Despite rainy conditions the Season of Emancipation’s Heritage Fair recently got off to a rocking musical start on the Rock Hall Freedom Park, Rock Hall, St Thomas.
Phoenix Steel Orchestra which comprised former students of the Darryl Jordan Secondary School played hits including the soulful “Beautiful Barbados” by the Merrymen, the impactful “How Many More” by John King and Mighty Gabby’s social justice hit “Emmerton”, amongst many others.
Master of Ceremonies Antoine ‘Brudda Daddy’ Williams who kept the show flowing easily reminded that the theme for this Season of Emancipation was “A Legacy of Resistance – From Riots to Reparations.”
The Pinelands Creative Workshop which brought the rhythm and far flavour to Rock Hall was quite a spectacle with a crowd gathering despite the rains
to observe their movements.
Also sharing the stage was poet Theo “Deo The Poet” Greenidge who performed his piece “The Rose that Grew From the Concrete”, Akeem “Stoned with Cupid” Chandler-Prescod who performed – “Family Affair” and Shamona Forrester along with her piece “Corpse Sinking”.
Production Coordinator Adisa AJA Andwele said that having the fair in the primary free village was critical for the sake of information throughout the Season of Emancipation.
“That is a very important event not only from a historical and cultural perspective but from the indisputable fact that it’s being held in the primary free village where the Freedom Park is situated. It continues to be a site that’s in progress. It is an excellent site and due to this fact to have the primary heritage fair staged here is very important,” he said.
“The indisputable fact that the primary heritage fair is being held in the primary free village which represents the liberty of our ancestors living in an area that they’ll call their very own was tremendous,” he added.
Within the second half of the afternoon there was a collaborative performance by Haynesville Youth Group and the Pinelands Creative Workshop in the shape of drumming and dance.
Also performing were residents from Rock Hall Monarchy Music who performed original pieces that were well received by the gang which grew even larger by they took to the stage.
Following their performance was the Multifarious Dance Group who brought their nifty moves, opening their set with music by national hero Rihanna and comments by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
Seasoned performers Adrian Clarke, Betty B, Alex Cage, Jamal “J Slo” Slocombe, Anderson “Blood” Armstrong and Tony “Poser” Grazette brought the evening to an in depth with some excellent spouge performances. (MR)
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