Entertainment -- NationNews Barbados -- Entertainment -- nationnews.com

Verne Troyer, ‘Mini-Me’ in Austin Powers films, dies at 49

Verne Troyer, who played Mini-Me in two of the Austin Powers comedy films, has died at the age of 49, according to statements posted to his social media accounts. “Verne was an extremely caring individual. He wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh,” a statement posted to his social media said. “Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible. Verne hoped he made a positive change with the platform he had and worked towards spreading that message every day.”
Avicii, Swedish electronic dance music artist and DJ, dead at 28

Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii, one of the biggest stars of electronic dance music (EDM) in Europe, was found dead on Friday at the age of 28, his US publicist said. Avicii, whose real name is Tim Bergling, died in Muscat, Oman.
Reggae Festival to see changes

Look for a revamp of the Barbados Digicel Reggae Festival in the future. Al Gilkes, director of FAS Entertainment touted that idea as he said change has to be embraced, especially when patrons spending power and their tastes change. “We have always been looking at the concept of what the festival will be year after year . . . . . We will soon have to look at other genres other than reggae to continue to attract patrons.”
Xhosa brings ten sections

Xhosa Barbados lived up to its hype Sunday night at its Cooler Fete And Launch Party. The event came off at the National Conservation Commission Botanical Gardens, Codrington, St Michael, and hundreds showed up to see what the band had to offer with the Circle Of Life theme. The festivities were slated to begin at 4 p.m. and several deejays, including hosts DJ Infamous & Karma, Jus Jay, Infamous & Boom Mafia, and DJ Kareem warmed up the growing crowd.
RPB looking to push culture in schools

One of Barbados’ cultural ambassadors is on a mission to get more children involved in the arts. Speaking to WEEKEND BUZZ, Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire said that the recently held inaugural calypso competition at Hindsbury Primary School was one project that he embarked on as “cultural ambassador to try to develop culture within schools with the young people, helping them understand who they are culturally”.
New royals at Daryll Jordan

Javan Henry and Rojanna Ramsey are the new king and queen of Daryll Jordan Secondary. In the St Lucy school’s first pageant since its renaming in 2012, Henry and Ramsey outshone their rivals to take the lion’s share of titles. Performing to a packed audience and huge fan club, along with the title of king, Henry also walked away with awards for Best Stage Presence, Best Question & Answer, Best Formal Wear and Best Casual Wear among the boys.
Powers clears up Miss World speculation

Ashley Lashley is Miss World Barbados 2018, a decision made by the judges, says national director of the Miss World Barbados franchise, Rodney Powers. Responding to comments on a social media website that first runner-up Zhane Padmore was the winner, and that collusion backstage robbed her of the crown, Powers told the DAILY NATION Sunday: “The judges’ decision was final. I’m not a judge nor did I judge the show. Ashley Lashley was the clear winner. That is what I was told by my head judge who gave the auditor the forms and final paperwork signed.”

Peta Alleyne exits Laff It Off stage

15 April 2018

Laff It Off is part of Peta Alleyne’s DNA, and after 30 years of playing Willhelmina Herassofat in the popular local comedy, Alleyne is now stepping away from the stage. “It took a while to make up my mind to no longer do Laff It Off and to hand it over to the younger... Read More

Kadooment band launches picking up steam

14 April 2018

The Crop Over Festival fever is quickly heating up. So far, a number of bands including Zulu, Khepri Kulture and Erup The Band have unveiled their costumes which they will take on the road come Grand Kadooment on August 6. The latest was Erup which released their... Read More

shannon-harris-with-lesley-chapman-andrews-and-jewel-garner-041318

Changes for Miss Universe pageant

14 April 2018

Miss Universe Barbados is coming bigger and better this year, and with some major and exciting changes. Speaking to Weekend Buzz at the launch earlier this week at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC), national director of Miss Universe Barbados, Bryan Green,... Read More

The original Tabitha

13 April 2018

If you ever ask reggae singer Tabitha how important it is to be true to yourself on a scale of one to ten, she would probably say 20. Every day, she makes a conscious decision to weed out negativity. When she awakes, she affirms that she will be happy and productive.... Read More

US actors' union calls for end to meetings in private hotel rooms

13 April 2018

LOS ANGELES – The United States’ largest actors’ union on Thursday called for an end to auditions and professional meetings in private hotel rooms and residences to protect its members from “potential harassment or exploitation.” SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris... Read More

Ashley Lashley is Miss Barbados World 2018

08 April 2018

18 year old student Ashley Lashley is the new Miss Barbados World 2018. She was crowned last night at the coronation ceremony at the Barbados Concorde Experience. Lashley will represent Barbados at the Miss World competition in China later this year. She will be... Read More

NCF praised as dancers head to international contest

06 April 2018

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) continues to make a worthwhile mark on the development of local artistes. Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley made this observation recently during a ceremony in his Sky Mall office, where he presented two... Read More

Zulu goes star gazing

05 April 2018

Band launch season is here. Before scores of spectators recently at the Daphne Joseph-Hackett Theatre, Queen’s Park, Zulu International Inc. made its intentions known that it is one of the bands to watch. It was the first band to reveal its Grand Kadooment costumes... Read More

Powerful messages in songs

05 April 2018

The Party Stand could not contain the powerhouse of talent at the 2018 Sonfest gospel concert held on Easter Monday. The combination of uplifting Christian lyrics fused with infectious Caribbean beats and rhythm roused the audience and for the duration of the six-hour... Read More

Soca straight up at Daiquiri Beach

05 April 2018

PURE VIBES! That pretty much summed up the highly anticipated show Gimme Soca which came off last weekend. From as early as 8 p.m., soca lovers started to assemble at Daiquiri Beach, Bay Street, St Michael, for what was expected to be a spectacular Saturday night,... Read More

Cops delight at tattoo

31 March 2018

There was a spectacular display of talent as the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) hosted a floodlit tattoo at the Dover Playing Field, Christ Church, on Thursday night as part of the annual Oistins Fish Festival. The spectacle was led by commander for the night,... Read More

Laff-it-Off heading north

30 March 2018

For the first time in its history, Laff-it-Off is heading to Speightstown. This Saturday night at the Alexandra School, the Nook & Cranny Bar will open for business in the north of the country, bringing the cast which has been performing before sell-out audiences... Read More

All Destiny

29 March 2018

Destiny Dezi Lynch is the calypso queen of Hindsbury Primary. The Class 4 Nicholls pupil won the inaugural competition held at the St Michael school on Tuesday before students, parents and guardians, other relatives, former teachers and friends. Singing Dun Wid... Read More

Mosaic Night 2 a hit

29 March 2018

Plenty of talent was on show recently when the Harrison College Parent Teacher’s Association put on its annual concert Mosaic over two nights. Night 2 of the concert, themed Linking Generations, presented a good blend of the old and young musicians, making for an... Read More

Through the lens

29 March 2018

Even before he was a teenager, Carlos Barrow’s book collection might have been able to rival a small library. Today, the film-maker and chief executive officer of Rock Stone Media Inc. firmly believes that early exposure to various types of literature and the arts... Read More

Netflix and Formula One team up for documentary series

25 March 2018

LONDON − Netflix are to make a documentary series chronicling the 2018 Formula One season and which will be screened next year, the sport’s rights holders announced on Saturday ahead of the opening race in Australia. Formula One said the makers of the 10-part series... Read More

NCF calls for judges in the arts

15 March 2018

The National Cultural Foundation is inviting suitably qualified people to apply to be judges for the various competitions it administers annually. Those interested in offering their services as judges in the visual arts and craft, film and photography, music, dance,... Read More

Kyle’s a funny guy

09 March 2018

Comedian Kyle Cozier has given the term fun-sized a whole new meaning. He is no class clown, but admittedly playing mind games comes easy to him, just as putting smiles on faces. At 19 years old and almost 6 feet 4 inches tall, he is the youngest member of the 2018... Read More

NBA star Kobe Bryant wins Oscar for animated short

05 March 2018

LOS ANGELES − Retired basketball star Kobe Bryant has won five NBA titles, but taking home an Oscar on his first attempt was a bigger thrill than the victories earned with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer said on Sunday. “I feel better... Read More

DJ Puffy puts his own spin on music

03 March 2018

As the 2016, RedBull 3Style World Champion, DJ Puffy has spun records all over the world. And based on what he has planned for this year, he won’t be slowing down any time soon. Two years ago, after Puffy, birth name Andre Parris, submitted his video entry to... Read More

Auditions for NIFCA performing arts ensemble

28 February 2018

The National Cultural Foundation is inviting all NIFCA performing arts awardees from 2013 to 2017 to join its NIFCA Performing Arts Ensemble. Persons who were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals during that period are invited to audition for a place in the ensemble.... Read More