Sway speaks to Connections about the significance of this year’s costume theme.

Sway speaks to Fantazia about the significance of this year’s costume theme.

Sway speaks to Louis Saldenah Mas – K Club about the significance of this year’s costume theme.

Sway speaks to Callaloo about the significance of this year’s costume theme.

Sway speaks to Carnival Nationz about the significance of this year’s costume theme.

Sway speaks to Mas Players International about the significance of this year’s costume themes.

Sway speaks to Black Sage Carnival about the significance of this year’s costume theme.

I think it will be the Toronto Revellers, all the way! They always have really, really good costumes. Their theme for this year is “Disco Fever.” I love that because it makes me think back to my parents playing all kind of disco records and dressing up real funky.

Performing artist and SIXAHWI visual artist Ashley McKenzie-Barnes believes that now is the time for blacks to play a greater role in the Canadian art scene. “Part of the problem is that African-Canadians need to establish a greater presence as power players within the art market, not just as artists but in other key business roles,” says McKenzie-Barnes. “Black visual artists need to make greater efforts to showcase diversity in their works by producing art pieces that appeal to the ever-changing tastes of people within the artistic community who have grown accustomed to expecting certain work from visual artists of colour.”

I love getting ready with my cousins and friends. We usually take the subway to the parade in our costumes and tourists always stop us and take pictures. It makes me feel so proud.