Date: July 11, 2024
NCF looks to surpass 30 000-strong at last year’s Pandemonium
The National Cultural Foundation expects an even larger audience for the 2024
edition the Republic Bank Pandemonium. To date, the event has become one
the largest and most widely-anticipated event on the Crop Over calendar, with
over 30,000 patrons attending last year.
While the Republic Bank Pandemonium event will see the event being staged
for the third time when audiences head to the National Botanical Gardens on
Sunday, July 14 from 2 p.m., steel pan is not new to the Crop Over experience.
Pan has always been key to Barbadian culture and heritage with its sweet
sounds adding to the sweetness of Crop Over since its inception. It has been
part of Bridgetown Market, the Calypso tents, national parades, and on stage in
competition – to say the least.
In the late 80’s and 90’s, up to 10 pan groups competed in a popular competition
called Pang-a-lang and was part of a trend of steel pan and tuk bands being
paired in a joint expression of Barbadian culture.
NCF Event Producer Karen Pestaina said the inclusion of pan is significant
especially during the golden anniversary of Crop Over.
“As we celebrate this 50 th year of Crop Over it is important that a taste of the
past and the solid foundation of the future of pan be merged at one event”,
Pestaina said.
Pan lovers descending on the National Botanical Gardens will experience
exactly that among other things. Along with a Children’s Pay Area, there will be a
number of food vendors on location.
Island Smiles with their Crop Over branded 360 photo booth will be on site to
capture the memories of the day.
The line-up which includes: Calvary YPS Steelband, St. Leonard’s Band &
Choir, the all-female group Dejavu, Phoenix Steel, ZigE Walcott and Black
Peppa, Euphony Steel, the Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra, the
Crop Over 50th Anniversary Iron Massive Steel, the Republic Bank Steel Band
and live performances by Brucelee Almighty, Walkes, Lorenzo, Mikey, Nikita,
Fadda Fox, Saddis, Biggie Irie, Lil Rick and Caribbean Soca Queen Alison
Hinds. Special guests, Trinidadians Liam Teague, and Boogsie with the XLR
Band, will also be there.
The night culminates with the feature act: the NCF’s 100-member strong
National Youth Steel Orchestra – the largest steel pan ensemble in Barbados.
Speaking on the inclusion of Liam “Hands Like Lightning” Teague being part
of the event, Pestaina said: “He has long been part of the festival whether solo or
with his group from Trinidad and, to also have his son Jaden Nunez-Teague
perform this year with the National Youth Steel Orchestra, shows continuity of
relations between the islands and region.”
“It also shows that pan is on the road of success. Jaden has grown up in the
artform with his father tutoring and similarly our juniors have had the opportunity
to attend workshops from various artists and local tutors to reach the successes
they have achieved”, the event planner explained.
Locals and visitors headed to the event are in for a musical treat with a lineup of
performances which keep pan at the forefront while adding choir, voice,
percussion and more. (PR)
