Notting Hill Carnival was at Opera Holland Park summer 2021, bringing a three-day programme of calypso, Steelpan and Caribbean jazz to the theatre on 19, 20 and 21 August 2021.
In partnership with Kensington & Chelsea Festival, Carnival Village Trust presents three nights of Carnival Music performed within the beautiful setting of Opera Holland Park’s theatre. Showcasing the best in both traditional and contemporary Caribbean Musicians, the programme celebrates the culture and heritage of Carnival through the musical genres of Calypso and Steelpan. This series of performances brings together two of West London’s most well-loved musical institutions in celebration of the resilience of live music with the Kensington and Chelsea Festival. Featured artists and ensembles in the series include the Mangrove and Ebony Steelbands, Leon ‘Foster’ Thomas, Alexander D Great and Trinidadian opera singer, Anne Fridal.
Classic Calypso
19 August at 7.30pm
Featuring Giselle Carter, G String, Helena B and Alexander D Great with a six-piece acoustic band of keyboards, guitar, congas, bass, drums and clarinet, Classic Calypso celebrates the wit, humour and soul of the UK Calypso scene.
Pan in the Park
20 August at 7.30pm
Come and bask in the ambience of steelpan. The celebrated Mangrove and Ebony Steelbands trace a journey from classic to contemporary steelpan music. During this culture-enriched event, they will also join forces to accompany the Trinidadian soprano Anna Fridal as she performs surprise pieces.
Pan Jazz
21 August at 7.30pm
An evening of Caribbean Jazz from the Engine Room Collective, with steelpan virtuosi Andre White, Leon ‘Foster’ Thomas, Samuel Dubois, Carlene Etienne and Deborah Eden.
About Opera Holland Park
Working with the set designer takis, Opera Holland Park has reimagined the stage and auditorium of its theatre for the 2021 Season. The new dynamic and exciting performance space provides maximum safety for audiences and artists under the company’s iconic canopy roof. Sustainable materials in takis’s designs reflect the natural beauty of the theatre’s setting in Holland Park.
Capacity is reduced from 1000 to 400 seats this season, using individual chairs that can be moved according to the numbers in each household ‘bubble’, to enable social distancing and increase step free access. For Carnival Culture in the Park performances, all seats will be positioned in single seats, each 0.5m apart, which can be moved according to the size of your group. Opera Holland Park is continuing to implement COVID-19 safety guidelines including social distancing, temperature checks and wearing of masks while moving around the site. Masks are not required to be worn when seated at the bars or in the auditorium.
