Entertainment

CALYPSO & JAZZ TOMORROW JANUARY 27TH

BARBADIANS FROM all walks of life and visitors alike will get the opportunity to experience an exciting evening of entertainment while also assisting the life-changing work of Verdun and Marina House.

As part of the activities for Drug Awareness Month, on Saturday, January 27, 2024, Verdun and Marina House, the rehabilitation centres based in St. John, will be hosting a charity fundraising concert – Calypso and Jazz at the Frank Collymore Hall, from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.

Chief Executive Officer of Verdun and Marina, Marietta Carrington promised patrons, “A night to remember as some of the island’s seasoned performers as well as some newer talent will be hitting the stage for this worthy cause.”

She noted, “Verdun and Marina have been boldly addressing mental illness, substance use and addiction for more than two decades. By tackling this disease, we aim to break the chains of stigma, foster greater understanding, empathy and, ultimately, create a path towards healing and recovery for those who need it most.”

The funds raised from the elegant event will go toward supporting the various programmes of Verdun house, the male rehab facility based at Pool St, John and Marina House, at Newcastle, St John dedicated to females.

“During this Drug Awareness Month, we have heard how substance misuse and addiction have negatively impacted Barbados’s social fabric, the physical, mental and well-being of families. The vitality of our communities in Barbados and the Caribbean, is the collective responsibility we all share, and we must actively work to ensure that those impacted by the disease of addiction and their families have safe spaces to heal and recover,” Carrington said.

Patrons can expect to be mesmerized by a stellar lineup of seasoned and youthful artistes, promising an evening of epic performances:

Menelle Delices: St. Lucia’s calypso monarch will share raw, unfiltered stories through her music, accompanied by Barbadian guitarist Simon Pipe.
St. Leonard’s Boys Choir: Their talented young voices will harmonize a message of hope and resilience
Zukeli Inniss: A tenor saxophonist representing our youth, bringing a fresh and vibrant energy to the stage.
Expect further surprise performances from a diverse array of artistes such Nikita

and the dynamic performances of Hashim & Friends and Lennox. (PR)

Entertainment

National Disability Unit’s First Movie Night Is March 8

As part of activities to celebrate the Month of the Disabled 2025, the National Disabilities Unit (NDU) will host its first Movie Night for the year, this Saturday, March 8, at its grounds at ‘Maxwelton’, Lower Collymore Rock, St. Michael.

Two movies, “Jungle Cruise” and “Inside Out 2”, will be featured under the stars, with the first expected to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free and persons are encouraged to bring their chairs and blankets. The movie night will end at 9:00 p.m.

One Community: United in Action for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future is the theme for the month. The aim is to encourage communities to actively include people with disabilities in all aspects of life and to actively ensure that they are fully integrated and considered in all aspects of building a sustainable society.

Entertainment

B’DOS INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS JANUARY 29TH

The 9th Barbados Independent Film Festival (BIFF) promises an unforgettable experience, showcasing 60 films from 20 countries over five days. Festival Director De Carla Applewhaite announced the theme, “Global Cinema,” during Monday’s media launch, highlighting the festival’s growth and its dedication to promoting Barbadian and international talent.

Applewhaite said, “”The Barbados Independent Film Festival this year has received over 350 entries. Ten from Barbados, 11 from Turkey, one from Estonia, ten from Canada, four from Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Suriname, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, France, Russian Federation, Islamic Republic of Iran, Palestine, Hong Kong, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Bermuda and Curacao [have entered]. This year’s theme has defined itself as ‘Global Cinema’ as we feature work from literally around the world.”

She noted that this year’s festival was the largest yet since its inception, with 60 films scheduled to be shown over the course of five days from January 29th till February 2nd.
The festival will open on January 29 with a red carpet event at the Barbados Museum and wrap up on February 2 with the short-film showcase, Shorts On The Beach, at Southern Palms Hotel.
The festival will also spotlight The Roads We Travel, a short film by Barbados-born filmmaker Mary Cecilia Walker