A COMBINATION of fabulous local talent and respect paid to Barbados’ mothers, made the 10th annual Mum, This One’s For You concert a memorable occasion at the Plantation Garden Theatre on Sunday.The brainchild of Desmond Weekes of Draytons Two fame, the show has grown in stature over the years and the packed, animated Plantation crowd was testimony to the prestige with which it is held.Tribute was paid to eleven mothers representing each parish, and in a special touch to the proceedings, mothers who have had to care for differently able children were also recognised.Those honoured were Shirley Cadogan (St Lucy); Mildred Norville (St George); Violet Griffith (St Michael); Daphne Mahon (St Andrew); Vivian Cumberbatch (St Joseph); Cora Callender (Christ Church); Mavis Lynch (St Thomas); Grace Mullins (St John); Levrette Jackman (St Peter); Aletha Marshall (St James); and Marcelle Rudder-Clarke (St Philip). Mothers recognised for parenting differently able children were Clara Straker, Janice Broome, Avril Wilkinson and Ometa Marshall.Other accolades for the evening went to educator Sybil Leacock and Senate president Branford Taitt who copped the Loyal Daughter and Loyal Son awards respectively. Perhaps the most apt comment came from Leacock about the importance and timeliness of the show, and giving recognition where it is due, when she said: “I appreciate you giving me my roses while I can smell them.”Patrons were treated to excellent musical fare during the evening, ranging from the precocious talent of six-year-old drummer Simeon Maynard to the timeless quality of Lord Radio.Maynard, a member of the Israel Lovell Foundation, endeared himself to the crowd with his energetic drumming and a charming stage presence.Radio, who, with his Bimshire Boys contributed immeasurably to the promotion of Barbados over five decades, was in fine voice during the rendition of his classic, Yours Sincerely.Alexandra School’s Kareem Agard is a special talent with a big voice in a small frame. His renditions of Shattered and The Greatest Love Of All were two of the highlights of the night.Dance was a significant part of the evening’s entertainment with Keisha Cordieu and Kamar Beckles of the Jahbulani Dance Club, the Act Now Generation, Ace Dance Centre and a troupe from the Israel Lovell Foundation displaying their prowess to African and Latin American rhythms.One sour note for the night was the uncouth chattering and derisive cheering directed toward Mike Sealy’s performance by a section of idiots with an obvious dislike for jazz stylings. But, Sealy handled it like a true professional.Among the others performing on the night were Cherish Breedy, John King, Fudd Straker, Mac Fingal, Dwayne Husbands, Corey Hunte, Cassius Clay, Mike Thompson, The Draytons Two, Anderson Lynch and Cassandra Crawford.Emcee for the occasion was the inimitable Carl Alf Padmore.
Risque revelations
CAPSTONE THESIS presented the audience at the Errol Barrow Centre For Creative Imagination with two striking theatrical pieces, two dance performances and one dance and film experiment. Janelle Mitchell, Cretia Lewis, Geneal St Clair, Gina Mayers and Alicia Payne presented their dissertation “performances” in their respective disciplines. This was the final presentation towards their Bachelors in Fine Arts.The two theatrical pieces presented by Mitchell and St Clair dealt a little surprisingly with similar themes. In both pieces we were asked “to touch it, smell it, taste it”, extending the theatrical context into physical theatre. The use of personal testimony in a very intimate dramatic manner was a reminder of Vagina Monologues. Mitchell explored the theme of feminist issues that brought physical and emotional pain, while St Clair focused on other aspects of fe-male sexuality, which brought another kind of pain – the agony of non-acceptance. In Metamorphosis, written, directed and acted by Mitchell, we were taken on a journey from the pangs of pain of labour to the exploiting labours of sex workers; from menstruation to the hurt of hysterectomy. St Clair urged us not to judge a person based on their sexual orientation but on their ability to contribute to society. Toni-Ann Johnson’s riveting performance would convince even the hard-nosed anti-gay activists to change their perspective. The directorial choices certainly answered the needs of the pieces. In Fe-Male the setting of the bar with images on screen reflecting the issues raised in the drama added significantly to the presentation. These two directors must be commended for their tenacity and courage in taking up the challenge of dealing with topics that are taboo in our society. The dance piece Ramajay, choreographed by Cretia Lewis, gave us an insight into the characters of Trinidad’s Carnival. We were introduced to the battling Blue Devils, the clowns, the midnight robber, the sailor men and more. The griot took us through this educational journey, filling the moments with intimate communication as we were introduced to each character. The storyteller was so endearing, one wanted to hear more of the narrative. Gina Mayers’ piece was reflective and introspective. Through dance, we were presented with a world that was preoccupied with the tensions of modern society. The use of the cellphone that stopped/prevented interaction among people was a sharp dance comment. The story was clearly expressed. The young woman is molested by a man and has a son – and the resulting pain was creatively played out in the movement and the mood. There were two worlds represented by the panes/pains of light. The shadow created a path. The collage of style and music illustrated the different generations.The music used complemented each genre of dance and the concept of preoccupation was an effective through-line for the dance.Alicia Payne gave us a docu-dance. The questions raised in the interviews about the journey of the drum were answered in the dance. We were presented with a range of cultural trials and conflicts that make up the Barbadian identity. The struggles of definition – “who are we?” – were answered in the authentic indigenous energy found in the Landship.
Shaggy-licious!
A BOOMBASTIC man rocked Pigeon Island last Sunday and most would agree it was fantastic.Headliner Shaggy took to the main stage at the 19th St Lucia Jazz Festival around 11:45 p.m. and it was a musical cruise on the beachfront venue for the next hour or so.Fresh from a tour of Portugal, Shaggy teased with his suggestive movements, sweet talk and hits from through the years, along with some covers in between.With the assistance of Rayvon, the Jamaican-born artiste showed how a party was done in New York, Jamaica and St Lucia. For the last, the band played some soca rhythms.Shaggy sang hits such as Bona Fide Girl, a snippet of Oh Carolina, Angel, Strength Of A Woman, Summertime and It Wasn’t Me, during which he offered some advice to all the players on Pigeon Island. By the time Shaggy took to the stage, fans were ready for some real action thanks to stimulating earlier performances from Dobet Gnahore of the Congo, the tremendously talented Esparanza Spalding and the “Men of Soul” in particular.Gnahore was a photographer’s delight and an engaging performer to watch. The Grammy winner for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for her song Pearl, was full of expression and passion as she tantalised her audience with rhythms that touched the very root of the soul. Singing in her native French, she captivated with her commanding presence, sexy accent and antics.A tiny, 25-year-old American singer with two bass guitars bridged the gap between Gnahore and Men of Soul. Esperanza Spalding was refreshing with her original jazz compositions and she showcased her tremendous talent on vocals and bass. She has a sweet tone and impressed with her original pieces.She was joined by singer Tracey Hamblin and they made some captivating harmonies.Phil Perry, Howard Hewitt, Freddie Jackson and Jeffrey Osbourne who call themselves the Men of Soul serenaded patrons with love songs from way back.All the soul men added their special touch to Osbourne’s “woo woo woo” but it was St Lucia’s Teddyson John that put an indelible stamp on it – with a Caribbean remix.Maxi Priest, who was in Barbados a few weeks ago for Reggae On The Hill, preceded Shaggy and delivered a similar set to what Bajan fans heard. He was again joined by his son Marvin and Beniton The Menace.British Virgin Island native Quito and The Edge did well to open the show and they were followed by Carl Gustave, who is of St Lucian descent.
Men of Steel, Rae of rapture
REGGAE LEGENDS Steel Pulse had fans jamming until close to midnight at the 19th St Lucia Jazz Festival on Saturday night.The evergreen music had fans shouting for more as lead singer David Hinds and the rest of the band, took them down memory lane with hit after hit.Favourites such as Rally, Chant The Summer Day, Stepping Up, Rebel Red Eye Blues and Pan Africa Unite, which was sung for the people of Haiti, had people singing by rote or just soaking up the hypnotic vibes.Patrons were so caught up in the rapture, that when the band wanted to end their set around 11:35 p.m., the shouts for more quickly became a chant.Members of Steel Pulse soon responded to the call, and returned for another 15 minutes or so to do Leggo Beast and Go Barrack.As become custom, the day got underway with a line-up of local acts, which included Ronald “Boo” Hinkson. He shared the spotlight with emerging talent Tempest, which he and some others have been grooming.American singer Tracey Hamblin also appeared with Hinkson and his friends and left the females in the audience with a serious message in the song titled I Ain’t No Longer User Friendly.Corinne Bailey Rae, who made an historic debut on the British scene as a singer/songwriter in 2006, took Pigeon Island patrons through a range of emotions with her soul searching and sometimes melancholic pieces.Her hit songs Put Your Records On, Till It Happens To You and I Don’t Wonder Why were done along with covers I Only Have Eyes For You and Doris Day’s Que Sera Sera, which brought her set to a close.
Ne-Yo adds St. Lucia to number of things he loves
GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING singer Ne-yo has been bitten by the jazz bug and is enchanted with the beauty of St Lucia.Ne-yo, who was performing on a jazz stage for the first time, said he was happy to be in St Lucia and performing before the thousands of people who thronged Pigeon Island.Though he was only in St Lucia for a few days, he fell in love with a number of things.“I love the water. I love the people; everybody is really hospitable. I had fun,” he told members of the Press after closing the show at the 19th St Lucia Jazz Festival Friday night.He said he was surprised at the response from the massive crowd and that they knew all his songs.“I like shows where I don’t have to sing . . . . [Where] I can just turn the mic to the crowd,” he said.Since his music is influenced by his experiences and life, do not be surprised if some aspect of the country finds its way into one of his upcoming releases.“I don’t doubt it,” he said, when asked if St Lucia would influence his work in the future. India.arie’s work was influenced by her experience in St Lucia years ago as well. Her song God Is Real speaks about her exploits in the clear waters around East Winds Inn, where she swam and snorkled.Ne-Yo is going to be cutting down on gigs in order to focus on finishing his fourth album, and he has promised fans the usual quality songs and music. He will be releasing two first singles Beautiful Monster and One In A Million. As evidenced by his offerings in St Lucia, which encompassed works he had done for other people, Ne-yo is a songwriter of note as well. Following on a collaboration with Rihanna that was recorded here a few years ago, Ne-yo wrote two songs on her new album Rated R.He said the local songbird was a good friend of his, and they would “definitely” be doing some more work together.With regard to working with other artistes in the Caribbean, he said he was down to record with anyone who wanted to make quality music.He attributed patrons’ familiarity with the music to the Rihanna/Barbados connection in part.“I know that Barbados is a hop, skip and a jump from here, and I figured you guys would be familiar to the music,” he said.Ne-yo was performing on the eve of Mother’s Day, and his mum was in the crowd. He said she was his greatest musical influence.“I probably wouldn’t be doing this if it was not for my mum. My mum was the kind that everything she did was to music. Whether it was cleaning the house, cooking or whatever the case may be, there was always a soundtrack to it. “My love and appreciation for music come directly from her. So, if it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now,” he revealed.
RIGHT OF CENTRE: Use social media to push tourism
THERE ARE so many more things we could be doing that I doubt this publication has sufficient room to articulate, so I will try to focus on one small area.We really have to spend the available resources, which are substantial, in a more cost-effective and creative way. And it’s long past time that it becomes the norm that we carefully monitor each and every programme or initiative, to ensure that the best return on investment is achieved.I am told that somewhere around 60 per cent of the Barbados Tourism Authority’s marketing budget for the last financial year was spent on e-commerce.After viewing a short video produced by a company based in Atlanta for one of the small hotels in Grenada that recently participated in the re-Discover The Caribbean Show, I asked the firm to make two presentations to targeted tourism partners at our event.Over 160 hotels and other tourism partners on Barbados were invited to attend one of the free presentations.As a consumer and a potential visitor to a new destination looking for somewhere to stay, I would want to be persuaded in the most alluring way by pictures, words or moving film that my vacation investment was being spent in the best possible way.As an hotelier, I also am fully aware that every direct booking we attract is giving us the highest revenue option. No travel agency commission or tour operator discount is deducted from guests paying published rack rates.Therefore by investing some of that rate differential in creative marketing solutions, we can – individually or nationally – gradually reduce the reliance on sources of business that cannot be easily controlled.There has been much interest and discussion related to the new national tourism website – www.visitbarbados.org – some positive, some not!The video elements on the site, using locally well-know Barbadian personalities to endorse the destination, are beautifully filmed. But why limit them to the website?According to published statistics, 98.9 million viewers watched 5.9 billion United States videos in December 2008 alone on YouTube.Of course, I don’t have a team of eight with a budget of millions working on the website, but it seems we are missing out on far too many opportunities.A compilation of these video endorsements could easily be placed on YouTube, which would almost instantly improve the potential destination audience reach. We should also be using these mass media outlets more to highlight reasons for coming to Barbados, our attractions, activities, dining experiences, golf courses, polo, motorsports and so on.Readers who have any difficultly following my logic, please search for “Island Routes”, a Five Star Diamond video on YouTube filmed for Sandals Ocho Rios.High-definition professional filming of events and posting them to social websites would provide additional enticement for people to travel to Barbados, and be an investment for the future.In an economic downturn it would be absolute folly to stop spending on marketing. Conversely, it would be just as reckless not to spend smarter.
LEFT OF CENTRE:Need for enabling environment
Whilst we acknowledge and laud Government’s backing for the sector through increased financial support to the Barbados Tourism Authority and price support for the industry that has been allocated to us through the Tourism Industry Relief Fund (TIRF), the raw fact is that at the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA), we define support in a more holistic manner than perhaps Government does.Yes, these inputs are necessary at this time, but the entire environment in which we operate needs to be thoroughly analysed and when we do that analysis, our Government is certainly found wanting.The reality is that whilst for many years industry practitioners have argued for a more favourable operating environment in the form of reductions in input cost to the sector, found primarily in the duties and taxes imposed, such reductions are not the be-all and end-all of Government support.These are precarious and uncertain times and even these reductions will not suffice. These inputs go to the heart of the industry and affect the overall long-term viability of this vital sector, particularly the accommodation component.They also influence in great measure investor attractiveness and affect investor confidence, but there is certainly much more to the Government support than even what is implied and exhibited in actions of this kind.It is our opinion that never has there been a more propitious time for Government to demonstrate their fullest commitment to the long-term sustainability of tourism in Barbados than the present.Tourism in our country is overdue for a substantial overhaul; what better time to do so than in a period of downturn?Now is the time that we need to put into action our vision for development for the next two to three decades.A vision and a plan that must be led by Government, but one in which the private sector plays a significant role. Government must set the tone and demonstrate the political will to radically alter the way business is done in the public sector.There is a pressing need to create a business environment that is more congenial to facilitating investment, a true investor-friendly climate that limits red tape and places the investor and potential investor at the centre of the action where tourism development is concerned.This new National Tourism Policy direction must inform the creation of a national tourism strategic plan that is focused on setting achievable targets for growth and development and driven of course by the allocation of the necessary resource base.The areas that should be targeted in this novel approach include our total human resource component, the economic performance of the industry, the enabling environment in which we operate, and our overall product base.If as a country we are able to accomplish this, we should emerge from the present crisis better prepared to take our place in the world of travel and tourism and certainly more equipped to handle future external shocks.If Government can do these things in short measure, then we can truly say that they are doing all they can to support the sector at this time.
THE ISSUE: Efforts to keep tourism afloat
Tourism is this island’s highest performing sector but it is also one of the most vulnerable sectors in the Barbados economy. Dr Delisle Worrell, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, pointing out the performance of the tourism sector in his first-quarter review of 2010, said, “Long-stay tourist arrivals were up about two per cent in January and February, compared with the first two months of last year. Numbers were noticeably higher from the United States and Canada, but arrivals from the United Kingdom, which remains Barbados’ largest tourism market, were down. Estimated average expenditure per tourist was lower, and the average visitor stayed fewer days. As a result, receipts from tourism were insufficient to provide the usual first-quarter surge in foreign exchange reserves.”His comments bear evidence of the vulnerability of the sector, particularly in the midst of an economic downturn.Tourism executives have had to adjust their strategies, rates and services all in an effort to continue to attract visitors to these shores. In February 2009, Cabinet approved a $15 million stimulus package called the Tourism Industry Relief Product to assist any failing properties and maintain employment in the tourism sector. At the time, Prime Minister David Thompson said the money was for the current financial year and there was the possibility of a further sum in the next.“We looked at options available and we found that a programme of that sort, in addition to the $20 million – $10 million supplementary . . . and $10 million last year – that was already made available to the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), as well as other initiatives, we think would positively impact on the tourism sector, so that we can mitigate the worst aspects of the current economic crisis,” he said.Meanwhile, hotelier Adrian Loveridge told the Press at the recent opening of the 2010 re-Discover the Caribbean exhibition on April 23 and 24 that Government should consider the possibility of lowering taxes on airfares. Loveridge said that airfares in the region have become a major challenge for Caribbean destinations, as airlift through the Caribbean continues to be inefficient. As a projected tough summer season approaches for the tourism industry, the local hotelier advised that Government consider lowering taxes on airfares. “Airfares in the region are an enormous challenge.” While Government is looking to increase its revenue, this suggestion is at least worth researching, given the importance of the sector. The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) submitted a number of recommendations to Government in 2009 to assist tourism-based businesses during the economic downturn. Among those recommendations was lowering taxes and licensing fees that affect businesses such as car rentals and restaurants.At the BHTA’s 2009 annual general meeting, president Wayne Capaldi said his organisation was still awaiting Government word on suggestions they made regarding the reduction of duties on a basket of food items that attract anywhere between 190 per cent and 200 per cent import duty. Additionally, the BHTA called on the State for rebates on the increases in 2008 land taxes and to provide a hedge against future oil price spikes. Capaldi noted that such actions would have given the sector a better basis for a reduction in the overall cost inputs to the industry and a better opportunity to retain employment at pre-crisis levels. On the side of the small hotels, in February 2010, Intimate Hotels Group chairman Dennis Tull told BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY that the small hotel sector should be taken into account in the initial stages of planning this new era in marketing Barbados. His comments came just weeks after Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy announced that changes would be coming to the BTA by mid-year. Small hotels in Barbados are hoping that they would be included from the planning stages of this new dispensation.Moreover, Loveridge also weighed in on the topic in the May 3 BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY when he commented that a national marketing policy wass needed for small hotels. The BHTA’S Staycation initiative, which was introduced in 2009 and continued in 2010, gives Barbadians and CARICOM nationals significantly discounted rates to take vacations at Barbados’ hotels. This was a significant programme that became very successful. The special offer brings a cross-section of accommodation properties to the market at attractive rates.
Monsanto gives Haiti $4 million in hybrid seeds
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — U.S. agriculture giant Monsanto Co. is donating $4 million worth of seeds to Haiti, the biotechnology manufacturer’s first major foray into the chronically hungry nation.The corporation, based in Creve Coeur, Missouri, announced a pledge this week of 475 tons (431 metric tons) of corn and vegetable seeds. Some 130 tons (118 metric tons) have been delivered and are on their way to farmers as of Friday.“We looked at what would be well-suited to Haitian growing conditions,” said Elizabeth Vancil, the company’s development partnership director.Farmers will have to buy the seeds at markets to avoid flooding the local economy with free goods, but Monsanto will not receive any revenue from the sales, Vancil said. A spokesman for the U.S. Agency for International Development program distributing the seeds could not immediately provide more details.Haiti’s agriculture ministry approved the donation, while UPS and Switzerland-based Kuehne and Nagel are assisting with the shipping and logistics, Monsanto said.The announcement raised concerns in Haiti that the donation would include genetically modified seeds, for which the country does not have a regulatory system. Monsanto representatives said no such seeds will be included.Instead they are sending hybrid seeds, which are produced by manually cross-pollinating plants. The company said the seeds produce larger yields than non-hybrid seeds, but that with such a variety new seeds have to be purchased and planted every year.For decades Haiti has been unable to feed itself, while local farms have been wiped out by competition from cheap foreign food and free food aid — especially from the United States. The U.N. World Food Program estimates 2.4 million Haitians, a quarter of the country, do not have enough to eat.The Jan. 12 earthquake damaged warehouses and roads when it wrecked much of the capital and killed a government-estimated 230,000 to 300,000 people. But the urban disaster had less effect on food than Haiti’s past calamities, such as a string of 2008 hurricanes that ruined market roads and fields, worsening hunger and causing some children to die in isolated villages.“What we’re really focused on now are these first shipments and trying to help during this current crisis,” Vancil said. Doing future business in Haiti “would be good, but it’s not a requirement by any means.”
Venezuelan gas rig sinks
CARACAS – An offshore natural-gas platform sank off Venezuela yesterday, and 95 workers were rescued safely, the government said.All of the workers on the Aban Pearl platform off eastern Sucre state were safely evacuated, and the sinking poses no threat to the environment, Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez told state television.The navy rescued the workers using a frigate and boats after the gas platform disappeared into the Caribbean Sea at 2:20 a.m. Ramirez said.President Hugo Chavez announced the sinking on Twitter early yesterday, saying: “To my sorrow, I inform you that the Aban Pearl gas platform sank moments ago. The good news is that 95 workers are safe.” (AP)