Today and tomorrow a million plus people will converge on Notting Hill for the second largest street party in the world after Rio.
The first Notting Hill Carnival took place in 1959 and was organised by journalist and activist Claudia Jones.
In the 1950s race relations were poor in the UK and for the newly arrived Caribbean diaspora the situation was harsh and depressing. Ms Jones' carnival sought to brighten the spirits and hopes of those early immigrants.
Years on, the Notting Hill Carnival still retains the Caribbean flavour with generous sprinkles of Africa and Latin-America to taste!
And quite possibly the best tracks that blend those ingredients are 'Faluma' and 'Makelele' by 'the Queen of Soca', Ms Alison Hinds.
Three years ago performance artist Marina Abramović sat still for 736 hours and 30 minutes at the Museum of Modern Art, NY. Spectators were invited to take turns and sit opposite her. The piece was entitled 'The Artist is Present'.
Inspired by Abramović, Jay Z took to the Pace Gallery in Chelsea, NY last month and performed his track 'Picasso Baby' over and over for six straight hours.
If the illuminati and occult rumours are to be believed we're pretty sure he would have got Picasso's blessing!
One of Zumba's finest, Jaime 'Hi-Me' Farfan wears the 'fizzYcaL 500: fiz Midnight' available from fizzYcaL.com.
UK BBoy Sunni with the help of YAKfilms takes us from the Notorious IBE event in Holland to the Redbull BC One in Brasil.
[screenshot: youtube/georgiamens swimmingdiving]
In 2011 trap and bass music producer Baauer created the track 'Harlem Shake' which was officially released in 2012 on the Mad Decent label.
In early 2013 the very first 'Harlem Shake' dance video is born (we're skipping the 1980s version). The video features four individuals dressed in latex suits and masks gyrating emphatically to Baauer's wizardry.
Soon after a group of bored skateboard enthusiasts upload their version which establishes the now sacred form.
Most of the virals begin with one individual with a helmet gyrating solo amongst a seemingly unaware group, then when the bass kicks in the video jump cuts to the whole room getting involved.
On a daily basis there's a newer funnier Harlem Shake dance video viral topping the chats.
Morning tv shows, late night tv shows, radio shows, online content producers, college humour, universities, the Norwegian army, Grandmas, games reviewers, fitness gurus, rappers and swim teams are just a handful of those that have already gotten some viral love from the new meme!
It's friday! Work's done for the week and we feel like hitting that dancefloor in Ahlamalik LeDrue Williams style!
The 17 year old, also known as Skitzo, is set to be an internet sensation with all that popping and contorting business that he does. What he's missing though is the 'running man.'
Back in the '90s we won trophies for our 'running man,' so if you're reading this Master Williams we'd be happy to teach you.
Olodum of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil are a collective that organise cultural activities to inspire local youth. Their medium of inspiration is...,guess what? Music. And the guys do a splendid job of it too.
The group have been instrumental in developing the 'samba reggae' style of music which fuses sounds of samba, the Caribbean and Mama Africa.
So crucial has their part been in developing Brazilian music, and so successful have their efforts to inspire youth been that they have gained international attention and acclaim.
The late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, even enlisted their help on his single 'They Don't Care About Us.'
[Screenshot: Charlie Luccini]
The genius of filmaker Charlie Luccini and the dance collective The Rookies collide again for this school themed dance piece called 'Class Clowns'.
It's been a couple of weeks since the summer hols ended. And for some kids it must feel like a very distant memory.
We remember that longing very well! But now we've got bills to pay, the grind of a day job that gives us just 28 days leave (which can't be taken over 14 consecutive days) and bags of stress. But hey kids we ain't bitter!*
Count yourselves lucky young peoples, take a leaf out of the Rookies book and enjoy school whilst it lasts! Ha Ha!
Ding, Ding...
*Said through gritted teeth.
So day two of Notting Hill Carnival is upon us and it's these kinds of dance moves that we treated the lucky revellers with yesterday. Today will be no exception! ;-)
Our footage and photos of Notting Hill Carnival are to follow so come on back tomorrow!
Today and tomorrow a million plus people will converge on Notting Hill for the second largest street party in the world after Rio.
The first Notting Hill Carnival took place in 1959 and was organised by journalist and activist Claudia Jones.
In the 1950s race relations were poor in the UK and for the newly arrived Caribbean diaspora the situation was harsh and depressing. Ms Jones' carnival sought to brighten the spirits and hopes of those early immigrants.
Years on, the Notting Hill Carnival still retains the Caribbean flavour but it has now become a proud celebration of London's multi-culturalism!
Shy FX's track Raver featuring Kano, Donaeo & Roses Gabor came out about two years ago but it remains in our opinion a great musical illustration of the Notting Hill Carnival spirit.
The track mixes the old sounds of the Caribbean with the new sounds of London. And the video was shot around Notting Hill and features cameos by movers, shakers and shapers of our rich British music scene:
[Screenshot: Charlie Luccini]
Magic!
France's (all the best dancers seem to come from there) Kapela and Babson of the Serial Stepperz re-enact a dance works that they did some five years ago.
The moment was captured by dance filmmaker Charlie Luccini at Juste Debout School and it was very...bonne.
Here's the original.
[screenshot gif via sohohouse]
Marawa Ibrahim's "Awwwhhh Yeahrrrrrrr!" can only mean one thing. It's Hoola Hoop time!
American toy inventors Arthur "Spud" Melin and Richard Kerr get all the credit for creating the hoola hoop and fuelling its craze in the 1950s and '60s.
Apparently, though the originators of the twirling art were young Australian children who used ratton hoops in much the same way that Melin and Kerr's plastic versions are used.
Doing a fine job of putting her nation's stamp back on the art of hoola Australian Marawa Ibrahim aka Marawa The Amazing is bringing the exercise form back into vogue with a touch of her trademark quirk.
[photo via nattybumbum]
Follow Miss Amazing's lead and some of the health benefits you'll get from a good twirl are:
1. Better Shape
Hoola hooping engages the hips, abs, hamstrings, quads and glutes. In order to keep the hoop up a good amount of effort is required from these muscles which means you burn fat. And the constant tensing and relaxing of these same muscles also helps to tone them.
Using weighted hoops can add to both these effects.
[photo: joduck]
2. Better Heart
As a low impact exercise that can leave you slightly out of breath it's a prefect aerobic activity that challenges your heart just enough to build itself and ward off high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.
4. Better Coordination
Rhythm and timing are essential to keep the hoola whizzing away and off the floor. As your coordination gets better adding hoops will improve your rhythm and timing a lot more.
[photo via marawatheamazing]
5. Better Mood
Going to the gym is not everyones cup of cha and hoola hooping provides a fun alternative that you can do at home, in the park or just about anywhere.
To get you started here is Marawa's Hoolla Schoola:
For more info and to get yourself some decent hoolas visit Marawa's website and download her app too.
