Entertainment

Fantastic time promised Friday at First Citizens Fusions

Following a four-year hiatus, First Citizens Fusions in association with C&W Business is back just in time for the epic 50th anniversary of Crop Over celebrations sweeping the nation, and music-lovers are in for a magical trip down memory lane when the event returns.

First Citizens Fusions, which returns to the 50th anniversary of Crop Over lineup on Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m., will be staged at the prestigious and spacious grounds of Ilaro Court and feature the Festival Band, led by the Barbados Police Service Band’s Director of Music Andrew Lynch and the Crop Over 50th Anniversary Band, led by Barbadian cultural icon Nicholas Brancker.

Chief Executive Officer of the NCF and Event Producer Carol Roberts, is thrilled to meet the longtime demand of audiences to see the Festival Band perform outside of the competition space and promises a night of music unlike any other.

“You will be seeing not only the current members of the band, but a lot of the former members of the band coming on stage for guest performances”, she stated before sharing more about what the audience can expect.

“It’s that exceptional combination of the songs that we know, reinterpreted, reimagined and transformed into musical experiences that we are sure to love”, Roberts said.

Patrons will also enjoy a plethora of local talent to take them on a sublime journey. The star-studded cast consists of Adrian Clarke, Bumba, TC, Madd, Roger Gittens, Mike Sealy, Red Plastic Bag, The Mighty Gabby, Kid Site, Serenader, James Lovell, John Roett, Jermone Waithe, Nikita and Lil Rick.

Event sponsors First Citizens Bank have been on board with the NCF/Crop Over since their entry into the Barbados market in 2011 and their CEO Claire Jordan describes both the partnership and the decision to reintroduce this event as “a happy reunion”.

“A nation’s culture resides in the heart and souls of its people. At First Citizens, supporting homegrown cultural events, such as Crop Over, is an important thing to us.

“It is the cornerstone of the group’s corporate social responsibility. It is our belief that festivals such as Crop Over enhance the very fabric of our communities and by extension the lives of our Bajan people. By supporting initiatives like Fusions, we are doing our part to uplift the vibrant cultural landscape that benefits everyone,” said the First Citizens CEO.

CEO Roberts emphatically issued a call to all and sundry to be part of the event which will fuse talents, art forms and eras.

“Whether you’re part of the production team, you’re part of the performing cast, you’re a sponsor, or you’re one of the patrons, we outside”, she explained. (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