Stamford Diversity Group CIC will be hosting a free party in May to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with a diverse and vibrant range of artists and creatives from across the county.

His Majesty The King will be crowned in a special ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May 2023. 

Activities are being planned as part of a national celebration across the country, including a televised Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday 7 May and a Coronation Big Lunch on the same day, where communities are invited to share food and fun together.  

Stamford is no exception, and one local group is celebrating in the best way they know how - with a vibrant display of diversity.

Yvette Diaz-Munoz, Chair of Stamford Diversity Group, said: "Everyone is welcome to a Coronation party at Christ Church, Green Lane, Stamford on Sunday 7 May, from 12.30pm until 3.30pm with music from Latino Sound, King Don Steel Drums, street art from Tony Nero and poetry from Scott Coe and Daniel Paice.

"We will be using the outdoor space too with the bands playing in a marquee and there will be complimentary food and drink. The event is free, so come and party with us! Thanks to SK Community Fund - Coronation Event Grant for their support."

King Don performing on the steel drums. Image credit: King Don.

King Don, who was born in St. Vincent & the Grenadines in the Caribbean, will be performing on the steel drums.

He has been living in the UK for 30 years and has played in several local bands including "Steel Connection" the "Peterborough All Stars", "Dambala", as well as his own band "Splash" to name a few.

He explained: "In the late 90s a popular band gave me three months to learn to play the steel drum for a big concert. I thought it was impossible at the time but gave it my best shot and with the natural born rhythm I inherited from my Caribbean & Irish ancestors I taught myself to play the pan and the concert was a success. After the gig, some people said I was the "King of the Dons", hence my stage name King Don!"

Latino Sound will also be performing, headed up by a Bolivian musician and producer now based in Peterborough, Moises Sanchez.

Members of Lation Sound. Image credit: Latino Sound.

Moises formed Latino Sound in 2010 as a trio project, but in 2012 the band grew to 5 members and started to perform at local pubs and festivals. Guest musicians were brought in when needed to enhance the performance of the band (e.g. trumpet player and percussion).

By 2013 the band had original material ready to record and in December of that year, Latino Sound had their first album. Now, they are excited to perform at this one-off event hosted by Stamford Diversity Group.

Tony Nero, who is originally from St Vincent in the Caribbean, will be creating and displaying his street art at the anticipated event.

Tony Nero. Image credit: Kingsley Singleton.

Although now based in the midlands, Tony attended secondary school in London and always enjoyed art, having lived in many places and being inspired by a colourful history.

He added: "Over the years my passion for art has grown and being inspired by nature, people, surrealism, life and other artists, I love to paint just about anything. I also love the effect of light and dark and often love to work while listening to music. Learning all the time while trying to improve my work and hoping to evoke something in the viewer.

"I trained as a graphic designer in London and worked in the music industry producing record sleeves, posters and magazines for a period that exceeded 20 years. Part of this time spent running my own graphic studio."

Also at the event will be the Stamford Poet Laureate and Stamford Youth Poet Laureate, Scott Coe and Daniel Paice.

Scott Coe. Image credit: Scott Coe.

Scott Coe is a performance poet and artist, and is the current Poet Laureate of Stamford. He believes poetry should always be written from the heart – it's all about feeling and is always at it's best when written in the moment, when the thoughts run straight from your soul to the pen.

He represents the market town of Lincolnshire at many noteworthy royal, community and social events, and looks forward to the Coronation.

Daniel Paice has known diversity in his life, and has supported Stamford Diversity Group at a range of events.

He said: "For years I'd struggled with my mental health but saw a sharp decline during my GCSE exams culminating on result day and to how my mindset directly impacting my ability to perform during the exams. Twinned with having several disabilities, that took a lot of explaining, adapting, and accepting - let alone having to manage and comprehend them myself. 

"Over the following summer months, health complications linked with an operation then compounded as I entered A-levels. Though I'd started getting the help needed, I struggled with dissociation, which meant I wasn't properly able to connect with 'real life'.

"Throughout, writing, reading, and poetry became the best way to express some extremely strong and powerful emotions. I discovered that I communicated best through writing.

"Aged 18, I started writing my first poetry anthology, 'Prevailed Hope', as a way of comprehending all that I have been through, as well as helping others that may be going through similar struggles."

Daniel Paice. Image credit: Kingsley Singleton.

Now, Daniel, along with the other performers in this impressive lineup, is excited to be at this celebration of King Charles III in May.

Do you have any events going on for the Coronation?

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We look forward to hearing from you.