Two Goan bands have for the privilege of being the first from the State to play in Canada later this year. They will be performing at the launch event in July organised by the newly registered Global Goan Association of Canada. The two bands are the Jazz Junction and A26, which is the most popular band in Goa.
The Global Goan Association of Canada, a newly registered entity, has taken on the task of bringing all other Goan organisations around the world under one unifying umbrella. A grand launch event is planned mid-July 2024 giving global Goans enough time to plan their travel to Canada for this epic event. For the first time bands from Goa will perform in Canada with A26 and Jazz Junction doing the opening honours. The first event on the 10th of July is a concert at the prestigious Rose Theatre in Brampton where the two bands will perform. A grand gala dinner/dance is next on the 13th and a fun Global Goan Carnival event on the 14th of July will bring the curtains down. The announcement promos have already attracted a large number of Goans based in Australia, New Zealand, England, Portugal, India, the middle-east and America who have confirmed their holiday plan to center around this global meet. Canada based Trevorlyn Menezes has taken this initiative with plans to turn it into an annual event. Plans are already on for a chartered week long Alaska cruise where the entire cruise liner will be converted with Goa themes.
Since so many Goans are now spread out all over the world this initiative will bring them all together to celebrate their roots in different countries each year. Eventually the Goan Global Association of Canada plans on hosting a week long series of events in every country that has a sizeable Goan community.
Colin D Cruz of the Jazz Junction said it was an excellent opportunity to show the world the wealth of talent in Goa based in Goa and around the world. Jazz junction will perform very young jazz singer Nicole desouza very young talented jazz singer who will be singing in Spanish, Portuguese, Konkani and English of course. The repertoire will include latin/jazz standards and funk jazz. Both the bands will be there for a week.
He said the man behind the idea Trevorlyn Menezes came to Goa to meet him after learning about his work with Jazz Goa. Colin said the event would promote local talent and the fact it was being held in July was great because it was the best time weather wise. He said he expected around 10,000 Goans from all over the world to be present with a substantial representation from the 50,000 strong Goan community in Canada. The event will be live streamed so that Goans not able to make it will be able to enjoy the event.
Lester Rodrigues of A26 said they were excited at the prospect of performing at the event in Canada but would prefer to not make a comment till all the formalities were in place.
Colin said Trevorlyn has plans to take the event to different countries with plans to hold it in the UK next year. He is trying to get all global Goans united and to celebrate the spirit of Goa. It is hoped this platform will ideal for Goan talent in the future.
