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And if like us you reckon that Ronan Keating says it best when he says nothing at all, you’ll join us on the truck for Rainy Days and Songdays… five Notting Hill bangers.

Because you don’t have to go out to the West Indies for the full Caribbean experience.

It’s just that London doesn’t have the natural beaches and palm trees, that’s all.

And so it was in Barbados where I got my first taste of carnival, Grand Kadooment, Foreday Morning and Mas.

Now to warm you up for that and educate you in Caribbean.

We have the annual Notting Hall Carnival, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

From Junior to the Clash

Police and Thieves: If there’s one anthem that has recognition from Carnivalites and non-Carnivalites alike it’s this anthem from Jamaicans Junior Murvin and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

The story goes that The Clash’s Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon got on the song for their eponymous debut album.

Because they were involved in a riot as part of the 1976 carnival.

Memorable line: And all the crowd come in, day by day/No one stop it in any way/All the peacemaker turn war officer/Hear what I say.

Jumpin’

Jump: And what would a carnival be without the jumpin’ and the chippin’?

This classic beat from Bajan soca star Rupee (real name Rupert Antonio Clarke) from the turn of the Millennium had us all, well jumpin’.

Memorable line: And the men, selling their craft/And don’t talk about the girls in the costume, yeahIt just does something to me and it makes me wanna/jump around the place.

Take note

If you don’t know me by now: And another which is as well known for its cover as its original.

Philly soul band Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes first had a stab at this plea for forgiveness back in 1972.

Before Simply Red reprised it in 1989, complete with Mick Hucknall flicking his carrot-top tresses around.

Memorable line: Oh, don’t get so excited/When I come home a little late at night/You know, we only act like children/When we argue, fuss and fight.

The OG

Jamming: And, of course, no celebration of the Caribbean would be complete.

Without a nod to the Great Man, Bob Marley.

And nothing is guaranteed to get the crowd going than this classic.

Whistle while you work: But it’s all play

Although you could say that about One Love, Three Little Birds… you name it.

Memorable line: We’re jammin’/To think that jammin’ was a thing of the past/We’re jammin’/And I hope this jam is gonna last.

And Ri-Ri

Man Down: And that’s me every time the Queen of Barbados (they got rid of the other one) trills at me in her velvety voice.

And although the lyrics are challenging, it’s in the spirit of I Shot The Sheriff, and who can’t resist the refrain.

Particularly as it has rum in it and we’ve plenty of experience of chippin’ to the rum truck.

Memorable line: Rum-pum-pum-pum/Rum-pum-pum-pum/Rum-pum-pum-pum/Man down.

Start spreading the news, our favourite Canary Island is going New York New York for its carnival next year… be a part of it Tenerife Tenerife.

While the Americas and the Caribbean grab the limelight for carnivals, we have the second biggest in the world here in Europe.

And you thought it was the Notting Hill Carnival.

There’s no denying that Rio is the world’s biggest carnival with two million people taking to the streets but a quarter of a million attend the Santa Cruz carnival on the island.

So what’s it all about and when is it?

Well, it’s rooted in Christian tradition and so that’s two weeks before Ash Wednesday.

And for those of you who forgot that man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return then that’s January 20-February 26.

And now for the history

Party Girls: Bandanaman and his walking troupe

The history of the Carnival falls into three distinct periods…

The Iberians’ religiosity, the more spirited Twenties-orientated festival and the reinvention of the party from 1961 when it took on many of the features we enjoy today.

Now for a timetable of event and what it all mean we got the Tinerfenos to do the heavy lifting.

And with memories of our hike on the island with CanariaWays and our walk through the ages we know they do it far better than us.

So over to them.

The Queen of Tenerife

Spanish meal anyone: And preparing the dish of the day

And that would be Eva from our walk up to Afur which she took in her stride and then did yoga up at the Franco-themed bar (don’t ask).

And I’d vote for her for the Carnival Queen.

15 February – Carnival Queen Election Gala

The Carnival Queen Election Gala is when the Carnival Queen is crowned, who is chosen amongst over a dozen candidates.

The contestants wear the most spectacular costumes, made mainly of feathers, plastic, metal and rhinestones and weighing up to 400kg.

And this year we will see the first-ever junior Gala King.

Reign on our parade

And what would a carnival be without the sing-song?

17 February – Opening Parade of the Carnival

The carnival is a sea of colour, featuring the lead Carnival Queen.

Murga street music groups, comparsa bands and rondallas playing traditional old carnival songs parading down the streets of Santa Cruz.

All in it together

And that means a dance.

21 February – Big Carnival Parade in Santa Cruz

The Coso Apoteosis is arguably the highlight of the entire festivities.

Visitors from all around the world flock to Anaga Avenue in Santa Cruz to witness the spectacle.

It features all the Carnival Queens and Carnival groups, floats, incredible dance routines and musical performances.

Catch of the day

Now Spaniards and Canarians have their own particular take on carnivals which means:

22 February 2023: Burial of the Sardine – A humorous and grotesque procession of mourners saying goodbye to the carnival celebrations.

19 February & 25 February 2023: Daytime Carnival – A popular event for children and families, featuring plenty of activities to keep all entertained.

26 February 2023: Parade of Vintage Cars, Piñata and End of Party – And there’s nothing like whacking a bag of sweeties to get the juices flowing.

Free-for-all

Me-me and Dee-Dee at Crop Over in Barbados

In addition to the ticketed official carnival events, there are a number of spontaneous street events/activities to enjoy for free.

We’re advised that one of these night carnival parties is a must.

And we know all about what dancing in the dark is all about from Crop Over in Barbados.

And a glossary

Echoes of the Canaries: And special wine

Of course, when you’re in Espana then it helps to have a couple of words.

And I’m reminded on my landing in Galicia that my Camino guide gave me two words that helped me along my 100km to Santiago de Compostella.

Albergue, meaning hostel, and pulpo, the Spanish word for octopus.

Carnival Groups

A carnival group is a group of people who work together creating ideas, costumes, music, choreography, who all march together in the parade.

Tenerife Carnival features hundreds of different groups but two of the key ones to look out for are below:

Murgas: The Murgas are Spanish carnival groups that feature satire artists, performing songs about current political and world events.

Comparsas: The “comparsas” represent the Brazilian influence on Tenerife’s Carnival, filling it with rhythm, colour and joy.

Nowadays, the comparsas own the street with the undeniable quality of their live performances to surprise even the most frequent carnival-goers on their nights out.

Rondallas: The Rondallas are carnival groups that consist of only guitars, bandurrias, lauds and octavinas.

And of course there is a museum celebrating it all…

At La Casa Del Carnaval, located in Barranco de Santos next to the bridge Puente Galcerán

Maybe add to that glossary for next year Noo Yoikas… because they want to be a part of it Tenerife.

Tag: https://nhcarnival.org/

Rainy Days and Songdays… five Notting Hill bangers