Set on the grounds of the Golden Grove Plantation, the theatrical presentation  “From Bussa to Barrow and Beyond” re-imagines the making of a nation, employing excerpts from some of our most prolific and accomplished writers, along with some of our emerging poets, such as Sir Hilary Beckles, Dr. George Lamming, Dr. Kamau Brathwaite, Dr. Anthony Kellman, Winston Farrell, Nailah Imoja and Damian Reid. With inspiration from the tradition of Service of Song, these elements are weaved together to create a tapestry of moments that embody the communal ethos of both historic and contemporary Barbados.

In this Sonia Williams written and directed piece, we celebrate both the bicentennial of the Bussa Rebellion and the 50^th Anniversary of Barbados’ Independence, using a cutting edge team of creative and performance artists to bring a visually exciting, visceral performance. The story will take the audience back to the root of the formation of modern Barbados, from the experience of the enslaved and their struggle for liberation, along the route the people took to emancipate themselves physically, mentally and politically.

Don’t miss this riveting performance on Saturday April 16th, 2016 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Golden Grove plantation.

(Please note: Tickets will be available from April 1st 2016.)

Musical Artists, Steel Bands, Tuk Bands and Popular Bands interested in participating in the Crop Over 2016 and 2017 Festivals and CARIFESTA 2017 are invited to register with the National Cultural Foundation by April 30th 2016.

Interested parties should submit a short bio accompanied by Name, Stage Name, Mailing Address, Telephone Number and Email Address to the attention of:

Mr. Ronald Davis
Cultural Officer – Music,
National Cultural Foundation,
West Terrace,
St. James.

Submissions may be sent via email to Ronald-davis@ncf.bb and Kristina-best@ncf.bb.

For further information contact 417-6627 or 417-6645.

The highly anticipated “From Bussa to Barrow and Beyond” is currently at the height of its hectic rehearsal schedule with both cast and crew undergoing many nights of intense effort to ensure that the April 16th performance will never be forgotten.

The historical piece, devised and directed by Sonia Williams, is set to take the audience into the throes of the formative and defining moments of our nation’s history. With an innovative outdoor set, the production will re-imagine our history as the entirely local cast get in touch with the words and feelings of their ancestors to deliver a powerful, visceral performance at the Historic Golden Grove plantation in St. Phillip.

Golden Grove is the place where the 1816 Rebellion, which can be said to have forever changed the course of this island’s history, came to a tragic end. According to local lore, Bussa, the revolutionary leader whose body was never found, was shot at the back gate of Golden Grove Plantation. “When you arrive at Golden Grove to see the show, you will pass through the very gate where it is claimed that Bussa may have lost his life in the pursuit of freedom and justice,” stated National Cultural Foundation’s Alison Sealy-Smith, producer of the show.

The show is named for two of our National Heroes who were influential in our fight for freedom and Independence  – The Rt Excellent Bussa and The Rt Excellent Errol Walton Barrow.

Kenneth “Jack” Lewis

Playing the role of Bussa is Kenneth “Jack” Lewis, a multi-talented actor, dancer, drummer, choreographer, teacher and poet/writer, who has been performing for several  years. Known more recently for his roles in “The Redemption of Sister Dinah” (2006/2007), “Sobie” (2007), “A Monument for Moses” (2009) and “House of Landship” (2013), Jack has traveled the Caribbean, North America and Africa with his performances.

Angelo Lascelles

Cast as the eloquent Barrow is the young actor Angelo Lascelles who has been active since 2006 with roles in  ‘House of Landship’ (2013), ‘No Country for a White Hero’ (2014), ‘How Hard the Times (2014), and ‘Sounds of Resistance (2015).

These two bring a unique authenticity to the roles as the performance seeks to immerse the audience into the experiences of our history, giving them a birds-eye view of the events of the 1816 rebellion as well as the political happenings in the lead up to the 1966 Independence. Many others would have also played pivotal roles in this 150-year span depicted in the piece, and these characters are neatly woven into the story.

The theatrical presentation incorporates excerpts from some of our most prolific and accomplished writers, along with some of our emerging poets, such as Sir Hilary Beckles, Dr. George Lamming, Dr. Kamau Brathwaite, Dr. Anthony Kellman, Winston Farrell, Nailah Imoja and Damian Reid. Bringing these words to life is a massive cast of 38 including Carolyn Brathwaite, Rashida Harding, Janelle Mitchell, Renelde Headley, Kim Weekes, Jennifer Sealy, Olivia Hall, Jack Lewis, Levi King, John Walcott, Philip Eno, Angelo Lascelles, Matthew Murrell, Dyrstra Browne, Jamal Weekes, Tai Lynch, Rickardo Reid, and a guest appearance by singer Marissa Lindsay. It features seven musicians and two back-up singers under the musical direction of Dr. Stefan Walcott and 10 members of the Dancin’ Africa Company who shine in the exciting choreographies of Aisha Comissiong.

The producer added, “All who come to this show will be in for a rich, tasty one-of-a-kind treat as we invite you to be a witness to history, enter the ritual and feel the power!”

Here’s a map highlighting Golden Grove Great House – the venue for the theatrical performance of “From Bussa to Barrow and Beyond” on April 16th, 2016 –

The Fresh Milk Art Platform and the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) are pleased to share an open call for their first collaborative Emerging Directors Residency 2016. This exciting new partnership is a paid artist residency for early career theatre directors, which will provide them with an opportunity to conduct much needed research into Caribbean theatre heritage and to explore and create through theatre form and style.

Two residencies will be offered, for two emerging Barbadian directors who will receive a stipend of $1,000.00 BBD each. Each residency, which will be based at the Fresh Milk studio in Walkers, St. George, will run for a 50 hour period which the resident must complete over two weeks. There are two fortnightly timeframes scheduled between May 23 – June 3 or June 6 – June 17, and each candidate may choose which time frame is suitable for them. The deadline for applications will be April 29, 2016.

Residents will be mentored over the course of the programme by a noted Barbadian/Caribbean Director and, at the close of the period, each will present, by way of a small showcase with actors, aspects of the work they have been exploring.

Rationale:
Residency programmes afford professionals time and space away from the demands of daily work life to carry out much needed professional development. Outside of traditional longer term training, a paid residency allows artists time, however short, for contemplative study and exploration. In the Barbadian context, there is much focus on the training of performers, however there are considerably fewer opportunities for those theatre artists with a special interest in directing to hone and develop their skills. Highly skilled, culturally aware and visionary directors are needed, as we move nationally to advance our cultural industries sector, and to enrich the quality of small and large scale staged events, whether drama, music, dance, or indeed multimedia events.
Greater awareness of Barbadian/Caribbean theatre form and style will serve to enhance the ideological and interpretive output of those up and coming directors on the local theatre scene, and equip them to create work that consciously and profoundly engages with Barbadian tradition. ‘Emerging Directors Residency’ offers an opportunity to design and apply staging concepts for ‘alternative spaces’, i.e. the “site-specific”, and otherwise environmental concept. It offers mentorship, access to archival material, and affords time for creativity.

Objectives:
– Partner with local and regional arts platforms to offer developmental opportunities for artists;
– Provide a forum for emerging directors to research their craft through mentorship, and through access to documented and archived material;
– Provide emerging directors with a secure and rigorous environment for practice, and the resources with which he or she may develop emerging work, and/or experiment with new ideas;
– Provide opportunities for actors to work with emerging directors in a developmental and experimental workshop setting.

Eligibility:
The ideal candidate should be a trained Barbadian theatre artist, who has directed between 1 and 4 plays.

Duration of Programme:
1 Session per Resident: 50 hours to be undertaken over EITHER May 23 – June 3, 2016, OR June 6 – 17, 2016.

Application process:
Prospective candidates can apply with the completed application form (which includes a bio/artist statement and project proposal, and can be downloaded from the Fresh Milk or NCF websites), full CV and portfolio, to the National Cultural Foundation, Theatre Arts Office at the email address ncftheatrearts@gmail.com before midnight on Friday, April 29, 2016. They will be interviewed by a panel comprising NCF and Fresh Milk officials.

Successful candidates for the residency will be offered a stipend of $1,000.00. The resident is required to spend 50 hours at Fresh Milk in Walkers, St. George and should indicate a potential schedule of days and times they might be available during the interview process. The mentor will spend 10 hours in total with each resident over each 50 hour session. Each resident will have access to two actors for 15 hours to experiment and/or create work. At the end of each period, there will be a short showcase where the residents share aspects of the work they have been contemplating.

Expectations:
In addition to the 50 hours spent at Fresh Milk, each resident will be required to keep a weekly blog of text and images documenting their thoughts and processes which will be shared on the Fresh Milk website. At the close of the residency, each resident will also be required to submit a report according to Fresh Milk and the NCF’s guidelines.

 
Emerging Directors Residency – Application Form

The public is asked to note that the offices of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) will be closing at 3:00 p.m. on Monday April 25th, 2016 to allow Management & Staff to attend the funeral service of Mr. Leroy Boucher, former security officer of the NCF.

Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday April 26th, 2016.

The National Cultural Foundation will host a Crop Over Songwriters Workshop on Saturday May 7^th, 2016 at the Hilton Hotel, featuring Keynote Speaker: the eight-time Calypso Monarch of Trinidad and Tobago – Dr. Hollis ‘Chalkdust’ Liverpool.

This interactive workshop will also feature presentations from Historian Trevor Marshall and Senior Research Fellow at U.W.I. & former Pic-O-De Crop Judge Dr. Don Marshall. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion with prominent Barbadian calypso writers and music analysts.

All song writers are welcome to register for this workshop by May 6th, 2016*. For further information, please contact Ms. Karen Oliver – Festival Assistant at 417-6646.

Crop Over Songwriters Workshop Details

Date: Saturday May 7^th, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Hilton Hotel, Needhams Point, St. Michael
Cost : $50
Crop Over Song Writers Workshop Registration Form

*NB: Space in the workshop is limited, please register early to avoid disappointment.

The exciting, energetic Harrison College Steel Orchestra will also be one of the acts performing on this year’s FLOW/HOTT95.3 Mega Cavalcade stage.

It will be another mega affair as the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) arouses the spirit of the season at this year’s heavily anticipated FLOW/HOTT 95.3 Mega Cavalcade tagged ‘50 Years of All Ah We.’

As with all the official events to be produced by the NCF for the 2016 Crop Over Festival, the Mega Cavalcade, scheduled for Friday, May 20 at the Briar Hall Playing Field in Christ Church, will have a fifty focus in recognition of Barbados’ celebratory journey in honour of its golden jubilee of Independence.

The Cavalcades are a staple on the Crop Over calendar and for the public it is generally a signal that the season is here.  NCF, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Cranston Browne noted, “The Mega Cavalcade seeks to embody the spirit of Festival in one big stage show. From year-to-year it continues to provide emerging artistes and veterans alike with a platform to launch their new music to a massive audience representing a cross-section of the local populace; it is a showcase of our musical talent and also of the selection on offer from the participating Foreday Morning and Grand Kadooment bands.”

He added, “For our patrons it is about their enjoyment and the quality of the show, but we would be unable to achieve this without the support of our valued sponsors.  We are pleased to welcome HOTT 95.3 FM and FLOW back on board as the title sponsors for this event

There will be appearances from HOTT DJs. Last year, HOTT DJ personality Soca Superman Alvin Toppin rocked the Mega Cavalcade stage.

and also the technical service providers, our associate partners, who are again offering their services free of charge.”

Mr. Randy Eastmond, the NCF’s Producer of the event promised a solid entertainment package featuring HOTT deejays, new artistes, and other popular artistes and veterans in the industry like Biggie Irie, RPB, Verseewild, Stiffy, Leadpipe & Saddis, Mikey, Mistah Dale, Damian Marvay, King Bubba, Lil Rick, Hypasounds and the Sweet Soca and Party Monarchs Edwin Yearwood and Peter Ram, to mention a few.  The Nostalgia segment slated for the show is intended to give that fifty focus with a selection of songs that will take patrons down memory lane.

Performing and backing the artistes will be the Legend Band with Joaquin and Kirk Brown & the Energy Band featuring Imani and Sanctuary.

The FLOW/HOTT 95.3 Mega Cavalcade starts at 7:00 p.m. and is estimated to contine until midnight.  The NCF also has a pre-Cavalcade teaser hour planned for this Friday, May 13 at the Oistins Bay Garden from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. featuring some of the acts from this mega affair “50 Years of All Ah We.”

The public is advised that stall spaces for all Crop Over events on the official calendar of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) will be available for sale from the following dates.

Appointments will be made for long-standing vendors to purchase stall spaces on Monday May 30^th, Tuesday May 31^st, and Wednesday June 1^st, 2016.

All other interested vendors are invited to purchase stall spaces starting from Thursday June 2^nd, 2016.

Opening hours for the purchase of stall spaces are Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the NCF Headquarters, West Terrace, St. James.

Individuals wishing to improve their singing skills are invited to register for the National Cultural Foundation’s Voice Training Workshop. The workshop will run for a period of 18 weeks, beginning  on Thursday June 2^nd and continuing each Thursday until September 29^th, 2016 from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. at Harrison College, Crumpton Street, Bridgetown. The workshop will be facilitated by Ms. Norma Bowen.

Registration forms for the Voice Training Workshop are available from the National Cultural Foundation, West Terrace, St. James or online. For further information please contact the NCF’s Cultural Officer for Music – Mr. Ronald Davis at telephone numbers 417-6629 or 230-0629.

Great music always sparks a conga line.

‘We are ready for this mega affair!’ That’s the word from the West Terrace headquarters of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) as the countdown begins for the 2016 FLOW/HOTT 95.3 Mega Cavalcade, scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, May 20 at the Briar Hall Playing Field, Christ Church at 7:00 p.m.

Last week Friday’s teaser at the Oistins Bay Garden was an appetizer for both locals and visitors alike, giving them a taste of what’s on the menu at this Mega Cavalcade.

The usual Friday night unwind at Oistins came alive with performances from new artistes Stathis and Chenice along with seasoned entertainers Joaquin, Verseewild aka Dr. Versee and Damian Marvay, who are all on the cards for the event.

New artiste Stathis performing his ‘Anti Poser’ at the teaser launch.

The FLOW/HOTT 95.3 Mega Cavalcade lineup also includes performances from Rene King, Statement, Don Trent, Mistah Dale, Mikey, Stiffy, Leadpipe & Saddis, Biggie Irie, RPB, Lil Rick, King Bubba, Hypasounds, new artiste Rhea and the Sweet Soca and Party Monarchs Edwin Yearwood and Peter Ram.  Performing and backing the artistes will be the Lejend Band with Joaquin, as well as Kirk Brown & the Energy Band featuring Imani and Sanctuary.

Co-title sponsors FLOW and HOTT 95.3 FM have been supporting the event for many years.  FLOW through its predecessor Cable & Wireless has been involved in Crop Over and the Cavalcades specifically since the early 2000s, while HOTT 95.3 entered the arena a little later in 2011.

Chenice will be another one of the new artistes on stage at the Mega Cavalcade.

For the last two years the technical service providers have been joining with the NCF by donating their services to the event as their contribution to the festival.  This year service providers Quality Sound Inc., Sound Wave Audio Equipment Rentals, GKY Stage Lighting & Effects, A&R Electrical Services, ELLCO Rentals, S&R Rentals, Williams Equipment Ltd., and Realistic Ideas are giving back to the Festival by offering their services free of charge.  They are joined by other associate sponsors Boom Energy Drink, Banks Beer ‘Life Nice’, RMJ Agencies, Nicholls Bakery and Island Ice.

As part of a 3-year partnership between the NCF and the HIV/AIDS Commission, the Foundation has been supporting the efforts for HIV prevention by providing space at major mass event venues like the FLOW/HOTT 95.3 Mega Cavalcade affording them the opportunity to touch more people.  On Friday night, a team will be on hand at the Briar Hall Playing Field to facilitate onsite testing.

The NCF promises that tomorrow night’s Mega Cavalcade will be one big show with something for everyone to enjoy.  It’s all about community spirit at the Cavalcade, bringing people from all walks of life and points of Barbados into one cauldron of entertainment at Briar Hall.

Follow the trail of the Pic-O-De Crop Preliminaries:

Crop Over 2016 Tent Judging Dates

Check out the Calypso Tents’ Schedules:

All Stars

Dates:
June 11                                              June 18
June 25                                              July 3 (Judging) – *Plantation Garden Theatre
July 9                                                 July 16

Venue:
Solidarity House, BWU Harmony Hall*

Showtime:
8:00 p.m. each night

De Big Show

Dates:
June 18                                              June 25
July 2                                                 July 9 (Judging)
July 16                                               July 23

Venue:
The Sea Rocks Dome

Showtime:
8:00 p.m. each night

The Experience Calypso Tent

Dates:
June 9                                                  June 11
June 18                                                June 25
July 2                                                   June 29 (Judging) – *7:30 p.m.

Venue:
Ball Park Events & Entertainment Centre

Showtime:
7:00 p.m. each night*

Headliners

Dates:

June 5                                                   June 12
June 30 (Judging)

Venue:
Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre

Showtime:
7:00 p.m. each night

House of Soca

Dates:
June 5  – *7:00 p.m.                                June 11
June 18                                                    June 25
July 2                                                       July 4 (Judging)

Venue:
Derrick Smith School & Vocational Trust

Showtime:
8:00 p.m. each night*

Stray Cats

Dates:
June 24                                                     July 2  – *Glo Lounge
July 10 (Judging)                                       July 28 – *Pat’s Place

Venue:
Crane Beach Resort*

Showtime:
8:00 p.m. each night

Super Gladiators

Dates:
June 5                                                          June 12
June 19                                                        June 26
July 6

Venue:
The Roy Byer Center

Showtime:
8:00 p.m. each night

NB. African Heartbeat, Tornadoes and UnShackled Calypso Tents’ dates are to be announced.

Natalie Holder, Chief Executive Officer Ag., Barbados Public Workers Co-operative Credit Union Limited speaking at the press launch. This is their first year sponsoring the event.

Heritage lovers will have a chance to enjoy another aspect of our sweet stories as the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) unfolds the new “Bridgetown by Night: On the Road to Independence” Crop Over Heritage Walk in association with the Barbados Public Workers Co-operative Credit Union Limited and the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc.  Bridgetown by Night got an overhaul in its fourth edition with a new tour, telling new stories of the statesmen and women, and ordinary citizens who have contributed to the development of our country and this beautiful city of Bridgetown.  These are the words of Alison Sealy-Smith, Manager, Special Projects, NCF and Producer of the event spoken at the launch of the event held at Independence Square, today, Wednesday May 25th.

This unique heritage experience takes place on Sunday, June 5, 2016, starting from Cricket Legends on Fontabelle and ending at Independence Square with a fabulous finale in store, as well as local treats to enjoy before boarding the Transport Board buses that will shuttle patrons back to the parking facilities on Fontabelle.

There will be two tours, one at 6:00 p.m. and the other at 7:00 p.m., and Ms. Sealy-Smith confirmed that tickets are already on sale from TicketPal.com and from their physical outlets.  She cautioned that tickets to this event are known to go quickly, so they should purchase them today in order to avoid disappointment.

“Bridgetown by Night: On the Road to Independence” has been specially designed to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the designation of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison as a UNESCO World Heritage Property.

Alison Sealy-Smith, Manager, Special Projects, NCF and Producer of this year’s new Bridgetown by Night: On the Road to Independence Crop Over Heritage Walk in association with the Barbados Public Workers Co-operative Credit Union Limited giving an overview of the new tour.

This guided walking tour through Bridgetown will bring the past alive with historically accurate costuming and props, dancers, singers, actors and ‘living’ statues.  As the title suggests, this year’s tour also tells the story of the role our capital city has played in taking us on that journey from slavery to sovereign nationhood.

In detailing what patrons can expect on the walk, Ms. Sealy-Smith noted that many of the stories will be excitingly new, adding that attendees will meet characters like Captain Rumball, who gave his name to our most famous beverage; Joseph Rachell, Hannah Massiah and Deighton Mottley. They will be thrilled by the melodious sounds of the one and only Jackie Opel; they will witness the oratorical skills of the Right Excellent Clement Payne and walk on the road to Independence by the side of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow. The stories will be as diverse as they are entertaining, all of them focusing on Bridgetown as a vibrant hotbed of constantly evolving commercial and political activity and perhaps one of the most important stops on the road to Independence.

Remarking on the reasons behind the production of these types of events she continued, culture and heritage already constitute a strong selling point and a strategic focus in the continued quest to position Barbados as a leader in an increasingly competitive tourism market. Many destinations can boast of sea, sand and sun but none of them have our unique people and stories.  It is not only for this reason that the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has invested considerable resources in the conceptualisation and execution of world class ‘culturally enhanced’ heritage tours, but because the Foundation recognises that it is not just about learning information on our history and heritage that is important.  It also understands that key to preserving our cultural heritage is the provision of opportunities for Barbadians and visitors alike to feel and experience facets of the past that are central to the very identity and sense of communal belonging.

Ms. Sealy-Smith highlighted some of the key players in the production of this event saying, “This year’s night-time walking tour would not have been possible without people like Morris Greenidge, historian, writer and tour guide extraordinaire; the erudite and always entertaining historian, Kevin Farmer; the inimitable Glenn Brathwaite who is a miracle worker of a costume designer and of course, most importantly, our sponsors – the Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union Limited and the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc.  Thank you for believing!”

Special thanks also went to the University of the West Indies, the Ministry of Transport and Works, the National Conservation Commission, the National Sports Council and to Mr. Thompson of Thompson Marine for working with the NCF team to make this new heritage initiative a success.

“Bridgetown by Night: On the Road to Independence is an unforgettable, dramatic, visually exciting, history laden journey through this centuries old ‘city that never sleeps.’

The 2016 Crop Over Evening of Folk entitled “BARBADOS AH COME FROM!” will feature a Youth Theatre/TV Special for which it will require the following:

AUDITIONS

REQUIRED: ACTORS, SINGERS, DANCERS

5 ‘SHOW HOSTS’ – ACTORS aged between 9 and 21 years
5 ‘CHORALE PERFORMERS’ – aged between 9 and 21 years
Applicants must currently be:

• a practicing member of a singing group

AND/OR

• in training at a performing arts education institution (whether dance, drama or music)

Auditions will be held on June 3, 2016 at National Cultural Foundation beginning from 5:30p.m.
[Rehearsals will begin after School Exams.]
ALSO

CALL for YOUTH FOCUS GROUP MEMBERS

Students with an interest in ART, SET DESIGN and/or PLAYMAKING are invited to participate in a focus group with Set Designer Matthew Squires and Writer/Director Amanda Cumberbatch to assist with the creation of the backdrop artwork for “Barbados Ah Come From!”

The focus group is to be made up of:

• children 9-12
• teenage boys
• teenage girls

The group will meet for two evenings ONLY, for THREE HOURS each time, to work on the design of three backdrops.
Interested persons are asked to contact Lisa Amanda Cumberbatch, Cultural Officer – Theatre Arts at 417-6626 or 233-1659, or by email at lisa-cumberbatch@ncf.bb

Parents/guardians of children under the age of 18 who are interested in participating in either of the above must contact Ms. Cumberbatch on behalf of the child/ward.