Arts-A-Light Mas “The Bride”
Arts-A-Light Mas “The Bride” is an arm of Eyukamba Foundation Arts-A-Light (Eyukamba Foundation for short). The group was formed following events and meetings with creative Christians that entertained in London especially in/around Notting Hill churches during the carnival weekend. In 1995, “The Bride”, became the first Pentecostal Mas Band in Notting Hill Carnival. Arts-A-Light groups celebrate being the first to bridge the gap between the traditions, nations and continents of carnival - Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. Carnival is intricately linked with the Church because it has its roots in the church. “The Bride” developed new British music, “AfroGospellypSoca™”, a blend of African, Gospel, Calypso and Soca music to meet their need because when the group began, there was hardly any suitable music for them and their work. Whilst having a track record of audience development, creating and delivering unique, pioneering, innovative and exciting projects that have turned their lived experiences of negative racial and religious discrimination around, they have provided a platform for Christians to experience the arts, where they would not normally do so and are celebrating their 30th year, this year, as a result. “The Bride”’s costumes have won prizes over the years, including, ‘The White Horse and The Rider’; ‘The Ring Bearer’; ‘The Chariot of Fire’; The Seraph, etc“.