No rain could stop this jam – Honey Jam, that is.
Expectant Barbadians braved the showers last Saturday night and journeyed to the Plantation Garden Theatre to support the 16 young female artistes who were chosen for the island’s first full Honey Jam Showcase.
Back in February, founder and producer Ebonnie Rowe whetted local appetites for the show which has been running for 16 years in Canada with A Taste Of Honey Jam.
This time she came bigger and better.
If the weather deterred anyone, they missed not just a dynamic exposition of singing and writing talent, but also a flawless production.
Following a prompt eight o’clock start, the girls performed a multiplicity of genres that demanded the rapt attention of the audience.
Among the standouts and arguably the crowd favourite was gospel singer Alaina Tennille, who gave a spirited performance of the self-penned Lord, Why Me? which earned her a standing ovation.
Also in the gospel genre were the St Lucian-born Sasky, who gave a classic rendition of How Great Thou Art, and Kyzz, who strummed the guitar as she performed her original piece God, Music And Me.
Another standout was Niki Nicole, who put her own spin on Beyonce’s Love On Top.
Meanwhile, Erika Alexei captivated the audience with her reggae interpretation of Alicia Keys’ No One.
Betty Payne’s performance of Last Name, Karma Nai’s rap original Get ’Em Up and Rhesa Garnes’ self-penned Pick Yourself Up were all well received. Also performing her own work was A Taste Of Honey Jam performer Sarah Lloyd, who treated the audience to Mercy’s Hand.
On the jazzy side of things were Erin Afana, who sang Valerie; Gigi Ma’at, who performed a medley that included Rihanna’s We Found Love, and Nikita Kunar, who rendered Summertime.
The audience also witnessed Rochelle Griffith with Something’s Got A Hold On Me from the movie Burlesque, Cristal Austin with Adele’s Rolling In The Deep and Blue Diamond, who sang How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore.
Former Nexcyx member Rochelle thrilled those gathered with Adele’s Someone Like You while the lone spoken word artist Sunset Sealy brought a message of female empowerment in her piece Why Me? which was well received by the audience.
To close the show, the aspiring stars gathered on the stage for a freestyle session which the crowd appreciated.
Host for the night was radio personality Caroline Roach, who kept the show running smoothly.
