Almost two decades after its inception, the Super Gladiators tent gave Barbadians a taste of what to expect this year as they held a free concert at the Oistins Bay Gardens last Saturday.Described as “a total exposé of the total” hand by tent director, Peter Roy Byer, those gathered as Oistins sampled performances in the areas of social commentary, party music, and steelpan.It was a treat that was well received as patrons swayed, danced, raised their hands and tapped their feet to the rhythms pumped out by De Heat band, led by the 18-year-old trumpeter J’anne Claire Greenidge. Introduced as “a well organised tent with a heavy band”, Super Gladiators along with its Tomorrow’s Children (the Partee People) section was touted as “a tent to reckon with this Crop-Over”. Indeed, the tent (which is this year under the patronage of Emile Straker and the Merrymen) delivered a strong entertainment package on Friday night.2010 University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) Calypso Monarch, Apollo performed his playfully-titled For King Issues well, throwing in additional verses which touched on more recent issues on the national level. Bringing a more up tempo vibe, the guys of Airzone kicked up dust with their highly popular song Vacuum – delivering an energetic performance which was sucked up by their audience. Without a doubt, the Mosaic Steel Orchestra was the audience pick with their high energy renditions of popular calypso songs from last Crop-Over as well as some older hits, leaving patrons screaming for more.Those who missed Saturday night’s action or simply want more can head over to the Culture Village in Waterford where the Super Gladiators tent, comprised of 14 social commentary calypsonians this year, is located. The Super Gladiators held their launch last night at 8:30 p.m. while Tomorrow’s Children will be opening from tomorrow night with 20 young calypsonians.Byer noted that there will be giveaways and a calypso challenge where patrons will have a chance to win $5 000. He also suggested that the Super Gladiators tent will also be honouring and giving awards (in July) to ten persons who started the first calypso tent in 1975 as well as persons who have made valuable contributions over the years to the calypso art form. (EB)
