Icom's Blog – June 2020 Archive (6)

It has been awhile since controversy erupted inside the ranks of South Florida’s most colorful street parade and party celebrating Caribbean culture.

And now, thanks to the global COVID-19 pandemic, it seems the tension is back.

The desire of the Miami-Broward One Carnival host committee to have this year’s show go on…

By Vincent John, leader of DUKA Mas Domnik UK Carnival Band

The belated cancellation of Carnival by Notting Hill Carnival Limited was no surprise, particularly as many mas bands had no intention of parading on the streets due to Corona Virus.…

The independence anniversary in Guyana last Tuesday crept by without flourish or fanfare – quiet, but under a pall of disquiet, imposed by the still threatening coronavirus in collusion with a pervading political siege. Silence overpowered the city in the stark absence of the imported carnival, in whose memory breathless, loquacious DJs tried in vain to ignite an air of excitement on various radio stations.…

A call is being made for Saint Lucia's calypso and soca artists to release new material despite Carnival being cancelled this year.

On the local scene, the majority of artists usually wait on the Carnival season to release music. With COVID-19 causing Carnival to be completely skipped in 2020, fans are still eager to hear from their favorite artists.

Calypso…

Twelve groups that regularly feature in Hackney Carnival are to produce a series of films for a virtual edition this summer.

It follows the Town Hall’s recent announcement that the annual September parade will not take place this year as it focuses resources on the coronavirus crisis.

To make up for the loss, the council is funding carnival groups to make a…