Saturday 4th July 2009 @ St Paul’s, Bristol

What a shindig St Paul’s delivered for the city of Bristol this Saturday! As the face-painted small beings were escorted home in the hands of their parents, memory banks full of the colossal, brightly coloured dancing parade, and their sugar cravings satisfied into insomnia, the rest of the kids danced on (and on) into the night…and day again. Drum ‘n bass reverberated like the heart beat of the city, shining, swirling costumes melting into the hazy sunshine and upon arriving and leaving, the rest of Bristol seemed like a tumble weed heaven. The St Paul’s bar swing-door was wedged defiantly open with the spirit of the carnival and everyone seemed to be having a ball!

Having moved to Bristol recently, this was my first St Paul’s Carnival and, without sounding too overloaded with sugar myself, it was an inspirational, lively and tasty experience of this city’s micro-community. With massive sound systems everywhere, huge walls of speakers bouncing the sound waves, walking between some of the rigs felt like being in a sonic bouncy castle. Everywhere was just shouting with music as well as smelling of tasty sauce and warm glucose, everything shimmering with colour.

The parade in the afternoon was vast and vibrant, with the little ones sucking on ice-lollies like oxygen and the dancers performing like Trojans in the desert. Brighton Street dished up some delicious beats that had the dubstep and hip-hop revellers dancing in the glinting sun, cider in the face thanks to the super enthusiasts spraying it about – much love for all – whilst the drum ‘n bass at the top of William Street kept a strong (and varied) crowd way into the night. The main stage had a relaxed festival atmosphere all day, jerk chicken in the belly and sun skin radiating. St Paul’s exposed its internal spirit this weekend and showed their party credentials to all who wanted to experience. It was grand!

www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk

Helen Martin
Photos by Elena Goodrum

In Pictures - St Paul’s Carnival 2009