The Grand Carnival Splash 2009
Organised by the Notting Hill Mas Bands Association (NHMBA) , the event allows Carnivalists to showcase costumes that are too large for the crowded streets of Notting Hill, creating a spectacular display that lights up Alexandra Palace.
Competition for the titles, across four age groups, for Best King of Carnival, Best Queen of Carnival, Best Male Costume, and Best Female Costume will be hard fought this year and the judges are sure to have a hard time picking a winner.
The Grand Carnival Splash 2009 Saturday 22nd Aug 10:00am-10:30pm Sunday 23rd Aug 10:00am-7:00pm.
The Grand Carnival Splash is an event that demonstrates the art of the Mas Band, Costume-making and brings the Caribbean Carnival experience to Alexandra Palace.
Action for Children joins Grand Carnival Costume Splash 2009
Children’s charity, Action for Children will partner with the Notting Hill Mas Bands Association (NHMBA), on the forthcoming sixth Grand Carnival Splash, which takes place at Alexandra Palace on the 22nd and 23rd August.
Splash 2009, is hailed as London’s premier pre-carnival event and aims to promote Carnival and the art of Mas an art-form and to a wider audience, and is an opportunity for the public to see a selection of dazzling costumes from the Mas Bands, prior to the Notting Hill carnival.
Action for Children will be running a series of creative workshops for children throughout the weekend. The charity will also have a stall where visitors can find out more about its work supporting over 156,000 vulnerable children, young people and families at 420 projects across the UK.
Gregg Vines, Head of Communications, Action for Children, says; “This is a great opportunity for Action for Children to engage more young people and help them learn something new. Every child and young person should be able to achieve their full potential and what a great way to do this whilst being involved with the Notting Hill Carnival experience”
Throughout the Grand Carnival Costume Splash weekend, over 25 Mas Bands will compete for the titles of Kings and Queens and Best Male and Female of Carnival and their costumes will be paraded in their full glory. Each competitor is required to perform a two minute dance routine to display their costume.
Whilst some carnival costumes are purchased in advance, the majority are handmade in Mas Camps, usually set up three or four months in advance of carnival. It is here that carnivalists, and local community members design, sew and decorate their costumes and floats for the Notting Hill Carnival parade.
Of the collaboration with Action for Children, Angela Duncan-Thompson, chair of the NHMBA says: “Partnering with a charitable organisation has always a key objective for the NMMBA. We are extremely passionate about working and engaging with children and young people using Art as a medium, and after meeting with Action for Children, we realised how working together would be a natural fit for both organisations”.
The Grand Carnival Splash, children’s costume display which takes place on Sunday 23rd August will be supported by Carnival themed interactive workshops.
Come and enjoy 2 days of vibrant Carnival celebrations fusing Costume, Calypso, Pan and Caribbean cuisine.
Tickets: Saturday Adult: £20/£15 adv Child: £15/£10 adv Group: £50/£40 adv Sunday: Adult:£15/£12 adv Child:£10/£8 adv Group:£45/£30 adv Tickets available from: www.nhmba.com or alternatively call 0208 968 9478
related links
Notting Hill Mas Bands Association (NHMBA)