Exams are usually a point of stress and worry for students but at the Errol Barrow Centre For Creative Imagination, they are a time of release and enjoyment.
That was definitely the case last week Thursday at the “Jammin’ Exam” in the centre’s Walcott Warner Theatre.
Students of the MUSC2400 “Knowing Popular Music Through Performance” – Christina Hunte, Toni Dyall and Kristian Goddard – treated a small audience to a bevy of hits, including Sade’s Sweetest Taboo, Alicia Keys’ Unbreakable and Stevie Wonder’s Superstition.
The night’s vibe varied from pop to dancehall, classics to contemporary. The audience was particularly appreciative of the reggae medley, which included hits like Bob Marley’s Forever Loving Jah, Damian Marley’s It Was Written and Sizzla’s Never Let Go. A Michael Jackson medley was performed to a spouge rhythm and the “examination” was punctuated with an original song by Kristian Goddard entitled Pity Party.
But the end of the exam didn’t mean the end of the jam. Contestants from the KadUWIval Calypso competition were invited to continue the party, and that they did. Apollo performed his Ultimately Party Song, a tongue-in-cheek song about the formulaic nature of party songs. Ironically, with lyrics like “Hand/Foot/Rag in the air/ Jump and wave!” the song was addictive and had the spectators out of their seats.
Trinidadian student Breige Wilson performed Patrice Roberts’ 2013 hit A Little Wine to much applause. The high quality of Wilson’s performance caught the audience by surprise, as her stage presence and voice were a great deal reminiscent of Roberts.
Class Clown came on to provide the night’s comic relief. What his performance of his song Spread The Jam lacked in vocal ability and timing was made up in stage presence and performance. Whether genuine or awkward, he kept the audience laughing.
Overall, the night was a good stress-reliever ahead of the weeks of examinations. (AEB)
