificent about Caribana Parade is the role reversal in soci- ety for the week. Traditionally, Carnival allows for paupers to be kings, and kings to be paupers. A celebrity attending the event is looked over in entirety just to catch a close glance at the winning Queen’s costume. The winning King and Queen symbolically have the keys to the city. Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 17 would undoubtedly be Carnival day. The pageantry and showmanship of it all was something of a whimsical dream. Colorful costumes filled the streets as people made their way down Lake Shore Blvd., everyone joining as one big community for the day. The most extraordinary part of the Caribana Parade is that it sees no color, gender, or age. Joining in these festivities you will be surely encounter dozens of people from completely different walks of life. No one is the same in this melting pot of cultural diversity. For either tourism of business meeting purpos- es, the Westin Harbour Castle in the heart of downtown Toronto is an excellent choice. Toro- nto’s rich culture is only enhanced during the Caribana Parade, making this city a must-see attraction. Direct questions or comments to Brienne Herbert at Brienneh- @gmail.com or through Black Meetings and Tourism Magazine.