Planning for Rotterdam Carnival:
I booked to go to my first Rotterdam carnival more or less
as soon as I came back from Trinidad Carnival 2013. With the carnival being held in June, it was
a good few months away! I kept my soca addiction going by listening to local
online radio stations (Soca Frenzy and Flagz) and by downloading music from
SoundCloud. I had a few CDs from
Trinidad but I needed more! There is a
steady soca scene in London with growing excitement from the younger generation
who like the hard bass lines.
For Rotterdam, my
crew was my sister and I, as well as I vaguely knew a few others who would be
going as well. In terms of deciding on a band, I logged onto TriniConnections's
Facebook page and found out loads of info and decided to jump up with them.
During:
On arrival, on Friday 14 June, the European sun came trough and
we were happy. We chilled out until the
pre-party which was just as well! The fete was like a simmering pot which built
up to boiling point. Let’s just say I
arrived with tidy hair and left with it undone! DJ Stephen did good and played
a thorough selection of upfront soca. FOGGED UP DE PLACE! I left after 4am
knowing we had to be ready for de road in a few hours!
Carnival Day (Saturday):
Time to cut up our t-shirts. I'm still learning the art so it took me an
hour to cut up two t-shirts! It's
important to look good and feel comfortable! After meeting the band, and a
short delay, we the "Survivors" hit the road. All I can say is it started out hype and
ended up a frenzy! Have a look at the pictures!
POWDER!!! We were on the road for around 4 hours (short by Trini
standards) but it was so intense the whole time, it was just as well. I jump, I whine, I spread my hands and
LEHGOOOO!!!!
After:
Time to rest tired legs and rest up for the after party.
Most of the crew seemed to make it.
There were some tired people in there, but it was good to meet faces
from the road again and seal the promise to return in 2014!
Rotterdam Carnival Summary:
Rotterdam Carnival has been going for over 20 years. It has around 2000 participants and attracts
around 900,000 visitors from around the world.
The dates changed for 2013 from end July to mid-June. It is a carnival of cultures so you will see
many different types of bands and hear lots of different music with influences
from Brazil, the Caribbean and Africa.
There are two big stages and other events going on throughout the
festival period which actually ran from 11-16 June 2013.
However, if soca is your thing, there are at least two crews
travelling from London. Flagz radio does a coach trip and you can fete with
them the whole time or just jump up with them.
My understanding is they have been going for a couple of years and they
therefore have a younger following. TriniConnection are more established and
have a dedicated family like following from London and other parts of Europe
and Ducth Soca Lovers! A real mix and lots of fun!
Next stop Notting Hill Carnival, London, 25-26 August 2013!
It's almost like Notting Hill festival. What's the difference between Notting Hill and Rotterdam carnival?
ReplyDeleteNotting Hill Carnival is much larger being the biggest street festival in Europe. Notting Hill has a heavy focus on Caribbean culture & music, although it now attracts a very cosmopolitan crowd reflective of the population of London. There are also several sound systems in Notting Hill which means you can experience a street party and the street parade. Essentially, the layout and set up of the festivals are quite different but the mas band experience will be very similar once you choose the right band for you.
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