EUROPA wows crowds at UK Carnival Centre launch

A spectacular display from the Island’s Carnival Learning Centre dazzled an international audience at the official opening of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts in Luton on Sunday 3 May 2009.

A team of over 50 carnival makers, performers and technical crew from the Island performed a 45 minute street parade followed by a five minute choreographed stage performance entitled Europa.

The Isle of Wight team, from the council-run carnival learning centre were one of only five groups to perform at the specially commissioned event which represented the world of carnival depicting Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

The Island team included artists from the famous Fratelli Cinquini company from Viareggio Carnival in Italy who visited the Island last month to assist in the construction of the giant bull which was the stunning centrepiece of the performance. The costumes and performance were led by Island Based artists Sharon George and Jill Wade Smith with support from both Sandown and Ryde carnival committee members on the day. The overall project was managed by The Carnival Learning Centre based at Westridge, Ryde.

Their performance attracted much attention from event organisers, performers and special guests from the carnival community who travelled from as far away as Brazil, Colombia, Bangladesh and Ghana to attend the event. After watching the Isle of Wight’s performance, Vice President of the World Carnival Commission Mr Pax Nindi commented: “If this were a competition then you would undoubtedly be the winners.”

Frankie Goldspink, Isle of Wight Council carnival arts development officer said: “The Europa show has been an immense creative challenge for everyone involved on the Island, but we have succeeded in showing the carnival world what we are capable of achieving on an international stage. The Island has a wealth of talent in carnival arts and our involvement in this prestigious event has placed us firmly on the global map as a centre for carnival excellence!”

The Europa performance is under contract to the UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA) and the Arts Council, who funded the project, to perform at Bridgewater Carnival in Somerset on 6 November before it can be shown at any other event. Anyone interested in booking Europa in the future should contact Frankie at the Carnival Learning Centre.