BARBADOS CROP OVER 2007 COVERAGE

Thank you also to the Barbados Tourism Authority, for giving me this opportunity and of special mention is Ruth Phillips, for taking care of our needs no matter what and with integrity. Pictured here with me is Ruth Phillips, BTA and Ciara Lavalle, freelance journalist from Miami as we attended the opening night welcome BBQ at Accra Beach Hotel.

Crop Over – what is it you ask? Well, what does your mind envision when you think “Caribana” or how about “Carnival”? Barbados, as usual, serves up their festival with precise execution and a unique blend of events. Overall, it is a five-week summer festival.

Why is it called Crop Over? Its origins can be traced back to the 1780's, a time when Barbados was the world's largest producer of sugar. At the end of the sugar season, there was always a huge celebration to mark the culmination of another successful sugar cane harvest - the Crop Over celebration. As the sugar industry in Barbados declined, so too did the Crop Over festival and in the 1940's the festival was terminated completely. However, the festival was revived in 1974 and other and more modern elements of Barbadian culture were infused to make the extravaganza that exists today - an event that attracts thousands of people from across the globe. Even today, the Crop Over King and Queen are those who've actually harvested the most sugar cane.

::Catamaran Cruise - Friday, August 3, 2007::

First order of business on Friday, August 3rd? A Tiami catamaran cruise with a crew of local ships men. An afternoon of snorkelling with the gorgeous fishes, swimming and the turtles .... ohhh the turtles. It was a mostly sunny day, which would be one of our only ones.

One of the most popular events during Crop Over, the Finals of the Pic-O-De-Crop is a tension-filled and exciting competition at the National Stadium when ten vocal finalists compete for the year's Pic-O-De-Crop crown and top prizes. The competition is strongly supported by locals and is the climax of weeks of tent performances by the calypsonians, who each sing two songs before a panel of judges who award points based on lyrics, content, performance, melody and diction.

This year’s host was MacFingall who was recently in Toronto for the World Comedy Clash representing Barbados, held the audience captive with his comedic antics and kept the momentum of the evening at high energy. Calypso music and calypso competitions are a huge part of the Crop Over Festival. Every performer is judged on their social commentary or party songs for the Pic-O-De-Crop and Party Monarch competitions in Barbados. A style of calypso music called 'picong' which is from the French word "piquant" meaning cutting or stinging means making jokes about someone in front of his/her face, was interwoven into many artist's performances.

This year’s winner of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition was the legendary, Red Plastic Bag. A definite audience favourite with revellers wearing Red Plastic Bags on their heads or wearing red in support. Impressive to me that after a night of celebrating his victory, Bag showed up to press conference early the next morning to sing the praises of Bajan calypso talent pool and the needed funding to keep it alive. He is clearly a spokesperson for the genre and despite his absence from the competition for three years, his return signifies that legends do survive, despite the mere 3 points that he won the crown by! It has been said that the quality of the competition had dropped in his absence from the game but Kid Site was the reigning king meanwhile. Bag has been an island favourite for years and had won the competition for 7 years. He is known for his songwriting skills and the quality and consistency of his calypso. With his veteran colleagues, namely, Gabby, John King, Serenity and Invader, among others, rumoured to be retiring, he stands tall with pride for the natural culture of calypso. (With notes from Martin Jay, Choice FM, U.K.)

The famous Spring Garden Highway is the heart of the Festival for the final three days of its calendar. The entire stretch of road is converted to a bustling marketplace of art and craft, produce, fashion and foods of all kinds. Visitors to the market can also enjoy a wide variety of entertainment from tuk bands, steelbands, dance groups, folk and gospel groups and calypsonians.

Now you may have heard of 'fetes' which are the late night parties that surround the Crop Over festivities - a incredibly popular island favourite. The one that we went to on Saturday night was entitled "Dreamland" sponsored by one of the mas camps, Power X Four. A wonderful experience from beginning to end as we were greeted by scantily clad young men and women with free drinks - what more could you ask? This as a night where the journalists from all over Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean and Europe could cut loose a little and enjoy a fete! Dreamland was an island version of Cirque du Soleil of sorts with monkeys, angels, mermaids and lots more. Given the theme name, lots of people were dressed in their sleepwear - and lack thereof!

Well, see for yourself - what a gorgeous group of people! And a surprise guest came in the door - see the last picture. A little something for everyone in these pics!

Only a few hours sleep and we were off to do the 4 x 4 Land Rover tour of the island to check out some of the secret beauty of Barbados. I highly recommend this tour for some folklore tips and some real 4x4ing through the woods and unbelievable scenery! Just like a postcard.

Back to the National Stadium for Cohobblopot, (a potpourri of cultural talent) which is an event that includes performances by some of the hottest musical bands and calypsonians. (Note: Slaves on plantations to describe a stew with a variety of ingredients used the word “Cohobblopot”). It is also when the Kings and Queens of the costumed bands parade before a panel of judges.

Macfingall hosted again with his crazy antics but having the crowd in the palm of his hands the entire evening. This was one of my favourite nights with a great live band and several artists bringing their talents to the stage - a big night with lots of local talent that included many icons of calypso including the winner of Pic-O-De-Crop Red Plastic Bag, John King, Observer and Serenader along with soca artists among them, Gregory Ayuen and Mr. Dale.

The anticipated arrival on stage by dancehall artist, Mr. Vegas (known for hits like 'Hot Wuk' and 'Nike Air') lit up the night and was by far the highlight of the night. Feeling that he was too far from the stage and his fans (as did most of the artists who performed), he jumped off the stage, through the media pit and eventually over the fence and into the fans! The crowd ate it up and it ignited an already hot night.

Iwer George had the unfortunate position of taking the stage after Mr. Vegas but still managed to bring an excitement to the night with hit hot lyrics. Mr. George sang his hit “Fete After Fete” which recently won the title of International Soca Monarch 2007.