Dive into 'AZUL': RJC Dance Brings the Ocean to Leeds West Indian Carnival

Dive into ‘AZUL’: RJC Dance brings the Sustainability of Water and the Protection of our Oceans to Leeds West Indian Carnival.

‘AZUL’ is the sequel to our 2023 Winning Carnival Troupe ‘NATROBEAT’. We are taking inspiration and learning from nature once again, sharing the beauty of the oceans and the importance of preserving our planet.

‘AZUL’, which translates as ‘blue’ in Portuguese, will feature a kaleidoscope of beautiful marine colours throughout the carnival costumes. Weaving gold in with the sea blues, the Japanese art of ‘Kintsugi’, repairing broken pottery with gold, flows throughout the troupe. The practice of ‘Kintsugi’ symbolises a sustainable focus and developing a deeper sense of resilience and strength.

Working in partnership with costumed designed by Mango Arts, we are bringing together an array of freelance artists including designers, puppeteers and welders to create a spectacular carnival troupe.

Artist, puppeteer and choreographer Tanya Cusan comments:

“It’s so important that in our work, we express our message without shouting, without wasting. Last year, the parade was like the earth speaking, this year it will be the ocean. Reusing materials and ensuring our costumes are sustainable takes our contribution every year to Carnival to another level – it really is ‘something else’.”

‘AZUL’ is an intergenerational Carnival troupe of approx. 100 participants, made up of youth provision members, adults, volunteers and creatives.

RJC Dance Youth Provision members will be performing on Saturday 17 August at Leeds West Indian Carnival: Children’s Fun Day at the Mandela Centre and on Sunday 25 August alongside artist Nadia Rose at the Black Music Festival.

Leeds West Indian Carnival, the oldest Carnival in Europe, will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 26th August. For more information about the parade, visit https://www.leedscarnival.co.uk