Culture

ALL STARS FACED THE JUDGES

The City of Bridgetown (COB) All Stars Calypso tent was the first to be judged for this year’s Crop Over Pick of the Crop competition. The show was held on Sunday at the Gary Sobers Gymnasium. The large a tough one. With the name All Stars, and it is easy to understand why the name was chosen, it is indeed a tent with lots of star performers.

Veteran calypsonian De Devil started the show and if anyone expected things to go down to hell, they were wrong as the show was lifted higher and higher by each performer. Despite battling a slight illness De Devil looked easy and comfortable as he did his song ‘Lit bit of dis, lit bit of dat’.

The first encore for the night was Franswa with a cleverly written song ‘Not only in Bim’. Not a household name in calypso circles but his flawless rendition surely will make the judges take note.

Sammy G with “Tek a shot” Charisma with “Hear” and Yahandje with “Heartless and Broken” each graced the stage and delivered their songs convincingly. The message to engage and listen to the young people in our society before it is too late resonated when Yahandje poured herself into her song.

Richard Antonio had a few people waving pride flags as he performed a thought-provoking song “Pride and Industry.” The song encouraged to pay attention to the LGBTQI Pride movement. A loud protest shout of ‘not ’bout here!’ could have been mistaken as part of the act, but it was not.

Darin Holder’s “Living life in reverse” a highly creative and forward-thinking concept for a song from a relative newcomer to the calypso stage, the multi-talented Holder made our minds think about the benefits of living life from an old age and journeying into our youthful year. It is a brain teaser that would cause most people to lend Darin an ear. If the judges like it Darin Holder may not be reversing but rather speeding forward to the finals.

The 10 points man of yesteryear Colin Spencer was smooth as silk in voice but coarse as sandpaper with his lyrics. His much-misunderstood calypso “Because of me” is a good exhibition of the craft of writing classic calypsos.

The top comedian Eric Lewis should be taken very seriously this year. After having a “Conversation with Mr. Satire” his message is no laughing matter he uses satire to expose a range of social and political realities that are hiding in plain view in Barbados. Serious judges will give this song deep consideration and send it to higher court.

Sammy Dello , gives testimony to a new out look of life. In his song “Chasing” he suggests that we spend too much time pursuing the wrong things. Looking fit and energetic, Sammy Dello is chasing down family, friends, and more wholesome things in life.

COB All Stars under the leadership of Eleanor Rice is a well-organized tent. The backing band is solid, and the back-up singers are invaluable to each song. All calypso tents need MC’s like Jennifer Walker and The Queen do a fantastic job. Not a minute is lost as the two of them manoeuvre between acts all the while interacting with the chatty audience.

Barbados’s Extempo King Shawnie performed a humorous and entertaining song “Its yuh voice”. Shawnie always grabs your attention as you are waiting for his extempo deliveries which are full of amusement. Caribbean Queen used her strong voice and clear diction to cry out for the rights of women to decide what to do with their pregnancy. Movingacross the stage with ease she advised all including the Catholic church to allow women to have a voice in the matter of abortion. This subject will surely evoke discussion.

Another encore performer was Niqa. Singing a song called “Chosen Few”, Niqa fell into the character of the song and had the entire Gymnasium in the palm of her hands, her chorus line is infectious, and she had not only her back-up girls singing but she had the audience. Niga’s performance hopefully earned her a place in the judges chosen few.

Kidsite kept his standard of calypso high with “If they had their way” . Looking large and totally in charge in a white outfit, the former multiple calypso king suggested that if the authorities had their way things would be worse than they currently are. Jude Clarke addressed the topic of AI in a song called “Artificial Intelligence”.

Next up was Donella doing the most emotive song for the night “Who next”. We all know that the lady is a class act and that she never disappoints. The topic of guns and murders in Barbados touches the heart of everyone especially the mothers of victims of crime. The intensity of Donella as a mother is witnessed in the way she renders the song; one can hear the tears in her voice. Her performance was a winning one.

One of the big calypsos for Crop Over 2023 is the hot and spicy “Cat piss and peppa” performed by Teri. This hard-hitting political commentary is waking up the tent each time. Teri knows how to work the song and she whipped up the audience, had them dancing and singing along. There are not many calypsos this year that contain the ‘peppa’ of this song.

John Yarde preached the “Gospel according to John” and his ‘congregation’ was converted and convinced. The man of the clothe demonstrated why he can wear two caps and be a man of calypso.

All Stars’ judging night was already solid as a rock by the time the last performer Ishaika came to sing “piece of de rock”. Closing a show of this calibre can not be easy, one would have to be an ace performer. Ishaika’s imagery in the song and on stage were riveting and seemed to surprise the audience who had heard 18 top class calypsos for the night. “Piece of de rock” may be good enough to get Ishaika piece of the real estate at the calypso finals. (Christopher Williams)

Culture

BEADING WORKSHOP FINISHES TODAY

Bishop Tarambawamwe runs Master Wire and Beadcraft, a South African company specialising in providing high-quality bead and wire products to both the local and international market. From growing up in Zimbabwe playing with wire cars as a child, to taking inspiration from nature for his amazing designs, he now brings his expertise to Barbados. The workshop features an all female group who will benefit from hands on training while learning how to monetise their new skillset on the way to becoming entrepreneurs.

Culture

International Songwriting Camp

Twenty-eight cultural practitioners have reaped significant benefits from the International Songwriting Camp produced by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF).

Following intense practical, developmental and professional exercises facilitated by local and global premiers, the NCF-registered practitioners now have an increased understanding of the craft of global song writing, knowledge of publishing and songwriting, placements, licensing, and synching among other areas.

The sessions were held between September 30 and October 5, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre where participants and producers had access to portable studios to turn penned lyrics into musical renditions of different beats and genres.

On Wednesday, the participants went on a field trip and were required to write a song for a commercial.

And on Saturday night, a listening session was held at the Sage Bar and Stage featuring the songs written and produced during the camp.

Singer and songwriter Casheda Dottin said she was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the comprehensive camp which has left her with a wealth of knowledge and skills which will take her career to another level.

“I am grateful to the NCF for bringing about this initiative to help creators improve their craft. It was such a phenomenal experience because not only were we able to do songwriting workrooms where we were working with different people, but every day we were able to experience working with different producers,” Dottin said.

She added: “And it was also interesting to see how I was able to gel with other writers and singers to create music. It was far from easy and sometimes it was very intense but we were all still able to work together to produce some wonderful music.”

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marley Kirton said it was an amazing experience obtaining advice and gaining knowledge from experienced professionals in the field.

“But at the same time it was so powerful to get to collaborate with local artistes who are established, growing, or trying to discover their careers. This camp is a reminder of the potential and talent among the younger generation here on the island. My biggest lesson is learning not to hide my talents and that you should share them with those around you,” Kirton said.

The NCF came in for high praise for hosting the first songwriters camp of its kind which supports the realistic execution to reach the global standard which lends to reciprocation to earning sustainable income and reaching international standards.

Grammy Award-winning producer and composer Che Pope commended the NCF for investing in its creators.

“I don’t know if you realise that this is luxury. Many countries don’t have a ministry of culture and an NCF. There are only so many countries that invest in and care about the talent and the arts in their country.

“The US [United States] does not have a ministry of culture, the US does not give grants like Canada and places like Barbados. I hope you guys understand the opportunity that’s at hand,” Pope advised.

Composer, songwriter and producer Henk Pool was also impressed that the Government is investing in its talented young people.

Pool said while he would have passed on knowledge to the participants, he also benefited from interacting with them.

“I think the openness, warmth and talent of people was amazing. I travel around the world facilitating song writers’ camps everywhere and I would love to see Barbados song writers travelling around the world because the talent is absolutely there. They just need the chance to network and that’s why I love the Barbados government for doing this,” Pool said.

United Kingdom songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Josh Wunderlich, signed to DWB Music, said this was his first time visiting Barbados and noted that working with the cultural practitioners during the camp helped him to gain a wealth of knowledge about the island’s culture.

“We have been sharing ideas and creating songs that are completely unique. No one has ever heard anything like the music created during the camp because this hasn’t been done before,” Wunderlich said.

Meanwhile, Business Development Officer, Music and Music for Film, at the NCF, Lisa Howell, said the successfully executed camp was well-received by the cultural practitioners who began reaping results from the first day.

Howell said the practitioners are now in a better position to write and produce internationally marketable songs.

“So I would say yes we met our goal for this round and hopefully we have the support to continue to facilitate programmes like this. Barbados rose to the occasion. I am really thankful that we had some of our local premier producers and songwriters facilitating. We had Dr Stedson ‘RPB’ Wiltshire who was so invested in showing up every day,” Howell said.

The business development officer added: “We had local producers like Dwain Antrobus, Peter Coppin, Darien Bailey and Simon Pipe who were also facilitators. So we not only brought in global experts in their field, but we also showed our own local premier practitioners in their respective fields and that made us feel good as the National Cultural Foundation.” (PR)

Caption: from left to right – Singer/Songwriter Munirah Nailah, Gospel Artiste/Songwriter/Producer James Cumberbatch, Singer/Songwriter Dania, DWB Songwriter/Producer Pete Barringer, Songwriter/Producer/ Gospel Art

Culture

BPS Crop Over Do-Flicky Costume Competition Winners Announced

Five winning teams have emerged from the recently held prize-giving ceremony of the inaugural ‘Barbados Postal Service (BPS) 2024 Crop Over Do-Flicky Costume Competition’.

The winners hail from the Post Offices of St. Joseph; St. George; Welches Road; St. Philip and the General Post Office in Cheapside.

The overall winner of the competition is the eight-member team of the General Post Office’s Accounts Section, who each received an Island Safari Tour. Second place went to the Welches Road Post Office, third was the St. Philip Post Office, fourth was the St. George Post Office and fifth place went to the St. Joseph Post Office.

Winning Teams (flanked by BPS management), of the inaugural ‘BPS Crop Over Do-Flicky Costume Competition’, from the GPO; Welches Road PO; St. Philip PO; St. George PO and the St. Joseph PO.

Postmaster General, Joann Busby, in her address to the winners, stated, “We look forward to many more events like this in the future, celebrating both our history and commitment to excellence.”

Concept Creator of the competition, BPS Marketing Officer Neiai Hall said, “This competition aims to showcase the creativity and cultural expression of our staff, through costume design and performance. The theme of the competition is rooted in our rich heritage and the vibrant spirit of Crop Over.

On left – ‘BPS Crop Over Do-Flicky Costume Competition’ 2nd Place Winning Costume, On right – ‘BPS Crop Over Do-FFlicky Costume Competition’ 3rd Place Winning Costume.

“We have encouraged participants to design costumes that not only display their creativity but also incorporate elements that represent the services offered by the BPS”.

The judging criteria consisted of Sustainability; Creativity; Depiction of a BPS Service; Originality; Portrayal; Video Creativity and Originality; Practicality and Inclusivity and Descriptive Write-Up.

Plaques were presented to each of the winning teams and the St. Joseph Post Office also received the Postmaster General’s special award for Outstanding Advertising Video in the competition. (PR/GIS)