Pardon me if I reminisce today, but the impending closure of the Plantation Garden Theatre, arguably one of the most popular venues in the land, has left me with bittersweet memories since it was put up for sale.
My most recent memory of basking in its ambience was as a guest of an upstanding organization and, like most events at the St Lawrence Main Road, Christ Church venue, it was a memorable evening. In fact, most shows there were enjoyable.
Richard Stoute’s annual Teen Talent show, particularly the finals, would have been either covered by me as an entertainment writer or judged by me as someone with a passion for and knowledge of music.
I would also have judged the Barbados Song Contest finals at the venue.
I also watched in awe as siblings James and Carlyn Leacock won the Barbados Song Contest before a massive crowd before going on to win the Caribbean Song Contest in 1994; but one of my best memories was when Desmond “Fowl” Weekes, formerly of the Draytons Two, hosted his Mum This One’s For You show.
I believed in that event from the beginning, mainly because Barbados had become accustomed to having foreign shows every Mother’s Day. However, Weekes came with the brilliant idea of showcasing home-grown veteran and up-and-coming artistes, as well as mothers in the community.
It immediately took off, and what made it even more special was my mother being a part of it, doing one of her poems and giving the public a glimpse into her amazing memory.
I also personally savoured a bit of the spotlight at the Plantation, receiving awards on two occasions and later making a presentation to superstar Rihanna’s mum at a show staged by veteran entertainer Tony “Poser” Grazette.
The pageants and fashion shows are too numerous to mention! Some I assisted in judging, others I wrote on, and there were some I enjoyed without my ever-present notebook and pen.
Along with the Bajan Roots & Rhythm show which I first enjoyed during a NATION Christmas party, I will also cherish the back-in-time events on the last Saturday of each month, featuring the live Plantation Band with John King on lead vocals and veteran musicians including Ricky Aimey on bass and vocals and Michael Hope on guitar.
Then there were Derek Walcott’s jazz shows. I believe I was the first person to interview him as he brought two annual shows to the venue. Today, one remains: Christmas Jazz, which attracts standing-room only crowds.
As with most things in life, the local entertainment scene has been characterized by changes which have seen venues come and go.
Popular spots such as the After Dark and Ship Inn would have closed and reopened under other names in recent years. And going a little further back, I can recall heady times in the Warehouse, the Paling in Tweedside Road, and Festival Village on Spring Garden which sparked the popularity of open venues featuring calypso, soca and reggae shows.
Even farther in the recesses of my memory is the nostalgia of partying in the Staircase, Alexandra’s, the Rendezvous Room, Pieces of Eight, Gilligan’s Disco, and the Caribbean Pepperpot which in its latter days was a haven for Jamaican artistes such as Pinchers and the young Beenie Man before it was closed and reopened as Ringbang City.
Who remembers Playguy being the first nightclub featuring music videos back in the heyday of the breakdance movement? I still recall pleasant nights at that Deacons Road venue atop what is now Chanel’s Supermarket.
Space does not permit me to list all the venues of my time but, along with the Plantation, one I will respect for its longevity is the Queen’s Park Steel Shed which, despite its poor acoustics, hosted activities varying from sports to culture, including some of Barbados’ biggest boxing bouts, numerous calypso tents, and the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA).
The Plantation, however, would have been one of a handful of local spots built for entertainment and later catering to other activities like bodybuilding, weddings and award ceremonies.
Operated by the Straker family for nearly 20 years before being bought by Tony Hoyos and Colin Brewer 14 year ago, it was also a source of good food and drinks to soothe those animated discussions on the calypso art form.
I sincerely hope someone takes up the baton of the Plantation.
• Ricky Jordan is an Associate Editor of THE NATION.
