Carnival 60: Supermalt x Brixton House partnership

Throughout the month of August Brixton House and Supermalt team up to present a cross-generational programme celebrating 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival and six decades of Caribbean culture, music, and community spirit in London.

From family activities, to a comedy special, to a Just Vibez warm-up party, all in celebration of the legacy of carnival, playing mas and sound system culture, the road to Carnival 60 starts here!

“For 60 years, Notting Hill Carnival has stood as a powerful celebration of Caribbean culture, creativity and community in the UK. It is a moment that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds through music, food, dance and heritage. Supermalt is proud to partner with Brixton House on this special programme, honouring six decades of Carnival’s rich legacy through a diverse programme of events and activities that bring people together across generations to celebrate the milestone that is Carnival 60.”

Tobi Ikusemori
Trade Marketing Executive, Royal Unibrew

“There are a few companies and brands that truly feel like home, and Supermalt is one of them. I think it’s amazing that we have Supermalt and Brixton House synonymous with each other, wrapped around carnival and celebrating 60 years of its legacy. We are excited to launch a series of events for artists and families carnival-masquerade making, dance and movement, comedy nights and parties – all taking over our House in August.” Delia Barker, CEO, Brixton House 

Delia Barker
CEO, Brixton House

London’s NHC is considered to be the largest street event in Europe, and is now one of the globe’s largest annual arts events, second only to Brazil’s Rio Carnival in size; but the story of its origins is easily forgotten.

  • Post-War Migration: Following the arrival of the Windrush generation, many Caribbean immigrants settled in Notting Hill during the 1950s, facing severe housing shortages and racial discrimination.
  • 1958 Riots: The area experienced deep racial tensions that culminated in the 1958 Notting Hill race riots.
  • Claudia Jones’s Indoor Pan-Caribbean Galas: To foster unity and heal community divides, activist and journalist Claudia Jones organised indoor Caribbean carnivals beginning in January 1959 at St Pancras Town Hall. These events are widely credited as the intellectual genesis of the modern carnival.
  • First Outdoor Street Event: Local social worker Rhaune Laslett organised the first official outdoor street festival in Notting Hill in 1966, featuring Trinidadian musician Russell Henderson’s steel band.

Evolution into a Mass Movement

  • Two-Day Structure: In 1972, community organiser Merle Major introduced the children’s day on Sunday and shifted the main adult parade to Monday, setting the permanent Bank Holiday schedule.
  • Sound System Culture: During the 1970s, organisers like Leslie Palmer expanded the festival’s scope to include heavy reggae, dub, and roots sound systems, cementing its pan-Caribbean identity.

History

Supermalt was first produced in 1972, originally used by the Nigerian army as a healthy food supplement to re-energise the troops. Its vitamin content along with its sweet and refreshing malt taste meant it grew and grew in popularity. Supermalt sales spread across Africa, the Caribbean and the UK and is synonymous with Afro-Caribbean history and culture – many people talk about how when they were growing up, Supermalt was ALWAYS in the fridge.

Brand

Supermalt exists to fuel the Afro-Caribbean culture, spirit, and joy for life. Cross generational, Supermalt is a little taste of home; a must at parties and social occasions, with family, on the go, with food, watching sport, to wind down, to reenergise; – for our community Supermalt is more than a drink, it’s a part of their lives.

What’s on

Carnival 60: Summer Holiday Activities

4 – 26 Aug | 12pm-4pm

Every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout August, get involved in carnival themed activity exploring themes of identity and migration.

From Soca dance workshops, to headdress making with Sunshine International Arts, we’ve got your summer family activities sorted.

All activities are free to attend, but booking is advised to avoid missing out.

Book now

Carnival 60: Artist In Residency – Ray Mahabir

6 – 20 Aug | 12pm-4pm

Drop in to the Brixton House Foyer on selected Thursdays throughout August, we will be hosting a residency where art is created, live and in dialogue with its environment. Ray Mahabir, Artistic Director of Sunshine Arts International will be creating a large Trinidadian Sailor Mas costume, and audiences are invited to witness the creative process and engage with him as he goes.

The residency offers an open and inclusive creative space, where audiences can:  

  • Witness the making of the work in real time  
  • Contribute materials (donated garments and textiles)  
  • Engage with elements of costume-making and storytelling 

Carnival 60: Supermalt Sunday Comedy starring Slim

23 Aug | 7:30pm

Celebrate Carnival 60 as we bring the stage alive with spirit and vibrancy to honour Caribbean legacy with a belly full of laughter.

Featuring a line-up of the UK’s heavyweight comedians that we all love, including Slim, a trailblazer of Black British comedy who made history as the first UK Black comedian to perform at the world-famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles. You’ve seen him on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, and now you can catch him for a second time live in the heart of Brixton.

Book now

Carnival 60: Warm-Up Party

28 Aug | 6pm

Start your carnival 60 celebrations early with a warm-up party curated in collaboration with Brixton based DJ collective, Just Vibez, and DJ Mastermind, Supermalt Sound System DJ who promotes and celebrates carnival culture internationally.

Enjoy high energy DJ sets, live steel pans, plus more to be announced soon…

Book now

Proudly sponsored by Supermalt.