Barbados
MusicRum shops and bars on this island paradise are more than just watering holes. Here you will hear Barbadians articulately debating the latest political issues and current affairs of the day over an alcoholic beverage of choice. This same spirit of public discourse is underscored by the local's love of music and dance and the infectious calypso rhythms of the island.
Calypso is more than just a 'jump up' carnival beat. It is a serious social commentary about the issues of life. It is the Calypsonian's form of political satire. Spend some and listen to the lyrics and you hear critiques on virtually everything from politics to male and female relationships.
The annual Crop Over festival is a five-week summer festival that promotes the best in local culture and entertainment. Some of the island's top performers such as the Mighty Gabby and Red Plastic Bag compete for several coveted prizes including Party Monarch, the Road March and the Pic-O-De-Crop Monarch. The finals of the Pic-O-De-Crop are held at the National Stadium in Waterford. The entertainers are judged not only on visual presentation but also on the lyrical content of their songs. Innuendo, humor, and skillful delivery are artistically infused into their performances to help them compete for calypso king and queen.
While the traditional Barbadian calypso is still highly regarded among the island's music lovers, the next generation of Barbadians is attracted to the up-tempo beats of party soca. Performers such as Alison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood and Rupee Clarke have excelled in this arena. This variation of calypso is faster paced, energetic, and more physically demanding in its dance requirements. With lyrics focusing on sex, 'wukking up' and to a lesser extent, current issues, party soca is popular in the island's clubs.
Bridgetown is more a commercial hub than a entertainment center. To uncover the true musical pulse of the island, you have to go outside of Bridgetown. The St. Michael area, the South Coast (where the popular St. Lawrence Gap is located) and the West Coast are home to some of the more popular music venues.
For late night socializing, live entertainment and DJ music, Harbour Lights, located just outside Bridgetown, is one of the top clubs amongst visitors and locals. This semi-outdoor setting offers live music on weekends and some weeknights. The cover charge includes free drinks on certain nights. And it attracts large crowds on Fridays (the cover charge is USD 17).
Just under a quarter of a kilometer away, you will find the Boatyard with its semi-outdoor restaurant and courtyard bar. This is a famous happy hour haunt, especially with the locals. The happy hours are 6p and 10p and the second happy bell packs the place, particularly on Friday nights. Live music on weekends includes top local bands such as Square One and The Heard, and several others from the region.
Located in St. Lawrence Gap, the heart of the South Coast tourist belt, the Ship Inn is one of the liveliest clubs on the island. Its pulsating calypso rhythms and alfresco setting attracts a large local and tourist crowd. The club also features live local acts such as Biggy Irie and Tamara Marshall.
The popular After Dark nightclub, also on St. Lawrence Gap, boasts one of the longest bars in the world. Here their expert bar staff will serve you virtually any alcoholic beverage of your choice with a juggling technique that is as impressive as the drink itself. You can take advantage of dancing to the sweet rhythms of calypso and reggae until the wee hours of the morning.
The annual Barbados Jazz Festival is one of the premier jazz festivals in the Caribbean, as it attracts jazz lovers and world wide media attention. Headliners have included bands and artists such as Toshiko Akiyoshi, Nancy Wilson, Monty Alexander, Wynton Marsalis and Spyro Gyra. One of the highlights of the festival is "Jazz on the Hill." Scores of Barbadians and visitors converge at Farley Hill National Park with their picnic baskets to listen to some of the world's top jazz performers.
Located in Bridgetown, the Waterfront Café is one of only a few jazz cafes on the island. This stylish café overlooks the scenic Careenage where yachts are docked. This is a great place to listen to live jazz (on Saturdays) and enjoy a drink or a meal. The Waterfront Café can also offer unexpected surprises in the form of marquee guest artistes such as Roy Haynes or Branford Marsalis.
Theatre
Barbadian humor, often considered "wicked," abounds in Barbadian pantomime. Very different from British pantomime, it focuses on political satire and local folklore. Laff it Off and Pampalam are two of the more popular pantomime venues. Politicians and celebrities are often the butt of the jokes. Listings for these performances are posted in the Friday editions of the Barbados Advocate and Nation newspapers.
Over the years, more serious theaters have emerged on the local scene. This has attracted more discerning theatergoers who have an interest in literature and playwriting, which typify the local drama scene. Stage One Theatre Production, among other production companies, has brought a number of serious plays to Barbadian audiences.
Dinner Shows
Two of the island's most popular dinner shows are 1627 and All That and Tropical Spectacular. These truly memorable evenings of entertainment feature folk dance, drama and traditional rhythms. 1627 and All That gives visitors a chance to experience the history of Barbados from 1627 to present as it unfolds in music, verse and dance. The show includes lively steel band entertainment, a complimentary bar, hors d'oeuvres and a sumptuous Barbadian buffet dinner. Tropical Spectacular, held at the attractive plantation Garden Theatre, is a dinner show that offers a variety of entertainment. This glittering extravagazana, complete with stunning costumes and thrilling choreography, is an authentic Caribbean cultural kaleidoscope featuring music, song and dance and the red-hot excitement of a fire-eater and flaming limbo. The show has kept visitors and locals alike coming back again and again for the past seventeen years.
Cinemas
If you are a moviegoer, you will be happy to know that there are two cinemas and one drive-in on the island. The Globe Drive-In, situated in Adam's Castle, Christ Church offers an outdoor viewing experience and usually combines new releases with older classics. They offer the latest Hollywood releases. Located in Upper Roebuck Street, Bridgetown, the Globe Cinema offers a similar selection to the Drive-In. Ticket prices are around USD 5. Refreshments include old movie favorites such as hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks. The Vista and the Globe feature daytime and nighttime movie showings.
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