My Barbados Blog

It's that time again, when Barbados eagerly competes in the annual Chelsea Flower Show in London. 

British Airways has played an integral part in Barbados' success over the years, as the airline has sponsored the freight of the many boxes of exotic flowers that have made the trek to London, every year for the last 21 years.

This year, Barbados is the proud recipient of the Silver Gilt award.

This is one more award to add to their list of achievements; as they have won 14 golds and 7 silvers in the 21 years that they have competed.

Read full story at Caribbean360.com

I ran across Notes from a Small Island blog, and Ingrid Persaud dishes the goings on at Holder's Season in Barbados. Ingrid's account brought back memories of the last Holder's Season I attended - and yes a visit to Wendy Kidd's homes is worth a visit - even if you are not a cultural fan - Linda

Ingrid starts out with . . .
'Tis “the season” to be jolly on our small rock. Visitor numbers peak as the winter birds settle into their villa nests on the West coast. Those who cannot afford to nest here from November through to April make the pilgrimage for a week or two as a brief escape from the punishing northern winter.

We put on major cultural shows for them – international culture rather than the stuff that makes up our other major local culture event, Crop Over. This being little England we particularly thrive on a little of the English cultural and social scene.

Winter birds want to be able to report back to the less fortunate of Abergavenny and Aldershot that they did not miss out on anything and they got a tan. You saw Much Ado About Nothing with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Festival Hall, London? We did it at Holders Festival in a Globe Theatre, London production. Wish you were there darling!

Read the rest of Ingrid's post at Notes From a Small Island

A variety of world-class music and theatrical performances, ranging from opera to comedy, are lined up in this year's Holders program providing the ultimate sensory experience.

The annual performing arts festival, scheduled to last until March 15, 2008, is held at the breathtaking Holders House in Barbados and has previously been graced by legends including: Pavarotti, Sir Tim Rice and Lesley Garrett.

Holders Season is hosted by the renowned Wendy Kidd, mother to Jodie and Gemma Kidd. The festival is held in the extensive grounds of Wendy's exquisite home, the Holders House, where she regularly entertains British royalty and hosts countless Polo tournaments.

The 2008 Holders Season brings a wide range of festive sights and sounds, from the West End and Broadway musical, to the rhythms of the French Caribbean.

Highlights include a Holders Season favorite, Chicago's 2nd City Touring Company described as "the world's greatest comedy theatre!" Laugh- out-loud comedy giants include Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray. In a major coup for Holders, the latest crop of comic talents brings their remarkable brand of improvised humor to the magical garden.

    The current schedule of events is:

     Tuesday, February 26th
     From Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (London) - Much Ado About Nothing

     Thursday, February 28th
     Kit and the Widow

     Friday, February 29th
     From Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (London) - Much Ado About Nothing

     Saturday, March 1st
     The Piano - Keyboard Kings Ben "Boogie Woogie" Waters + The David Rees Williams Trio

     Monday, March 3rd
     Barbados Heart and Stroke Foundation

     Tuesday, March 4th
     Classical Double Mill Bravo!

     Thursday, March 6th
     Comedy Night 2nd City Touring Co. Chicago

     Saturday, March 8th (9pm-10pm)
     6pm-8pm Calling All Kids
     9pm-10pm Poetry on the Gallery - Love is all around

     Tuesday, March 11th
     The Piano 2 - Featuring Simon Mulligan

     Thursday, March 13th
     Gospel and Blues Night with The Campbell Brothers

     Saturday, March 15th
     Gala Night - Direct from New Orleans - The Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Ticket prices start from $15 per person. For more information on Holders Season, visit www.holders.net

The Caribbean International Film Festival will take place in Barbados April 9-13 at which "Hit For Six!" will be screened.

"Hit For Six!" is a fictional account of a West Indian cricketer who fights a match-fixing charge.

Since its establishment in 1992, the Pan African Film Festival has promoted cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression featuring quality films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the South Pacific and Canada.

Visit the "Hit For Six" website for more information - http://www.hitforsix.com/ 

Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, March 1st, 2008

The 27th annual Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup will be held at The Garrison on Saturday March 1st, 2008.

This is the the leading horse racing event in Barbados, and the largest and most important in the Caribbean region. This international 9 furlong race attracts some of the world's best thoroughbred horses throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Along with a fine day of racing, visitors can also enjoy the traditional Gold Cup Parade, local food vendors, and there will also be live bands to provide musical entertainment.  

For more info, please visit the Sandy Lane site

On Tuesday afternoon February 12, the opening of a new Parliament will take place in Barbados.

The recent general elections gave former the opposition - the DLP (Democratic Labour Party), led by David Thompson, the title of Prime Minister.

The Barbados Defense Force will form an Honor Guard in the National Heroes Square, and Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands has the role of inspecting the Guard. Husbands will then deliver the traditional Throne Speech, which spells out the new government's policies and priorities for the next five years.   

Following the Throne Speech, both Houses of Parliament will take a tour of the Musuem of Parliament, and the National Heroes Gallery. Barbados has the distinction of having a 300 year old Parliament, which is the second longest in the Commonwealth.

The world reknown Royal Barbados Police Band, and the National Youth Steel Orchestra will provide the musical entertainment for the reception.

We've been so busy lately, and haven't had time to visit our blog friends and partners.

But, I stopped by Barbados Free Press tonight, and saw their posting "Moses Wood, Tuk And The Barbados Landship" - Linda.

Barbados has the distinction of being the only country with a "Landship Movement", which is comprised of a Navy that never goes to sea.

See our blog page for more information on the Barbados Landship. Also check out the history of The Tuk Band.

Take a little time to check out this Google video, which will give you a first hand look at The Barbados Landship, Moses Wood and theTuk Band. BIG THANKS to Barbados Free Press for bringing this to our attention.

View The Barbados Landship - Preserving the Ship and Its Engine

Bajan Blog "Cheese on Bread" says . . . 

"It's easy to take your culture and way of life for granted, and to think there's nothing unique about the way you speak as a people. We Bajans have our own way of expressing ourselves, and I'm sure visitors probably wonder what the heck we're saying."

Cheese on Bread is adding a daily segment on how to speak like a Bajan - head on over to find out more.

Keith Clark is a well known Bajan photographer that captures the essence of what Barbados used to be.

Whether it be some old chattel house, an old soft stone house, or some other dilapidated dwelling, Keith says, "you can still find some subtle beauty in them."

Also check out Keith's book, Old Barbados through Photography, which brings Old Barbados back to the forefront via photography.

Visit Keiths site - Barbados In Focus

This weekend, the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders Associations Sprint Stakes and Trophy will be run at the Garrison Savanah.

The purse is over $44,000 for the main race, and a $25,000 purse for the second featured race.

Kabul, a six year old thoroughbred, and four time winner is the favorite to take the trophy on Saturday. Two other horses from last year's race, Don Anglesonny and Ribo Tango, will also be competing for the title.      

What a desolate place would be a world without a flower! It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome. Are not flowers the stars of the earth, and are not our stars the flowers of heaven? – Clara Lucas Balfour

BARBADIANS HAVE ALWAYS HAD a passion for flowers, with most homes having "flower gardens". Although these gardens were mainly a hobby and a means of beautifying one's home, some of the larger gardens supplied flowers to Women's Self-Help, a co-operative founded a century ago by a group of well-off women to provide less fortunate women with an outlet for their flowers, needlework and other craft, as well as home-made preserves.

Read full article at the Barbados Nation News

The business of travel is an extremely competitive market. Travelers are looking for new locations and adventures, and those of us in the travel industry are constantly looking to improve our competitive advantage with new technologies, niche markets and speciality travel packages.

While the islands of the Caribbean are obviously known for sun, sea, sand and romance - marketing the regions other attributes such as historical artifacts and buildings is often overlooked.   

I stopped by Living in Barbados blog, and read the posting "Let's hear it for heritage tourism", and read the following:

As Caribbean countries strive to find new products to market, other than sun, sea, sand, and romance, I hope that they will give serious thought and support to exploiting the rich history that exists in the region.

Professor Henry Fraser (Dean of the School of Clinical Medicine and Research, UWI, and former president of the Barbados National Trust) wrote in The Nation on June 17, 2007 about heritage tourism.

His focus was on the "...wealth of fine buildings throughout the island exemplifying the highest order in architectural design and building craftsmanship" and making the clear argument that preservation of buildings could offer economic gains.

He lists seven wonders of Barbados, which include St Nicholas Abbey, The Historic Garrison complex (including George Washington House), Sunbury Plantation House, The Jewish Synagogue, Tyrol Cot and its Heritage Village, The Morgan Lewis Mill and Gun Hill Signal Station (pictured here).

Read entire article at Living in Barbados Blog

Barbados Mount Gay Rum is said to be the "oldest rum in the world", and its history dates back to 1663.

Mount Gay continues to be internationally known, and recently the EU (European Union) provided part of the funding ($4.2 million), of the approximate $14.2 million to build a larger facility.

Previously the blending and ageing was done in two locations around the island, but the new facility in the parish of St Lucy brings the rum refining, storage, ageing and blending under one roof.

The Mount Gay Rum Tour is always a favorite attraction with Barbados clients and visitors alike.

Yesterday was Emancipation Day on the island of Barbados. Emancipation Day is celebrated annually on the 1 of August in recognition of the abolition of slavery.

The island's slave revolt was led in 1816 by a man named "Bussa", and on the island there is a statue of him which stands on the Emancipation Roundabout in the parish of St. Michael. Each year the emancipation ceremony is held at this location with parades, speeches and performances.

As you enter the roundabout, the figure of "Bussa" stands tall, with his chains broken and arms held high. I can remember years ago when I asked the driver to stop so I could get a picture of "Bussa". I nearly got run over trying to get a closer look at this impressive national hero.

"Bussa" led the well planned revolt in 1816 with 400 freedom fighters by his side. Although he was killed, the fight for freedom continued in his name.

Karl Broodhagen, a Barbadian sculptor, created the figure of the national hero. The statue was unveiled in 1985, and serves as a constant reminder of the infamous slave leader.

Bajan born Rihanna continues to top the Billboard Charts at the number one spot for the 7th week in a row. Some of the folks back home in Barbados don't like her new image, but we are not "hating" at My Barbados Blog!

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Caribbean Beat Blog says that Brooklyn sometimes feels like it is part of the Caribbean. In part because of the many Caribbean immigrants that call it home, in part because of its Carnival.

The Brooklyn Museum is hosting an exhibition of Contemporary Caribbean Art from August 31 to January 27, 2008.

On show will be nearly 80 works in a wide range of media, created in the past six years by 45 emerging and established artists with ties to 14 Caribbean nations, including Barbados. 

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Shane Brathwaite - World Champion Gold Medal Winner

Barbados Free Press congratulates Shane Brathwaite - Gold Medal Winner, and we also send wholehearted congratulations - carry on to the Olympics! Read more about Shane at the Free Press.

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Barbados Restaurant Blog - Says that Danar serves good local food and the bar is well stocked. It is a great opportunity to try such local delicacies as black pudding, souse and coucou. There are daily specials too. Tasty food and generous portions. Check out other restaurant reviews.

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Barbados Hash Harriers - Run 1258

Saturday, July 14th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Location: Windsor Plantation, St. George
Hares: George "Running Man"
Signs Posted From: Bussa Roundabout, ABC Highway.
- Bring your own Meat, Mugs, Money - 

The Barbados Hash House Harriers was founded in November of 1985. Although we are a group primarily focused on running and walking events, we also promote charitable projects for the less fortunate. Boasting over 100 regulars, we meet every Saturday and Bank holiday at different locations throughout our beautiful island of Barbados. All are welcome to join us, just show up to run or walk, and to socialize... On On!

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Kathleen Springer writes Travel Q & A for the Washington Post and the current subject is "An Eye Out for Hurricanes"
She says "Even in a worst-case scenario in which, say, you took 50 one-week vacations to Puerto Rico (relatively hurricane-prone) in September (the busiest month for storms), you would probably get hit only once. In short says Chris Landsea, of the National Hurricane Center, "if I got a chance to go to Barbados or Jamaica in September, I'd go." I could not agree more! - Read the full article at Washington Post

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Pink Sand & Cocktails posting at travelblog

After posting a few bars of Rihanna's hit "Umbrella", blogger "Adventures in the West Indies" concludes that Barbados was a nice dose of civilization with fantastic restaurants and beautiful beaches - especially Crane Beach.

Enjoy a night of classical chamber music in Barbados . . .

Chamber Music with Harmonia Ensemble
 
Viktoria Frei-Mehnert - Piano
Dr. Christopher Atherley - Clarinet
Dr. Gernot Mehnert - Violin/Viola
 
Saturday, July 21st, 2007 - 8:00 p.m.
 
Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination
UWI Cave Hill Campus, St. Michael
 
Music by J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, C.M. v. Weber, C. Reissiger, F. Kreisler, A. Dvorak, R. Schumann
 
Tickets - Adults  40.00 - Students 20.00
C.S. Pharmacy Broad Street Tel. 427 2047
UWI Bookshop Tel. 417 4515 and Tel. 422 0254

Promoters are calling it "The Biggest Soca Event for the Summer". The 5th Annual International Soca Awards will be held at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts “Walt Whitman Theater” on September 2, 2007. Ticket prices are ranging from $45 to $55 US.

Barbados will definitely be representing with top Bajan artists nominated in many of the top categories.

The undisputed "Queen of Soca" Alison Hinds is nominated for Female Soca Performer of the Year, Overall Female Soca Artist of the Year, and Favorite Groove Soca Female.

Biggie Irie & Peter Ram have been nominated in 6 categories, Barry Chandler of Jabae fame has 5 nominations, and Edwin Yearwood has 4 category nominations. 

The Red Hot Boys have a good chance of winning Soca Producer of the Year with hits Nah Going Home, Woman by My Side and Hot Like Fyah, and they are also nominated for Best Soca Compilation CD of the Year.

Barbados is sure to win with Jabae, Biggie Irie, Peter Ram and Edwin Yearwood's collaboration with popular artists from Trinidad and Jamaica. 

Barbados Artists and Category Nominations:

Best New Male Soca Artist - Barry Chandler, Biggie, and Peter Ram
Male Soca Vocalist of the Year - Biggie Irie, Edwin Yearwood
Female Soca Performer of the Year - Alison Hinds 
Male Soca Performer of the Year - Barry Chandler, Biggie Irie, Edwin Yearwood
Soca Song of the Year - Biggie Irie for "Nah Goin Home", and Peter Ram for "Woman by My Side"
Overall Female Soca Artist of the Year - Alison Hinds
Overall Male Soca Artist of the Year - Edwin Yearwood
Best Soca Compilation Album/CD of the Year - Red Hot Boys
Favorite Groove Soca Female - Alison Hinds
Favorite Groove Soca Male - Biggie Irie, Peter Ram
Favorite Up-tempo Soca Male - Barry Chandler
Soca Song Writer of the Year - Edwin Yearwood
Veteran Brake through Artist of the Year - Grynner "Mash Dem Up"
Best Raga Soca Collaboration- Malcom X, Styles P & Ramesses - "Wine Down Low"
Soca Producer of the Year- De Red Boyz for Nah Going Home, Woman by My Side, and Hot Like Fyah
Best Soca Music Video of the Year - Peter Ram - Woman by My Side
Overall Soca Band of the Year - Jabae
Favorite “Soca” Online Radio - www.radiobajan.com

Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration
Jabae (Barbados) & Destra (Trinidad) - Flames Remix
Biggie Irie (Barbados) & Maximus Dan (Trinidad) - Nah Going Home Remix
Peter Ram (Barbados) & Sherwin Winchester (Trinidad) - Woman by My Side
Peter Ram (Barbados) & Vybz Kartel (Jamaica) - Woman by My Side
Edwin Yearwood (Barbados) & Shurwayne Winchester (Trinidad) - We Ready To Go

New York dominates the nominations for the USA Female & Male Soca Artists of the Year

USA Female Soca Artists: Augusta - Never Die (NY), Lisa Toney - Waistline (Boston), Natasha Wilson - Give It to Me (NY), Delia - Girlfriend (NY), and Mauricia Pascal - Aggressive (NY)
USA Male Soca Artists: Jason Benn – Summertime (NY), Lyrikal - One Quickie (NY), Postman - Horning Carnival (NY), Ragga - Revelazz (NY), Trinity - Wine with You (NY)

View all the nominations for the 2007 International Soca Awards

Every Caribbean island has a Carnival, and on the island of  Barbados the Celebration is "Crop Over"

Each year Barbados celebrates the end of the sugar cane season for another year with a series of events from May until the beginning of August.

This tradition was started by the African slaves to mark the end of their hard labour cutting sugar cane, and they celebrated with song and dance, not much has changed and Barbados parties long and hard with lots of events focussed on music and dancing.

Visit Totally Barbados for the 2007 Crop Over Schedule of Events