Sunshine came out for the Revellers
By Tyrone Roach
London’s Notting Hill Carnival concluded on Bank holiday Monday after a week of frenetic activity and sunshine. Although there have been no Bajan bands in recent years since the demise of Bajan Revellers, Barbadians are represented on the road in sections of more prominent outlets like band leader Steve Clarke in United Colours of Mass (UCOM) Credible and Chocolate Mas Bands, while UK-based bajan entertainers like Devine, Ms Desire, Admiral, and Terrah Dah performed on local stages throughout the festival.
Throughout the week, the Holland Park Opera Marquee was a hub of diverse entertainment, featuring a wide variety of performances on consecutive nights, including Steelband, Pan Jazz, Brazilian, and Calypsonians. This tapestry of performances catered to various tastes, guaranteeing entertainment at all levels.
Friday Night was a high-energy affair with the appearance of Bajan Soca Queen Alison Hinds opening the bill at the biggest Soca event in London. Organised by Tipsys Entertainment, the event drew an estimated audience of approximately eight thousand at Wembley Arena. The line-up, which included Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous, and Machel Montana as the headline act, created an atmosphere of pure energy, especially for most young females, who comprised about 80% of the audience.
The Local Community Centre Tabernacle and Theatre hosted the 3-day calypso tent, and on Saturday night, there was Panorama in Horniman’s Pleasant Park. This year, five Steel bands performed their skills to a crowd of more than three thousand people. Once again, the result was steeped in controversy; on the night, the 120-strong Ebony Steelband was announced the winner and 100-strong Mangrove 2nd with Real Steele 3rd, by morning, the roles were reversed, as a Press release stated the places were reversed. Mangrove were the Champions, with Ebony relegated to second. No explanation was forthcoming from the organisers; needless to say, Real Steele retained their place in third place with their 50-strong unit.
The story of Real Steel is fascinating, as its strong Bajan core started in the 1950s when the cream of Barbados Stell pans players formed themselves into The Barbados All-Stars and eventually immigrated to Bath Somerset and formed Rainbow Steele. One of the founder members of REAL STEEL is Toussaint Clarke, an international pan-tuner whose father was a member of the original band; now, his son Leroy Clarke is both Leader and director of this band. One night, the band consisted of various descendants of this family group from the original unit.
Sunday usually starts with the customary Jouvert, a pre-dawn street party that kicks off the second day of the Notting Hill Carnival. However, this year, it was officially cancelled due to circumstances not being entirely accepted, and eighty revellers still took to the streets, determined to keep the spirit of the carnival alive. Also, Sunday is a themed Children’s Carnival. It’s a more relaxed affair with family parading their little ones on the day, yet it still attracts a million people with a mixture of mas players, tee shirts, jab jab, and chocolatiers.
Bank Holiday Monday was the big one as the sun shone on a hot day, as many local residents and visitors lined the routes totalling well over a million people according to official statistics.A combination of sound systems lined the various streets, and the aroma of food permeated your nostrils, from the overpowering jerk Chicken BBQ to the various sounds of Soca, with Nailah Blackman x Skinny Fabulous – Come Home dominating the playlists on the road. NHC provided something for everyone, and none more pleasing than the masqueraders in their spectacular costumes as they wend their way through the crowds on their three-mile route, as they reached the judging the point and seeing luminaires like Rudoph Walker, Eastenders Actor, the Hon MP Diane Abbott, broadcaster Juliette Alexander and Martin Jay. Actually, reaching on time to show their best dance routines and costumes is a tremendous achievement and a culmination of a year’s work.
NHC provided something for everyone. Over the weekend, two live stages in Meanwhile Gardens and Powis Square were held, giving established and new artists opportunities to perform. This event is organised by Notting Hill Carnival Ltd and supported by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council. There were fifty-six mas’ bands, nine Brazilian bands, and eighteen steel bands.