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

Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony This Friday

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment will host the Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony this Friday, November 1, marking the start of the annual community Independence celebrations.

This year’s ceremony will be held under the theme Celebrating Our Communities: Re-engaging, Re-igniting, Re-imagining, and will take place on Friday, November 1, at 5:30 p.m., at National Heroes Square, The City.

Following the Lighting Ceremony, the celebrations will continue with a Bajan Brew at 7:00 p.m., offering an evening filled with spouge, drama, song, and steel pan performances.

The event is free and open to all, providing an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Barbados as we celebrate Independence.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early and make any necessary transportation arrangements due to expected road closures in the vicinity of Wharf Road and Trafalgar Street. (PR/GIS)

Entertainment

A SEA OF YELLOW AT RISE & RUM BREAKFAST PARTY

Patrons enjoyed a day filled with food, fun, and sun at Rise and Rum, the penultimate event of this year’s Barbados Food and Rum Festival.

Food lovers had an abundance of delicious dishes to savour on Saturday—from roasted breadfruit and seafood boils to various fish delicacies and scrumptious desserts, offering a wide array of options to enjoy.
Of course, there was no shortage of entertain, and local bands Square One and Krosfyah once again teamed up to keep the crowds grooving as they enjoyed their savour foodie treats in fine style.

Entertainment

Let us celebrate Jackie Opel

Tuesday 27^th August was a significant day in the history of local music. It marked the birthday of Dalton Bishop better known as Jackie Opel. The musical icon would have turned 84. Jackie Opel was an outstanding singer, composer, and creator of the Spouge music genre who was born on August 27, 1938, in the inner-city area of Chapman Lane.

*Shantal Munroe Knight, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office*

In 1962 Jackie migrated to Jamaica where he lived for six years. He was influential in the formative careers of some of Jamaica’s iconic entertainers. From Bob Marley to Jimmy Cliff, Ken Hopeton, Alton Ellis, and the early days of the band The Wailers.

On his return to Barbados Jackie Opel was gearing up to take his career and his newly created spouge music to a higher level. Plans were afoot to produce a concert, but fate was not kind, and he died in a car accident on Bay Street on March 9, 1970.

Special Free Concert Yesterday

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) hosted a special concert, last night, in Freedom Park to honour Jackie Opel.

A cast of some of the island’s top singers graced the stage to perform a wide range of spouge songs. The modest audience can count themselves lucky to have attended an event that will be a benchmark in local music history.

Artists thrilled those in attendance

Performers included the following, Wendy Alleyne, Shadia Marshall, Keisha Christian, Mickey Dee, Mike Grosvenor, Colin Spencer, Desmond Weekes, Jamal Slocombe, Simon Pipe, D J Simmons, Bit Bit, Ishiaka, Romario Greaves, Alix Cage, Adrian Clarke and Edwin Yearwood.

Senator the Hon. Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office delivered the opening remarks, and Ambassador to CARICOM David Comissiong delivered the feature address. It was generally felt by those in attendance that a Jackie Opel Birthday Concert should be held annually. (Article and photos by Christopher Williams)