Thursday 11th August: Notting Hill Carnival 2016, Mas - Sunshine International Arts

Following last year's theme of "Oil Slick" , Sunshine International Arts have shed the black tarred feathers and grown new wings of multi-colour mas-colour spectrums for "all Ah We IS oNE".

"After all the struggles and strife of war.... we leave it behind us and sail to a better future filled with love, hope, peace and unity.....

Our faces reflect all emotion and all colours.  We are not of one colour but are mixed.

No Black!  No White!  No yellow!  No Red!

No distinguishable colour forces itself to the forefront.

Our people are colour bright and beautiful.   A rainbow of love.

Live and let live - all Ah We IS oNE.  All Ah We share one pure unadulterated heart!"

Here you can see hints and details of the large scale face costumes which will indicate the message of "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil".  All of this preperation will come together as full looks complete with trimmed accessories on bank holiday weekend.  Keep your eye out for the rainbow in amongst the parade and remember it's the award-winning Sunshine Arts International.......... or get involved with a hands-on experience of helping make the costumes at their events schedule here.

Saturday 29th August: Notting Hill Carnival Mas Camp behind the scenes - Sunshine International Arts at C.A.F.E

From Wassiville in North London, down South to Brixton, my tour of London's Mas Camps took me to Sunshine International Arts.  This community arts centre is called C.A.F.E meaning "Carnival Arts For Everyone" which it offers as a working studio filled with memorabilia, doubling up as a museum of the culture.  Here are photos of these artefacts from a 13 year history of participating in Notting Hill Carnival and a couple of shots of this year's pieces under construction.  The large premises means that grand scale costumes can be constructed and for this year's "Oil Slick" theme there are towering oil rigs being assembled as vertical back packs.  As a member of the public you can attend workshops and learn how to make masks, headdresses, accessories and costumes.  You are also welcome to take part in their band at Carnival.  There were so many beutiful trimmings, I wanted to get involved but had to keep going on my journey .............. with a quick try on of this cosmic metallic rainbow rickrack shoulder piece!!!  

Find out more details on visiting the cafe for lunch and how to get on board with the band here.