Carnival goes from New Orleans to the Caribbean
It’s nearly time to don your feathered headdresses as Bath Carnival will be bringing some Brazilian vibes to the city on Saturday. This year the annual event has added two other distinct styles of carnival to the mix, from the Caribbean and New Orleans’s Mardi Gras. The jewel in the carnival crown will be a procession around the city starting at 3pm, and featuring more than 200 samba drummers, New Orleans-style brass bands and Caribbean sound systems, before finishing at 5.30pm at Laura Place. The carnival hopes to become the greenest in the city and, fittingly, is also hosting Party in the Park in the leafy outdoor setting of Sydney Gardens. People can kick-back and relax with a line-up of world music, with the family-friendly festival running from 10am until 10pm. Acts include Matuki, an afrobeat act, Flamenco Thief, a fusion of ska, hip-hop and gypsy swing and Brejero, specialists in a Brazilian style of music called choro. The carnival was awarded a grant from the Bath & West Community Energy Fund earlier this year, and says this will help strengthen its eco credentials. Organiser Stuart Matson said: “Being awarded the grant was very important to us – it enables us to start reducing our carbon emissions and is the first step towards our long-term aim of becoming the greenest carnival in the UK.” The carnival has replaced a number of floats and vehicles with trikes, bikes and pushchairs to reduce carbon emissions. Carnival organisers have also laid on a host of events to help people get ready for the spectacular event, with a headdress master class taking place today (Thursday) at Green Park Station from 5.30pm. it costs £8 and participants can bring their own items to customise. On Friday revellers can take part in a free African dance and drumming workshop at Green Park Station from 6.30pm. For more visit www.bathcarnival.co.uk n Club and bar Second Bridge/the Earl are joining in the fun by holding a carnival themed party from 1pm on Saturday until the early hours.
Carnival artist Jeannie Chandler poses among decorated umbrellas ahead of Bath Carnival on Saturday