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CARNIVAL SUPPLEMENT LIFE & STYLE
An unlikely icon
PARTY TIME
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2014
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16 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 14 - 20, 2014
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IT’S TIME TO PARTY! London hosts Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday, August 24 and Monday, August 25 BY RYKESHA HUDSON
E
UROPE’S biggest street festival, Notting Hill Carnival, is a vivid spectacle representing London's multicultural past and present.
For almost 50 years, the capital's AfroCaribbean community has celebrated our culture and traditions with a two-day festival of mesmerising parades, uplifting beats, delicious food stalls, and much more. Every year, for two days in late August the west quarter of London pulsates to the sound of steel bands and huge sound systems. They play everything from calypso, to soca and reggae to jazz, salsa, samba and dance music. With the sun usually making a timely appearance, Notting Hill Carnival is the greatest let-your-hair-down event in the capital. Gone are those cool London look-through-you stares found on the Tube – it’s all about good music, good food and good vibes! At the root of the Notting Hill Carnival are the Caribbean carnivals of the early 19th century – a
particularly strong tradition in Trinidad – which were all about celebrating the abolition of slavery and the slave trade. The largest European street party and the second major street festival in the world after Brazil’s Rio Carnival, NHC was first staged on August Bank Holiday in 1965 when Rhaune Laslett, a local resident, invited members of various non-white communities in the area to participate in a bid to unify the community. However, the real birth date of NHC began 54 years ago with Trinidad-born Claudia Jones dubbed ‘The Mother of Notting Hill Carnival,’ who started the carnival in 1959 as an attempt to promote racial and cultural harmony in strife torn Notting Hill. In the UK, NHC kick-starts with J’ouvert on Saturday night/Sunday morning, which is a non-stop jamming session mixed with oil and mud not suited for the fainthearted. J’ouvert or ‘Jouvay’ is at the heart of Trinidad carnival, and is also celebrated in other Eastern Caribbean islands for more than 200 years.
LET YOUR HAIR DOWN: Police officers cancan dance with carnival revelers in 1982
HAPPY 32ND BIRTHDAY TO THE VOICE! Britain’s biggest black publication launched at Notting Hill Carnival
HOLD THE FRONT PAGE: The first edition of The Voice
IN 1982, the first issue of The Voice newspaper was distributed at London’s Notting Hill Carnival and we haven’t stopped since – celebrating and campaigning for Black Britons throughout our time. The Voice was founded by Jamaican-born accountant, Val McCalla, who was awarded a grant from the Greater London Council to fund his initiative business venture – the first black British newspaper. Over our 32-year reign we’ve covered a number of stories from the black community and perspective. Some of the standout stories include the Stephen Lawrence murder trial, Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, the London riots, President Obama’s Inauguration and the untimely deaths of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston - to name a few. Thank you to all who have supported our journey. We appreciate you!
FOUNDER: The visionary Val McCalla
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AUGUST 14-20, 2014 THE VOICE | 17
18 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 14 - 20, 2014
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CARNIVAL The best of Notting Hill throughout the years
Photo credit: Trevor Raymond & PA
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2014 T H E V O I C E 19
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CARNIVAL SUPPLEMENT
FLASHBACK
20 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 14 - 20, 2014
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DALGETY TEAS AWARDS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO SURYA FOODS
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ENTREPRENEUR: Mark Dalgety
ALGETY TEAS, the largest black-owned tea company in the UK and Europe, has awarded Surya Foods exclusive distribution rights to Dalgety product lines. Established over 20 years ago, Dalgety is one of the most successful Caribbean brands in Europe - selling over 25 million tea bags every year. Its 100 per cent natural, strong tasting herbal tea infusions, renowned for their quality and purity, can be found on the shelves of most supermarkets and specialist food stores across the UK, with export markets stretching from the USA to China. Dalgety Teas offer rich flavoured herbal teas grown by a selection of small tea estates around the Caribbean, which are refined and blended in the UK. Founded by award-winning entrepreneur Mark Dalgety, the tea's unique flavours and taste, inspired by the intense flavours of the Caribbean, are packaged in distinctive colourful boxes. With no artificial flavours or chemicals added, Dalgety's herbal tea range features a variety of zesty blends - commonly
used throughout the Caribbean as natural health enhancers to ward-off infections and diseases - including; Instant Ginger, Lemongrass, Lemon and Ginger, Honey and Ginger, and Cerassie. The distribution rights were originally owned by African and Caribbean wholesale specialists Wanis Ltd, which was appointed in 2011 as sole distributors of Dalgety products in Europe. Dalgety brand owner Mark Dalgety, one of the UK's most prolific black entrepreneurs, said: "Surya are a dynamic, forward-thinking company and I am very excited to have joined forces with them to bring the Dalgety brand to the next level. I am particularly excited about exploring ways we can extend the Dalgety range through new product development." Mark attributes the huge success of the Dalgety brand to his launching a quality product at the right time, adding: "On a trip to London 20 years ago I read that the UK tea industry was going through a transformation, and that more and more consumers were opting for the healthier option of drinking herbal teas. “I found, however, that while most of the tea available at the time had a good smell in the packet, once infused in water it lacked any zest or body. Having grown up with delicious, fullflavoured Caribbean teas, I just knew the time was right to introduce these unique infusions to the UK."
Dalgety's factory is the only black-owned tea factory in the UK and has a production capability of 1.2 million tea bags per day. Established in 1993, Dalgety blazed a trail for Caribbean teas and natural products and was inspired by Mark's Guyanese aunt, who regularly drank herbal teas to counteract her ailments. Surya managing director, Harry Dulai, said: "We are continually looking to add high quality, well-known brands to our portfolio of 100% authentic world food products. Dalgety teas are a great fit for us, with our already extensive portfolio of Caribbean ranges, including Cawoods dried, salted fish and our home brands Island Sun, Jamaica's Pride, Reggae Kitchen and Big Up energy drink. We feel privileged to be working with such a long-established, highly successful, Caribbean brand and are excited to have the opportunity to build on its already enormous success." Surya plans to invest in the Dalgety brand by way of marketing, new product development and growing its already buoyant export markets. Surya is one of the UK's largest suppliers of authentic world foods and has a comprehensive portfolio of authentic brands stocked in local, multiple and foodservice channels. Surya's evolving world food ranges cater to the South Asian, Afro-Caribbean, African, Polish and oriental communities.
PARTY: Notting Hill Carnival 2014 takes place on August 24 and 25
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2014 T H E V O I C E 21
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THE SOUND OF CARNIVAL There’s no carnival without music
M
usic is the heartbeat of Notting Hill Carnival. More than 80 performing units and 40 sound systems are on hand to keep the party going throughout the two-day festivities.
CALYPSO The Origin of calypso can be traced back to the arrival of the first enslaved Africans brought to work in the sugar plantations of Trinidad. Forbidden to talk to each other, and robbed of all links to family and home, the enslaved Africans began to sing. They used calypso, which can be traced back to West African Kaiso, as a means of communication and to mock the slave masters.
SOCA Like calypso, soca was used for both social commentary and risqué humor. By the 1980s, the genre was being used to express courtships and sexual interests. Like all things related to sexual freedom, it became embraced because of its ability to reflect what people were thinking and their desires in a society that was sexually repressed.
and by using some creative means, began to create different tones. This led to the use of oil drums and in a short space of time the steel band was born.
SAMBA Samba is a type of music and dance developed from the musical traditions of the enslaved Africans of Brazil. Samba originated in the north of Brazil and was radically developed in Rio at the turn of the century. Now you can hear the Samba beat in London and throughout the world.
SOUND SYSTEMS Over 40 sound systems positioned around the Carnival area provide the perfect setting for DJ's to show off their skills. From Latin jazz, reggae and garage to hip-hop and drum and bass, there will be a sound system for everyone’s musical needs.
STEEL PAN
Don’t forget to check out these popular sound systems:
* Rampage * Channel One * Good Times * Sancho Panza * Saxon Sound * Rapattack * Ram Jam STEEL THE SHOW: A steel pan group entertains the Notting Hill Carnival crowd
PARTY TIME: Calypso and soca fill the streets
These songs helped to unite the slaves.
The sound of the steel pans will be filling the streets of Notting Hill with their wonderful melodic sounds throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. Steel band came from the Tambu Bamboo band from Trinidad in the early 1030s. Trinidadians used to beat the bamboo and sing
GOOD TIMES: Veteran DJ Norman Jay at his Good Times static sound system
Tell us what you think. Email: yourviews@gvmedia.co.uk
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FINGER LICKING GOOD The finest Caribbean street food around chicken and rice and peas to rum punch, as well as the odd taste of other exotic cuisines. Bring a healthy appetite along to Carnival, as there is plenty of choice from the street stalls to sink your teeth into. Here, we look at the carnival staples.
BY JANELLE OSWALD & RYKESHA HUDSON
J
UST thinking about the wonderful aromas of traditional Caribbean food, gets our mouths watering. Notting Hill Carnival provides the perfect introduction to Caribbean spices and flavours - from jerk
JERK CHICKEN Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica where the meat is dry-rubbed or wet marinated with a very spicy mixture called jerk spice or seasoning. Jerk seasoning is traditionally applied to pork and chicken, however, you can also have jerk fish, shrimp, beef, sausage, lamb, and tofu. The two main ingredients to jerk are the allspice, also known as ‘pimento’ and Scotch bonnet peppers. Wherever you see a long queue and lots of smoke at carnival, guarantee it will be the jerk line!
PATTIES A patty is a pastry that contains various fillings and spices baked inside a flaky shell. Similar to a turnover but more savoury - a patty is commonly found in Jamaica but also eaten in other Caribbean islands. The patty is a product of colonialism and migration developed after the introduction of the English pastry in the Caribbean, mixed with cumin and curry seasonings of Indian indentured servants who settled in Jamaica and cayenne pepper from African slaves.
SALTFISH FRITTERS Also known as ‘Stamp and Go’, these popular Jamaican appetisers are perfect finger food. Usually made from salt cod blended with spices and peppers, it is said to be the original Jamaican fast food, getting its name from people stamping their feet to indicate their hurry and then taking it to eat on the run.
CORN ON THE COB Sweet corn is the only variety of maize eaten directly off the cob and is a very popular meal within the Caribbean. The most common methods for cooking corn on the cob at carnival are boiling, roasting, or grilling. It can be grilled or roasted directly in its husk, or it can be husked first and then wrapped in aluminium foil. Normally eaten while still warm, it is often seasoned with salt and is buttered just before serving.
RUM PUNCH Up the feel-good factor of your carnival party with one of the most popular beverages from the islands. This delicious concoction has been passed down for years. The old rhyme goes, ‘One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak’. Any fruit juice can be used. Serve chilled over ice, with fruit garnishes and a sprinkling of grated nutmeg.
Tell us what you think. Email: yourviews@gvmedia.co.uk
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2014 T H E V O I C E 23
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I REMEMBER WHEN… Janelle Oswald, The Voices’ entertainment reporter: Wow my past experiences of carnival date back from my kindergarten. Carnival usual falls on my birthday being the end of August. I have too many amazing experiences ranging from family time, being one of the many troopers taking part in the parades, dancing on floats, eating scrumptious finger-licking food or skanking and bubbling to the baseline of Jah Shaka and Channel One sound system. However my most memorable time is loosing my shoe while dancing and having a wild time at Rampage... Don't ask how... However I came home with one shoe when I originally left my house with two!
Our first and most memorable Notting Hill Carnival experiences
Maxine Bishop, teacher, 43, north London:n I whe My parents started taking me to carnival many ed miss t n’ was still in nappies, and I have , the since. What’s not to love? There’s the food es. -vib good feelr supe the and music
Jason Nicholson, PR manager, 37, east London: A few years back – I think I was in my mid-20s - a group of us were vibezing at one of the sound systems. One of my boys started dancing on a female police officer. I thought she was going to flip out, but she just laughed and playfully pushed him away. I thought we was going to spend the rest of day in a police station, but carnival puts everyone in a good mood.
London: Natasha Wilford, 29, South –
ries I have way too many memo k only one. some quite blurry - tone pic uld try and I will say that everyoCarnishoval at least l Hil g go to Nottin once in their life.
Davina Hamilton, The Voice ’s entertainment editor: I remember going to carnival with a group of friends when we were all about 14. We were all dressed in ridiculous fluorescent colours and all had our flags and whistles in tow. We were being chaperoned by one of my friend’s aunts but we got separated from her. After spending all of 10 minutes trying to find her, we gave up and decide to have fun instead – and we had the most fun! Suffice to say, my friend’s aunt wasn’t best pleased when we caught the bus to her house (much) later and found her there waiting for us!
Tell us what you think. Email: yourviews@gvmedia.co.uk
Kanesha Lucas, sales assistant, 24, Romford: When I was around 15, I went to carnival for the first time without my family. Instead, I was allowed to go with my friends, and I was so, so excited. I remember needing the toilet so bad, that my friends all huddled around me so I could relieve myself on a side street. It was so embarrassing. But I really, really need to pee.
Winston Henry, former bus driver, 73, ld: I went to carnival once and once only. Enfie went with my girlfriend, who is now my wifeI and had a terrible time. An extremely drunk we lady threw up on us half way through theyoung and we had to travel all the way home stinkday off sick. It put us both off for life. ing
24 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 14 - 20, 2014
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MAS ATTACK A glance at Notting Hill Carnival’s Masquerade bands
A
T the heart of carnival, are the Mas bands – the themed groups of c o s t u m e d masqueraders who join the parade with a live musical group and float. Many of the costumes reflected throughout the day are reminiscent of the costumes worn by slaves in the Caribbean. Carnival traditions also borrow from the African practice of putting together natural objects – such as bones, grass, beads, shells and fabric - to create a piece of sculpture, a mask, or costume. Feathers were frequently used by different African tribes in the Motherland on masks and
headdresses as a symbolic metaphor of our ability as humans to rise above problems, pain, heartbreaks, and illness — to travel to another world to be reborn and to grow spiritually. Today, we see feathers being used in numerous ways to create beautiful costumes at carnival. Joan Sam, founder of Burrokeets UK told The Voice: “I love carnival. I think it’s great that different cultures join together, have fun and look pretty in beautiful costumes. The 15-strong Burrokeet UK team makes up to 350 Mas costumes a year, sourcing majority of the materials locally. This year, Burrokeet UK’s Mas theme is ‘Night on the Broadway’ and is inspired by Moulin Rouge. “We make all our costumes. It’s a labour of love,” added Sam. Costumes are usually sold out months before carnival, and can cost up to £600 – sometimes more.
EXTRAVAGANT: Carnival costumes can cost up to £600
Here are just some of the mas bands for this year’s carnival: Bajan Revellers Burrokeets UK D Riddim Tribe Flagz Mas Band Genesis Carnival Band Lagniappe Bacchanalia Arawak
AUGUST 14 - 20, 2014 THE VOICE | 25
Arts
Jacqueline Asafu-Adjaye, Sponsored Features Editor
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The Living Legends Project AT THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM Written by Archivist Leon Robinson of Positive Steps
EVENT
EDITED BY JANET BROWNE, VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
LIVING LEGENDS THE CLARK BROTHERS
FRI 22 AUGUST
L
18:30 PM
iving Legends is a nine month project to digitise, research, interpret and exhibit the personal archival collections of Leon Robinson of Positive Steps, and Steve Clark of the tap dancing duo The Clark Brothers.
The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre
VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM
The Clark Brothers career spans over eighty years and offers a wonderful insight into a world many of us could only bear witness to on the giant cinema screen or dear to dream about
Vic Evans (front), and Chester Harriott (Pianist and Ainsley Harriott’s Father) was also known as ‘The Black Liberace’ © Positive Steps
The Clark Brothers career spans over eighty years and offers a wonderful insight into a world many of us could only bear witness to on the giant cinema screen or dear to dream about. Born and brought up during the depression in the Southern States of America, Steve and Jimmy Clark were self taught dancers and choreographers, honing their craft on the streets of Philadelphia - the same city that gave birth to tap dancers The Nicholas Brothers, The Miller Brothers, and Honi Coles. They became very well known in Philadelphia, not just for dancing but for sports, with Steve receiving a fencing scholarship to Temple University, the same University as Bill Cosby, and played basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters. They first went on the road in 1929 when Jimmy was seven and Steve only five after a fortuitous meeting with the entertainment impresario Gene Austin while working as shoeshine boys in Atlanta. They toured with Gene Austin’s show for six months earning the princely sum of $100 a week. The Clark Brothers went on to play the Cotton Club and the Apollo in Harlem, and were contemporaries, and shared the stage with, luminaries such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Josephine Baker, Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Elvis Presley. They witnessed the birth of Las Vegas, performing and appearing alongside
Steve Clark and Ainsley Harriott © Positive Steps
Steve and Jimmy of the Clark Brothers © Positive Steps
great artists such as Nat king Cole and Lena Horne. They were fortunate to be appearing at the Sands at the time when the original Ocean’s Eleven (1960) was being filmed, where their cousin Sammy Davis Jnr would invite them to join him and his friends - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Peter Lawford at the bar. Sometimes Sinatra would get up on the Lounge stage and sing while the Clark Brothers accompanied him with their unstoppable tap, flair and swagger.
They became a regular fixture on British television on shows such as Sunday Night at the Palladium, The Good Old Days and The Dickie Henderson Show
The Clark Brothers moved to the United Kingdom in 1948 to appear in the show Hellzapoppin at The London Casino now known as the Prince Edward Theatre, and in the same year gave their first command performance at Windsor Castle. They became a regular fixture on British television on shows such as Sunday Night at the Palladium, The Good Old Days and The Dickie Henderson Show. They co-wrote the hit song You Need Hands with Max Bygraves, and were dance tutors to several British pop groups during the ‘Swinging Sixties’ including Cliff Richards and the Shadows, and Freddie and the Dreamers. Steve, the surviving brother, now resides at Brinsworth House, a home
for actors, and is still very active today working with Positive Steps on the Living Legends Project, which is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. Positive Steps houses the largest and most authoritative collection of primary source material on Black artists who have contributed to the cultural landscape of England, spanning the 19th Century to the present day. The Living Legends Project is creating learning opportunities and resources, which attract and address the needs of various audiences, in particular providing an opportunity for young people to learn and implement important and relevant heritage skills.
Cromwell Road, South Kensington London, SW7 2RL Join us for a stellar night with Steve Clark, whose tap dancing career with brother Jimmy spanned eight decades. They shared the stage with Josephine Baker, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Steve Clark will give an insight into performing during an era when gangsters controlled the clubs and segregation was commonplace, and fill in some missing chapters within British variety entertainment history. Archivist Leon Robinson will introduce you to the electrifying dancer and actor Junior Laniyan accompanied by the awesome pianist Jessica Lauren; Britain’s latest tap dance duo The Simmons Brothers (Ben & Alex), and rare film footage of the amazing Clark Brothers.
Tickets £5, includes a drinks reception To book telephone the Bookings Team on: 020 7942 2211 In collaboration with Positive Steps Living Legends is a Positive Steps project supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund This page is sponsored by the Victoria and Albert Museum
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NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL SURVIVAL GUIDE
First time at the biggest street carnival in Europe? Here's what you need to know
FAMILY TIME: The chidren’s parade is on August 24
Take the kids Carnival is a great day out for the whole family. Our piece of advice would be to go early on Sunday, which is Family Day and when the children's groups parade – it's quieter and more relaxed than Monday. If possible, leave the pram at home and bring earplugs just in case.
Stay safe
GET INTO THE GROOVE: Notting Hill Carnival takes palce on August 24 and 25 this year
Like with any huge event, staying aware and alert is important. Avoid pickpockets by keeping your valuables out of sight and out of easy reach.
Forget the Tube map
During Notting Hill Carnival, some underground stations are temporarily shut to avoid congestion. If you want to avoid wandering the streets of west London for hours, plan your journey home in advance. And don't even think about driving
Ditch the heels You’regoing to be on your feet all day. Bring comfy shoes and give heels, flipflops and open-toed footwear a miss.
Don't forget the sound systems
On your first carnival visit it's easy to think carnival is all about the parade, and never leave the route. But down the side streets you'll find a whole other side to carnival: the sound systems. Blasting out everything from soca, reggae and calypso to dance, house and dub, these pop-up parties each have their own USP – so do your research beforehand and arrive early as some sound systems, like carnival king Norman Jay's annual Good Times, are so popular there's crowd control.
Carry on partying
If your feet haven't given up on you, continue the festivities at one of the many carnival after-parties in the area and across London.
ADVICE: Bring your own toilet paper
Pack your carnival essentials Plan your toilet stops to avoid queues, and bring your own loo roll and hand sanitiser.
Find a good spot If you want to get good photos of the parade and feel part of the action, location is everything. Stand by the judges' platform and you'll see the groups really pull out all the stops. There are always lively sections and quieter spots so it is possible to find the right place for you.
VETERAN: DJ Norman Jay