‘Carols by Drive-in’: Annual Rotary show to make virtual bow

With a Bajan tradition that spans just over 25 years, the Rotary Club of Barbados’ annual fundraising event, Carols by Candlelight, will be a drive-in show this year, with a new lineup of artists and performances promised for patrons.

During Wednesday’s launch of the 2021 event, dubbed Where the Joy of Christmas comes to Light!, President-Elect of the Rotary Club and Committee Chair for the show, Tracey Knight-Lloyd, told journalists that this year’s instalment will feature two shows on December 11th and 12th at the Globe Drive-In.

Knight-Lloyd said: “We are delighted as a Rotary Club, and as a Barbadian family that we have been able to keep the carols tradition alive for over 25 years. We are proud to bring you this even once again where the joy of Christmas comes to light.

“Last year we pivoted in response to the global pandemic, and we were able to host a very successful show at the Globe Drive-In. This year is no different.”

Despite the coronavirus pandemic still limiting the scope of the show, as its previous live performances can still only be done virtually, the 2021 edition will feature Michael Mikey Mercer, Mahalia Cummins, Anna Greenidge, Alan Shepherd and many more artists expected to deliver many special performances within the 90-minute running time for the show.

Though patrons are being invited to enjoy the entertaining evening within the Christmas season, the charitable aspect of the show is still in full swing, as patrons are once again being asked to donate items for the benefit of people in need.

Knight-Lloyd said: “As you know each year we ask patrons to bring a new toy, a new book, or any new gift for children ages one to 12 years old. This year given the need that exists in our communities, we are also asking our patrons to kindly donate a canned item of food, not expired, so that we can distribute food hampers for those in need.”

Rotary Club president Robin Ford thanked corporate sponsors and the wider community for their support over the years, as proceeds from the annual event have gone a long way in supporting the club’s various charitable activities over the last two decades, and in particular over the last year of COVID-19.

Ford told journalists: “We have provided hampers to persons who lost their jobs during the pandemic through the Salvation Army. We have built and maintained school signs to assist in keeping our children safe. Our last show last year was instrumental in assisting our club with the recent installation of water tanks at six secondary schools in the north of the island.

“These are just a few of the many projects undertaken by our club over the years, this, however, would not have been possible without the continued support of everyone including corporate Barbados and the public of Barbados.”

In his first year performing as a solo artist for the show, Michael Mikey Mercer expressed his gratitude for being able to take part in the event and said the artists are all excited to be a part of the experience.

“It was always a dream of mine to perform at Carols by Candlelight. So this year is actually going to be the first year I am performing at Carols by Candlelight by Mickey, and not with G-Syndicate, so that within itself is a milestone for me, and it’s going to be my first year officially as a Rotarian,” said Mikey.

“I intend to give you guys a good show… I had a good talk with all the artists and it’s going to be awesome.”

Tickets for this year’s show are $65 per car, with doors opening at 4 p.m. on both December 11th and 12th . (SB)