This year’s four time Monarch Mikey, has joined the team of volunteers with the Young Women’s Christian Association’s (YWCA) Free Reading Club.

YWCA President Paige Bryan was pleased to have Mikey on board and thanked him for volunteering his services. She explained that the Club assists the children with their homework and develop their literacy skills.  With assistance from Corporate Barbados and other individuals, we can fully achieve our objectives and expand the club with one in each parish” added Ms. Bryan.

Coordinator of the Reading Club and Board Member Tamita Griffith indicated that a number of persons have volunteered their services including MP for the area The Honourable Chris Sinckler, reigning Calypso Monarch Red Plastic Bag, Krosfyah lead singer Khiomal Nurse, entertainer Keann Walters and entertainment entrepreneur Peter Boyce. Ms. Griffith stated “We want to create an environment where the children feel welcomed and see education as fun. There are a number of exciting programmes we have planned for all ages and ability levels. We must all join in instilling the love of reading and develop cultural literacy which will lead to a lifelong love for learning”.

After concluding his first day, an excited Mikey complimented the Club and stated “if we as a society can assist with programmes such as these, we would have played a major role in the creation of our country’s literacy population. I am impressed with the level of potential demonstrated today and proud to be a part of this initiative by the YWCA and I encourage others to volunteer for this cause.”

The Club, facilitated by a team of volunteers, runs concurrently with the school term and is held, at the YWCA’s Training Centre in Deacons every Saturday from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm and caters to children 4 years – 18 years.

About the YWCA

The Young Women’s Christian Association is a voluntary movement that opens doors through which women and girls can be of service to others.  Our primary concern is the needs of women and girls.  The YWCA provides opportunities for economic empowerment whereby both women and men can enrich their personal lives.  We are ‘United in Love and Service’.

I see in the media that because of a “computer glitch” the staff at National Cultural Foundation (NCF) did not receive their salaries on time this month. I hate glitches, don’t you?
Well Boyce Voice did a bit of NCIS ing, in this case meaning National Cultural Investigating Snooping and got an inside scoop on the issue.

Seems that NCF usually has a big party to celebrate the end of the Crop Over season but this year they were told the foundation would be unable to pay for any such celebratory function.

The staff apparently took it upon their impetuous selves since they wanted to party so badly, that they would pay from their own pockets for their lil event.
Now who tell dem do dat?

Apparently when word about the party got to the big up NCF computer it was quite miffed and became a glitch.
The Glitch stamp and stamped and put its foot down, and because of the glitch’s considerable size it hurt its glitch foot, rendering it unable to do its work computer checking so salaries could be paid to the NCF people who staged the party.
That’s what you call a Stinking Glitch then.
And That’s how the Glitch stopped the NCF staff from being paid

I hope the staff gets paid soon cause I have no money to advance them, I had encounters with the same glitch during Crop Over and haven’t recovered up to now. I write this at my own personal risk, chances are when the glitch reads it will get vex and call me a “son of a glitch” and any payments that are forthcoming to me from the NCF will be glitched up. Cause thats the kind of nasty glitch it is, Damn you, Igrunt Glitch!

This Crop Over Celebration Time was one of the “victims” of the NCF or as I call them the “Nefarious Cultural Foundation”, They were willing to displace and offset our 1st August event “Old Hype vs New Hype” for the sake of them wanting to have a “band rehearsal” that could have been done the next day at the same venue.
Despite the fact that we pleaded with them how moving the date after all the money we had spent on marketing would impact negatively on the event, they were unyielding. They didn’t give a damn.
They act like an organisation who don’t give a damn, and its because they don’t. As others have said they have become “promoter” organisation that looks after its own interests. The well being of its supposed charges are of no concern. This is evidenced in the statements of the Minister of Culture who so proudly spoke of how successful Crop Over was for “NCF events” and how many people attended “NCF events”. He didn’t mention tents didn’t do well this year or there was no “10 to 10” and other private events that didn’t get permission to come off, as that was not his concern. What mattered is that NCF events did well. Even if they had to trample over a private event like they did with us.
They had the audacity to put out a statement saying they were no part of the dispute Celebration Time had at Crop over, and that statement was true, they weren’t part of it. THEY WERE THE CAUSE OF IT, and they weren’t part of the amicable settlement either.
That’s why they deserve the name “Nefarious” because that is what they are, Nefarious, Insidious and Nasty.
To call them the “Nasty Cultural Foundation” sounds so common, don’t u think? Nefarious, now thats a good solid word. So say after me, “Nefarious Cultural Foundation” good, now u are getting it.

The planned staging of an American Rap music concert in the middle of Crop Over is a gross disrespect to our local entertainment industry, and an insult to our National Festival.

A show of this magnitude would have a negative impact not only on calypso tents but on all our national events that are planned for the season.

We are heartened to hear our Minister of Culture expressing concern over this concert and vowing to represent the interests of the stake holders in this matter.

While we would welcome such an event at any other time of the year

The timing of this Rap event can only be seen as an insidious attempt, to generate revenue at the expense of our local calypso industry and our National Festival, and no right thinking Barbadian should support it!

As Minister David Estwick says “I aint no idiot, but they are some questions I just have to ask.

Is there any truth to the rumour that a government agency is planning to stage a Rihanna and American Rap star Jay Z Concert at the climax of our Crop Over Festival on August 4th?

Is there any truth that the same Government agency is going to companies seeking sponsor monies to help them finance a show featuring Jay Z who has an estimated worth (according to Forbes Magazine) of U.S $460 million?

if this is true that would mean this Government agency would be taking up sponsorship that our same calypsonians and calypso tents could be using?
So it couldnt be true. Because our Government would not do that to us..

Is it true that after Government asking Calypsonians and Tent Managers to hold strain as they can’t pay any further increases to them, could now be looking to pay millions of dollars to sponsor an American Show Rap show?

Is there any truth that despite being told about of the negative impact that such a show would have on Crop Over and our local shows, this agency is still insisting that they go ahead with this insult to “We Festival”?

Is there any truth that members of the local entertainment industry are incensed by this Rap Music event being staged at Crop Over and the utmost disrespect that is being netted out to our local entertainment industry?

Do not think that is a “Egyptian Jew” mind set here, we would love to welcome Jayz and Kayne and all the Americans the Government agency is willing to spend our millions on, just not at the expense of our Crop Over Festival. This is if its true, cause I don’t know.

Well I can only answer the last question about the entertainers being incensed, the answer to that is yes, but with the other questions for all I know they could be prevarications, innuendo and allegations and I hate alligators, don’t you?
I am waiting for someone to put their hand in the air, cause I am not making any statements unless someone answers those questions, as Minister David Estwick Says “I aint no Idiot”!
If this is true the theme for this year’s Crop Over would be “The American Invasion”!!

Tags: crop over controversy

Rihanna’s New video “We found love” is SMOKING Hot! and when I say smoking I mean just that….

Our Cultural ambassador in her latest video production features several scenes where she is seen lighting up along with her new boxer boyfriend Dudley O’Shaughnessy sharing smokes.
And when I say “Smokes” I mean “SmokeS” in the most plural sense of the word.
There’s one scene where Rihanna’s boyfriend smokes not one or two but four cigarettes one time which Rihanna lovingly lights them for him, then he lovingly blows the second hand smoke into her mouth which she willingly receives, it was breathtakingly romantic. Somebody blowing smoke into your mouth has to take your breath away, once you don’t suffer from asthma.

The anti smokers campaigners are coming out saying the Rihanna video is glamorising smoking and they are right.
It symbolises a return to the golden era of movies back in the 50s where all the major movie stars were paid to smoke throughout all their movies.
“Actors from the golden age of Hollywood were paid thousands of dollars by tobacco companies to smoke and endorse their products.

“A study reveals how more than 200 stars, including matinee idols John Wayne, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, all benefited and one firm paid more than $3m (£1.6m) in today’s money in a year.”

After the deadly outcome of smoking became known it was a practice that was scaled down.

Some people see Rihanna’s cigarette touting as an innocuous activity, but you need to understand the American marketing machinery.
In today’s paper you see a picture of Rihanna wearing a Snuggie talking to talk show host Ellen.
The Snuggie makers would be beside themselves with joy as Rihanna wearing their product would be sure to influence the teen market to buy it. which is exactly the same reason you will see smoking being so glamorously embraced and endorsed in the new Rihanna video, because cigarette makers want to push up their sales to the teen market. Its just business.

As for the people who go on about “Rihanna Haters” if you don’t blatantly lap up everything Rihanna does. I like Rihanna bad but that dos nt mean every bad thing she does I must close my eyes and pretend I don’t see it because I love her so much.
I like Rihanna bad and she does bad things but I still accept her because sometimes we love bad things, U know U do too.
I believe Rihanna’s people deliberate put bad stuff in her videos to rile up people so then we talk about her like what is happening right now.

I will not focus on the other scenes in the video where her ass is marked “mine” by the man where people say she is portraying women as sex objects, nor focus on the popping pills endorsement scene nor the scene where she shoplifts. Next people would say I am a Rihanna hater, so I will close my eyes and pretend I didn’t see them.

Love the Song, I love the video, Love in the end how it tries to redeem itself even though it fails and I love Rihanna too, our self confessed “Good Girl Gone Bad”.

p.s; Loved the English Accent Lady Rihanna does in the beginning

*Note; John Wayne died of cancer in 1979,he had both stomach and lung cancer, any one for a smoke?

Tags: Bajan, music video, Rihanna, Smoking

The lineup for the November 12 Honey Jam Barbados showcase was announced at a press conference November 1 at Divi Southwinds. Scroll down for pix and recap!

Show producer Ebonnie Rowe said she was excited about the lineup but the press conference took on a serious tone when she expressed that while there was no shortage of beautiful and extremely talented artists, that isn’t nearly enough to succeed and questioned just how prepared the artists are, stressing the importance of a strong work ethic.

“What will set you apart is the fire in your belly and one of my favourite c-words – COMMITMENT!! The talent is impressive, but it takes so much more than that and I’m concerned about whether some artists are ready for prime time. Many have the “I want to go to heaven but I don’t want to die” syndrome where people want to reap the rewards without doing what’s necessary to get there. You need to educate yourself in the business of music, know what songs best suit your voice, know what image you want to present, basics like having a website, at least 1 demo song, a professional photo, work with a voice and fitness trainer. As a society we must stop applauding mediocrity and be able to accept constructive criticism. Understand what excellence means on an international level, put your ego in the back seat and always be willing to learn and improve. You cannot take advantage of an opportunity if you have the inability to recognize it.”

She lamented that standards had dropped in general, recounting a story of when she was in Mrs. Mavis Carrington’s class. She had gotten 9 out of 10 and was quite pleased with herself. When she saw Mrs. Carrington coming with a belt, she wondered which poor student was about to get licks, only to find out soon enough that it was her! “Mrs. Carrington knew I could and should have gotten 10 out of 10. That I should have tried harder, and that if better was possible good was not enough. I learned my lesson that day and it has stayed with me throughout my life. NO EXCUSES!”

Mahalia Phillips of Nexcyx was announced as the special guest artist who will be performing her empowering anthem Queen to close the show. Mahalia told the artists how important it was for them to attend the workshops and take advantage of the opportunities being given to them through the Honey Jam Program.

Tuesday’s Honey Jam auditions were a great success. Judges including Cassandra Crawford, singer and CBC TV host, Mahalia, recording artist, Paul Russell, former Head of Sony/ATV, Alison Hinds, Caroline Roach, LOVE FM, musician and producer John Roett, producer Eliseus Joseph, manager Sonia Mullins, singer and vocal coach Marisa Lindsay, Anies Jordan of CRS Music & Media and artist Philip 7.

The top scorer of the night was Christal Austin (below) who received high marks from each of the 11 judges.

Coscap was in the house to inform all of the artists about their services for songwriters and performing artists.

Honey Jam Celebrity Judges line up

Media was out in full force to cover the event, find out from the judges what they thought of the talent and to speak with the auditionees about their experiences.

Check out link below for more great pix!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.156457577769354.41111.100002153383441&l=b41467b714&type=1

Next up our November 1 press conference where we’ll be announcing the artists who made the cut. We’re in the process of finalizing funding for the artist workshops and then the big show November 12! We’re finalizing the selection of the artists, planning the workshops and our promotional push is on for the showcase. Tickets are in outlets now – The Plantation, Jeans Inc., and Ticket Central. It’s going to be an awesome display of young talent in a variety of genres.

Show producer Ebonnie Rowe told all of the auditionees “We’re not looking for the next Rihanna, that spot is taken, we’re looking for the first you!” She went on to advise them not to look at any other artist as their competition and that the person they need to be better than is the person they were yesterday – to focus on their own development and growth as artists, as young women, as citizens of Barbados and the world, remembering the pledge “and by my living to do credit to my Nation wherever I may go.”

Thanks so much for your support!

Winner Crystal Austin