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Featuring award winning films…
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The 2015 Digicel NIFCA Performing Arts Music Final
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The 2015 Scotiabank NIFCA Performing Arts Dance Final
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The 2015 Digicel NIFCA Performing Arts Theatre Final
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The 2015 Goddard Enterprises NIFCA Literary Arts Gala
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Official Opening of the NIFCA Exhibitions
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Three-Course Weekend Delights
2015 Professional Chef Cook-Off winner Trevon Stoute
The usual sporting complex of the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium was transformed into a culinary arena and marketplace last weekend, November 13-15, 2015 when the Roberts sponsored event in association with Caribbean Cuizine tagged a Three-Course Weekend, got underway.
This rebranded arena and marketplace gave the public an entire weekend to interact with some of the best emerging Chefs and Culinary Entrepreneurs on the NIFCA Culinary landscape. It also emitted tantalising aromas and offered treats to tempt the public’s taste buds from a variety of award-winning NIFCA 2015 exhibitors, with their array of 100% locally produced products on sale, especially those from the Culinary Arts discipline. Also available in the exhibition space was product sampling from sponsors, along with fresh fruits and vegetables for purchase in the Farmer’s Market.
2015 Best Bajan Cook winner Kerry-Ann Walters
The appetizer in the first course on Friday, November 13 focussed mainly on schools during the morning sessions. The students in attendance sat in on Workshops giving tips on knife skills facilitated by Chef Glenroy Alleyne and the teaching of the rudiments of making unique ice creams like the sweet potato flavour on offer from Marion Hart (MBE). In the latter part of the evening the Mixologists stirred it up in a battle for bragging rights where Ryan Adamson walked away with The Dining Club Group of Companies Award for the most outstanding professional in the Bartending Competition, $1000 cash and a trophy.
For the Entrée on the second day, Saturday November 14, the Three-Course Weekend served up a Celebrity Showcase with appearances from a variety of persons across the
Filmmaker and Director of the Praise Academy of Dance, Marcia Weekes, won the popularity vote in the 2015 Celebrity Showcase.
diplomatic, business, broadcast and cultural communities, along with the semifinals of the Professional Chef Cook-off and the Best Bajan Cook. In the Celebrity Showcase the ‘wannabe’ chefs invited, put their flair on some interesting and exciting dishes for patrons to enjoy. In this fun component, Marcia Weekes, Filmmaker and also Director of the Praise Academy of Dance, took the most popularity votes for her Honey Ginger Chicken, followed by Her Excellency Wang Ke, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados, with an array of Chinese delicacies and the 2015 Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso Monarch, William ‘Classic’ Waithe with his dish Something’s Fishy.
The “Kitchen Heat Stadium” was ablaze with a heated semifinal between the Professional Chefs that saw two finalists Trevon Stoute and Nathan Crichlow advancing and a nail-biting race between the Best Bajan Cook contestants that took Susan Taylor, Jamelia DePeiza, Kerry-Ann Walters and Kerry-Ann Johnson into the final round.
The Roberts NIFCA Culinary Arts Arena & Marketplace in association with Caribbean Cuizine came to a close with a delectable Dessert course on Sunday, November 15 which included Chef Edey’s sumptuous Feast and the finals of both competitions where Professional Chef, Trevon Stoute and Best Bajan Cook Kerry-Ann Walters, a returning participant who placed second in last year’s competition, emerged the winners.
Winning Mixologist Ryan Adamson stirring it up in the Roberts NIFCA Culinary Arts Arena & Marketplace in association with Caribbean Cuizine
As well as her gold medal, Best Bajan Cook winner Kerry-Ann Walters nabbed The Enid Maxwell Award with a $2000 cash prize and a trophy presented for the most outstanding gold awarded entry scoring 95% or higher along with a trip to New York compliments Jet Blue.
In addition to the main sponsors Roberts Manufacturing and Caribbean Cuizine, this Three-Course Weekend was also supported by the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), Farmer’s Choice, Island Ice, the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) and Divi Southwinds.
Last year, the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) revamped the traditional NIFCA Culinary Arts showcase to put Culinary Arts under the spotlight and to creatively enhance the profile of the discipline.
Chef Glenroy Alleyne giving the students tips on Knife Skills in one of the appetizer workshops.
2015 ROBERTS NIFCA CULINARY ARTS AWARDS AT A GLANCE:
CELEBRITY SHOWCASE – PEOPLE’S CHOICE VOTE
1. Marcia Weekes, Filmmaker and Director of the Praise Academy of Dance – Honey Ginger Chicken
2. Her Excellency Wang Ke, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados – Spring Rolls, Shrimp Dumplings, Egg Tarts, Sweetened Bean Paste Cake, Chinese Jasmine Tea and Green Tea
3. William ‘Classic’ Waithe, Pic-O-De-Crop 2015 Calypso Monarch – Something’s Fishy
1. Marcia Weekes, Filmmaker and Director of the Praise Academy of Dance – Honey Ginger Chicken
2. Her Excellency Wang Ke, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados – Spring Rolls, Shrimp Dumplings, Egg Tarts, Sweetened Bean Paste Cake, Chinese Jasmine Tea and Green Tea
3. William ‘Classic’ Waithe, Pic-O-De-Crop 2015 Calypso Monarch – Something’s Fishy
MIXOLOGY COMPETITION
Winner – Ryan Adamson of Mount Gay
The Dining Club Group of Companies Award for the most outstanding professional in the Bartending Competition, $1000 cash and a trophy.
Winner – Ryan Adamson of Mount Gay
The Dining Club Group of Companies Award for the most outstanding professional in the Bartending Competition, $1000 cash and a trophy.
PROFESSIONAL CHEF COOK-OFF
Gold Award Winner – Trevon Stoute
Gold Award Winner – Trevon Stoute
Marion Hart (MBE) taking the students through the rudiments of ice cream making at another one of the workshop held on Friday, November 13.
BEST BAJAN COOK COMPETITION
1. Kerry-Ann Walters, Returnee, second place in 2104 – The Enid Maxwell Award with a $2000 cash prize and a trophy presented for the most outstanding gold awarded entry scoring 95% or higher along with a trip to New York compliments Jet Blue.
2. Susan Taylor – Account topped up $1000 cash compliments the Barbados Public Workers Credit Union.
3. Kerry-Ann Johnson – $500 Shopping Voucher from SkyMall
4. Jamelia DePeiza – Lunch for two for 5 days at any of the Dining Club locations
1. Kerry-Ann Walters, Returnee, second place in 2104 – The Enid Maxwell Award with a $2000 cash prize and a trophy presented for the most outstanding gold awarded entry scoring 95% or higher along with a trip to New York compliments Jet Blue.
2. Susan Taylor – Account topped up $1000 cash compliments the Barbados Public Workers Credit Union.
3. Kerry-Ann Johnson – $500 Shopping Voucher from SkyMall
4. Jamelia DePeiza – Lunch for two for 5 days at any of the Dining Club locations
A special award went to Kerry-Ann Johnson for the best use of the Olive Oil Spread. Kerry-Ann will receive a hamper from sponsor – Roberts Manufacturing.
PRIME MINISTER’S AWARD FOR ORIGINALITY
– Nomination: Nesting Turtle Shanese Phoenix
– Nomination: Nesting Turtle Shanese Phoenix
The winning plate for Professional Chef Trevon Stoute.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AWARD
– Nesting Turtle Shanese Phoenix
– Nesting Turtle Shanese Phoenix
HISTORIC BRIDGETOWN AND ITS GARRISON
– Nomination: The Ellerton Primary SchoolBEST BOOTH DISPLAY
– Mars Yearwood
– Nomination: The Ellerton Primary SchoolBEST BOOTH DISPLAY
– Mars Yearwood
INCENTIVE AWARDS
The Belmont Primary School
Cornmeal CouCou with Honey and Seasoned Salt Fish Sauce
Cornmeal CouCou with Honey and Seasoned Salt Fish Sauce
The Blackman and Gollop Primary School
Green Monkey Cassava Cake
Green Monkey Cassava Cake
The Best Bajan Cook winning dish.
Harrison College
Breadfruit Au Gratin
The Ellerton Primary School
Green Banana Dumpling
Green Banana Dumpling
Best School Booth
The Ellerton Primary School
The Ellerton Primary School
NON-PROFESSIONAL INCENTIVE AWARDS
– Bernice Chase – Good work in Preserves/Batters and Doughs/Beverages
– Lisa Wall – Good work in Cheesecakes
– Leroy Barrow – Good work in Liqueurs
– Audrey Watson – Good work in Preserves
– Craig Haniff – Good work in Beverages
– Lisa Wall – Good work in Cheesecakes
– Leroy Barrow – Good work in Liqueurs
– Audrey Watson – Good work in Preserves
– Craig Haniff – Good work in Beverages
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NIFCA 2015 Visual Arts & Photography Exhibitions
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Roberts NIFCA Culinary Arts Arena & Marketplace
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2015 NIFCA Performing Arts Gala
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The Classical Best of Youth featuring the World Doctors Orchestra
Dr. Stefan Willich, Conductor, World Doctors Orchestra receiving a gift from President of the Rotary Club of Barbados South, John Williams.
When the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) was approached by internationally acclaimed artist Jeanine De Bique, about the possibility of hosting the prestigious, renowned World Doctors Orchestra (WDO) in Barbados, the Foundation readily accepted. Recognising the benefits not only in terms of the contribution to the Paediatric Care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), but also in terms of its impact on Barbados’ Cultural Tourism product – bringing over 100 visitors to the island to perform at and attend the event.
Tenor, Andre Hoyte being presented by sponsor Managing Director, the Royal Shop, Mr. Thani. Andre Hoyte was one of the local acts performing on the show.
The NCF’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Cranston Browne, Chief Cultural Officer, Mrs. Andrea Wells and other members of the team then met with the Rotary Club of Barbados South to enlist their involvement and this is how the concert evolved. As a team it was felt that it would have been a natural fit because of the existing relationship with the Rotary Club of Barbados South through their production of the Classical Best of Youth Concert, of which the Barbados National Youth Symphony Orchestra (BNYSO) that falls under the purview of the NCF, is a prominent feature.
![Amanda Fields & Renee Newsam]()
Local vocalist on the cards Amanda Fields was all smiles receiving a gift from Account Director, Blueprint Creative Inc., Renee Newsam.
The Foundation is proud to have collaborated with the Rotary Club of Barbados South in facilitating the visit of the prestigious World Doctors Orchestra. This is the first time that the Orchestra would have performed in the Caribbean Region.
From the NCF’s perspective, the development and preservation of Barbados’ culture and heritage is at the core of its mandates and as the agency with responsibility for the BNYSO, the Foundation saw this experience as an invaluable opportunity to enhance the growth and development of the members of the Youth Orchestra. It bodes well for the developmental goals set by the NCF for the Youth Orchestra.
Members of the World Doctors Orchestra performed as a part of the Barbados National Youth Symphony Orchestra and vice versa, and it is hoped that among other things this experience has inspired our young musicians in a continued drive for excellence.
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On a journey to a contemporary festival brand
Reminiscent of days past…
Excerpts from the feature address delivered by the Honourable Stephen Lashley, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth on the occasion of the Crop Over Sponsors’ Launch at Ilaro Court on Friday, January 15, 2016.
This year’s Crop Over Festival will be significant for a number of reasons – it is expected to form part of Barbados’ year-long celebratory journey in honour of our golden jubilee of Independence; it will be a time to mark another milestone on our cultural landscape, in recognition of our inclusion on that prestigious list of unique and diverse sites designated as having outstanding universal value, when Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List of Properties some five years ago; and lastly we will commemorate a pivotal moment in our history which first charted our course to the freedoms we enjoy today…the 200th anniversary of the Bussa Rebellion.
In this now maturing Free State, our dialogue will be around legacy building – what will we leave for generations to follow in the next 50 years, be it culturally, socially or economically. It is clear that any discussions on redefining this new Barbados must have a focus on our cultural identity and carving out our fit, not just locally, but also in this magnificent global space.
The dancers in celebration of……All Ah We!
It will be a discourse reminiscent of our history and the tapestry of our cultural heritage bequeathed to us by our great forefathers, ever cognizant of preserving those important traditions that we will take with us on that new path towards a contemporary Barbados.
In that analysis of our cultural landscape, our major Festivals of which Crop Over plays a substantial role, will also be thrust under the microscope with the intention of looking at its evolution and those traditions which we will safeguard.
Any meaningful contributions to that discussion must consider our competitions and their role in the development of the Calypso art form; the representation of Folk within the festival that will continue to keep it relevant to younger generations; the serious discourse about culture at the core of our tourism product, focusing, for example, on our heritage package offerings to ensure that we can maintain our distinguished designation; and of course that age old discussion on the elements of masquerade – solidifying the differences between the Foreday Morning Jam and Grand Kadooment, in addition to challenging the creative geniuses of our expanding Foreday Mornin’ product to innovate and re-present our Folklore.
On the retention of our competitions, speculations have been rampant on the direction for this. The NCF has floated a number of ideas for Pic-O-De-Crop specifically and consultations will be held in earnest with the relevant stakeholders to ensure its continued growth. As the adage goes, change is the only constant and on any product lifecycle, a mature product will at some point go through a metamorphosis to prevent stagnation. The Pic-O-De-Crop competition, as one of the signature or iconic events of the Festival is also key, we believe, to the development of the Calypso art form and so you can be assured of our commitment to any exchange of ideas that will take this product on a new direction for development. For 2016 however, we will have a Pic-O-De-Crop semifinal, with two songs being performed, but this time at a new venue – Kensington Oval. The Garfield Field Sobers Gymnasium complex is scheduled for renovations and so this year, the Pic-O-De-Crop semis and final and for the first time the Junior Calypso Monarch Final will be held at Kensington Oval.
When it comes to the representation of Folk within the festival, some pundits believe that we should continue in the footsteps of iconic groups with strict musical productions. There are also opposing arguments to suggest that the way to keep it relevant to the younger generation is to infuse the genre of Folk into more theatrical presentations. In more recent years the NCF has seen a shift in the demographic in attendance at the Evening of Folk theatre-centric events, but again we are open to more dialogue on the topic of the importance of the survival of our Folk genre when its guardians are long gone.
With sun, sea and sand as features in other ‘exotic’ locations, or major events and archaeological attractions as options for the tourist dollar, we will continue to steer towards a Cultural/Festival tourism product recognising the value of our heritage designation and our festival brand Crop Over.
And as the focus is on the development of a festival tourism product that pits Crop Over at its helm, being able to keep it fresh and unique with varying interests categorised as festivals within a festival, will separate us from competing products defined only as carnivals, not only in the region, but across the globe.
For Grand Kadooment 2016, the status quo of the first Monday in August remains and the Emancipation celebrations are planned for that same day. The NCF’s lineup on the official calendar for the final weekend will therefore include a signature event in recognition of the 50th Anniversary called Monarchs of the Mas’ which will take place on Sunday, July 31st at Kensington Oval. We will move right into the Emancipation celebrations and Grand Kadooment on Monday, and with the additional holiday, we will also gain an extra day for Bridgetown Market on Tuesday.
In recognition of our 50th Anniversary, discussions are in train to incentivize our Calysonians and Designers to compose songs and produce costumes that reflect on our country’s golden jubilee milestone. These incentives/prizes will be announced later in the season when the rules and regulations have been communicated.
To our valued partners and potential partners, as always your commitment to the development of our cultural and creative industries will not only allow us to be strict guardians of our heritage for our citizens young and old, but also to continue to re-imagine and innovate this world class festival on a level that will take your brands to a global audience.
We appreciate your continued commitment to the Festival even when faced with challenges of reducing budgets. The mainstay of this sponsorship has been through the support of a committed few, but I maintain that many benefit from the Crop Over Festival.
In this 50th year of independence, we hope that more will see the significance of growing our Festival brand and will join our family of valued sponsors on a mission to carry Crop Over on the path to a new direction which, like the course for the country on the whole, will focus on the retention and sustainability of the best from our cultural traditions while taking us on that journey to the contemporary Barbados Crop Over Festival.
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Crop Over 2016 – June 25 to August 2
The official 2016 Barbados Crop Over Festival Calendar…
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Read-In! Stage 2016 Play Writing Incubator
The NCF in association with the Barbados Museum present The Fundamentals of Playwriting. 
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Audition Notice – From Bussa to Barrow and Beyond
Looking to fill a number of roles in this 50th Anniversary of Independence production.
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Tender for NCF Events
Tender notice for the provision of event services.
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Crop Over 2016 Private Promoters…
The National Cultural Foundation is inviting Crop Over Promoters to have their events included in our printed Crop Over events list, as well as published on our website and social media. Interested persons are asked to submit their information including the event names, dates, times and locations, along with their contact details to the National Cultural Foundation at thencfbarbados@gmail.com by Friday March 18, 2016.
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Exec. Producer NCF and Entertainers Launch CD
Responding to questions at the CD launch for the remake of the song ‘Barbados My Island of Dreams’ – (r to l) Cranston Browne, CEO, National Cultural Foundation; members of the trio, entertainers Smokey Burke and Colin Spencer; and NCF Corporate Communications Specialist, Simone Codrington. Missing is entertainer Ian Webster, who was unable to attend.
Around noon today, Friday March 11, executive producer, the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and entertainers Smokey Burke and Colin Spencer launched their remake of the song ‘Barbados My Island of Dreams,’ against the backdrop of the beautiful seascape at Tiami Dockside on the Shallow Draught. Ian Webster who is also a part of the trio performing the song was unable to attend.
Barbados My Island of Dreams was originally recorded by June Knight-Inniss, who holds the copyright to the song. However, an excellent arrangement from well-known Producer, Ricky Brathwaite and new harmonies from this trio has given an extended life to another one of our iconic masterpieces.
For the big kick off of the 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations back on January 6, the ask of the artistes performing was to add their own flair to the iconic Barbadian songs on the cards for the evening. The trio – Smokey, Spencer and Webster – lent their voices to the production with three songs and a medley, the first of which, ‘Barbados My Island of Dreams’, caught the attention of many and the suggestion was made to record it.
In commenting on the NCF’s involvement, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Cranston Browne remarked, “As a strict guardian of our heritage, the Foundation has as one of its key mandates the development of new ways to revive interest in what is uniquely ours for generations to come. I would love to see our young musicians sampling from the icons of the past and creating fusions with genres like Spouge.”
Mr. Browne made a call to the deejays and radio personalities for regular airplay of all genres of local music, outside of the Crop Over and Independence seasons and not just in the Soca and Calypso art forms. They are a number of recorded local artistes that can be featured on the airwaves and we should make a more consistent effort to do so, he added.
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Junior Monarch Workshop 2016
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ArtsEtc NIFCA Winning Words
$30 Bds – For every kind of literary enthusiast. Winning words embraces the speculative and the realistic, the tragic and the silly, from these shores to beyond.
$30 Bds – This 2011/2012 volume features the work of 25 new, emerging and established writers.
Winning Words lives up to its name! Some excellent writing that makes for great reading with stories that you just can’t forget.
Pick up your ArtsEtc NIFCA Winning Words Anthology at the affordable price of $30 Bds, from the National Cultural Foundation, Chattel House Books, Days Book Store and The Barbados Museum & Historical Society Gift Shop. The Winning Words Anthology series is produced from winning works entered in the Goddard Enterprises NIFCA Literary Arts Competition and has been a part of the Tradition of Excellence since 1999.
Winning Words makes an excellent gift for all lovers of literature…
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