Toronto's Viva Goa 2003  By: Eugene Correia ~ Toronto

Some of the 5000 Goans at Viva Goa

Viva Goa keeps on growing bigger each year. At a rough estimate, at least 5,000 people came for this year's festival. There were 16 teams in the men's section, with Parra beating Calangute in the six-a-side indoor tournament. Parra had won the tournament three or four years ago. The Guirim team, made up of some players from Washington, had a good run, losing in the semis. Aldona took the women's title beating Calangute in the tie-breaker. The entertainment part was good with a mixture of Goan songs/dances, dances to Hindi remix music, young kids doing their own little acts, hip-hop, solo English songs. Three big food stalls had a tough time catering to the people. Long line-ups for food, taking more than half an hour to get to the counter, was frustrating. Usual dishes from sorpotel, pan-fried rechado promfret, mackerel curry, pork vindaloo. The bhel-puri, dahi batata puri stall was very busy. The missing part was feni. People quenched their thirst on a hot summer day with beer. Parking lots were full and some cars were parked illegally on fire routes. Fire marshall arrived and threatened to shut down the show unless people moved the cars, about 39 of them. Show came to a brief halt for about half hour or more as people were told to check their cars. See:http://www.goatoronto.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=vivagoa2003&page=1

$169 visit Toronto deal includes Show - Dinner & Hotel Room
From: TORONTO.CBC.CA News August 5 2003
Tourists tempted with another discounted Toronto deal
Toronto - Hoping to cash in on the afterglow of last week's Rolling Stones concert, city officials have announced another discounted entertainment package aimed at the fall tourist season.
The $169 deal is being offered to help boost business affected by the lingering impact of SARS, which is estimated to have had a multi-million dollar impact on the local hospitality and entertainment sector.
The program, which was introduced Tuesday by the city and Mirvish Productions, features tickets to the Lion King or Mamma Mia, dinner for two at a selection of downtown restaurants, one-night hotel stay and a choice of seven entertainment opportunities. The list ranges from a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game to admission to the Royal Ontario Museum, the Toronto Zoo or CN Tower. The packages will be available for travel from September 10 to November 2. At a press conference to announce the initiative, Mayor Mel Lastman stressed the importance of advertising the package to American tourists in the wake of Wednesday's Toronto Rocks concert. "We've got to keep up the momentum," he said. "We've got to keep people coming to Toronto and showing them that [it's] clean, is safe and that Toronto is fun."
In tandem with the announcement, theatre producer David Mirvish extended the run of the "Lion King" to November 2nd. It had been slated to close September 28 due to slow sales.
The estimated 100,000 packages went on sale Wednesday. When the first discount package was introduced in April, more than 12,000 were snapped up with 24 hours.

Masala! Mehndi! Masti!: August 8 through August 10- At Harbourfront
http://www.harbourfront.on.ca/summerfestivals/masalaMain.php
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai a Bollywood Sing-Along Pier Party
Bollywood Sing-A-Long: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Directed by Karan Johar, Starring Shah Rukh Khan (Devdas), Kajol, Rani Mukherjee, Salman Khan, Anupam Kher(Bend It Like Beckham), Farida Jalal. In Hindi with English sub-titles.
For the first time ever watch your favorite Bollywood film and sing along to the tunes! Lyrics will be handed out. Bring your vocal chords and get ready to "perform" with the stars on the big screen at this world premiere Hindi film karaoke event!

Toronto - They won the battle for new home...
Jamie and Nicole Lobo and Nicole's cousins Michelle and Alwyn Dos Remedios home buying saga.... http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/aug/msg00004.html

Canadian Immigration dilemmas
From: Vol:20 Iss:16 URL:
http://www.flonnet.com/fl2016/stories/20030815001006200.htm
WORLD AFFAIRS
EUGENE CORREIA in Toronto writes...
Canada's liberal immigration policy comes under intense scrutiny following the passage of the new Immigration Act, and the exercise will gain momentum with general elections just round the corner.