De Big Show is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, a milestone hailed by its title sponsor Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (BPWCCUL) as “significant”.
Speaking at the launch of the tent last Saturday night at Carib Beach Bar, BPWCCUL’s chief marketing and member/customer experience officer Gail Best-Niles said it was “a significant milestone for any tent or any entertainment institution”. She congratulated the management team, technicians “and the calypsonians in particular for showing and staying with De Big Show for 20 years”.
Chairman Hallam Nicholls announced that Romancia Murray, Duke CheckEd Shirt, Nikita, MuZiqKaL and Sheri Dan were joining the cast that comprises 2025 Pic O De Crop monarch Mr Blood, 2024 king Adrian Clarke, 2023 winner
iWeb, 2019 monarch Classic, and 2025 Pic O De Crop finalists Chrystal Cummins-Beckles, Jamal Slocombe, Biggie Irie and Ranaan.
TC is returning after a year’s break and Mac Fingall will be competing in the Pic O De Crop. There’s also calypso legend Mighty Grynner, Marvay, Mary E, Mikey, Mistah Dale, Natahlee, Sakarah, Skung Yung, Tae, and 2026 Junior Monarch semifinalist Bit Bit.
“We intend once again to take the crown, so you can choose from the names I called who you think will take that crown,” Nicholls said.
The tent, which will be based at Queen’s College, Husbands, St James, this year, has four shows starting Saturday. Its Pic O De Crop contenders face the judges on July 21, under the big tent at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus.
Cultural icon Mighty Grynner, who is 80 years old, was among the performers who gave the audience a taste of what they can expect from the tent this Crop Over, as well as snippets of some of their popular calypsos and soca tunes.
The atmosphere was relaxing and laid back as the sweet sounds of music filling the air around the Christ Church beachside restaurant. People chatted easily, mingled, ate food and sipped on their favourite beverages, swayed in their seats, nodded their heads, cheered and applauded the performers. (GBM)
