Arts Summer Festival – wow!

By DR FRANCES CHANDLER
| Tue, June 19, 2012 - 12:00 AM

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I WOULD LIKE to publicly congratulate Ronnie Carrington and his committee for introducing the Barbados Arts Summer Festival last month. It was refreshing to have such a wholesome event amidst the various “wuk up” events being launched in the run-up to what has become the biggest “wuk up” event of all – Crop Over.

The Summer Arts Festival showcased the seven aspects of our true culture: what we see; what we hear; what we write; what we make; what we eat; what we wear; how we move.

On the opening day I was pleased to be able to purchase some genuine local art and craft items.

I went back on the last day and thoroughly enjoyed the fashion show.

The three-day festival saw the display and sale of an impressive array of local art, craft and herbal products, combined with emphasis on various aspects of our culture each day. On Friday patrons were treated to tuk rhythms, while Caribbean cuisine, including our own pudding and souse, was the fare on Saturday. The event also included Zumba dancercise, Tuk-Muh-Nuh Congaline and karate displays, and a steel band concert.

On Sunday evening, models displayed the clothing of two local designers, followed by more music from Gravity, John King and Sherry Boyce.

It was perhaps unfortunate that the event coincided with BMEX. Attendance might have been affected by the clash of events.

Wholesome and constructive events like these are to be encouraged. While BMEX is well established, I hope the Summer Arts Festival will become an annual event that will attract increasing support from sponsors as well as patrons.