End of 2014 greetings!

Wow it's almost the end of the year, and you like me was probably wondering is that chap ever going to blog again!?! Where has the last quarter of the year gone? Well yes tempus fugit or something like that eh?!I guess it was all my travelling in October and November to Milan, Florence, Palermo, Bordeaux and Paris primarily that kept me busy. It was just wonderful spending time with lovely friends and enjoying beautiful works of art in the churches and museums on this visit to Italy and France in over thirty years!
Now I' back in Bim having enjoyed the Race of Champions at Bushy Park on Dec. 13 and

The World Premier Classical Pops Festival Barbados on December 12th which featured  a 70-piece All-Star Orchestra comprising members of the world's greatest symphonies and Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra with special guest Alison Hinds at Apes Hill Club, St. James.

Here is a description of the performers on the first night:Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Irvin Mayfield is one of the most electrifying composers alive. Mayfield leads his New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) as they introduce their swinging sound and a “party that is part jubilee and part battle royal.” Barbadian superstar vocalist Alison Hinds performs as a special guest like you’ve never seen her before.

Orchestra Gala Opening Concert - Film Night by Thomas Wilkins Film Night, conducted by Maestro Thomas Wilkins is sure to become a signature event of the Classical/Pops Festival. As Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Mr. Wilkins’ “Movie Night” concerts, in which the orchestra plays scores live in sync with film clips on gigantic screens, draw as many as 17,000 fans.Mr. Wilkins will conduct a special program created exclusively for the festival in Barbados that celebrates the influential, iconic, and instantly recognizable scores from film music masters such as John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Leonard Bernstein, and Ennio Morricone. Hear cherished and unmistakable themes from such favorite movie scores as Schindler’s List, Superman, James Bond, On the Waterfront, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Alison Hinds was in fine form and well received by the audience!

About the Festival:

Classical/Pops refers to an orchestra that plays both well-known classical works as well as contemporary popular music, accompanied by pop and rock stars, Broadway performers, opera singers, and film composers as featured guests. Some of the world’s most esteemed orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and The Philadelphia Orchestra perform these programs. These collaborations are almost universally loved and draw tens of thousands of fans to the symphony.

A very pleasant Xmas day in St. Lucy and St. Lawrence which started off with a 5 a.m. service at Mayers Road Pentecostal Church with Fred, Shortman, and listening to an inspiring homily by Rev. Marshall, some relaxing days swimming with the "Worthing Beach Cabinet"(Perch, Marsh, Fred, Yvonne, Lucy and The Speaker) and playing cricket at Worthing Beach, what more could I ask to close 2014?! So I wish you a most enjoyable Christmastide! Happy Kwanzaa! Yes it's a time of ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment, and celebration! As we head into 2015 as positive as possible let's have UNITY, SELF-DETERMINATION, COLLECTIVE WORK and RESPONSIBILITY, COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, PURPOSE, CREATIVITY, and FAITH!
Peace,
alex  

RACE OF CHAMPIONS at Bushy Park, St. Philip, Barbados this December 13th and 14th!!

Last weekend two friends and I attended Down In The Artefarte Gully and enjoyed it tremendously. It was held at The Reggae Lounge which was transformed into a most comfortable setting by The Gap Theatre. It is well written and directed by Amanda Cumberbatch and captivatingly acted by Patrick Foster, NALA, and John Walcott with the strong support of Carole George, Wayne Thorne and David Neilands, I think this weekend is its last run, but please check www.facebook.com/GAPTheatre or email thegaptheatre@gmail.com for more information. I strongly recommend this playful yet deep piece on some of Bajan folklore!
And I'm excited for my certified feter friend Howard who is super excited about the fact that Barbados will host the Race of Champions in December! He sent me the following article this morning, and of course it has been in the news the last couple days!

2 September 2014

The 2014 Race of Champions will be held on the Caribbean island of Barbados at the newly redeveloped Bushy Park, it is announced.

Barbados will host the 2014 Race of Champions in December, marking the first time the annual end-of-season 'head to head' motorsport event will be held in the Caribbean.

With the host of this year's event being determined by the public via social media, together with competitors and officials, Barbados emerged triumphant to secure the right to run the 2014 event at Bushy Park, which has undergone a major redevelopment this year in an effort to attract higher profile events.

The RoC, which has attracted a high calibre of motorsport star since its inaugural event in 1988, has grown in profile in recent years, with Paris' Stade de France, London's Wembley Stadium and Beijing's Olympic Bird's Nest Stadium among those to have hosted the event.

However, officials freely acknowledge the decision to award the 2014 tender to Barbados intentionally harks back to RoC's spiritual home in the Gran Canarian dunes, which played host to the event between 1992 and 2003.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response to our Venue Vote over the past few weeks,” said ROC organiser Fredrik Johnsson. “We received over 14,000 votes for a mix of different stadiums and circuits all over the world – which will join our list of venues under consideration for future ROC events.

“As for 2014, the Bushy Park Circuit was one of the most popular venues in our vote and we are very excited to be heading to Barbados as we assemble some of the world's greatest drivers for another festival of motor sport and entertainment.

“Hosting ROC at a circuit marks a break from our last ten years of stadium events but this is a throwback to our long-time home at Gran Canaria, which hosted the Race Of Champions from 1992 to 2003. We will certainly return to stadium events in the future but for 2014 we will take advantage of the available space to build a truly spectacular ROC parallel track at Bushy Park. We now look forward to seeing a packed house for a guaranteed weekend of thrills in December.”

The Barbados venue will house ROC's specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes linked by a unique crossover bridge. Drivers will pair up for the ROC Nations Cup, this year taking place on December 13, ahead of the individual Race Of Champions the next day.

Last year's RoC was due to be held in Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium, but was cancelled due to political unrest in the region.

Previous editions of the RoC have seen wins for Romain Grosjean, Sebastien Ogier, Sebastien Loeb, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel

LATEST MUSIC CHART by A.W.!

A.W./KAISO RISING TOP TUNES ending August 31, 2014!

1.  PANKATANG – BIGGIE IRIE                                                                                   

2.  THAT IS WHY/ROLLER COASTER – RED PLASTIC BAG

3.  TUNE IN THEY RUKUNG KU TUN TUN/ WHEN CALYPSO WAS KING - AJAMU   

4. WINE BACK ON DE WD - CHAIN /MEGA MONDAY - SANCTUARY

5.  SOCA TRAIN – MIGHTY GRYNNER/ GET OVER - IMANI & BIGGIE IRIE

6.  CAN’T KILL MY VIBE/LAST MAN TO LEAVE/ GREAT DAY – LIL RICK

7.  MEH RUM – GORG/ AH FEELING – LEADPIPE & SARDIS/ AH FEELING – ARTURO TAPPIN

8.  STEELBAND COMING DOWN – MEXICAN/ BACHANAL ROAD - IMANI

9.  FOR DE SAKE - SHORTPREE/ HORN CHILD – SHELDON DOUGLAS

10. CERTIFIED FETER – BLOOD/ BARBADOS IS STILL MY HOME – IAN WEBSTER

11. BEFORE YOU GONE – MACOMERE FIFI/ PROMISED LAND - SCHOLAR

12. SOCA MAN – FIREMAN HOOPER/ NOTHING FOR NOTHING - SCHOLAR

13. HOW AH LIKE IT – EDWIN/ HOLD YUH – EDWIN & LUTA

14. DOING ME – IAN WEBSTER/ J.A.M. – KHIOMAL/ SO GOOD - HYPASOUNDS

15. DOWN IN DEY – JAMESEY P/ PULL THAT STRING/TAKE YOUR CHANCES – AJAMU

16. WUKKIN UP – SKUNG YUNG/ COME OUT TO PARTY/COME OVA - STATEMENT

17. STRESSLESS – MR. DALE / DON’T DISTURB DE JAM – MR. DALE

18.  NAH SUCCUMB – MADZART/ ONE ON ONE - SKARPYON

19. I LIKE UM/SO BAD – LIL RICK / SALTFISH – SKINNY FABULOUS

20. HORN (MANUAL) – INSPECTOR/ WE NAH CHANGE - LAVAMAN

21. OUTA WUK/FINE ANTS ON DE PORK – SERENADER

22. UPSIDE DOWN – R3CKA/ OBSESSION – PROBLEM CHILD

23. PLAYING FOR TEAM GRENADA – SMALLIES/ MAS / GUN TOWN – MIGUEL

24. FIESTA – TONY “REBEL” BAILEY & CRYSTAL CUMMINS-BECKLES/ THE TORTOISE – DE CROONER

25. ISLAND JAM - THE RB QUARTET / IS VIBE – FOREIGNER FRANK & LIL RICK

26. I’M NOT YOUR WOMAN – VASHTI/ STUSH – SHANTA PRICE

27. FREE UP YASELF – D2/ START IT – ICON

28. NO STRESS – JENIQUE/ PUSH UP ON IT – PATRICE ROBERTS

29. DE DAWG – MR. DALE / GIDDYUP – PORGIE & MURDUH

30. SOCA ANIMAL – ALISON HINDS / GOING NO WHERE FAST - WIZARD

1688 Orchestra at the Esplanade on Bay St. was the bomb!

Just got home after a beautiful sunset concert by the outstanding vibrant 1688 Orchestra under the very able leadership of Stefan Walcott! This splendid band of over 20 delightful young musicians delighted an appreciative audience for about an hour as the sun set over Carlisle Bay, opposite the government headquarters! So very relaxing and so very thrilling! My friends Phil and Julianne were feeling so good that they didn't want to go home, so after this late Sunday afternoon treat I took them to Blakeys by the Boardwalk at Hastings to experience some more sweet stuff! This time it was Tamara Marshall singing smoothly and Leonard Griffith with his usual fantastic fingering of the keyboard!Bumped into Jackie and Archie,and Lisa and Mathew and several others who were enjoying the performers immensely!Ah another beautiful weekend in Bim! I wish you a fulfilling week! Shalom!

Turbo Charge wins Road March at Spicemas!

Spent a relaxing afternoon swimming in front of Umbrellas Restaurant on Grand Anse Beach after an energetic day on the road yesterday! Jamming (yes, I did a brief stint on de iron) with LIME Commancheros Steel Orchestra, dancing with Coyoba Beach Resort New Dimensions Steel Orchestra, and  Republic Bank Angel Harps Steel Orchestra was most enjoyable despite the hard work of pulling and pushing the players and pans on their mini platforms! Horn Child by Sheldon Douglas was the tune of choice by the steelbands!
At the end of the night( well sometime after noon today) Squeezehead was declared the Road March King with Turbo Charge! Here are some detailed results of an enjoyable Spicemas:

DIMANCHE GRAS

1. AJAMU – WHEN CALYPSO WAS CALYPSO & TUNE IN YOU RUKUNKUTUNTUN – 870 POINTS
2. SCHOLAR – THIS IS THE PROMISE LAND & ASPHALT – 832 POINTS
3. SOUR SERPANT – COMPLEXION OF CALYPSO & PAN ISSUES – 819 POINTS
4. BIG J – HOLDING A SLACK END TIGHT & THE COMPOSER – 814 POINTS
5. SHELDON DOUGLAS – BAD MAN & HORN CHILD – 804 POINTS
6. MR X - ONE MATHEMATICS & LEGALISED – 802 POINTS
7. KETURAH GEORGE – GRENADIANS WHAT DO YOU WANT & AH WANT TO SEE YOU– 794 POINTS
8. WIZARD – GOING NO WAY FAST & NNP’ISM - 789 POINTS 
9. RANDY ISSAC – MY CARNIVAL & THE WORLD NEED AH MAKE OVER – 402 POINTS
10. SUPERSTAR – LIVE BY EXAMPLE & CALYPSO – 783 POINTS
11. JANIS – DOH DELIVER ME & NO POLITICAL COMMENTARY – 769 POINT

LUCAZADE KING OF THE ROAD MARCH WINNER 2014

SQUEEZEHEAD – TURBO CHARGE

KING OF THE BAND

1. HELEN MARIE & ASSOCIATES – GANESHA THE PRINCE OF RICH VALUES – 230 POINTS
2. LIME COMMANCHERO’S & ASSOCIATES – DRACO VOLAN – 211 POINTS
3. FRANCIS REDHEAD & ASSOCIATES – WONDERS OF GREAT REEF – 186 POINTS
4. ANDRE GARVEY & ASSOCIATES – CARIBBEAN JAZZ – 180 POINTS

QUEEN OF THE BAND

1. LIME COMMANCHERO’S & ASSOCIATES – MASQUERADER: SUSAN STEWART - PORTRAYAL: MYSTICAL – 264 POINTS
2. ANDRE GARVEY & ASSOCIATES - MASQUERADER: KELLY ANN BUBB – PORTRAYAL: SOCA – 223 POINTS
3. FRANCIS & ASSOCIATES – MASQUERADER: AMA DIXON – PORTRAYAL: WEEDING BUTTERFLY – 212 POINTS
4. HELEN MARIE & ASSOCIATES – TRICIA CLEMENT – PORTRAYAL: TILL THE END TIME – 206 POINTS

FANCY MAS – PAGEANT

1. ANDRE GARVEY & ASSOCIATES – LET THE MUSIC PLAY – 351 POINTS
2. COMMANCHEROS & ASSOCIATES – IN FLIGHT – 344 POINTS
3. HELEN MARIE & ASSOCIATES – P.O.P PURSUIT OF PERFECTION – 315 POINTS
4. FRANCIS REDHEAD & ASSOCIATES – MAMA LOOK AH MAS - 236 POINTS

FANCY MAS – PARADE OF THE BANDS

1. LIME COMMANCHEROS & ASSOCIATES – INFLIGHT – 519 POINTS
2. ANDRE GARVEY & ASSOCIATES – LET THE MUSIC PLAY – 517 POINTS
3. HELEN MARIE & ASSOCIATES – P.O.P (PURSUIT OF PERFECTION) – 480 POINTS
4. FRANCIS REDHEAD & ASSOCIATES – MAMA LOOK AH MASS – 389 POINTS

BAND OF THE YEAR

1. LIME COMMANCHERO’S & ASSOCIATES – IN FLIGHT – 1338 POINTS
2. ANDRE GARVEY & ASSOCIATES – LET THE MUSIC PLAY -1271 POINTS
3. HELEN MARIE & ASSOCIATES – P.O.P - PERSUIT OF PERFECTION -1231 POINTS
4. FRANCIS REDHEAD – MAMA LOOK A MASS - 1023 POINTS

TRADITIONAL MAS – PAGEANT

WINNERS OF EACH CATEGORY FOR TRADITIONAL MAS
1. HERMITAGE SHORTKNEE – SHORTKNEE – 368 POINTS
2. TELESCOPE APACHIE – WILD INDIAN - 325 POINTS
3. DEMONIC ANGELS – VIEUX CORP - 318 POINTS

OVERALL WINNERS OF TRADITIONAL MAS (PAGEANT)

1. HERMITAGE SHORTKNEE – TRUE SPIRIT OF SHORTKNEE – 368 POINTS
2. SHEEP HEAD SHORTKNEE – HOUSE OF JUSTICE – 349 POINTS
3. TELESCOPE APACHIE – 325 POINTS

More results of Spicemas!

Another good year for Panorama and Dimanche Gras, and with increased numbers I was told! I thoroughly liked the performances of the calypsonians and especially of Scholar,  Big J, Sheldon Douglas, Mr. X, last year's monarch Keturah George and the King himself, Ajamu who returned to competition after missing several years! He was outstanding singing When Calypso Was Calypso and Calypso in Yuh Rung Gitung Tung Here are the results of this competition and Panorama which took place at Tanteen this year. Pretty Mas today and if you're coming to Grenada in the next couple of days, make sure you attend UNCLE, a play by Richardo Keens-Douglas on Friday night at The Trade Centre in Grand Anse! Enjoy!

2014 SMC Dimanche Gras Results

Position	Stage Name	Full Name
1	Ajamu	Edson Mitchell
2	Scholar	Findley Jeffrey
3	Sour Serpent	Sean Niles
4	Big J	Jason Joseph
5	Sheldon Douglas	Sheldon Douglas
6	Mr. X	Lloyd Panchoo
7	Keturah George	Keturah George
8	Wizard	elwyn Mc Quilkin
9	Randy Issac	Randy Issac
10	Superstar	Germaine Simon
11	Janis	Janis Augustine

 

SMC - 2014 King and Queen of the Band Results

SMC Pageant Mas - King of the Bands

NO.	NAME OF BAND	NAME OF MASQUERADER	NAME OF PORTRAYAL
1	Helen Marie and Associates	Kishwan Thomas	Ganesha - The Prince of Rich Valves
2	Commancheros and Associates	Kenneth Skeete	Draco Volan
3	Francis Redhead & Associates	Calvin Charles	Wonders of Great Reef
4	Andre Garvey & Associates	Preston Andrew	Caribbean Jazz

SMC Pageant Mas - Queen of the Bands

NO.	NAME OF BAND	NAME OF MASQUERADER	NAME OF PORTRAYAL
1	Commancheros and Associates	Susan Stewart	Mytical Fire Bird
2	Andre Garvey & Associates	Kelly-Ann Bubb	Soca
3	Francis Redhead & Associates	Anna Dixon	Weeding Butterfly
4	Helen Marie and Associates	Tricia Clement	Till the End of Time

2014 NLA/SMC Panorama Results

Position	Name of Band	Presentation Song	Composer/Singer	Arranger
1	Coyaba New Dimensions Steel Orchestra	Save the pan	David 'Peck' Edwards	David 'Peck' Edwards
1	LIME Commancheros Steel Orchestra	Soca Feeling	Black Wizard	Andre Greenidge
3	Republic Bank Angel Harps Steel Orchestra	Bring back the old time Jam		James Clarkson
4	Waggy T Pan Ossia Steel Orchestra	Last attack	Burguess Mcphie and Robert Cadet	Robert Cadet
5	Rainbow City All stars Steel Orchestra	My Grenada	Ajamu	Andy Chichester
6	Pan Lovers Steel Orchestra	Don't take that road	Robbie Vernel & Shanda Williams	Ignatius Bayne
7	Grand Roy Pan Angels Steel	Sound of the Pan	Killa B	David Mendes
7	Digicel florida All Stars Steel Orchestra	On the Road again	Ajamu	Desmond Campbell

 

At Spicemas now and enjoying it!

Came in on LIAT on Friday night and headed straight to Soca Monarch and lasted until the end around 4:30 a.m.! So tired from Crop Over I can't remember if I gave you the full results of Kadooment Day in Bim. Sanctuary's Mega Monday and Imani's Bachanal Road tied for second place on the parade from the National Stadium to Spring Garden Highway! The Large Band winner was Gwyneth Squires with her Controversee 2014 and Small Band of the Year was Kaiso Tents in De Festival of Betty West. The Historical Band of the Year went to Youth Explosion Band with their Crop Over We Love and Best Fantasy Band was won by Krave the Band with The Big Bang. A band from Guadeloupe was outstanding on the road! I would like to see more percussive bands like this one and more steelbands on the road next year! Now it's more spicy music and feting in Grenada as I anticipate Dimanche Gras tonight as I hang out quietly in Grenville, St. Andrew today! In the meantime here are some results of the last two days here:

 

SMC/LIME - Soca Monarch and Groovy Monarch Results

SMC/LIME Soca Monarch

NO.	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	STAGE NAME	SONG
1	Kellon and Kelson	Ogiste	Luni Spark and Electrify	No Mercy
2	Keishon	Hazzard	Squeeze Head	Turbo Charge
3	Jalon	Olive	Boyzie	State of Emergency
4	Elimus	Gilbert	Inspector	No Current
5	Hernard	Bernard	Terra Kid	Carnival Rabies
6	Edson	Mitchell	Ajamu	The Broom
7	Jevaughn	John	Lil Vaughn	The Purge
7	Brendon	Mckie	Killa B	Soca Army
9	Finley	Jeffrey	Scholar	Asphalt
10	Nyelon & Dingaan	Williams & Henry	Little Natty and Thunder	Your Time To Show Up
11	Randy	Isaac	Randy Isaac	Transform
12	Finber	Andrew	Short Pree	We that do it
13	Paul	Sherwin	Mr. Walkie	Dust in the Air
14	Dave	Peters	Boogie B	Born for this
15	Brandon	Durham	Bramor	Inferno
16	Asim	Bernard	Sylum	We nah behaving

SMC Groovy Monarch

NO.	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME	STAGE NAME	SONG
1	Fimber	Andrews	Shortpree	For the Sake
2	Finley	Jeffrey	Scholar	Nothng for Nothing
3	Sheldon	Douglas	Sheldon Douglas	Horn Child
3	Edison	Mitchell	Ajamu	Pull that string
5	Randy	Isaac	Randy Issac	I love my Carnival
6	Jevaughn	John	Lil Vaughn	Do it again
7	Chevon	Cox	Coxilus	Love Me
8	Brendon	McKie	Killa B	Sound of Fan
9	Teddon	Mark	Teddy Rhymez	Symptoms
10	Dave	Peters	Boogie B	Life Style
11	Allan	Gaskin	Allan G	Caribbean Girls
12	Leonie	Patrick	Baby L	Handle it
13	Wenron	Ogiste	Blacka Dan	Do ah ting

2014 NLA/SMC Panorama Results

Position	Name of Band	Presentation Song	Composer/Singer	Arranger
1	Coyaba New Dimensions Steel Orchestra	Save the pan	David 'Peck' Edwards	David 'Peck' Edwards
2	LIME Commancheros Steel Orchestra	Soca Feeling	Black Wizard	Andre Greenidge
3	Republic Bank Angel Harps Steel Orchestra	Bring back the old time Jam		James Clarkson
4	Waggy T Pan Ossia Steel Orchestra	Last attack	Burguess Mcphie and Robert Cadet	Robert Cadet
5	Rainbow City All stars Steel Orchestra	My Grenada	Ajamu	Andy Chichester
6	Pan Lovers Steel Orchestra	Don't take that road	Robbie Vernel & Shanda Williams	Ignatius Bayne
7	Grand Roy Pan Angels Steel	Sound of the Pan	Killa B	David Mendes
7	Digicel florida All Stars Steel Orchestra	On the Road again	Ajamu	Desmond Campbell

 

It's Leadpipe and Saddis a.k.a. Porgy and Murdah!

Still recuperating from Kadooment Day so will give more detailed results later. Just letting you know that AH FEELING by Leadpipe and Saddis won the Tune of De Crop or Roadmarch yesterday. I hope they  are getting substantial funds from Johnny Walker Scotch Whiskey! I hope to be playing on Kaiso Rising the instrumental version by Arturo Tappin mostly since it is a groovy piece of soca; the original version is too big an ad for one brand of liquor!

IAN WEBSTER a.k.a. iWEB is the Calypso Monarch of Barbados again!

Wow, what a weekend! The Foreday Mornin' Jam was off the chain as over 40 bands in their assorted T-Shirts and  shorts starting around midnight and ending after sunrise! Muddied, painted, powdered the revellers gyrated to old and new DJ music coming from the small trucks. I particularly enjoyed the Point Fortin Rhythm Section that seemed to be the only percussion group on the road. Gorg's Meh Rum and Porgie and Murda's Benup were chosen by judges as the most popular tunes while Pnakatang by Biggie Irie was the next most popular tune on the road! And last night it was the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals at Kensington Oval after an afternoon of drinks and tasty international fare at BLISS at the Belle Plantation with HH, the certified feter, and his Canadian and Bajan crew that was another most enjoyable time! Ian Webster retained his monarchy with De Karoake Song and Barbados is Still My Home. This Headliners Tent member won with 445 points. Adrian Clarke of the same tent placed second with his Constituency Of Calypso and Fan Fair getting 439 points from the eight judges. Chrystal Cummins-Beckles placed third with Enough Is Enough and Another View receiving 436 points while Biggie Irie was fourth with Get Over (a song he has recorded as a duet with Imani - The People's Monarch) and Pankatang. Blood came fifth getting 420 points for singing How To Win and Hold Together. Webster received a Mazda 3, $10,500 in cash and several other prizes. His second consecutive win puts him in the league with Red Plastic Bag, Gabby and Kidsite who did so several years ago! Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth were on stage to present the prizes to the calypsonians.
Tonight it is Cohoblopot at the same venue where patrons will see the performances of outstanding artists like Red Plastic Bag, Gabby, Lil Rick, Biggie Irie, Soca Kartel, Grynner, Sanctuary among many other Bajan artists! Tomorrow the Festival climaxes with the grand parade of Kadooment Day. As Lil Rick sings it will be a great day!
Enjoy yours too!

Sorry for....

... my not letting you know about the fantastic time we( de Rhode Island, Toronto, and Brit crew) had at Soca Royale last Sunday at Bushy park, St. Philip! By now you know that the big big winners are Biggie Irie with his Pankatang and Gorg with Meh Rum in the Sweet Soca and Party Monarch competitions respectively! I had too many domestic issues to deal with this week. Anyway doing an island tour today, and this week is the climax of the Festival starting with Soca Titans tonight at Bushy Park and the Calypso Monarch Finals at Kensington Oval tomorrow night. Will update you on the weekend, so in the meantime continue to enjoy August as much as possible! Oh, and congrats to Kirani James of Grenada for his gold in the 400 metres at Commonwealth Games in Glasgow!

Another Enjoyable Crop Over Weekend!

Last Friday night at Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium it was kaiso fuh so as eighteen calypsonians tried their best to get selected by the judges to compete at the PIC-O-DE CROP CALYPSO MONARCH Finals at Kensington Oval on Friday August 1st!

Here are the finalists in the MQI/BANKS/LIME Pic-O-De-Crop:

TENT	ARTISTES
All Stars Calyso Tent	De Announcer
All Stars Calyso Tent	Kid Site
All Stars Calyso Tent	Miguel
De Bg Show	Biggie Irie
De Bg Show	Classic
De Bg Show	Mikey
Headliners Tent	Adrian Clarke
Headliners Tent	Blood
Headliners Tent	Chrystal Cummins-Beckles
RESERVE
De Big Show	John King
House of Soca	SammyG

On the Saturday night the judges awarded the young calypsonians at the same sports complex. 

The top four of the Junior Calypso Monarch competition and the winners of the Best Soca Song titles are as follows:

8 - 12 CATEGORY
STAGE NAME	NAME	SONG	POINTS
Raanan	Raanan Hackett	No Daddy	453
Dynamo	Asher Murrell	Don't Count Me Out	408
Black Beauty	Liana Ifill	Day by Day	387
Jade	Jade Grant	Tribute to Kerry-Ann Ifill	359
Kiki Boo	Keonai Walker	Don't Behave So	Awarded Best Soca Song

8 - 12 CATEGORY
STAGE NAME	NAME	SONG	POINTS
Sammy G	Samantha Greaves	My Tribute	441
Ah Dee Lah	Adela Payne	De Letter	415
DJ	Daryan Jordan	Rude Boy Anthem	413
Nubian Queen	Moesha Daniel	My Song	411
RJ	Rickardo Reid	School Boy Jam	Awarded Best Soca Song

The prizes awarded to these top juniors are:

- For the Best Soca Song in the 8-12 category Kiki Boo received a cash prize of $1000, and an OBIMAX 7-inch Tablet presented by CEO of the NCF, Mr. Cranston Browne and Mr. Hefe Archer of De Deal Centre respectively;

- 4th place, 3rd runner up, Jade - received $750 and an OBIMAX 7-inch Tablet presented by CEO of the NCF, Mr. Cranston Browne and Mr. Hefe Archer of De Deal Centre respectively;

- 3rd place, 2nd runner up, Black Beauty - received $1000 and a Samsung 7-inch Tablet presented by the Chairman of the Board of the NCF, Mrs. Maureen Graham and Mr. Hefe Archer of De Deal Centre respectively;

- 2nd place, 1st runner up, Dynamo - received $1500 and an OBIMAX 10-inch Tablet presented by Mr. Irvine Griffith of IGM Stage Lighting and Mr. Hefe Archer of De Deal Centre respectively;

- The 2014 Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch in the 8-12 category, Raanan - received the coveted trophy, a cash prize of $2000 and a Samsung 10-inch Tablet presented by the Honourable Stephen Lashley, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Mr. Roger Archer of Scotiabank, and Mr. Hefe Archer of De Deal Centre.

The judging panel for the Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch in association with IGM Stage Lighting included Liesl Gaye Gajadhar - Chief Judge, Andy Williams, Capt. Alfred Taylor, Sheldon Hope, Jennifer Sealy and Gillian Cadogan. 

(These results are taken from www.barbadoscropoverfestival.com)

Next weekend will be another exciting one; so hope to see many of you at the 40th Anniversary of Crop Over Monarchs Concert at the National Stadium on Friday night, Junior Kadooment on Saturday morning and afternoon at the same stadium, the Crop Over Evening of Folk at the Frank Collymore Hall in Bridgetown, and Soca Royale at Bushy Park, St. Phillip!

Pantastic Weekend!

Another most enjoyable Pan Fusion  at Ilaro Court that started  at 8 p.m. on Friday night with a great session by the Royal Barbados Police Force Band and Pan Extreme, followed by the Jonathan Scales Fourchestra from Carolina, then some Banks Soundtech Steel Orchestra, and ended with Earl Brookes Jr. of Trinidad jamming ever so sweetly with Arturo Tappin and band. Relaxing on the grassy slopes under a full moon with several genres of music emanating from talented musicians on two stages is simply put - a beautiful thing! To share this with family and friends is a wonderful feeling! This annual event of the Crop Over Festival just gets better and better every year. The coordinator added Mighty Gryner, Lil Rick, and Red Plastic Bag for the "after party" which I missed since I was rather satiated with the previous outstanding performers after four hours, but was told that the patrons who stayed had a great time on the dance floor in front of the main stage!
For those of you coming down this week you may still catch some of the calypso tents, and you definitely want to take in the Visual Arts Exhibit at three locations in Bridgetown. So far I attended the well presented "Big Show" tent (featuring Mac Fingall, John King, Serenader, Classic, Mr. Dale, TC, Natahlie, Adonijah, R.P. B., Biggie Irie, among others) in the Sea Rocks Dome at Barbados Beach Club, and viewed outstanding pieces of art at the Grande Salle of the Central Bank and at the Spirit Bond Mall near the Wickham Lewis Boardwalk by the Careenage.
Pan Pun De Sand was another beautiful experience earlier this evening! Didn't get to its annual location at Brandon's Beach  until near sunset, but it wasn't too late to be thrilled to the sounds of Olakunde, Mosaic, and Massey Allstars (with about thirty members from its larger Trinidad orchestra). Mikey and R.P.B. was ably backed by Mosaic but only sang one song each. At 8:30 tonight the pleasing sounds of the Allstars were still heard as we walked along Spring Garden Highway back to Bridgetown.
I am looking forward to the  Pic-O-De-Crop Semi-Finals at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium this Friday night and the Junior Calypso Monarch Finals on the Saturday night at the same Wildey venue. Pleasing music, good performances, beautiful works of art mean that it is another Crop Over Festival progressing nicely! Come soon my cosmopolitan friends!

Some Results of the Various Music Competitions in the Caribbean and Canada!

The semi-finalists named in the Barbados MQI/BANKS/LIME Pic-O-De-Crop to be held on Friday July 18 at Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium are as follows:

TENT	ARTISTES
All Stars Calypso Tent	Aziza
All Stars Calypso Tent	Cher
All Stars Calypso Tent	De Announcer
All Stars Calypso Tent	Donella
All Stars Calypso Tent	Kid Site
All Stars Calypso Tent	Miguel
De Big Show	Adonijah
De Big Show	Biggie Irie
De Big Show	Classic
De Big Show	John King
De Big Show	Mikey
De Big Show	Serenader
Headliners Tent	Adrian Clarke
Headliners Tent	Blood
Headliners Tent	Chrystal Cummins-Beckles
House of Soca	Sammy G
The Experience Tent	Apache
The Experience Tent	Billboard
RESERVE
Headliners Tent	Colin Spencer

JUNIOR CALYPSO MONARCH FINALISTS for show at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex on Saturday July 19,2014!

8 - 12 CATEGORY
STAGE NAME	NAME	SONG
Black Beauty	Liana Ifill	Day-by-Day
Dynamo	Asher Murrell	Don't Count Me Out
Jade	Jade Grant	Tribute to Kerriann Ifill
Jatanya	Trezelle Alleyne	Brand Name
Kiki Boo	Keonai Walker	Don't Behave So
Mighty Makeda	Princess Thomas	Calypso I Am
Ranaan	Ranaan Hackett	No Daddy
Star-Fire	Karia Campbell	Proud To Be Black
RESERVE
Sugar Apple	Asha Hoder	Litter

13 - 18 CATEGORY
STAGE NAME	NAME	SONG
AH-DEE-LAH	Adela Payne	De Letter
De MC	Chad Montplaisir	Get It Out Ya Head
DJ	Daryan Jordan	Rude Boy Anthem
Jamal Slocombe	Jamal Slocombe	Come Together
Mighty KT	Kymorhi Trotman	A Child’s Plea
Nubian Queen	Moesha Daniel	My Song
RJ	Rickardo Reid	School Boy Jam
Sammy G	Samantha Greaves	My Tribute
Sparkle T	Teri Willimas	Sparkle T

FINALISTS of SWEET SOCA and PARTY SOCA COMPETITIONS held at Kensington Oval.

These finalists will face the reigning Sweet Soca and Party Monarchs on the MQI/98.1 Soca Royale stage at Bushy Park, St. Philip on Sunday, July 27.

They finalists are as follows:

SWEET SOCA
ARTIST	NAME OF SONG
Biggie Irie	Pankatang
Ian Webster a.k.a. iWeb	Doin' Me
Brett & Khiomal	Right Now
Lorenzo	Mad or Wha
Mikey	Next To The Rope
Mistah Dale	Stressless
Red Plastic Bag	Rollercoaster
Sanctuary	Mega Monday
RESERVE
Imani & Biggie Irie	Get Over

PARTY MONARCH
ARTIST	NAME OF SONG
Blood	Road
Chrystal Cummins-Beckles	Pantuk
Gorg	Meh Rum
iWeb & Khiomal	Terror
Kirk Brown	Energy
Mikey	No Shame
Mistah Dale	De Dawg
Shaquille	Release
RESERVE
Faith Callender	Lock It

Please see www.barbadoscropoverfestival.com for more results and news!

FINALISTS for CALYPSO COMPETITION of The ORGANIZATION OF CALYPSO PERFORMERS (OCPA) in CANADA! 

The popular Calypso Monarch competition’s preliminary round was held July 4^th, 5^th and 6^th. A panel of judges chose eight singers from the Tropical Rhythms, The Professionals and Kaiso Forum calypso tents. The ‘tents’ are a series of shows that are held every summer and feature the latest songs from many of the top calypso and soca singers in Canada.  The highly-anticipated ‘Kaiso 365’ Calypso Monarch finals takes place this year on Saturday, July 26^th at the P.C. Ho Theatre, Chinese Cultural Centre, 5183 Sheppard Ave E., Toronto, Ontario.

Eight finalists will join last year’s winner Macomere Fifi, each performing two new songs in hope of winning the ‘Kaiso 365’ Calypso Monarch title.

The finalists are:

1. Susan G (Susan Grogan)
2. Yellows (David Morgan)
3. Webb (Hamilton Alexander)
4. Panman Pat (Pat McNeilly)
5. De Carra (Leslie Carrabon)
6. Macomere Fifi (Tara Woods)
7. Guney (Guney Cedeno)
8. King Cosmos (Henry Gomez)
9. Beginner (Michael Moore)

The ninth reserve: Connector (Joel Davis)     

Award-winning arranger Ossie Gurley will lead a 9-piece house band and the host for the evening is storyteller, Itah Sadu. Special guest from Britain is Sheldon Skeete, 2013 U.K. Calypso Monarch.

Tickets for this event can be purchased in advance for $40. (plus service charges) or $45 at the door. Limited seats available so get your tickets early.

Tickets are available at www.ticketgateway.com at select outlets.

 LUCIAN CARNIVAL CALYPSO MONARCH FINALS

These are the calypsonians who will go up against reigning Monarch Menell in the final round  of Lucian Kaiso on Saturday July 19th. Note that Denis James who has been a Calypso Monarch of Canada is in these Finals for the first time! Please see www.luciancarnival.com for more results of St. Lucia's Carnival.

1. Achiever
2. Ashanti
3. Denis James
4. Educator
5. Hitty
6. Herb Black
7. Invader
8. Nintus
9. Walleigh​

​Admission: $30 in Advance | $40 at the Door

Ticket outlets: The Cell outlets and Sunshine Bookstore

Date: 

Saturday, July 19, 2014 - 20:30

Venue: 

Beausejour Cricket Ground, Gros Islet

VINCY MAS RESULTS 2014!

JUNIOR CALYPSO – PRIMARY SCHOOL

NAME OF STUDENT	SCHOOL	TITLE OF SONG	POSITION
Tia ‘Singing Tia’ Wyllie	New Prospect Primary	Save the environment	1st
Kristian ‘Lil Kris’ Christopher	Layou Government	You are my hero	2nd
Cha-chanie Morgan	New Prospect Primary	Let’s work together to build this country	3rd

JUNIOR CALYPSO – SECONDARY SCHOOL

NAME OF STUDENT	SCHOOL	TITLE OF SONG	POSITION
Roshard ‘Mighty Kel’ Tittle	North Union Secondary	Let’s join hands	1st
Norrisa ‘ Ms. G’ Gerald	Sandy Bay Secondary	Party band wagon	2nd
Kristiana ‘Singing Kristy’ Christopher	Thomas Saunders Secondary	Change	3rd

JUNIOR SOCA MONARCH

NAME OF STUDENT	SCHOOL	TITLE OF SONG	POSITION
Neisha’Mighty Spice’ Richards	West St. George Secondary	Skinny Gal	1st
Kristiana ‘Singing Kristy’ Christopher	Thomas Saunders Secondary	SVG go rise again	2nd
Giovonne ‘Super D’ Collins	St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua	Ah drink ah the wine	3rd

JUNIOR PAN FEST
School Based Bands

PAN SIDE	RENDITION	POINTS	POSITION
Girl’s High School	Kangaroo – Touch	246	1st
C W Prescod Primary	Tamika – Touch	242	2nd
St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown	Disco Ivy - Astericks	214	3rd

Community

PAN SIDE	RENDITION	POINTS	POSITION
Sea Operations Starlift Steel Orchestra	Mouth in me mooma – Poorsah	1st	265
Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra	Watch de ride – X-A-Dus	2nd	253
Symphonix Steel Orchestra	Carnival fever – Blacksand	3rd	242

MISS CARIVAL 2014

CATEGORY	COUNTRY	CONTESTANT
Best in Swimwear	Dominica	Francine Baron
Best Talent	St. Kitts  & Nevis	Kaeve Armstrong
Best in Evening Gown	Antigua & Barbuda	Raynel Caroll
Best Interview	St. Kitts & Nevis	Kaeve Armstrong
2nd Runner-up	Antigua & Barbuda	Raynel Caroll
1st Runner-up	St. Kitts & Nevis	Kaeve Armstrong
Miss Carival 2013	Dominica	Francine Baron

PANORAMA

PAN SIDE	RENDITION	POSITION
Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra	Ah Bussing It – Ron Pompey	1st
Scotia Bank South East Steel Orchestra	Ooh La La – Becket	2nd
Sea Operations Starlift Steel Orchestra	Carnival Time - Rebels	3rd

RAGGA SOCA MONARCH

NAME OF COMPETITOR	SONG	POSITION
Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper	Rum Meeting	1st
Travis ‘Wiz Skid’ Lynch	Fettologist	2nd
Lornette ‘Fire Empress’ Nedd - Reid	Fire Meet Ice	3rd

SOCA MONARCH

NAME OF COMPETITOR	SONG	POSITION
Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper	Unruly	1st
Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulos’ Doyle	Made For This/Red Button	2nd
Shertz ‘Problem Child’ James	No Discipline	3rd

CALYPSO MONARCH

NAME OF COMPETITOR	POSITION
Zamfir ‘Man Zangie’ Adams	1st
Robert ‘Patches’ Knights	2nd
Shernelle ‘Skarpyon’ Williams	3rd

ROAD MARCH

NAME OF ARTISTE	Song	POINTS	Position
Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper	Unruly	79	1st
Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper	Rum Meeting	66	2nd
Lancelot ‘Mad Skull’ Gloster – Scott	Family	42	3rd

Please see www.carnivalsvg.com for more results , news and fab photos!