It was a fitting comeback to an absence of many years caused by a huge rent increase to the previous Bombardier venue. The organizers were quite pleased to experience success for all their volunteer efforts.
The weather cooperated nicely and thousands decided that a Saturday out among other Goans was worth better than anything else going on in the city - and being summer, there was indeed a lot going on. The venue was picturesque, situated on a valley below a hilltop Croatian church. It looked like an old Wild West scene with the kiosks resembling carriages encircling the stage and the people on the large grounds. It was open air and therefore breezy unlike the previously enclosed space. A chance to walk, to meet, to sit and eat and for some, to dance to the live music. Sonia Shirsat the Goan fadista was probably a draw though not many seemed to know of her. Because of the noise and excitement she was unable I suppose, to sing slow Konkani songs which she does best, or fados, for which she is well known. Skits and stage dances also filled in the program. Goanet Silviano Barbosa's wife known as Comedy Queen Sarah put in her never failing presence. No Konkani skit, drama or tiatr in Toronto ever happens without her. The lunch was restricted to two restaurant businesses and they offered perennial favourites like sausage pulao, sorpotel and sannas, pork vindaloo, beef chilly fry, fish curry rice and shrimp biryani. The other hot favourite of the snack vendors was the chourico-pao which became smaller in size as replenishments came in. The organizers were happy, the people were happy, the food vendors got customers beyond their expectations. Hope the Toronto Goan Oversesas Association made above-expectation profits to finance their other activities. Viva re viva Toronto-Goa. Roland. Sent from my iPhone
