I saw this play when it came out last year and wrote about it on Boyce Voice, it was pretty damn entertaining!Bajans living in Canada should not miss out on this opportunity to experience our culture in fact everyone should see it regardless of where you are from..

It is very significant that Andy Armstrong and A and W Productions are exporting a Bajan entertainment product, usually when exports are spoken of it refers to Pepper Sauce and Sugar and tangible products, that now needs to be redefined. So when the Government is looking to put incentives in place to encourage exports, they must also remember the entertainment entrepreneurs who export the intangible cultural products.

By exporting to other territories also gives the play a longer revenue generation life, instead of depending on our small local theatre market “Going For Love” can now experience renewed financial vigor that an result in even more potential profits being recognised by the producers.

In Closing; If in Canada, Go and see “Going for Love” you will not regret it…..

one criticism I have of “Going for Love” the title should be more Bajan and it should be “Gine for Love”

Here’s an interesting Shontelle interview sent to me by a friend you will find interesting, She mentions meeting Rihanna in a sub military organisation re cadets; Also Shontelle talks about working with Beanie man and how incredible he was, she also talked about when she worked with Peter Boyce and how fantabulous I was but they edited it out, Damn them like ass.. She also gives Barbados a good plug click and check it out you are not busy…..

This Morning Boyce Voice is educating your ass…

Here’s a free lecture thats on this morning that my friend and assoiciate Chris harper is staging….

It would be worth while attending from what I can see, if you are outside of Barbados its worth flying in for….read on

Notes to Notes Inc.

In collaboration with
The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination

Present the

2009 Summer Scholarship Audition preparation workshop
Delivered by Berklee’s
 Associate Professor John Pierce
 
Time:   Saturday October 4th 2008 10:30am -12:30pm

Location:  EBCCI- UWI Cave Hill Campus, Barbados

Admission:  FREE

For details call Chris Harper @ 427-2555 or email notestonote@caribsurf.com

This initiative sponsored by
The Peter Boos Foundation

Berklee preparation workshop October 4th 2008 Press release
         This Saturday between 10:30am -12:30pm at the EBCCI, UWI, Cave Hill campus, Notes to Note in collaboration with the Errol Barrow Center for Creative Imagination will be hosting a free workshop conducted by Berklee College of Music, Associate Professor John Pierce.
      The workshop will be geared towards musicians interested in taking part in the annual  Berklee Summer Scholarship auditions which are held in Barbados at the end February. Therefore the material will be primarily focused on preparation for the audition process as well as general methods for practicing improvisation and overall musical growth.
       Notes to Note Inc. for the past five years have facilitated the Annual Berklee Scholarship Tour and Barbados in now the official audition location for the southern Caribbean. This strategic alliance has lead to sixteen summer scholarship being awarded, ten of which were won by Barbadians.
      Winners of the Berklee Summer Scholarship 2009 will have the opportunity to spend five weeks at the Prestigious College in an exciting accelerated program and have the opportunity to re-audition for the full time degree program. For additional information on the workshop please contact Chris Harper at 427-2555 or email notestonote@caribsurf.com .

Then the place for you to be is at Braddies Bar in Dover Christ Church Barbados!
 Giving you a chance to be the star you always wanted to be but couldn’t because you didn’t get the opportunity.
You could be the next Shontelle or Rihanna (might be difficult if you are a man though)  Its time to step out of singing in the shower and step into Braddies Bars (put some clothes on first though).
They are giving you a chance to be the star you always wanted to be. whether you can sing do comedy or do spoken word you could be discovered.  take a read of below promo….

Pyramid Entertainment is pleased to announce the return of “Open Mic”. Given the tremendous response from the last series the company has decided to launch another intense eight week series every Thursday at Braddies Bar, Dover, Christ Church starting on the 9th of October, 2008.

Several of this year’s newcomers in the Crop Over festival began their musical journey after honing their skills on the stage at Braddies Bar. A significant number have also recorded singles which are currently on rotation on the island’s airwaves and one of the artistes is currently being shopped around in the reggae capital of the world, Jamaica.

Throughout the last series, performers explored several genres including pop, rock, spoken work and reggae. By the end of season 2, it was evident that reggae music had dominated the other genres and that there was an ever increasing sub-culture emerging in Barbados. The upcoming season will focus heavily on encouraging all genres but particular emphasis will be placed on the reggae art form. Pyramid’s vision to develop the reggae art form is shared by leading Jamaican producer Richard Shams Browne best known for his productions for Beenie Man, Macka Diamond, TOK and Lady Saw to name a few, who has undertaken to record a single for one of the top reggae acts at the end of this season’s Open Mic series.

Open Mic at Braddie’s Bar gives young talent a chance to showcase their talents infront of a live audience whilst also providing them with an opportunity network with some of the hottest producers and deejays.

Now that I think about it, when you step out of the shower to go singing at Braddies, maybe it might be a good idea not to put your clothes on…
Imagine turning up at Braddies and doing your bit TOTALLY NAKED !!Then you would really be exposing your talent. Think bout it, A naked you singing… that would definitely raise some eye brows and depending on the level of your physical attributes you might raise so much laughs you might realize your true calling is comedy… once that’s the only thing you raise…
See You at Braddies!

We are honoured to announce that Shontelle’s song Battle Cry has been chosen for the historic compilation “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grass roots Movement”.
 The official album celebrating Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign will be made available tomorrow!
 
The above announcement was made by Shontelle Layne’s management earlier this week and that is quite an honour indeed.
 With a mere t-shirt on, Barbadian Shontelle Layne has been going places, and I don’t mean to the supermarket and beach like I’ve been doing.
She has been making an indelible Stamp on the international music world.
 Not only are her songs making it on Obama’s compilation but her song t-shirt has been burning up the airwaves.
Its number 37 on the international music charts and still looking to move up especially with the release of the music video
Shontelle has gone a long way since performing in Bacchanal Time calypso tent.
In 2005 she made her debut in the tent performing “colours” with Natalee, also in that year she wrote the famous “Roll” song which is performed by Alison hinds.

While some might have said the success of Rihanna was a freak occurrence, Shontelle is evidence that opportunities exist and that even from in Barbados there is a chance you will be discovered. So it benefits you to be always be your best regardless of where you perform as you can never tell when an international scout is in the audience.

It is also important that we support with a capital “S” our people making it outside, not only like Shontelle but Rihanna and David Kirton etc. We must be sincerely happy for them because if it could happen to them, it could happen to you.When you speak of them only say good things and glorify their accomplishments other wise I’ll have to curse your ass.
 But I digest*, back to shontelle.
Now the international sky’s the limit for Barbadian shontelle Layne who is going places and “only with her t-shirt on”.

Congrats to Shontelle her management Sonia Mullins and her dad Raymond!

*I did that digest thing deliberately so don’t be home laughing saying that Peter Boyce is a cant write idiot, yuh idiot!

Our local artistes continue to make impact internationally, Rihanna, Shantell, Livi Frank etc… and believe it or not a MAN is also reaping some success.
Remember some time ago I wrote about how only women were making being recognized internationally and it was looking like I would have to get a sex change to make it big?
Well after I saved up all that money up for the operation David Kirton is giving us hope there is still something out there for us men….

Here’s some info his manager/wifey Noelle sent out regarding David’s latest milestone.

David Kirton signs with UK Number # 1 Music Distributor.

David Kirton’s live performance at the 2008 Royal Chelsea Flower Show produced more than vibes among the beautiful and exotic blooms it also secured a distribution deal with the United Kingdom’s # 1 music Distributor Nova Pinnacle. His award winning album Time for Change will be launched in the UK September 30th. Kirton’s guitar driven
hybrid of rock – pop and reggae  moves past the reverent Caribbean
rhythms of the past and on to the airwaves, dance floors and digital
devices of future. It sits comfortably in play lists surrounded by
Jack Johnson, Nora Jones, Sting, Bob Marley, Seal and Ben Harper.
Kirton’s fans are not looking for prison stories, hate messages or
graphic sex songs to download on their ipod.  His music touches the
heart, head and feet, making you feel, think and dance.
Kirton pulled a hat trick at the 2008  Barbados Music Awards  winning

Reggae artist of Year, Reggae Song of Year (Green Camouflage)  and Best video. He was also nominated for the coveted Entertainer of Year.

Congrats to David Kirton and management  from Boyce Voice!

This morning at 9.30 is will be the funeral of Rolland Stephen.
Rolland was an entertainer who contributed quite a number of years to the industry.
I had known him as the manager of the musical band Axis for quite a number of years. In the era of the 80’s and 90’s Axis was one of the popular attractions, which packed venues across Barbados including the Ship Inn.
Axis featured people like Ian Allyene, Carol Ann Scantlebury, Ray Armstrong and Kim Derrick to name a few.
One of the first entertainment events I ever put together featured this group. Back in 1994 I organized a show/fete at a Club in Christ Church and I would have worked with Roland then.

What I did not know was that also a member of that famous Bajan group “The Dynamics”, of Wendy Allyene and the Dynamics fame. He has therefore left a perennial mark and made a valuable contribution to our music Industry.
That’s why tonight at the Ship Inn in St Lawrence Gap some of the same names mentioned above reunite for a special benefit concert entitled “Axis through the years”.
Carol Ann Scantlebury with whom as you know I am quite affiliated has come back to Barbados for this special event.
And when was the last time you saw Ray Armstrong on stage? Not since his days with Krosfyah right? Well for one night only you can see the entire original Axis crew doing all the back in time tunes from the 80’s and 90’s.
Also guest stars like Gabby, Gillo Blood and more. Special appearance by the band Masala.
Proceeds from this event will go towards Roland’s three daughters, your contribution will only be $20.00 so come out and participate, I’ll be there looking for you at this musical Tribute to entertainer Roland Stevens who passed away last week; May he rest in peace…..

Who will take over when the tall philipian goes to crack jokes in beyond the pearly gates?
Have you ever thought of that?
Well I am inviting you to think about it now; your brain is not busy! Who will be the next person to step into Mac Fingall’s shoes when he is gone?
Not only is there a dearth of comedians in Barbados but there is a dearth of people aspiring to be comedians, which is sad.
Nobody wants to make people laugh.

Think bout it, who do we have that is funny in Barbados?
(I mean funny ha ha)
There’s Trevor Eastmond accomplished comedian who has been around for a number of years. He is known for his colorful language. Then you have Alf who has been making a name for himself performing in the Crop Over Cavalcades.
Then there’s Mr. Kb Kleen, again another comedian/Mc who is known for operating mainly during Crop Over specifically in Bacchanal Time.
And then There’s Mac Fingall, Mac is considered the maestro of mc/comedians in Barbados. His busy performance schedule not only in Barbados but internationally is testimony to his talent and how much in demand he is.

Then there’s Madd Entertainment who is known for situation comedy skits.After you go past the above mentioned entities that just about it.! Did I miss anybody?

Oh yeah, Jenifer walker is another good comedic talent but she only MC’s every once in a while.
My point is 25 years ago the persons who dominated the comedy scene are the same people who reign now.
And the person who stands head and shoulders above all is Mac.
We are hard pressed to identify a successor to Mac; every one wants to be a freaking singer no one wants to make people laugh.
I am not talking about the political public figures that make people laugh at microphones without intending to I mean real potential comedy talent.
Maybe NCF needs to start having comedy work shops in schools to identify new talent, and have Trevor Mac and KB develop teach and pass on their skills so that our dearth of comedy can be filled.

Hey, speaking of dearth of talent reminds me of my self,

I am a bit of comedian too myself, “There is a dearth of talent in the void of my brain” I want to be known for saying that….

Boyce is out…..

You would have seen two newspaper ads that say that Peter Boyce is no longer associated with MADD Entertainment Co Ltd and that is true.                           

That has actually been true from January 2008 but is only now being published. Also you would have seen some contentious articles as it relates to the “Euphoria” name Madd and Corporate Affairs etc; I would refer you to the statement which was released by Santia Bradshaw on behalf of Euphoria Inc to shed more light on that issue.       
The 25 year association between Boyce and Madd has come to an end, there have been good times, there have been badd times and they have been madd times, but those times are now ended. 
From what is stated in the media it would appear that never in the 25 years I was associated with Madd Entertainment there was ever a benefit I brought to the entity and if that is how it is perceived, ok.                 
At points in your life you realize its time to move on and that’s what you do, that’s what I have done….                
Boyce has left the Madd Entertainment building…

Edwin

Congratulations to all the winners of Crop Over 2008!

 All hail Pic o De Crop King Adrian, Party Monarch King Khiomal, People’s Monarch and Tune of the Crop King Edwin. Seven years ago Adrian won the Pic o de Crop crown and has done it again in 2008. He is one of the few talented Calypsonians who can do both party music and social commentary effectively. Plus Adrian does great character voices too it is he who voiced the Euphoria grandmother ad.    

Speaking of “grand mother” wasn’t it she that always said perseverance seldom fails, well the next winner is evidence of that.
Khiomal has been working at it for years and finally won the Party monarch this year. Once seen as a side kick to Edwin he has now stepped into his own and is proving he will stand in no one’s shadow. Khiomal is a shinning example to young people that if you keep working at your dreams you can achieve them.                 

And speaking of Edwin, the perennial winner who has lived up to his name from the time he started in 1995. (His name is Ed-Win, get it?). Back in 1995 Edwin won all the major calypso titles, Pic o De Crop, tune of the crop, and the first Party Monarch, which was quite an impressive triple win. 
His People’s Monarch and Tune of the Crop wining in 2008 speaks to his consistency and his talent as a seasoned performer.                                                                                                                                       So once again in closing Boyce Voice hails all the Kings of Crop Over 2008.                                

Log on Tomorrow for “where are the queens?”