SOCANEWS F REE
SEPT 2021/139 ISSN 1464-7087
SOCANEWS.COM
Go Gal
ALISON HINDS A V A I L A B L E
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CONTENTS SEPT 2021 | ISSUE 139
REGULAR
REVIEWS
FEATURES
07 NEWS
12 YES, MAS MUS, AND
22 MUSIC SOCA GOLD 2021
CONFERENCE
16 CALYPSO GOES TO
27 EVENTS YOUR GUIDE TO WHATS HAPPENING WHEN AND WHERE.
WILL PLAY
THE OPERA
20 PAN-JAM IN POWIS SQUARE
24 CARNIVAL ARTS 32 GOOD SHOW, BAD
SHOW, NO SHOW
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EDITOR'S
LETTER SOCANEWS FREE
SEPT 2021/139 ISSN 1464-7087
SOCANEWS.COM
I had a blast of a time for Notting Hill Carnival. And yes, there was no on-the-road procession, but there were a host of events that kept us jamming all the way through August and into September. Now all we can do is hope that we can return to the streets of Ladbroke Grove for Notting Hill Carnival 2022. We're currently looking for writers, who must have a keen interest in Caribbean culture - especially in soca, mas and carnival. If this is you, then email info@socanews.com with your details. And if you would like to contribute to Soca News or have a story to share, please email us at news@socanews.com.
Go Gal
ALISON HINDS A V A I L A B L E
Hello Soca People
N O W SN SEPT 2021 1
Until the next issue... 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 & MARKETING sales@socanews.com Eric Oppong eric@socanews.com WORDS Dunstan Creavalle, Joseph Charles, Sharon Buckley & Stephen Spark. PICTURES Alex Coley, Bampson, Shutter In Motion, Stephen Spark & Studio NI Photography.
instagram.com/socanews
twitter.com/socanews
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
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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. © 2021 Soca News. All rights reserved.
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NEWS
IT'S A CARNIVAL CELEBRATION AT THE SHAW THEATRE
C
arnival Celebration 2021 on Saturday 9 October aims to celebrate UK carnival culture in the comfort of the Shaw Theatre. Audiences can expect a showcase of music, dance, costumes and drama, illustrating the history of carnival through a diverse range of artists and performers. In addition to the show there will be stalls with crafts and carnival merchandise on sale. Organised by Caribbean UK Community Group, (CUKCG), the event seeks to fill the void of two years of missed carnivals, and to provide a lift in relation to the various challenges Covid19 has presented. They also seek to entice a new and wider audience base, raising awareness and giving them the opportunity to see the full diversity and creativity that constitutes carnival culture. CUKCG Director Clayton Brown told Soca News, "We wish to provide a celebration that helps to reconnect families and the community with the beautiful diversity of the carnival art form. The show is an addition to the carnival calendar, and with community support we would like to make it an annual event."
Doors will open at 5pm for this two-hour showcase, with showtime at 6pm. Tickets are £10 in advance, and may be purchased at www.shaw-theatre.com/whats-on. For more information contact CUKCG on 07951 308 379/07946 088 553; email: caribbeanukcommunity@outlook.com. SN SEPT 2021 7
NEWS
MELÉ WILL START LIFE ON LAND, WELL IN CANCUN, MEXICO
M
achel Montano’s cruise Melé which is a joint venture with Tribe Carnival, whose inaugural sailing was put back because of the Covid pandemic, will now be held on land. In a video posted on his Instagram feed at the end of August he confirmed that that there will be a Melé – but on shore. Rebranded as ‘Melé – Destinations’, the five days, four nights of food, fete and fun has landed at the Moon Palace Resort, Cancun, Mexico. Revellers will party from Thursday 28 April to Monday 2 May 2022 at the ultra-all-inclusive resort, with 24hour room service, unlimited food and drink from more than 16 restaurants and 12 bars, and unlimited resort FUN. Prices start from US$1,600 per person for double occupancy, US$1,450 per person for triple occupancy and US$1,300 per person for quadruple occupancy. With parties and events from sun up ’til sun down, this is going to be one trip you won’t want to miss. For more information and to book your space, go to meledestinations.com.
GOT A STORY? EMAIL US AT NEWS@SOCANEWS.COM 8 SN SEPT 2021
MORE SUCCESS FOR REHEMA MUTHAMIA
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ehema Muthamia won the first ever Miss All African Colours England (see Soca News 28 February) in February. Miss African Colours England was formed during the pandemic to celebrate diversity in our population and is organised by luxury handbag brand, All African Colours. And now Rehema, who has a degree in Genetics from University of Sussex and speaks four languages, has also won the Miss England 2021 title, triumphing against 42 other finalists. The 25 year old health technology consultant's win means that she will represent England at the 70th Miss World in Puerto Rico in December, and wil also be invited on a trip to Sri Lanka by owners of Envoy London. Soca News congratulates Rehema Muthamia on her latest success. DC
NEWS
NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR DOMINICA
D
ominica hopes to build its tourism revenue by building a new international airport - scheduled for completion in 2025. At present, the Nature Island of the Caribbean depends on neighbouring islands for transatlantic flights because its airport is not large enough to handle European and USA flights. The ultra-modern airport, designed by US-based aviation planning and development company Landrum & Brown, will be at the heart of a strategy for boosting tourism, logistics, agricultural exports and overall economic growth. Hoteliers and restaurateurs are anticipating an influx of tourists once the airport has been completed, and meanwhile the project will create a lot of jobs. Samuel Johnson, CEO of the Dominica International Airport Development Company, said: “We might not be able to accommodate the larger aircraft, but there are new changes in technology, for example the Airbus A220, a smaller aircraft that is very effective at running long, thin routes.” He added: “Our long-term plan is to gradually increase our visitor arrivals during the buildout stage so that it transitions nicely into the international airport.” RD
KANO LAUNCHES DUPPY WHITE 100% JAMAICAN RUM
B
ritish rapper, songwriter, producer and actor from East Ham in London, Kano, has launched a new rum. Created and founded in partnership with Duppy Share Caribbean Rums, Duppy White is 100% Jamaican white rum with flavours of mango, pimento and fresh thyme, for 100% Jamaican flavour. Five years in the making, the rum is born from the memories, smells and flavours that reflect Kano's Jamaican roots, and the profound impact of Jamaican culture on London and the world. This is described as the first white rum that’s designed to be drunk neat and in shots, as well as starring in classic white rum cocktails. Duppy White asks us to celebrate life and guarantees nights to remember. DC SN SEPT 2021 9
NEWS
A TIME TO BREATHE CELEBRATES LIFE WITH POETRY, DANCE AND MUSIC
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ighting for breath, half-suffocated by lockdowns, struggling to make voices heard against the howling of fake news and the gabbling of corporate media – the past two years have been hard on both artists and their audiences. After another year without Carnival on the road, we all need a breath of fresh air to revive our spirits, and in October we should get the boost we need with a festival celebrating black cultural narratives in poetry, dance and music. Appropriately, this festival is called 'A Time to Breathe', and is curated and produced by awardwinning director, producer, choreographer, former dancer and carnivalist Greta Mendez MBE, and co-produced by James Scotland, founder of Khaos theatre company. Some of the biggest names in dance, music and performance arts are on the bill, and many more are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Amongst the artists confirmed so far are singersongwriter Carol Leeming MBE FRSA, choreographer and dance educator Dr Carol La Chappelle PhD, singer-songwriter Jordana Mba, and Cleo Lake - artist, activist, choreographer, dance therapist and former Lord Mayor of Bristol. 10 SN SEPT 2021
The full programme will be announced soon; keep checking the website - www.atimetobreathe.co.uk - and social media for updates. A Time to Breathe will takes place from 26 to 31 October at The Theatre, Stockwell SW8 2JU. The Theatre is served by bus routes 77, 87, 452 and P5, and is a 10 minute walk from Stockwell Station (Northern Line). SP
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REVIEW
YES, MAS MUS, AND WILL, PLAY! WORDS | SHARON BUCKLEY
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hat with the absence of Notting Hill Carnival this year, just hearing the words ‘Mas Mus Play’ is enough to relight just the smallest of fires in the deepest souls of avid masqueraders right now. The event, hosted by Carnival Village, was held on Sunday 1 August at the Tabernacle, Powis Square, and truly lived up to its name. In this writer’s eye it really marked the beginning of Carnival and a month that although void of that big event over the Bank Holiday is nevertheless filled with events and activities keeping the spirit of Carnival alive. The event showcased adult mas, and followed on from the children's event the previous week. I felt this was, in a sense, a live version of what was presented to us last year in NHC’s virtual stream, but I could be wrong. Various mas bands showcased both past and upcoming costume designs, whilst panellists including Giselle Carter, Greta Mendez and Maria Joseph were given a platform to voice their opinions and provide constructive criticism on what they saw before them. Just some of the bands that took part were Utopia Mas, Flagz, Elimu, Jamaican Twist, Mardi Gras, Funatiks and Wassiville. The MC was Sir Influential, with music provided by DJ Prince Vern. There is feeling that this should become an annual event, as it provided the perfect kick-start package for those who are interested in mas and would like to know more as well as for your die-hard carnival addicts looking for the best costume and band to play with. Overall, this was a wondrous event for both adults and children.
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ELIMU MAS PHOTOGRAPHER | ALEX COLEY
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Summer Special
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Summer Special
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REVIEW
GISELLE
CALYPSO GOES TO THE OPERA CARNIVAL CULTURE IN THE PARK DAY ONE: CALYPSO WORDS + IMAGES | STEPHEN SPARK
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F
inally: a real show where you could finally see and talk to real people after half a lifetime of monastic solitude communing with that virtual deity, Zoom. What a relief!
ALEXANDER D GREAT
And what a venue. Set amongst the beautiful gardens and tree-lined avenues of Holland Park in Kensington, the tented canopy and venerable architecture that form the backdrop to the aircraftcarrier-sized stage were a most impressive setting for (in Mighty Tiger’s phrase) “the first music of the Caribbean”. To top it all for a calypso show, Holland Park Opera’s ‘open-air’ stage really is a tent! By the time the show started promptly at 7.30pm it was obvious that the audience was very different from the one you’d expect at calypso’s usual home, The Tabernacle. Many present clearly had never been to a calypso show before, so MC Coco P helpfully explained some of the background to the music. First up was Helena B, who brought us Mother Earth is Crying and Crime Does Not Pay. She
finished with the beautiful Cool it Down, best known from one of Bill Campbell’s compilations where it was sung by Melanesse. It’s a perfect vehicle for Helena’s voice, and her rendition was a high spot of the evening so let’s hope we hear it again. By now, Tent regulars had begun to realise that something was lacking from the music. Leaving aside some intermittent microphone problems, the sound was muddy and subdued. Soca News was told that Holland Park has a noise limitation to avoid rattling the neighbours’ silverware, but the problem wasn’t so much volume as quality. For a professional opera stage that seemed surprising, and it affected some singers and songs more than others. In addition, the scratch band lacked the brass, but also the sheer energy, of the wonderSN SEPT 2021 17
HELENA B
ful ABC Band, and the absence of the Divettes was keenly felt. The sheer size of the stage was itself an obstacle, and the presence of an empty orchestra pit created a most unfortunate social distancing effect that was hard for a solo performer to overcome. If they were to make any impression on that vast space, the calypsonian needed to dress and move with all the flamboyance of an opera star – or, indeed, a frontline masquerader! Is that a pointer for next year? The Holland Park stage would be the ideal showcase for mas, so let’s see the space booked for a costume gala in 2022. The second calypsonian to do battle with the acoustics was Alexander D Great, who got a cheer when he referred to Sparrow’s Carnival Boycott as “…a protest song, and I’m a protest singer. I stick up for victims of injustice and give a hard time to those who cause that injustice”. The injustice here was that his lyrics were swallowed up somewhere between orchestra pit and canopy. He was able to make 18 SN SEPT 2021
more of an impression with the beautiful Haiti. Its combination of poetry and pathos was given added poignancy as that beleaguered country struggles once more with the after-effects of an earthquake. Perhaps the Takamaka rum from Seychelles heightened the senses, as after the brief interval the perfumes from the gardens grew more intense and the sound seemed slightly improved. If so, Giselle Carter was the beneficiary. It was, she told us, the first time she had performed at a show for several years, and she really brought home to us what we’ve been missing. Giselle’s first three numbers were Voices from the Ghetto, Nobody Wins a War and Die with My Dignity, all associated with the late, lamented Singing Sandra, who passed away on 28 January this year. Each was a real treat, and Giselle did full justice to these powerful, uncompromising social commentaries. If Sandra could have heard Giselle and the appreciative reaction of the crowd – many of whom, remember, had never heard calypso before – she
G STRING
would definitely have approved. To finish, Giselle gave us the most delicious turnaround of Sparrow’s Mae Mae, cleverly reversing the sex roles, so the subject became Ray Ray as she subverted Sparrow’s persona and his decidedly unPC lyrics. It was worth the ticket price alone to hear it. And Giselle, alone of the four calypsonians, mastered the stage and made it her own, projecting both the lyrics and her persona across that great gaping divide, right to the back row. More please, Giselle. G-String closed the evening but seemed to be under time pressure - no doubt the neighbours were looking at their watches and were sharpening their tongues to complain if the show should go a minute over time! Hence The Empire was rather short, and perhaps Sparrow’s Jean and Dinah lacked some of the ‘oomph’ of the original. Calypso Referendum, which works so well at the Tab, fell victim to that flaky microphone. However, Nigeria, though lacking the electric flute intro, went down well, showing that there is an appetite for well-written social
commentary, and it neatly complemented Alex’s Haiti. As G-String concluded his set, a chilly breeze began to blow through the tent, as if in sympathy with this sad and haunting refrain. The mood of the departing audience was upbeat, though. This was a brave and imaginative venture, and Matthew Phillip and his team are to be congratulated for pulling out all the stops to offer us a memorable new venue and a wonderful evening, which added another interesting chapter to Notting Hill Carnival’s history. The problems with the stage and sound can surely be overcome, and there’s no doubt at all that this venue offers huge potential for other Carnivalrelated events in future. As one first-timer remarked at the end: “I didn’t know what to expect this evening, but I really enjoyed it.” Carnival Village Trust and ACASA need to join forces to exploit that interest and enthusiasm for all its worth. These new audiences are vital for the future of the music. SN SEPT 2021 19
REVIEW
PAN-JAM IN POWIS SQUARE WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK
O
fficially, it was Steel the Show. Unofficially, it was a blockorama. And in reality, it was a bit of a tight squeeze. No dispute, though, about the outcome: great fun. It was an inspired thought to give us some glistening, ringing steelpan to cheer us all up after long dark days of lockdown. It was all the better for showcasing the rising talents emerging from London’s panyards. 20 SN SEPT 2021
Those taking part were the youth sections of Croydon Steel Orchestra, Ebony, Endurance (from South Norwood), Mangrove, New Generation (W10), St Michael & All Angels aka SMASO (Brent) and Southside (Stockwell). A few of those assisting stretched the concept of ‘youth’ to breaking point – including 90-year-old ‘Scratcherman’ Cyril Khamai but most of the players were tweens and teens. Lockdown brought massive challenges to
"ONE THING IS FOR SURE: THE FUTURE OF STEELPAN IN BRITAIN IS IN GOOD HANDS" London’s steelbands and yet they have managed to survive, thrive (in some cases against all the odds) and, above all, practise, as was clear from the accomplished playing. The format worked well, with each band playing short pieces in different styles – soca, jazz, classical etc. The order was random (apparently) so after one band finished playing you strained your ears for the announcement of the next one, or simply followed the crowd as it surged this way and that. And that was really the problem: there wasn’t enough space. Croydon, Endurance, Ebony. Mangrove and Southside were squeezed into Talbot Road outside The Tabernacle, while SMASO and New Generation had a little more breathing space in the Powis Square garden. Social distancing wasn’t possible, and had
the weather been warmer and the crowd bigger the cramped conditions might have become hazardous. As this wasn’t a competition, there were no points or prizes, and it would have been a hard task for a judge to pick winners and losers from youngsters who were playing their hearts out. All the bands and all the players deserve a big round of applause for their efforts. However, for this reviewer one performance in particular stood out: Endurance Steel Orchestra playing Lezginka from Gayane by Aram Khachaturian. If you’re holding a party but the fireworks have fizzled out and the dramatic lighting has blown a fuse, call Marlon Hibbert and get his band to play this – it will more than make up the difference! One thing is for sure: the future of steelpan in Britain is in good hands. SN SEPT 2021 21
MUSIC
SOCA GOLD 2021 Bajan Queen of Soca Alison Hinds has enriched us with so many memorable tunes over the years, both during her time with Square One and as a solo artist. She has given us such tracks as Faluma, Roll It Gal, West Indian, Born Wit It, Talk Bout (on the Sovereign Riddim), and now Go Gal, which features on the latest release of Soca Gold 2021 from VP Records. Go Gal isn't a track you might expect to hear coming from the Bajan star, but we like it. Check it out for yourself; you can download or stream Go Gal now at https://socagold.lnk.to/ SocaGold2021.
TRACK LIST 1.
JERUSALEMA (FEAT. NOMCEMBO ZIKODE) - MASTER KG
2.
GO GAL - ALISON HINDS
3.
PRIVATE PARTY - MACHEL MONTANO
4.
RESILIENCE (MAKE IT WORK) - EDWIN YEARWOOD
5.
ALL HOUSE IS ROAD - BUNJI GARLIN
6.
SLEEPWALK - FAY-ANN LYONS
7.
SOUTH MAN - RICARDO DRUE X DEV
8.
GUD GUD (FEAT. MACHEL MONTANO) - CHOPPI
9.
WATCH OVA WI (FEAT. TRINIDAD KILLA) - JOHNELLE
10. SINGLE - JUS D 11. DAI MINE - PATRICE ROBERTS 12. EVERYTIME - EDWIN YEARWOOD 13. BLAME IT (ON DE MUSIC) - RUPEE 14. HOLD YOU (HOLD YUH) SOCA REFIX - GYPTIAN 15. THELMA - SOUTH SOUTH WEST 16. WE MANIAC - BUNJI GARLIN 17. GIMMI AH BLIGH - IWER GEORGE
FOR MORE MUSIC
SOCANEWS.COM/MUSIC 22 SN SEPT 2021
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FEATURE
CARNIVAL ARTS CONFERENCE
WILL BE PACKED WITH PAN, MAS AND CALYPSO
A
WORDS + IMAGES | STEPHEN SPARK
fter a disappointing summer for lovers of the Carnival arts, prospects look sunnier for autumn. October starts with the 8th International Biennial Conference in Carnival Arts. A certain little virus forced postponement last year, but Prof Haroun Shah and his team have overcome extraordinary odds to put together a packed 24 SN SEPT 2021
programme running from 1 to 3 October at The Tabernacle, Powis Square London, W11 2AY. For that dedication and faith, the organisers deserve our support. The conference is free to attend and the two concerts are just £5 each in advance – the bargain of the year! There’s something for everyone here – including surprises. For example, headlining the opening
concert (7.30pm Friday 1 October) is the Rose of Sharon Steel Orchestra from… Nigeria. How many of us knew there were steelbands in Nigeria, let alone have heard one play? They’ll be joined by UK calypsonians including 2020 UK Monarch G-String, veteran Lord Cloak, D Alberto, De Admiral and Alexander D Great. We’re also promised mas bands and ‘CalypsOpera’ from Trinidadian soprano Anne Fridal, who wowed the audience in Holland Park in August. A ‘TASPO and Friends’ Reunion commemorates the 70th anniversary of first live steelpan music in Britain, when the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra performed, to general amazement, outside the Festival Hall in July 1951. Saturday morning’s session is devoted to calypso – “the first music of the Caribbean” as Mighty Tiger described it – with speakers from the UK, Canada and Trinidad. After lunch (when there will be a chance to see exhibitions on calypso, steelpan and mas), Prof. Tina Ramnarine will give the first plenary lecture: ‘Steel Orchestras and Legacies of Indenture’, casting an East Indian light on the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century. Mas is Saturday afternoon’s theme: speakers include luminaries such as Clary Salandy (Mahogany) and Chris Slann (New Carnival Company). Subjects include children and the disabled at Carnival, carnivals in Barking, ‘Carnival and its digitalscapes’ and an investigation of ‘diasporic baby dolls’, those mischief-making characters of traditional mas. The day ends with a memorable night for pan-lovers. Concert no 2 will be a feast of steelpan from St Michael & All Angels (celebrating its silver
jubilee), Rose of Sharon, Nostalgia, Pan Nectar, Metronomes, Ebony and Mangrove. Don’t lie in bed on Sunday morning, because you need to get to The Tabernacle for the start of ‘PANdemic’ at 9.30am. No need to panic, though, it’s an injection of steelpan. First off is a presentation about the highly successful CarniVAX initiative, in which Nostalgia members played outside hospitals to encourage Covid-19 vaccination. We’ll also hear about a steelpan music tuition series from Delphina James, and interviews with Dylan Mitchell (St Michael & All Angels) and Marlon Hibbert, of Endurance SO. The second plenary lecture, from Dr Bowei Sonny Bowei, should be well worth hearing: ‘The Rise of Steelbands Across Africa’. The global exploration continues in the afternoon with ‘The Dawn of Steelpan in Sierra Leone’ - another eye-opener - and ‘The Steelband Movement in Antigua’. The session ends with a discussion on ‘Expanding the Space of the National Panorama’. Given the make-up of the panel, it will be challenging to keep the debate to just 60 minutes! The work of the conference continues with two youth workshops. Vernon Thomas will run the first, on Saturday 9 October, focused on making steelpan accessories. The second, on 16 October, will explore the differences between traditional mas and ole mas, led by Ros Alexander of UKON Careers. • www.steelpanconference.com; tickets from: www.steelpanconference.eventbrite.com; for more info, email Haroun Shah: harounnshah@ gmail.com; tel: 07971 334414; Laila Shah: lailamnshah@gmail.com; tel: 07411 739918. SN SEPT 2021 25
26 SN SEPT 2021
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 print copy of your flyer to events@socanews.co.uk. FOR OUR FULL EVENT LISTINGS, VISIT SOCANEWS.COM/EVENTS
SEPT 2021 SAT 18 SEPT
HACKNEY CARNIVAL
HACKNEY CARNIVAL AT HOME 2021 - SOUND SYSTEM DAY
ONLINE mixcloud.com/djnindi. Time 12-8pm. Access Free.
SUN 19 SEPT
MON 20 - THUR 30 SEPT
HACKNEY CARNIVAL
CAMPBELLS
ONLINE facebook.com/hackneycarnival. Time 12-8pm. Access Free.
@ Campbell's Art and Framers London, 35 Thurloe Street, SW7 2LQ. Info campbellsoflondon. co.uk.
HACKNEY CARNIVAL AT HOME 2021 - VIRTUAL CARNIVAL DAY LIVESTREAM DAY
NEW HORIZONS EXHIBITION PRESENTED BY CHRISTIAN HOLDER
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EVENTS FOR MORE EVENTS
SOCANEWS.COM/EVENTS
FRI 24 SEPT BPSOCA ENTERTAINMENT
CARIB JAM
@ Fire, 39 Parry Street, SW8 1RT. Music By Chunks LDN, DJ Capo, DJ Guff Nuff, DJ Paulie, DJ Shay, Hardware Muzyk & Supa Nytro. Time 11pm-6am. Price £12-£15.
SUN 26 SEPT DE FAMALAY
SOCA RAMA – BACK TO SKOOL BOATRIDE
@ Festival Pier, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XZ. Time 2:30-6:30pm. Price £25.
FRI 01 OCT CARNIVAL ARTS CONFERENCE
STEELBAND, CALYPSO AND MAS CONCERT @ The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. Featuring Rose of Sharon Steel Orchestra from Nigeria. Calypsonians - Alexander D Great, D'Alberto, D'Admiral, G-String, Lord Cloak. CalypsOpera - Anne Fridal. TASPO & Friends. Mas Bands, a Tribute to Arthur France & St. Michael & All Angels Steel Orchestra. Time 7-10.30pm. Price £5.
SAT 02 OCT CARNIVAL ARTS CONFERENCE
8TH INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN CARNIVAL ARTS
@ The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. Time 8am-6pm. Price Free. Info steelpanconference.com for full Conference programme.
SOCANEWS.COM /EVENTS 28 SN SEPT 2021
CARNIVAL ARTS CONFERENCE STEELBANDS & TASPO TRIBUTE
@ The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. Featuring the 25th Anniversary of St Michael & All Angels Steel Orchestra, Rose of Sharon Steel Orchestra from Nigeria, Nostalgia Steelband, Pan Nectar Steel Orchestra, Metronomes, Ebony Steel Orchestra, Mangrove Steel Orchestra & a Tribute to TASPO – All Steelbands. Time 7pm-10.30pm. Price £5.
SUN 03 OCT CARNIVAL ARTS CONFERENCE
8TH INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN CARNIVAL ARTS
@ The Tabernacle, 34-35 Powis Square, W11 2AY. Time 8am-6pm. Price Free. Info steelpanconference.com for full Conference programme. BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS
SUNDAY BRUNCH CARIBBEAN STYLE
@ Pergola on the Wharf, Crossrail Place, E14 5AR. Time 1-7pm. Price £15-£45
FRI 08 OCT SOCA FRENZY
SOCA FRENZY – LIKE AH BOSS CAMOUFLAGE FETE
@ Scala, 275 Pentonville Road, Kings Cross, N1 9NL. Time 11pm5am. Price £5-£15
SAT 09 OCT CARIBBEAN UK COMMUNITY GROUP
CARNIVAL CELEBRATION AT THE SHAW THEATRE
@The Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Road, Kings Cross, NW1 2AJ. Time 6-8pm. Price £10, matd.
THUR 14 OCT CARIBBEAN'S IN LONDON
ZOUK LOVE
@ Loves Company, Unit 1 Imperial Hall, 104-122 City Road, Old Street, EC1V 2NR. Time 6pm12am. Price £7-£13.
SAT 16 OCT RUM FEST
THE RUM FEST 2021
@ The ILEC Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Road, SW6 1UD. Time 2-8pm. Price £20.
SUN 17 OCT RUM FEST
THE SPICED RUM SHOW @ 14 Bohemia Place, E8 1DU. Time 2-8pm. Price £20.
TUE 26 – SUN 31 OCT GRETA MENDEZ MBE
A TIME TO BREATHE
@ The Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Road, SW8 2JU. Featuring artists from diverse backgrounds; both young and senior. Info atimetobreathe.co.uk.
SAT 30 OCT BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS
NIGHT OF THE WALKING DREAD
@ Revolution, 140-144 Leadenhall Street, EC3V4QT. Time 10pm4am. Price £15-£20.
YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CHECK WITH THE EVENT PROMOTER, AS DETAILS SOMETIMES CHANGE AND CANCELLATIONS MAY OCCUR - ESPECIALLY DURING COVID TIMES. ALL INFORMATION WAS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRINT.
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Christian Holder Christian has had a long artistic history and pedigree in many disciplines. His parents, Boscoe Holder and Sheila Clarke, were established personalities in London nightlife in the 50s and 60s. From 1974 to 1984, Christian designed stage costumes for Tina Turner. With many achievements across different parts of the arts industry, Christian only recently began to focus on painting.
“New Horizons acknowledges my belief that life eternally presents one with new opportunities and ways of expressing
Two years ago, Campbells of London exhibited his paintings, together with those of his father, in a presentation called Père et Fils. Following an enthusiastic response to his work, Christian has now been invited to give a solo exhibition at Campbells.
their significance” - Christian Holder
New Horizons is a varied collection of Christian’s work, many of which were created during the lockdowns of 2021.
SE P T E M B E R
2 0 T H
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3 0 T H
CAMPBELL’S ART AND FRAMERS LONDON 35 THURLOE ST , SW7 2LQ www.campbellsoflondon.co.uk - l.carvalho@campbellsoflondon.co.uk
30 SN SEPT 2021
NEW HORIZONS
P R E S E N T E D
B Y
C H R I S T I A N
S E P T E M B E R
2 0 T H
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3 0 T H
CAMPBELL’S ART AND FRAMERS LONDON 35 THURLOE ST , SW7 2LQ www.campbellsoflondon.co.uk - l.carvalho@campbellsoflondon.co.uk
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32 SN SEPT 2021
FEATURE
GOOD SHOW, BAD SHOW, NO SHOW HOW TO AVOID A SOCA MELTDOWN
T
WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK
esting, testing, one, two, one two. Fizz, crackle, bang. Lights go out. It’s gone very quiet… You’re standing in a muddy patch of grass, surrounded by a wire fence that reminds you of a dog pound. Come to think of it… that smell, from the bottom of your shoe? Maybe it is a dog pound. The dodgy-looking portable toilets (queues already) and boarded up pavilion add to the general air of desolation. A light drizzling rain has started. Welcome to Socashowstopperspectacular 2021… If that sounds like a show you’ve been to recently, we sympathise. There’s been an unhealthy rash of disappointing events in the past few weeks - some cancelled, others relocated at the last minute and a few that should never have taken place at all. Without mentioning names, we’ve experienced and heard about shows taking place in unsafe and overcrowded locations, with poor sound, lengthy queues for entry, food and toilets, late changes of venue, DJs and artists advertised who were never booked to appear, and difficulties in getting refunds for no-shows. We seem to have taken a trip back to the early days of Soca News, when well-publicised failures like Cari-Europe were simply the tip of a huge iceberg of dissatisfaction for soca fans. Few, if any, of the failures were deliberate scams; they were brought about by the promoter’s inexperience, over-optimism and shaky finances. They gambled on advance ticket sales paying for hall hire, artists and other expenses. If ticket income didn’t cover the costs, the show collapsed and everyone – soca fans, artists, DJs, venue etc – found themselves out of pocket. The canny fete-goer learned to recognise the warning signs of a show that was about to implode – when security left the building (because they hadn’t been paid), it was time to go! The past 18 months have been tough for us all, particularly promoters, whose income vanished overnight in March 2020. Carnival represents ‘the world turned upside down’ according to academics, but the overturning effect of Covid on their businesses was
far from academic for promoters. You can’t blame them for wanting to make up for lost time. Despite successive relaxations of lockdown restrictions, major events, including Notting Hill Carnival, have had to be cancelled or rearranged, while others have gone ahead with reduced capacity. Those promoters who have battled through and succeeded in putting on great shows against all the odds deserve huge credit and our thanks: we salute you. A few promoters, however, have struggled to cope with the ‘new normal’, or perhaps have forgotten how to deliver what their customers have paid for. Simply creating some enticing graphics for a website and splashes of breathless copy on social media are no substitutes for delivering an actual show – one in a good-quality, safe venue where there are decent facilities, the entertainment as advertised, starting on time, and customers treated with respect. The unexpected will happen, though, and occasionally last-minute changes are unavoidable. Soca News’ advice to promoters faced with looming disaster is always to have a Plan B (and a quick flight out of the country doesn’t count!). If Plan B doesn’t work, then be up-front with customers straight away. A quick and honest response can make the difference between disappointment and serious frustration. Acknowledge that things didn’t work out, apologise and work hard to make the next show a success for the paying customer as well as your own bank balance. Those two things go hand in hand: satisfied customers will spread the word and keep coming back, while you, as promoter, will gain a reputation for reliability and fairness. Customers can forgive a cancellation if it’s handled well. But if it isn’t, then remember that nothing travels faster, or lasts longer, than bad news. An ineptly handled failure leaves a rank smell as surely as something stuck to the bottom of your shoe. Soca News will be keeping a close watch on events over the coming months. Let us know if you’ve had experiences at fetes and shows, good or bad, that you feel we should know about. SN SEPT 2021 33
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FEATURE
FASHION
One Paradise
ONE PARADISE IS A LIFESTYLE, FASHION AND MERCHANDISE COMPANY THAT FOCUSES ON THE CONFIDENCE TO EXPRESS YOUR CARIBBEAN INDIVIDUALITY. One Paradise, born in Barbados, now in London, focuses on highlighting the vibes, people, history and culture of the Caribbean Islands. We strive to provide quality goods and services to help our customers look and feel their best. There are endless ways to be you and express your Caribbean ways. Be a part of the One Paradise experience. ONE CARIBBEAN - ONE MISSION - ONE WORLD - ONE PARADISE
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FEATURE
FASHION
Summer ready We are here for all your Caribbean paradise OUT-OUT needs.
www.oneparadise.co.uk
QUE E N CO L L EC TI O N T- S h ir t Pen dan t Ne c k l a c e s
36 SN SEPT 2021
SOCA F EED S MY SOUL COLLECTION
@weareoneparadise
NE W - CULT UR E IS LIFE COLLECT ION
CA RIBB EA N ISL AND P EN D A N T N ECK LACES: T he p er fec t way to r em em b er ho me an d r ep r es ent y our culture.
OUR SIGNAT UR E PALM T R EE PENDANT NECKLACES
NE W - T R O P I C A L RES ORT W EA R CO L L EC TI O N : T i e B ra Top & M at c hi n g T ro u s e r
NEW - P ERSONALISED CA RIBB EA N IS LAND SUITCA SES: Pick you r islan d a nd c r ea t e a bit o f airport envy wit h our cu stomised lug g a g e r a nge.
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NEVER MISS AN ISSUE ALL ISSUES ARE FREE ONLINE OR SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE A PRINTED COPY
SOCANEWS.COM/SUBSCRIBE
38 SN SEPT 2021
COCOYEA
Forty T H E E X H I B I T I O N 15-21 NOV 2021 AT THE TABERNACLE - W11
COCOYEA.COM
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40 SN SEPT 2021
