Friday, March 29, 2024

Bands not as vibrant

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THERE?WAS no shortage of feathers and bikinis as Grand Kadooment revellers went through the National Stadium to be part of the judging yesterday. But missing was the abandonment and excitement.
The parade before the judges resembled more the end of a jump than a beginning and comperes Margaret Allman-Goddard and Antoine Williams were heard egging on the masqueraders to give a bit more zest to the cause.
The small turnout in the stands, in spite of the push back by officials that Roberts Manufacturing Foreday Morning was not impacting on Grand Kadooment, showed as the buzz associated with the latter was absent yesterday.
Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley, in defending the co-existence of the two events, however agreed that the costumes that paraded before the judges at Grand Kadooment needed to draw on more authentic Barbadian themes and images. Speaking to the DAILY?NATION briefly yesterday, he said that would be something they would be looking at come next year.
As usual, the Grand Kadooment in association with Buy Bajan, began with the religious band Walk Holy whose theme was More Than Enough. It was a commentary on the state of Barbados’ economy. The section Seeing Pink symbolised the layoffs, but the group also called on Bajans to be creative in finding ways to help the country grow again in the section Tools Of Trade.
Baje International brought a new perspective to the Monday with its theme Mega Monday, a day which encompasses not only Grand Kadooment but other festivities like Labour Day, Notting Hill and other carnival events.
The high-energy choreography known for by Power x Four was not felt this year as they presented the theme Journey To The Caribbean. It was an attempt to show the uniqueness of the region following their tour recently to Hong Kong.
The Youth Explosion band depicting sections like Pan Pun De Sand, Bridgetown Market and Grand Kadooment, and Ooutrage with its theme Hard Times Hit We . . . So Old Time Something Come Back flashed back to the symbols of hardship through Mr Harding and the Gold Coast as a tourist attraction which must be seen as a solution to the hard times, were well received.
Betty West paid tribute to the music of the festival with Kaiso Tents In De Festival and her pieces depicted more than the just feathers but painstaking hand creations.
Gwyneth Squires’ Controversee told a tale that changed Bimshire’s “picture perfect image”.
She used bold political and social themes like Socio-Idiosyncrasy (social values out through the door);  Unassured Policy (which speaks of policyholders as premium losers), High Priced Literacy and Abu Dhabi Currency (dealing in oil dollars).
In spite of the low-keyed parade, the visiting Guadeloupean band left a lasting impression with its contribution generating lots of rhythm with steel and drum.
By 12:30 p.m., Mas Mania put a cap on the activity at the Stadium as the 21 bands headed to Spring Garden Highway.
 
 
 
 

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