Wednesday 2nd Sept: Notting Hill Carnival 2015 , Sunday Parade / A Family Day

As you can probably tell from these photos I was dying from "cute overload" on the sideline of the Children's Day parade celebrating "Emergence Of Carnival" at Notting Hill Carnival.  They were either totally engrossed in the dance routines and putting 110% energy into the moves, tapping their feet to keep trucking behind the truck .................. OR in floods of tears from exhaustion of that over excitement.   I could hardly hold back my own tears of joy at some of their faces - especially a toddler who was one big ball of Ostrich plume with just her eyes and cornrows poking out.  There were little-ones so small they might not have been walking for long, but were taking steps alongside their Mas Bands or sparko in a decorated stroller in-between.  I couldn't cope.  Its been very had editing my pictures to condense the cuteness.  Just look at that fish!!!

See more here

Weds 2nd Sept: Notting Hill Carnival Mas Camp behind the scenes - Mahogany "Imagine This"

I was really excited to visit the Mahogany Mas Camp in Harlesden after getting to know the work of designer Clary Salandy from my research into Carnival Arts last year.  Her designs are totally unique and identifiable in the sea of costumes at Carnival.   The aesthetic is unrivalled down to the 3D shaping achieved with partner / structural engineer Michael Ramdeen.  The character costumes look alive from the glints in the eyes of the brush strokes to the motion of the movement from puppetry.  This year towering swans bobbed their heads which you can appreciate in the epic size from the scale in her illustrated designs above.  Other sections included a fleet of airplanes with the masquerader in pilot uniform and dancers in circular swirl skirts that dropped into a surprise triptych of layers.  This was not only titled "Secret Garden" but also literally kept a secret from the performers until the day to guarantee a full effect of excitement and energy for the judging panel of the parade.  

I witnessed the full procession out in force for the Children's Day on Sunday and the Grand Finale on Monday.  The seahorse and tropical fish shoals of "Young Mahogany" kids looked like a ridiculously cute flotilla of submarines as they shimmied down the streets of W9, winning the hearts of the crowds.  In this post you can see my snaps of how the patterns are constructed in different stages at the Mas Camp which operates from a Village Hall across the road from the main studio.  With this space it's possible to create gigantic proportions and in numerous duplicates to achieve the numbers needed for the choreographed formations.  How on earth it is then moved from here to the truck on the route early each morning must be another engineering feat all in itself!!!!!  I am totally in awe of the craft and dedication that goes into putting this show on the road.  363 days are spent on devising the concept, patterns and costumes for the 2 day celebration.  This is why it's the best weekend of the year and incredibly as Europe's biggest street festival, its absolutely free to attend.  For this reason everyone who goes needs to appreciate the magic gift of the team's dedication that put it on by volunteering to make it happen each year.  Head over to the CAMF Instagram to see all my photos covering the event which include Mahogany's glorious creations. 

Here is Mahogany's manifesto for this year's theme "Imagine This" =

"Could man have dreamt of flying if her had not seen a bird.  Through man's ingenuity we can travel to all parts of the universe.

Inspiration comes from the world around us yet wherever man lands he has managed to threaten the existence of other living things.

With ought breeding programmes that preserve the lives of the wild species many would be gone forever.

The wheel of time spins, indigenous peoples are also in decline as races and cultures mix and a new groove is born.

People of many colours are forming the next generation. 

What would the world look like?

IMAGINE THIS

Peek into the secret garden and let your imagination roam free"

Saturday 29th August: Notting Hill Carnival Mas Camp behind the scenes - Glorious Backstage Arts

Finding the individual Mas Camps that make up the whole parade of Notting Hill Carnival is a safari around the city, spread out across each borough.  I never realised that a church I cycle past regularly near my home in North London is actually Islington Arts Factory.  Angela Slocumbe has a residency with her Carnival project "Glorious Backstage Arts" that focuses on training young people in all aspects of the craft of Mas from design to performing arts.  When I arrived dance rehearsals were underway, being filmed by ITN News to be broadcast later that evening.  Like me they were interested in the aspect of how each band is funded to take part in Europe's biggest street festival which is totally free to attend.  In addition to Arts Council funding, the main asset is time volunteered to teach, make and participate.  By becoming a member your fee contributes to the final sum to cover the costs of getting a truck and sound system on the road.  If you enjoy watching the Carnival every year, whoever you are, wherever you are, discover your local mas band and get in touch to actually take part.  No doors are closed, the only way they can continue is by the numbers involved.  At GBA you can even get a taster as an evening dance class on Friday run by choreographer Daniel who recommends it as a fitness class in as much as learning the moves!     

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.