Blog
All About SUNSHINE – Carnival & Community Arts
August 2020About us S.i.A is one of the leading artistic, educational and carnival production companies in the UK. Based in south London S.i.A works extensively within its local community but also on a national and international level. At a local level the company develops and delivers arts events and cultural projects alongside local council minority groups, […]
Continue Reading
‘I Am The Midnight Robber’ – Carnival Speeches by Celia Burgess-Macey
August 2020Midnight Robber, Speeches Written and performed by Celia Burgess-Macey To read Celia’s story on her introduction to carnival and the Midnight Robber Mas, Click Here! Notting Hill Carnival 2003 (inspired by Brian Honore’s Midnight Robber ‘Behind Every Bush’ Trinidad Carnival 2003). Toot.Toot.(whistle) I am the Midnight Robber. On the day that my mother gave birth […]
Continue ReadingHow Did i Become a Carnivalist? DE MIDNIGHT ROBBER – Celia Burgess Macey
August 2020This is quite a long story. My first exposure to the culture of carnival, and of Trinidad in particular was in 1964. I was at university at Bedford College London University which was situated in the middle of Regents Park. At the end of the summer term our college ball was held outdoors in the College […]
Continue ReadingKenya Report 2019 …Reach the Unreachable
August 2020KENYA REPORT Sunshine International Arts (S.i.A) in collaboration Necessary Arts (N.A) Ray Mahabir, 2019 As the Artistic Director of S.i.A, my main focus so far has been within Britain, as well as some international projects. I have spent the past 23 years taking carnival arts to new audiences, national and international, but one piece of the puzzle was missing! In 2018 I decided it was time […]
Continue ReadingNeil Macey – Sailor Mas From Trinidad to Notting Hill Carnival
August 2020Sailor Mas From Trinidad to Notting Hill Carnival I was born in 1938 in East Dry river on ‘the hill’ (Clifton Hill). I was the eldest of 6 children. My father was Ivan Macey from Jackson Lane, St Pauls street and my motherwas Sylvia Slater. I grew up in my grandparents house. My maternal grandfather, Pa William Slater had immigrated to […]
Continue ReadingMulana ‘The Art of People’ 2001-2020
August 20202001-2020 Drawing on my Indo-Caribbean roots, I have used my experience gained in working with the traditions and culture of my homeland Trinidad, as inspiration for my work. However in November 2000 was my first trip to India – a dream of mine. Originally I was scared and excited to travel to india, having the […]
Continue Reading
My Journey To Becoming a Carnival Artist (Part 2) – Ray Allan Mahabir
August 2020Trinidadian Carnival my culture, my history and my passion Ray Allan Mahabir July 2020 To Read Part 1 of Ray’s Story, Click Here …Well, A ‘Mas Man’, That was my new dream and to tell you the truth, I never thought that it was going to happen. It was not easy to obtain, but Britain and […]
Continue ReadingThe Making of Ma Ma La Terre
August 2020The Making of Ma Ma La Terre performed by Avion Mookram at the Millennium Dome the awarding winner for Female Adult Individual created for South Connection Carnival from the band CANBOULAY, out of the fire come, DANCE OF THE CLOTH Ray Allan Mahabir 2000. When I had the opportunity to create a band for the […]
Continue Reading
Alwin Chow Lin On 30 April 1935 – 29 July 2011
August 2020Alwin Chow Lin On 30 April 1935 – 29 July 2011 Alwin Chow Lin On, ‘Chow’ to all who knew him in the UK, sadly died on the 29 July 2011 in Port of Spain (Trinidad & Tobago) from a heart attack following a long illness. Born and brought up in Sangre Grane, and manager of […]
Continue Reading
Canboulay, out of the fire comes, DANCE OF THE CLOTH.
August 2020In 2000 Ray Mahabir created South Connection Carnival Club’s Notting Hill carnival production entitled Canboulay, out of the fire comes, DANCE OF THE CLOTH. In researching a festival to celebrate the new millennium, I came across Canboulay, which was originally celebrated on August 1st, (the date of Emancipation celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago). Subsequently, it […]
Continue Reading