Known for his sometimes cutting insightful and always engaging wit, multi hyphenate artist Nala, launched two art comic books and opened an exhibition of associated work featuring paintings and drawings at the Queen’s Park Gallery on Saturday, April 27 and ends this Saturday, May 11. 

The project was supported by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) through the Business Development and the Cultural Development departments.

Nala’s work spans a range of avenues be it stand-up comedy, social media posts, paintings or drawings. His De Hard Ride exhibition showcases, on the page and on the walls, many of his recurring themes and observations. Dynamic and colourful large canvas pieces, often inscribed with text, and black ink prints tackle issues of class and the human animal. 

The eponymous De Hard Ride book, partially funded through the NCF’s Cultural Industries Development Fund, features a fictional cast of characters inspired by users of public transportation. In De Hard Ride, Chronicles by Nala, readers will meet, Grunt, I-Mite, Grans and many others. 

The second publication being launched is the pocket sized, The Philosophy & Opinions of The $2 Philosopher, a sometimes comedic but always thought provoking compendium of proverbs from The $2 Philosopher. 

Both are published by Story Shyft and will be available for sale at the opening, and during the exhibition, as well as at Black Rock Booksand The Barbados Museum & Historical Society’s gift shop.

The book has received favourably reviews: 

• “One of those books you should grab one of and one to share with friends.” – Beyond Caribbean Publishers.
• “His sense of the ridiculous and its role . . . is reminiscent of (Terry) Pratchett at his finest, and I do not say this lightly.” – Education Officer at Barbados Museum & Historical Society Kaye Hall.
• “I enjoyed all of his witticisms and philosophies but this particular one had me in my feels…” Dreams are often hardest to believe in when they begin to come true”. – award winning author Shakirah M. Bourne.

Nala is an actor, writer, teacher, and visual artist. He was born in England to Barbadian and Tobagonian parents. He grew up and lives in Barbados. Story Shyft is a literary based interactive media and experience design company, they shyft stories beyond the book with audiobooks, animation, games, and comics.

The Exhibition viewing continues until May 11^th, 2024, opening 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday. For more information please contact The Queen’s Park Gallery Curator Oneka Small at 4293117. For more information on the publications, you may contact Ayesha Gibson-Gill of Story Shyft at reachus@storyshyft.com or via whatsapp 2449498.  (PR)

Stakeholders interested in taking part in the National Cultural Foundation-staged events for Crop Over 2024 can log on to www.ncf.bb to register.

Click on Registration Forms, which is located at the top left-hand corner if you log on via a desktop computer and the top right (by three horizontal lines) if using a mobile device. There, you will find registration forms for Junior Monarch, Pic O De Crop, Foreday Morning, Junior Kadooment, Junior Kadooment – Schools and Community, Grand Kadooment and the NCF Youth Volunteer Programme.

The various deadlines are as follows:
Junior Monarch: Friday, May 10, 2024 at 4 p.m..
Youth Volunteer Programme: Friday, May 10, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Pic O De Crop: Monday, May 13, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Foreday Morning: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Grand Kadooment: Friday, May 17, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Junior Kadooment: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 4 p.m.
Junior Kadooment – Schools and Community: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 4 p.m.

Also on the website is a link to a form that can be filled out by private promoters who wish to have their events added to the NCF’s official Crop Over 2024 Calendar.

The NCF encourages stakeholders to register as we make Crop Over 50 the most memorable festival yet. (PR)

A wide cross-section of Bajans took to the stage this weekend to perform in the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Drama in the Communities Showcase.

The showcase, held on National Heroes Day, Sunday, April 28, at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre, celebrated the achievements of participants from all walks of life who stayed the course of a 10-week training in Drama and Storytelling.  

In February, the NCF welcomed over 160 community participants in the second leg of the ICH Drama in the Communities training programme. 

Children from as young as six-years-old to elders in their 60s shared their skills acquired as beginners in Drama. Under the theme: “I’Z A BAJAN!” groups created pieces that explored Barbadian culture in a fun and exciting way to showcase their knowledge gained in the programme.

The groups were led by talented tutors in Drama: Tiffani Amber Williams, Asiah Shepherd, Carolyn Brathwaite, Telia Williams, and Alicia Edwards; while Kenneth “Jack” Lewis, Yolanda Holder, and Akeem Chandler-Perscod shared their expertise in Storytelling. 

On Sunday, the theatre was filled with family and friends, who supported the participants as they showcased pieces based on improvisation exploring themes and familiar characters such as superstition, folk songs, local rum shops, Ninja Man, and Grand Kadooment. Based on the reactions, the showcase was well received by the audience. 

The NCF’s Chief Cultural Officer Andrea Wells said it was an enjoyable and engaging evening spent in celebrating theatre skills.

“Barbadians of all ages participated in the developmental ICH programme. Lots of humour and insights on uniquely Barbadian perspectives on a range of topics from village romance to Kadooment!” Wells said.

The Cultural Officer for Theatre Arts, Janelle Mitchell said that she was extremely proud of the participants and tutors. 

She added that “the full-house, the congratulatory notes from parents, and the participants’ enthusiasm augured well for the programme as they look to the next phase. We look forward to the continual development of skills via the ICH Drama programme.” 

Those interested in signing up for ICH training in Drama & Storytelling, can do so by emailing theatre arts officer Mitchell at janelle-mitchelle@ncf.bb or call 430-6644. (PR)