This page has detailed information about different aspects of Carnival.

History

Carnival has run since 1994 at different venues and in a variety of formats. Originally part of the Nightbreed stable, it became a separate organisation in 2006 run by a collective of goth, fetish and generally alternative-type people headed by a reclusive eccentric called Fulani.

If you're a Nightbreed fan, you'll still find a strong Nightbreed presence there.

Venue

The venue for CoS is Zanzibar, London Road, Derby. This is a large club with a mix of Egyptian, Indian and Moorish decor downstairs and a more relaxed and contemporary ambience upstairs.

Dress and Decorum

What is a Carnival without costumes? There is a dress code, which can be summarised as 'no street wear' and 'dress to impress'. Any type of Goth attire – romantic, period, cyber, woollyhead, vampire/vampyre and so on – is fine, as is rubber, leather, PVC, transvetite, lingerie, uniform and other styles generally accepted at fetish clubs. If you really don't like playing dressup, smart all-black attire or smart evening dress (as in dinner jacket/ballgown) will get you through the door.

The event is TV-friendly.

The pictures in the gallery should be a guide and decision of the Carnival door staff will be FINAL.

Decorum - Zanzibar is a licensed premises and NOT a private club. Normal rules apply. There should be no exposure of genitals of either gender, and no bared female breasts.

Transport

Carnival traditionally runs a coach from Nottingham to the event with a late night return trip. See Tickets page for details.

Photography

Carnival has a long-standing ban on all photography unless by authorised persons who carry photo passes and have signed a code of conduct. THIS BAN ALSO EXTENDS TO THE USE OF CAMERAS ON MOBILE PHONES. Zanzibar's facility for accepting mobile phone photos and posting them on its website will be turned OFF.

Photo passes are available on the door at a cost of 10 pounds, but require photographers to sign For more details and a copy of the code of conduct, contact us or phone the infoline on 07999 562597 (phone switched on 2pm-midnight every day).

Play Area

Equipment is provided for patrons to use at their own risk. We hope you find some of the designs novel and interesting.

For those watching the play, please observe normal scene etiquette. Allow players at least 2 metres/6 feet distance – do not 'crowd' them or interfere in any way with a scene while it is running. This includes making comments or noise that would distract the players.

The play area is deliberately designed to be a quiet environment. Please respect this.

Remember that whips and floggers have a 'backswing' and allow people using them sufficient space for their, and your own, safety. We do not allow blood play. Wax play should only be done where there is suitable protection on the floor. We expect a high standard of courtesy and etiquette in the play area and our monitors will instruct people to leave if they do not comply with this.

Disabled access

The venue has disabled access to all areas.

More Info

If this page hasn't answered your queries, please contact us (details at top of page) and we'll be pleased to answer your questions.