Preparations for the annual Cowley Road carnival are under way, with a series of warmup shows due to take place over the next five months to help raise much-needed funds for the preparations of Oxfordshire’s largest free event. Details on how local bands can perform at the festival will be published soon, so watch this space. In the meantime, the latest information, details on the first public meeting, what you can expect from the carnival this year and a public vote to choose the theme for 2008 will all appear on the official website. The first fundraiser is at the Jericho on Saturday 9 February, featuring local dub reggae troupe Raggasaurus, rising hip hop star Mr Shaodow and delicate musings from Joe Allen and Angharad Jenkins.