Compliments of the Nation News

A BLESSING FOR CROP-OVER. A rebirth was given to this yearÕs Crop-Over Festival in the form of a liturgical presentation from the Praise Academy Of Dance yesterday. The presentation, part of the Crop-Over Thanksgiving Service at St PatrickÕs Roman Catholic Cathedral, explored the various dance rhythms of the Caribbean.

DOWN TO LOW TOWN. The BNB Crop-Over Opening Gala & Ceremonial Delivery Of The Last Canes at QueenÕs Park signalled the start of Crop-Over. Two processions from Solidarity House and the General Post Office ended at the refurbished QueenÕs Park, displaying pomp and pageantry for the hundreds of patrons to see. And there were many elements of Crop-Over to enjoy, from the Tuk Bands, the group Iron Massive, and Bajan green monkeys. Here, the Mother Sallies, getting down to Tuk Band music.

Reproduced compliments of The Nation News

Al Gilkes is making a case for joint promotion of Caribbean festivals to enhance the global appeal of the region. Speaking during a media conference in Trinidad and Tobago, where the Barbados Tourism Authority and NCF teamed to promote Barbados and Crop-Over, Gilkes called for the creation of an umbrella organisation to market regional festivals.
"We need such an umbrella body to market these festivals to the world. We need to do that to assist the Caribbean in being recognised as a leading destination for entertainment." < Read more >

Compliments of the Nation News

Cable & Wireless corporate communications manager Sara Odle (second right) with (from right) BET producer Bart Phillips, local host Mac Fingall, regional host Maxine Williams and BET videographers Gabriel Moscovicz and Adrian Sosevee.

A local and regional partnership with Black Entertainment Television (BET)
is expected to raise the international profile of Crop-Over, increase visitor arrivals and benefit local artistes.

According to Senator John Williams, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, the partnership, sealed among local artistes who signed a release agreement at Sugar Reef Restaurant Tuesday night, included the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) and the National Cultural Foundation (NCF).

< Read more >

by RICKY JORDAN

Compliments of the Nation News

Last year's monarch, Edwin, was second with Yardie Graduate.
by Julie Wilson

Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Ian Estwick has hailed this year's Party Monarch Finals on the East Coast as a success.
Despite the heavy morning showers which dampened the annual party and resulted in a late start, Estwick sent out "a hearty thank you" to his staff for a "well executed event" and Crop-Over Festival so far. < Read more >

Published on: 7/25/05. Compliments of the Nation News by YVETTE BEST

The blue and yellow balloons and rags that littered the East Coast told the story.

Natalie Natahlee Burke yesterday became the second woman in the competition's history to take home the Party Monarch title with the popular Colours.

After finishing in the bridesmaid position to Alison Hinds in 1997, Natahlee has been vindicated. The Bacchanal Time calypsonian amassed 419 points to beat tentmate Edwin into second position by a whopping 31 points.

On a day when most of the acts failed to hit, Natahlee was one of seven to make a major impact. Her start appeared to be a bit off-key, but the proud Bajans were oblivious to that.

Those who didn't get their hands on theblue and yellow rags waved anything as they jumped and wined to the patriotic number.

The clearly overwhelmed Natahlee was full of praises for God, her co-writer Shontelle Layne, her management team, family, friends, sponsor and Terencia TC Coward.

She said TC "refused" to judge for the Party Monarch so that she could put her efforts behind her.

Edwin, who has built up a reputation for his over-the-top presentations, did not match his standards this year. The five-time winner still had the "yardies" in a frenzy with Yardie Graduate. Much to the delight of the crowd, the list of graduates from his school of hard knocks included Peter Ram and Li'l Rick, who both made brief appearances. < Read more >

Music of the Islands

Caribbean Holidays

For five weeks every summer Barbados celebrates Crop Over, an exciting and vibrant extravaganza of music and masquerade, history and culture to mark the end of the sugar cane cutting season.

In for crop-over. This is the las' lap for Crop-Over, and yesterday scores of people arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport to catch the fever, which should be at it highest by Kadooment Day, Monday. These four "independent ladies" (from left) Y'vonne Abrahams, Kelly Griffith, Pamela Sobers and Anesha Archibald from Trinidad and Tobago, plan to "go to all parties" until they leave on Tuesday. The Trini lasses got a warm Bajan welcome from three stiltmen who entertained everyone outside the arrival hall.

< Read more >

rickyjordan@nationnews.com

Compliments of the Nation News

Barbados Crop Over 2004

All the gaiety, colour and excitement of Crop-Over was personified by Bajan folk character Mother Sally (portrayed by Marsha Hunte) last Friday night at the official launch of the 2004 Crop-Over Festival, held at the car park of the National Cultural Foundation.

A 20 -piece tuk orchestra played folk songs and calypsos, along with other colourful folk characters such as stiltmen and shaggy bears and a number of popular calypsonians got the Banks/Cable&Wireless Cavalcades off to a successful start.

Compliments of the Nation News

Let me start by congratulating the winners of this year’s calypso competitions, and like Ken Clarke of the Super Gladiators tent, I am pleased that there were “no hat tricks” this year. The possibility of one hat trick was ruled out fairly early in the season when Red Plastic Bag announced that he would be sitting out the Pic-O-De-Crop contest, and Li’l Rick’s music was totally disappointing this year. < Read more >

	Four years after his last victory at the Ermy Bourne Highway, Edwin staged a dramatic “Invasion” complete with paratroops and “gunfire” and wrested the Party Monarch title from Lil Rick. However, Edwin’s fifth overall victory did not go down very well with the audience, who seemed to favour Lil Rick and Timmy, who mesmerized the audience with equally strong presentations. < Read more >
Today calypso is an integral part of the Crop Over festival, with thePic-O-De-Crop Calypso Monarch Competition being one of the most popular events. During the Crop Over season, numerous calypso tents perform several times weekly and performers compete for a place in the Calypso Monarch finals.
The enthusiasm of Barbados' young calypsonians ensures that the future of calypso in Barbados is secure. The Junior Calypso Monarch competition, serves as an excellent training ground for the calypsonians of the future.
	This is a truly unique Barbadian celebration Created from the marriage of the English Harvest Festival and the West African Yam Festival, Crop Over is a coming together of these two great cultures
AT&T Wireless has stepped into the “Zone” with the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation as title sponsor of CBC’s popular festival showcasing the songs, sights and activities of Crop Over. During a press conference yesterday at CBC headquarters in the Pine, CBC General Manager Allyson Leacock and AT&T Wireless General Manager Kim Whitehead jointly announced what Leacock described as a “major partnership”. Read more >

CROP OVER 2004 

BARBADOS