the day reviewed Thanks to Rawbeats for the following review of Carnival and Car Free Day 2004.
The Shoreditch Carnival 2004 was a fantastic success following on from the debut in 2003, the streets were filled with entertainment throughout the Shoreditch triangle area. The organisers estimated over twice as many people came down, compared to the first edition last year... so looks like the Carnival is on a serious growth curve!
Crowd favourite Chinese Elvis returned with his own unique brand of street entertainment, handing out fortune cookies and words of wisdom from his cycle-powered Cadillac.
Secret Sundaze returned for a second year, using the outdoor location as a closing party for their very successful summer of events at 93 Feet East and The Poet. Solution Sound System made their Carnival debut, dropping a welcome range of dub and reggae through their huge speaker stacks in New Inn Yard, next to stalls selling Afro-Caribbean music, food and merchandise.
The Herbal club dragged down their sound-system from Kingsland Road , which included hiphop and D'n'B from The Mixologists and Grooverider to name a few. BinglyBongly created a lounge in a car-park space off Curtain Road , complete with carpet, sofas and eclectic music. Reflexology and massage were also available if the Carnival atmosphere became too much.
Cargo played host to a range of music from Showsomelove, and Raison D'etre plus hosted live painting in the yard from the theymademedoit.com collective.
The South end of Curtain Road was turned into a children's play-park with The Hackney Playbus and Albion Kids Show supplying a Pirate ship, soft play and painting for the kids. It was a wonderful site to see so many kids enjoying the activities and creating art on the streets. Further up Curtain Road , the Bikefix cycle test track gave people the chance to test out latest leisure, touring and racing bikes, much to the delight of the kids who were racing up and down.
Every bar, restaurant and cafe within the area did something special, from the Barley Mow with its live jazz band and bb-q to The Pool with outdoor seating, beanbags and sound-system. Food was on offer from South, The Elbow Rooms, Cargo and Rivington Deli not to mention the traders who set up on the day including fresh juice, energy drinks and muesli from 'Juicy Julie' and Shades catering from Hoxton Street with their delicious Jerk chicken.
Shoreditch Golf Club left their clubs at home and supplied a giant chess set in Garden Walk, a competition was held although the winner is a mystery... Round the corner, behind the Foundry was the Pilsner Urquell Original Talent Stage, which played host to a range of great bands including Historia, The Egg and Alabama 3. Those who got there early will also have witnessed the London School of Samba Procession, bring a little piece of Brazil to the Shoreditch Streets.
Many thanks to all those volunteers who made the event possible for the 2nd time, including The Shoreditch Carnival Team, Intelligent Space. The sponsors Pilsner Urquell, Hackney Cycling Campaign and all the businesses in the Shoreditch area. Roll on 2005!
thanks to our 2004 title sponsor, pilsner urquell
For the second year running, Shoreditch Carnival is grateful for generous sponsorship by Pilsner Urquell, the world's first golden beer. Thanks also to our other Carnival sponsors -
Rawbeats,
Eastpak,
London Cycling Campaign in Hackney,
Bay Sixty 6,
Hackney Community Transport,
London Borough of Hackney, Sure Start Hoxton, Intelligent Space Partnership and countless people and organisations in and around Shoreditch. Read more about our supporters.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
take part Shoreditch Carnival is a community event, organised by people who live and work in the area. Get involved - there is plenty to do for this year's event. To find out more, get in touch by sending an email to contribute AT shoreditchcarnival DOT org DOT uk, or contact us by other methods.