The City will come alive in an explosion of colour, culture, food, craft, art and all things Bajan, when the first of two Bridgetown Craft Markets gets started today at 10 am.

Celebrating the theme of The Shop Crop Over Experience, the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has paired the Bridgetown Craft Market with its Sweet Limes initiative to add even more flavour to an already highly popular attraction.

At the Golden Square Freedom Park from 10 a.m., there will be the hub for authentic Barbadian craft, wellness products, jewellery, cosmetics, local memorabilia, leather goods, clothing, soft furnishings and, of course, the hottest DJ music and entertainment.

The live entertainment includes: Foundation Steel Pan

Folk Troops, St. Mary’s School Landship, St. Cyprians Boys Choir, Deacon’s Primary Landship, Dancing Africa, Limbo and fire eating, Mark Forde on Steel Pan, artistes from the Pink Pen Project and more.

Senior Business Development Officer at the NCF, André Hoyte, explained that vehicular traffic will not be disrupted for the Bridgetown Craft Market, which starts in the morning and continue to late in the evening. 

He notes the range of activities and entertainment are meant to be a boost to creatives and encouragement for Barbadians and visitors to make Bridgetown the go-to place for high quality local products and fare.

With the country already abuzz with excitement from the International Cricket Council’s Men’s T-20 World Championship matches being hosted here, Hoyte expects the vibe to be even more hyped over the coming days as the Cricket Final is staged tomorrow June 29.

“It’s exciting that T-20 cricket is also happening in Barbados. Of course, our first market happens on the Friday before the Finals. So, we know that people are going to be in The City in their numbers looking for things to do, food to eat, gifts to take back, and entertainment to enjoy,” Hoyte stated.

He also praised the efforts of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry for its cooperation with the NCF on these Bridgetown-based events.

Restaurants and stores in Bridgetown will be opening late as top DJs play some of the big hits of the season, at select locations including Abeds, DutyFree Barbados, Royal Shop, Sole Addiction, while Soca artistes will add more thrills to the potpourri of attractions from various locations.

Fully costumed festival characters will stroll the streets and boardwalks of Historic Bridgetown, showcasing the cultural experiences and history of the island in dramatic form. 

The senior NCF official highlighted the sponsorship which Toyota Nassco Limited, KFC, Payce Digital – Digital Payment Partner of the Festival, has provided this year to help make the Bridgetown Craft Markets a success and an integral part of the Crop Over Festival Calendar.   

The day culminates with the final Crop Over Sweet Lime at Golden Square with a line-up that includes: Lil Rick, Mikey, Mr. Blood, RPB, Fadda Fox, Barry Chandler, Coppa Dan, Adrian Clarke, Timmy and many more. (PR) 

Semifinalists and in this year’s Scotiabank Junior Monarch competitions drew for their positions to determine their order of appearance when they face the judges on Sunday, July 7 at the National Botanical Gardens.

At 6 p.m. on that day, 13 competitors in the calypso category and 13 in the soca category will vie for to be named a finalist. 

The two draws, calypso and soca, for the Semifinals were held today, Tuesday, June 18 at the Scotiabank Junior Monarch Media Launch & Draw at the bank’s Warrens, St Michael branch. There were two position exchanges, one in each category. Three contestants had representatives pull on their behalf.

Contestants in the Calypso category pose with Managing Director, Scotiabank Barbados Suzette Armoogam – Shah (centre) and Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts (left).

Event producer Kevin Moore Music Officer at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) told the gathering that there were interesting stories coming out of this year’s competition.

“We have five newcomers and 12 schools represented. We also have four self-penned pieces, which showcases the development of not only the singing and performance skills within this programme, but also the writing exponents as well. Further to that point, we have songs being written and arranged by former Scotiabank Junior Monarchs and Competitors, namely Kymorhi “Overcomer” Trotman and Dondria “A@-lee-yah” Forde,” he explained.

Event Producer NCF Music Officer Kevin Moore speaking about the Junior Monarch Competition

The NCF officer praised Scotiabank for their continued support. Present at the launch were Managing Director, Scotiabank BarbadosSuzette Armoogam – Shah; Chief Financial Officer, Scotiabank Barbados Kiyomi Daniel; and Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts.

Moore added: “Throughout the course of this developmental programme, each participant will receive invaluable training and coaching in areas such as preparation for stage, vocal techniques, basic music business and financial planning. These sessions are executed in conjunction with Scotiabank, our long-standing sponsor and major supporter of the arts.”

The Junior Monarch competitors benefit from seasoned and established artistes such as The Most Honourable Stetson RPB Wiltshire, TC, Ian Webster, Mac Fingall, Lisa Howell and Rochelle Griffith. They share their knowledge and advise to facilitate artistes’ development and through the mentorship process, along Grateful Co as a former Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch.

Seven finalists will be chosen to face the reigning monarchs. Should the monarchs not compete, eight finalists will be chosen. The two reigning monarchs are Calypso Monarch Sakara and Soca Monarch Tae. The junior queens must notify the NCF, or their intent to defend or not defend before the staging of the Semifinals.

Positions for Semifinalists in the Scotiabank Junior Monarch 

The Scotiabank Junior Monarch Tent 2 will be staged this Saturday, June 22 at the Queen’ s Park Steel Shed at 6 p.m. Admission for is $10 for children and adults.

Tickets are available online on TicketPal.com and at the National Cultural Foundation, Lucky Horseshoe Warrens and Worthing, Abbeville Rockley, NU Look and CS Pharmacy Bridgetown, Emerald City Six Roads, Carlton Supermarket Black Rock, A&B Music Supplies Wildey, SmartStore Limegrove and Welches and Ah Touch of Class Lanterns Mall. (PR)

NCF keeps stall fees at half-price for Crop Over 50

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has maintained the reduced price for stall spaces, which it cut in half last year to boost festival participation and activity by small and micro business operators.

Stall spaces started going on sale at the NCF’s West Terrace headquarters from Monday June 17 and bookings is by appointment only. 

Following the devastating impact of the pandemic on the cultural industries and associated sectors, the NCF discounted stall spaces as the festival re-emerged from nearly two years of severely reduced events.

Chief Executive Officer of the NCF Carol Roberts disclosed: “Last year, we discounted stall spaces by 50 per cent; and this year, we are going to maintain that status quo.”

At a meeting held Thursday at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed, vendors agreed with NCF’s proposal to call the NCF in order to book an appointment, then select and pay for stall space.

In another bid by the NCF to boost the vending community, the NCF will provide to stalls the first 110-volt power outlet free of charge, while operators will pay for any additional outlets or those who require 220 volts.

“One of the issues [we confronted] last year was that a number of stall holders complained they did not get their electrical wiring in time. Last year was a watershed year for events. We had more events across the island for Crop Over than ever before.

“That situation placed a severe strain on service providers to be able to manage and provide for all of the events, not only official events produced by the NCF, but private events as well. This year, what we are doing is that the first 110-volt outlet will be free of charge; normally we would charge for the outlets,” Roberts disclosed.

Vendors will select their spaces for all Crop Over events, not just the events on the Mighty Grynner Highway and Greater Bridgetown. Vendors can call 417-6610, 234-4912, 234-4465, 234-4932. WhatsApp messages will also be accepted.

The NCF CEO met recently with members of the vending community and supporting agencies to update them on matters related to vending for the major Crop Over events and clear up any misunderstandings regarding the hosting of Bridgetown Market and the Bridgetown Craft Market events, the first of which takes place on June 28. (PR)