Creative Carnival

Creative Carnival’s first event was the Live Shuffle. It took place at the Spring Gardens in Hotwells, Bristol. It consisted of as many different genres of bands Creative Carnival could get in one night, ranging from acoustic soul, to hip hop, to heavy hardcore punk. Over all, 6 bands were involved in the one night. The wide range of music attracted a variety of people, and this was the aim. In the room above the main bar, there was an ‘Open Space’, where artists of any discipline and experience, were encouraged to perform, share, and display their work. This included a Comedy hour, a dance piece, and mini gallery and some more musical performances. As the evening progressed, the exterior of the Spring Gardens was being painted by a popular local Graffiti artist and to kick the evening off, fire artists performed outside while Matti Hemmings, top BMX athlete, impressed the crowds with his gravity defying tricks and twists, attracting the crowds in for a wicked night of celebrating all types of creativity.

A few months after the sucess of the Live Shuffle, Creative Carnival took on their biggest challenge yet, the 4 Day Shuffle. It was decided that an event, like the Live Shuffle, was needed in the small rural, sleepy Somerset town, Taunton. The Pen and Quill, welcomed Creative Carnival with open arms, and the 4 Day Shuffle was born. The event was held over August Bank Holiday weekend in 2011, and showcased over 30 different acts. 5 bands performed each night, again of a wide range of styles. There was also Comedy Sunday, a Cabaret night, free singing and dance workshops, stalls, and a film festival where people from surrounding areas got to send in their films and get them shown on the big screen! It encompassed all the great things a big festival offers, but under and roof, and all for free!

On a cold wintery Christmas night, December 2011, Creative Carnival took over the upstairs of the Spring Garden in Hotwells, and converted it into a 1920s Speak Easy. The evening was filled with clandestine meetings, suave gangsters and flapper dressers. Acts came from far and wide to perform, comedians, a burlesque canary, and a gangster bunny, irritated by Father Christmas’ fame. The Speak Easy was disguised as a library. No one entered without first getting their book stamped and being shown in by one of the gangsters through the bookcase. Once you entered the jazz seeped in through your bones and the flapper dresses swung before your eyes. A special evening of high end entertainment for the creative and fabulous.

The flickering of candles invited the masked audience in, veiled musicians played jazz as drinks were ordered and seats were taken, awaiting an evening of top quality entertainment. Top Bristol Comedian Ely Lyons compared the evening, peppering her introductions with comic gold, keeping the glamorous audience giggling and involved. Green and Bushell, a Somerset based Ukuele, Double bass duo, got everyone dancing, with thier own brand of what they call ‘Two gentlemen having a poetic accident in a musical antique shop’ – make of that what you will. Some of Bristol’s finest aerialists swung from the ceiling, making the audiences jaws drop. The evening took a naughty turn, when the magnificent Mr Mistress, Top London Burlesque performer, took to the stage and performed to stunning routines, which got the crowd roaring and cheering for more. Live Global Bass Band Innamorati played the evening out, the masks came off the the feet stomped on! A elegant and special evening of top class entertainment.

Creative Carnival would like to welcome you to The Dollhouse.rn rnA feast for the eyes and ears. A night of intensely good music and theatrical spectacle. Two art forms combining to create a beautiful sequined soup of soul and circus.rnrnTogether Creative Carnival and Doll State have created an eerie and wonderful world; The Dollhouse. Doll State are not just a soundtrack, but the puppet masters tweaking the strings of the performers. The music is in control and the performers soulless dolls, helpless to how it makes them behave.rnrnSoulful lyrics will take you away from the world you thought you once knew. Come through the doors into The Dollhouse. Leave reality behind.rnrnWelcome to the DollhousernrnDon’t close your eyes… you’ll be lost.rnrnIf you are interested in hearing more about The Dollhouse or booking the show, please contact: We’d love to hear from you.