CARNIVAL GANG HITS 20 – North-West Evening Mail
CARNIVAL GANG HITS 20
Last updated 14:02, Thursday, 05 June 2008
JUST three weeks to go until large swathes of elaborately dressed dancers take to the streets to strut their stuff to the samba beat.Carnival’s on it’s way – and nobody does it better than the Barracudas.Reporter Jo Davies discovered the personalities behind the costumes who will be on the road this summer for their 20th season.
CARNIVALS are an occasion to which everyone comes – young, old, dignitaries in silly hats – and where everyone can join in, whether it’s from the sidelines throwing pennies at buckets or masquerading in elaborate outfits.
Fewer organisations have embraced Barrow carnival more than the Barracudas.
Every year, since June 1988, the carnival band has brought a bit of Brazil to the streets of Barrow.
And literally thousands of people – nearly all Barrovians born and raised – have played a part.
As 57-year-old plant operator and Barracudas’ base drummer Ian Lowther said: “We’ve got a mix of everybody including labourers, school teachers and bank managers.”
Ian is one of 70 volunteer performers currently getting to grips with the choreography, music, costumes and new material that will bring the Barracudas show to life this festival season.
From modest beginnings as a live music and dance event for Welfare State International, the Barracudas have become world famous, with appearances at Notting Hill Carnival and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
But wherever they travel they always make sure people know where they are from – proud of the town and the opportunities it presents.
Like many parents, Ian Lowther became an unwitting Barracuda when he accompanied his daughters Viqui and Aimee to a carnival.
“I got roped in,” he said.
“Julie Hammerton (Barracudas’ artistic director) said there’s a spare seat on the coach, would I like to go to Annan.
“When I got there I was hanging about and was asked why I wasn’t putting a costume on.
“That was the first I knew about it,” said Ian, of St Vincent Street, in Barrow.
Now all members of the Lowther family are Barracudas.
Mum, Maryrose, is an adult dancer and backpack performer, both girls are dancers and Aimee, 12, also plays saxophone.
Maryrose, a 46-year-old cleaner, said: “We’ve been to places I would never have gone to and we’ve done lots as a family.
“When it stops you’re at a loose end. You don’t know what to do with your Saturday and Sunday.
“In fact you miss getting up at 5am.”
Like the Lowthers, the Riddoch sisters almost discovered the Barracudas by accident.
Drawn to the music like the transfixed children who marched behind the Pied Piper, the girls followed their ears to the Nan Tait centre.
That was six years ago and although young women now the sisters have no intention of giving up.
“All of us are eager to get back. We’ve all missed each other over the winter break,” said Jamie-Leigh, a 19-year-old student.
Jamie-Leigh is a dancer and younger sister Hazel is a stilt walker.
Elaine, 15, is not involved for the first time this year.
Seventeen-year-old Hazel is 5ft 4in but stands at 10ft on the stilts.
“I prefer to stay on the floor,” said Jamie-Leigh, of Clifford Street, Barrow.
“On stilts I get a bit shaky.”
Hazel added: “I first did stilts about four years ago. I was scared at first, but they teach you how to fall and they’ve started to show you how to fall backwards.”
Mum Fiona Watson believes the Barracudas has been an excellent past-time for her daughters and has given them confidence.
The family moved to Barrow from Fife in 2002 and Fiona thought it would give them something to do in a town where they didn’t know anybody.
Fiona said: “We moved into a house in Howe Street, just up the road from the Barracudas. We thought why not give it a bash and we’ve been there ever since.
“It keeps the kids off the street.
“That’s one of my reasons for wanting them to go.
“We didn’t know anything about the area we’d moved into. I’m one of them that if I know where they are I’m fine.
“It was more aimed for them to get out and meet people and do things. It was a chance for them to get away from Barrow and see something different and meet new people. I’m quite an emotional person and I get very tearful when I see them in the carnival.
“I’m proud of what they’ve done.”
Like Barrow itself there is a strong sense of community in the Barracudas.
Although they may be scattered across the country people who have played a part in Barracudas will often return to lend a hand in the run up to carnival season.
Iain Harrison is one of the stalwarts, who despite a schedule that is beyond hectic, commits to travelling from Huddersfield to tutor the musicians.
He joined the Barracudas in 1993, around the time he took up saxophone at Dowdales.
“I had seen the Barracudas in the carnivals,” recalls Iain.
“That made me first aware of them.
“What really pulled me in was when I knew I was going to learn sax at school.
“I was in Forum 28 watching a show some of my friends in the theatre group were in.
“There was a sax player playing in the pit and my mother gave me a nudge.
“I went to see him and it turned out to be Doc Williams.
“He gave me a blow of his sax and invited me to Barracudas.
“I took him at his word and turned up.
“He was one of my mentors and that was what really gave me the push.”
Although school gave him classical training Iain believes Barracudas taught him improvisation which has helped shape his career. Iain is now studying for a PhD in Music Performance at Huddersfield, he’s a music teacher at Kirklees School and a professional musician.
He continues to teach and play with Barracudas.
The Barracudas would love to hear from other past performers with a view to reuniting where it all began – at Barrow Carnival on June 28 in 1988.
Reunion!
BARRACUDAS Carnival Artists wants to go back in time to celebrate 20 years of bringing music, dance and carnival to Barrow.
To mark the special occasion they’re launching a Barracudas Hunt.
The renowned carnival organisation is seeking former Barracudas performers and inviting them to rediscover their carnival spirit and join in a special Barrow Carnival on June 28.
Vintage Barracudas should get in touch by calling 01229 812036 or on the Barracudas Remixed Blog: http://barracudasremixed.wordpress.com
Costume fittings will be held on Thursday June 12 and June 19 between 3.30pm and 8pm; and Friday June 13 and June 20 between 2pm and 5pm; or by appointment by phoning 01229 812036.
A special rehearsal for vintage Barracudas will be held in The Nan Tait Centre, in Barrow, (Bath Street entrance) on Tuesday June 24 between 6pm and 8pm.
April 22, 2009 at 7:07 am |
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