Carnival
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05 April 2010
Carnival
One of the first projects we took on back in 2003 and certainly the biggest event in Acton's calendar. Acton Carnival is a unique opportunity for Acton’s diverse communities to come together and celebrate. It has grown to such an extent that it is now part of the Ealing Summer Programme supported by the Council’s Events Team
Acton Carnival, held every year in July, is a vibrant, grassroots community festival. The high-quality music, dance, performance, stalls and exhibits found at the carnival, plus the great food, are hugely enjoyed by West Londoners of all ages
Months of preparation and planning, workshops, costume making and dance rehearsals, in schools, youth and community centres come together to make the spectacle of Carnival. The Carnival offers opportunities for all, whether you would like to take part in the procession, perform, run a stall or activity, or simply come along to enjoy.
Acton Carnival 2010 was the biggest and best to date, attracting over 10,000 festival goers on what was a beautiful sunny day. The carnival parade and festival in Acton Park involved young and old, and different cultural and creative expressions. There was something for everyone whether enjoying stage acts, picnicking with the family, checking out the stalls, taking part in activities or socialising with old and new friends.
Carnival 2010 followed the tradition of the past and attracted Acton’s communities to the biggest community-led event in the borough. Many events came together to form the Carnival, the events were as follows:
Carnival Procession
Acton Park Festival
Acton Park held most of the events of the day, this truly transformed the park through different elements of the family Festival, including the Main Stage, Family area, Cultural and Faith Quarter, Youth arena, Craft Stalls, Fun fair, the Food Village & picnic area.
The Main Stage
The Main Festival Stage courtesy of Intimate Connections and hosted by Westside DJ’s included song and dance performed to audiences though-out the day. Stardust Steel Orchestra opened the Carnival, followed by the Russian Dance Academy and Kalinka Dance Studio. The Deputy Mayor welcomed everyone to Carnival 2010, and the Carnival Procession Showcase followed with each of the groups taking part in the procession performing to the large audience. The main stage at Acton Carnival has been hosted by Westside FM for the last four years, for any more information please look at http://www.westsideradio.co.uk.
For the remainder of the afternoon community and professional acts entertained the festival-goers, including Barbara Speake Stage School, Akhtamar Armenian Dance Group, Pinnacle Performing Arts, WAPPY, Eclipse Productions, Nexos Latino Americanos, Ealing Chinese School, Youth Street Beat, Dance Carib, Ras Naldo, Leutenants, John McClean, Sandra Cross and Don Campbell.
Old Skool Tent
New this year was the Old Skool Tent hosted by Tippa Audio, where there was a chilled atmosphere and some good old skool music. This was enjoyed by all ages allowing the young people to be exposed to genres of music not so popular today and for the older people to relive some beloved memories.
The Cultural Quarter & Faith Zone
The stands in this zone represented groups displaying their cultural crafts and information in the Cultural Quarter and running taster sessions throughout the day this year were: Oke-Osisi Afrika, Ealing Chinese School, Nexos Latino Americanos, Tallo Information Centre, Misty Carnival Club, Acton History Society, Centre for Armenian Information & Advice, Dance Carib, Black History & Culture West London and the annual Dominoes Tournament between United Anglo Caribbean Society (winners again: congratulations!) and Acton Vale Luncheon Club.
This year’s Acton Carnival also featured a Faiths Zone for the first time this year, where different faith communities shared the common ground and where they had a chance to share their community contributions and services. Participating groups included the Acton Asian Association, Acton Mosque, Rivers of Living Water Ministries. The combination all all these faiths teaching and learning about one another gave the Faiths Zone a very open and torelant atmosphere.
The Food Village and Stalls
The Food Village brought flavours from around the world to tempt festival goers, with something here for everyone to enjoy in the picnic area. The delicious food combined with the Arts & Crafts stalls showing a variety of wares meant carnival goers got a chance to eat and buy unique peices not found in local shops. Information stalls also raised awareness about their services.
The Youth Area
The Youth Area supported by Youth & Connexions has always been an essential part of the Carnivsl and this year was no exception. Young people from all parts of the area came together to participate in activities to do with arts, crafts and sports. The Youth Area also provided easily accessible information and advice for young people.
Thank You
Acton Carnival would not have been possible without the essential contribution of everyone involved.
Thanks to Acton Community Forum and the Events Team for co-ordinating the event and to the Acton Carnival committee for keeping the grassroots flavour. Thanks to the Carnival Parade participants, stewards, community organisations, entertainers, stallholders, caterers, artists and those running activities. Also to Youth and Connexions, the Funfair, Faith and Cultural Quarter organisers. Thanks especially to those who have freely given their time, energy and skills. Thanks to all of the people who have worked hard behind the scenes to make Acton Carnival possible. Thanks to the technicians, security and the police. Thanks to Daniel Ramdeen, Intimate Connections and the backstage crew for the Main stage, and Leathon La Crette & Tippa Audio for the Old Skool Tent, not forgetting Stixman sounds for the procession. Thanks also to those who have financially supported Acton Carnival, including the London Borough of Ealing, Faiths in Action, Acton Community Forum, the Arts Council, and the support of Southall Community Alliance and Westside Radio.
We appreciate the input of all of those who make Carnival possible, and welcome others to get involved. It is with participation that transformation and ownership are possible. Call Acton Community Forum on 0208 993 6158 to discuss ways to take part and shape next year’s Carnival.
