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Word on the street 03 - Notting Hill
This is the 3rd episode of Word on the street by BBC Learning English. Stephen and Ashlie visit Notting Hill in London, to take part in the carnival. The Notting Hill Carnival is a multicultural festival celebrated over two days in August. The carnival is organised and led by Caribbean immigrants who settled in the area in the 1950s.
Wow, these are amazing. This one’s really nice. You’d look great in that.
Ashlie
No, I think I’d prefer something like this. This is much more colourful.
Stephen
We’re here in East London planning our costumes for next week’s Notting Hill Carnival. There's lots of work to do before the big day.
Ashlie
Yeah, here at the Mas-Camp, they're busy making all of their own costumes. And today, I'm here to help. So while I'm busy with that, Stephen's going to be picking up some dance moves. Yeah, come on.
Ashlie
Wow, this looks really complicated – what’s it going to be?
Costume maker
It’s called ‘Pollination’ and it’s going to be a butterfly on a flower.
Ashlie
Oh, it’s beautiful. But it must take you hours and hours to work on this.
Costume maker
Actually, we started about three months ago. So yes, hours and hours.
Ashlie
So do you all compete, then, to see who’s got the best costume?
Costume maker
Yes, actually we have the competition in about four days at Alexander Palace.
Ashlie
Wow, you must be nervous.
Costume maker
Yeah, really.
Ashlie
Good luck for this year - I'm sure you'll do brilliantly.
Costume maker
Thank you very much.
.....
Ashlie
Stephen, can you just help me with this?
Stephen
Yes, what do you need me to do?
Ashlie
Can you hold this piece down while I glue this on?
Stephen
Yeah. What is it?
Ashlie
This is going to be part of my head-piece.
Stephen
Wow! That's going to look absolutely amazing. Shall I put my finger here?
Ashlie
Yes, right that’s it. Thank you, I just need to glue this piece down. There we go. Right, shouldn’t you be learning some dance moves? Stephen! You're glued to my hat!
.....
Stephen
Excuse me, mate. Is this the dance lesson?
Man
Yes, I'm the dance teacher. Do you want to join in?
Stephen
Yes, please!
Man
Alright, come on, let me show you what to do. Alright, so, let's see what we're going to do. We’re going to do a criss-cross to the right and kick with our left foot at the same time.
Stephen
I'll do it with you, go on.
Stephen
Criss-cross, kick, kick. OK, I can do that.
Man
Ready?
Stephen
Yep.
Man
Sure? OK, lets go, listen to this, 5,6,7,8...
.....
Stephen
Wow! The costume looks great. What do you think of mine?
Ashlie
Er, well it’s nice, but mine is better. I mean it’s more, more glamorous. And do you know what? I helped make it myself! So how did the dancing lesson go?
Stephen
It was excellent! I had a really good teacher - really hard work though – I’m exhausted already.
Ashlie
Come on then – show me your moves! Yeah, I think you’re going to need a little more practice.
Stephen
Ha – maybe. C’mon you need to practise some moves too, if we're going to win a prize for the best carnival dancers.
Ashlie
I can’t wait. I’m really excited. It’s going to be fab! Come on then.
Scene II
Ashlie
Come on, this way. We need to get to the start of the parade before they set off.
Stephen
OK! OK! We've got plenty of time though. I want to have a look around. It all looks great.
Ashlie
We’re here at the Notting Hill Carnival; one of Europe’s most famous street parties.
Stephen
Where every year thousands of people come to take part in the parade and wear fabulous costumes.
Ashlie
And it’s also a chance to watch some amazing shows and see some pretty strange sights... I know I’m really looking forward to it.
Stephen
Me, too. Come on then. Let’s see what’s out there.
.....
Stephen
Ah - I love it, Ash. And there’s such a good atmosphere, isn’t there.
Ashlie
Oh, come on though - we haven’t got all day.
Stephen
Oh, wait a minute, I want to look up there.
Ashlie
Oh Stephen, I really don’t want to miss the start of the parade. We haven’t got time.
Stephen
Oh, it’ll only take a minute. I'll catch you up.
Ashlie
You know where it is? By the car park.
Stephen
Yeah yeah, go on ahead, I’ll catch you up in a minute.
Ashlie
See you later.
.....
Ashlie
Hi girls.
Dancers
Hiya.
Ashlie
So have you done this before?
Dancer
No, this is my first year actually.
Ashlie
Wow.
Dancer
Yeah, I done it yesterday though, for the children’s carnival.
Ashlie
What was it like?
Dancer
It rained for a bit, but other than that, it was really fun.
Ashlie
Yeah? Oh, it's beautiful weather today. So how long will we be dancing for?
Dancer
Sometimes we can be dancing for like, two or three hours - we, like walk around, but sometimes you can stand in one place for, like ten minutes and be dancing to, like the same kind of music. It's really difficult.
Ashlie
Yeah, we’re going to need some energy for that.
Dancer
That’s right.
.....
Ashlie
Stephen! Where have you been?
Stephen
It took me ages to find you. All of you dancers look the same in those costumes. Ah, phew, just in time; the parade’s about to start.
Ashlie
You go to the front – I’m going to meet the rest of the group, OK? See you later.
Stephen
Oh, hang on, where are we going to meet afterwards in case we get split up?
Ashlie
Well, I’ll ring you when we finish. Oh, Stephen I haven’t got my phone.
Stephen
Me, neither. Where do we finish?
Ashlie
Erm… next to the tube station, I'll meet you there. Oh and don’t get lost again!
Stephen
OK, sounds good.
Ashlie
See you later! Bye.
.....
Stephen
Wow, that was fantastic. Did you see me dancing?
Ashlie
Yes, I saw you. It was amazing, but I didn’t expect to be so tired. We must have been dancing for hours.
Stephen
Now, we need to sit down and get something to eat.
Ashlie
Good idea. So what do you suggest?
Stephen
Something over there?
.....
Stephen
Right, come on you, it’s time for home.
Ashlie
Stephen – how are we going to get home? All the buses are going to be full and I am not taking the underground wearing this costume.
Stephen
Err... taxi?
Ashlie
Stephen. Can you see any taxis? All the roads are closed for the carnival. C’mon, let’s start walking!
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