Xhosa Barbados launches 2018 edition

After a tumultuous 2017, a renewed Xhosa Barbados team was determined to start this season on fresh footing. One of the steps in this process was the hosting of “Circle of Life – Cooler Fete and Launch Party” this past Sunday. Billed as the best fete with the best circle in town the event was located at the National Conservation Commission’s Botanical Gardens.

This new venue was a welcomed backdrop for the Crop Over Costume Band to orchestrate its resurgence. Those who dared to brave the sun for the early evening start were entertained by a cast of popular DJs including DJ Kareem, DJ Infamous and Boom Mafia, and Jus Jay. As the sun set, a steady stream of patrons queued to gain entry.

This year’s theme ‘Circle of Life’ seems to be testament of the band’s determination to shake some of the problems that plagued it last season. The nine segments of the band narrate a story of triumph over hardship with one section being aptly called “Phoenix”. The resounding message is that encountering misfortunes are a fact of life but emerging better from them is paramount. Circle of Life is a collaborative effort which draws on a pool of talent from throughout the region. The designers include Whitney Sand, Simone Michelle, Tanya Duncan and Marlon Smart, among others.

The band has become synonymous with having unique costume designs and this year is no different. Although there was a general murmur of pleasure when the models eventually hit the stage around nine o’clock there were some sections which found great favour with the ladies. These were the “Humzee” designed Aja which combined nude with a neon green, beautifully patterned “Ceres” designed by Sherise Stewart and the “Fiery Red Phoenix” by Keisha Als.

The team has also been expanded and has incorporated some new section leaders with the band being proud to offer patrons their favourite brands under one banner. Some of these new editions are “Punchy Punch”, “Glitz Entertainment”, “Esquire Entertainment”, “Experience Nyrvana”, “Plus One Nation” and “Roast Entertainment”.

The band has also conceptualised two other initiatives which have generated widespread interest. These are “Xhosa Cares”, which involved various teams doing challenges competing for their favourite Charity and “Xhosa Classroom”, which selected Keisha Thompson of the Elliott Belgrave Primary School to receive much needed stationery for her class, for the entire year.