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Pure joy of carnival
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| Dance fever grips the town.
Deadlinepix MJ3598-1 |
By Helen
Barnes
It may have rained, but the atmosphere was positively balmy in
Kingston as the carnival swept into town on Saturday in a blaze of
colour.
The vibrant colours and dazzling costumes of Beerahaar Sweet
Combination stopped shoppers in their tracks as they opened the
carnival with a loud burst of noise.
Heavy rain put a stop to the grand procession that was due to
take place around the Market Place. But it did not deter Beerahaar,
which regularly performs at the Notting Hill Carnival.
Instead, the group stepped on to the stage and invited youngsters
from the crowd to join them and show off their dance moves.
The Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Dennis Doe, then opened the
carnival, which marked the start of a month of events celebrating
the diversity of Kingston’s community.
As well as opening black history month, Kingston’s first carnival
also kickstarted the autumn arts festival.
And the crowds certainly threw themselves into the spirit of the
occasion, turning out in their droves, in between the showers, to
catch the live dance and music performances and sample culinary
delights from around the world.
There were steel bands, drumming workshops and Bollywood dancing,
as well as performances by Kingston Grammar School’s and Tiffin
Boys’ jazz bands.
Neville Dickie’s Rhythm Kings got feet tapping when they
entertained shoppers in the Bentall Centre.
And people seeking shelter from the rain were treated to an
emotive poetry performance at Borders bookshop by poets Zena Edwards
and Nii Ayikwei Parkes, an event sponsored by Kingston Asian Arts
Forum.
Kingston’s own Kiko Cowan brought the day to a close with
irresistible Latin dance music from Cuba.
Despite the rain, spirits remained buoyant and the organisers are
enthusiastically talking about an even bigger and better carnival
next year.
The carnival has replaced the all nations health fair, organised
for the past five years by Kingston Racial Equality Council
(KREC).
KREC joined forces with organisations, including Kingston Arts
Council, Kingston University and Kingston Asian Arts Forum, to make
the event a success.
KREC director John Azah said: “I was totally blown over.” The
celebrations continue throughout October. Programmes for the autumn
arts festival and Black History Month are available from libraries,
the Guildhall and Tourist Information Centre in the Market
Place.
For further information call 020 8547 5592 or visit
www.kingston.gov.uk/arts.
10:35am Friday 10th October 2003
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