Culture

Scotiabank Junior Monarch Tent Saturday at the Steel Shed

The anticipation is building as the semi-finalists in the Scotiabank Junior Monarch competition prepare for their first public appearance at the Junior Monarch’s tent opening 6 p.m., this Saturday, June 15, at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed.

Producers of the event, the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) Cultural Officer – Music Education, Kevin Moore, and Cultural Officer – Music Organisation, Aisha Butcher shared insight into the preparations that have been in full swing since last week.

This year’s Scotiabank Junior Monarch competition prepare for their first Junior Monarch tent will be staged over two weekends at the Steel Shed, the second night on Saturday, June 22. The Semifinals will be held on Sunday, July 7 at the National Botanical Gardens and the Finals Saturday, July 20 at the same location.

Moore noted that the tent performances provide an invaluable opportunity for the contestants to gain experience. So, for the 15th, the main goal is to get the youngsters acclimatised to stage and audience, get them having fun and comfortable with their plans as they take another step towards the coveted Junior Monarch title.

“Some of them are newcomers, so they have to feel out what it is to be on stage and how to use the stage. They would have been mentored, but it is one thing to do it in rehearsal and another thing to do it with an audience in front of you. But once we can get them through that by the 22nd, then they will be ready for the semifinal night,” he stressed.

Butcher explained that the rehearsals have been going great and that the meticulous planning and execution of the NCF’s mentorship programme has added much needed guidance for the young calypsonians.

Each participant received individualised critique from a cross-section of esteemed mentors. These included: 10-time calypso king The Most Honourable Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire, Terencia TC Coward, Mac Fingall, Lisa Howell, Rico Grateful Co Gaskin, Rochelle Griffith and Ian iWEb Webster. The aim is to ensure the contestants were stage-ready but also to nurture the next generation of Barbadian talent.

“The workshops allow for a stripped down, detailed look at the artistes’ delivery of the material; from correct microphone usage to internalisation of message and ways to connect with the audience. The mentors touch on these points and more, providing varied and relatable approaches and examples,” the music officer emphasised.

The semi-finalists are again separated by genre rather than age. There 26 to 13 in each category, along with two reserves, will compete in the Calypso and Soca genres. In the Soca genre, audiences can expect a variety of sub-genres. The Calypso genre will feature a diverse array of kaiso styles.

This year’s semi-finalists in the Calypso category are: Alyssa Queen A Cumberbatch – A Prayer for the Youth; Charity Murrell – Waste; Deyonte Yonte Brathwaite – School Days; Eden Potent Murrell – HOPE; Haylei Hailstorm Wise – Beautiful Nation; Kadarius King K Allen – Real Boys Does Cry; Kenaz Bit Bit Walker – Put On A Show; Khalijah Khaleesi Kellman – Girl Unseen; Rashonna Shonna B Browne – Green; Relissa N’Kyla Mitcham – Runaway; Rimiya Majestic Miya Wilson – We Need You; Sabiah Gaskin – Real Heroes and Trinity Clarke – No Joke.

In the Soca category, the contestants are: Israel John Boss Savoury – Heart Beat; Jade Leilani Roach – Home; Jayden Inniss -–Welcome Home; Jazarie Zarie B Belgrave – What’s Wrong with You?; Joshua Joshua B Blackman – Taking It Down; Joshua Josh Ox Oxley – Pandemonium; Kari-Anne Kari Holford-Sam – Sweet Pan; Kyle Twin Boy Bishop – Obey; Kymani Mr. Showman Devonish – Ready; Ranesha Stewart – Road Call; Rojani Shurland-Agard – Company; Sephon Lil Stathis Sealy – Bring It and Talisia Mottley – Put Down The Gun. (PR)

Culture

Clarification Of Investment Target For We Gatherin’ 2025

As the We Gatherin’ initiative continues in full stride, we take this time to thank those members of corporate Barbados who have committed to helping us reach our target of $5,000,000 (five million) in support and investment, whether cash or in kind.

So far, we have secured $500,000 from businesses across the island, and we continue to encourage other private sector entities to contribute to this historical initiative, that not only brings our society closer together but that will provide much needed assistance to programs that will benefit our youth, helping to steer us through troubled times to a better, more peaceful and prosperous Barbados for all.

After the recently concluded church service at St. Anne’s Church in St. Joseph, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight was keen to speak on the progress towards reaching this target.

“During my address, I inadvertently mentioned a figure of $5 million in private sector donations. That number reflects our aspirational goal, not the current reality. To clarify, we have presently secured $500,000 in contributions toward this initiative. We remain deeply grateful for the support received thus far and continue to encourage additional private sector partners to join us in this important national effort.”

We Gatherin’ 2025 continues with events and activities in St. Joseph for the month of April and moving on to St. John in May. (PR/GIS)

Culture

We Gatherin’ Activities Launched In Boston Over The Weekend

The spirit of Barbados was alive last Saturday, March 22, as the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), officially launched the ‘We Gatherin’ 2025 series in Boston.

According to Consul General Lorenzo Harewood, the event, held at the Sorrel and Lime place, was a spectacular showcase of Barbadian culture, bringing together scores of Barbadians and friends of Barbados for an unforgettable experience.

“Attendees were immersed in the rich sights, sounds, and flavours of the island, enjoying pulsating local music, mouthwatering Bajan cuisine, and a vibrant marketplace filled with stalls owned by Barbadian entrepreneurs,” he said.

He noted that from handcrafted souvenirs to locally made products, the event provided a platform for businesses to connect with the diaspora and promote authentic Barbadian goods.

The Consul General said that the energy in the room was electric as Barbadians, young and old, reunited with friends, made new connections, and celebrated their shared heritage.

A major highlight of the evening was the exciting giveaways, including exclusive discounted travel packages and the grand prize won by Carson Straughn – a trip for two to Barbados. The winners were thrilled at the chance to visit their homeland and immerse themselves in all that the island has to offer.

Mr. Harewood stated that the successful launch marked the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating ‘We Gatherin’ 2025’ series.

“With overwhelming support and enthusiasm from attendees, the celebrations are set to continue in Connecticut, and Philadelphia, and culminate in a grand finale in New York throughout April and May. Many attendees have pledged to follow the journey, eager to experience more of the warmth, culture, and togetherness that define the Barbadian spirit,” he remarked.

The Consul General added: “The partnership between the Consulate and BTMI underscores a shared commitment to strengthening connections between Barbados and its diaspora while promoting the island as a premier destination for both leisure and business.

“As the excitement builds, Barbadians across generations are encouraged to join the movement, return home, and take part in the national festivals and activities happening throughout 2025.”

During the event, a brief intermission provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding professional achievements. Mr. Harewood took to the stage to present the prestigious Professional Achievement Award to Professor Cardinal Warde, a distinguished faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Professor Warde is widely regarded as a leading expert in optical information processing and display technologies. His extensive contributions to the field include over 150 technical papers, co-editorship of a book, and co-authorship of three book chapters on optical materials and devices.

Beyond academia, his innovative work is reflected in 12 patents related to spatial light modulators, displays, and optical information processing systems, solidifying his influence in advancing cutting-edge optical technologies. (PR/GIS)

Culture

Season Of Emancipation Must Grow Beyond “A Set Date Of Activities”

Minister with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, is suggesting that the Season of Emancipation (SOE) moves beyond the commemoration of a “set of dates of activities”.

In fact, she believes that the time has come for the successes of the celebrations to be consolidated to create a larger footprint that resonates with Barbadians on a larger scale.

Senator Munro-Knight expressed this view during the 2025 Season of Emancipation media launch at the Rock Hall Freedom Village, St. Thomas.

The Minister told the gathering that the Ministry engaged in “a period of reflection” after the hosting of each Season of Emancipation activities through the lens of the Ministry’s internal critique, public opinion where applicable, and that of its stakeholders.

“And that reflection has said a couple of things to us, one, that the Season of Emancipation needs to move beyond a commemoration of a set of dates of activities to grounding that understanding of that intersection again with the past, now and future within communities and within the wider Barbadian psyche…. We need to move beyond the chorus of those of us who understand, those of us who are enthused, those of us who have already embraced the notion of emancipation and that journey and what it means…. Like I said before, embracing the wider Barbadian [public] and bringing them into the discourse and to the full understanding,” Senator Munro-Knight proffered.

She continued: “Our reflection on the Season of Emancipation also says to us that we need to create scale, that while we have done a number of things that have been good on their own, a number of activities that have been good on their own, that we need to make sure that we can now consolidate on those efforts that have been successful by creating a larger footprint, and then again, as I said, engaging more Barbadians.”

The Minister maintained that this year’s activities would see a “more concentrated effort and not just public relations” but educational awareness that involved a mix of competitions, docudramas, and other activities to lift the Season of Emancipation to a higher level of engagement.

A highlight of this year’s activities Dr. Munro-Knight said will be a partnership with Duke University in the United States of America on a project to immerse the bust of King Cuffie at sea in Speightstown, St. Peter. The bust will be removed one year later from the date, as an act of reconnecting with the past.

Meanwhile, Programme Advisor for Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement in the Prime Minister’s Office, Rodney Grant, gave an overview of the activities for the season, which runs from April 14 to August 27.

Mr. Grant said the public must never take the sacrifices of our ancestors for granted as we reflect on our journey to emancipation.

“Our ancestors never had free will. They could not choose when they wanted to eat, when they wanted to work, when they wanted to get up, when they wanted to go sleep, and we now, today, take this free will for granted. They died, suffered; they were burnt to death because they fought for us today to have freedom to do the things that we see are necessary and the things that we enjoy…. We should not take freedom for granted.”

Mr. Grant noted that emancipation and freedom were processes that were not yet over and it was “incumbent on all of us to continue to fight for emancipation”. (PR/GIS)