OUR PEOPLEJuly 01, 2015 Page 16

For the first time in eight years, Grand Kadooment, the always-much-anticipated finale of the annual Crop Over Festival, will have a sponsor.

Producer of the colourful costume band parade, Adisa Aja Andwele, revealed today at its official launch, that Republic Bank had committed to sponsorship for the next three years.

“Grand Kadooment is the biggest event for Crop Over. It’s the signature event for (the) international press…. Grand Kadooment sells Crop Over. I’m really pleased that the Republic Bank is on board,” Aja said.

“We are hoping over the next three years (that) we can shift some of the attention back to the Stadium. … I am excited to see how it evolves with the

Republic Bank on board,” he added.Aja revealed that there will be 24 bands

on the road this year, two more than last year, comprising an estimated total of 10 000 revelers.

“There is an excitement to Crop Over which I have never seen before,” he said.

Following the official launch of Kadooment, being dubbed “the jewel in the crown” of Crop Over, a group of costumed revelers paraded along the street from the Broad Street branch of Republic Bank to the sister Fairchild Street branch a short distance away.

The spectacle was meant to give shoppers and other onlookers a glimpse of what they can expect on August 2.

(DB)

MINI KADOOMENT

SAAN

Manager of Administration and Acting CEO of NCF Wayne Webster (right), sealing the deal with General Manager of Retail Banking at Republic Bank. Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communications Debbie Stoute look on.

Producer of Grand Kadooment Aja chipping up broad street with revellers.

Members of Republic Bank and NCF celebrating the partnership.

It was a mini carnival today on Broad Street.Blood was in fine voice at Sand Sea & Soca.

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SPOTLIGHTJuly 1, 2015 Page 21

SOCASaxophonist

Arturo Tappin

OUR PEOPLEJuly 01, 2015 Page 22

Jah Stone was the stand-out performer as the Tornadoes Calypso Tent made their case before the Pic-O-De-Crop judges on Saturday at the Roy Byer Centre at Waterford, St Michael.

The veteran calypsonian whose forte has always been his phrasing and confident delivery, impressed in the first half with Kaiso In A Coma, which knocked the influence of other genres on the calypso art-form. In essence, Jah Stone simply believed that calypso had its own identity and should not be bastardised.

He was equally potent in the second half with the melodic One For Cecil Ward which paid tribute to the Barbadian’s impact on pan music in the island. Stone could feel justly satisfied with his night’s work.

Though making his Pic-O-De-Crop debut, Shirley Stewart is no stranger to the stage and he was pure class in the first half with Change. He sang that if Barbadians wanted to survive they needed change in several areas. It was a clever pun on “change” where he brought out both the monetary element as well as the necessity for a different path. The song was also very melodic.

His second selection I Am Bajan was again very strong on melody but somewhat inadequate lyrically. One just got the feeling that it was short on lyrics in emphasizing the point, or importance for that matter, of the song’s title. But he generally had a good night and his overall rendition was among the best on show.

OB had the fans present paying rapt attention to his No, Sir which posed the question: Is this what we voted for? He then went through a litany of woes associated with political governance,

mostly directed at those he termed Deceitful Lied People. He received an encore for his efforts. Together with his first half offering Lock Dem Up, his was a night well spent.

Gregory G was positive in the second half with I Love Young People which was a timely reminder that not all of our youth are thugs and miscreants. His other song was We Believe. He was one of the few in the first half whose big booming voice transcended some of the sound issues which others had with the system, but which were corrected significantly in the second half.

Apollo has great promise and both his performances of and Utility BillI Want A Degree were testimony to this. His latter was especially impressive and rendered with excellent clarity. He suggested that the opportunities afforded so many to rise from their circumstances through a university degree should not be taken from those of this generation.

Blank excited the fans with Magic Moments in the first half and though he did not reach that height in the second half with One Song, his potential was unquestionably apparent.

Veteran Jadu, with his distinctive voice, offered Government Jobs and Third Party to the judges, while newcomer Princess Jan got her feet wet with She KnewLeave Rihanna Alone and showed definite potential.

Also making guest appearances were Tall Boy, Vince and the inimitable Cutloose.

Emcee was Harvey “Pop” Daniel and musical accompaniment was provided by the Up and On Band.(WG)

TORNADOES TOUCH DOWN

Apollo singing I Want A Degree.

Jadu putting a case for a Third Party.

Jah Stone was the star of the night.

OB had some lashes for governance in Barbados.

Shirley Stewart was impressive with Change.

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