The Rhythm of History: A TASPO Sharing Event
Kinetika Bloco channels the vibrant energy of the steel drums in a performance anticipating the 75th anniversary of a historic moment in Britain’s history.
Check out a pop-up exhibition and be a part of the steelpan story as we celebrate the culmination of a research residency commissioned by Culture& and the Southbank Centre.
On 27 July 1951, the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) performed outside the Royal Festival Hall as part of the Festival of Britain. Captured on film and broadcast internationally, their appearance helped propel steelpans’ global popularity.
Come and learn the fascinating story behind TASPO’s journey to Britain and the legacies of its members, who went on to spread the art of steelpan around the world.
This project is a collaboration with Culture&, an independent arts and heritage organisation diversifying the industries since 1988. Join researcher-in-residence Janaya Pickett who discusses her journey uncovering the history and contemporary legacies of TASPO.
For your visit
This event is held at the Archive Studio Southbank Centre
Our Archive Studio is located on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall.
Exhibitions at the Archive Studio are open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Archive Studio is located in our Royal Festival Hall which is also home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
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.
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.
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.