SOCANEWS Free
i121/ JULY 2017 ISSN 1464-7087
socanews.com
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contents JULY 2017 | ISSUE 121
regular
features
07. NEWS
10. Ros Price
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL SPECIAL
14. MUSIC
NEW RELEASES VIDEOS SOCA ON THE WEB SOCA RIDDIMS
21. EVENTS
FIND A FETE
16. kaiso calling 18. david roberts 26. zomer carnaval
25. feature
CARNIVALS & FESTIVALS DIARY 2017
GET LISTED VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE
SOCANEWS.COM
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 SN JULY 2017 05
EdITOR’s Letter We’re getting excited here at Soca News. Notting Hill Carnival is just eight weeks away, and we’re really looking forward to taking to the streets for two days of revelry and Caribbean culture. It’s hard to guess how the tone of Carnival will be affected this year after the Grenfell Tower fire, but we know that it will be very much held in mind by all, and that respect will be paid. And hopefully, as always, Carnival will have a positive and healing impact on the community. There are plans to show, amidst the revelry, that we remember those who have been lost. This year may also be the last that we see dirty mas bands at Carnival during the day – at least officially. But we are a resistance people, and some bright spark will probably think of a different way of getting you dirty and covered in paint, powder, oil, mud and whatever else comes to mind. In case you had not already heard, on Carnival Friday 25 August order will be restored when two soca giants will Buss Head. Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin will take to the stage at Troxy, alongside the Jammin Still Ultimate Rejects. We’d love to hear your carnival stories, so email us at info@socanews. com. Until the next time. YOURS IN SOCA. Joseph Charles EDITOR
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Joseph Charles jc@socanews.com CREATIVE Joseph Charles SUB EDITOR Katie Segal katie@socanews.com CONSULTING-EDITOR Stephen Spark stephen@socanews.com
SALES & ADVERTISING sales@socanews.com
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Ashley Harris, Feminine Touch.
WORDS Adanna Austin, Ionie Benjamin, Joseph Charles, & Stephen Spark
PUBLISHED BY Joseph Charles Publishing 86-90 Paul Street London, EC2A 4NE
PICTURES Kola Graffix, Peter Hogan, Shutter In Motion, Stephen Spark & Victor Morris
TELEPHONE + 44 (0) 333 012 4643 EMAIL info@socanews.com WEBSITE www.socanews.com
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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. 06 SN JULY 2017
news
hands off
notting hill carnival, says mayor WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK IMAGES | KOLA GRAFFIX
M
inister for London Greg Hands has asked London Mayor Sadiq Khan to consider moving Notting Hill Carnival the capital’s biggest annual outdoor event from the streets of west London where it started over half a century ago. Hands told the Mayor: “We have to ask ourselves if it is appropriate to stage a Carnival in the near proximity of a major national disaster [the Grenfell Tower fire, in which more than 80 people are believed to have died]. I would like you to consider moving the location…” According to the Evening Standard, Khan replied that any attempt to move Carnival from Notting Hill would be a mistake, “particularly at a time when the community is mistrustful of many of those in positions of authority”.
The Mayor cited NHC’s strong roots in the African-Caribbean community of North Kensington and Notting Hill. “It’s only right that this remains its home,” Khan added. Hands - Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham also suggested that the Greater London Authority (GLA) take over the running of the event. Earlier this year responsibility for the day-to-day management and logistics of Notting Hill Carnival was passed to an external event manager, Street Event Company. In fact, neither a takeover nor a move is remotely realistic with just a few weeks left before the August bank holiday. Hands seems unaware of the detailed planning that is carried out a year in advance by organisers, participants, councils, police, emergency services and transport operators. CONTINUES OVER >>> SN JULY 2017 07
news
Hands did not propose an alternative venue for what he called “an important and symbolic community celebration”. Most of the plans to clear Carnival from the streets envisage it moving to Hyde Park. However, gay rights activist Peter Tatchell, writing in The Guardian on 6 July, pointed out that Royal Parks does not allow the annual London Pride march to use Hyde Park. Tatchell (a former Pride organiser) claims that “onerous controls and draconian costs” mean that no more than 26,500 can march in the streets. After adding in spectators and participants in Soho and Trafalgar Square he estimates the total crowd at 216,500 – around a quarter of Notting Hill Carnival’s attendance. It seems unlikely, therefore, that Royal Parks would ever accept NHC’s one million-plus revellers. Pride is often mentioned as a potential model for a revamped Notting Hill Carnival, but Tatchell said it “has been dumbed down. For many people, it is now mostly a gigantic street party. Big corporations see it as a PR opportunity.” Carnival-goers need to ask themselves whether that is a model they wish Notting Hill to copy.
SOCANEWS.COM/NEWS 08 SN JULY 2017
LNHCET APPOINTS EVENT MANAGER
London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust (LNHCET) has broken new ground by appointing an event manager, Street Event Company (SEC). According to SEC’s website, www.nottinghillcarnivalguide.com, the company will “manage the logistics and delivery of a better, safer Carnival”. It says it has the professional expertise to manage the challenging task of running Europe’s biggest annual street festival. The decision follows recommendations made by the Public Realm Scrutiny Committee of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) in March. RBKC envisaged a professional event manager would “counter the current negative narrative attached to Carnival” and “provide considerably more information on Carnival to residents and the community in future”. With a single organiser being involved in event planning, health and safety, managing contractors and participants, there would be more opportunities for “improving and developing the artistic experience of Carnival”. The council also hopes the event manager will exercise better control over participants, “ensuring that the nature
of their participation is appropriate for the event nature and venue”. Street Event Company is the trading name of London Street Events Ltd, set up on 12 April and registered at an accommodation address in Shoreditch. Its directors are David Morgan, a former Metropolitan Police officer, and Ortho Barnes. Morgan, Barnes and Kari Yanai were directors of a previous organisation called Street Event Company, which was set up in 2013 and dissolved in 2015.
“DISILLUSIONED” SPOKESMAN QUITS
Notting Hill Carnival’s communications director, Andrew Hillier, has dramatically resigned. He was hired at the beginning of June by Street Event Company to help improve Carnival’s media profile. By 23 June, a new website had been launched at www.nottinghillcarnivalguide.com to act as “the official, authorised online event management guide [which will] provide up-to-the minute news on Carnival for visitors to the event, participants in the bands and sound systems and for those living in and around the streets of Notting Hill”. Twitter and Facebook accounts were also set up, chiefly to encourage people to visit SEC’s website and those of LNHCET and the Carnival arenas. However, when Soca News tried to contact Hillier we were told he was no longer acting as communications director. Hillier himself did not wish to comment, but sources revealed that LNHCET wanted to take control of the website and social media sites. He is said to have become “disillusioned” and “worn down” by the difficulties of working with LNHCET. His departure poses major questions – again – about NHC’s management and professionalism.
FEWER TRUCKS, FEWER SOUNDS BUT TIMETABLE UNCHANGED
Soca News understands that the route and timetable for Notting Hill Carnival are likely to remain unaltered this year. That means the Calypso Monarch Finals will take place at the Tabernacle on Thursday 24 August, Panorama from 7pm to 10pm on Saturday 26 August at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance, Jouvert
between 6am and 9am on Sunday followed by Children’s Carnival from 10am, and Adults’ Carnival from 10am on Bank Holiday Monday, 28 August. The World Music Stage will once again be found at Powis Square on Carnival Sunday and Monday. When the programme has been finalised, Soca News will provide full details of the World Music Stage line-up. The judging point will remain on Great Western Road, but the closing time for judging is under review. The aim is for every band to reach the judging point in time for judging. In the light of the current security situation, Street Event Company, in consultation with the Metropolitan Police and the emergency services, wants bands to reduce the number and size of vehicles on the road. SN has heard that the number of static sounds permitted to operate will be reduced, particularly in All Saints Road. For their part, mas bands want LNHCET and SEC to work with stewarding company McKenzie Arnold and the police to reduce the severe overcrowding that occurs on Ladbroke Grove after the static sound systems are turned off. At time of going to press, there was no word on the total number of mas bands registered for Carnival 2017. Mas bands are reminded that they must provide police and organisers as soon as possible with details of the vehicles and drivers they plan to use on the road at Carnival.
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL PLEDGES SOLIDARITY WITH FIRE VICTIMS
In a press statement, LNHCET chair Pepe Francis said: “Notting Hill Carnival will show the local community’s solidarity, support and respect for the victims of the appalling fire at Grenfell Tower.” Francis added: “We do not pretend to provide solace. But we can, and will offer respect and solidarity… We will focus on what we do best, providing joy and release through the music, dance and escapism of Carnival.” There have been many calls for Carnival to pay a specific tribute to the Grenfell victims and survivors. One suggestion gaining traction is for all mobile and static sounds and musicians to switch off at a specified time to create a short period of silence over the whole Carnival zone.
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feature
ros price
Soca News was sad to learn of the death of Ros Price (Rosalind Patricia Price, 28 January 1941 28 May 2017) at the age of 76. WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK
R
os was a good friend of this magazine and in 1998 contributed ‘Olivia’s Diary’, which told the tale of a would-be carnival queen in a somewhat chaotic mas band. The series was evidence in print of Ros’s wicked sense of humour and acute powers of observation. She was known to many as the doyenne of Oval House, where she provided a warm welcome, wise advice and encouragement to a wide range of artists and performers, including many who had fled the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Ros was also a prime mover in the delightful Myatts Fields Junkanoo and in local organisations such as Stockwell Good Neighbours Notting Hill Carnival benefited from her good sense too, particularly after Claire Holder was ousted as Carnival chief executive. Ros’s quiet diplomacy and firm principles helped ease some of the tensions in the mas community at that time. 010 SN JULY 2017
She played a crucial role in the development of South Connections Carnival Band from its earliest days as Ovalionz. A generation of south London masqueraders came to rely on her ability to create costumes out of the most unlikely materials, to produce food and safety pins seemingly from nowhere and, no matter what sort of madness was afoot, to bring order out of chaos – and all with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye. And on Carnival Day, when the band was safely past the judging point, you would turn round and find Ros had transformed into some mythical being of swirling silk bearing a beatific smile. Health problems must have proved a sore trial, but she simply refused to let them prevent her doing what she loved – helping others be the best they can. Soca News offers its condolences to her family and particularly to her partner Alphie Pritchard. We understand that an event at Oval House commemorating her life has been planned for 9 September.
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music
new soca releases HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE NEW SOCA RELEASES FROM THE UK, BARBADOS, GRENADA, SAINT VINCENT AND SAINT LUCIA
COME GOOD ALISON HINDS
DUTTY CUP CASPA G
MELODY
EDWIN YEARWOOD AND PETER RAM
MAJOR KEY
KEV FEAT. TERRI LYONS
SOCA FAMALEEZ
FETE AWAY
AH DOH KNOW
MASHMELLOW
IT'S MY LIFE
RUM & IRON
MISTAH DALE
MONGSTAR
LUTA
MAJOR DAN
NAPHTALI
SERGIE
FOR MORE MUSIC VISIT
SOCANEWS.COM/MUSIC
MORE MUSIC MAY BE FOUND ONLINE AT SOCANEWS.COM/MUSIC SN JULY 2017 013
soca on the web Sunday 5-8 PM
MEGA MIX SHOW
7-9 PM
THE BEAT SOCA SHOW
6-8 PM
THE CARIBBEAN AFFAIR
DJ CRIS VIBESFM.COM
SMOKEY JOE & DANNYD THE BEAT 103.6FM
videos
new riddims
MARTIN JAY BAKAHNALRADIO.COM
8-10 PM BAKAHNAL IN D JUNCTION
DJ TORO BAKAHNALRADIO.COM
10-12PM THE CREOLE DIASPORA SHOW
NINJA MAN LLOYD ALLFLAVASRADIO.COM
monday 7-9 PM
WE LIMING
Blessings LIL RICK
DJ SONIC CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
9-11 PM FLAG ZONE
cock up riddim
FLAGZ SOUNDS CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
VARIOUS ARTISTS
10-12 PM BACCHANAL VYBES OF SOCA
SOCA DEVIL RJR 98.3FM RADIORJR.COM
tuesday 7-9 PM
ISLAND VIBES
DJ TWIN T CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
stars align MARVAY
wednesday 7-9 PM
THE DUKEZ OF HAZARD SHOW
DJ DUKEZ CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
9-11 PM JUST ROLO
DJ ROLO CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
hot body riddim
thursday 6-8 PM
D BREAK AWAY SHOW
7-9 PM
SHUTDOWN SHOW
DIGGA D BAKAHNALRADIO.COM
DJ SLYSTA CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
VARIOUS ARTISTS
fete after fete
L PANK
8-10 PM THE CREOLE DIASPORA SHOW
NINJA MAN LLOYD ALLFLAVASRADIO.COM
9-11 PM SOCA SHAKEDOWN
MIKE FORBES CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
Friday 7-9 PM
SOCA OR DIE
RAS KENNY CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
9-11 PM CARIBBEAN SESSIONS SHOWCASE
DJ CJAY CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
saturday 7-9 PM
ON THE MOVE
THE MOVEMENTS FAMILY CARIBBEANSESSIONS.CO.UK
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who yuh fuhÂ
KENYO BALY
bandjam riddim VARIOUS ARTISTS
IF YOU HAVE OR KNOW OF A RADIO PROGRAMME THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE INCLUDED IN THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@SOCANEWS.COM WITH ALL THE RELEVANT INFORMATION
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feature
Kaiso
Calling! Calypso in London takes on a silvery sheen this year. The Association of British Calypsonians (ABC) is celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the iconic and irreplaceable London Calypso Tent. WORDS + PICTURES | STEPHEN SPARK
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t seems almost unthinkable that we will have to enjoy this classic and competitive kaiso season without the Mighty Tiger. Ashton Moore, who passed away on 25 January, was the Tent’s founder and President for Life of the ABC. For many of us he was the Godfather of Calypso in England, the guiding spirit who kept the flame of Caribbean kaiso burning bright on these shores. Tiger moved to Luton some years ago, but despite failing health he kept a sharp eye on ABC’s activities. The best proof of his legacy is the solid line-up of talent who’ll be keeping the enthusiastic Tabernacle crowd entertained from stalwarts such as Lord Cloak, De Admiral and Alexander D Great to younger performers like Sheldon Skeete, G String and Santiago. Joining them will be the special guests. Look out for Sunshine and Nadiva, Deevine, Carlene ‘Sweetwrists’ Etienne, Mckenzie Hart (the revelation of 2016) and
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Ms Desire at the Groovy Soca Competition on 18 August. Once again we’ll be treated to sauciness from Shirlane Hendrickson, Lady Wonder and All Rounder – if you’re the shy and retiring kind, don’t sit in the front row! Among all the picong there’ll be tributes to our past calypso pioneers. The Mighty Tiger will be with us in spirit, of course, and also Golden Cockerel, Mighty Astronaut, Rev Sweetfoot and Peace & Love. The Tent, at The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11 2AY, runs from 8pm every Friday in August up to Carnival, plus the Calypso Monarch Final on Thursday 24 August. Tickets are £12, concs £10, u16 £5 and can be bought in advance via www.eventbrite.com. Soca News will keep you up to date with news and reviews, and check ABC’s website, www.britishcalypsonians.com, for more details.
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I was still living in the BVI when I was invited to co-own a weekly shoppers’ guide newspaper called The Penny Saver.
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david roberts THE RESTLESS ISLANDER WORDS | IONIE BENJAMIN
In a few weeks’ time businesses and communities from across the UK and the Caribbean will descend on the capital for three days of trading expo, food and drink conference and Caribbean-focused festivals.
J
us’ Caribbean Festival and Caribbean Food and Drink Conference is the collaborative venture of CaribDirect Multi-media Limited, sponsored by international food and drink giant Grace Foods UK. It takes place over the preCarnival weekend, from 18 to 20 August. CaribDirect CEO David F Roberts said: “We did our first Expo in Windrush Square, Brixton in 2015. There was no sponsorship deal to bankroll the event and it attracted 3,000 people on the Square. There were 21 stalls ranging from food and drinks, art and craft, education, one carnival band, comedienne Donna Spence, and actor Rudolph Walker, aka Patrick from BBC TV’s East Enders.” David has a solid track record in trading the Caribbean brand. The company has been operating since 2009 and just a few months ago he was invited by the Department for International Trade within the British High Commission, Jamaica, to address business men and women about exporting to the Caribbean and UK in bilateral trading agreements. He was born in England of mixed Caribbean heritage mum Guyanese, dad a lawyer of Grenadian origin. He reveals that his mother has been his biggest inspiration: “My mother has been my rock who has always encouraged me and inspired me to be strong and faithful.” When David was just four years old, the family moved from the UK to the Caribbean, first to Grenada and then to Antigua and St Lucia, where his father worked for the respective governments. In 1980 David moved to Guyana, spending 12 years there before moving back to St Lucia to study mass communication
at the satellite campus of the University of the West Indies. His next move was to the British Virgin Islands, where he studied law. “I was still living in the BVI when I was invited to co-own a weekly shoppers’ guide newspaper called The Penny Saver. That venture was followed by a weekly entertainment magazine owned by a British expat, called Limin’ Times Magazine,” recalled David. He eventually returned to live in London, working for various Caribbean and African-focused broadcasters and newspaper and magazine publishers. He was also encouraged to enter the Dragons Den BBC series with his business idea, but though he faced the Dragons whom he says were brutal he was unsuccessful. However, he made some valuable connections during the selection process, including a millionaire based in Canary Wharf, and this encounter led to a joint business venture. “We set up a company which specialised in designing and constructing outdoor advertising platforms and making road signs for Caribbean countries,” said David. His biggest professional influencer is Sir Richard Branson, even though he is yet to meet him. “He is someone who I respect in how he manages his business. Although I became aware of him when I was living in the British Virgin Islands and he already owned Necker Island, I wasn’t that versed in international affairs and the Virgin brand was fairly alien to me back then.” He may be a long way from both the Caribbean islands and Richard Branson – who, after all, has been in business a very long time but with faith, hard work and great connections David F Roberts, the multi-media islander, looks set for greater success.
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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.
14/fri SHIPWRECKED CARNIVAL LONDON
LAVA - FRIDAY AFTER WORK DRINKS @ Sway, 61-65 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BZ. Time 7pm3am. Price Free entry B4 9pm.
SOCA FRENZY
GET LOOSE-SIZZLING SUMMER SHORTS FETE @ Scala, 275 Pentonville Road King´s Cross, N1 9NL. DJs DJ Flex, DJ Bones, DJ Tate, Triple M, Matchiz, Shaker HD, Armani HD. Time 11pm-4am. Price £8 & £15.
ISLAND MAS UK
FUNATIK MAS
@ Cavendish Banqueting Suite, Edgware Road, NW9 5AE. Hosted by Keety General. Live Acts Inspector, Dash, Mya & Wuss Wayz. DJs DJ Bones, Guff Nuff, QT 2Hype, Release D Riddim, Hyper Spice, DJ Mad Man & Pantha. Time 10pm-4am. Price £20 & £25.
@ MV Royalty, Festival Pier South Bank, SE1 8XZ. DJs Martin Jay, DJ Rolo & Super Trini. Time 2.30pm-6.30pm. Price £25 & £30.
S.M.S-THE SPICE MAS SEND OFF CONCERT
16/sun
MANGROVE STEELBAND
MANGROVE - 2017 BLOCKORAMA
15/sat
@ Powis Square, W11. Time 2pm-8pm. Price Free.
ELIMU MAS
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL PIONEERS’ (NHCP)
CARNIVAL WORK’ SHOP: THE MUSIC OF CARNIVAL: TASSA @ Yaa Centre, 1 Chippenham Mews, W9 2AN. Time 5-9pm. Price free.
PREMIERE FILM SCREENING OF NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL PIONEERS’ FESTIVAL 2016 @ Carnival Village, Tabernacle Powis Square, W11 2AY. Time 8.30pm.
SET SAIL IN BLUE THE SUMMER JAM
DAME DU SHOW PRODUCTIONS
BAD N BOOZY BOT’ TOMLESS BRUNCH
@ Bintang, 93 Kentish Town Road, NW1 8NY. Hosted by Dame Du Show. DJs DJ Cinde Rella. Time 2-6pm. Price £25.
21/fri DUCK AND DRAKE PROMOTIONS
GLIMPSE
@ Peckham Palais Clock Tower, 1 Rye Lane, SE15 5ED. DJs DJ Stephen, DJ CJay, Matchiz, DJ Raskal & QT 2Hype. Time 10pm4am. Price £10 & £15.
D’REMEDY
BRIGHT COLOURS LIME @ Miusan, 16 Inverness Street, NW1 7HJ. DJs Triple M, DJ Tate, Prince Vern & Armanic Hic. Time 8pm-2am. Price £5 & £10.
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events CARIBBEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
CARIBBEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
@ The District, Bird Street, Liverpool, L1 0BW. Hosted by Jus Tandy. DJs DJ Spy, DJ Iceberg, Selecta Iray, D'Transformerz & Big Business. Price £5.
23/sun
28/fri
MAGNUM OPUS EVENTS
SOCA MASSIVE AND ASSOCIATES
@ The Magic Roundabout, Old Street Roundabout (above the tube station), EC1Y 1BE. Time 210pm. Price £4, £8 & £12.
WE JAMMIN’ STILL
@ RnR Wine Bar, 225 Chingford Mount Road, Chingford, E4 8LP. DJs Soca Massive, Zoomer D & DJ Fats. Time 8pm. Price £5 after 10pm.
COCOYEA LONDON
THE ROYAL LOUNGE
@ The Soca Temple, Undersolo 22 Inverness Street, NW1 7HJ. DJs Soca Massive, DJ Fats & Zoomer D. Time 5pm-midnight. Price free b4 8pm, £5 thereafter. Tel 07956 223 247.
@ The Royal Lounge, 397 High Road, Wembley, HA9 6AA. Time 9pm-5am. Price Free Entry B4 11pm. £10 thereafter.
CARIBBEAN MUSIC ASSOCIATION (CMA)
@ Dogstar, 389 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LQ. DJs DJ Shakit. Time 10pm-3:30am. Price Free before 10pm then £5 after.
SUMMER OF SOCA MUSIC
PARK LIME & FAMILY FUNDAY @ Hornimans Pleasance Park, Kensal Road, W10 5EH. Time 1-8pm. Price Free Entry.
NOTTINGHAM CARNIVAL TRUST
CARNIVAL CLASH: EMCCAN KING & QUEEN SHOW
@ Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham NG1 5AF. Time 6pm-9pm. Price £10. Tel 0115 941 9414.
CLUB ZOUK DRESS UP FRIDAY
GET MAD ENTERTAINMENT
BASHMENT & CHILL
29/sat UCOM CARNIVAL & ASSOCIATES INCORPORATING SOCAHOLIC UK, KARMA INFINITY & HYPE
JOUVAY : COOLER ON THE BEACH
@ Leyton Beach, Oliver Road,E10 5LF. Time 1-7pm. Price £15, £20 & £25.
27/thur
BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS LTD
SOCAHOLIC & UCOM CARNIVAL
@ Trade Union, 3 Thomas More Street, E1W 1YW. Time 9-3am. Price £10, £15 & £20.
SUMMER TING AFTER WORK LIME
@ Gem, 10 Beak Street, W1F 9RA. Time 6pm-3am.
ENDLESS SUMMER
30/sun PREZZY PRODUCTIONS
FOR MORE EVENTS VISIT
SOCANEWS.COM /EVENTS
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THE ANNUAL BEACH LIME
@ Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth, BH5 1BN. DJs DJ Boots. Time 8am. Price £40 adults, £20 kids all includes Caribbean cuisine and premium drinks bar.
SO SO SOCA
04/fri
ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH CALYPSONIANS
LONDON CALYPSO TENT - OPENING ( SILVER JUBILEE NIGHT
@ Carnival Village, Tabernacle Powis Square, W11 2AY. Time 8pm. Price £12. (see p20)
SHIPWRECKED CARNIVAL LONDON
LAVA - FRIDAY AFTER WORK DRINKS @ Sway, 61-65 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BZ. Time 7pm3am. Price Free entry B4 9pm.
05/sat
TALK YUH TALK IN ASSOCIATION WITH CARNIVAL VILLAGE TRUST
KAISO LIME!
@ Carnival Village, Tabernacle Powis Square, W11 2AY. DJs Soca Massive, DJ Fats & Zoomer D. Time 7pm-10:30pm. Price free.
06/sun
MR WHYTE’S HOUSE
NO BEHAVIOUR CARNIVAL DAY PARTY
@ Tereza Joanne Boat, King George V Dock, Woolwich, Manor Way, E16 2NJ. DJs DJ Mr Whyte, Intryst Hire, RCM Events & Club VIP Plus. Time 4pm-Midnight. Price Free b4 4.30pm, £10 b4 8pm, £7 priority entry ticket.
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Carnivals & festivals Diary
2017 Are 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.)
jul 2017
aug 2017
02 03 - 04 08 10 - 11 14 - 16 15 - 16 15 17 - 18 22 29
COWLEY ROAD CARNIVAL CARNAVAL TROPICAL DE PARIS GENEVA CARNAVAL VINCY MAS BRAZILICA CARNIVAL DERBY CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL ACTON CARNIVAL SAINT LUCIA CARNIVAL CARIBBEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL ZOMER CARNAVAL
OXFORD, UK PARIS, FRANCE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND ST VINCENT LIVERPOOL, UK DERBY, UK ACTON, UK SAINT LUCIA LIVERPOOL, UK 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
SOCANEWS.COM/CARNIVALS * 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’VE MISSED, PLEASE LET US KNOW BY EMAILING INFO@SOCANEWS.COM. SN JULY 2017 025
zomer carnaval 28–29 July 2017
Rotterdam, Holland Carnival in the Netherland Antilles is usually celebrated in the winter or early spring, but as that time would be too cold for such outdoor festivities in Europe. Thus Rotterdam Carnival, which is derived from that in the Dutch Antilles, is celebrated during the summer. First held on August 4, 1984, as the ‘Antillian Summer Carnival’, the festival, which from 2004 to 2007 attracted around 900,000 visitors annually, is now called simply Zomer Carnaval Dutch for ‘Summer Carnival’. Some of the most anticipated pre-carnival events are the official Zomer Carnaval Queen Election and the Battle of Drums competition. The climax is the street parade, which is held on the Saturday; during and after the street parade there are also two live stages, at Coolsingel and Churchillplein. The carnival in 2015 was cancelled due to bad weather, but was held successfully in 2016. We’re looking forward to this year’s event, in just a few short weeks’ time.
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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 a vast online global community.
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