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Getting ready to party
14.08.07
Colourful and elaborate costumes are guaranteed when it comes to the Notting Hill Carnival
Sunday is Children's Day at Carnival
Carnival is the largest street party in Europe
The 43rd Notting Hill Carnival takes place on 26 and 27 August, but revellers don't have to wait until then to get into the party mood, there are plenty of pre-Carnival events planned across London.
Toddlers will be getting into the spirit from 13 August when the Notting Hill Nursery Carnival, presented by the Children and Parents Carnival Association, takes place at Kensington Memorial Park. Call 020 8968 4840 for more details.
The Grand Carnival Costume Splash represents the first, and best, chance to catch a glimpse of this year's vibrant costumes. Held at Alexandra Palace on 18 and 19 August, the masquerade costumes destined for the Carnival parade will be on display. These two evenings offer the opportunity to get a thorough look at the costumes, without having to battle the heaving crowds of the actual parade. Prizes are awarded across four age groups for Best King and Queen of Carnival, Best Male and Female Costumes. There will also be Face painting, mask making and several stalls to amuse visitors. Splash runs from noon to 10pm both days. Adults £10/U16s £5/U12s £3.
Several weeks of traditional calypso music and dance culminate with the Calypso Monarch Finals on 24 August. Held at the Yaa Asantewaa Arts Centre, Chippenham Mews, Maida Vale, a king and queen performer will be crowned on the night. Tickets £8 in advance, £10 on the door. Doors open 7pm, show starts 8pm, no admission after 11pm.
Nine of Britain's top steel bands compete at the National Panorama Championships on 25 August. Taking place in Hyde Park, the competition will also feature a guest performance from the winning band at the Battle of the Drums in Rotterdam. 4pm-9pm. Free.
Sunday 26 August is Children's Day at the Notting Hill Carnival. Kids as young as five-years-old take part, dressing in elaborate costumes, playing in bands and helping at the different food stalls. Visitors can move around the Carnival area with greater ease on the Sunday, due to the reduced crowds.
Over 1.5 million people are expected to flock to Carnival on Monday 27 August for Adult's Day at Europe's largest street party. The four square mile area of West London will be overflowing with colour, floats, mighty sound systems blasting out pounding music and people dancing in the streets. There will be food stalls everywhere selling the best in Caribbean cuisine including jerk chicken, oxtail, patties and plantain. Officially running from noon to 7pm, the party is sure to go on well into the night with after parties arranged across the area.
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Reader views (3)
Ralph, that's not a fair comment. It is perfectly possible to embrace life and diversity without wanting to embrace noise, filth and mess as well, just as it is possible to enjoy the motor car without wishing to live in the middle of the M1.
And what makes you assume the location was the way it is now when Julia moved there? We do not know because she has not said, yet you are making assumptions.
- Barbara, Croydon, England
To Julia, did you not realise all this when you moved to the area? If not, why did you move there? Homes in that locale are in such demand that it would be simple to exchange yours with someone who embraces life and diversity.
The Notting Hill carnival is an event that draws people from across the world and contributes millions to London's economy. It takes up only two days. I grew up in the area and it made my childhood special - so many people I know would have swapped their childhood home for mine.
It celebrates culture and commemorates the victory over intolerance and racism that makes Notting Hill so attractive to wealthy housebuyers. (People say they want the status but not the reality of living in "cool" Notting Hill - sound familiar?)
Most importantly, it's free for everybody - although some detest that level of togetherness, prefering to exclude others who aren't like them. I'm amazed at how much it is taken for granted. Your attitude is just so dispiriting - it's like moving to the beach and wanting to erect a fence around it!
What makes the spot distinctive is the very thing you want to take away. I thought we had moved on in this country. Move to Surbiton, you'll feel much more at home there.
- Ralph, Islington
Spare a thought for people like me who live on the Carnival route and have to endure another two days of our lives being totally disrupted - the noise, filth and attitude of some of the carnival visitors is intolerable and we have to go through this every year. We residents should get a reduction in our council tax to assist with the clean up costs that I incur every year to clear the mess my front garden is subjected to by "party goers" and we shold be given a rebate for having our resident's car parking taken away from us for a whole weekend!
- Julia, London
