Wednesday 2000 Costumes

Cohobblopot Analysis

I found an interesting article on Boycevoice.com tonight. What do you think?

MACHEL MONTANO CONQUORS CROP OVER
Lil Jon, Pitbull, TOK in Tow
FOX FOTOS: Machel Montano with surprise guests Lil Jon and Pitbull
headline Cohobblopot in Bridgetown, Barbados on August 3, 2008.

“NEW YORK, NY (RHONA FOX, INC.)- Soca superstar Machel Montano brought the excitement and thus the masses to the annual Crop Over celebrations in Barbados, last week. First with the bMobile EnVy concert on July 26, followed by the Brian Lara All-Inclusive Fete on August 2, then performing to a sold-out crowd at Cohobblopot on August 3, and finally hitting the street parade for Grand Kadooment on August 4, Montano was the face of Crop Over this year.”

As entertainers and Barbadians, we should note with concern the above international media report.I have been hearing local cultural administrators patting them selves on the back on a successful Cohobblopot and I have been seeing your comments as to how “ram” the show was. Let’s examine its success more closely shall we?
The National Cultural Foundation has a mandate to develop the Barbadian entertainment industry, I believe that’s what “National” means. To re enforce concepts that are suppose to help us define our bajan identity and highlight things that are Bajan. Cohobblopot 2008 failed miserably in that regard. As evidenced by the above excerpt NCF produced a show where bajan acts were relegated to second bananas “begging for a blight”, while Machel was paid the biggest fee and given the most performance time (2 hours) and the highest production budget. Our own Lil Rick had his stage time reduced to “five stinking minutes” as he described it. Other bajan acts had their time reduced which would have diminished their impact. Rupee’s set was interrupted several times to facilitate drawing the car.
There was not enough room in the budget for Bajan Alison Hinds or Mr Dale but enough for an American rapper.
Cohobblopot 2008 deviated so far from highlighting Barbadiana it was not funny, Bajans were on it but merely as supporting acts. While NCF achieved the objective of cohobblopot being a financial success, it was a cultural failure. In the opening review of the event they are not saying that Krosfyah, Lil Rick Asiba or RPB dominated the show, they say it was conquered by the Trinis’s and Americans. Instead of 100% bajan music being featured on radio stations as with previous Crop Overs, our national festival airplay time was now diluted with Trini music.

It is not unknown that a Cohobblopot featuring 100% local acts would work, in the 1990’s the event was given to a private promoter and with only local entertainment being featured attendence went to over 25,000 patrons.
Any commercial promoter could have put on a show featuring every foreign Tom Dick Machel and Jon and generated money, the National Cultural Foundation had a further cultural responsibility which they needed to adhere to.

Article source by http://www.boycevoice.com/blog/

Its time for ten to ten

CROP-OVER’S most energy-challenging party, the Ten-To-Ten fete, comes off this year at its former home next to the Heliport, Hincks Street, in The City on August 2.

The non-stop partying takes place from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next day to one of the largest line-ups of local and regional performers, bands and DJs to be found on one stage during the festival.

Earlybird tickets are now on sale at C.S. Pharmacy, Journeys (Haggatt Hall) and Warren’s Ticket Centre, as well as by members of the Bergerboyz group, FAS Entertainment, Brewster’s Road group and Passion Network.

The eNVy of festival shows

MACHEL MONTANO HD, David Rudder, krosfyah, Patrice Roberts, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Li’l Rick and Peter Ram are all confirmed for Barbados’ newest all-inclusive event eNVy.

Rachael Lazare, brand manager of Cable & Wireless, confirmed these headline acts for Saturday’s event when the Sherbourne/Ilaro outdoor premises will be transformed into a party zone.

“These performers will share the stage with a line-up of class artistes, including some of the most exciting entertainers from Crop-Over 2008. We are very elated as we expect eNVy to add an additional dimension to the Crop-Over season,” she said.

She added that the bmobile eNVy event would be a total experience, a celebration, which would stimulate all the senses. There will be great music, delicious Caribbean delicacies, relaxation in a laid-back ‘chill out’ lounge, and dancing in a fun-filled and sophisticated atmosphere.

Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to some charities.

“The staging of this event reflects Cable & Wireless and bmobile’s continued commitment to Crop-Over, Barbados’ premier cultural festival. eNVy promises to be an an incredible experience for all who attend,” said Glenda Medford, vice-president, legal, regulatory and public policy.

“The entertainment presents an interesting combination of artistes for all soca/kaiso lovers. We are also pleased to have krosfyah in the line-up since they have been part of the Cable & Wireless family for five years.”

Official 2008 Crop Over Calendar

We’ve got it and brought it to you first. The complete 2008 Crop Over Calendar is filled with the usual events from the National Cultural Foundation although not yet released to the general public. It all begins with the now famous Cavalcades on Friday May9th at the NCF car park and climaxes at the National Stadium on June 14th 2008.

You can download the official event posters and print for your reference:
Cavalcades Poster

Downdload Poster

Crop Over Events Poster

Downdload Poster

They will be an event venue change this year. Kensington Oval will stage Cohobblopot, Pic-O-De-Crop Finals and Junior Kadooment. We are not sure and it is too early to tell logistically, how this will be done. As one of the most controversial projects of the Owen Arther administration, we hope the NCF can prepare and protect this valued investment.

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2008 Bajanfuhlife NEWS