The Notting Hill Carnival may be on hiatus this year due to the effects of the global health crisis, but organizers have announced that a series of events that will ensure the spirit of the world-renowned extravaganza resonates all summer long.
Full story below…
With the media assembled at The Tabernacle in the heart of Notting Hill, an action-packed schedule of carnival flavoured events were unveiled:
On 19, 20, 21 August there will be Carnival Culture In The Park, three unique live ticketed shows held at Opera Holland Park. In partnership with Kensington and Chelsea Festival and Carnival Village Trust, traditional Carnival music will be performed within its beautiful open-air settings and will showcase the best in both traditional and contemporary Caribbean musicians alongside traditional opera.
Doors open at 6.30pm with performances from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets are £10 and go on sale July 28th here. Each evening’s events are…
An evening that highlights the UK Calypso scene featuring artists such as Giselle Carter, G String, Helena B and Alexander D Great. The performances are set against a 6-piece acoustic live band.20 August – Pan in the Park
An opportunity to bask in the ambience of steelpan with the UK’s leading Steelbands Mangrove and Ebony. Pan in the Park will be the ultimate musical journey from classical to modern contemporary and will feature newly arranged material performed live with Opera Soprano singing sensation Anne Fridal.21 August – Pan Jazz
An evening of Caribbean Jazz featuring the Engine Room Collective performing with the finest steelpan musicians, Andre White, Leon ‘Foster’ Thomas, Samuel Dubois, Carlene Etienne and Deborah Eden.And throughout August, The Tabernacle (Powis Square, W11 2AY) will play host to a series of free Carnival events.1 August – Mas Costume Showcase
Flamboyant displays and performances from some of Notting Hill Carnival’s favourite Mas bands including Mahogany, Fanatics, Creed, Genesis, Hot Wax, Soca Massive and many more to celebrate the culture and history of Carnival.
Soca Fridays
Will take place from 6pm – 10pm every Friday from 30 July. With a selection of Carnival’s best loved Soca DJ’s playing each night including Crediable, Price Vern, QT 2Hype, Waynes James, DJ Bostman, Nassen, DJ Triple M, DJ Tate, DJ Vern, Flagz Sound, Urban Touch and DJ Fats.
Sound System Sundays
Starting on 1 August and each week from 2pm – 6pm a legendary Sound System of Notting Hill Carnival will play an exclusive set. Confirmed performers include Love TKO, 4 Play, Arts A Light, Rough But Sweet, Disya Jeneration, G.I Roadshow and Lord Gellys.
A partnership with streaming giant Spotify was announced too.
Matthew Phillip – CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said in a statement:
“This series of events and the book play an extremely important role in supporting the bands and participants of Notting Hill Carnival, raising vital financial support to bring Carnival back on the road in 2022 and beyond.
Notting Hill Carnival belongs on the streets, but the Covid pandemic presented too much uncertainty to plan for a safe event over the August Bank Holiday weekend. It also put bands in a difficult financial situation that had the potential to close them down, despite decades of history. This was not acceptable so we (the board of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd) took the very difficult decision to create alternate options for 2021.
These events come from the community. They are authentic and the performances are by those that make Notting Hill Carnival so fantastic, many of them for decades. We want to thank them for their support in making these spectacular events. In turn, this will ensure Notting Hill Carnival thrives for many more years”
