Speightstown Alive a spectacular celebration of Barbadian heritage

Speightstown Alive, one of St Peter’s We Gatherin’ marquee events, was a spectacular celebration of Barbadian heritage. On Saturday the serene seaside town was abuzz with activity. Historical tours provided attendees with some cultural insight into the northern town. In addition to vendors lining the roadside, several artists were on site capturing the essence of the town. This all-day event offered an unforgettable experience for both locals and visitors alike.

Traditional games such as potta and warri sparked friendly competition, adding to the lively and engaging atmosphere. Early entertainment was provided by the Ward Brothers on steelpan and keyboard. A roving steel band kept the energy high as anticipation built for additional performances at the esplanade. During the evening there was a parade, which included traditional Barbadian characters like the mother sally, stilt men and the shaggy bear, with the tuk band music accompanying, making a spectacle as they made their way through the street.

Appearing on the mainstage were the Coleridge and Parry School Band who opened with gospel selections including Big God, Walk Holy and RPB’s I’m Alive before delighting the audience with renditions of chart-topping hits by Barbados’ own Rihanna. The St Peter Folk Group had the crowd singing along to beloved classics like John Belly Mama and Gabby’s Bridgetown Early. Also in the lineup were Dancin’ Africa who delivered a high-energy performance set to a medley of soca hits.

This lively showcase was the perfect prelude to the much-anticipated Sunset Concert, hosted by Cassandra Crawford. The opening segment celebrated Barbadian soca legends, with Bumba performing Seamen and They Want to Know, followed by Kid Site, who energised the crowd with Malicious & Dangerous, and Searching Can’t Find Hall. The legendary Gabby was in fine form with powerful renditions of Culture and Emmerton, while Tony Grazette closed the Vintage Kaiso Legends segment with his classic Tell Them Slavery Done.

The momentum continued with tribute being paid to spouge icons. Grazette returned to the stage with Don’t Look Back and Knock on Wood, while Desmond Weekes delivered a nostalgic Drayton’s Two medley. Mike Thompson sang Another Try and Nikita honoured Carlyn Leacock with moving performances of Love and a Song and Hello There Baby.  Wendy Alleyne captivated the audience with a selection of her hits including Stand by Love, Have a Thing About You, Midnight Blues before closing with I am Still Here.

As the night intensified, hometown favorite Stiffy amped up the energy with a dynamic set featuring appearances by SugahRhe, Answar, Rhea Layne, and Hypasounds. A thrilling highlight came when Stiffy and Sunrokk engaged in a freestyle showdown, igniting cheers from the audience.

The final segment, Speightstown to the World, showcased a diverse array of talent. Carol George delivered a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace, beautifully complemented by the masterful accompaniment of Darien Bailey on keys. Abianna Fenty impressed the audience with her flawless vocals on Summertime, while Ch’An brought a fresh and soulful twist to Killing Me Softly.

This segment also featured standout performances from vocalists Jermone Waithe, Jamal Slocombe, Betty Payne and Casheda Dottin. Instrumentalist added to the excitement with presentations by saxophonist Romaro Greaves and Willie Kerr and Terry ‘Mexican’ Arthur. All the artistes in the concert were backed by the impeccable musicianship of the Darien Bailey Band.

Parliamentary Representative for the area, Colin Jordan, acknowledged the dedication and effort that brought the event to fruition. He stated, “A lot of hard work has gone into making this a reality. A lot of work has gone into making this the success that it has been so far.”

Expressing his gratitude, he extended thanks to the team from the National Cultural Foundation and the Parish Independence Committee adding, “All that I have seen in St Peter for the past week has been the hard work of a very dedicated team, not a big team but a dedicated team.” (STT)

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