Countdown to Leeds West Indian Carnival 2014
PRESS RELEASE: With just under a fortnight to go until the annual Leeds West Indian Carnival, preparations are in full swing for Europe’s longest running authentic Caribbean carnival parade.
Leeds Carnival Queen 2013 Julia Russell as A Tropical Blend by Leeds designer Hughbon Condor (Image: Max Farrar)
A number of events will provide a warm up for the glittering parade featuring floats and hundreds of spectacular costumes from across the UK on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August.
Following record crowds of over 150,000 at last year’s parade, organisers are expecting thousands of visitors to descend on the city to experience the Caribbean flavour of one of the North’s biggest annual events.
Carnival Founder and Chairman Arthur France said;
“The warm weather last year certainly helped to attract our biggest crowds ever. However, rain or shine Carnival is a spectacle that never ceases to amaze both spectators and participants. The thrill of the costumes, the beat of the music, the delicious food and above all the happy atmosphere are what have made the Carnival such a wonderful attraction for Leeds and Yorkshire for five decades – whatever the weather.”
With costumes inspired by themes from nature to historical figures, hundreds of revelers will take part in troupes alongside amazing King, Queen, Prince and Princess costumes as the rainbow-hued parade leaves Potternewton Park in Leeds.
Mr. France added,
“This year we have tried to share the culture, history and what we love about Carnival with wider audiences. The stunning Pop Up Carnival wowed hundreds of thousands at the Grand Depart of the Tour de France and Scarborough and the upcoming King & Queen Show at the West Yorkshire Playhouse are just the start of our bigger plans to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2017”.
A highlight of the Leeds Carnival season is the annual Carnival King and Queen Show which this year will debut at the nationally renowned West Yorkshire Playhouse on Friday 22nd August. The breath-taking large scale costumes from across the UK will compete for the prestigious Carnival King and Queen 2014 titles and the honour of leading the carnival parade on Bank Holiday Monday.
One of the dancers from Pop Up Carnival appearing at the upcoming Leeds Carnival King & Queen Show and the Carnival parade this August Bank Holiday weekend (Image: UK Soca Scene).
The King and Queen Show line up will include entertainment and performances from New World Steel Orchestra and Pop Up Carnival alongside, comedians Eddie Nestor & Robbie Gee and Leeds based twin sister singers Tila & Tavelah who competed in BBC’s The Voice UK battle rounds earlier this year.
In a coup for organisers, Trinidadian soca music star Kerwin Du Bois will take to the stage for an electrifying performance of his hits, popular at Caribbean carnivals across the world.
The official Leeds Carnival events programme kicks off on Sunday 17th August with the Prince & Princess Show at Leeds West Indian Centre.
More details are available at www.leedscarnival.co.uk on 0113 3070001 and Twitter @CarnivalLeeds using #CarnivalHappy .
Editor’s Notes
- Leeds West Indian Carnival was founded in 1967 by Arthur France as a remedy for the homesickness for his native St Kitts & Nevis. Bringing phenomenal costumes, rhythmic steel pan and soca music together with the arts, crafts and cuisine of the Caribbean it is Europe’s longest running authentically Caribbean carnival parade and the biggest outside London.
- Please note that the event is called Leeds West Indian Carnival or Leeds Carnival.
- Leeds Carnival 2014 is funded by Leeds City Council and Arts Council England National Lottery Funding.
- The Reggae Concert held in Potternewton Park on August 24th is not a Leeds Carnival event.
- Arthur Francewas awarded an M.B.E. in 1997 for services to the community and Carnival arts.
- The Carnival King & Queen Show is funded by Arts Council England Lottery funding and Leeds City Council.
- Kerwin Du Bois Trinidad born, Kerwin is the reigning International Groovy Soca Monarch, a title he took earlier this year at his native island’s famed Carnival celebrations. As a much sought after soca music writer, producer and performer he is renowned for his infectious tracks, catchy tunes and lyrics with his songs becoming international Carnival anthems.
- Eddie Nestor & Robbie Gee A versatile actor, broadcaster and comedian Eddie made his name on TV in shows like Casualty and The Real McCoy and now hosts one of London’s biggest news shows for the BBC. Star of TV and film Robbie is best known for his TV roles in Desmond’s, The Real McCoy and EastEnders. His big screen roles include Snatch, Pirates of the Caribbean and Underworld. Together they make up one of the comedy circuit’s most in demand and enduring partnerships.
- Tila & Tavelah Leeds born twins Tila and Tavelah have been singing from the tender age of three. Performing songs from acoustic soul, to jazz to R&B and rock they have strong musical genes – Dad Carl Robinson is a Brit and MOBO award winner with Mum Annette Morris backing Boyzone and Peter Andre. They have appeared in stage productions of The Wiz and Carnival Messiah and reached the Battle Round of BBC’s The Voice UK 2014.
- Pop Up Carnivalis supported byArts Council England Lottery and Leeds Inspired fundingandtakes a slice of Carnival – the costumes, dance, steel pan and calypso music – to unexpected places. The first Pop Up was held at the Grand Depart of the Tour de France followed by Scarborough Seafest with one more to be held on Briggate in Leeds City Centre on August 16th.
FOR PRESS INFORMATION, IMAGES, QUOTES AND INTERVIEWS, PLEASE CONTACT Susan Pitter on [email protected] Mobile: 07935 957385
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LEEDS WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL 2014 EVENTS PROGRAMME
SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST – LEEDS CARNIVAL PRINCE & PRINCESS SHOW
Time: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Venue: Leeds West Indian Centre, Laycock Place Leeds LS7 3AJ
Admission: Under 5’s FREE, age 5-16 £1-50. Over 16’s £3-00
A delightful start to Carnival season as youngsters in adorable creations compete for the titles of Leeds Carnival Prince & Princess 2014. With music and fun entertainment for all the family.
FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST – LEEDS CARNIVAL KING & QUEEN SHOW
Time: 7:30PM
New Venue: West Yorkshire Playhouse, Quarry Hill, Leeds 2
Royalty comes to town. Stunningly elaborate creations compete for the prestigious Leeds Carnival King and Queen titles and the honour of leading the Carnival Parade on August Bank Holiday Monday.
With fabulous costumes and thrilling appearances from New World Steel Orchestra, the gorgeous Leeds Pop Up Carnival, pitch perfect harmonies by BBC One’s The Voice UK 2014 battle round finalists Tila & Tavelah, on point humour from Eddie Nestor & Robbie Gee (stars of TV’s Real McCoy, Eastenders, Casualty, Desmond’s and more) this is a starry starry night including Trinidadian soca music star Kerwin Du Bois performing his global Carnival anthems.
Tickets: £7.50 (Age 16+)
Book online at www.wyp.org.uk or call Booking Office on 0113 2137700
Or from Leeds Carnival HQ
0113 3070001
07931 291070
07931 412227
07823 774287
SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST – LEEDS CARNIVAL CALYPSO MONARCH SHOW
Venue: Leeds West Indian Centre, Laycock Place Leeds LS7 3AJ
Time: 9:30pm till late
Admission: £6:00
A lyrical battle as kaiso kings and queens, backed by the Stone Roots band, perform calypso songs on every imaginable topic in a bid to take the Calypso Monarch 2014 crown. Featuring witty calypso by King Socrates and Fantastic Tunder fromSt Kitts & Nevis, soca dancing till late with Jus Us Crew and The Godfather, this show has tons of humour and a touch of cheeky innuendo. Suitable for age 18+
AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 25TH AUGUST 2014 – LEEDS CARNIVAL DAY!
J’OUVERT MORNING
Time: 6:00AM – 8:30AM Mini Parade from Leeds West Indian Centre, 10 Laycock Place, Leeds LS7 3AJ
Start Leeds Carnival Day the Caribbean way! This traditional early morning soca music jam is the perfect warm-up for the parade later on in the day. Originating from the French for ‘day open’ or ‘opening day’, J’Ouvert is also known as ‘pyjama jamming’ so it’s perfect for your P.J’S, nighties, onesies and fancy dress. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to set your alarm clock for 6AM!
THE BIG LEEDS CARNIVAL PARADE 2014
VenuePotternewton Park, Harehills Avenue Leeds 8
Time Parade leaves at 2-00pm returning at around 5-00pm for judging of costumes.
Parade RouteLeaves Potternewton Park, turns left down Harehills Avenue, right onto Harehills Lane and right again onto Roundhay Road. Continues and turns right onto Barrack Road and right again along Chapeltown Road before turning right onto Harehills Avenue and returning to the park.
Admission: FREE
An explosion of colour, amazing costumes, addictive rhythms and an unrivalled happy atmosphere. Hundreds of costumes make up a rainbow hued procession accompanied by Caribbean rhythms on floats. In Potternewton Park there’s music, fun fair rides, stalls and global cuisine – jerk chicken anyone? Come early, pick a good spot…and get ready to get happy!
For more details and event updates click, call or follow us on;
Twitter: @CarnivalLeeds #CarnivalHappy
Instagram: @leedswestindiancarnival
Facebook: The Official Leeds West Indian Carnival Page
Email: [email protected]
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