TAKING PATRONS ON A JOURNEY unlike any other, Zulu International was the first Kadooment Band out of the gates for 2017, as they launched their selection of costumes for this year’s jump up.
Gathering under the canopy of trees on the grounds of Bellevue House last Saturday night, the moderately sized audience gathered around the stage and was immediately overshadowed by the vibrantly coloured costumes Zulu’s fit and lovely models showcased under the theme Wanderlust.
With sections Coachella, Holi, Chinese New Year, Jab Jab, Carival (Rio) and Passa Passa, this small jaunt around the globe took its inspiration from the respective section’s namesake.
Taking a path from the traditional, the launch was made into a full production, courtesy of the guidance and dance choreography by the talented Damien Jordan, whose professional touch preceded each section with a befitting dance number. This subtle touch seemed to excite the patrons more, as the pure white and subtle blues of Coachella to the deep black and punchy blues of Jab Jab, along with the warm tones of Passa Passa, to name a few, graced the stage and flaunted their extravagance.
None received more love however, than the bejewelled individual costume patterned after our own national colours, worn by the Caribbean Queen herself Alison Hinds, who will take up the mantle of ambassador of the band for this year’s festival.
Entering into a new year fraught with unknowns and under new management, Zulu International took the metaphorical bull by the horns, as evidenced by their extremely early kick off into the Crop Over season, and aimed to learn from the past and plot their way to making this year a successful one, as was said by general manager of Zulu International Inc. Aundrea Wharton.
“We’re coming from a year where we had a few challenges due to transition, but over that period we’ve been able to settle and focus our energies more in a positive direction . . . .There’s now a settled and focused team willing to put the product back to the heights that it was before and contribute to the Crop Over industry the way we should,” said Wharton.
Joining team Zulu on the journey this year were designers Samantha and Richard and Anthony Hall. (SM)
