Calypso Grooves with RASPO
Pick up your sticks and learn to play like the pros with Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra.
Originating from Trinidad and Tobago, calypso’s joyful cadence and syncopated beats are now in your hands.
Join us for a hands-on session and learn the fundamental rhythms of calypso to play like a full-scale steel orchestra – from the first beat to the final melody.
Led by RASPO’s founder Mary Genis and composer and arranger Paul Jr Watson, alongside members of the RASPO Steel Orchestra, the session is a chance to learn, listen and build a band together.
For all levels, beginners and experienced players alike.
RASPO is well established as Reading’s premier steel orchestra and welcomes all age groups. The name – Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra – commemorates the very first steel band to play in the UK at the 1951 Festival of Britain: TASPO (Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra). RASPO has performed at The Royal Albert Hall, WOMAD festival, Glastonbury, for the London 2012 Olympics, live on BBC and ITV, and annually at London’s Notting Hill Carnival.
Need to know
This workshop is free but ticketed.
One ticket books a spot to play on an instrument. Please note, instruments are shared between two or more participants. Where possible, we try our best to group you with the people you came with.
Tickets don’t guarantee entry: admission is on a first-come, first-served basis for those with tickets. Please arrive early, at least ten minutes before the start, to avoid disappointment. Late arrival may result in your spot being offered to those waiting. Depending on capacity, tickets may be available on the day.
There are seated and standing sections available for spectators and no ticket is need to come and watch.
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
25 Jul 2026, 3.45pm
Run time
45 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
Free – ticket required
Concessions
Learn more about concession discounts
Refunds and exchanges
Find out more about our refund and exchange policy
Make a donation
Help us open up the arts to everyone by making a one-off or a recurring donation.
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.