Soca News Magazine - February 2019

SOCANEWS F ree

i127/ feb 2019 ISSN 1464-7087

socanews.com

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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2019 | ISSUE 127

SOCA PEOPLE 13. JAMESY P

20. FEATURE KARTONIA

MILLER-REGIS’ GRAND DESIGNS

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INVITES YOU TO HIS SOCA LAND

15. ARTHUR ALLAIN

FIVE TIMES A KING

MUSIC 18. NEW RELEASES

FEATURES

REGULAR

10. NOTTING HILL

CARNIVAL’S ROOTS

AND RESLIENCE

07. NEWS

34. SAINT LUCIA

CELEBRATES ITS 40TH

25. EVENTS

WHEN AND WHERE TO FETE

YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE

36. NOTTING HILL

CARNIVAL 2019

BAND LAUNCH SEASON

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CARNIVAL 28. TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 30. MAS DOMNIK 32. KAYAK MAS

GET LISTED If you’re a carnival organiser, promoter, mas band, steelband, soca sound, community group or other participant who’s feeling left out because we didn’t mention your event, or if you’d like to advertise in the magazine or online, the remedy is in your hands. Get in touch! Give us a call on 0333 012 4643

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EDITOR’S LETTER This month marks 23 years since Soca News was first published. Way back then we were printing in black ink on 100gsm paper, printers had to take a photograph of the laser print we gave them to make film, and they then had to make a plate to put on to the printing press.

Times have changed a great deal, and with technological advances that process has become so much simpler; now we send a PDF to the printer, and it’s made directly into a plate and put straight onto the printing press.

We’re now moving to another age of publishing and, in keeping with this, Soca News will now be available as a digital publication with just some printed copies. You will still be able to see each issue available as a digital download on the Issuu platform or via the socanews.com website; the best way to read Soca News is by downloading from the ‘Issuu - Read Magazines’ app via the ios App store or from Google Play.

Soca News has always been a collaborative effort, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals, advertisers and contributors who have contributed to our progress.

We’re always happy to hear from our readers, so feel free to email info@socanews.com, and we’ll get back to you.

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 Rodney Wilson rodney@socanews.com sales@socanews.com WORDS Joseph Charles, Katie Segal, Paparazzi, Stephen Spark PICTURES Bampson, Rudolpho Louisy, Stephen Spark, Secretly Dominican, Palm Tree Vybez

instagram.com/socanews

twitter.com/socanews

PUBLISHED BY Joseph Charles Publishing 86-90 Paul Street London, EC2A 4NE 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. © 2018 Soca News. All rights reserved.

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news

PATRICE SHOWS STRENGTH IN HER ONE WOMAN SHOW

P

atrice Roberts is stepping up her game for the 2019 Trinidad Carnival season.

She has presented us with a plethora of songs already, and the soca songstress has announced that she will host her first ever solo show on Carnival Thursday, 28 February 2019. The show, entitled ‘The Strength Of A Woman’, is scheduled to take place Under The Trees at The Normandie Hotel, St. Ann’s.

Roberts, who has been in the music business for quite some time, may be considered a veteran of the soca landscape, despite her young age; she certainly has the songs, both new and old, required to sustain such a performance.

The show will also include appearances from a number of other entertainers. Soca News would like to wish Patrice lots of luck and congratulations on her first solo event.

Patrice said, “I feel as though I have grown up in the public’s eye. In some instances, it was obvious that I battled, endured and succeeded”.

So far, for the 2019 season, Patrice has released I Like It Hot, This Is De Place, Not One Thing, 10X Over, Work 4 It and Judgement Stage.

Strength Of A Woman is scheduled for Carnival Thursday, 28 February at The Normandie Hotel, St. Ann’s; show time is 8pm. Tickets are priced at TT$300 and may be purchased online at www.ticketbanton.com

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news

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THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL SOCA MONARCH FINALS MR KILLA VS IWER IN POWER; SWAPPI FOR GROOVY WORDS | PAPARAZZI

T

he ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ is coming ever closer, and with it the 2019 Play Whe Soca Monarch finals on March 1.

Mr Killa, aka Hollis Mapp from Grenada, is currently the favourite to win the Fantastic Friday competition, scheduled to take place at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

Mr Killa, who has a compelling hit song with Run With It, emerged as a definite favourite on semi-final night at the Arima Velodrome, but to win he must beat Iwer George in the final; Iwer sang Blessings, and was one of the favourites with the crowd.

The Grenadian artist said, “Soca music is causing a unity in the region. Trinidad started the International Soca Monarch, which means that artistes and fans and managers and people from all over the world will have to come here in order to be a part of it. If I was a Trinidadian, I would be extremely proud to say that and to see that so many of my brothers and sisters from up the islands are coming here and entering and being a part of this.”

The 2019 semi-final was excellent, especially the Groovy category where Swappi had the crowd calling for more with Party Start.

Blaxx is the dangerman singing Gyal Owner.

Meanwhile, Caribbean Prestige Foundation and its new chairman, FayAnn Lyons-Alvarez, received numerous commendations for the quick and efficient showcase of talent, which saw more than 30 competitors perform before 11pm. The show started promptly at 5pm, when Arima’s own ‘Flag Man’ Hubert Peter Diaz raised the national flag.

Lyons-Alvarez and her team also upped the game with the layout of the venue. The backstage area comprised an Artiste Village, a Media Village and a Performing Village, all featuring air-conditioning.

PLAY WHE INTERNATIONAL SOCA MONARCH FINALIST GROOVY CATEGORY Teddyson John Vent Swappi Party Start Blaxx Gyal Owner Mandella Links Tombstone Ricardo Drue I Got You V’ghn Trouble In The Morning Tim Tim and Rayzor X Pose Preedy Lost and Found

POWER CATEGORY Mr Killa Run With It Iwer Blessings Lil Natty and Thunder Get In Your Section Terri Lyons Mad Chingee Rolling Stone Granny Jiggle It Jo Jo Start It Mr Legz Wining Challenge VOICE ABSTAINS FROM THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL SOCA MONARCH COMPETITION

Three times International Soca Monarch (ISM) Aaron ‘Voice’ St Louis bowed out of the 2019 competition with a statement on his Instagram feed on Friday 25 January.

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feature

COCOYEA MAS BAND NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2002

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NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL’S ROOTS AND RESILIENCE Darcus Howe said he took part in the first Notting Hill Carnival – and then claimed that was in 1964, 1965 and 1966! So let’s dig deep to find the roots of London’s great carnival.

WORDS | STEPHEN SPARK

L

ast year we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the arrival of Empire Windrush, the ship that brought over the first big group of Caribbean migrants. Many found work in London’s health and transport systems. They settled where accommodation was cheap – including cold, damp rooms in bomb-battered Notting Hill and North Kensington.

No warm welcome awaited them; white youths accused the incomers of stealing ‘their’ women and jobs, and attacked them. In late August 1958, rioting broke out and lasted for days.

In response, activist and journalist Claudia Jones promoted an indoor ‘carnival’ in St Pancras Town Hall in January 1959 as a showcase for Caribbean talent. It was a huge success that was repeated in different venues each year until Jones’s untimely death in 1964.

The baton was picked up by community worker Rhaune Laslett. Seeking local talent, she found the Russ Henderson trio playing in the Coleherne pub in Earl’s Court. Henderson was a multi-talented musician who had teamed up with Ralph Cherrie and Sterling Betancourt to create the capital’s first resident steelband. In 1964 Laslett organised a children’s event at which Henderson’s pan-round-the-neck side made

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an impromptu appearance, repeated the following year.

Laslett then hit on the idea of a week-long arts festival dubbed the ‘Notting Hill Fayre’. She invited the panmen to play at a parade to open the festival. On 18 September 1966, history was made as homesick West Indians streamed out of their houses in response to the sweet sound of steelpan. The parade turned into a carnival.

After Laslett pulled out in 1970, the style became more overtly Caribbean. Leslie Palmer introduced Jamaican static sound systems in 1973, and the number of mas bands (costume groups) and steelbands grew. So did the crowds and the controversy, after Carnival 1976 ended in pitched battles between local youngsters and police. Despite the tensions, this was an exciting and creative period for Notting Hill Carnival, as competitions for steelbands, mas and calypso began and steelpan was introduced into London schools.

Barrister Claire Holder took over leadership of the carnival in 1989. She professionalised the organisation and brought in title sponsors, which helped finance the pre-carnival costume gala and prizes for competition winners. Since her departure in 2002, some people say Notting Hill has lost its way, with too many powder and T-shirt bands and not enough ‘real mas’. Last year, controversy continued after an enforced change of carnival management.

In November last year, Notting Hill Carnival Limited (NHCL) were awarded £300,000 in grants from the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) towards running the next three years of the carnival.

But Carnival is resilient: like Japanese knotweed, the more you try to beat it down, the stronger it grows up again!

So let’s add to Notting Hill’s history this year.

In the words of Brother Marvin, “We havin fun, sun or rain - why? It’s Carnival time again!”

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soca people

Jamesy P

Invites you to his Soca Land WORDS | JOSEPH CHARLES

Jamesy P (James Morgan) has been part of the soca music scene since 2004. He’s still known as the ‘Nookie’ man, but it’s a title he’s long since left behind. He now pursues a more exemplary way of life. Jamesy is back in 2019, with two new releases so far for Trinidad Carnival 2019: Soca Land and Intense. However, he hasn’t been resting on his laurels, and has also penned songs for several other soca artists.

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Who is Jamesy P, and which island do you represent?

Jamesy P is a fun-loving person, full of life and laughter, from the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Therefore I represent the 784, but I also represent all of the Caribbean because we are all ‘ONE FAM’.

You are the original ‘Nookie’ man; will any of your upcoming releases follow in that vein?

That ‘Nookie man’ sobriquet has gotten me into a lot of trouble, and it drew me out and away from my spirituality. So, in answering your question, at this point I’m trying to keep my music more uplifting; not saying a ‘jump & a wine’ won’t get into the mix at some time, but I’m making sure that all my songs could be sung at a children’s event.

You have been quiet for the past couple of years; what have you been up to?

For the past couple years I chose to take a step back to analyse and reassess a mixture of a personal and spiritual journey, whilst opening a restaurant and beauty supply store in St. Vincent. I have also been doing a lot of writing, and in doing so I have been fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to work with and alongside the likes of Dr. Machel ‘Monk, the Goat’ Montano, Austin ‘Superblue’ Lyons, Tony ‘Chinese Laundry’ Chow Lin On, Precision Productions, Frankie McIntosh, Franklin Grant and the Great Rawlston Charles, better known as Charlie from Charlie’s Records out of Brooklyn NY. I also had the privilege to write tracks for Farmer Nappy, Lyrikal and Fadda Fox, and I wrote Hulk, the monster hit by BLAXX, and Brace Up by Machel Montano - just to name a few.

Could you remind our readers of some of your other tracks?

Some of those tracks have included Bashment, Sugar Pan, Leave Me Alone, Puff & Pass and Siyahbonga.

Your new release, Soca Land, seems to have some of the old Jamesy P in there but with a slightly different flavour. Is that correct, or have we heard wrong?

You are correct; in fact, you’re so correct that people are telling me, with my trademark flavour (old school), that I sound like Winston Bailey (Mighty

Shadow) on this track; that I may need to buy a black hat and a trench coat and throw a beard into the mix.

Why did you decide to release Soca Land for Trinidad Carnival?

I’ve been doing a lot of writing, and after being called on stage in Barbados at Soca on the Hill by my friend Blaxx, I made the decision that the stage is where I belong - and I do have a burning passion for it. Soca Land was one of the tunes that I wrote while working with Machel ‘Monk’ Montano, and since I had the intention of returning to the stage/industry, Trinidad Carnival was the immediate festival and, at the time, the most appropriate.

What other releases do you have planned for the 2019 Trinidad carnival season, and are there any planned collaborations?

Yes, you can look forward to Lion Paw, which is very uplifting) and, as far as collaborations go, the answer is yes - but I’d rather not let the cat out of the bag.

What’s next, after Trinidad Carnival?

Taking it back to the road to continue to spread soca music, and keeping St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ music alive across the globe.

In addition Jamesy says…

In conclusion, put God first in everything that you do, and he will direct your path. To my fans, I must say thank you for your continuous love and support, and to my country, St Vincent and the Grenadines, thank you for allowing me to fly the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a cultural ambassador.

If you’d like to connect with Jamesy and find out what he’s up to, hit him up on instagram at @ jamesypmusic. For bookings, email jamesypmusic@ gmail.com or nookiejames@gmail.com.

SOCA LAND LISTEN NOW ON

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soca PEOPLE

Arthur Allain Five times a King WORDS | JOSEPH CHARLES

Arthur Allain, five times Groovy Soca Monarch of Saint Lucia, will be in London on 23 February to perform at the 40th Independence Dance, hosted

by Unity of UK St Lucians. We caught up with him recently for a quick chat.

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Tell us, who is Elijah Arthur Allain?

Elijah Arthur Allain is a promising product of the gift of music. A prolific vocalist and entertainer, band leader, entrepreneur, writer/musician, and reigning five time groovy monarch of the beautiful island of St. Lucia.

Which part of Saint Lucia do you hail from?

I was born and raised in the picturesque town of Soufriere, nestled beneath the world-renowned Pitons.

We understand that your previous profession was teaching. How hard was it to give that up? And from what I understand this soca business is hard, sometimes a struggle; has it been worth it?

It was a tough decision that took years to make.

The transition was a blessed one and thoroughly thought through. I understood that in order to be financially comfortable I had to pursue multiple streams of revenue within the field, so I started by investing in a small sound system and doing solo performances at weddings and hotels on a daily basis. I invested in my studio and delved into jingle/ voice over production, music production and writing for other artistes, renting out my studio, and other fields such as personal brand merchandising, online music sales, touring, etc. It has been more than worth it.

How long have you been involved in music now?

Professionally, 11 years - which started with me joining the Matrix Band in early 2008.

Who are your musical influences?

Various influences based on the genre. I am particularly inspired by Bruno Mars, Beres Hammond, Bob Marley, Usher and, in soca, Kes The Band.

You have been a prolific winner when it comes to the Saint Lucia Groovy Monarch competition. Do you have any intention of stopping participating?

Soca Monarch has done a lot for me, providing a platform to further expose me to a wider market, however it’s done its bit and it is time for me to focus on international interests. I would still love to be

a part, however, by mentoring younger artistes to help develop their performance.

It feels like Saint Lucia Carnival was just yesterday. When will we next hear new music from you?

I have already begun releasing music. I released a 7 track dancehall EP The Other Side, available on all digital platforms, and recently visited Trinidad to promote my latest single Whole Day, featured on DJ Ana’s Soca Feels riddim. A soca EP is also on the way for April 4 - my birthday. I also released You Ah D Baddest, a Dennery Segment by G6 Productions.

You are performing at the Saint Lucia 40th Independence Dance in London.

Have you been to the UK before? What can the audience expect of your performance on the night?

This is my first time coming to the UK, and I look forward to delivering a dynamic and high-energy performance - and look to returning many more times to perform.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers?

I would like to thank the many people who have been supporting my music through the years and giving me the encouragement to push forward. I implore you readers to keep supporting the upcoming talent. I always preach positivity and one love!

Finally, how can fans connect with you on social media?

My official website is www.arthurallain758.com. I can also be reached via Instagram @arthurallain758, and on Facebook Arthur Allain.

WHOLE DAY LISTEN NOW ON

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music new soca releases HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE NEW SOCA RELEASES FOR TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2019 MORE MAY BE FOUND ONLINE AT SOCANEWS.COM/MUSIC

SPEECHLESS KERWIN DU BOIS, LYRIKAL, VOICE & TEDDYSON JOHN

PARTY WE LOVE

HOOKIN MEH PURPLE HEART RIDDIM

FARMER NAPPY

ALIVE AND WELL OSAKA RIDDIM

VOICE

SO LONG

LOVE IT

PURPLE HEART RIDDIM

TWIN FLAME RIDDIM

NADIA BATSON

KES

BLAZE IN LOVE

GAMES

10 X OVER

GYAL OWNER

KICK START RIDDIM

ERPHAAN ALVES

ROAD BUDY

THANK MAMA

PASSING TRU

FEEL GOOD

PRACTICE

ROAD SWANK RIDDIM

TWIN FLAME RIDDIM

SHAL MARSHALL

KERWIN DU BOIS & NESSA PREPPY

OLATUNJI

NAILAH BLACKMAN

LYRIKAL

FOR MORE MUSIC VISIT

PATRICE ROBERTS

FOLI RIDDIM

FAY-ANN LYONS

SOCANEWS.COM/MUSIC 18 SN FEB 2019

BLAXX

GBM NUTRON

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feature

KARTONIA MILLER-REGIS

GRAND DESIGNS WORDS | KATIE SEGAL

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Elimu Paddington Arts Band holds a unique position amongst mas bands in that they create, in their words, a ‘moving exhibition’ on the roads of Notting Hill Carnival.

Welcoming creatives with their own interpretations of what a carnival costume can be, the presentation is a diverse homage to the pageantry of the artform.

We spoke to one of Elimu’s 2018 designers, Kartonia Regis, whose unique designs brought together the historic and the contemporary to form an innovative and cohesive trio of costumes.

We were so impressed with your designs for Elimu’s Notting Hill Carnival 2018 presentation.

Have you been taking part in Carnival for a long time?

Thank you so much. I was born into Carnival. My mum joined Elimu when she was 16, so my brothers and sister and myself grew up with summers that were filled (and still are filled) with sequins, glitter and beads.

What is your artistic background?

For as long as I can remember I’ve always been into creating – drawing, painting, writing, and making all manner of props. Art was always my favourite lesson at school. I studied it for my GCSE’s but that was as far as I went with it academically. As I mentioned, I grew up in a Carnival band, so from a very young age, I was surrounded by extremely talented people. Meilin Sancho was Elimu’s designer when I was growing up, and she mesmerised me. I looked up to her, and still do. I’d watch her fingers create magic with all kinds of materials. My mum’s very artistic too, so my creativity was always well nourished and encouraged.

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Is this your first time designing costumes?

How did this come about?

Yes. This is my first year. (When I was six I did draw a picture of a butterfly/fairy/princess that got turned into an individual costume, but that probably doesn’t count.) I’m always creating something or other, which leaves me with art that never sees the light of day. Last year, I wore some of my pieces to accent a crown that was designed by another designer. I realised then that I wanted my pieces to be seen, and that I was ready and confident enough to design for Carnival. I told Ansel Wong (Artistic Director of Elimu) that I was interested in designing - and here we are.

What was the inspiration for your designs?

All kinds of things inspire me - all of the time.

Film, fashion, nature, the cosmos, books, etc. With these designs it was definitely a combination of many things, including history. History fascinates me, with all it encompasses – the good and bad – and then there’s the art, architecture and fashion. With 2018 being a year filled with so many important anniversaries – 70th anniversary of Windrush, 70th anniversary of the NHS, 100 years since women won the right to vote, etc – I wanted to design costumes that gave a nod to the past. I focused on Black Britons, with the intention of shining a light on a history that is so often left in the shadows.

I looked at Mary Seacole, a British nurse in the 1800’s, and was inspired by her strength, perseverance and virtues. I looked at DidoElizabeth Bell and was inspired by the pomp of the 1700’s that she was born into, and the fact that she was a Black British aristocrat. And then I looked at Ignatius Sancho, and was inspired by the fight and warrior-like virtues of this activist, who taught himself to read and who also became the first Black Briton to vote - in the 1700’s. In the end I had my three costumes which, together, I called the ‘TAPESTRY’.

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It looks like you’ve used really interesting mixed media to form the costumes. Was your process led by the materials, or by a view of the end result (or something else)? How did things evolve as you went through the process?

The view of the end result definitely determined what materials I used. I started off just by sketching what I wanted. I didn’t restrict myself with the idea of using any particular medium.

Then, when my sketches were done, I went shopping with my sketches in hand and tried to figure out what I needed and what looked as if it could/would work. In the end, I tried lots of different materials that didn’t work for the vision I had in mind. But, slowly, the more I pieced things together and pulled things apart, the materials that were right for me shone through.

Looking forward, where would you like to go within mas?

To infinity and beyond. I love mas and I love creating, so I really want to express myself and my art in what I think is the perfect place for it. I want to use all kinds of materials and push the boundaries. Ultimately, I want to reach a place where I’m creating art that people love and want to wear; art that does what art is supposed to do – inspire and make people feel something.

What do you think of the overall picture of mas in Notting Hill Carnival at the moment, and do you think there are any changes that should be made?

Mas in the Notting Hill Carnival is a beautiful, vibrant, all-inclusive wonder in London. I, personally, love it. As for changes, I think there’s always room for improvement. For starters, I wish people knew how accessible being part of mas actually is. So many people I speak to who aren’t involved with carnival say that they know of the Notting Hill Carnival / had attended as a spectator, but most didn’t know they could be a part of it, or how.

I’d also get lots more costumes on the road.

Like, LOTS more. I know there are heaps already, but my hunger for them is insatiable. I want the costumes to outnumber t-shirts. I want a sea of colours, shapes, sequins and feathers charging towards me all day. But then again, I am a lover of art who’s obsessed with costumes, so what I’m asking for might be a bit much for some.

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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.com.

For full event listings, please visit socanews.com/events. For Windrush related events see page 18

FRI 8 FEB

SAT 16 FEB

SOCA FRENZY

BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS

@ Scala, 275 Pentonville Road, Kings Cross, N1 9NL. Time 11pm–5am. Price £5.

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

3 IN 1 MAS FETE

SUN 10 FEB D RIDDIM TRIBE

ALL DAY CARNIVAL PARTY & LAUNCH

@ O2 Academy Islington, 16 Parkfield Street, N1 0PS. DJs Digga D, DJ Bliss, Hyper Spice, Kultxre, Mr Redz & Release D Riddim. Time 5–11pm. Price £5, £8, £10 & £15.

WARM UP SESSION

FRI 22 FEB BASHMENT PARTY

REP YUH FLAG

@ 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN. Time 10.30pm–3am. Price £10, £15 & £20.

GET MAD ENT

BASHMENT AND CHILL

@ 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN. DJs DJ Shakit, DJ Dee & Deep & Clarity. Time 10.30pm–3am.

Price £5.

SAT 23 FEB UNITY OF UK ST LUCIAN ASSOCIATIONS

ST LUCIA’S 40TH INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION DANCE

@ Stratford Town Hall, 29 Broadway, E15 4BQ. Featuring Live Arthur Allain (St Lucia).

DJs Mosty, DJ VJ & DJ LT. Time 9pm–3am. Price £20, motd.

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events FOR A FULL EVENT LISTING

SOCANEWS.COM/EVENTS THE LUCIAN ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALIST & DOMILUCIAN PROMOTIONS

ST LUCIA’S 40TH INDEPENDENCE

@ The Luxurious Starlight Suite 282-300 Lea Bridge Road, E10 7LD. DJs DJ Matthew, Mikey Afrique & Rude Boy Keith, Rudie G, Ninjaman Lloyd & The Specialist. Time 10pm–4am.

Price £25.

CARIBBEAN PARTY UK

ISLAND WHINE (GRENADA JAB JAB MEETS ST.LUCIA DENNERY)

SAT 16 MAR CHOCOLATE NATION MAS

2019 BAND LAUNCH XTREME

@ 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN. DJs Danny D Remix, DJ CJay & Flagz Sound (Majikal & DJ Dee). Time 10pm–3am. Price £10.

SAT 23 MAR DANNY D REMIX

CHIC LDN

@ Nomad London, 58 Old Street, EC1V 9AJ. Time 10pm–4am.

Price £10 & £15.

@ 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN. DJs Danny D, DJ CJay & DJ Dee. Time 10pm–1am. Price £12 & £14

SUN 24 FEB

SUN 24 MAR

THESOCIALINA EVENTS

FUNATIK MAS

@ The Piano Works, 113-117 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3BX. DJs Ali Twizt & DJ Yung Milli. Time 5pm–1am. Price £10 & £15.

@ Haringey Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, N17 8DX. DJs Martin Jay, Lex Lion, Ms Riri & Supertrini Vibes.

Time 3–10pm. Price £3 children (4-16) & £7 adults, motd.

THE LUCIAN ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALIST & DOMILUCIAN PROMOTIONS

WI KULCHA

CARIBBEAN SUNDAY 50 SHADES OF GREY EDITION

GWAN MOUN FETE

@ The Luxurious Starlight Suite 282-300 Lea Bridge Road, E10 7LD. DJs DJ Tim Tom, Mikey Afrique, DJ Mackla, Country Boy & Selector Ti Ling. Time 5pm–2am. Price £15, motd.

SUN 03 MAR DJ LOKDWN

SOCA MEETS AFROBEATS @ The Golden Anchor, 16 Evelina Road, SE15 2DX. Time 8pm–1am. Price Free.

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2019 BAND LAUNCH OUTER SPACE

CARNIVAL BRUNCH

@ Wenlock & Essex, 18-26 Essex Road, N1 8LN. DJs Plerz, Shaker, Rasta Fou & Stallion. Time 2pm–10pm. Price £25.

SAT 30 MAR CARIBBEAN SESSIONS

RETURN FETE LONDON (ALL WHITE GLOW EDITION)

@ The Chapel Bar, 29 Penton Street, N1 9PX. DJs DJ CJay, DJ Bones, DJ Magikal & DJ Drew.

Time 9pm–3am. Price £10 & £15.

BUSSPEPPER PROMOTIONS

CARNIVAL TABANCA

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

SAT 06 APR MINGLE UK

MINGLE ALL WHITE PARTY

@ Cavendish Banqueting Suite, Edgware Road, NW9 5AE. DJs Artiste Team - : Assassin Singh & Loud & Bashy, DJ Bones & Triple M. Time 10pm–4am. Price £25 & £30.

SUN 07 APR ISLAND MAS UK

2019 BAND LAUNCH ASCENSO THE REBIRTH

@ 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN. DJs DJ Bones, QT 2Hype, DJ Matchiz, DJ Shaker, DJ Desktop & Supa Nytro. Time 5pm–midnight.

Price £10, £15 & £20.

SAT 13 APR INVADERS MAS

2019 BAND LAUNCH EMINENCE

@ Funky Brownz, 5 Tottenham Lane, N8 9DJ. Time 8.30pm– 2am. Price £5, £8 & £12.

SAT 18 APR KARNIVAL MANIA

2019 BAND LAUNCH KANDESCENT

@ The Lighthouse Bar and Club 62 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY. Time 10pm. Price £5 & £10.

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carnival

04-05 MARCH

TRINIDAD CARNIVAL TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is a spectacle of colour, creativity, enjoyment and theatre. The islands are currently in the throes of preparation for this annual event that attracts thousands of visitors, this year it will culminate on the first Monday and Tuesday in March.

It starts with J’Ouvert morning, when the real takeover of the street begins. Revellers cover themselves with mud, paint and powder as they ‘chip’ in the cool, darkness of the early morning in their respective bands. It continues with Monday mas, and comes to a climax on Carnival Tuesday when masqueraders take to the streets adorned in bikinis, feathers, beads and various forms of costumery. Carnival has the ability to foster cohesiveness, its unifying revelry cutting across economic, ethnic and social divides.

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KEY DATES THURS 28 FEB

CALYPSO MONARCH FINALS FRI 1 MAR

INTERNATIONAL SOCA MONARCH SAT 2 MAR

PANORAMA FINALS SUN 3 MAR

DIMANCHE GRAS CARNIVAL MON 4 MAR

J’OUVERT

PARADE OF THE BANDS CARNIVAL TUE 5 MAR

PARADE OF THE BANDS

FACEBOOK.COM/NCCTT

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carnival

04-05 MARCH

MAS DOMNIK

IMAGE SECRETLY DOMINICAN

DOMINICA

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This year Dominicans will come together to celebrate a carnival of redemption and joy, in honour of the spirit of the people who were impacted by the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017, which limited the island to low-keyed celebrations last year. Real Mas will take on a grander and more expansive posture, as all aspects of the tradition are fully embraced to allow for a celebration that will bring out a full range of creative and artistic talent.

For 2019 the mas will add vigour and vitality to the continued rebuilding efforts, and revitalise the spirit of togetherness and cooperation amongst the people.

FACEBOOK.COM/DOMINICAFESTS

KEY DATES WED 27 FEB

STARDOM KING OF THE TENT THURS 28 FEB

CHAMP OF THE CAMP FRI 1 MAR

MISS DOMINICA PAGEANT SAT 2 MAR

CALYPSO FINALS SUN 3 MAR

KIDDIES CARNIVAL CARNIVAL MON 4 MAR

J’OUVERT

PARADE OF THE BANDS CARNIVAL TUE 5 MAR

PARADE OF THE BANDS

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carnival

04-05 MARCH

KAYAK MAS

IMAGE PALM TREE VYBEZ

CARRIACOU & PETITE MARTINIQUE

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Carriacou is the largest sister isle of Grenada and its Carnival festival is one of the most authentic in the world. The easy charm of Carriacou mixes with its deep cultural traditions to create this unique event. Speaking of unique, you cannot speak about ‘Kayak Mas’ as it is affectionately called without mentioning Shakespeare Mas. Found only in Carriacou, colourfully dressed masqueraders challenge each other with their best renditions of Shakespeare’s most noted lines. A fumble or forgetting of lines means you will fall to the playful tap of your opponent’s stick; truly a spectacle to watch. And Carriacou truly has it all, the Jab Jab covered in old oil, painted masqueraders, the bright lights of Monday Night Mas and the colour and splendour of Fancy Mas on Carnival Tuesday. In the mix is upbeat island music, spice-infused cuisine, safety and the warmth and friendliness of the people.

KEY DATES FRI 1 MAR

POWER SOCA MONARCH FINALS SAT 2 MAR

JAB CONVENTION 4.0 SUN 3 MAR

DI MARCH GRAS/ GROOVY FINALS CARNIVAL MON 4 MAR

J’OUVERT

PARADE OF THE BANDS MONDAY NIGHT MAS CARNIVAL TUE 5 MAR

SHAKESPARE MAS & LAST LAP FACEBOOK.COM/ CARRIACOUCARNIVAL

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feature

Saint Lucia O

Celebrates its 40th year of Independence n 22 February, 1979, Saint Lucia became a fully independent country.

They witnessed the red, white and blue flag of Britain lowered for the last time, supplanted by the new Saint Lucian flag of black, blue, white and yellow.

The island has a long history of conquest and settlement, beginning with the native Arawaks being ousted by the more aggressive Caribs in around AD800. At that time, the island was known as Iouanalao, ‘Land of the Iguanas’, thanks to an abundance of the sharp-eyed lizards – but by 1520 it had become Sancta Lucia. The ferocity of the Caribs ensured that any Europeans who tried to settle on the island had an uncomfortable time of it, although a French pirate used Pigeon Island as his lair for a while in the 1550s.

Both English and French claimed to have settled in Saint Lucia in 1635, beginning a pattern that was to be repeated many times over the next 180 years.

Ownership swung back and forth between the British and the French, marked by claims, invasions, attacks and treaties, until Saint Lucia ended up with Britain in 1814.

In 1795, freed slaves, known as the Brigands, formed themselves into a resistance army and suc-

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ceeded in kicking out all the white slave-owners and the British army. Slavery was officially abolished, and several planters were guillotined. Eventually, a 5,000-strong force under General John Moore restored ‘order’, though the rumblings continued until the curse of slavery was brought to a definitive end two decades later.

Sugar was the engine of the slave economy, and continued to be the undisputed ‘king’ of the island until 1957, when bananas took over as the prime export crop. The following year, Saint Lucia joined the short-lived semi-autonomous West Indies Federation, and from 1967 to 1979 was an ‘associated state’ of the UK, looking after its own internal affairs but leaving international relations and defence to Westminster. The country remains a member of the Commonwealth, CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

Saint Lucia’s 40th year of independence is a very special milestone, and to celebrate this a programme of events has been planned in the UK, including an independence dance, a thanksgiving service and reception, a cultural day, a ball for youth ambassadors, a celebration of Saint Lucia’s Nobel Laureates, and a food and rum festival.

For more information about independence celebrations and activities, contact the High Commission for Saint Lucia on 020 7370 7123.

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NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 2019 Band Launch Season

W

e may only be in February, but Notting Hill Carnival 2019 is already in full swing. Band launch season has begun, with costume presentations set to enliven many weekends between now and midsummer. Carnival this year will take place on the Bank Holiday weekend of Sunday 25 and Monday 26 August 2019.

It can sometimes be difficult to find information about band launches - and the bands themselves - so we’ve created a timetable of upcoming launches. Our listing will be updated as and when we receive new information, but if you’d like us to keep you informed there’s also the option of signing up to our weekly e-newsletter at socanews.com/subscribe.

If you’d like your band launch details added to our list, please submit your details to events@socanews.com.

You can find a list of the band launches at socanews.com/news/ notting-hill-carnival-2019-band-launch-schedule Please note it is always advisable to double check with event promoters, as dates and venues may sometimes change.

BECOME A NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL STEWARD Notting Hill Carnival is recruiting 300 community stewards for the 2019 event. Are you interested in participating? Looking to develop your event safety skills, experience and qualifications?

For full details and to apply, visit nhcarnival.org/stewarding-registration-2019?

FOR MORE, VISIT

SOCANEWS.COM 36 SN FEB 2019

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Soca News is a Caribbean-focused brand dedicated to music, news, culture, carnivals and lifestyle.

We have been established for over 20 years, and have built up a loyal following of readers who appreciate our distinctive content, which informs, entertains and inspires.

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T. +44 (0) 333 012 4643 | E. INFO@SOCANEWS.COM

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