Notting Hill Carnival 2011

Now there is nothing quite like an all day event!  I don’t care whether it is Bognor Beer Race, Gay Pride or Carnival. I just love dressing up and spending the whole day dancing away.

The August Bank Holiday basically marks the end of Summer, but it isn’t all doom and gloom, because before it is all over there is Notting Hill Carnival. For two days the glorious Caribbean comes to England... unfortunately, the Caribbean sunshine is not always part of the deal but you can hear the music, smell the food and see the wonderful costumes in the parade – it is a feast for all the senses.

Last year Lennisha and I took part in the parade and I loved it. We didn’t wear a crazy costume, but inside those ropes I loved it. So this year a few of my other friends came down to join in. We got our Dominican t-shirts and got to customising – cut off the sleeves, add some beads, tie it up short. Then the standard short shorts to make the outfit complete.

For one day I represented a country I knew nothing about. Of the 5 girls in my group, only one was from Dominica but that didn’t matter. We danced along to all the songs and enjoyed the attention of the crowds. I felt like a celebrity being followed by the paparazzi.They guessed 1 million people had come to line the streets, which such an extensive route across West London it is easily possible.

What makes the day so exciting is that everyone has come to party. This is the purpose of carnivals, to let lose and forget about your normal life. For that day I could have been in any island of the Caribbean, it just didn’t matter. What was important was to let your hair down, shock out and embrace the environment.

So as I type this with my chipped red, yellow and green nails I look forward to next years carnival. It is definitely a highlight of the year and if Summer had to be over at least it went with a bang!

Robbed - 3rd place in Dance Marathon

Last week I was let out of the ATC office and after 4.5 hours of what can only be described as train torture I arrived in Edinburgh. It was my first time in Scotland, first time in Edinburgh and first time at the Festival Fringe. Friday night comes around and the opportunities are endless but I decide to embark on a four-hour endurance extravaganza Dance Marathon.Created by the Canadian company bluemouth inc, Dance Marathon is advertised as a ‘new duration-based performance event which has been taking the world by storm’.

On arrival at the Traverse Theatre I was given a number to wear and a questionnaire to fill in with questions such as do you have any special skills? What are you waiting for? What have you lost? Once everyone was ready, numbers on chests, we were walked over to a secret location, which could only be described as a broken down gym hall. It was perfect though and I felt like I had been transported to America for a High School dance that I have always dreamed of.

We were instructed to find our feet (the number on our chest corresponded to a number in a pair of feet on the floor). I found my 85, and met my partner for the night 86, otherwise known as Adam Palolozza. Then for the next four hours I was transported into a whirlwind of dance styles crossing genres alongside music from the last 100 years.

Through sheer determination and talent I made it through to the semi-final where 6 couples got to slow dance under the watching eyes of failed contestants. As I was led around the dance floor, twirling like a Princess, I didn’t want it to end. I felt like Cinderella and knew soon it would strike midnight and I would have to return to reality.

Only one thing stood in between me and the final – dancing the hula. For a second I thought I could make it through to the final. I picked up the dance quick and ‘shaking it’ was what I was born to do. Only two couples would go through to the final and three faced the judges ‘hulaing’ for their lives. Then the dreaded moment came when the judges walked over to me and tapped my shoulder. In a furious rage my partner and I ripped off our numbers and chucked them to the ground.  We’ve been robbed we proclaimed!

However, all was not lost as numerous spectators came forth and informed us that we were the best and that we had been robbed. Even the Referee said he has been routing for us. Sometimes in life the best don’t win, but Dance Marathon wasn’t about winning the trophy it was about the experience. As I left that sweaty, sweaty hall I felt a sense of achievement. Everyone in the room had been apart of something special and I had the chance to ‘dance under the stars’ and be a dancer one more time.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Last week I was lucky enough to leave England and visit Scotland for the first time. As I sat on the 4.5 hour train journey from London to Edinburgh, I couldn't help but question why I was leaving dry London for wet, wet Scotland in the middle of Summer. Even now I am not sure why so many theatrical people would choose to spend the best month of the year in a place that is wetter and colder than England.

I imagine what drives people is that unique experience. Anyone who is anyone is in Edinburgh and although I felt moving to London I was where everything was happening, I was wrong! Everything is happening in Edinburgh. On arriving in one day I watched two of my ex-freshers performing and then an ex-manager. I mean only in Edinburgh would that happen. The numerous theatrical faces I bumped into that I hadn't seen in London for ages. To be honest, it was a little bit freaky.

The amount of stuff to see was overwhelming and if you are not that into reading reviews how do you choose? Well I went for love, bit more love and what I thought would be glitz and glamour. The beauty of Edinburgh was the fact you can see dance, theatre, musicals, live art and comedy... oh yes COMEDY! Now anyone who knows me, knows that I can't be bothered with comedy and Edinburgh is full of it, with every second someone giving you a flyer for a 2 for 1 on a comedy night. I couldn't think of anything worse.

Leaving Edinburgh after four days I was exhausted and I don't think I even pushed myself that hard. I was left with a sense of sadness, because it was so lovely to be surrounded by so many people who are passionate about performing. They save every penny they have to get on a bike, coach, back of a van and perform for as many days as they can possibly afford. It's beautiful to see, much like the hills of Edinburgh too.

Will I be back? Yes! 2013 with a show... you heard it here first.

Behind every great company is ...

Last night as I walked home from Central London for once I stopped at the building I passed and see what companies they belong to. London is the home for virtually everything and much of it we pass everyday without even noticing. A building I had passed on numerous occasions was Alexandra McQueen's headquarters. Behind the desk was a security guard in an otherwise empty building. I smiled and waved at him. I can't imagine being a security guard is an exciting job. In fact, I think it is my worse nightmare, being up all night in a lifeless building. As I carried on walking down the street I thought about all of the bodyguards sitting across London guarding the best companies are countries have to offer and it dawned on me the common theme - a black man. It's true! Numerous nights as I walk through London Bridge, Bank, Moorgate and up to Old Street I pass a lonely black man sitting in a glass faced building. The city is full of them.

I suppose it is the same as bodyguards, there is a higher proportion of black men. Is it in the genes? Or just in our society's mind? Well, I'm not complaining and as I walk the streets of London at night I will continue to wave and smile. Who knows? One day I may even get in one of those amazing buildings.

Take Time for Your Life

In today's society we spend all of our time rushing around like headless chickens. Our diaries are full to the brim. Working days are getting longer and longer, and so are the commutes. Then ontop of that with 17 endless ways to be communicated we are constantly being bombarded with e-mails, texts, tweets, facebook message, voice mails and not forgetting phone calls. When do we ever take time for ourself? Silence is a vital part of everyone's life but even that is filled my two little earphones that seem permanently attached to some people. We are the generation of high achievers, but in order to achieve that success does 'work' and 'achieving the dream' take over and the life we are actually living is a bit of half life. 

My lovely Godmother recommened this book she had read years and years ago that she felt had really help her to achieve the life she has today. That book was Take Time for Your Life by Cheryl Richardson. Last week I got the book and within 3 days I had read it from front to back. The tagline of the book is 'A Seven-Step Programme for Creating the Life You Want' and it does exactly what it is says on the tin. It breaks down the different areas of your life, makes you evaluate where you are now and what you want in the future. It isn't rocket science, but where this differs from many books is that it looks at your life, rather than your work. So it is not about me saying I want to be a CEO by the time I'm 25. Work is only one part of the wheel of your life. For most people it is the most time consuming, but there is more to work than life. It looks at your relationships, your health, service to others, spiritual well-being and fun/adventure/leisure. One question Cheryl asks you to consider is If this week were my last week on Earth, would I be happy with how I'm spending my time? Would you? I would love to hear from someone who can hand on their heart answer yes (and it doesn't count if you went on holiday last week)