You hear that sound? Yeah...that sound, it's the sound of Crop-Over shifting into high gear as all of the Mas Bands launched last week, the tents opened and the NCF continued it's meetings with the Union of Artistes.
Red Light....
So last week it was band launch after band launch as the main bands presented their wares for the people. On Saturday the large band PowerX4 launched "VIBRATION." With names like Sonic Boom, Tremor. Pulse and Climax, this band is aiming to be one not to ignore. Just a few days before, on Thursday Berger Boys a band rapidly growing in popularity had its launch fete. Going with a cricket theme the band this year is called "Rhythm Nation Sixes" and focuses on 6 main cricketing countries.
The Boys from the Cave Hill campus, CampusBoyz had their launch fete on Sunday. Started in 2004 as a t-shirt the band has grown in leaps and bounds. This year the Campusboyz will be 750 strong in the costume band "Les Gens Du Monde."
Barbados other large band Baje International will present its band "The Lost Tribe" on July 06th at George Washington House. However, the band - which aims to put 1600 on the road this year - as usual already has several sold out sections.
Green Light....
The Mas bands are being encouraged to look to see where they can contribute to the community in and out of the season. This as the CampusBoyz announced that they will be providing two annual scholarships for UWI students starting from September 2007.
Sales and Marketing Manager with Mount Gay, Geoffrey Markle who are the title sponsors for the band commended this endeavour so early in the companies’ journey saying "the gesture of the two scholarships is something we can all take on board and act upon."
Group founder - Aundrea Weharton, Carey Spencer-Layne, Neil Cummins and Brian Hinds pledged that they are committed to the Barbadian entertainment scene. He revealed that along with the scholarship the group would also be offering a membership card this year, and a quarterly free entertainment magazine for the tertiary institutions in Barbados as well as for the St Augustine and Mona campuses.
1, 2, 3!
The Bacchanal Time tent holds the Party Monarch, Pic-o-De-Crop and Road March titles and is looking to win all the major titles again in 2007.
Speaking at the official press launch for the show on Wednesday night Manager of the tent Peter Boyce of Madd Entertainment said, "In 2005 we stated that we would take all the titles... and people thought it would be a joke. In 2006 we said we were going to keep them and we did. In 2007 we do not intend to let them go! Boyce added jokingly "we have already booked the motorcade."
In its 12th year the very popular tent is coming with a Broadway theme this year entitled "Ain't No Business Like Show business."
This year's line-up includes Pic-o-de- Crop Monarch Kidsite, T.C. Classic, 2006 Party Monarch Barry Chandler, Edwin, Khiomal, Mac Fingall, Kimberley Inniss, Keann, Romeo, Donella, Ramases, Captain Sawyer, Peter Ram, Timmy, Spin Pooch Ink, Madd, Typhoon and new comers Nard and John Machameed.
Driving in a Different Lane.
Despite the fact that it is Crop Over Season, the Plantation Offered - literally - some alternative fare with "The Rockshow 2." Barbados avid rock fans turned out for the second event to hear hard rock outfit Eulogy and Strategy."
Eulogy making a rare public performance were a solid hit, but the band Strategy - normally known for its soca and hip-hop delivery - attempted to give some rock music as well with mixed results.
Weekly Wrap-Up
The Stray Cats Tent, Unity and The Cave Shepherd All Stars all launched last week... Peter Ram was nominated five Soca Awards including Best New Male Soca Artist and Soca Song of the Year for "Women by my Side."
