We have chosen to host the conference this year to showcase some of the creative work and initiatives that have taken place during the pandemic, focusing on novel projects across the spectrum of carnival arts. We also wish to rechart the journey that TASPO pioneered at the Festival of Britain on its 70th anniversary. During the turbulent racial disturbances in London during the 1950/60s, these artists steadfastly established themselves and gradually built-up a strong infrastructure for carnival arts that culminated in the world-renowned Notting Hill Carnival.

We will honour their legacy through a ‘TASPO and Friends Reunion Concert’ where we pay tribute to those who have contributed so much to our community and promoted the global dissemination of steelpan. The conference will be presented as four sessions and two concerts taking place between the 1st- 3rd October and two youth workshops which will take place later. We welcome for the first time to Britain, the Rose of Sharon Steel Orchestra from Nigeria.

Full schedule: https://www.steelpanconference.com/8th-conference

Tickets available: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/carnival-arts-conference-34268579569

Partners:

Nostalgia Steelband and St Michael & All Angels Steel Orchestra in partnership with:

•The Carnival Village Trust

•Middlesex University

•Leeds Beckett University - Centre for Culture and the Arts

•Oxford Brookes University - Cultural Industries Research and Innovative Network

•The New Carnival Company

•Maestro7

•UKON Careers