Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Virtual party time
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL TO GO AHEAD THIS YEAR IN THREE-DAY ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA–
NOTTING Hill Carnival will not be held in the traditional way this summer – but all is not lost.
A virtual three-day carnival will still be taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The announcement comes after the west London street festival was cancelled in May due to fears around coronavirus.
Notting Hill Carnival’s organisers revealed that the “alternative” event, named Notting Hill Carnival: Access All Areas, will be available to watch for free with registrations open from 6pm on Thursday July 16.
The event is also being sponsored by Spotify, which will host a “microsite” providing playlists from carnival DJs, as well as podcasts discussing the rich history of Notting Hill Carnival.
From 6pm on Saturday August 29, viewers will be able to plug into a dazzling Steelpan, Calypso and Soca set, which will be followed by more events on Sunday and Monday across four dedicated channels.
Matthew Phillips, executive director of Notting Hill Carnival, said: “This year we faced the ultimate challenge of being unable to gather on the streets to celebrate our carnival.
“But now, more than ever, it’s important to keep the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival alive, giving an outlet to the thousands of people that spend all year creating incredible costumes and music for Europe’s largest event.”
The virtual event was filmed over a month-long period, bringing together different arms of the carnival community in a collaborative effort. Also in support of the event are Kensington & Chelsea Council and Westminster Council, who would usually be home to the west London street party.
Cllr Emma Will, lead member for Kensington & Chelsea Council who contributed £175,000 to the event, said: “We are as proud as ever to be providing logistical and financial support to this year’s event in its new digital form as Notting Hill Carnival: Access All Areas.
“Carnival is a major event in the cultural calendar, not just for our residents but for people across London, the UK and beyond. It was founded to bring people together during trying times, and that legacy continues.”
The likes of Disya Jeneration, Love TKO and the Rockin Crew, Rev B and Mangrove Steelpan band are all set to perform.
Mr Phillips said: “Carnival is such an important part of people’s lives and key celebration of the multiculturalism of the UK, and we have a responsibility to our community and pioneers to honour that.
“We also have a responsibility to protect the black community and our elders by respecting social distancing and taking carnival away from the streets for this year. So this is a fantastic solution for 2020.
“We may not be able to celebrate together on the streets as usual, but we can all come together to celebrate one of the UK’s great cultural events online.”