Entertainment

BARBADOS REGGAE FESTIVAL BACK FOR 2023 – APRIL 28 TO MAY 1

AFTER A four year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of Barbados’ biggest Festivals, the Barbados Reggae Festival is back!

This year, the festival will run for one weekend featuring its three main events, the Q100.7FM Vintage Reggae Show and Dance on Friday April 28 at Kensington Oval -doors open at 7 p.m., the Digicel Reggae on the Hill on Sunday, April 30 at the Farley Hill National Park – doors open at 11 a.m., and the Reggae Beach Party – Bad Like ’90s Dancehall on May Day, Monday, May 1 at Artistry Beach on Bay Street – doors open at 4 p.m.

All three events will feature a star-studded cast of international and regional acts including the likes of Grammy Award-winning Third World, Maxi Priest, Flourgon, Fab 5, Anthony B, Spragga Benz, Alkaline, Christopher Martin, Turbulence, Jahshii, Mad Cobra, Louie Culture, Byron Messia and Sossa.

Joining them will be some of Barbados’ best including Wendy Alleyne, Mike Grosvenor, The Rite Side of Red, LRG, David Kirton, Peach Bless and Chief Diin along with top DJs and hosts such as Lil Rick, Daddy Fabian, Scott Le Roc, Indian and Chris Gayle, Bard International, Rigo Suave, DJ Ras, Jagwa, Full Clip, Surf Rat and Menace, Admiral Nelson, Peter Coppin, Jamar the Star, Infamous and Jordan English.

Allison Hunte, Director of FAS7STAR, Producers of the Barbados Reggae Festival, explained that this year’s events were shaping up to be a fantastic weekend of the best of the best in reggae.

She said, “After four years we are very excited to be back with the Reggae Festival. We can’t wait to welcome our regional and local acts back to our event, but most importantly, to put on three great entertainment packages for our faithful patrons who have expressed their excitement about the festival’s return.”

The organisers advised that holders of tickets for the Barbados Reggae Festival in 2020 were invited to return them to receive credit towards the purchase of tickets for the upcoming 2023 events. Hunte said, “A special Ticketlinkz pop-up box-office will be set-up at Kensington Oval – Room 504 from Thursday, April 20 to Saturday, April 22 and Monday, April 24 to Tuesday, April 25, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., to facilitate this process and ensure it is as seamless as possible for our patrons.”

She further stressed that only 2023 tickets will be accepted at the door for all Barbados Reggae Festival events this year.

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