Notting Hill Carnival is one of the many events and festivals that was threatened by the coronavirus pandemic this summer – but it’s not all bad news! The organisers announced the online line-up yesterday (August 19), for the Carnival which takes place over the bank holiday weekend (August 29-31). This is the 54th Notting Hill Carnival; it’s been running in all its vibrancy since 1966. Even though it won’t be going ahead in person this year, there’s a lot to look forward to for the 1 million or so regular attendees, and, hopefully, some newcomers as well.
We are so excited to announce our hosts for #NottingHillCarnival: Access All Areas. Bringing together the most exciting talents from radio, educators, MCs, journalists & authentic arts of Carnival #CarnivalAtHome #NHC2020 #NHCAAA powered by @Lets_godo pic.twitter.com/zydRmDwxOH
— Notting Hill Carnival (@NHCarnivalLDN) August 19, 2020
‘Notting Hill: Access All Areas 2020’ will be streamed on four channels: ‘Culture’, ‘Parade’, ‘Sound Systems’ and ‘Main Stage’. You can sign up for the event here. The BBC report that BBC Radio 1xtra’s DJ Ace and Capital Xtra’s Remel London will be the presenters of the Main Stage channel. Over on the Sound System Channel, viewers will be entertained by Shayna Marie and Yinka of Capital Xtra, alongside the musician Ras Kwame. Radio 1Xtra will also host the official Notting Hill Carnival afterparty.
In collaboration with the Notting Hill Carnival organisers, Spotify has created a special virtual street party area. This will be a microsite featuring playlist takeovers from names including the Marleys, Koffee and Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix. Part of this will be dedicated to highlighting the importance of carnival culture.
If you find yourself in Piccadilly Circus over the course of the next week, Samsung will help you get excited by streaming mini films on the biggest screen in the UK. Just before it starts, you can catch the countdown in the same place.
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Much more than just a street party, we have so much in store for you this bank holiday weekend. Have you registered for NHC Access All Areas? Sign up at aaa.nhcarnival.org photo: @christian.a.anderson A post shared by Notting Hill Carnival (@nhcarnivalldn) on
Of course, this will be a different experience to previous Carnivals. But everything will be represented, even if it can’t be experienced first-hand; there will be a series of films celebrating Notting Hill Carnival’s notorious food, dance and culture. In addition, over 40 of the Carnival’s legendary sound systems will be represented, including Rampage Sound and Seduction City Sound, the all-female sound system.
Chef Levi Roots, whose business kicked off at the Notting Hill Carnival, has produced online content and a guide to creating a carnival feast to enjoy while it streams live. The famed Samba drumming troupe Batala will be performing, as will Soca dancers, clad in costumes designed by Melissa Simon-Hartman (responsible for the costumes for Beyonce’s latest visual album, Black Is King). This is just some of what there is to look forward to next weekend.
The organisers consider this to be a fitting testament to all the work that goes into preparing for the Carnival every year. Matthew Phillip, the Executive Director, 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.”
Everything you need to know can be found at the Notting Hill Carnival website.
