A GLOBALLY inspired carnival is coming to Stalybridge in September – and it’s not too late to get involved.
Cotton Carnival will bring a slice of Brazil and Notting Hill to the streets of the town and everyone is invited to take part.
The parade will have influences from around the world as well as a unique Tameside flavour, exploring the history of the region’s cotton industry and featuring hundreds of members of the diverse local community.
Mossley carnival group Global Grooves wants to recruit more than 200 local people as dancers, drummers, brass players and puppeteers.
There will also be opportunities to help out behind the scenes at Global Grooves’ headquarters The Vale, including making costumes, flags and puppets as well as supporting the event on the day as part of the carnival crew.
The team hopes schools, community groups, families and individuals will sign up ahead of two days of intensive rehearsals at the start of September before taking to the streets to celebrate their talents.
Cotton Carnival explores Tameside’s renowned heritage of textiles and cotton spinning, discovering how this connects the borough to the rest of the world. It is taking place as part of Town of Culture Stalybridge Canal Weekend.
Cabasa CIC, also based at The Vale, has been appointed to oversee the visual direction of the parade, under lead artist Emily Wood.
Freya Bennett-Nielsen, producer at Global Grooves, said: “From marching bands to carnival Morris groups, Indian Dhol drummers and Brazilian street bands, Tameside’s streets have always been alive with music.
“What happens when we explore these traditions, uncover lost music, learn new skills and fuse cultures and worlds together.
“Tameside’s cotton mills may have long ago been converted into plush waterside apartments and arts centres, but our shared history in textiles production runs only just below the surface.
“Cotton Carnival explores the ideas, stories and people behind Tameside’s industrial past and its lively, multicultural present.”
Cotton Carnival, which is funded by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will take place in Stalybridge town centre on Sunday, September 11.
Find out more about how to get involved on Global Grooves’ website or call 0161 870 6895.