Awaken 2024 was definitely the place to ring in the start of this year’s Crop Over season, and despite the upcoming threat of Hurricane Beryl at the times, patrons turned out in their numbers to the sold-out event in full fashion.

It was entertainment nonstop for attendees, who were not only serenaded by usual crowd favourites such as Mikey Mercer and Lil Rick, but also were treated by a surprise appearance by Rupee.

Overall, Awaken this year once again proved that its event is the marquee event to perfectly launch Barbados’ sweetest summer festival.

The National Cultural Foundation expects an even larger audience for the 2024 edition the Republic Bank Pandemonium. To date, the event has become one the largest and most widely-anticipated event on the Crop Over calendar, with over 30,000 patrons attending last year.

While the Republic Bank Pandemonium event will see the event being staged for the third time when audiences head to the National Botanical Gardens on Sunday, July 14 from 2 p.m., steel pan is not new to the Crop Over experience.

Pan has always been key to Barbadian culture and heritage with its sweet sounds adding to the sweetness of Crop Over since its inception. It has been part of Bridgetown Market, the Calypso tents, national parades, and on stage in competition – to say the least.

In the late 80’s and 90’s, up to 10 pan groups competed in a popular competition called Pang-a-lang and was part of a trend of steel pan and tuk bands being paired in a joint expression of Barbadian culture. 

NCF Event Producer Karen Pestaina said the inclusion of pan is significant especially during the golden anniversary of Crop Over.

“As we celebrate this 50^th year of Crop Over it is important that a taste of the past and the solid foundation of the future of pan be merged at one event”, Pestaina said.

Pan lovers descending on the National Botanical Gardens will experience exactly that among other things. Along with a Children’s Pay Area, there will be a number of food vendors on location.

Island Smiles with their Crop Over branded 360 photo booth will be on site to capture the memories of the day.

The line-up which includes: Calvary YPS Steelband, St. Leonard’s Band & Choir, the all-female group Dejavu, Phoenix Steel, ZigE Walcott and Black Peppa, Euphony Steel, the Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra, the Crop Over 50th Anniversary Iron Massive Steel, the Republic Bank Steel Band and live performances by Brucelee Almighty, Walkes, Lorenzo, Mikey, Nikita, Fadda Fox, Saddis, Biggie Irie, Lil Rick and Caribbean Soca Queen Alison Hinds. Special guests, Trinidadians Liam Teague, and Boogsie with the XLR Band, will also be there. 

The night culminates with the feature act: the NCF’s 100-member strong National Youth Steel Orchestra – the largest steel pan ensemble in Barbados.

Speaking on the inclusion of Liam “Hands Like Lightning” Teague being part of the event, Pestaina said: “He has long been part of the festival whether solo or with his group from Trinidad and, to also have his son Jaden Nunez-Teague perform this year with the National Youth Steel Orchestra, shows continuity of relations between the islands and region.” 

“It also shows that pan is on the road of success. Jaden has grown up in the artform with his father tutoring and similarly our juniors have had the opportunity to attend workshops from various artists and local tutors to reach the successes they have achieved”, the event planner explained.

Locals and visitors headed to the event are in for a musical treat with a lineup of performances which keep pan at the forefront while adding choir, voice, percussion and more. (PR) 

Tent judging for this year’s Courtesy Garage Pic O De Crop Competition starts Tuesday.

After registration had closed all six calypso tents were signed up and 94 calypsonians had registered to face the judges.

The breakdown: All Stars 21, House of Soca 18, Super Gladiators 16, Big Show 15, Shining Stars 15 and Stray Cats nine.

During a brief meeting with event producer Aja and tent managers, dates were pulled for calypsonians in the various tents to face the judges. 

The judging dates span a one-week period starting next Tuesday, July 16 and ending on Tuesday, July 23. The tents will be judged at two locations; the Garfield Sobers Complex, Wildey, St Michael and the Daphne Joseph Hackett-Theatre, Queen’s Park House, The City.

The first tent to face the judges will be De Big Show on Tuesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at the Garfield Sobers Complex. They will be followed by House of Soca on Wednesday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at the same location.

Next up is Shinning Stars who will face the judges on Thursday, July 18 at 8 p.m. at the Garfield Sobers Complex while the following night, Friday, July 19, will be Super Gladiators’ turn at 8 p.m. at the Daphne Joseph Hackett-Theatre. Stray Cats will be judged on Sunday, July 21 at 8 p.m. at the same location.

On Tuesday, July 23, All Stars will be the last tent to judge at 7 p.m. at the Garfield Sobers Complex. At that time, the names of the 17 Finalists, to face reigning Calypso Monarch iWeb, will be announced after the judges deliberate.

The Courtesy Pic O De Crop Finals will be held on Friday, August 2 at 8 p.m. at the National Botanical Gardens. (PR) 

Caption: Tent managers from left: Eleanor Rice (All Stars), Jerry Roberts (Stray Cats), Merle Niles (De Big Show), Winston Alleyne (Super Gladiators), Julie Sealy (Shinning Stars) and Sharon Carew-White (House of Soca) drawing dates for the tent judging.