Soca News Magazine | February 2017

SOCANEWS Free

i117/ feb 2017 ISSN 1464-7087

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The Soca News brand specialises in, and is dedicated to, Caribbean music, news, culture, carnival and lifestyle. It is established as the UK’s leading authority on soca music, stories, events, and has instant access to to a vast online global community.

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contents FEBRUARY 2017 | ISSUE 117

soca people

31. feature

CARNIVALS & FESTIVALS

DIARY 2017 IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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14. SCROUGE

HAS A FETTIN INSTINCT

16. SUNSHINE

& NADIVA

DOUBLE TROUBLE

18. MONGSTAR

FROM DANCEHALL TO SOCA

features

regular

11. SEYCHELLES

CREOLE FESTIVAL 23. BAZODEE

07. NEWS

... IS HOW MACHEL’S NEW FILM SENDS DEM

46. DAY OF INDEPENDENCE

NEW SOCA & RIDDIM RELEASES

27. EVENTS

WHEN AND WHERE TO FETE

GRENADA & SAINT LUCIA

photos 22. UCOM

20. MUSIC

BAND LAUNCH

GET LISTED If you are 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! Give us a call on 0333 012 4643

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Ed’s Letter Welcome, to those of you who have been reading the magazine for some time now, and to you if you’ve just picked it up for the first time.

A whole month of this year has gone already. Something I’m reminded of constantly by all the countdown calendars I see splattered over social media, for various carnivals. They can help the excitement build, but aren’t we are counting our lives away, Instagram post by Instagram post?

Talking of carnivals (as we tend to), check out our Carnivals and Festivals guide on page 31; if you wanted, you could make a living writing about carnivals, as they take place almost every month of the year. We thank Sackville Travel for their help on making this guide possible.

COVER PHOTO BY JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK IMAGE COURTESEY

MONK PICTURES

As I sit at my desk, on the second floor of Soca News Towers, I contemplate what has gone before and what is yet to come. This month, Soca News hits the grand old age of twenty one, and I think we have been and are still making a mark on soca here in the UK. If you’d like to know more of the inside story of Machel Montano’s new film, Bazodee, take a look at our feature on page 23. The UK premier takes place on 12 March.

YOURS IN SOCA. Joseph Charles EDITOR

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Joseph Charles jc@socanews.com

COVER Photo by Jermaine Cruickshank Courtesey Monk Pictures

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Debbie Melchor, Feminine Touch, Gillian Oakley & Naomi Dubero

CREATIVE Joseph Charles

WORDS Adanna Austin, Angela Chappell, Joseph Charles, Katie Segal, Nicole-Rachelle Moore, Shaun Hutchinson & Stephen Spark

PUBLISHED BY Soca News 86-90 Paul Street London, EC2A 4NE

SUB-EDITOR Katie Segal katie@socanews.com CONSULTING-EDITOR Stephen Spark stephen@socanews.com SALES & ADVERTISING sales@socanews.com

PICTURES Angela Chappell, Carnival Chung, Cris Collins, Garth Archibald, Kola Graffix, Shutter In Motion, Stephen Spark & Victor Morris

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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. © 2017 Soca News. All rights reserved.

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news

MIGHTY TIGER 1940 - 2017

A

rriving in London from Trinidad and Tobago in 1971, Ashton Moore was already an experienced calypsonian, having sung in both the Calypso Revue and Southern Brigade tents at home. Although there was hardly any ‘calypso action’ in the UK in the early ’70s, Mighty Tiger - as he became known - remained full of song, and full of passion for his craft. He performed whenever and wherever he found the opportunity. Winning his first UK Calypso Monarch title in 1976 led to a nationwide tour with The Mighty Sparrow and Paul Keens-Douglas.

As founder and president of the Association of British Calypsonians, Ashton Moore worked like a ‘Mighty Tiger’ to ensure that calypso had a platform, and a dedicated space in which to flourish.

The birth of ABC’s London Calypso Tent in 1992 ushered in a new age of fresh, original output from a plethora of calypsonians.

Moore was committed to children and young people being educated about and enjoying the calypso art form, and always strove to forge effective working partnerships with various cultural organisations. His cultural legacy is more than apparent, and his personal legacy lives on in the love he shared with his wife Valerie, children Gail and Kevin, grandchildren Danielle, Elliot and Conrad and a very new great grandchild, Kiara.

Soca News pays its respect to a cultural icon.

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news

Calypso Rose is nominated for a Victoires de la Musique

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alypso Rose (Linda McArtha Monica Sandy-Lewis) has been nominated in the category of World Music Album of the Year for a ‘Victoires de La Musique’ award.

Her album Far From Home, which has almost gone Platinum in France with sales currently at 80,000, has stiff competition in its category from artists including Acid Arab, with Music of France, and Rokia Traore with Born So. This is the 32nd year of the Victoires de la Musique, the annual award ceremony that is the French equivalent of the Brit Awards or the U.S. Grammys.

The Victoire accolades are delivered by the French Ministry of Culture to recognise the finest musical artists of the year and outstanding achievement in the music industry. The ceremony will take place at Zénith de Paris on Friday 10 February, with a live broadcast on France2.

Rose recently graced the London stage at Camden’s Jazz Café, in November last year, and will stage a concert in Trinidad entitled SoCalypso on Carnival Friday, 24 February, at the Grand Stand, Queens Park Savannah. A plethora of other artists will join her on stage, including David Rudder, Alison Hinds, MX Prime, Machel Montano, Angela Hunte, Baron, Ella Andall and Devon Matthews.

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sparrow, in cerAmics

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he exhibition Sparrow Come Back Home, which opened on 26 December, will close on 5 February. The show, which features versions of Sparrow’s album covers in ceramic, was created by artists Carmel Buckley and Mark Harris. Sparrow Come Back Home is the title of calypsonian Mighty Sparrow’s (Slinger Francisco’s) 1962 album, which points to the irony of his being appreciated only once he had left Trinidad for the US. The exhibition is at the ICA Fox Reading Room, Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH; the gallery is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - Sunday, 11am – 6pm; Thursday, 11am to 9pm; closed on Mondays.

Mayor should help ‘struggling’ Notting Hill Carnival organisers, says London Assembly WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK

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report focusing on public safety at Notting Hill Carnival has recommended that organiser London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust (LNHCET) be put on a “more formal and sustainable footing”.

The report, Notting Hill Carnival: safer and better, by the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee (PCC), also identified overcrowding and rising knife crime as major issues of concern.

There needs to be a strong organising body for Carnival, the committee believes, but LNHCET is struggling. PCC members learned that this “iconic London institution”, attracting a million visitors from around the globe, is “run by volunteers, with little funding or staffing resource”. Lines of responsibility are confused, and “it is unclear where responsibility for the delivery of Carnival, or for its safety, sits”.

The PCC continued, “To hear that Carnival is integral to the cultural tapestry of London, then to hear that those responsible for it are struggling with capacity and capability to deliver is troubling.”

One of the report’s main recommendations is that “The Mayor should now provide advice and guidance to the LNHCET to help put it on a more formal and financially sustainable footing”, such as by capitalising on the event’s commercial potential and the Carnival ‘brand’.

Proposals to change the route, move it to a park or make it a closed, ticketed event were not discussed in detail. However, the Mayor and LNHCET have been told to look at all options for change and report back to the Police and Crime Committee by May. They must make any decisions for change “on the basis of sound evidence and the buy-in of all the most important players” – but the PCC does not say whether those ‘important players’ include Carnival creators and participants.

In the meantime, crowd management consultancy Movement Strategies will try to find a solution to the chronic overcrowding that occurs in Notting Hill, especially after the 7pm static sound system switchoff. It will report to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) in February.

“We are surprised and disappointed that this kind of detailed work has not been undertaken before now,” the PCC said. However, in 2001, Intelligent Space did comprehensively assess crowd safety and the Notting Hill Carnival route design.

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WRITE FOR US We’re always looking for new writers, and we know that everyone has at least one good story in them.

So if you’re interested in contributing, please do get in touch.

t. +44 (0) 333 012 4643 e. info@socanews.com

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feature

seychelles CREOLE FESTIVAL WORDS | KATIE SEGAL PHOTOGRAPHS | JOEY NICLES

A VISIT TO THE SEYCHELLES WOULD CLEARLY BE A PRIVILEGE AT ANY TIME, AND NONE MORE SO THAN DURING THE ANNUAL ‘FESTIVAL KREOL’.

Whilst carnival is a newer addition to the Seychelles’ calendar, the Creole Festival offers an intriguing and entrancing window into the culture and history of these islands.

This was the festival’s 31st year, and there was one event of particular significance: the inauguration of a Creole Language and Culture Research Institute.

An addition to the already existing Creole Institute – ‘Lenstiti Kreol Enternasyonal’ in Creole– this new entity unites the islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe,

the Commonwealth of Dominica and Haiti, from the Caribbean and, to some extent, the American state of Louisiana, as well as the Seychelles, Mauritius and Reunion Island from the Indian Ocean, in a body that will bind them in an international partnership as well as celebrate their shared Creole heritage. Academics representing Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique were present to sign the inauguration documents, as well as those from the regional Indian Ocean neighbours.

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CHILDREN DANCING IN LASERENAD, COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CREOLES

Finding cultures with much in common, formed in places far apart, feels extraordinary; if you’re accustomed to the Caribbean, the Seychelles will startle you with its similarities, and then its differences, over and over again. There’s logic there, when you think about it, because many of the peoples who came together to create these lands have similar origins, share strands of history that brought them to these places, and before – but that doesn’t make the initial impact less surprising.

And there are the likenesses within nature, too.

From the time the plane begins its descent onto Mahé island, one could be forgiven for witnessing the landscape and the architecture, and forgetting that this destination is not in the Caribbean. These moments of forgetfulness can recur frequently – when you see dominoes being played in the marketplace, when you eat some curried chicken and seasoned rice – but then they fade as the uniqueness of this place shines through.

The Seychellois are rightfully proud of their Creole culture. As signs and T-shirts proclaim everywhere you looked during the festival, they designate themselves the Creole capital of the world. Banners throughout the capital Victoria, written in Creole, beseech everyone to celebrate their Creolité (Creole-

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ness). It’s heartening to see a country celebrate and preserve their culture so actively and emphatically, and an example to many that don’t, or that only manage to do so in a more negative way.

An annual inclusion in the festival is a traditional Seychellois wedding, and an accompanying exhibition including photographic storyboards and lifesize figures depicting the traditional and enduring manner and dress of a Seychellois wedding. Visitors are invited to attend the wedding itself, to witness first hand how it’s done, the Seychelles way.

Diverse artforms comprise a great part of the festival; there is storytelling, poetry and drama, as well as musical performances. This time, two plays were performed in the Creole language, one being an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream by actors from Rodrigues, an autonomous island that’s part of Mauritius. An exhibition featured the works of Jean Bernard Grondin, an artist from Reunion who uses ‘goni’ to create his pieces. Goni is jute, the material used to form the sacks that transported sugar cane, and by slaves for household items and clothing, so is uniquely intrinsic to and significant in the history here. Several of Grondin’s works are depictions of the much-prized and protected coco de mer, the fruit of the palm tree that’s

ARTISTS PERFORMING AT THE DIMANS KREOL BORLANMER BEACH LIME

unique to Seychelles; the colloquial name for the nut is ‘coco fesse’, which refers to its perceived similarity in shape to a woman’s posterior. The coco de mer has become the iconic symbol of the Seychelles.

There’s a regular night market in Beau Vallon, by the beach in the North West of Mahé, with plenty of food and drink to keep you happy whilst you wander browsing amongst the stalls or sit on the sand as the sun sets. Especially during the Creole festival, you may see local musicians, who come to soften their goatskin drums on the fire and play some traditional music. And if you’re really lucky, some of the people who start dancing around the fire will be experts, who know how to do it the right way. We were reliably informed: there is only one right way.

A high point of the festival is the ceremony for Commemoration of the International Day of Creoles, held at the stadium. A costumed parade moves through the town, culminating inside the stadium with synchronised dancing, spectacular in the failing light. Following the parade is a regional concert, featuring popular artists from Mauritius, Reunion Island and the Seychelles performing some traditional, some contemporary music and dance. For 2016’s festival, Patrick Victor, one of Seychelles’ most popular musicians, introduced the event alongside

the ever-present tourism minister Alain St Ange; the latter spoke with impressive passion of his country and culture at several of the festival events. As an added touch, Victor had with him a guitar-type instrument made from a coco de mer.

It was fascinating to hear the local music, and to see the experts dancing to it. The traditional music is ‘moutya’, which now also comes in modern forms, and the newer ‘sega’. The dancing almost seemed to be made up of two distinct and distinguishable elements - African and European. In fact, some of the music at the concert also sounded a little like French or German folk music. The waist, or hips, looked African, the footwork looked like that from Latin dances.

It would be interesting to hear an expert’s view of how these origins intertwine. To the untrained ear (although one of a soca lover), the music seemed quite different to that of the Caribbean, the dancing somewhat more familiar, but different enough to be difficult to mimic; if you dance to moutya as you do to soca, you’ll be laughed out of town (as I tragically discovered).

An evening fashion show at one of the hotels showcases the work of local designers, presenting an impressive and diverse range of styles. The dinner and show are attended by anyone who is anyone in Mahé, and there follows a short concert of traditional music which has everyone up and dancing.

The next day there’s a popular beach lime – ‘Dimans Kreol Bor Lanmer’, which translates roughly as ‘Creole Sunday by the Sea’ - with a wide choice of food and drink stalls set up close to the beach and large crowds who come to hang out and join the party. A sizeable stage plays host to recorded and live music throughout the afternoon and early evening.

The introductory speech from Alain St Ange last October made clear that, as well as a party, this event is an homage to what makes the Seychelles, the Seychelles.

In between the festivities there are, of course, opportunities to nip to the beach - and what beaches they are. Stunning white sand and palm trees abound, and the geology is extraordinary; monolithic rocks appear, polished and curved, as giant, lumbering creatures hugging the shore or wading out to sea. In photographs they seem almost superimposed, intentionally positioned for dramatic effect.

The festival closes with a ball, a huge party that runs from Monday night until 6am on Tuesday morning. And then it’s all over… until next year.

In October 2017, the 32nd Festival Kreol will again welcome visitors new and old to its joyous celebration of language and culture. You’d be welladvised to experience it for yourself.

If you can’t make the festival, the Seychelles is a stunning and fascinating destination at any time.

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soca people

INSTAGRAM.COM/SCROUGEMUSIC TWITTER.COM/SCROUGEMUSIC_3P

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SCAN TO PLAY

FETTIN INSTINCT

HAS A FETTIN INSTINCT WORDS | ADANNA AUSTIN

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ashawn ‘Scrouge’ Selwood is no stranger to the worlds of calypso, or soca. The entertainer, who hails from the U.S. Virgin Islands, has been singing and performing since 2012. He designates Bunji Garlin as his biggest influence in music. Scrouge says that he was following the artist since before he was well known, and has always admired the commitment and drive behind his music - something that Scrouge himself has adopted since jumping onto the soca bandwagon.

Selwood possesses a bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Business, and has used this knowledge to build a solid foundation from which his music has evolved. For the 2017 season, we can expect a body of great work. He has already released Fettin Instinct, which he believes will be one of the bigger hits for the season. Produced and mastered by a mix of talent coming out of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Trinidad, Fettin Instinct has a sweet beat, and a memorable hook.

In addition, Scrouge is working on an EP to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the U.S. Virgin Islands. He is currently focussing on the visuals, and on various collaborations. Over the next week, the team will be travelling to Trinidad and Tobago to promote and market Fettin Instinct.

Scrouge has a history of opening for some of the big names in soca, including Machel Montano and Alison Hinds. He works with a close team, whose main focus in building the brand is to target the Caribbean-based carnivals. He is excited to see how his upcoming projects will unfold in the coming months (one item in his bag of tricks is a remix of Fettin Instinct).

He hopes to collaborate with other great performers in the future, such as Bunji, Sekon Star and Preedy.

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soca people

INSTAGRAM.COM/SUNSHINENADIVA TWITTER.COM/SUNSHINENADIVA

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DOUBLE TROUBLE WORDS | ADANNA AUSTIN

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hese artists’ drive, tenacity and passion for their music and artform is evident in the way they talk about the business of music and the vision for their life and profession. Samantha and Nadine Bryant, better known in the UK music scene as Sunshine and Nadiva, are making their mark and breaking with the norm.

The duo are dancers, singers and artists, and have had an explosive experience in the UK, winning most of the carnival and soca competitions.

They have toured with Trinidadian artist Olatunji for the last two years, and performed as dancers for many other artists. The sisters have been performing for more than five years, and officially launched their dance group MLM (Muzik Lil Muzik) in 2013. They are passionate about their culture, influenced by their parents and grandparents who originate from St Vincent, St Lucia and Barbados, and grew up playing steel pan.

The sisters were always avid singers, and later incorporated their love of dance as an expression of their musical heritage. They are currently the 2016 UK Road March champions and ABC British Groovy Monarchs with their hit song, Unstoppable.

For 2017, we can expect to see this duo collaborate with more soca artists from St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as some well-known UK artists.

They plan to release their EP in October, during black history month, and are set to perform in St Lucia with the ultimate aim of hitting Trinidad Carnival hard in 2018. They are also preparing for their 2017 promotional tour, ‘The Untouchable Tour’.

The next step in their illustrious career is to enter international soca monarch and other competitions around the world, so that more people are exposed to their music and their talents. To discover more about this duo, go to www.sunshinenadiva.com, where you’ll also find information about the new clothing line which reflects the lifestyle the sisters promote: ‘Wear it, Live it, Be it’.

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soca people

INSTAGRAM.COM/MONGSTAR_MUSIC TWITTER.COM/AM_MONGSTAR

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FROM DANCEHALL TO SOCA WORDS | ADANNA AUSTIN

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any in Saint Lucia will know him for his dancehall and his freestyling abilities, but Marley Mervin James, better known as Mongstar, has been heating up the soca scene in Saint Lucia for the last six years. It should be no surprise that he has been able to achieve this success in such a short space of time, as he comes from a musical family and has music running through his veins.

The 2016 season was a resounding success for Mongstar, when his tune Bacchanal Life, with Fireball from Trinidad, was well received; 2017 is starting off with the same amount of excitement and fervour. On 25 February, Mongstar will be performing in London at the Stratford Town Hall in celebration of Saint Lucia’s 38th year of independence, and plans to take that opportunity to share with the world his latest hit, Baby-Oh. Amongst the artist’s greatest accomplishments are his win in 2010 Piton Soca Starz, becoming the 2013 All 4 One Caribbean Winner and the 2015 Soca Switch Champion. He is excited about hitting the stage in 2017, and writing more music with a fusion of groovy music mixed with a dancehall rhythm, and he’s looking forward to hitting Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and taking his music to other parts of the Caribbean.

Since being in this business, Mongstar has learnt that the key to his success is to remain humble, to never hold a grudge, and not to forget his roots. These beliefs keep him grounded and focussed on his music and his career.

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music HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE NEW SOCA RELEASES FOR TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2017, AND MORE CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT SOCANEWS.COM/MUSIC

new soca releases

MIDDLE

SHAL MARSHALL

KINGS AND QUEENS SEKON STA

FAR FROM FINISHED

TECHNICALLY FARMER NAPPY & DESTRA GARCIA

OXYGEN

GIRLS

VOICE

CALYPSO

D BAND

BIG BAD SOCA

I FORGET

JADEL

GBM NUTRON

SHURWAYNE WINCHESTER

BUNJI GARLIN

FAY-ANN LYONS

MACHEL MONTANO

socanews.com/music

riddim releases

COUNTRY RIDDIM

VARIOUS ARTISTS

TRUCK STOP RIDDIM VARIOUS ARTISTS

HAPPY DAYS RIDDIM VARIOUS ARTISTS

VICEY RIDDIM

VARIOUS ARTISTS

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LIP SERVICE RIDDIM VARIOUS ARTISTS

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photos THE 2017 NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL SEASON IS ALREADY UNDERWAY, AS UCOM LAUNCHED ITS PRESENTATION, ‘REFLECTION’ ON SAT 3RD DEC 2016.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY | KOLA GRAFIX

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feature

Bazodee

IS HOW MACHEL MONTANO’S NEW FILM SENDS DEM WORDS | NICOLE-RACHELLE MOORE AND KATIE SEGAL

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oca sensation Machel Montano has been a celebrity for many years, and now looks set to gain a slew of new fans with the release of Bazodee.

The film, in which he makes his star debut alongside leading lady Natalie Perera, is a love story set in Trinidad and Tobago, with carnival and soca music as the backdrop.

Bazodee was screened in the Caribbean, days ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s annual film festival. A host of countries, including Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Curaçao, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, have now had the opportunity to see Montano

on the big screen. In a Bollywood -style plotline, Montano plays soca singer Lee de Leon, who meets Perera’s character Anita Panchouri just as she’s preparing to marry a wealthy Londoner. The marriage could be the end of her family’s financial woes, but the attraction between Anita and Lee threatens all of that. Directed by Todd Kessler, Bazodee is a vibrant Caribbean-style, musical love story, and already seems poised to become a regional favourite.

The idea of branching into film is not a new one for Machel. He told us, “Let’s just say, filmmaking has been on my mind for a long time, and I definitely always dreamed of the day that I would transition SN FEBRUARY 2017 023

from music to movies - or I always saw it as some sort of parallel avenue to express who we are and to get our stories out, and to put our culture out there.

“The idea for Bazodee, formerly called Scandalous, was actually brought to me 10 years ago by Claire Ince, the writer, and Ancil Mckain, the producer. The husband and wife team - Indepelago Films - really wanted to write the story because they were big fans of my music, and they wanted to write a love story based in Trinidad and Tobago, about our culture.”

Although the original script was written by Ince, Machel described the cast devising some of the dialogue on the fly, changing it where seemed appropriate. And that improvisation also manifested in other aspects of the film, such as the inclusion of diverse cultural resources such as a tassa side and a Chinese dragon.

Soca music and carnival did more than just set the scene for this film; they were central to the plot. The script was written with Machel’s music very much in mind, and when you watch it you feel it could have been no other way. The artist said, “Trinidad & Tobago 024 SN FEBRUARY 2017

I have been bitten by the actors’ bug and my music, put together, kinda started them with that vision. I think when you put Machel Montano, Trinidad & Tobago and love in one story you must have some soca in there – you definitely will have carnival. That is what it was about, so that had to be a major part of the story, and music was fundamental to the reason why these two people gravitated towards each other; you know they were both lovers of music and both struggling with that love for that music.

“I took up the mantle to be the person who would provide the music; I did the entire score and curated the music for the movie alongside Claire and Che and a couple of others.” The end result is a soundtrack featuring music from various global Caribbean artists including Sean Paul, Shaggy and Wizkid.

Many may be wondering whether this is the start of things to come, whether the musician and live performer has crossed over to a different art-form.

Machel said, “I have been bitten by the actors’ bug, and I really loved it; I really enjoyed the process and seeing it first-hand. We took 10 years to get everything together, which was I think a lot of first timers’ experience and trying to get it right, and once we got the process started it took about two or three months to complete the shooting and we actually took a couple more months to edit and fix the music. So I think now that you see the scope and the depth of something you realise, hey this could be done. And, I mean, there are so many stories of the Caribbean and so many stories of the culture and of

our people and who we are. I hope you know not all the stories of Trinidad & Tobago come from the point of soca or carnival.

“In terms of the acting I think it’s something that if I keep at it and keep trying, I’ll get better and probably starting to take some acting classes will definitely help and enhance. I’m always open to that, so I look forward to the roles. Since doing Bazodee, I have gotten a couple of emails on playing roles, one I was supposed to be in was the movie Cutlass, which is made locally by one of the cast members of Bazodee. That couldn’t happen because that was going on during carnival time, in 2016. Also, there are a couple of things on the table that I’ve been looking at. But for me generally, you have to try, and once the right roles come I will definitely keep at it - and in the meantime I will keep keeping my eyes open. I am open to playing roles beyond the shores of Trinidad & Tobago. You know, whatever it may be, once I could step up to the challenge and get the job done, I am definitely interested.”

Check out the official trailer for the film on YouTube, and download or stream the soundtrack from Apple Music, Google Play, ITunes or Spotify.

Bazodee will get its first UK screening on Sunday 12 March at the Regent Street Cinema, as part of the 19th London Asian Film Festival, which runs from the 9th to 19th March.

For more information about the film or the London Asian Film Festival, and updates on the UK screening, please visit www.socanews.com.

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events

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 print.

06 Dec-05 feb

sat 04 feb

CARMEL BUCKLEY AND MARK HARRIS: SPARROW COME BACK HOME

BACCHANALIA MAS BAND

@ Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, SW1Y 5AH. Time gallery opening hours: Tue-Sun, 11am-6pm, except Thurs, 11am9pm. Closed Mon.

fri 03 feb GET MAD ENTERTAINMENT

KREYOL RENDEZVOUS #2

@ Dogstar, 389 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LQ. DJs DJ Payton (France), DJ Christo & DJ Shakit.

Time 10pm-3.30am. Price £15 & £20.

SOCANEWS.COM /EVENTS

2017 BAND LAUNCH - SLITHER @ Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11 2AY. Time 1pm-6pm. Price £11.99.

E: VOLVE ONE

GRENADA 43RD INDEPENDENCE GALA

@ Camden Centre, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE. Live Acts Tallpree, Skinny Banton, Shortpree & Valene Nedd. DJs Almighty Soundz (Jah Eyez & DJ Remstar), Hyper Spice, QT 2Hype. Time 9pm-5am. Price £20, £25 & £45 Limited Ultra Premium VIP.

fri 10 feb SOCA FRENZY

REVELLING IN RED

@ The Scala, 275 Pentonville Road Kings Cross, N1 9NL. DJs Shaker

HD, DJ Tate, Triple M, DJ Bones, DJ Matchiz, DJ Flex & Armani HIC. Time 11pm-5am. Price £5, £10, £12 & £15.

A.D.A

THE VINNY VINCHENZO'S 40TH BLACK AND WHITE CHAMPAGNE BASH @ Royal Lounge Banqueting Suite, Wembley High Road, HA9 6AA. Hosted By Martin Jay. DJs Studio Express 625, Silver Star Sound, Soca Mafia, QT 2hype, DJ Bajie & DJ Bliss. Time 10pm5am. Price £10 & £15, motd.

sat 11 feb BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS LTD

DE WARM UP SESSION

@ Revolution (Leadenhall), 140-144 Leadenhall Street, EC3V 4QT. Time 10pm-4am. Price £15 & £20.

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events

sat 17 feb BASHMENT PARTY UK

REP YUH FLAG: CARNIVAL WARM UP

@ Coronet Theatre (Elephant & Castle), 28 New Kent Road, SE1 6TJ. Time 10.30pm-5am. Price £10 & £15.

sat 25 feb UNITY OF (UK) ST. LUCIAN ASSOCIATIONS

SAINT LUCIA’S 38TH INDEPENDENCE - CELEBRATION FUNDRAISING DANCE @ Stratford Town Hall, 29 The Broadway, E15 4BQ. Hosted by JD Douglas. Live Acts Mongstar.

DJs DJ Mosty, Smiley Variety, DJ LT & DJ Jon J E. Time 9pm-3am.

Price £20, motd.

SOCAHOLIC & UCOM CARNIVAL

WONDERLAND // TROPICAL EDITION // PREMIUM ALL INCLUSIVE PARTY @ Secret East London Location.

Time 7pm-1am. Price £30, £35 & £40.

#SOCAMADHOUSE

SOCA MADHOUSE BIRMINGHAM

@ O2 Institute 2, 78 Digbeth Street, Birmingham, B5 6DY. DJs DJ Majikal, DJ Spice, Dubz & Talented & DJ Empress T. Time 11pm-5am. Price £5 & £10.

@ O2 Academy Islington, N1 Centre, 16 Parkfield Street, N1 0PS. Time 11pm-5am

sat 25 mar

#SOCAMADHOUSE

CARIBBEAN SESSIONS

SOCA MADHOUSE LEEDS

@ O2 Academy, Leeds, LS2 3AW. DJs DJ Majikal, DJ Laundry, Bacchanal Ronin & DJ Cally V. Time 11pm-5am. Price £5 & £10.

sat 04 mar ACADEMY

KASSAV

@ O2, Shepherds Bush Empire, W12 8TT. Time 7pm-11pm.

Price ticketweb.co.uk

sun 19 mar BURROKEETS UK

2017 BAND LAUNCH - ORIGINS

RELEASE D RIDDIM @ Lightbox, 6 South Lambeth Place, Vauxhall, SW8 1SP. Time 10pm-5am. Price £8, £10, £15 & £20.

SOCANEWS.COM /EVENTS

028 SN FEBRUARY 2017

HUSH 2 - THE CARIBBEAN SILENT PARTY

fri 03 mar

@ Ruby Blue Bar, 1 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BP. Time 7pmmidnight. Price Free

RED EYE

fri 24 mar

RETURN FETE

@ Nomad, 58 Old Street, EC1V 9AJ. DJs DJ CJay, Danny D, D Tee, Big Business. Time 10pm5am. Price £10, £15, motd.

sat 01 apr FUNATIK MAS

2017 BAND LAUNCH - GANGES AND THE NILE @ Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury, Coram Street, WC1N 1HT. DJs Martin Jay, Super Trini & DJ Rawz. Time 7pm-2am. Price £10, £15,£40 & £50.

MINGLE - ALL WHITE GLOW PARTY @ Cavendish Banqueting Suite, Edgware Road, NW9 5AE. Featuring Trevlyn The Voice & Lord Hype. DJs DJ Bones, Triple M & Mitchigan Vibes. Time 10pm4am. Price £15, £20 & £25. Tel 07960 343 279.

ADVERTISING TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF SOCA NEWS

t. +44 (0) 333 012 4643 e. sales@socanews.com

SN FEBRUARY 2017 029

030 SN FEBRUARY 2017

Carnivals & festivals Diary

2017

T

his guide has been made possible with the help of Sackville Travel Services Ltd, which has been established since 1976 and is based in Brixton, South London. They have built their reputation on providing an excellent service and, as they specialise in the Caribbean, they’re able to offer the lowest priced scheduled airline fares to that region to their customers.

Sackville Travel also have a large selection of accommodation in all areas of the Caribbean, so can provide tailor-made holidays to suit your needs. Whilst they focus on the Caribbean and Africa, they are also able to offer competitive prices worldwide.

Sackville Travel is a British Airways Specialist Partner & Virgin Atlantic preferred partner Q Holidays is their in-house tour operator, providing package holidays to the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, United Arab Emirates & the Far East.

Tel. 020 7274 2242 WWW.SACKVILLETRAVEL.COM SACKVILLETRAVEL

SACKVILLE.TRAVEL

SN FEBRUARY 2017 031

Carnivals & festivals

A 2017 Diary

re you looking for somewhere exciting to go this year? These are just some of the carnivals and festivals taking place worldwide, as well as several right here in the UK.

(Where relevant, we’ve used the date of the main event as an indicator, although the carnival/festival season may run for longer.)

For more information please visit socanews.com/carnivals

feb 2017

23 MASHRAMANI 24 - 28 RIO CARNIVAL 25 FEB - 01 MAR MARTINIQUE CARNIVAL 25 FEB - 01 MAR GUADELOUPE CARNIVAL 26 - 28 CURAÇAO CARNIVAL 27 - 28 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO CARNIVAL 27 - 28 CARRIACOU CARNIVAL 27 - 28 ARUBA CARNIVAL 27 - 28 MAS DOMNIK

GUYANA BRAZIL MARTINIQUE GUADELOUPE CURACAO TRINIDAD & TOBAGO GRENADA ARUBA DOMINICA

mar 2017

18 CAPE TOWN CARNIVAL

SOUTH AFRICA

apr 2017

07 - 08 22 - 30 22 23 29

NEVIS BLUES FESTIVAL TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE TAMPA CARNIVAL JAMAICA CARNIVAL ST THOMAS CARNIVAL

ST. KITTS & NEVIS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO FLORIDA, USA JAMAICA VIRGIN ISLANDS

may 2017

03 04 - 06 05 - 07 06 12 - 14 19 27 28 28

ST MAARTEN CARNIVAL BAHAMAS JUNKANOO CARNIVAL PURE GRENADA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 CAYMAN CARNIVAL BATABANO SAINT LUCIA JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL AALBORG KARNEVAL ATLANTA CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL LUTON INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL ORLANDO CARNIVAL

ST MAARTEN BAHAMAS GRENADA CAYMAN ISLANDS SAINT LUCIA AALBORG, DENMARK ATLANTA, USA LUTON, UK FLORIDA, USA

* At the time of going to print all information was deemed to be correct. We have double and triple checked our dates, but if you can see an error, or there is an event you think we have missed, please let us know by emailing editorial@socanews.com.

032 SN FEBRUARY 2017

jun 2017

04 10 16 - 19 17 17 20 - 22 24 24 25

BERLIN - CARNIVAL OF CULTURES NORTHAMPTON CARNIVAL BERMUDA HEROES WEEKEND OSLO KARNEVAL BIELEFELDER CARNIVAL OF CULTURES ST KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL CHARLESTON CARIFEST HOLLYWOOD CARNIVAL PRESTON CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

BERLIN, GERMANY NORTHAMPTON, UK BERMUDA OSLO, NORWAY BIELEFELD, GERMANY ST KITTS SOUTH CAROLINA, USA HOLLYWOOD, USA PRESTON, UK

jul 2017

01 02 03 - 04 10 - 11 14 - 16 15 - 16 17 - 18 29

ST PAULS-BRISTOL CARNIVAL COWLEY ROAD CARNIVAL CARNAVAL TROPICAL DE PARIS VINCY MAS BRAZILICA CARNIVAL DERBY CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL SAINT LUCIA CARNIVAL ZOMER CARNAVAL

BRISTOL, UK OXFORD, UK PARIS, FRANCE ST VINCENT LIVERPOOL, UK DERBY, UK SAINT LUCIA ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND

05 07 - 08 07 07 10 - 11 13 14 - 15 18 - 20 20 26 27 - 28 28

LEICESTER CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL ANTIGUA CARNIVAL CROP OVER CARIBANA JAPAN CARNIVAL CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL OF MANCHESTER SPICEMAS JUS’CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL NOTTINGHAM CARNIVAL BOSTON CARNIVAL NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL LEEDS WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL

LEICESTER, UK ANTIGUA BARBADOS TORONTO, CANADA KOCHI, JAPAN MANCHESTER, UK GRENADA LONDON, UK NOTTINGHAM, UK BOSTON, USA LONDON,UK LEEDS, UK

aug 2017

sep 2017

04 LABOR DAY 10 HACKNEY ONE CARNIVAL

NEW YORK, USA LONDON, UK

oct 2017

08 MIAMI BROWARD CARNIVAL 26 - 29 LAS VEGAS LATIN CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL

MIAMI, USA LAS VEGAS, USA

dec 2017

26 & 01 JAN 2018 BAHAMAS JUNKANOO FESTIVAL DEC-01 JAN 2018 SUGAR MAS 46 DEC-01 JAN 2018 MONTSERRAT FESTIVAL

BAHAMAS ST. KITTS & NEVIS MONTSERRAT

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Carnivals festivals

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

24 - 28 FEB

rio carnival BRAZIL

23 FEB

mashramani GUYANA

This was first celebrated in 1966 to mark Guyana’s independence. Nowadays, Mashramani celebrates the Independence and Republic holidays of Guyana, merged.

On Mash day, costumed bands parade the street to the sweet sounds of calypso and steel bands. Before the day, there are calypso, steel band and masquerade competitions in the National Park, Georgetown.

FOR FLIGHTS AND TRAVEL

020 7274 2242

SACKVILLETRAVEL.COM

034 SN FEBRUARY 2017

The world’s largest carnival can be traced to the 18th century, and runs from Friday night until noon on Ash Wednesday.

On the Friday, the city’s mayor hands the keys to the city to the mythical King Momo, who leads the festivities.

Hundreds of street parties – blocos – are held from mid-January to mid-February, millions partying in Rio’s city centre on Carnival Saturday.

The spectacular highpoint is the parade of Rio’s top samba schools competing at the sambadrome arena until dawn.

The first samba, a ritual Candomble dance to drums and handclaps, is thought to have been composed in a former slave market for kidnapped and enslaved Africans, in the old town.

25 FEB - 01 MAR

martinique carnival MARTINIQUE

25 FEB - 01 MAR

guadeloupe carnival GUADELOUPE

Carnival here is marked by vibrant costumes, soca, calypso, zouk, pan and competitions.

Children in disguises ask drivers at crossroads for sweets and money. It all ends with the burning of ‘Vaval’, or ‘Bois Bois’, on Ash Wednesday, amidst she-devils dressed in black and white dancing to tom toms and singing; it’s then thrown into the sea with cries of ‘Vaval mô, vaval mô’ (Carnival is dead).

For further information and details please visit www.socanews.com/carnivals

feb 2017

26 - 28 FEB

curacao carnival CURACAO

Curacao’s tumba music has become the major influence since the island’s people took the reins of carnival from the elite.

Considering the history of colonisation by Holland, expect to see a Dutch flavour mixed with the ingredients of the pre-Lenten events seen in other Caribbean island: J’Ouvert, kids and adults’ parades, masquerade and music trucks.

Seen uniquely here are Prince and Pancho, vestiges of medieval European characters modernised for the culture of Curacao. Carnival Queens on decorated carriages are a highlight of Carnival Sunday’s ‘Gran Marcha’ (The Great March).

After the ‘Marcha di Despedida’ (Farewell March), a crowd watch a firework show which sees the burning of Rei Momo (King Momo). Representing the sins to be cleansed by Lenten fasting, the effigy is set ablaze the day before Ash Wednesday, when the carnival ends.

27 - 28 FEB

27 - 28 FEB

aruba carnival

carriacou carnival

A series of small street festivals heralded the birth of Aruba Carnival in 1954. 1955 saw the island’s first carnival, and debut of the official Aruba Carnival Queen competition. Two years later, the Grand Parade began.

Aruba’s oldest social club, Tivoli, the first to have a pre-Lenten celebration in the capital Oranjestad, in February 1944, has produced the Lighting Parade, a night-time parade, since 1981. Festival organising body Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval (SAC) was founded on November 11, 1966, and at 11:11am on that day every year the season begins.

Shakespeare and Carnival in one place? Carriacou is the place for that. Of course, there’s the street parade, soca, pretty mas bands, calypso and Jab Jab. But the unique Shakespeare Mas stand out - as brightly dressed orators exchange verses. A stroke of the opponent’s stick is the punishment for those who mess up their lines.

ARUBA

GRENADA

FOR MORE INFO VISIT

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Carnivals festivals

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

feb 2017

mar 2017

27-28 FEB

trinidad & tobago carnival TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is a spectacle of colour, creativity, enjoyment and theatre.

The islands are currently in the throes of preparation for this annual event that attracts thousands of visitors and, in 2017, will culminate on the last Monday and Tuesday of February.

J’Ouvert Monday (taken from the French jour ouvert, meaning ‘opening of the day) is when the real takeover of the street begins, with revellers covering themselves with mud, paint and powder as they ‘chip’ in the cool, darkness of the early morning in their respective bands.

A major feature of carnival in the twin island republic is its ability to foster cohesiveness, its unifying revelry cutting across economic, ethnic and social divides.

036 SN FEBRUARY 2017

27 - 28 FEB

18 MAR

dominica carnival

cape town carnival

Dominica’s Carnival is held at the traditional pre-Lenten time, and features calypso, soca, Queen Shows and costumes which entice onlookers on the streets. Visitors are encouraged to visit mas camps and calypso tents as part of the Carnival. There are numerous traditional costume bands that all represent the people of Dominca. The carnival is described as one of the most traditional Caribbean Carnivals.

Cape Town is re-inventing itself as a tourist destination since hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2010, when the city’s newest carnival was created. It’s swiftly gaining an international reputation for high quality costumes, floats and community participation with a unique South African flavour. This year’s theme ‘Amaza! - Ocean Odyssey’, will inspire nautical and marine creations; bobbing boats, beach life, fish and other sea creatures. It’s a free, family event parading along Green Point Fan walk with a programme of entertainment and a VIP ticketed area. Further information visit www.capetowncarnival.com

DOMINICA

FOR FLIGHTS AND TRAVEL

020 7274 2242

SACKVILLETRAVEL.COM

SOUTH AFRICA

For further information and details please visit www.socanews.com/carnivals

Carnivals festivals

Carnivals festivals

apr 2017

23 APR

jamaica carnival 07 - 08 APR

22 APR

nevis blues festival

tampa carnival

22 - 30 APR

29 APR

tobago jazz experience

st. thomas carnival

TJE has been enhancing Tobago’s local music scene over a nine day period each April since 2005. Trinbagonians and music-lovers from afar converge for this celebration of jazz and the indigenous music genres of the region.

Staying true to its promise of offering ‘much more than music¹, however, the festival incorporates the cultural and historical practices that define the island of Tobago.

The first carnival was staged in 1912 during the final years of Danish occupation. It lapsed during World War I, but was revived in 1952. Included are the familiar elements of carnival such as a calypso competition, J’Ouvert and mas; there are also events such as a boat race, Greased Pig Contest, a food fair and Toddlers’ Derby to entertain everyone at the festivities.

ST KITTS & NEVIS

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

FLORIDA, USA

ST THOMAS, USVI

JAMAICA

Carnival in Jamaica began in the ’40s, when UWI students recreated campus versions of their home islands’ festivals.

Jump to 1990, as Byron Lee & Friends staged the inaugural JA Carnival, the first mas festival in the Land of Wood and Water.

Three decades later it became the Kingston Metropolitan Area’s premier festival and one of the biggest Jamaican events.

JA’s jump up begins when Lent is over, with a series of big fetes, and climaxes with road march partying on the Sunday after Easter, when masqueraders chip through the capital’s New Kingston area. 2017 sees the event return after a seven-year break. Expect to see reggae superstar Beenie Man, as well as Trinidadian soca artist 5 Star Akil.

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Carnivals festivals

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

may 2017

luton international carnival

LUTON INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL

LUTON, UK

03 MAY

12 - 14 MAY

st maarten

st.lucia jazz & arts festival

ST MAARTEN

SAINT LUCIA

BAHAMAS

From small beginnings, St Lucia Jazz has grown to be a firm fixture on the international festival calendar. It has inspired numerous imitators around the world, but few can compete with the stunning settings.

05 - 07 MAY

19 MAY

pure grenada music festival

aalborg karneval

04 - 06 MAY

bahamas junkanoo carnival

This year marks the 41st Luton International Carnival, which will once again take place at Wardown Park, Luton. It’s going to be a great family day, with all the fun of the carnival in one place.

In addition to the colourful parade, audiences can enjoy sound sites, food from all cultures, fairground rides and experience lots of fun activities for all the family.

This year’s theme is ‘Celebrate The World’.

DENMARK

28 MAY

06 MAY

27 MAY

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

cayman carnival batabano

atlanta caribbean carnival

GRENADA

CAYMAN ISLANDS

orlando carnival

FOR FLIGHTS AND TRAVEL

ATLANTA

020 7274 2242

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For further information and details please visit www.socanews.com/carnivals

28 MAY

ADVERTISING TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF SOCA NEWS

t. +44 (0) 333 012 4643 e. sales@socanews.com

SN FEBRUARY 2017 039

Carnivals festivals

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

jun 2017

04 JUNE

berlin carnival of cultures

ST KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL

BERLIN, GERMANY

The Berlin Karneval der Kulturen is a four day open-air festival with exotic food and drinks, concerts, performances, and parties. The colourful highlight of the festivities is the street parade, where more than 4,500 performers in authentic costumes, elaborately decorated floats, and musicians from over 70 different countries dance through the streets of Berlin. Soak up the samba rhythms, enjoy Brazilian drummers, Congolese singers, Korean culture groups, artistic larger-than-life puppets and a bit of Rio de Janeiro in the streets of the German capital - not forgetting the growing Caribbean carnival contingent.

FOR FLIGHTS AND TRAVEL

10 JUNE

20 - 22 JUNE

northampton carnival

st kitts music festival

16 - 19 JUNE

24 JUNE

NORTHAMPTON, UK

bermuda heroes weekend BERMUDA

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CHARLESTON CARIFEST SOUTH CAROLINA

17 JUNE

24 JUNE

BIELEFELDER CARNIVAL DER KULTUREN karneval

HOLLYWOOD, USA

hollywood carnival

BIELEFELD, GERMANY

25 JUNE 17 JUNE

oslo karneval OSLO, NORWAY

020 7274 2242

ST KITTS

preston caribbean carnival PRESTON, UK

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CARNIVALS FESTIVALS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

jul 2017

17 - 18 JULY

st lucia CARNIVAL

ZOMER CARNAVAL

SAINT LUCIA

01 JULY

10 - 11 JULY

st paulsBristol carnival

vincy mas

BRISTOL, UK

02 JULY

cowley road carnival OXFORD, UK

03 - 04 JULY

carnaval tropical de paris

ST VINCENT

With the coming of adult suffrage in 1951, more resources were put into carnival, and in 1973 a carnival committee was formed.

In 1976, they, along with calypsonians, pannists and mas makers, decided to move carnival from its traditional preLenten period to the summer, in order to generate revenue at a quieter time of year and to ensure more participation

by Vincentians of the diaspora.

2017 sees the 40th anniversary of Vincy Mas.

PARIS, FRANCE

10 - 11 JULY

BRAZILICA CARNIVAL LIVERPOOL, UK

042 SN FEBRUARY 2017

15 - 16 JULY

derby caribbean CARNIVAL DERBY, UK

This being Saint Lucia, expect to hear an injection of zouk from neighbouring Martinique and Guadeloupe, bouyon from Dominica and soukous (from Democratic Republic of the Congo, via Dominica), in the music. There is also a liberal dose of Afro-beats from West Africa and electronic dance music infused into the sound.

Saint Lucian mas makers have succumbed to the trend for feathers, beads and bikinis, which some feel is killing the creativity and culture of the festival. Band launches start from January; more information at socanews.com/carnivals.

Castries is the hub for Lucian Carnival, but local districts each host their own unique version of the festival. With a new government promising to inject more resources into carnival, 2017 should be a year to remember.

Carnivals festivals

aug 2017

JAPAN CARNIVAL

10 - 11 AUG 29 JULY

05 AUG

zomer CARNaval

leicester CARNIVAL

ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND

First held on August 4, 1984 in Rotterdam as the ‘Antillian Summer Carnival’, the festival, which attracted around 900,000 visitors annually, is now called Zomer Carnaval - Dutch for ‘Summer Carnival’.

The carnival is a celebration of Caribbean and Latin American cultures. The climax is the street parade, which is held on the Saturday.

The carnival in 2015 was cancelled due to bad weather, but was successfully held in 2016. We look forward to 2017.

LEICESTER, UK

JAPAN

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Many of you may not know, but Japan also has a carnival - and 2017 will mark its tenth year. The carnival is held in Kochi, and is part of a larger parade that attracts around 2 million people. Organisers of the carnival hope to begin registration from January 2017.

07 AUG

13 AUG

07 - 08 AUG

antigua CARNIVAL

crop over BARBADOS

caribbean carnival of manchester MANCHESTER, UK

07 AUG FOR FLIGHTS AND TRAVEL

japan carnival

caribana

TORONTO, CANADA

14 - 15 AUG

spicemas GRENADA

020 7274 2242

SACKVILLETRAVEL.COM SN FEBRUARY 2017 043

Carnivals festivals

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

19 - 20 AUG

20 AUG

27 - 28 AUG

JUS’CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL

nottingham carnival

notting hill carnival

LONDON, UK

Following from the successful Caribbean Food and Drink Expo 2015 at the historic Windrush Square, Brixton, organisers are bringing the Caribbean to Brockwell Park for a weekend of sensory delights.

20 AUG

nottingham carnival NOTTINGHAM, UK

26 AUG

boston carnival BOSTON, USA

044 SN FEBRUARY 2017

NOTTINGHAM, UK

28 AUG

leeds west indian carnival LEEDS, UK

Every year, months of preparation and a frenzy of costume dreams culminate in the official Leeds West Indian Carnival. This year will be no different, as the anticipation builds for the event’s 50th anniversary. With jaw-dropping costumes from across the UK, and the perfect recipe of tastes, sights and sounds, this golden anniversary year promises to be extra special.

LONDON, UK

Fifty years ago, social activist Rhaune Laslett and the London Free School (LFS) organised the ‘Notting Hill Fayre’, a small festival that was intended to spread a bit of hope, happiness and cultural cohesiveness. It proved a success beyond the organisers’ wildest dreams, but they could never have envisaged the massive, iconic annual event that attracts up to a million revellers from around the world. On 18 September, 1966, the opening parade drew most of the local population out of their homes to watch a small steelband, a horse-drawn carriage and children dressed as characters from history and nursery rhymes.

For further information and details please visit www.socanews.com/carnivals

aug 2017

Carnivals festivals

Carnivals festivals

Carnivals festivals

sep 2017

oct 2017

dec 2017

HACKNEY ONE CARNIVAL

04 SEPT

08 OCT

DEC - 01 JAN 2018

labor day

miami broward carnival

sugar mas 46

BROOKLYN, USA

Organised by West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) This year marks its 50th anniversary.

MIAMI, USA

DEC - 01 JAN 2018 26 - 29 OCT

10 SEPT

hackney one carnival HACKNEY, LONDON, UK

For more than four decades Hackney has been lighting up September with its own brand of Caribbean street festival.

SOCANEWS.COM/ CARNIVALS

ST. KITTS & NEVIS

las vegas latin caribbean carnival LAS VEGAS, USA

Las Vegas Latin Caribbean Carnival Weekend Experience (formerly known as Festival Weekend Experience) is a four day event celebrating Las Vegas Latin and Caribbean culture, heritage, pride and identity. Las Vegas welcomed 42 million visitors in 2015, and is the latest city to host its own Latin and Caribbean Carnival.

bahamas junkanoo BAHAMAS

DEC - 01 JAN 2018

montserrat festival MONTSERRAT

Montserrat Festival, held each year since 1962, celebrates the island’s culture, talent and creativity through various pageants, musical events, folklore dancing, private fetes and parades.

SN FEBRUARY 2017 045

INDEPENDENCE

ADELPHI WATERFALLS

grenada

marks its 43rd independence day

W

ith its distinctive gold, green and

red flag, the six parish ‘Spice Island’ of Grenada will celebrate its 43rd year of independence from Britain on 7 February. That colonial ruler reigned over the small but mighty country from 1763 to 1974; before that, from 1649, the French had control of ‘La Grenade’.

Grenada earned its nickname because it’s one of the world’s largest exporters of nutmeg and mace.

With an estimated population of just over 100,000, Grenada is one of the smallest members of the Commonwealth of Nations, pledging allegiance to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II who remains Head of State. Constitutional reforms are currently underway, although protocol still demands that a crowd must stand when a representative of the Queen arrives.

With the national bird, the Grenadian Dove, now on a critically endangered species list, Grenadians have more than constitutional reform to think about.

Grenadians of all ages will proudly wear the national colours on February 7, and an official annual parade will take place.

Soca News, along with many others, would like to wish Grenada a very happy independence day, and many years of development, peace and prosperity ahead.

046 SN FEBRUARY 2017

GROS PITON AND PETIT PITON

saint lucia 38th independence celebrations

S

aint Lucia celebrates its 38th year of independence on 22 February, and Lucians worldwide are preparing for a plethora of events including concerts, religious observations and, of course, partying. Saint Lucia has a long history of conquest and settlement, which began with the native Arawak Indians and ended with the British, who, in 1979, finally submitted to the call for an end to its tight colonial grip.

Historically, France and Spain were also involved in battles to claim and occupy the island, known as the ‘Helen of the West’, with the French being officially responsible for the first settlement in Soufriere in 1746. Sugar and slavery turned the wheels of commerce on the island until the latter’s abolition in 1838.

120 years later, in 1958, Saint Lucia, as many other Caribbean islands, sought varying measures of autonomy through the ultimately unsuccessful West Indian Federation. A new constitution was enacted in 1967, and remained in place until the British flag was lowered, patriotically supplanted by the new Saint Lucian flag in all its black, blue, white and yellow finery. In London, this year’s independence observations will be led by the new High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Guy Mayers.

SN FEBRUARY 2017 047

048 SN FEBRUARY 2017