Friday 8th September: Notting Hill Carnival 2017, Panorama

On the Saturday night before Carnival kicks off on Sunday, there is the Steel Pan championship "Panorama" in Emslie Horniman Pleasance park on the carnival route.  The local bands practice here all week on the run up to it so you can come out and get a sense of what is to come!  On the night, the participating bands line up in a que rehearsing their sequences before they each enter the judging panel.  They have to physically pick up their drums to move them along the road as their turn comes closer.  This is quite possibly the most physically challenging instrument of all time!  The songs are epically long and the arm-work is fast and constant.  The Ebony Mas Steel Band took this a stage further with a choreographed dance routine of spinning round inbetween chords.  Here you can see a couple in their Fela Kuti Felabration t-shirts which inspired their theme for this year.  Check out their incredible winning performance here.  I wish so much that I could play, it looks SO MUCH FUN! 

Wednesday 29th March: Trinidad Carnival 2017 - Panorama

Just like Notting Hill Carnival, there is a night dedicated to the Steel Pan bands called Panorama.  Here are the small bands parked up infront of the Savannah stadium ready to practise before pushing themselves up to the stage.  I thought these were the main event and watched them each take their turn.  Then I got home late at night and realised the competition of the large bands had only just begun as it was being televised ......... all night. 

 If you can't make it down to the actual fete, the whole thing is aired on TV!  

See my Instagram movie clip here.

Saturday 27th August: Notting Hill Carnival, Panorama

Notting Hill Carnival starts with "Panorama" steel pan competition ft. Mangrove, Endurance Steel Orchestra, Croydon Steel Orchestra and Metronomes Steel Orchestra.

Friday 4th September: Notting Hill Carnival - Dedication to Russell Henderson MBE

2015 is the 50th anniversary of NottingHill Carnival.  As there is debate over the actual year that the fete was founded, it has been spread across three years with the celebration dedicated to a different aspect each year .  Last year was all about the steel pan, this year focused on the emergence of carnival with the family day and next year will be all about Mas (costume).  Only a few days before this year's Carnival one of the seminal pioneers passed away, age 91.  Russell Henderson MBE came to London from Trinidad in 1951 as a young jazz musician and started up "The Russ Henderson Steel Band".   In 1964 activist Rhaune Laslette held a children's pageant in Portabello and invited Russell's band to open the event.  The players of the hand-held pans started to walk to take the music along the gathered crowds.  This, as legend has it, was the beginning of what we now know as the procession through the streets of Notting Hill today.  
At Monday's finale there were dedications to Russell's memory with his most recent band "Panectar" leading a tribute to honour his role in the shaping of the Carnival.  Here you can also see my photo from Sunday's opening show with calypsonian Alexander D Great  performing a song he wrote for the dedication with the lyrics:

"With your inspiration and dedication, Russell Henderson will always be the Pan Man"

The carnival initially came about from a community coming together and taking action to strengthen the relationships and support within their neighbourhood.  It's this pure essence that the committee currently want to reinstate, so that whilst we celebrate its 50th birthday, we can bring back that purpose.  The emphasis should be on how the event brings people together to volunteer over the course of the year to put on the show.  Its not just a party.  Its about getting young people social and creative to learn skills passed down to continue the art and tradition.  Its about each borough having its own band and inspiring the next generation to get involved.  This is the message and one I'm going to continue investigating, exploring and sharing from here till next year ................. and what a lush prospect is that!  I'm looking forward to the year of MAS in 2016!!!!   

(Thank you Chantal Des Vignes & Justin Des Vignes for the two original archive photos from a J'Ouvert parade with Russell pictured centre)

Wednesday 2nd Sept: Notting Hill Carnival 2015 , Panorama

"Panorma" is the steel pan opening concert for Notting Hill Carnival on the Saturday night prior to the parade over the weekend.  Just like the main fete, its a competition with each band practising final rehearsals in the street before taking main stage infront of the judging panel audience.  I strolled along and captured the national bands gathered for the night's celebration of the Caribbean tradition with "Ebony" winning this year's champaign award, "Real Steel" scooping 2nd and "Mangrove" coming 3rd .