The opening picture says it all, I went into Bridgetown yesterday to perform with the group Pampalam in one of those “Christmas in the City” cultural presentations, and while I was there, took some pictures, come and look through them…

Santa Claus was there but instead of Reindeer he was riding a donkey cart. Apparently things have not been going well for Santa recently and red nose Rudolph and the other Reindeer have abandoned him and left him wearing slippers and with Jack ass transportation. I tried talking to Santa to tell him what I want for Christmas but he didn’t respond, I think he was stoned. When he threatened to hit me in my head with the coconut he was holding I figured it was time i moved on…

There was a mime and every thing, here Andre Belle performs his Nifca Award winning presentation “Watch the Lamb”

There was a Tuk Band too, (if the picture looks blurred u need to get your eyes checked)

There were impressive costumed ladies

and Belly dancing ladies, how low can you go…?

“Christmas in the City” was put on by Barbados Tourist Board to entertain locals and visitors while in town for Christmas shopping, if these Pics do not encourage you to go in town nothing will, maybe you can get jack ass Santa to talk to you…

COMING SOON!

Log on tomorrow when Boyce Voice takes you Under Cover to expose piracy operation we uncovered while in Bridgetown…

It will be an exclusive, Don’t Miss it!

unless you have something else to do that is more important of course..

Here’s a picture of DJ Bubbles of Hott 95.3 FM, Madd Kevin and Leon during rehearsals for our 25th November comedy show.

Who cares about them. The focus here is on their t.shirts. They are pretty interesting probably more interesting than the people wearing them. Check them out…

Kevin’s by the way is an original print from when we opened the Rue Rue store in Bridgetown back in 1992. His is a homeboy design pic. of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X hanging out together, which I think is pretty cool even by today’s standards…

Bubbles shirt says, in case you can’t decipher it, “Don’t act stupid, we have world leaders for that”. Me thinks you need to send one of those to Georgie Bush (No relation to President of United States).

If you can’t read Leon’s t.shirt, you need to stop doing that thing that makes you blind..

Hi. Heres an email I received from Noelle Kirton who is the manager of entertainer David kirton. Do you notice the similar last names? That is because they are married.

Hmm… that must be interesting having your wife as your manager, at least you would not have to worry about being accosted by groupies or any thing, if any beautiful women fans come around I am sure your manager would address the issue and dispatch them in a hurry and thats a good thing! I admire the promotional and behind the scenes work that Noelle does for her hubby David and this email is no exception. Read it!

Good day everyone I hope no one minds the shamefully pure promotion email. If you do sorry. I wanted to let you know that David Kirton is performing for this Winter season every Thursday Night , Dec 6 – March 27 in Barbados at Banks Beer Reggae Nights at Jumbies on St. Lawrence Gap . David Kirton has been nominated for 7 Barbados Music Awards, was called best new act at Midem, Cannes by Rolling Stone Magazine and had two showcases at the prestigious South by South West in Austin Texas this year where he secured a major digital distribution deal. David’s music has been described by Rhythm magazine as being ‘a hybrid of pop – rock and reggae’. The set is an completely original set from his three albums. The band starts at 11 pm SHARP and performs for a minimum of 90 minutes. His Barbadian band features on lead guitar Grammy award winner Jimmy ‘Senya’ Haynes. Jimmy won the Grammy for producing Steel Pulses Babylon the Bandit. If you want an international level of show in a nice, safe, ocean front venue Thursday’s at Jumbies for Banks Beer Reggae Nights is the place. Cover charge is only 10 Bds dollars. I should mention that corporate Barbados has stepped up to the plate by supporting quality Barbadian music so I encourage you all to drink Banks Beer, Malibu and Mount Gay Rum while at Jumbies. CRS Music is also involved. Be sure to have a designated driver and lots of Taxis are on the gap.

Noelle Kirton

Me, Peter Boyce Voice attended the NIFCA Finals last Monday night at the Frank Collymore Hall. You really must commend the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) on the excellent job they are doing regarding the production of the NIFCA events which in turn provide a competitive enviorment that also serves to nurture and identify new talent in all areas.

If government would only stick to their developmental mandate instead of attempting commercialization we would all be better off. Madd also entered NIFCA when we were looking for exposure back in the early eighties and it served to give us the opportunity to go on to bigger things like where we are now.

Let’s focus on highlights of the quality production which was presented on Monday 5th November. Performers who were outstanding included Debra-Ann Clarke and her son who did a touching rendition of “Walk with Mama”. Comedian/Teacher Carl Padmore performed some effective rhythm poetry entitled “Belly Full”. Combermere Violin Strings also impressed especially with their “plink plank plunk” song and they created some unique sound effects I did’nt know violins could do.

My Pampalam partner Yolanda Holder put down a tight dramatic performance entitled “guard your virginity”. Mime actor Andre Belle was also good and the Coleridge and Parry School choir was outstanding with their charismatic conductor. I know that when you think of culture people sometimes think it will be humdrum and boring but you should go out and check the performances happening in the NIFCA events, you will be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

Coming Soon; Nifca; The Badd

Broadway is on strike! The world famous Broadways theatrical productions in New York have been put on hold, not because of the big stars or the writers, but the stage hands. The Stage hand union brought over two dozen plays to a grinding halt and took to the picket line over working conditions.

Big mega plays like the Phantom of the Opera, How the Grinch stole Christmas, Les Miserables had to close their doors and lose mega revenue because of the escalation of protest action by stagehands. In Hollywood there is a writers strike on which is also threatening the production of films and television. I guess the writers and stage hands are holding Broadway and Hollywood to ransom. When we protest here in Barbados, that is what we are accused of doing.

We Bajan entertainers are branded as villains for threatening to withhold our services and music at Crop Over because of outstanding grievances. The truth is that it is an international accepted norm – as demonstrated by our overseas comrades – that when things are not going the way you want and you have had enough, you shut things to ass down.

Our government always speaks of how standards in Barbados have improved and we now have an international airport and international venue like Kensington Oval. Therefore there is a dire responsibility on us as entertainers to also show that we too are of international standard. When things don’t go the way we need to, shut the business to ass down!

So that the government can proudly boast, Barbados also has an international entertainment industry, an industry that strikes!

Recently in addition to announcing their welcome efforts to eradicate cd piracy, our Royal Barbados Police Force also announced that its Operation Yuletide would be going on stream to protect Bridgetown during the coming Xmas period.

One of the characteristics of this Operation last year, was that our police announced that they could not provide security to our entertainment events. Lets hope that does not happen this year..

In the mean time Look for P.C Broomes when Madd celebrates our 25th Anniversary with a special Best of Barbados Gone Madd Comedy event at the Sir Garfeild Sobers Complex on Sunday 25th November 2007.

PC. Broomes is Ready!!

Want to know how I spent my last weekend? Attending a Creative Writers Workshop at the University of the West Indies. Want to know who put on the Workshop? The National Cultural Foundation, aka the NCF… Wanta know why I attended the workshop? So I can improve my writing and more effectively curse the same NCF.

I would therefore like to thank the NCF for sponsoring the work shop which is a part of the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts aka NIFCA. The title of the workshop was a “Voice in My Head” Like Edwin’s song, and it definitely did put a voice in my head.

The Voice was that of Sonia Williams, who is quite a prolific and accomplished theatre person. She writes, produces directs and acts, and was also a good presenter as well. She was very effective in her teaching technique. We studied a piece from the famous Caribbean play “Moon on a Rainbow Shawl” by Errol John. I got to read a part as a “Yankee” in the play which seemed to bring much laughter to the persons present. I assumed it was because I am so damn talented and not because of how I was reading.
I learnt about the use of dramatic language and about episodic or cause effect in writing and how the two can be combined. If you don’t know what that means you need to attend the next work shop, you should not miss out on an opportunity to sharpen your skills. The coordinator of the event was NCF Literary arts officer DeCarla Applewhaite.

I want to thank the NCF for putting on said workshop and allowing me to attend; I will now be able to curse them more effectively and in a more creative and dramatic fashion. I can hardly wait!

Have you heard the new tracks on Alison Hinds debut solo cd as yet?Well I have!

I was given album preview edition by her manager Van Gibbs and was able to get a listen which I will blog briefly on.
The Album is entitled “Soca Queen” and is definitely a must have for your CD collection when it comes out in November.
It is a mixture of old and new tracks and features Alison in diverse musical rhythms which will be sure to titillate you.
With out giving too much away I will tell you that one of the tracks on the album is the world famous “Faluma”
For your entertainment we now flash back in time and present Alison performing with Square One the same “Faluma”
Click and “get ready to wine”… and watch out for Alison’s new album coming soon..