There is still a chance to join in a series of exciting workshops for an Essex-wide carnival project, especially if you are from Castle Point or Basildon.

Carnival 2000 offers the opportunity to join a professionally led project supported by the National Lottery Millennium Festival fund.

There will be workshops in costume-making, music, dance and drama which are open to all ages and all abilities and which will culminate at the annual Chelmsford Spectacular in Hylands Park on August 28.

Mahogany Arts, the carnival company involved with the opening ceremony of the Millennium Dome, ceremonies at Euro '96 at Wembley, performances at the Royal Albert Hall and carnivals all around the world, will be supporting carnival arts professionals to produce a fantastic carnival of colour and sound for the event, which will be staged by the people of Essex.

Community groups from all over Essex have already signed up to the workshops but organisers are still keen to hear from groups and individuals from Basildon and Castle Point.

There is a one-off registration fee of £15 which can be reduced or waived in cases of hardship.

For further details and an application form call Essex Dance on 01245 346036.

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