BARBADOS CAN BE the entertainment capital of the Caribbean.
Those are the sentiments of Al Gilkes, promoter and director of FAS Promotions.
He was speaking at the press launch for the 13th staging of the Digicel Barbados Reggae Festival on Wednesday at the 3Ws Oval.
“I made the call already and was shut down. I am making the call again. The response to the festival has always been positive and with thousands of visitors and tourists to the island during that period we have seen its contribution to he economy.”
Gilkes said St Lucia has remodelled its annual Jazz festival to instead being events that happen throughout the year and Barbados can do the same.
“The Reggae Festival ends April 30, but then there is Crop Over from May to August and right after is CARIFESTA. So we can make Barbados the entertainment capital with a few more events and fix up a few move venues for entertainment.”
Gilkes revealed that while they had to cut back on the number of artistes appearing on the four-day event, a mix of old and new acts are on the cards, noticeably at the crowd-pulling Reggae On The Hill.
And for the first time the festival will have the Barbados Community College Reggae Ensemble onstage.
“We have made an effort to always showcase new and upcoming talent and this year we decided to go with a talented bunch. Of note Buggy Nahkente And The Fully Loaded Band will also be performing at that event, after
a five-year hiatus.”
In 2006 Digicel assumed title sponsorship and Gilkes said it has been a feasible agreement.
“To have continuous support over the years, we have been grateful.”
The festival starts on April 23 with the beach party at Pirates Cove with Jamaican headliners Demarco, Masicka and Konshens. The trilogy kicks off on April 28 with the Vintage Reggae Show And Party at Kensington Oval with Jamaicans Glen Washington, Pinchers, Flourgon, Eric Donaldson, Pluto Shervington, Marcia Griffiths and Little John.
“We are pleased to have a special act in locals Shirley Stewart And The Escorts International on stage,”
said Gilkes.
For the party cruise on the 29th, there will be a host of deejays and the festival is capped on April 30 with Reggae On The Hill with Jamaican acts in the form of Jahmeil, Cocoa Tea, Popcaan, Capleton, Sanchez and Spragga Benz.
“The cry every year is that the locals don’t get to shine so this year we have three Jamaica acts, seven Bajans and
11 Djs for the Beach. For the Hill we have seven Jamaicans, nine locals and nine DJs.”
There will be a special bus service for the Vintage and Hill shows.
The major sponsors all spoke on their partnership with the event and their continued support in years to come. (NS)