All Masked Up

A warm welcome to my blog readers - in particular the reader(s) from Japan, Chile and India. 👋 

Much of the world continues to shelter-in-place. In Barbados, we too are in a lock-down. We can go to the supermarket and the bank on days assigned to us based on the first letter of our last name. We can also go to the pharmacy, keep our medical/dental appointments or such emergencies; we can go to the gas station as needed as well as the corner/village shop or neighbourhood bread shop. The government finally recommended that we wear cloth masks or cover our faces when out in public. It's the creativity of  some masks that I will highlight today. 

To encourage everyone to wear a mask, the local Roteract Club of Barbados South initiated a #maskedup challenge. I am not famous enough for such a challenge! Still here I am in mine. It is my best selfie to date; readers who do not know me can now see what I look like - well half of my head anyway. 😁 

                                                 Here I am all #maskedup

This is not my fave mask. The first time I put it on, it was upside-down - yes imagine putting on a mask upside-down! My glasses slid straight off my nose and in grabbing at them I lost a plate of food! 😞 That was my lunch that day. On another occasion I felt like I was suffocating. The third time, I took a colleague's advice and put drops of peppermint oil on it to avoid that suffocating feeling. My eyes  and nose flowed like an open tap. So much for that idea. I will see what happens the next time.

Now here are a few local personalities who accepted the #maskedup challenge (you will need to have a Facebook account to view the video link provided) and who clearly had no issues with their masks!

Popular entertainer, Mikey, accepted the challenge. 

                                               Soca artiste, Mickey, in action 

The multi-talented Zhané Padmore, an entrepreneur, creative director, mental health advocate and dancer also took up the challenge:

                                                           Zhané Padmore

Sports journalist, Ann-Marie Burke, is another Barbadian personality who accepted the challenge: 

                                                               Ann-Marie Burke

So I hope you are masked up when you leave your home. I hope you are practising good hand hygiene. Most importantly, I hope you are safe.

Let us, who are praying people, pray for the healing of those still with the virus and the protection of all frontline workers in those sectors deemed to be critical or essential by our national administrations.

As you are aware, I do not hesitate to showcase local talent, so I am sharing this lovely rendition by another local entertainer - known more for his achievements in the soca arena but who won the local Teen Talent competition with a rendition of "Ben" by Michael Jackson, as a young boy. Here is Barbados' own Edwin Yearwood paying tribute to our frontline workers with a cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water". 

         Bridge Over Troubled Water (Cover) by Edwin Yearwood [Source: Edwin Yearwood, April 2020]

 Yes, there is much singing talent in Barbados - far more than the few who have graced an international pop stage.

Until next time, stay masked up.😷

Bajan Artistes Lend Voices to COVID-19 Awareness

🖐 I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read this blog. To date it was read/visited  more than 2,600 times. So I am very pleased. 

I want to greet the reader(s) visiting from Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Greece, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, Turkey and the British Virgin Islands. We are all in this COVID-19 together, so let us keep praying for the front-line workers and those who have tested positive who have not recovered.

In Barbados our artistes have been lending their voices to the public awareness cause. 

Let's begin with the Soca Queen herself Alison Hinds, who remixed one of her regional hits to promote hand-washing:

  

                                    Proper Hand-washing to Combat COVID-19 – Alison Hinds [thebgis March 2020]

Then there is the #extempochallenge begun by a former calypso monarch, Ian "IWeb" Webster on Facebook (to view you need to have an FB account as they're not on YouTube so click on the links below) ...

                                              IWeb began the #extempo challenge

There were some real gems in reply:

Three-time regional calypso queen, Crystal Cummins Beckles:

Winner of the World Championship of Performing Arts, Trinity Clarke:

Gospel artiste, Arnal "Gozzy" Goslin:

Calypsonian, Colin Spencer:

Remember the world-wide craze with toilet paper? Nesha Woodz mentions it 😆:

Here is Antoine Williams, whose comedic acting skills won him acclaim as Brother Daddy in televised skits in the '80s, in character: 

Another popular Crop Over soca artiste who accepted the challenge is Natalie "Nathalee" Burke. She is the niece of the late William "Smokey" Burke featured in the February blog:

I mentioned Ishiaka McNeil in my last blog also. Here is his #extempochallenge:

Not everyone participating was an entertainer. Two female doctors also accepted the #extempochallenge. Dr. Dionne Johnson is one of them. I have exhausted my images. Sorry. I had a really cool Super Doc with a 'fro cartoon to represent her.

I hope you were able to hear all of the contributions and that you enjoyed them. 

Be safe everyone.

Where He Gone? Paying Tribute To William Smokey Burke

Firstly, I send greetings from sunny Barbados to my readers from: Spain, United Kingdom, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Turkey and the British Virgin Islands. 😎

I thought of highlighting Rihanna's stirring acceptance speech at the NAACP Image Awards on receiving the President's Award for her wonderful philanthropic work. It would be quite popular and if you've not seen it, you can follow that link.

Then I remembered that a couple of years ago, I noted on this blog the desire to feature interesting Barbadians. On February 26, 2020, 69-year-old entertainer, William "Smokey" Burke passed away. So I am highlighting Smokey today. We share an alma mater - Harrison College - in different decades. 

                                       Calypsonian William "Smokey Burke" (1950-2020)

These clips show insights into Barbados' past - both in the lyrics of Smokey's calypso rendition and his details about the local music scene.

Known in the recent past for his contribution to calypso in Barbados, what I discovered in putting this tribute together is that he used to sing other genres and he played both drum and bass guitar. He also toured with the international group The Drifters, so he was no "fly-by-night" entertainer - to use local parlance. 

This is one of my favourite calypsos by him as it reveals the wit of the artist. The Prime Minister at the time was the Right Honourable Owen Arthur and the song really is saying that he has complete control of everything happening in Barbados:

         “Barbados Calypso Music” – Smokey Burke – Arthur Seat (Crop Over 2004) [Cheyne Jones 2015]

This clip shows a much younger Smokey performing a duet with a former band member, Cynthia Layne. What I love about this is the vocal quality of these two middle-aged persons who had not sung together for 25 years or so - and this is a recording from more than 20 years ago! It is also a great historical record of a youngster in the annual Richard Stoute Teen Talent contest, Ishiaka McNeil, who since went on to perform in the calypso arena as well as to become a member of the Laugh it Off crew (a popular comedy revue). At the end of this clip, he is rendering a spouge song, which is a sound unique to Barbados in the late 1960s/70s and a groove that I love because it was kicking on the radio when I was a child. 

                                            Smokey Burke & Cynthia Layne  [Jeff Grannum 2014]

Finally, this face-to-face interview produced by Jeff Grannum, seven years ago, provides a rich glimpse of Barbados' entertainment scene decades ago in Smokey's words. He is an excellent story-teller. It was an interview with him during his recovery after a battle with cancer.

                                                  Off the Cuff! Smokey Burke [Jeff Grannum 2013] 

Smokey went on to compete in the national calypso competition again. Then in 2018, when he came with two very strong songs, he took ill suddenly and was unable to compete in the finals. Over the last year he was trying to rally from that illness, however as February drew to a close, he lost his final battle. 

May he rest in peace. 😢

Celebrating The Motherland

The month of February is celebrated as African Awareness Month in Barbados. Local school children were taught British History during the colonial era; then we were introduced to Caribbean history in the post-Independence era. More recently, children are learning about Africa and the untold stories of great achievements by persons of African heritage. That will be the focus for today's blog entry. 

With that let me shout out the person in Zambia who visited the blog. 👋 Someone in Indonesia also visited recently. Hello from the gem of the Caribbean, Barbados.

Coinciding with African Awareness, is the national release of the regional film, JOSEPH - the story of a West Indian professional, who reconnects with his African roots in Ghana. The movie has been receiving some acclaim internationally. Ladies and Gentlemen, the official trailer for JOSEPH...

                                  JOSEPH Official trailer [Dave Weekes, November 2019]

Coincidentally,  in December 2019, Barbados' Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, reciprocated a visit from the President of Ghana, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyata. Here is a clip of her brief speech on the occasion of the 56th Jamhuri Day celebrations. 

                      Mia Amor Mottley’s during Jamhuri Day celebrations  [DailyNation, December 2019] 

As Barbados' Prime Minister mentioned the word "battle", I considered sharing Shontelle Layne's "Battle Cry" - one of several songs by her that I enjoy immensely. She is Barbadian for anyone who did not know this and she is one of the actresses in JOSEPH as well. Then I opted for Barbados' own Alison Hinds' collab with Richie Spice, which celebrates our people as Kings and Queens - after centuries of being brainwashed into thinking we are slaves, property, a different species, "hewers of wood and drawers of water". The whole purpose of African Awareness month is to remind our children of the great continent Africa has always been and to instill pride in our African heritage. Note also that Alison Hinds is starring in JOSEPH.

                                     Richie Spice & Alison Hinds – King & Queen [Jay Will, July 2009]

In parting, I say here's to our Kings and Queens everywhere.👑

Happy New Year From Barbados!

Hello from Beautiful Barbados.  HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎆

For checking out the blog, I  thank my readers from across the globe - the United Kingdom, USA, Belgium, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Portugal, Canada, France, St. Lucia, Greece, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Peru, Spain, Russia, India and of course Barbados. I am pleased to share some of my thoughts with you. 

The year 2020 is the year for WE GATHERIN' - an initiative by the Government to invite Barbadians to return home to their family, to their alma mater, to their heritage. Who would not want to return home to scenery such as this? Although sun, sea and sand are outmoded in tourism marketing these days, the beaches are still a hit with visitors.

Click for the lively We Gatherin' jingle 

There is a calendar of events for the year beginning with an Old Time Bajan Excursion (Picnic) to River Bay in St. Lucy on New Year's Day. Each month there is a focus on a different parish. It all begins with St. Lucy and via the link, you can view the Animal Flower Cave, North Point, one of the places of interest in that parish.

Before signing off for 2019, since many get glammed-up on Old Year's, I will show a few images of the fashion parade that occurs in Queen's Park on Christmas Day every year thanks to Kenmore Bynoe of Babes & Dad Photography. Red carpets around the world have nothing on Barbadians when they stroll in Queen's Park - though nowadays, they do line-dancing as if on cue (I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself in 2018). 

Ladies and gentlemen from Queen's Park Barbados - the 2019 fashion parade...

                           It is not only young people who step out in style, check these couples!

                                                         No description necessary for the Queen in blue 

                                                                        All dressed up and line dancing

                                                                     Dapper dudes in a row

I heard an interview with one of them once and he said that they put a lot of thought into what they wear at Christmas and some begin working on the ensembles from around September. Clearly the matching walking sticks take time to obtain.😀

                                                                   Once, twice, three times as nice

On that note I wish you a most fulfilling 2020 and I leave you with Auld Lang Syne rendered in bagpipes - no sweeter version of this New Year's Eve traditional song (well until I find a rendition in steelpan 😃). 🥂

                                        Scottish Bagpipes - Auld Lang Syne [Credit glasgow1284 July 2013]

M'AM Prime Minister

A very special shout out (greeting) to someone in South Korea, who visited the blog!👋

I noticed that a few regular readers checked in to see what was new...only to find I did not post in October. I am so sorry. Over the last month I became preoccupied with #itsawonderfullifetime (the Lifetime TV channel's celebration of the season with 24/7 Christmas romance movies that are always PG-13), #poldark on PBS and the kdrama #TheHeirs. This meant I was always preoccupied in my leisure time. Also I wanted to feature some local breast-cancer survivor stories from another media source, but did not get permission 😞. 

So, for the month of Independence in Barbados, I will feature the nation's first among equals - the island's first female Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley.

I considered a bio based on an article I wrote about her during my line of work years ago, but then I decided to just highlight some speeches that she gave and you will be able to learn about her yourself.

Her oratorical skills are outstanding. She speaks with minimal reference to notes on a range of topics while remaining totally on target. Indeed she has been attending speaking engagements regionally and internationally almost monthly as her vision is for Barbados to "punch above its weight" (and you will hear this said in more than one of the highlighted speeches). If your children are interested in public speaking, sit them down to listen to the following: 

Independence Day 2018

                  Nation Update: Mia Independence Address 2018 - The Nation (November 2018) 

As she stated: "Technology has given us… an audience that we might not otherwise have” and that is why my blog readers from all over the world can now hear what the Prime Minister of Barbados said to her country last year. 

There are certain recurrent themes in her speeches - the need for small island developing states to be given special consideration given the vulnerability of their economies to the impact of severe weather systems such as this year's Hurricane Dorian and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in previous years. She often quotes Barbados' first Prime Minister, now a National Hero, the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow's "(w)e are friends of all and satellites of none" to reiterate that Barbados will not take sides in international affairs. 

Oh, did I mention that she patronises the fashion house of a former classmate of mine? The ensemble featured on Independence Day is one such. 

Paying Tribute to the King Of The Road

               Feature Address by Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the Mighty Grynner Highway Re-naming Ceremony – 

                                                                        BLP News (June, 2019)

Though rather long, this address shows her at her most engaging. I call this the  “dare to dream, determine to do” speech. In it we learn that she once managed a band and that she and a couple of other classmates (also politicians' daughters) were somewhat mischievous - and you can only get away with being cocky to your Principal on the last day of your school life! 

In spite of those glimpses into her life and personality, she still pays a fine tribute to the man of the hour, Leo McDonald Blenman aka The Mighty Grynner, whose invaluable contribution to Barbados' cultural landscape was in the form of rendering catchy calypsos that won him six national road march titles...including two hat-tricks. Those were the days. 

Of Economies and Climate Change

                                   IDB’s 60^th Anniversary Celebration  – Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s Remarks  - 

                                                          BLP News (September, 2019)

I selected this speech to highlight Madam Prime Minister at her erudite best. Whether addressing an international audience of financial experts or commending the achievement of a son-of-the-soil, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley shows herself capable of speaking on any topic with apparent authority. Both her naysayers (for she has those) and her admirers tend to agree that she is a strong public speaker. 

This year I decided to be different for observing the month of Independence as I focused on the island's music in my previous blogs and you can follow the links for the 2018 and 2017 entries. 

In parting, I share with you, the Merrymen's "God Bless Bim on Independence Day", the song Madam Prime Minister urged the audience to sing in 2018.

May God Bless Bim

                                        God Bless Bim – The Merrymen (November, 2010)

'Til next time...

When You Rock!

Hello 👋 to someone new who read the blog from Greece and Vietnam respectively (even if you are regulars who were travelling). I love that you take time out to read this blog no matter where in the world you are. 

Well today I had to unpublish this submission as I got in trouble trying to share some inspiring messages from some sisters who rock. I realize that in this climate of online "political correctness" for some, I must be careful of the words in my headlines. In September 2019, I was looking for something to watch on cable and I came across BET's Black Girls Rock, the 2019 edition. I have to confess, I tend not to watch much of the BET channel - some content is not to my taste. My background was more like the Cosby Show, although I actually grew up in a partly under-privileged but genteel environment (I guess the best comparison is a modern-day version of the Bennet family in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice) but I spent enough time with the "privileged" parent to have been exposed to how both sides lived. So there are certain BET films I watch but most I don't. 

Anyway, the Awards recognizing achievements of African-American women in various fields (entertainment, social-activism, science, education for example) was on television. Indeed, that year's Awards ceremony was so good I watched a repeat! Well, be that as it may, I tried to share some of the motivating acceptance speeches from these women, who are wonderful winners in their respective fields, and I have been blocked😞. So if you wish to hear what veteran actress Angela Bassett and entertainer, Ciara, and the trail-blazing Debra Martin Chase said, you can click on the links (you need a Facebook account for these).

                                       Angela Bassett as Ramonda, mother of Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther

The Annual Diamond Ball

Of course, I have to feature something Barbadian and our national "rock star" is of course Rihanna. This year she held the 5th Annual Diamond Ball in honour of the charitable foundation named for her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Brathwaite, which has reportedly funded more than 50 projects globally. One of the honourees was none other than the first female Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, pictured here in an ensemble created by Barbados' own Pauline Bellamy and her local team. You can follow the link below for the LOOP Barbados news article highlighting a Variety interview on the occasion:

Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley

In honour of these winning ladies, I dedicate Sherry-Ann Maughan's lyric video Winner: 

Sherry Ann Maughan – Winner [Credit: Sherry Ann Maughan, July 2019]

Until the next time...