SOCANEWS SOCANEWS.COMISSNAUGFREE2022/1441464-7087
4 SN AUG 2022 AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 144 CONTENTS REGULAR 07. NEWS 20. MUSIC Notting Hill Carrnival Playlist 35. EVENTS Your soca guide to whats happening when and where. 24. NOTTING BACKCARNIVALHILLONTHEROADATLAST 28. ROUTE MAP 43. MAS BAND DIRECTORY
SN AUG 2022 5 GET LISTED: If you’re a carnival organiser, promoter, mas band, steelband, soca sound, community group or other participant who’s feeling left out because we didn’t mention your event, or if you’d like to advertise in the magazine or online, the remedy is in your hands. Get in touch! Email us at info@socanews.com or call on 0333 012 4643. FEATURES 12. HONOURING THE INVENTOR OF SOCA Ras Shorty I 14. CALYPSO From ABC to ACASA 22. WHAT IS SOCA ALL ISSUES ARE FREE ONLINE OR SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE A PRINTED COPY MISSNEVERANISSUE SOCANEWS.COM/SUBSCRIBE SOCA PEOPLE 16. FAKEKOU 18. VIKING DING DONG FOR MORE SOCANEWS.COMVISIT
6 SN AUG 2022 The views expressed in Soca News are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher. All material contained within this publication is the copyright of Soca News. No material, written or photographic may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the publisher. No liability will be accepted for any errors which may occur within the magazine. © 2022 Soca News. All rights reserved. facebook.com/socanewsinstagram.com/socanews twitter.com/socanews EDITOR'S LETTER PUBLISHER & EDITOR Joseph jc@socanews.comCharles CREATIVE Daniel & Joseph SUB EDITOR Katie katie@socanews.comSegal CONSULTING EDITOR Stephen stephen@socanews.comSpark SALES & MARKETING sales@socanews.com WORDS Annel Beausoleil, Dunstan Creavalle, Radeya Osman & Stephen Spark PICTURES Bampson, Kola Graffix & Stephen Spark PUBLISHED BY Soca News Ltd 86-90 Paul Street London, EC2A 4ND TELEPHONE + 44 (0) 333 012 4643 EMAIL info@socanews.com WEBSITE www.socanews.com Carnival time again S o beat the drum, sun or rain. Why? It’s carnival time again. We drink ing rum, no champagne. Why? It’s carnival time again. Right now, no words or lines in a song have ever been more appro priate than this 1996 classic by Brother Marvin (the man who also brought us that beautiful hymn to promote racial harmony, Jahaji Bhai). For the past couple of years we have been telling you to log on here or click there to try to catch anything that resembled a carnival. We got used to chipping down a virtual road, but it’s going to feel so good doing it on hot, hard, unyielding tarmac after two years of make-believe masquerading on the living room carpet. Don’t just take our word for it that Notting Hill Carnival 2022 is back on the road again. The good news was confirmed by Notting Hill CEO Matthew Phillip at Carnival’s media launch on 21 July. It looks like it’s going to be bigger than ever as we take to the streets of West London on Sunday 28 and Bank Holiday Monday 29 August. I sense a real hunger for some hands-on analogue interaction after two years of dispiriting digital isolation. Time to free up and play we mas! Now on to the serious business of feteing. There are parties, parties and more parties. If you don’t believe me, just check out our bumper event listing on page 35, powered by our favourite Saint Lucian rum, Bounty. All that’s left to say is have a joyous Notting Hill Carnival 2022 - we will see you on the road. If you visit or participate in any of these carnivals or events, we’d love to hear from you. Email hello@socanews.com and tell us what it was like for you. Yours in soca Joseph Charles
So how do they envisage the future? “We hope to continue to grow our product range in line with what our customers would like to have available to them. We look forward to building even more relationships with the manufacturers back in Trinidad, supporting locals every step of the way. We will continue to strive to provide the best possible customer service, as keeping our customers happy continues to be our priority.”
To check out their huge range, visit the online shop at www. mytrinishop.com, and to place an order email enquiries@mytrin ishop.com.
Soca News asked co-owners Sharon and Riyadh Khan about their favourite memories since they launched the business on 1 August“One2020.ofthem is when our in-house team has the opportunity to meet our lovely customers in person. Also, introducing our nonTrini staff members to the products that we know and love. Above all, it’s the joy we get when chatting for ages on the phone to our customers - that amazing feeling of community is one that you usually only feel when growing up in Trinidad!”
MY TRINISHOP IS TWO YEARS OLD M y Trini Shop was born of a passion to create the most authentic Trinidadian cuisine in the UK. The online outlet claims to have the largest selection of Trinidadian herbs, spices, condiments, snacks and drinks ready for delivery straight to your front door.
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MOFLAUNCHESMONTANOTHEKINGSOCA
FOR MORE VISIT SOCANEWS.COM/NEWS
MACHEL
Anew app for music lovers will launch at Notting Hill Carnival this year. Created by Jonathan Ambrose and David Ankrah, GoodMuse will help users find DJs and events playing their favourite songs by simply selecting them in the app. The launch at NHC is to allow the founders to demonstrate the app live. Sound systems will add details of their locations at Carnival, plus any after parties, and subscribers will be able to view them on a map in real time. The app also allows DJs and event organisers to bypass the algorithm and reach their target audience directly.
GOODMUSE TO LAUNCH AT NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2022
8 SN AUG 2022 NEWS
GoodMuse is also a sponsor of Funatik Mas band this year, and their promotional banners will include a special QR code which directs to where one may download the app. The app can be downloaded for free in the UK on iOS from the App Store or on Android from the Play Store. It will be rolled out in other territories in the New Year. Visit musiclovers@goodmuse.com for updates on the launch.
achel Montano's eagerly awaited biography, The King of Soca has Thelaunched.tell-all biography takes us inside the life and 40-year musical career of the soca superstar and is written by'the ultimate insider'his mother, Elizabeth ‘Lady’ Montano. The launch was hosted by Facebook's head of diversity, Maxine Williams, on 26 July, and was shared via YouTube, Facebook and CNC3. Joining the man himself at the launch were Farmer Nappy, Penelope Spencer, Keegan Maha raj and other entertainers.
The King of Soca is available now at bookstores in Trinidad or via www.kingofsoca.com.
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The Frontline, edited by Ishmahil Blagrove, costs £25 from Rice & Peas. ISBN 978 0 9545293 3 8. Email: info@ricenpeas.com; tel: 020 7243 9191.
JOOCIE THURSDAY TO OPEN NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2022 T riniboi Joocie will be headlining 'Joocie Thursday' in his role as Notting Hill Carnival ambassador, at Subterania in Ladbroke Grove.
The artist - known for Mosh Pit, Sauce, Quarantine, Bottle Over Head and Mr Counsellor - has gained an impressive following worldwide. He’ll perform with a live band and be introduc ing Wetty Beats, Rae, Just Vibez, Serocee and DJ CandyTriniboiPop.Joocie said, “Being one of the artistes that promotes British culture, it’s important that we have a homegrown concert that represents the diaspora and also represents homegrown tal ent. I have been doing the concerts for two years before Covid. I made the decision to shift it to during the Carnival weekend - I call it the opening ceremony to Notting Hill Carnival, showcasing what we have here.”
THE FRONTLINE: THE UNHEARD OF NOTTING HILL, IN THEIR OWN WORDS Ishmahil Blagrove’s new book, The Frontline, is subtitled, ‘A story of struggle, resistance and black identity in Notting Hill’. The book, by the editor of Carnival, focuses on Notting Hill’s black communities, specifically the people of All Saints Road - the 'Frontline' of the title - over four decades of the area’s history to 1999. At 800 pages this beautifully produced volume is a mighty piece of work, as well as a compulsive read. The book comprises short extracts from countless hours of interviews. This is real history by real people; the (mostly) unheard have been given their voice. Become immediately absorbed.
Joocie Thursday on Thursday 25 August at Sub terania, 12 Acklam Rd, London W10 5QZ. Doors open 7pm. For tickets, visit AllTheTickets.net.
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12 SN AUG 2022 FEATURE
M ulti-talented musician Garfield Black man, better known as Ras Shorty I, was commemorated in a ceremony in San Fernando, Trinidad, on Thursday 28 July. The ceremony was to rename Short Street, that connects High Street with Pointe-a-Pierre Road, as Ras Shorty I Street. Mayor of the city of San Fernando, Junia Regrello, along with the children and extended family of the music legend, gathered at the street corner to witness the unveiling of the newDerronsign.
Attz of the Torrance Mohammed Foundation, who chaired the unveiling ceremony, explained that the foundation has a mission to expand knowledge, understanding and apprecia tion of arts and culture, and as such had deter mined that Ras Shorty I should be recognised, albeit 22 years after his passing. Crediting Attz for the sign, the musician’s eldest daughter, Abbi
THEHONOURINGINVENTOROFSOCA
RAS SHORTY I
WORDS | ANNEL BEAUSOLEIL
Abbi revealed that after his death the family pe titioned five different Ministers of Culture to open a museum and school of music and arts, preferably in his home town of Piparo or in San Fernando, but so far without success. Nevertheless, his children have pledged to continue their campaign for the mu seum and school as a way to pass on their father’s legacy.
"HE CREATED NO FEWER THAN THREE GENRES OF MUSIC: ANDCHUTNEY-SOCASOCA,JAMOO"
SN AUG 2022 13 Blackman, observed, “Nothing happens before its time.”Unfortunately, the sign was misspelt, but Abbi explained that the tears of the family were not brought on by the mishap but by the fact that her father had been recognised in such a momentous way. The mayor acknowledged the error and prom ised that the sign will be corrected. Issac, Damon, Marge, Abbi and Nihelette honoured their father at the ceremony by performing his well-known hits including Om Shanti Om and Watch Out My Children. The latter was adopted by the United Nations as the theme song for its campaign against the proliferation of drug abuse. A measure of Ras Shorty I’s talent is that he created no fewer than three genres of music: soca, chutney-soca and jamoo. His peers in the calypso fraternity acknowledge his contribution to the calypso and soca artforms.
Shorty I fathered 23 children, and he passed his talent on to the next generation. Along with his wife, the late Claudette Blackman, he created a gen eration of musical wealth. Abbi stated: “Shorty I took us [his children] out of school to do music. He said the system was not geared for artistic children. His focus was on learning different instruments, singing, composing, music engineering and so much more.”
Issac is known for his hits such as To The Ceiling and Blessing Me, while Marge received worldwide recognition when she teamed up on the track Touch The Ground with Machel Montano at the recent Mahashivratri celebrations in India. Soca artist Nailah Blackman, Ras Shorty I’s granddaughter, paid tribute to him in her 2018 song Sokah.
14 SN AUG 2022 FEATURE C alypso music has had a presence in Brit ain for more than a century. Calypsoni ans serving in the armed forces trained - and doubtless sang - in Sussex in the First World War, and a few stayed on afterwards, performing in clubs through the 1920s and 30s. The arrival in Tilbury of Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) aboard HMT Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948 gave calypso a well-publicised boost as he stepped off the ship singing London is the Place for Me. Calypso remained popular throughout the 1950s, but it was a music in exile and limited, in the main, to occasional performances at shows or in clubs and restaurants; there was no organisation to represent its interests. So it remained for the next 30 years, as calypsonians found themselves side lined and ripped off even by Notting Hill Carnival’s organisers.Inresponse to these challenges, Trinidadian businessman Al Hector founded in 1986 the ambi tiously named European Association of Calypsonia ns (EAC). Early members were Mighty Tiger (Ashton Moore), Mighty Explorer (Horace Blake), Lord Cloak (Errol Brown) and Mighty Astronaut (Derryck Neckles). CALYPSO FROM ABC TO ACASA WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK • THE MIGHTY TIGER PHOTOGRAPHER | STEPHEN SPARK
SN AUG 2022 15 ‘the Tab’ remains the Tent’s home to this day.
• EXPLAINER, LCT 2004 PHOTOGRAPHER | STEPHEN SPARK
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One was certainly needed – the 1991 Calypso Monarch Semi-Finals were held in the carnival office and, because there was no money for a band, the calypsonians had to accompany themselves by banging on a table! Infuriated by the disrespect they felt had been shown both to them and to the music, Astronaut, Explorer, Cloak and Tiger set up the Association of British Calypsonians. The ABC soon found both its mark and its home: the first London Calypso Tent was held on Friday 7 August 1992 at the Yaa Asantewaa Centre in Chippenham Mews, Maida Vale. Under Mighty Tiger’s benign ‘dictatorship’ (his words), the ABC went from strength to strength, introducing a junior calypso competition and exchange programmes with Trinidadian juniors. In 2008 the London Tent moved to a grander stage at the Tabernacle, run by Carnival Village Trust, and
ABC President for Life Mighty Tiger passed away on 15 January 2017, and later that year the organisation changed its name to the Association of Calypsonians UK (ACUK), which, it was felt, better reflected the group’s membership. The ABC/ACUK silver jubilee was celebrated with a special concert, workshops, exhibition and publication of an 80page commemorative book, Calypso in London
In little over a year, ACUK transformed again into ACASA – the Association of Calypsonians and Soca Artistes, which more accurately covers its members’ musical styles. After a successful 2019 season, ACASA was hit, like everyone else, by the disrup tions of the Covid plague, and only managed to put on a couple of placeholder events in 2021 after a barren year in 2020. The return of ACASA’s artists to the Tabernacle stage on 24 March 2022 marked, many calypso and soca fans hope, the start of a new beginning for the music in its adopted city of London.
The EAC did not long survive Al Hector’s death in 1990, but by then barrister Claire Holder had taken over the reins at Notting Hill Carnival and she sug gested the calypsonians set up a new organisation.
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FAKEKOU
WORDS | RADEYA OSMAN F akekou (Sterling Callender) aka Kou is a brilliant, hardcore London-based soca artist from Marabella, South Trinidad. His passion is simply to make and perform soca music. With a career spanning 15 years and counting, Kou has made and released well-crafted songs includ ing collaborations with DJs and producers such as Herbertskillz and Dr Lord Nelson. Some of his tracks include Roll & Wine (2015), Gimme Som (2016), Ah Too Old (2019) and Not A Problem ft SupaSokah (2022). We asked Fakekou a few questions. Can you describe your childhood in Marabella in three words? Funny, educational and dangerous. Did you face any hindrance from your fam ily when you decided to pursue a career in music? No. My family has always been supportive and they still are in my new endeavours. How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected your creativity as a musician? It was negative in some ways, but it’s also been very positive. I got some time to reflect and reinvent myself, and wrote some new material. You collaborated with Lord Nelson on your song Ah Too Old, How did that collaboration come about? Would you say it has paved the way for you, musically speaking? I was working in the legendary home studio in Brooklyn, and one of Sparrow’s former keyboard ists started to sing the hook to the instrumental that was playing. Right away, I started freestyling and started to write. I was originally on it alone, but something was missing so I reached out to (Papa) Lord Nelson. When he heard it, he agreed to do a remix. The last time we spoke (August 2019), you were working on launching your website and T-shirt line. How did those go?
If your fans want to touch base, how can they connect with you? All social media outlets. Instagram, YouTube and Facebook and soon my website, which is under Youconstruction.canfindFakekou performing alongside guest artists DJ Bignito from New York City and DJ Mul tiple from Angola on Saturday 20 and Saturday 27 August at XO Club & Bar, in Northolt, Middlesex UB5 5AW (next to A312/A40 junction; nearest station Northolt, Central Line).
It's been very challenging, since I am not really a social media person. I am a one-on-one, hands-on type of guy. After about a decade of music, what industry advice would you give to upcoming artists? What would you tell them to focus on? Enjoy the journey, believe in yourself, stay ground ed and give thanks. What new projects can we look forward to? Are there any teasers for our readers about what is to come for Kou? Yes, but I really can't talk about it until the ink dries. I would let the moves and music talk for itself. All I can say is, watch this space.
I've released three songs this year: Ah To Old (remix), Disco Daddy Afrobeat (remix) and Not Ah Problem; they can be found on my Youtube channel. As a Trinidadian artist based in London, how challenging was it to connect with your fans in Trinidad during the pandemic?
PEOPLESOCA
Yes, I launched the line, and decided to take it seri ously this year by using this carnival season to push and promote the brand. What are some of the new tracks you have released post-Covid, and where can your fans find them?
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VIKING DING DONG WORDS | RADEYA OSMAN PEOPLESOCA
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V iking Ding Dong and a venue is all you need to get the party started! For more than 16 years Viking Ding Dong - Andre Houlder - has made a name for himself in the music industry by relentlessly pushing boundaries and breaking through bor ders. He segued from working as a radio announcer on Trinidad’s number one drive-time radio show to playing on world stages with top soca and dancehall artists. At the 2020 Trinidad Carnival opener, Soka In Moka, Ding Dong declared himself the sexiest big belly man in soca. He certainly hasn’t allowed his body size get in the way of giving his fans electrify ing performances whenever he goes on stage.Ding Dong has showcased his talent in many countries including the USA, Canada, the UK and throughout the Carib bean. His music catalogue has evolved over the years with songs including Stay In Yuh Lane (2018), the 2020 Carnival hit song We Outside, Hornin’ First (2021), Leave it Alone (2022), Bad Chargie (2022) featuring Machel Montano and Boatride Anthem. In February this year, Ding Dong was unveiled as the new ambassador of Fresh Juice for Life, a family-owned juice brand in Trinidad. He will lead the company’s marketing campaign for the period of his ambassadorial deal. The DJ, artist and entrepreneur will be live on stage on Notting Hill Carnival Saturday 27 August at Oui Fete, taking place at 26 Leake Street, London SE1 7NN (under Waterloo station). For more information, visit socanews. com/events.
20 SN AUG 2022 MUSIC NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL PLAYLIST HIGH VANGUARD RIDDIM • JAB KING EAT MAN MONEY • 4-1 BAND IN THE WATER WETTER FETE RIDDIM • SUHRAWH & CHOW MINISTER MAUBY • BRUCELEE ALMIGHTEE RING DING • KING DOWNBUBBADEY UNCLE JOE RIDDIM • MINDGBM MY BUSINESS • PATRICE ROBERTS TAKE BAMBOO DUTTY DUTTY RIDDIM • MELICK & BOOGY RANKSS SOMETHING SPECIAL BUDDY PASS RIDDIM • FAY-ANN LYONS-ALVAREZ HAPPY PAPI HAPPY PAPI RIDDIM • MACHEL BOATRIDEMONTANOANTHEM THE BEAST RIDDIM • DJ PRIVATE RYAN + VIKING DING DONG FINALLY • OUV’GHNDOU • SHEMMY J X ENTRANCEEDWIN EVA READY RIDDIM • TOTTIBOYZIEHEAD BAD CHAINING DAY RIDDIM • LIL NATTY & THUNDA RADAR CHAINING DAY RIDDIM • LIL KERRY & DASH MASH UP • OUTBLAXX& BAD • •ANYTHINGVOICETIMEKAMARSHALL + COLLEGE BOY JESSE PLACE TURN OVA PANDEMIC ROAD RIDDIM • GRABBA FINESSE REL (REAL) MASH UP PANDEMIC ROAD RIDDIM • LAVAMAN X MR KILLA X DONNELL MAD GOVERNMENT • MIRROR DANGERDAN • SKINNY FABULOUS & PROBLEM CHILD HERE IS JUST A SMALL SELECTION OF TRACKS YOU ARE SURE TO HEAR IN THE FETES AND ON THE ROAD DURING THE TWO DAYS OF NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2022. THE TRACK LIST IS PROVIDED BY CREDABLE OR RELEASE D RIDDIM POWEREDBY
SN AUG 2022 21 RADIO SHOWS + STREAMS LISTENING TO THE RADIO IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SOCA MUSIC. THERE ARE A MYRIAD OF STREAMS AVAILABLE. BUT WE’VE LISTED ONLY THE MORE PERMANENT SOCA SHOWS. 1AmMondayGMTBigHitzand Classics BIG IRIE SOUNDS The Frontline Radio flrradio.com 9-11pmWednesdayGMTTheRDRshow DJ BakahnalCredableRadio bakahnalradio.co.uk 7-9pmThursdayGMTTheBreakaway Show DJ Digga D Bakahnal Radio bakahnalradio.co.uk 8-11pmSocaGMT2d World DJ Rockshun I Chunes Radio tun.in/se22k 1amMoveGMT with DJ Ree DJ TheReeFrontline Radio flrradio.com other streams | Caribbean Sessions caribbeansessions.co.uk/radio Team Soca teamsoca.com | Bakahnal Radio bakahnalradio.co.uk The Frontline Radio flrradio.com NOT ON THIS LIST? SUBMIT YOUR DETAILS INFO@SOCANEWS.COMTO 6pmFridayGMTTheFrenchConnectionSoca DJ DUTTY FREAK The Frontline Radio flrradio.com 8-11pmSocaGMTand Cocktails DJ Lokdwn I Chunes Radio tun.in/se22k 9-11pmFridayGMTNight Party DJ CaribbeanCjay Sessions caribbeansessions.co.uk 12pm-2pmSaturdayGMTTheSuperSoca Show AAA Badboy & Dub Boy, Atki2 (At Key Two) and Jonsey Wales Ujima 98FM ujimaradio.com 12pm-2pm GMT Soca is We DJ RootsPiperFM 95.4 ukrootsfm.com 2pm-4pm GMT Soca is We DJ FloPiperRadio floradio.co.uk 5-7pm GMT The Mighty Hitman Show DJ D’Mighty Hitman The Frontline Radio flrradio.com 12pm-2pmSunday GMT The Caribbean Affair DJ Martin Jay Bakahnal Radio bakahnalradio.co.uk 12pm-2pm GMT Soca and Chutney Sunday DJ Locksweet.kDown Radio UK lockdownradiouk.com 5pm-7pm GMT Lush Soca Sundays Ché In The MIXX Robbo Ranx Radio robboranx.com/listenlive 9PmTheGMTKrooshallFactor TheKrooshallFrontline Radio flrradio.com 11PmTheGMTSunday Lyme TheD'RangerFrontline Radio flrradio.com
During the 1970s, the popularity of calypso waned, and what took its place was a lively uptempo kind of mu sic with a mixture of calypso, Indian music, American soul, funk and disco. Soca had influences from gospel music, Indian instruments, funk, African spirituals and reggae. Unlike the social commentary and political assatire of calypso, soca is more concerned with people having a good time. By 1974 the musical lyrics of great artists such as Ras Shorty I’s Endless Vibration and Soul of Calypso had helped to make soca mu sic international. Shorty I experimented with Indian instruments such as the dhantal, tabla and dholak to belt out the first stream of soca music.
22 SN AUG 2022 FOR MORE ON SOCA VISIT SOCANEWS.COM FEATURE
In the beginning, like calypso, soca was used to provoke social commentary and humour, but soon the more risqué business of wining and jamming took over the new sound. Many argue that the lyrics of soca are less appealing than its contemporary calypso, but needless to say it took over the streets and is more widely played now than calypso, which is now for the most part found exclusively in the calypso tents. As with all music, people have experimented with soca over the years, and this has produced fusion genres such as ragga soca, chutney soca and soca parang. Some of the greatest soca artists are Machel Montano, Shadow and Super Blue, whose music is now internationally known and who have allowed Trinidadian artists to be recognised as international entertainers. Soca is the staple of the Road March, which is the song played the most times on the road on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. It is also the song played most times by DJs on the radio and in fetes (parties) leading up to Carnival. IS SOCA?
WHAT
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BACK ON THE ROAD AT LAST WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK
Notting Hill Carnival is back where it belongs. That was the message that came over loud and strong at The Tabernacle on 21 July, when the programme for 2022 was announced.
CONTINUES
The Tent is run by the Association of Calypsoni ans and Soca Artistes. After keeping calypso alive in a cold climate for three decades, it’s strange that ACASA doesn’t receive more recognition and lacks long-term funding to assure its future and fulfil ambitious plans for development. In the meantime, ACASA is putting on a cutdown three-night tent season at The Tabernacle, Powis Square W11 2AY on the following Fridays: 12 August (kaiso nostalgia); 19 August (groovy soca); and 26 August (Pearl Anniversary celebration and awards). It’s always good fun, and amazing value too. Shows start at 7.30pm.
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2022
Many forces have tried to push Carnival off the road – politi cians, police, residents, safety ‘experts’, to name a few – but in the end it was the one we couldn’t see that reduced us to wining in front of a screen for two years running. A miserable little virus succeeded where shaven-headed bigots and grey-suited killjoys had failed. Now it’s Covid’s time to cry, as Carnival hits the road again in all its glorious feathered and fantastical extravagance. But are our bodies ‘bacchanal ready’? Fetestarved and not exactly ‘Living la Vida Soca’, some of us have been out of practice and wondering how we’ll cope with hours on the road in real life. But trust me: once the big truck starts pumping out those soca beats, you’ll move… and keep on moving, come rain or shine, till the boys in blue say it’s time to shift our feet off the street!
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NOTTING CARNIVALHILLLONDONCALYPSO
TENT
It’s not all jump-up riddims though, and you should take some time out to listen to the lyrics men and women at the London Calypso Tent, where we’ll hear a mix of soca and true kaiso rhythms. Remember, this is our homegrown tal ent, so it deserves our support.
NOTTING
DAVID RUDDER CONTINUES CARNIVALHILL
From Wednesday 17th all eyes and ears will be on Opera Holland Park for Carnival Culture in the Park. We start off with Steelband Summer, featur ing 2021’s protagonists Ebony and Mangrove plus Endurance SO and Pan Nation. The sweet sound of steel will once again be complemented by the soaring voice of Trinidadian soprano Anne Fridal. Thursday was meant to have been devoted to calypso and mas, but sadly that show has been cancelled, so we move on to Friday 19 August, which is dedicated to Pan Jazz. The stage will be taken over by the Engine Room Collective - steel pan virtuosi Andre White, Samuel Dubois, Carlene ‘Sweet Wrists’ Etienne, Deborah ‘Pan Diva’ Eden, Duvone Stewart and Annise ‘Haffers’ Hadeed. Unfortunately, this show clashes with the second night of the Calypso Tent - a double blow for the calypso artform. Opera Holland Park is a cultural focal point for West London, so it’s exactly the right spot to host the composer of High Mas, Haiti and Calypso Music
CARNIVAL CULTURE IN THE PARK
There’s more kaiso, plus steelpan too, for free at a ‘Pre-Carnival Launch’ at The Tabernacle from 7.30pm to 10.30pm on Saturday 13 August. That follows on from BAS’s Steel the Show on the Tab’s doorstep in Powis Square (also free). In this celebration of young steelpan players, 10 bands each take a turn to play for five minutes. There are five rounds, each showcasing a different genre of music. The format works really well and generates lots of excitement as the audience moves from one part of venue to another to enjoy a taste of up-and-coming pan talent. The bands set to appear are Croydon SO, Ebony SB, Endurance SO, Glissando SO, Mangrove SB, Metronomes SO, New Generation SO, St Michael & All Angels SO, Southside Harmonics and Sussex Steel.
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The first two shows start at 7.30pm and the Rudder show on the 20th at 8pm. Leave plenty of time to reach the park, as rail and tube strikes are scheduled from Thursday to Saturday.
. King David Rudder will bless us all with his unforgettable music on Saturday 20 August. Whether or not OHP gives us Permission to Mash Up the Place you can be sure it will be Madness in de park on Saturday night!
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28 SN AUG 2022 NOTTING CARNIVALHILL
SN AUG 2022 29 THE BEACHCOMBER TIKI BAR & HOUSE OF RHUM AGRICOLE 86 QUEENSWAY, W2 3RR Take Away Frozen Chairman’s Reserve, Rhum Clement and Bounty Rum cocktails on the Sunday & Monday carnival days. Pre-party: Saturday 27th and After Party: Sunday 28th & Monday 29th. BEACH BLANKET BABYLON 45 LEDBURY ROAD, W11 2AA Take Away Cocktails: Bounty Rum Punch & Rhum Clement Punch. TRAILER HAPPINESS 177 PORTOBELLO ROAD, W11 2DY After Party: Sunday 28th August. YOU CAN GET YOUR BOUNTY ON AT ANY OF THE VENUES AND DATES LISTED BELOW #ITSBOUNTYTIMEWWW.BOUNTYRUM.COM
But Carnival waits for no man or woman, and even if you’re still sticky with red and yellow paint or as dusty as a walking flour bag, it won’t be long before the pretty mas comes out to play - because from 10.30am on Carnival Sunday we’re officially in Children’s Carnival. These days that’s a bit of a misnomer, because there seems to be as much adult – sometimes very adult! – dutty mas as kids’ costumes. After the worthy but dull opening cer emony in Great Western Road is over, the crowds first trickle, then pour, out of the Underground, creating a human flood in this very special corner of West London. Static sounds and barbecues fire up and fill the side streets with sound and smoke. And suddenly you find yourself in the belly of the ram-jam, baffling, glittering, fire-breathing beast that is Notting Hill Carnival!
NOTTING CARNIVALHILL
30 SN AUG 2022 PANORAMA
J'OUVERT Talking of a good thing, Sunday morning brings us to J'Ouvert. Pan, paint, powder, oil, horns, chains and who knows what? Anything can happen at J'Ouvert, which is what makes it such a delight. It’s a time of joyous freedom from convention – and also from the crowds and bar riers that constrict Carnival itself. The early hours, just after dawn, are when the spirits come out… of a flask! So get up early (or just fete the night away) and get yourself to Canal Way, at the north end of Ladbroke Grove, by about 6am. Slowly, a crowd mysteriously materialises, seemingly out of nowhere, and then the strains of pan resolve themselves out of the mist and a truck lumbers down the road trailing behind it creatures of the night. There’s no more magical moment to be had in London. If you do nothing else for Carnival, do J'Ouvert.
Carnival weekend itself starts on Friday even ing with the calypso monarch final. The next afternoon, from 4pm devotees will start their pilgrimage to Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance to stand in awe before that shrine to steelpan power and glory, the Panorama stage. This year’s titans of steel are Croydon SO, Ebony SB, Mangrove SB (defending champions), Metronomes SO and Pan Nation.Panorama is as much a social as a musical oc casion, a chance to lime with a beer in your hand and a bite to eat to see you through to midnight. Large screens (plural, we’re told) should make viewing easier, and the sometimes lengthy inter vals while one band moves out and the next sets up will be filled by music from the resident DJs. Yes, we all know that once upon a time Pano rama was free to attend, but don’t complain too loudly about the price because the ticket money is split among the performing bands and they darn well deserve it. Hopefully, this will make it possible for more bands to take part in coming years, which can only be a good thing.
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• Carnival Culture in the Park tickets: 17 and 19 August £15; 20 August £18. From not,you020in-the-park-2/;hollandpark.com/productions/carnival-culture-https://operaboxoffice:03009991000;info:38466222.Ifyoubookedticketsfor18Aug,shouldalreadyhavereceivedarefund;ifemailinfo@operahollandpark.com.
AND FINALLY…
• Panorama tickets: £20; kids £7; under 5s free. From nhcarnival.org. CARNIVALHILL
powerful kick of someone’s rum punch sliding down your throat, the illegal wine in that bikiniand-beads band in front of you and the unmistak able feeling that normal life, with its cares and distractions, has been suspended for a few heady hours, when anything just might be possible.
If you’re reading this and are new to Carnival in London there are a few things to remember. First: comfortable shoes! Second: you’re welcome, you’re safe and you’re among friends (even if you don’t know us yet). We’re here to have a good time and to express ourselves, so don’t worry, be happy.Remember, this is Carnival, so it runs to its own time. When you’re jammed up, just chill; eventu ally the squeeze will ease and you’ll get moving again. Because this is not a show, people in mas (costume) bands are not “performers” or “carnival dancers”, whatever the media might say. We are masqueraders, and we pay to play our mas. If there’s a party on the road, it’s our party and we paid for our tickets, so please don’t barge in un less you’re invited. And this is London, not Port of Spain or anywhere else, so it’s no use complaining “it isn’t like home”. As the old slogan had it, Not ting Hill Carnival is "we ting”. And on that note, we leave the last word to London Mayor Sadiq Khan: “Notting Hill Carnival showcases the spirit and soul of our city and the values we all hold so dear and reminds us that our city’s greatest strength is in our diversity, vibrancy and energy.” For once, a politician speaks the truth
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TICKETED EVENTS
• London Calypso Tent tickets: one night £10; two nights £15; three nights £20. From: britishcalypsonians@gmail.com; tel: 07712 894518, 07538 970160; web: www. britishcalypsonians.com.
NOTTING
SN AUG 2022 33 D E L I C I O U DS E L I C I O U DS E L I C I O U S j a m a i c a jn a m a i c a jn a m a i c a n P A T T I E PS A T T I E PS A T T I E S GET PATTY # L o v e D e m P a t t i e s # L e t s G e t C o o k i n
34 SN AUG 2022
EVENTS DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GO, OR WHAT TO DO? Our events listing is all you need to keep you in the know. We cover predominately London, but whenever or wherever we hear about a soca fete or Caribbean related event, we’ll list it. If you’re a promoter, then to ensure you get listed please send us your event details and a copy of your flyer to events@socanews.co.uk FOR OUR FULL EVENT LISTINGS, VISIT SOCANEWS.COM/EVENTSSAT13AUG CARNIVAL VILLAGE TRUST STEEL THE SHOW @ Powis Square, W11 2AY. Info The Youth takeover, 12 bands, 5 rounds, 5 mins, 5 genres. Time 12-7pm. Price Free. SOCA MADHOUSE SOCA MADHOUSE MANCHESTER BUNJI GARLIN @ Canvas, Unit 5, Circle Square, Oxford Road, Manchester, M60 7HB. Feat. Bunji Garlin. Time 10pm-4am. Price £11- £27, motd. /EVENTSSOCANEWS.COM AUG 2022 FRI 12 AUG ASSOCIATION OF CALYPSONIANS & SOCA ARTISTS UK (ACASA) KAISO NOSTALGIA NIGHT @ The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. Time 7-11pm. Price £10-£20. NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL POWERED BY
KJM ENTERTAINMENT WETT AND STICKY @JOUVERT The Packhorse, Watling Street, Dunstable, LU6 3QU. Music By DJ Bones, DJ Keey, Hypa Kellz, Hyper Spice, KSplash, Monsta sound, QT 2Hype & Ramon G. Time 1pm-2am. Price £20. JUST VIBEZ JUST VIBEZIN @ Greenwich Peninsula, Penin sula Square, London, SE10 0SQ. Time 1-10pm. Price Free. SUN 14 AUG CARNIVAL CONCIERGE & RDR BACKYARD JAM @ Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ. Time 1-11pm. Price Free with Online Registration. GT EMPIRES PRE-CARNIVAL BRUNCH & @PARTY Club Langley, 2 Hawksbrook Lane, Beckenham, BR3 3SR. Feat Brother B, Mr Gold’N & Gucci Boss. MC Martin Jay. Music By Credable (Release D Riddim), DJ 50, DJ Guff Nuff, DJ Triple M, QT 2Hype. Time 1pm-12am. Price £33. 'AFROUTOPIA BRIXTON' ZOUK SOCA AFRO FETE @ Chip Shop Bar & Grill, 378 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LF. Feat. Alpha, & MC Mweh. Time 4pm-12am. Price Free. COCOYEA LONDON CARNIVAL POP UP LIME @ Canal Bar, Dingwalls, East Yard, 11 Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AL. Music By ChéInThe MIXX, DJ Piper & Smokey Joe. Time 4-11pm. Price £5.
WED 17 AUG CARNIVAL VILLAGE TRUST STEELBAND SUMMER @ Opera Holland Park Theatre, Ilchester Place, W8 6LU. Feat. Ebony, Endurance, Mangrove and Pan Nation. Time 7-10pm Price £15.
Duvone Stewart & Annise “Haf fers” Hadeed. Time 7-10pm. Price £15. ASSOCIATION OF CALYPSONIANS & SOCA ARTISTS UK (ACASA) SOCA & GROOVY NIGHT @The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. Time 7-11pm. Price £10-£20. SOCA MADHOUSE @HYPASOUNDS The Prince Of Wales (POW), 469 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 8HH. Feat. Hypasounds. Time 10-4am. Price £11-£24. SAT 20 AUG PARTY LIT UK PARTY LIT BIKINI CRUISE @ Blackfriars Pier, White Lion Hill, EC4V 3QR. Time 12-5pm. Price £30-£40. REBEL INTERNATIONAL REBEL II @ Crouch Valley Showground, A1245, Rayleigh, SS6 7FQ. Time 3-10pm Price £40-£140. DJ MARKEE SOCA ADDICT @ Fairway Pavilion, West Mid dlesex Golf Club, Greenford Road, UB1 3EE. Time 3-9pm. Price £55- £65. CARNIVAL VILLAGE TRUST A NIGHT WITH DAVID @RUDDER Opera Holland Park Theatre, Ilchester Place, W8 6LU. Feat. David Rudder. Time 7-10pm. Price £18 SUN 21 AUG CARNIVAL CONCIERGE & RDR BACKYARD JAM @ Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ. Time 1-11pm. Price Free with online registration. MAWNIN BREAKFAST MAWNIN @BREAKFASTPREMIUMFETE Island Vibez Kitchen, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, E15 1BN. Time 9am-3pm. Price £15-£25. MINGLEUK MINGLE BOATRIDE SOLD OUT DJ EMRON GUYANESE FAMILY & @FRIENDS Selhurst Park Stadium, Hol mesdale Road, SE25 6PT. Time 2-8pm. Price Free. WED 24 AUG JADEL & RAE GIRL POWER UK @ Windrush Bar, 184 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7JD. Feat. Jadel & Rae. Hosted MORE /EVENTSSOCANEWS.COMEVENTS FOR MORE SOCANEWS.COM/EVENTSEVENTS
EVENTS
TUE 16 AUG RUM INSURRECTION NATIONAL RUM DAY @ Limin Beach Club, Gabriel's Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP. Time 5-9pm. Price £35includes - Tasting glass, samples of each rum, masterclasses, Caribbean canapés.
FRI 19 AUG CARNIVAL VILLAGE TRUST PAN JAZZ @ Opera Holland Park Theatre, Ilchester Place, W8 6LU. Feat. Andre White, Samuel Dubois, Carlene “Sweet Wrists” Etienne, Deborah “Pan Diva” Eden,
By Marsha & Ruth (Pon Di Road). Music By Candy Pop, Dilligent Lee, Hyper Spice, Ms Riri. Time 6-11pm. Price £15-£20. CARIB NATION WELCOME TO CARNIVAL @2022Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY. Time 7-11pm. Price Free. SOCA PARTY UK @ACTIVATE Scala, 275 Pentonville Road, Kings Cross, N1 9NL. Feat. Jagwa De Champ. Time 10pm-4am. Price £10-£25. THUCARNIVAL25AUG BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS CARNIVAL COOKOUT @ Egg London, 5-13 Vale Royal, N7 9AP. Time 6-12am. Price £15-£30. TRINIBOI JOOCIE JOOCIE THURSDAY @ Subterania, 12 Acklam Road, W10 5QZ. Feat. Triniboi Joocie. Music By Candy Pop, DJ Serocee & Just Vibez. Time 7-11pm. Price £11-£24. TABOO XPERIENCE QUEENS OF THE CARIBBEAN @ Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, E1 0HX. Feat. Spice, Alison Hinds, Nadia Batson, Fay-Ann Lyons & Nailah Blackman. Time 7-11pm. Price from £45. DJ SHAKER HD AMBIANCE D’ARMOUR CARNIVAL BOAT PARTY @ Festival Pier, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XZ. Time 8pm-12am. Price £25-£35. REMEDY EVENTS AMNESIA CARNIVAL CRUISE EVENING BOAT @ Tower Millennium Pier, EC3N 4DT. Time 8pm-12am. Price £35.
EVENTS SYNC PARTIES SUNSET – THE ULTIMATE CARNIVAL EXPERIENCE @ Shaka Zulu, Camden Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AB. Time 9pm-3am. Price £15-£25. RELEASE D RIDDIM GLOW UK @ Fire, 39 Parry Street, SW8 1RT. Time 10pm-5am. Price £10-£15. SPECIALIST ENTERTAINMENT @SOCALICIOUS The Hatch Club, 23 Lewisham Way, SE14 6PP. Time 11pm-5am. Price £10-£15. FRICARNIVAL26AUG DJ PRIVATE RYAN SOCA STARTER UK @ 26 Leake Street, SE1 7NN. Time 8am-1pm. Price £20-£40. MARTIN JAY BIG PEOPLE’S BOAT RIDE @ Festival Pier, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XZ. Music By Dr Jay, Martin Jay & Prince Vern. Time 12-4pm. Price £20-£30. INTERNATIONAL STEPHEN PAPARAZZI MEETS BRIGHT COLOURS – SOCA BOAT @CRUISEWestminster Millennium Pier, Victoria Embankment, SW1A 2JH. Music By International Ste phen. Time 1-6pm. Price £30. SCORCH X SHIPWRECKED SCORCH SUMMER CRUISE @ Tower Millennium Pier, EC3N 4DT. Time 1-6pm. Price £45+. EMURGY ENTERTAINMENT PON DE FLOOR @ Peckham Levels, 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST. Time 4pm-1am. Price £16-£21. DREAMLAND ENTERTAINMENT KES: DREAM CONCERT SOLD OUT ASSOCIATION OF CALYPSONIANS & SOCA ARTISTS UK (ACASA) CALYPSO & @AWARDSCELEBRATIONSOCAANDNIGHT The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, London, W11 2AY. Time 7-11pm. Price £10-£20. CARIBBEAN'S IN LONDON ZOUK LOVE LONDON –CARNIVAL EDITION @ Adulis Lounge, 44 Brixton Road, SW9 6BT. Time 10pm-3am. Price £10-£20. BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS BACCHANAL FRIDAY @ Electric Brixton, SW2 1RJ. Music By Private Ryan, DJ Puffy, Shep Beats & MC Stiffler. Time 11pm-5am. Price £31. SATCARNIVAL27AUG LIVE IN LOVE EVENTS STRUT LONDON @ Dutch Master, Tower Pier, Time 11:45am-4:15pm. Price £45. DREAMLAND ENTERTAINMENT DREAMLAND JOUVERT SOLD OUT. ABIR + FROLICNATION + VYBZ CARIBBEAN + DAME DU SHOW OUI FETE @ 26 Leake Street, SE1 7NN. Feat. Viking Ding Dong, Dawg E Slaughter, Triniboi Joocie, Pahjo & One The Band. Hosted by Trinigladiata, The HypeMan & Martin Jay. Music By Dr Jay, DJ Jairo, DJ Adam, DJ Markee, Shep Beats & Konata, Alitwitz, DJ Tyson, Shaker HD, The Just Vibez Collective, Hyperspice, DJ Raskal & KaPan Music. Time 12-8pm. Price £20-£40. CANDY MAS GET SOAKED @ Byron Hall, Christchurch Avenue, Harrow, HA3 5BD. Feat. Skinny Fabulous, Lyrikal, Carlyn XP, Alison Hinds & Jab King. Time 1-9pm. Price £30. CARIBBEAN SPLASH ROAD TO NOTTING HILL @CARNIVAL Regency Banqueting Suite, 113 Bruce Grove, N17 6UR. Time 3pm-12am. Price £25 SHIPWRECKED EVENTS SHIPWRECKED AT THE @CIRCUSKensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, Kensington, W8 7NX. Feat. Iwer George. Music By DJ Private Ryan, DJ Markee, Ovadose, Tony X, Travis World & Major Penny. Time 6pm-12am. Price £45-£135. PANORAMA - THE UK NATIONAL @COMPETITIONSTEELBAND Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park, W10 3DH. Time 4-11pm. Price £7-£20. BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS TRIBE IGNITE LONDON @ Steel Yard, Allhallows Lane, EC4R 3UE. Music By Travis World + more. Time 10pm-4am. Price £20-£30. GET MAD ENT SCANDALOUS SATURDAY –@“REMINISCING” 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN. Time 10.30pm-4am. Price 25, motd. NOSTALGIA STEELBAND NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL WITH @STEELBANDNOSTALGIA Maxilla Social Club, 2 Maxilla Walk, W10 6SW. Time 12-7pm. Price £20. SUNCARNIVAL28AUG SUN BAILANTE THE HOT CARNIVAL PARTY @ O2 Academy Islington, 16 FOR MORE SOCANEWS.COM/EVENTSEVENTS
Parkfield Street, N1 0PS. Time 11pm-5am. Price £13-£25. MONCARNIVAL29AUG RELEASE D RIDDIM NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL QUENCHER – THE NO1 CARNIVAL AFTER PARTY @ Scala, 275 Pentonville Road, Kings Cross, N1 9NL. Time 10pm5am. Price £12-£25. SEPT 2022 SAT 03 SEPT DREAMLAND ENTERTAINMENT @WONDERLAND Bygrave Woods, Baldock SG7 5JX. Feat. Wetty Beatz, Erphaan Alves, Destra & Triniboi Joocie. Time 12-8pm. Price £35-£60. TALK YUH TALK KAISO LIME @ The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. Music By DJ Fats & Soca Massive. Time 7-11pm. Price Free. SUN 04 SEPT ONE PARADISE PROMOTIONS ENCHANTED BRUNCH & @PARTYTereza Joanne, King George V Dock, Woolwich Manor Way, E16 2QY. Time 12-9pm. Price £25-£50. SAT 10 SEPT REMEDY EVENTS ONE MORE JAM @ Springfield Farm, Old Park bury Lane, St Albans AL2 2DY. Time 12-9pm. Price £25-£125. YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CHECK WITH THE EVENT PROMOTER, AS DETAILS SOMETIMES CHANGE AND CANCELLATIONS MAY OCCUR. ALL INFORMATION WAS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRESS.
40 SN AUG 2022 UPCOMINGCARNIVALSCARNIVALS Covid has taken a severe toll on carnivals around the globe, but Soca News has compiled this quick guide to what’s happening with some of the main carnivals this year. We’ve saved you the trouble of having to go and look for them yourself, and pulled together a list on our website, at socanews.com/carnivals (WHERERELEVANT,WE’VEUSEDTHEDATEOFTHEMAINEVENTASAN INDICATOR, ALTHOUGHTHECARNIVAL/FESTIVALSEASONMAYRUNFORLONGER.) MON 29 LEEDS CARNIVALINDIANWEST LEEDS, UK SAT 13 - SUN 14 CARNIVALMANCHESTER MANCHESTER, UK SUN CARNIVALNOTTINGHAM21 NOTTINGHAM, UK SUN 28 - MON 29 NOTTING CARNIVALHILL LONDON, UK MON NEW5 CARNIVALYORK NEW YORK, USA SUN 9 CARNIVALMIAMI MIAMI, USA FRI 28 - SUN 30 CARNIVALTOBAGO TRINIDAD & TOBAGO SAT 3 DEC - SUN 1 JAN 2023 CARNIVALMONTSERRAT MONTSERRAT DEC 2022 - JAN 2023 SAINT KITTS & NEVIS CARNIVAL SAINT KITTS & NEVIS 20222022OCTDEC SEPT2022 2022AUG SUN 11 CARNIVALHACKNEY HACKNEY, UK
Join us for three summer nights of calypso, soca, R&B, and reggae.
AT THE ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL 22 - 24 JUNE 2023
StKittsTourism.kn/Events
Over the years, the St. Kitts stage has welcomed global icons Lionel Richie, Ashanti, Aswad, Maxi Priest, Goo Goo Dolls, and more—and next year’s lineup is sure to be just as impressive.
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NOTTING CARNIVALHILL Mas Bands
ABIR JUMBIE abircolours2008@gmail.com IG abirmas FB www.abirmas.comteamABIR ADULT+DUTTY ADDICTED MAS STING www.addictedmas.cominfo@addictedmas.com ADULT AIRAM TRIBE RISE OF THE PHOENIX IG airam_tribe FB www.airamtribe.comAiramTribe ADULT
PLAY AH MAS Well, It's Carnival Time Again, and we always advise everyone to join a band and Play Ah Mas. There is nothing like it. So, we hope you won’t just spectate, but also aim to participate in this year's Notting Hill Carnival, on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 August. Adults can choose to take part on either the Sunday, in dirty (‘dutty’) mas, which ranges from paint or powder to mud or chocolate or oil, or on the Monday, donning a pretty costume. Or, if you’re up to it, partici pate on both days. We realise that some of the costumes on display might not be to your taste or cut, but there’s something out there for everyone if you look hard enough. They come in a rainbow of colours from a smorgasbord of mas bands; you can see our listing of the bands and their 2022 themes at socanews.com/masbands. Our mas band page is being updated all the time, so check it out or sign up to our newsletter for updates.
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44 SN AUG 2022 ARAWAK “RESET” A NEW DAWN arawakcarnivals@gmail.com IG arawakcarnivals.coarawakcarnival ADULT BACCHANALIAB UK ENIGMA info@baccmas.com IG bacchanalia_uk FB www.bacchanalia.londonbacchanalia.masband ADULT BLOSSOM CONCEPTS GAIA nottinghill@blossomconcepts.com IG blossomconcepts FB www.blossomconcepts.comblossomconceptsuk ADULT CANDYC MAS DEJA VU info@candymasuk.com IG candymasuk FB www.candymasuk.comcandymasuk ADULT CARIBBEAN SESSIONS MOONLIGHT caribbeansessionsuk@gmail.com IG caribbeansessions FB www.caribbeansessions.co.ukcaribbeansessions CHILDREN + ADULT CHANTIMELLE MAS TROPICAL WATERS chantimelle.mas@outlook.com IG chantimelle.mas FB www.chantimellemas.ukchantimelle ADULT CHOCOLATE NATION MAS CHOCOHOLICS info@chocolatenationmas.com IG chocolatenationmas FB www.chocolatenationmas.comchocolatenationmas ADULT + DUTTY COCOYEA LONDON PLATINUM hello@cocoyea.com IG cocoyealondon FB www.cocoyea.comcocoyealondon ADULT COLOURS CARNIVAL COLOURS OF THE CARIBBEAN www.colourscarnival.comfbIGinfo@colourscarnival.comcolourscarnivalltdcolourscarnivalltd ADULT CREED CARNIVAL SANSKRIT info@creedcarnival.com IG creedcarnival FB www.creedcarnival.comcreedcarnival ADULT DD RIDDIM TRIBE REIGN driddimtribe@releasedriddim.com IG driddimtribe FB www.driddimtribe.comDRiddimTribe ADULT DYNAMIC MAS EXOTIC dynamicsoundz@hotmail.com IG dynamic_mas FB www.dynamicmas.co.ukdynamicmas ADULT EBONYE MAS LIBERATION ebonymasband@gmail.com IG ebonymas FB www.ebony-steelband-trust.co.ukebonymasband ADULT ELIMU PADDINGTON ARTS MAS BAND CARNIVAL JUBILATION elimuband@gmail.com IG elimu.mas.academy FB www.elimumasacademy.comelimu.mas.academy CHILDREN + ADULT ELITE MAS MYSTICS VIBES elitesoundsevents@gmail.com IG elitesoundsevents FB elitesoundsevents ADULT EXOTIC MAS SECRETS OF SHANGRI-LA exoticmascustomers@gmail.com IG exotic.mas FB www.exoticmas.comExotic-Mas-856412814496678 ADULT FLAGZF MAS BAND LIBERTAS info@flagzmasband.com IG flagzmasband FB FlagzMasBand ADULT FROLIC NATION SAHARA … A MAGICAL OASIS AWAITS IG www.frolicnation.comfrolic_nation ADULT FUNATIK MAS EXHALE info@funatikmas.com IG funatikmas FB www.funatikmas.comfunatikmas CHILDREN + ADULT GEMZG MAS INTERNATIONAL FIRST PEOPLES gemzmasband@gmail.com IG _g_m_i FB gmicarnival.comgmicarnival CHILDREN + ADULT GLORIOUS BACKSTAGE ARTS HAPPY FLAPPY gba-carnival@outlook.com FB www.gba-carnival.comgbacarnival ADULT MAS BAND DIRECTORY KEY | CHILDREN + ADULT + DUTTY OUR LISTING IS MADE UP OF BANDS AND SECTIONS, AND WE HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO CHECK THAT THE INFORMATION WE HAVE IS CORRECT.
Our individual section can be all yours along with our VIP SERVICE including personal host to assist you throughout the day. www.mymasband.commymasband
www.mymasband.commymasband
www.mymasband.commymasband
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50 SN AUG 2022 HYPEH MAS ODYSSEY OF THE AWAKENING IG hypemas FB www.hypemasuk.comhype.mas.5 ADULT IGNITEI DE FETERZ MAS REVEL IN OPULENCE ignitefeterz@gmail.com IG Idf_mas FB www.ignitedefeterzmas.comIgnitedefeterzmas ADULT INSPIRATION ARTS & TRINBAGO CARNIVAL CLUB MAMA AFRICA Inspiration_arts@hotmail.co.uk ADULT INVADERS MAS NEBULA info@invadersmasuk.com IG invadersmasuk FB www.invadersmasuk.cominvadersmasuk ADULT ISLAND MAS LUMINOUS info@islandmas.co.uk IG islandmasuk FB www.islandmas.co.ukislandmasuk ADULT JAMAICANJ TWIST XAYMACA contact@jamaicantwist.com IG jamaicantwistcarnival FB www.jamaicantwist.comJamaican-Twist-47162514857 ADULT JUST INCARNIVAL ARABIAN NIGHTS IG justincarnival FB www.justincarnival.comVAL-199908333398497JUST-INCARNI ADULT KARNIVALK MANIA SIMPLY KARNIVAL hello@karnivalmania.com IG karnivalmania FB www.karnivalmania.comkarnivalmania ADULT LAGNIAPPEL MYTHOLOGY carnival@lagniappe.uk IG lagniappe_mas FB lagniappe.uklagniappeuk ADULT LIMIN MAS BAND FIRST PEOPLES sham@comelimewithus.com IG mymasband FB www.mymasband.commymasband ADULT LIMITLESS MAS LIBERATION UNLEASED limitlessmas@gmail.com FB www.limitlessmas.comCarnivalLimitless ADULT MAKINGM CARNIVAL DECADENCE info@masologymakingcarnival.com IG masology_makingcarnival FB masologymakingcarnival.comIsisMas ADULT MAHOGANY CARNIVAL A TIME TO REMEMBER infomahoganycarnival@gmail.com IG mahoganycarnival FB www.mahoganycarnival.comMahoganyCarnival CHILDREN MANGROVE MAS BAND RAMAJAY mangrovemasband@gmail.com IG mangrovecarnival FB www.mangrovecarnival.comMangroveMas ADULT MASANOVA A TASTE OF PARADISE masanova.mas@gmail.com FB masanova.uk FB www.masanova.co.ukmasanova.mas ADULT MAS AFRICA HARVEST info@masafrica.org IG mas_africa FB www.masafrica.orgMas-Africa-1714155805493052 CHILDREN + ADULT MAS DOMNIK UNMASKED management@duka.org.uk IG duka_mas_domnik_uk_ FB www.duka.org.ukmas-domnik-2034632030134285 ADULT MASQUERADE 2000 REBIRTH IG m2kmas FB www.m2kmas.co.ukmasquerade2000 ADULT OMNIAO CARNIVAL KAI info@omniacarnival.com IG omniacarnival FB www.omniacarnival.comomniacarnival ADULT + DUTTY ONTURAJ MAS MYTHOLOGY info@onturajmas.com FB www.onturajmas.comonturajcarnival ADULT PEOPLE’SP WORLD THE TRAIL OF TEARS PT2. PLIGHT OF NORTH AMERICA NATIVE INDIANS peoplesworldcb@gmail.com IG peoplesworldcarnival FB PeoplesWorldCarnivalBand ADULT MAS BAND DIRECTORY KEY | CHILDREN + ADULT + DUTTY OUR LISTING IS MADE UP OF BANDS AND SECTIONS, AND WE HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO CHECK THAT THE INFORMATION WE HAVE IS CORRECT.
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52 SN AUG 2022 PURE LIME LIMING WITH DE NURSES purelime1997@gmail.com IG purelime FB www.purelime.co.ukpurelimehomeofchocolatemas DUTTY REIGNR MAS BAND A NEW REIGN IG www.dblvibetribe.comreignmasband ADULT RUMSHOP RAW LICQUER HORIZON bajanrumshop@hotmail.com FB Rumshoprawlicquer ADULT SMOKEYS JOE ROADSHOW VIVACITY onikej@hotmail.com FB SmokeyJoeRoadshow ADULT SOCAHOLIC AFRICA – THE JOURNEY info@socaholic.com IG socaholicuk FB www.socaholic.comSocaholicUK ADULT SOCA MASSIVE FANCY SAILORS UK TROPICAL SUNRISE FB www.socamassive.co.ukgroups/1589613424596771 ADULT SOCA SAGA BOYS ON THE ROAD TOGETHER info@socasagaboys.co.uk IG socasagaboys FB www.socasagaboys.co.ukSocaSagaBoys ADULT STARDUST MAS THE RETURN info@weareallstardust.com IG stardustarts FB weareallstardust.com/artsWeAreStardustLP ADULT SUNSHINE INTERNATIONAL ARTS TURMOIL …DE SEA OFF DES TINY….SOULS OF A RIVER …. THE JOURNEY-‘ARRIBADA’ admin@sunshineiarts.co.uk IG sia_cafe FB www.sunshineiarts.co.uksunshineiarts ADULT TANTRUMT BACCHANAL SANKOFA info@tantrumbacchanal.com IG tantrumbacchanal FB www.tantrumbacchanal.comtantrumbacchanal ADULT TT MUDDERS TT MUDDERS 4 MUDDER EARTH ttmudders2013@gmail.com IG ttmudders FB nhcarnival.org/tt-muddersTTMudders DUTTY TEARS MAS COLOURFUL CELEBRATION OF LIFE IG tearsmas FB www.tearsmas.comTearsevents ADULT TEMPO MAS PURPLE ARMY tempomasuk@gmail.com IG tempomas FB www.tempomasuk.comtempo.mas.16 ADULT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF SAMBA SONHAR NÃO CUSTA NADA/ DREAMS COST NOTHING commslss@gmail.com IG londonschoolofsamba FB londonschoolofsamba.co.ukUnidosdeLondres ADULT TROPICAL FUSION MAS UNDERWATER PARADISE tropicalfusionmas@gmail.com IG tropicalfusionmas FB www.tropicalfusionmas.comMas-1766085360370253Tropical-FusionADULT TROPICAL ISLES I CAN HEAR FREEDOM CALLING tropicalisles@btconnect.com IG tropicalislescarnival FB www.tropicalislescarnival.orgtropicalislescarnival ADULT UCOM AFRICA – THE JOURNEY info@unitedcoloursofmas.com IG ucomcarnival FB www.unitedcoloursofmas.comunitedcoloursofmas ADULT UNITEDU KREYOL MAS UNITY info@unitedkreyolmas.com IG united_kreyol_mas FB www.unitedkreyolmas.comUnitedKreyolMas ADULT URBAN TOUCH REBIRTH mass@urbantouch.org.uk IG urbantouchltd FB www.urbantouch.org.ukUrbanTouchCarnivalGroup ADULT UTOPIA MAS UK THE EYE OF HORUS utopiamas1@gmail.com IG utopiamasuk FB www.utopiamasuk.comutopiamasuk ADULT VIBRANCEV MAS THE CORAL REEF COLLECTION carnivalvibrance@gmail.com IG carnivalvibrance FB www.vibrancemas.comVibranceMas ADULT VINCY ALLIANCE MAS SHANGRI-LA – THE TALE OF A LOST PARADISE ON EARTH info@vincyalliancemas.com IG vincyalliancemas FB www.vincyalliancemas.comvincyalliance ADULT MAS BAND DIRECTORY KEY | CHILDREN + ADULT + DUTTY OUR LISTING IS MADE UP OF BANDS AND SECTIONS, AND WE HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO CHECK THAT THE INFORMATION WE HAVE IS CORRECT.
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