Jason Sambrano presents Ricky “Lil Rick” Reid with the BMA 100 % Bajan Award for his hit ‘Iz a Bajan’.

Change will come

Tue, 09/13/2016 - 12:00am

WHILE the 2016 Crop Over festival was filled with successes, future changes will be inevitable.

So says Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, as he delivered the feature address during the annual Crop Over Awards ceremony which was held at the Hilton Barbados on Sunday night.

The crème de la crème of the season were awarded for their outstanding efforts, as well as the sponsors and other officials including junior volunteers who worked behind the scenes were acknowledged for their contribution to the success of the festival which the Minister stressed was not just from a monetary standpoint.

He highlighted the popular Soca Royale which is recognised as the largest paid event; Grand Kadooment and Foreday morning jam, both of which saw an increase in bands this year. He also pointed to the interest seen in the events that promoted the preservation of culture and local traditions.

As it relates to the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals however, he said, “Though the Pic-O-De-Crop Final was also rated among the best events to attend, it is clear that a change must come to ensure the survival of all aspects of this product on the whole. With a renewed interest in sponsorship and through meaningful consultations with the stakeholder groups, we must look at creative and innovative ways to reshape this product.

“It is also paramount that the Foundation court the idea of more paid events on the calendar providing revenue generating opportunities to assist in sustaining the production of the Festival,” he said.

With eyes set on the staging of the 2017 Crop Over season and with plans already set in motion, the Minister reminded the audience that CARIFESTA XII will fall on the heels of the festival next year.

He revealed that a number of schools will be receiving a facelift for the event which he mused is considered to be the Olympics of Arts and Culture.

“I can assure you that plans are already in train to have a number of the major school venues renovated in time for the arrival of the many cultural delegations expected to descend on our little slice of paradise for the festival. The last time Barbados hosted Carifesta was in 1981 and indeed the very existence of the NCF is part of that legacy.

The Minister revealed that local Visual Artists and Musicians have already submitted their designs for the logo and a jingle for the Festival.

He made a call for local performers to make a special effort to attend the event, which he acknowledged comes at a time when many of them book performances overseas.

During the awards ceremony, veteran bandleader Betty West was recognised for her 25 years of participation in the festival. The inimitable McDonald “Grynner” Blenman was also recognised for 48 years in the calypso arena. The life and contribution of late bandleaders Reggie Cave and Renee Ratcliffe were also highlighted during the awards ceremony. (JH)

Change will come

Barbados Advocate

Site Links