Bradley Stoke to have its own Brazilian style Carnival

Bank Holiday Monday 26th August @  1pm  Carnival is colour, carnival is inspiration, carnival is music and dance by and for the community. Most importantly carnival is inclusive and is open to anyone and everyone who is interested!

The event is being facilitated by local Community Radio Station – Bradley Stoke Radio (BSR) with a Community Development Grant from the Bradley Stoke Town Council and organised with the help of local community groups, schools and businesses. Militsa Stojanovic, Bradley Stoke Radio s Carnival Creative Project Lead, has a great deal of experience with Carnival, having spent many months in Brazil at Brazillian Carnival and Samba Schools both in Salvador and Rio and has taken part in many other Carnivals throughout the UK and Europe. Bradley Stoke’s Mayor Cllr Brian Hopkinson, who has also taken part in Carnival in Brazil, chose the theme for this year s Carnival.

The Summer Carnival will be based at the Jubilee Centre with the parade departing at 1pm and returning approximately 1 hour later. A Samba band will drive the rhythm for the parade and revellers are encouraged to join in the fun during the procession to the Town Centre and back again. There will be samba dancers from all over the country joining in the parade so come down and watch the spectacle even if you don t want to join in the parade.

There  are  three free carnival preparation sessions at the Jubilee centre. They are open to all Bradley Stoke residents and Community Groups between 11am and 5 pm on Sunday 11th, 18th and 25th August. These sessions will be open access, meaning it is possible to just turn up and try your hand at costume making or dance without pre-booking. It is advisable that any large community groups wishing to participate as a group make contact in advance to organise a time slot so that they can make the most of their visit.   Members of the general public can attend on a drop-in basis.

Carnival preparation sessions have already begun in two Bradley Stoke schools and were received well by local children who have caught the carnival bug. (photo shows Cllr Brian Hopkinson with pupils from BSCS).   It is hoped that the Carnival will become an annual event.

For further information please contact Bradley Stoke Radio via  [email protected].

Posted in News