Carnival time!
Music, magnificent costumes and dancing will be filling the borough’s streets as the Hackney One Carnival returns on Sunday 15 September.
The council-run event will bring together hundreds of performers from carnival and community groups across the borough in a celebration of the different cultures and creativity which thrive in Hackney.
The carnival parade will leave Ridley Road at 2pm and will work its way south along Queensbridge Road before making its way through Richmond Road towards Hackney Town Hall and then along the newly pedestrianised Narrow Way before returning to Ridley Road via Dalston Lane.
Events will be dotted on or nearby the procession with Gillett Square, Ridley Road and Hackney Town Hall being the main entertainment points on the day.
A food court dishing up delicious food from around the globe will be open from midday on Ridley Road. Nearby Gillett Square will play host to live entertainment, kicking off at 1pm with the loud African drumming beats from ‘Open the Gate’. The ‘Hackney Colliery Band’, ‘Drumheads’ and a gathering of all costumed carnival performers will also feature in the square’s programme of events set to run until 8pm.
A showcase of youth music will be busting into Mare Street outside Hackney Town Hall from midday. Talented young musicians from ‘Kingsmead School Steelband’, ‘Hackney Creative Jazz Ensemble’ and ‘Kingsmead Dynamix’ will perform alongside a range of vocalists from Rising Tide until 4pm.
Hackney One Carnival is a great way for residents to come out and celebrate our community. We have a proud history of diversity and creativity in the borough and this colourful event reflects the rich mix of communities and the sense of pride that exists here.
Kevin Antoine, director and chairman of Heritage carnival group said: “Hackney is local, it’s where we’ve been brought up. We can’t wait to represent our local people and put on something wonderful.”
Volunteers have signed up to help at this year’s event and will fill roles such as procession stewards, costume makers, registrations and assisting at all the events.
Tweet your pictures from the carnival #onehackney. Find out more about the carnival, inlcuding road closures and parking restrictions.
Watch online
Hackney Live, an initiative which showcases local talent through online profiling of the arts and creative industries, will live stream arrival of the carnival procession at the Town Hall. Carnivalists in Trinidad will be watching and contributing to the Hackney Live social media chatroom. Free screenings are also planned at a number of community centres. Anyone can view this online too at www.hackneylive.co.uk. Join in the conversation at www.facebook.com/HackneyLive or https://twitter.com/hackneylive