In
recent years, the event has been much freer from serious trouble and
is generally viewed very positively as a dynamic celebration of
London's multi-cultural diversity, though dominated by the Caribbean
culture in the best traditions of
Rio. However,
there has been controversy over the public safety aspects of holding
such a well-attended event in narrow streets in a small area of
London.
Concerns about the size of
the event resulted in London's Mayor,
Ken Livingstone, setting up a Carnival
Review Group to look into "formulating guidelines to safeguard the
future of the Carnival"[4].
An interim report by the review resulted in a change to the route in
2002. When the full report was published in 2004, it was recommended
that
Hyde Park be used as a "savannah"; though
this move has attracted some concern that the Hyde Park event may
overshadow the original street carnival[5].
The pre carnival live Calypso Tent takes place for six weeks
during July and August. It occurs only at Notting Hill Carnival
time and is spread over 6 Friday nights at the Yaa Asantewaa
Arts Centre, in Chippenham Mews, just off the Harrow Road,
between Chippenham Road and Marylands Road.
Dont miss the stars of Calypso music, including Cloak, Wen D,
Helena B, Mighty Tiger, Alexander D Great, Clivus, Cleopatra, G
String, Admiral Jack, Brown Sugar [2006 Monarch], Peace and
Love, & Explorer. 27 July, 3, 10, 17, 23 & 24 August, doors open 7pm.
London Calypso Tent and Calypso Monarch Finals, Yaa Asantewaa
Arts and Community Centre, 1 Chippenham Mews, Maida Vale, W9.
Tel: 020 7286 1656. Tube: Westbourne Park. [more]
"Carnival arts are a
fantastically vibrant artform which bring our streets alive. "
said Sarah Weir, Executive Director of Arts Council England,
London,
The Arts Council continues to support Notting Hill Carnival
in 2007 with over £500,000 invested in activities for the
2006/07 cycle.
£406,457 has been through our Grants for the arts funding
programme, to projects such as The Notting Hill Mas Bands
Association, which received £56,513 to support the Grand
Carnival Splash at Alexandra Palace on 19 and 20
August, a spectacular event showcasing the best adults' and
children's costumes created for Notting Hill.
This major Grants for the arts program also investsrevenue
funding of £577,824 to 13 carnival organisations in London, with
most performing at Notting Hill Carnival. This funding is
critical to maintaining the high standards in costume making and
designing, choreography and composition. Also supported
organisations such as Association of British Calypsonians
will be hosting a World Music Stage in Powis Square
on both days of the Notting Hill Carnival.
"I am very pleased to be
backing the carnival again, particularly in the year that we are
marking the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in
England."
Carnival expands to Hyde Park
The Inaugural Hyde Park 'Carnival in the Park' event
will be held to compliment the carnival. There will be a
variety of stages and family activities, including the
National Panorama Championship 2007 where ten of the UK's
top steel bands will compete for the title of National
Champions of Steel. For a lot of Trinis and other like
minded revelers this means they'll get an opportunity to
party Panorama straight through till the sunrise that
defines Jouvert morn.
"We have a choice? Do we cap carnival in a sense
of keeping it within constraints or Do we actually
look at the planning for Carnival and decide Let's
expand Carnival, in a safe way, and include more
people rather than less.
"It's focal point is
Notting Hill. It is known as the
Notting Hill Carnival. It will always be known as
the Notting Hill Carnival although in the future it
might take place in different parts of London."
Professor Chris Mullard Chairman of the Notting Hill
Carnival Trust since 2002
"I
don't think its any dilution moving to Hyde
Park. It's an expansion, a development and a
constructive one."
Lee Jasper Mayor of London's director for equalities and
policing and is Chair of a number of committees
including those addressing issues concerning
policing, faith, cultural diversity and economic
justice.
Jouvert
pronounced ‘Jouvay’ meaning ‘day-break’ procession have
evolved from Trinidad Carnival and are very popular people's
celebrations at dozens of Caribbean Carnivals throughout the
world including the world's 2nd largest which takes place
the weekend following Notting Hill Carnival in
Brooklyn New York. Jouvert evolved from 19th century
Canboulay festivals, these nighttime celebrations saw
ex-slaves gather to masquerade, sing and dance in
commemoration of their emancipation. They generally allow no
amplified music and feature the sweet symphony of steel pan.
This is public ritual on a scale rarely seen in the western
world.
Mayor's slow and steady big tent
approach finally carries the day. The steel band competition is
moving to Hyde Park and in the future three days of events
will be held in Hyde Park. The local authorities whose
agenda these last few years was shrinking Carnival through
constraints will not be involved in the Hyde Street planning
but will continue to issue the Sound System permits.
Set All Free -- 2007 Notting Hill Carnival Theme
"It celebrates in a sense the
bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade which was abolished 200
years ago. And carnival itself is anchored in the history of course of
slavery, it is originally the joyous dancing and the mimicry, if you
like, of the slaves against their white oppressors - the colonists." said,
Prof. Chris Mullard, chairman of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd.,
Kinetika Bloco - Kinetika Summer School
join over 100 drummers, brass/woodwind player and dancers for 2
weeks and put together a Carnival show to tour the UK.
At Queen Elisabeth Hall, South Bank Centre
In a pre-Notting Hill warm-up, Alexandra Palace plays host to
the Grand Carnival Costume Splash, presented by the Notting Hill
Mas Bands Association - a show and competition of all the
flamboyant and glitzy masquerade costumes that will be on parade
during the carnival. Prizes are awarded across four age groups
for Best King of Carnival, Best Queen of Carnival, Best Male
Costume and Best Female Costume.
2007 is an extra special year for the Notting Hill Carnival, as
it coincides with the bicentennary of the abolition of the Slave
Trade. Aside from a costume parade and competition, Carnival
Costume Splash features face painting, mask-making, musical
performances and a presentation of new dance moves.
Cost: £10; concessions £5; under 12s £3
Tel: 020 8365 2121. Tube: Wood Green.
Verde
Vai's Carnival Warm Up
Playing Live: Verde Vai, with DJ Limao. samba school Verde Vai
with an amazing show featuring their incredible bateria and dazzling
dancers.
Venue: Guanabara, Parker Street, corner of Drury Lane, London WC2B
5BW. Time: 5pm-midnite. Happy hour: 5pm-7pm. Info: 0207 242 8600.
August 24
Machel
Montano HD, Mr Vegas, David Rudder in concert at the Hammersmith Apollo, the show features costumes by
Peter Minshall.
More infos and tickets VIP SOLD OUT!!
The show will be recorded by 1Xtra BBC for a broadcast on their
station on Saturday. MTV Base will be showing excerpts of the
concert on their channel. JumpTV will be
webcasting the show live to the rest of the world for free.
More details of the programming times on
MTV
Base and
1Xtra BBC will be forthcoming...
Carnival Saturday
25 August
6-10pm
National Panorama Championship 2007
in Hyde Park [note new venue]
near to Speakers Corner, Hyde Park,
10 Steel Orchestras compete for the title National Champion of
Steel, plus guest performers (ABC Brass from Rotterdam, the winners
of the 'Battle of Drums' competition at Zomercarnaval 2007).
W2. Tube: Marble Arch.
10pm -
late
Ebony
Steelbands's annual After Panorama Jam at Stables Way, Latimer
Road,
London W10 6UG
Alison
Hinds at Stratford Rex, 361-375 Stratford High Street, London E15
4pm-11pm
Poison UK The
Ultimate All Inclusive Party
at Little Croft Country Manor in Radlett. Featuring David Rudder and
his band, Roger George, The Soca Princess, DJs Tweze and Radio
Active's Hoppy live and direct from T&T, DJs Markee and Gladiators
Sounds, this and much more.
Ticket outlet see
Poison UK
11pm-2am
Good Times
Carnival Warm-up Session at Plan B, Brixton, London SW9
Carnival Sunday
Party on the Streets beginning with early morn Jouvert. Followed by
the Children's parades. Static Sound
Systems: A list 40-odd of the Static Sound Systems can be found here. Some of the music you can hear includes reggae, dub, ska, techno, house, drum & bass, hip-hop, soca, salsa, dancehall and more.
Live World Music Stage at Powis Square,
Colville Terrace, London, W11
12:00-19:00
KCC & The Rockin
Crew Celebrate 17yrs at Nottinghill Carnival. International
Guest Dj's
Wornigton Rd London W10 Off Golbourne Rd next to the Basketball Crt.
Free for everyone
Full mas processions on the Streets of Notting
Hill On Bank Holiday Monday, the whole area will come alive with the
traditional and spectacular procession. Hundreds of brightly
decorated floats - pumping out music and packed with partygoers -
will parade around the streets in the Ladbroke Grove area.
Spectators can also dance along to steel drum players as well as
listen to soca, house music, reggae and drum and bass. There'll be plenty of Caribbean snacks such as
patties, plantain and jerk chicken to feast on at the hundreds of
stalls.
Live World Music Stage at Powis Square,
Colville Terrace, London, W11
More UK Carnival Events
15th July: Birmingham Latin
American Festival.
Series of events the highlight of which is an artificial Brazillian beach (Ipanema!)
in Chamberlain Sq . Opened by a performance and parade by Birmingham's own
30 piece bateria, Oya Batucada. Day runs from 11 am -6pm
Chamberlain Sq/ Victoria Sq, Beautiful Birmingham. FREE
Leeds Carnival 40th anniversary in 2007. The
Bi-centenary and the 800th year of Leeds as a city. Come and join us in
the commemoration & celebration. 40 years " Not Out "
Other Carnivals:
Bradford Carnival Saturday 23 June
Nottigham Carnival Sunday 8 July
Huddersfield Carnival Saturday 14 July
Derby Carnival Saturday 21 July
Leicester Carnival Saturday 4 August
Birmingham Carnival Sunday 5 August
are
marking the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in
England." 
"I
don't think its any dilution moving to Hyde
Park. It's an expansion, a development and a
constructive one."
Notting Hill Carnival. It will always be known as
the Notting Hill Carnival although in the future it
might take place in different parts of London." 
