Voice Carnival Feature 2015

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LIFE & STYLE

IT’S CARNIVAL! Get ready for the Notting Hill extravaganza

I love soca

Our top 20 smash hits to get your temperature rising

Street food Levi Roots recalls his carnival memories

Cultures collide

Should an Afrobeats float be welcomed at the annual street party?

14 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

Out & about

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B a s o o f t a o D o h r F il a z in l. e t e x a a r y s o it ne al B nc a ta cap The festiv a celebration of o me to London’s ijoada and chicke The festival gave and Paralympic a fe in mpic end. ly o t O t r e Square, 35.000 people c anha barbecue, a h t t s the vel to a m r ic n t o r a p f o ice. h t t s o ll s e V e a r a c e n o h t h a c Mo T d n u and ey in ns, s vitatio n s r io in u g m jo e h r t y 6 s h 1 r u vario il’s 20 erent s, an f z r if a o r d it B is d v n e l r o a e f f n shows o ers and internatio for more n t to Londo 2016. Watch ou io Games R d by Supporte

Sleek

ICONIC: London’s Trafalgar Square played host to Brazil 2015

LIFE’S A BEACH: Beach volleyball was played on the day

THRONG: The crowds had much to see and do and eat!

BEST FOOT FORWARD: Dancers enthrall their audience

SAMBA BEAT: A musician takes centre stage Been anywhere exciting, lately? Upload your images to The Voice's Pinterest page, and the best snaps will appear in a future issue of People & Places

VoiceOnline

AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015 T H E V O I C E 15

Carnival special

IN PICTURES: CARNIVAL THROUGH THE YEARS

PARTY PEOPLE: Youn g dancers during a parade in 19 97 IN THE SPIRIT: A nun with a steel pan player in 1986

fficers with FAIR COP: O 1982 revellers in

gster waves GO GRENADA: A youn 2009 her flag with pride in

FINGER-LICKING: A st reet chef cooks up a tasty chicken treat in 2005

e a pose LOOK AT ME: Kids strik at the event in 2007

HERE COME THE GIRLS: A Brazilian band play their drums in 2013

16 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

Carnival special

‘CARNIVAL SUMS UP HOW WEST INDIANS LIVE LIFE... AND MISBEHAVE’ Dr Ernest Hilaire, the patron of this year s Notting Hill Carnival, officially declares the event open

BY ELIZABETH PEARS

N

DANCING IN THE STREET: Revellers at Notting Hill Carnival in 1981

OTTING HILL Carnival officially launched last week, ahead of the twoday street festival that takes place annually in west London every August Bank Holiday.

Steel pan legends, calypsonians, mas bands and other key stakeholders gathered at the St Lucia High Commission in west London, to officially open the cultural celebration’s calendar of events.

This year's patron is Dr Ernest Hilaire, St Lucia’s High Commissioner to the UK, who welcomed guests to the building in Collingham Gardens. It once belonged to the West Indies Federation as a home for West Indian students between 1958 and 1962 before being acquired by St Lucia and Dominica who share the space.

Officially declaring Notting Hill Carnival open, Dr Hilaire said with a laugh: "In many ways, carnival ways defines our personalities as West Indians: the way we live life, celebrate and, sometimes, the way we misbehave.”

The carnival is organised by the London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust (LNHCET) with support from the Royal Borough of

PATRON: Dr Ernest Hilaire

Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Met Police.

In his welcome address, legendary pan man Augustine ‘Pepe’ Francis MBE, the interim chairman of LNHCET, said the trust has been working hard to ensure the event continued to be sustainable with a focus on education and entrepreneurship. He also introduced this year’s carnival theme.

Francis said: “In 2014, LHNCET celebrated the golden jubilee of the steel pan – which is my celebration. In 2015, we represent the second signature of LNHCET’S tricelebration towards the 50th anniversary of the London Notting Hill Carnival in 2016.

“This year commemorates the emergence of carnival as a tribute to diversity and the

power of carnival arts and its links to the evolution of London; a unique tapestry woven and created by economic, social and political issues which over the years have been overpowered by the dynamic features of arts and culture.”

He added: “The artistic cultural dynamism harnessed by [one of carnival’s founders] Rhaune Laslett to empower the cosmopolitan community in promoting heritage of the people fostering the integration of cultures…today continues to embrace the uniqueness of Caribbean culture embellished by other cultures.”

Festivities start on Saturday, August 29, with the annual clash of the steel pans, called Panorama, held in Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park, Bosworth Road.

The following day is the traditional carnival parade through the streets of west London, designated as Family Day ahead of the main event on Monday.

This year an additional event – an awards ceremony – will be held on November 7, to pay tribute to the 2015 winners as well as those who contributed to the development and sustainability of the London Notting Hill Carnival.

HAVE FUN, SAVE A LIFE The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) will be hosting a donor drive at carnival on August 30 and 31, between 12pm and 5pm.

From a designated safe zone, the charity which aims to find more life-saving stem, organ and blood donors from the African and African Caribbean community, will be urging people to step up and help save a life.

ACLT co-founder Orin Lewis OBE said: “We have found three life-saving donors at Notting Hill Carnival – two in one year in 2005. The most high-profile of them was the actor David Harewood. He joined the register at carnival in 2005 and a year and a half later he donated stem cells to an African American gentleman. That’s what carnival can do.”

He added: “We want people to enjoy lovely food, lovely music and if they get the chance and they’re aged between 17 and 55years-old, come down to where we are. We need five minutes of your time and in between the dancing and the merriment you can do something really special.”

You can find the ACLT on the corner of Ladbroke Grove and Lancaster Road.

Visit www.aclt.org

AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015 T H E V O I C E 17

Carnival special

FEELING HOT HOT HOT Life & Style s top 20 soca smashes to get your temperature rising and give you that Carnival fever Footsteps Byron Lee and the Dragonaires “Every step you take, you mek the dancehall shake…” The singalong intro signals in this classic hit from the late Jamaican calypso king and his band, the Dragonaires.

Hot Hot Hot - Arrow Undoubtedly soca’s most internationally known song, the smash hit from the late Montserratian star Arrow is a true classic.

Wrong Name/Who the Hell Is Kim? - Destra Trinidad’s soca queen Destra has a host of hits, amongst them is this fabulous funny, aimed at those naughty, cheating fellas!

Pump Me Up - Krosfyah “Oh gosh… an mi say aaaaay!” This is your anthem once your feet are tired and you want to take a slower strut!

One More Time Machel Montano Trinidad’s soca king boasts a career that spans over 30 years – and this feel-good favourite remains one of his best known hits.

Turn It Around Square One Demonstrating brilliant use of the word “woiiii”, this classic uses the job of a plumber as a euphemism for a more, erm, kinky tale! “Woiiii, di water running!”

Faluma Alison Hinds Those not well-versed with the native language of Suriname – the language that the song is sung in – have no idea what Hinds is saying. But it doesn’t stop us singing along to the soca smash. Altogether now: “Faluma ding, ding, ding…”

Follow The Leader The Soca Boys With many dances involving complex choreography, thank goodness for this hit with very simple instructions: “Follow the leader, leader, leader, follow the leader.”

I Dare You - Destra The soca songstress sets a challenge to the fellas in this hit, willing them to “come and test mi wine… I dare you!”

It’s Carnival - Destra “Carnival in T&T is so special to all ah we.” A true sentiment serves as the intro for this energetic track.

Dollar - Taxi No soca selection would be complete without this smash.

“Cent, five cent, 10 cent, dollar” – nuff said.

Turn Me On - Kevin Lyttle The Vincentian star breathed new life into soca with this 2004 smash, which can still get the crowds moving.

Jump Rupee “You make me wannaaaaa….

Jump!” And so begins the high-energy smash that will most definitely make you want to jump.

Nani Wine - Crazy Once you hear that unmistakable brass intro, you know it’s time to get ready to wine!

Meet Superblue Fay-Ann Lyons A tribute to her father, soca legend Superblue, Trinidadian star Fay-Ann Lyons gets the party started with this high-energy hit, complete with her cries of “hands in the air!”

Hol’ Up Ya Foot and Jump Zulu Lightning “Carnival massiiiiiive! Slam – ready fi action!” Once you hear that, you know what you need to do next. (The clue is in the title!)

Roll It Gal - Alison Hinds An inspiring track for young women, Roll It Gal sees the Bajan soca queen encourage girls with the lyrics: “Strength and wisdom you must have gyal, try to seek dem out.”

Big Belly Man - Mac Fingall Big belly men beware! The ladies that sing this anthem make it quite clear they’re “not dancing with no big belly man!”

Bonnie & Clyde Destra Using the melody of A-Ha’s classic hit Take On Me to create a slow intro, Destra then breaks into an up-tempo soca smash.

Rock It - Merchant Shy guys: If you’d like to dance with a lady but don’t have the nerve to ask, this song can be your springboard. Just sing-along to the song and ask her: “Would you like to rock it with me, baby?” We can’t guarantee you success, but it’s worth a try!

18 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

Carnival special

WHERE CULTURES COME TOGETHER Should the inclusion of an Afrobeats float at carnival be a problem for revellers?

MULTICULTURAL LONDON: Notting Hill Carnival has long included participants from a variety of cultures

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ARLIER this month, a social media frenzy was sparked when reports emerged that Carnival was set to include Afrobeats floats at the event.

Though the reports were unconfirmed, several aggrieved revellers took to Twitter to slam the suggestion, believing that the annual street party should be reserved for Caribbean music only.

“Afrobeats should not. I repeat SHOULD NOT be playing at Carnival,” one Twitter user wrote.

“Carnival is a Caribbean celebration. Afrobeats is not a Caribbean genre.”

One person who refutes this sentiment is Fuse ODG. The Afrobeats star, who shot to fame

with singles Azonto and Antenna, says that Carnival should be about inclusion.

Reflecting on the anti-Afrobeat remarks on social media, Fuse said: "That makes me sad.

We’re [black people] already a minority in the UK, so why divide ourselves?

“Carnival has always been opened to all different kinds of cultures,” said the British artist, who is of Ghanaian descent.

“Africans have always been at carnival. Our friends are Caribbean, Asian, white and we all go to carnival. It’s quite sad to see people to trying to segregate the music that’s being played. It’s disappointing because it is all one music.”

Indeed, Notting Hill Carnival

has, over the years, become more musically varied. Though it initially represented the sounds of the Caribbean – namely soca and reggae – the annual street party has evolved to feature genres including R&B, hip-hop, garage, grime, drum & bass, and more.

Surely, the inclusion of an Afrobeats float would just be an extension of carnival’s already eclectic music mix?

Fuse thinks so.

“Diasporas are connected by music,” he says. “God has blessed us with black music, which is what we’re connected by, so no man can tell me about segregating it and separating it.

That’s just really sad when people talk like that.

He adds: “Carnival is something that unifies different cultures, that’s what it should be about. We should embrace every culture. Especially black music – we need to support each other.”

The Voice poll Should an Afrobeats float be welcomed at carnival?

I’m not sure STRONG VIEWS: Fuse ODG

No

Of course

GOOD TIMES GOES EAST GOOD TIMES: Norman Jay

For the very first time this carnival weekend, west will go east as champion selector Norman Jay MBE brings his infamous Good Times soundsystem party to east London’s St John at Hackney Church on August 29.

The legendary DJ, famed for his set at Notting Hill Carnival, will be throwing down the summer grooves, creating his own cathedral of hip-shaking sound, delivering the perfect warm up to carnival in East London.

Unquestionably one of the greatest DJs to have emerged from the UK, Jay was pivotal in the birth of UK clubbing, cultivating the country’s rare groove and nascent house scenes and bringing dance music to the masses.

Now, the skilled selector will be moving across town for one night only to show the east side of town just how the Good Times are done.

At St Johns Hackney, London E3 on August 29 from 4pm - 11pm.

For more information, visit www.normanjaymbe.com

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AUGUST 20-26, 2015 THE VOICE | 19

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20 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

Carnival special

READY TO WINE COME RAIN OR SHINE If there s rainy weather come carnival weekend grab a stylish mac and keep the party going PURPLE RAIN: Boohoo.com, £8

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AUGUST 20-26, 2015 THE VOICE | 21

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22 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

Carnival special PHOTO CREDIT: Shawn Hicks

DANCING IN THE STREET Elaine Adu-Poku on performing at carnival and the importance of non-Caribbean participants respecting the event s traditions

BY DAVINA HAMILTON

E

LAINE Adu-Poku truly knows the definition of dancing in the street. The lively Londoner has performed at carnival for the past four years with mas band Bacchanalia – an exercise that has seen the 37-year-old dance along the streets of west London come rain or shine.

Here, Adu-Poku talks about having to fend off a few fellas while dancing; being a BritishGhanaian that respects carnival’s Caribbean roots; and losing a false eyelash while dancing in the rain!

How long have you been dancing at Notting Hill Carnival and how did you get involved?

I’ve been dancing with Bacchanalia Masband for the past four years. Before that I stewarded a different band for a few years, making sure that the dancers, including children on our float, were safe as we wined through the streets of west London.

What were your best and worst experiences of performing at carnival?

The best and probably worst

carnival was last year due to the relentless rain. It felt as though the rain for the whole century decided to descend on us for a solid nine hours. It was probably the best as those on the road didn’t seem to care that they were wet right through. It was also the worst because people obviously stayed away, as who in their right mind is going to come to London to stand on the street in the rain when they can stay indoors? Also my beautifully applied make up was washed off and I lost a false eyelash!

S o m e p e o p l e t h i n k c a rn i v a l h a s l o s t i t s t r a d itional Caribbean feel. As a British woman of Ghanaian heritage, have you found there to be any p r e j u d i c e t o w a r d s p a r t i c ipants that are nonCaribbean?

I can honestly say I haven’t experienced any prejudice amongst any of the bands. I know firsthand that the bands are welcoming and embracing of people from all backgrounds. I think those of us who participate in carnival who are not from the Caribbean are respectful of the scene. We go to fetes, travel abroad to ensure that the ‘tabanca’

[post-carnival misery/feeling of anti-climax] doesn’t set in, participating in carnivals in the Caribbean, as well as in Europe.

Do you think carnival is s u c c e s s f u l i n r e p r e s e n ting multiculturalism?

Yes, as bands have people from all corners of the world who pay good money to truly be part of carnival. The DJs on the floats play soca in the majority, but because it’s in London, other genres do also feature – I’ve heard house, Afrobeats and dancehall.

The carnival purists would probably have an issue with anything that isn’t soca, zouk or calypso. However, there are so many similarities between music from Africa and the Caribbean that if it wasn’t for language I don’t think many would be able to tell difference.

How would you describe the atmosphere w h e n y o u p e r f o r m a t c a rnival?

The energy is electric.

Across the bands there is a general sense of family and friendship.

BLACK STAR: Elaine AduPoku flies her Ghanaian flag at carnival

Do you have to fend of any men who try to dance with you at carnival?

I have had to. But on the whole people are respectful so if I don’t feel like dancing with someone I can simply say no.

In certain respects, people are more respectful to us in costume than what I remember when I went to carnival as an observer.

What’s the best thing about Bacchanalia?

I think the best thing about Bacchanalia is the creative team, led by Kelly Rajpaulsingh.

From the moment I was introduced to the band, I was made to feel welcome.

Each year as we get closer to launch, you can see the excitement amongst all those in the Bacchanalia family on social media. In addition, she’s a creative genius who has designed some beautiful costumes that complement each and every one of the

wearers. I’ve made some friends for life as a result of Bacchanalia.

For you, what’s the best thing about Notting Hill Carnival?

Being able to dance on the streets of London with some of my favourite people all day.

For more information on Bacchanalia, visit www.baccmas.com

AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015 T H E V O I C E 23

Carnival special

GET YOUR GROOVE ON If you’re not a soca enthusiast, here’s a guide to five of the much-loved carnival dance moves WUK UP Much the same as wining, a wuk up is more commonly demonstrated when a man and woman dance together. The man stands behind the woman, the woman is bent over slightly and is required to do much of the work – gyrating her waist in sensual fashion or doing her best booty shake, while the man pretty much enjoys the action. NB – sometimes women wuk up together, as demonstrated by carnival queen Rihanna (pictured, right).

WINING Arguably the most common Caribbean dance move, wining is pretty much the default setting for revellers when they’re really feeling the groove. It’s all about rotation of the waist – moving your lower half round and round in time with the music. As this is carnival and much of the music is up-tempo, the wining will need to be high speed!

= CENT

= FIVE CENT

= TEN CENT

JUMP AND WAVE Could it be any simpler? You’ll need a flag or rag (flannel) to fulfill the ‘wave’ part, then you simply jump in time with the music, while waving your flag or rag with passion and enthusiasm.

= DOLLAR

DOLLAR WINE A little bit of choreography is required here. Made famous by the Taxi’s hit song Dollar, the dollar wine is performed along with the song’s lyrics, “cent, five cent, ten cent, dollar.” When you hear “cent”, you thrust your hips to the left. “Five cent”– you thrust your hips to the right. “Ten cent”– thrust backwards, flicking your bottom up. “Dollar” – thrust your pelvis forwards. The second time around, the moves are done at double speed and once the lyrics “dollar, dollar, dollar” are repeated, you really have to get your pelvic thrust on!

CHIPPING (DOWN DE ROAD) Once the hightempo grooving starts to take its toll, you’ll be glad to start chipping!

Best described as a left-right-leftright mid-tempo march, chipping sees you taking a steady stroll, still to the beat of the music. It’s quite common to see revellers with a beverage in hand while chipping – it’s the perfect time to rehydrate!

24 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

Carnival special

COOK UP AT CARNIVAL Levi Roots recounts a tale of serving up street food at the annual event

I

T’S Notting hill Carnival, woop, woop! The ultimate street party, right here on our doorsteps in our capital city.

The Brown family from Brixton were preparing for another go. It was their 20th year running a small food stall off the Portobello Road. Pappy, the head of the family, will be rigorously marinating boxes of chicken pieces, scaling and seasoning fish, currying the goat meat and most importantly, making his special sauce, which he believes will have the revellers eating out of his hands.

Earlier, he would have checked his jerk pan (barbecue), making sure it was cleaned and well oiled. The generator had to be hired and the transit van too.

Luckily, the family has got a small marquee just in case it rains, but that has seen better days and so the prayers from Pappy are likely to be pleas for blue skies over the next two days. He thinks that it will be his final year serving food at the event, but the family has heard that all before.

The Browns were carnival regulars but they were unaware of the massive contribution they made to the UK economy. Despite this contribution, they will be lucky to break even this year, especially

now the weather spells rain for the main day of the event.

The cost for hiring a space has constantly risen over the years and new rules and regulations are brought in – not in favour of the stallholders. But people like Pappy are the heartbeat of carnival.

The event has managed to shake off some of its association with violence, which had marred its success in the past.

There was even an attempt once to hold the event in Hyde Park – wonder who came up with that crazy idea! But this year, just like all the years before, it looks like it could be the best yet.

Off they go, van packed to

the roof, heading for west London. Along with the marinated meat, the family’s stall also provides jelly coconut, sugar cane, plantain, roast corn, festivals and sweet potato pudding, among other delicious Caribbean food.

Alcohol is strictly not allowed for sale on the stalls, but to boost dwindling profits, you can bet Pappy, along with every stallholder, will have a few boxes of Red Stripe hidden among the chicken boxes.

With them on board, you’ve got to keep an eye out for the Carnival Committee people – or “De John Crow dem, is dem a teef the money,” as

Pappy likes to refer to them.

They will come sniffing around for sure.

Arriving on a chilled Sunday morning at 5am and setting up is always the hard part. But that day is traditionally children’s day and it is indeed a true spectacle.

The smiles on the children’s faces, all dressed up in their costumes and outrageously painted faces are a joy. Pappy Brown will have his mind on making his first sale of the day. And also looking, out for those snooping committee members.

Once the marquee is up and the jerk pan is lit up, it is

action stations. By midday, the family is in the thick of it.

One million people are gathering on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for one of the largest street festivals in the world and they all are hungry and ready to party, Caribbean sty-lee.

The first float came passing by the family’s stall and from nowhere, carnival hits like a thunderbolt. The noise is a plethora of screams, shouts, whistles, horns and vuvuzelas; colours of the rainbow are on display; and the flavours and smells attack your nostrils and taste buds mercilessly as they are lingering along on a hovering, slow-moving mat of spicy BBQ smoke.

With the music busting your ears with the sounds of

RECIPE JERK CHICKEN WINGS WITH HOT AND FRUITY CARIBBEAN COLESLAW

thumping calypso, soca and reggae, you find yourself tapping, nodding and brukking out too, along to the beat.

Before you know it, you are swept along for miles, trapped inside a raging, throbbing river of one love and togetherness.

Surprisingly, you find yourself shouting and singing along loudly, as you allow the festival current to manipulate your every movement.

Soon, the river will probably dump you at some oasis where someone like a Pappy Brown with a broad Caribbean smile, will thrust a can of ice cold Red Stripe into your hand, before you find yourself back surfing the festival wave again.

Happy carnival everyone….“Feelin hot hot hot.”

Hot and Fruity Caribbean Coleslaw

Levi’s Homestyle Jerk Chicken Wings Makes 16 wings

Chicken is king with these chick-king wings! They’ll take you on a flavoursome journey and where you land is up to you! Jerk seasonings are just made for barbecue food. Once you put smoke on ingredients the flavours need to be good and strong so the spices here have lots of oomph.

INGREDIENTS 16 chicken wings, lime wedges to serve For the jerk marinade: 4 tsp all-purpose seasoning 2 tsp ground ginger 90ml cider vinegar 1 Scotch Bonnet, with seeds, very finely chopped 2 tsp finely grated nutmeg 2 tbsp olive oil METHOD Mix together all the marinade ingredients in a shallow dish and add the chicken wings, turning them to coat really well. Cover and marinate in the fridge, ideally overnight, or for at least 1-2 hours.

Barbecue the chicken wings, turning them over when they’re patched with brown, for about 10 minutes or so.

Serve with cooling lime wedges.

Serves 8 A million miles away from those heavy creamy coleslaws, this is one to wake up your taste buds. It’s fruity, hot and even healthy. I could eat this just on its own it’s so delicious. And it’s a wonderful contrast to all that hot barbecued meat. Make a big bowlful!

INGREDIENTS 1/2 Savoy cabbage 1/2 white cabbage 1/2 red onion, peeled 1/2 small mango 3 tsp French mustard 100ml cider vinegar 8 tbsp soft light brown sugar 105ml olive oil 1/2 tbsp X Hot Reggae Reggae Sauce 2 red chilis, halved, seeded and cut into fine slivers Salt and pepper METHOD Remove and discard the cabbage cores and finely shred the leaves. Slice the onion wafer-thin using a mandolin if you have one.

Peel the mango and cut the flesh into matchsticks.

Put the mustard in the base of a large bowl and stir in the vinegar and sugar, whisking as you do so. Add the oil, salt and pepper and Reggae Reggae Sauce.

Toss in the cabbage, mango and chillis and mix well.

Taste for seasoning.

Recipes taken from Grill It with Levi by Levi Roots (Ebury Press) Photography: Martin Poole

CLASSIFIED

AUGUST 20-26, 2015 THE VOICE | 25

26 T H E V O I C E AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015

Carnival special

LEEDS GETS READY TO PARTY Designer Hughbon Condor on creating costumes for Leeds Carnival and honouring Caribbean history through his work IN A FLAP: One of Condor’s bird-inspired designs TROPICAL: Another of the designers colourful creations

CREATIVE: Hughbon Condor

BY KADESH ANDERSON

I

T’S that time again when Leeds will play host to its annual carnival.

Now in its 48th year, the event is ranked one of the most popular carnivals in Europe and there is no doubt that the 2015 edition will, once again, attract thousands of people.

Founded by St. Kitts-born, UK-based Arthur France in 1967, the now-chairman of the Leeds Carnival Committee said his main purpose for launching the event was to keep his Caribbean culture alive in the UK. France has since been an inspiration to many throughout Leeds. So when young, Leedsbased designer Hughbon Condor was approached by the carnival enthusiast at the age of 16, he knew his work was finally going to be recognised.

World [in Leeds] by a creature I only noticed when I was leaving the garden, because it was displaying its colourful tentacles. I mentioned it to my wife and I told her I didn't see it when I was entering because it was closed. But because it was closed I didn't notice it. It was just transforming into a beautiful sea creature. Every year, different things inspire me.

With over 40 years of costume designing under his belt, Condor has won many awards for his astonishing carnival designs and has also designed almost half the carnival queen costumes.

The St. Kitts-born retired electrical engineer has worked on numerous projects in Leeds, from Tour de France pop up carnival last year, as well as his most recent project with the Leeds City Museum, where he worked closely with the staff to create carnival custom design.

With a busy schedule of carnival custom master classes and the lead up to the hectic carnival period, Hughbon still made time to talk to Life & Style about how his custom designing all began.

What inspires you each year?

One year, I was inspired by a visit that I made to Tropical

How did you get into carnival costume making?

I've always had an interest since I was in the Caribbean and at the age of 10, I made my own moco jumbie sticks and walked on them. When I was 16, the chair of the Leeds Carnival Committee, Arthur France approached me and told me Leeds Carnival needed good designers like myself.

At the time I did not consider myself to be a good designer but I instantly responded to the good name he gave me and started designing costumes from that point onwards. Arthur France and Trinidadian designers who made customs in the traditional wire-bending format also inspired me. I quickly wanted to use my engineering skills to use materials in movements to create my own design.

How important are costumes to the carnival experience?

Carnival customs are central. Without costumes, it can’t be carnival. It generates into just a street party. I have heard stories of people going to carnival and having a really good time but when asked about the costumes, they would say they didn’t see any because their focus was on the different

genres of music. I think it’s important to remind people that carnival is from a Caribbean perspective. I am mindful of other origins of carnival, which are not Caribbean, but in our case, it’s a celebration of freedom from slavery and what free slaves did to mimic their slave masters, without fear of retribution.

Costumes developed over time to portray different themes, but the initial inspiration was the celebration of our freedom from slavery. Making costumes are central to that celebration.

What do you do with your costumes after you have used them?

I suppose there are several journeys where, in a lot of cases, costumes are dismantled or taken away into storage. As a designer I often try and design costumes that can be backpacked and put away.

There has been demand in the past to have costumes come out for display, but there is often a cost associated with it and in many cases people aren't necessarily prepared to meet that cost.

Even to store costumes there is a cost; renting space where they keep customs for you for two or three years is quite expensive. The opportunity to display my work is something that I'm always considering; being able to do it on more than one occasion and ensuring displays can be taken apart and transported with ease and without too much expense.

So those are some of the factors I put into consideration.

How do you think you can encourage young people who are not from a Caribbean background to continue your legacy of custom designing?

Making carnival costumes has always been a part-time hobby and interest so to get involved with young people has been difficult. I'm no longer in full time employment so I have got that opportunity to maybe take costume design into schools. There's one school that wants me to work with them, so that would be an opportunity to work with

younger people. Looking at carnival costumes designs is an opportunity to look at various curriculum activities that costume design can be incorporated into. It's not just about the design, it's about the planning, the whole manufacturing process, understanding the history of designing, research and so on. There are clearly a lot of opportunities for young people to develop a wider range of understanding and to see the finished product on the day.

For more information on Leeds Carnival, visit www.leedscarnival.co.uk

THE HISTORY OF LEEDS CARNIVAL GOOD VIBES: A participant at Leeds Carnival

LEEDS Carnival is the brainchild of Arthur France, MBE (right), who arrived from St Kitts in 1957.

In 1966, two of his friends, Frankie Davis, from Trinidad and Tony Lewis, from Jamaica – students at the University of Leeds – organised a carnival fete at Kitson College (now Leeds City College - Technology). Ian Charles, also from Trinidad but settled in Leeds, was there too.

France decided there should be a carnival parade along the streets of Leeds, as well as the indoor festival of music and costume. “People said I was crazy,” he said. But through his driving force and the support of many, Leeds West Indian Carnival was on the road for the first time in 1967. France remains chair of the carnival committee, with Charles as its treasurer to this day.

AUGUST 20 - 26, 2015 T H E V O I C E 27

Carnival special

KEEPING CARNIVAL ROCK SOLID Catherine Rock, chairman of carnival organisation Bajan Revellers, on creating costumes, keeping masqueraders safe and presenting a positive image of the event

MULTI-TASKER: Catherine Rock

BY DAVINA HAMILTON

R

EGULAR spectators of the annual street party will be familiar with the colour and creativity on offer at the two-day event.

But unless you’re involved in the behind-the-scenes activities, you might be surprised to know how much work is required to get the show on the road.

“It’s a year-round effort,” explains Catherine Rock, chairman of carnival organization Bajan Revellers. “At the moment, we’re coming to the end part, which is what everybody sees, so we’re into production stage, making up the costumes for the orders we have and getting the t-shirts ordered for the t-shirt section we do have.

“But I’m also thinking about designs for next year, so you have to do your drawings and source the gems, the trims, feathers and the bodies, whether it’s bikinis or shorts or whatever the make-up of the costume will be, from China, Trinidad, Barbados – it depends on what the design entails.

“You then put a protoype

FEATHERS FLYING: A selection of Bajan Revellers designs, which are individually hand crafted to the specification of the wearer’s body type and requirements

together,” continues the Barbados-born, UK-based creative. “We’ve got a group of people who make a decision as to what colours we’re going to go with and what type of trim we want to use, the cost of the costume and the cost that we want to charge.

“We also have to organise the logistics of actually being on the road. So we have to get the truck sorted and in order to get the truck, you have to get a generator, a sound system, you have to decide whether or not we’re going to have advertising – banners and such. We also have to get security for the road – we hire private security people so that the general public aren’t able to infiltrate the band. So there’s a lot to do!”

Describing Bajan Revellers as “a group of people who come together to put a float on the road,” 42-year-old Rock has

been the chairman of the organisation for the last two years.

More recently, she became a board member at Carnival Arts Masquerade Foundation, the board of directors that run the

larly when it comes to carnival’s representation in the media – which has often been negative.

“My role on the board is related to PR and marketing and my aim has been to get

“The media’s portrayal often makes people feel like carnival is dangerous, but it’s not like that. It’s a beautiful spectacle.” masquerade arm of carnival.

A self-confessed “carnival enthusiast,” Rock has played mas since 1993 and went on to work for carnival organisation Poison UK, helping out with publicity campaigns.

Her role as a Carnival Arts Masquerade Foundation board member allows her to continue flexing her PR muscles, particu-

positive messages out there about the event,” Rock explains. “A lot of great things happen at carnival, but we’ve found that they tend to be drowned out by the few negative things that happen.

“If you have two people involved in altercations during an event attended by five million people, that’s not really a bad

Here’s what Voice readers had to say...

The food.

Mike Laser

The overall peace, no drama, just everyone having a good time.

Cordell Camille

Great vibes, no matter what the weather.

Cherelle Byron

Food! No, the music! No, the vibrancy and sense of community. All of the above. I can’t pick just one.

Francesca L-g Has to be the vibes. The way it brings people together.

Olubusayo Igbekele

The cosmopolitan nature of the event.

Different cultures coming together to have a good time.

Milton Boyce One of the best bank holiday weekends all year! Free to dance with anyone, even the police!

Maureen Charles

and take part in the event, it's not really fair for members of the public to get into the middle of the parade. That’s why most bands hire private security to secure the masqueraders.

“I do think [Notting Hill] carnival has become more structured throughout the years, because when I first came, it really felt quite chaotic,” Rock continues.

“But now, people put so much effort into the event and in order to showcase what they’ve been working on for the last year, they really need to ensure that it’s executed in the best way possible.”

So what are Rock’s favourite things about the event?

“I like the music and the pageantry and the parades you see. It's all very spectacular.”

If you’d like to get involved with Bajan Revellers, email bajanrevellersuk@gmail.com

POLITE NOTICE: DON’T PEE ON PEOPLE’S PROPERTY!

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL? The coming together of people to party.

Priscilla Mensah

day.

“But the media’s portrayal often makes people feel like carnival is dangerous and somewhere they wouldn’t want to go. But it’s not like that. It’s a beautiful spectacle and people put so much hard work in to make the day happen. We want to be able to get that message across. We also want to embrace the public and let people know that they can come and join us to learn new skills.”

Originally from Barbados, how does Rock feel that Notting Hill carnival compares to carnivals in the Caribbean?

“In my experience, carnivals in the Caribbean are a lot more structured. You don't get people trying to infiltrate the parade. It's a lot harder to achieve that in London because people just want to take part.

“But if somebody has paid their money to get a costume

COPPER CAPERS: An officer enjoying the carnival fun

WE all know how much fun and frivolity there can be at Notting Hill Carnival. And with many beverages consumed on both days, it’s unsurprising that numerous revellers are hit with the urge to ‘spend a penny’ during the event.

One issue surrounding the two-day soiree has been the ongoing complaints from residents about visitors and participants relieving themselves on residents’ properties.

As such, London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust – the official organisers of London’s largest street festival – is urging visitors to respect the area’s residents. In other words – don’t pee on people’s property! Happy revelling!