The streets of Perth will swing to the sound of samba music and sway to the afro beat when Carnival comes to the Fair City this autumn.
Perth Concert Hall is celebrating its fifth birthday and, in a joint party with Perth 800, everybody is invited to Carnival on Saturday 18 September. A large and colourful carnival parade will lead the way to an afternoon of activities and entertainment in and around Perth Concert Hall.
In the run up to Carnival; percussion, piping, afro beat brass, capoeira, hip hop, street art, costume making and drama workshops and residencies have taken place in schools and with community groups across the region.
All participants will have their fifteen minutes of fame performing on the outdoor stage on the Perth Concert Hall Plaza throughout the day.
And it's not too late to get involved as Perth Concert Hall is running a series of free carnival workshops in September where anybody who wants to join in the parade can learn some smooth samba moves and make a fabulous carnival costume.
For those who choose not to take part in the parade there will be plenty to keep them busy on 18 September. As well as the outdoor performances, there will be BBC Blast Discovery Truck, face painting, carnival food and caricatures, circus skill workshops and much much more taking place on the day in and around Perth Concert Hall - it's an unmissable event!
The spirit of community that has infused the Carnival preparations bubbles to the surface on Sunday 19 September when children from Saturday Cool Schools and Perth Youth Orchestra join Brazilian percussionist Naná Vasconcelos on the Perth Concert Hall stage for ABC Musical ALBA, a concert fusing Brazilian beats and Gaelic tones.
Horsecross Arts the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre secured funding of £216,000 through the Scottish Arts Council (now Creative Scotland) supported by the National Lottery for three Home and Away Inspiring Communities Projects of which Carnival is the second.
The Home and Away projects explore the cultures of India, Brazil, Nigeria, and China culminating in three celebratory festivals - Samaagam which took place in March, Carnival in September and Lightnight, Festival of Light in November - all timed to coincide with Perth 800.
Jane Spiers, chief executive of Horsecross Arts said:
"Carnival has had an amazing response from schools, community groups and individuals and we have already signed up more than 1000 people to take part in the parade on 18 September. We have secured the services of some top international artists to work with the participants and we think they will create a day that will live long in the memories of all those who take part and come down and watch."
Acts who have been working with local groups include MOBO award winning rapper Akala who brings the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company to Perth to run a week-long residency for young people.
In the Afrobeat Brass Project the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band joins with brass players and samba drummers in a fabulously colourful and exciting fusion of musical talent and cultures.
Dele Sosimi, the adopted son of Fela Kuti, MD of west end musical Fela! is working with school choirs from local primaries and Zimbabwe choir Grassroots Theatre Company to learn new African chants to perform with the Afrobeat Band.
Provost John Hulbert said:
"This promises to be one of the highlights of the Perth 800 calendar. I know that local schoolchildren and community groups have been preparing very hard for the carnival, and it will be colourful, noisy and vibrant. I am looking forward to it immensely."
And the party continues in Perth Concert Hall and Theatre and other city centre locations with Lightnight weekend in November. The dramatic climax to Perth 800 features stunning light installations, workshops, exhibitions, music and dance including the St Andrew's Day Big Sing where local choirs pair up with international musicians for a night of cross cultural performances.
For full programme details for Carnival plus more info on how to get involved contact Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621 031 or click here.