New nightclub offers space to help develop young talent

By Marlon Madden

Nightlife and entertainment in Barbados are getting what is hoped to be a shot in the arm, with the opening of the island’s newest nightclub which will not only be a party spot but will be used as a space to develop the skills of young people in the industry.

Several local and international investors – three Barbadians locally and one internationally, along with two Canadians – have joined forces to open Halo Ultra Lounge, located at what was The Ship Inn many years ago but which changed hands several times.

The property officially opened on Monday with a party, giving brand managers, promoters, socialites, media personnel and other specially invited guests a taste of what is to come.

Officials said the venue, which is intended to become one of the major party spots in The Gap, will also be a venue for young people to develop their skills in the entertainment industry.

Orlando Newton, operations manager of NewArch Inc., operators of Halo Ultra Lounge, explained that the location will be available for rental and open to a variety of events and opportunities, including floor shows, themed nights, live concerts and artist development programmes, making it a multi-purpose use space for creatives.

“We also want the space to be opened to young people to come and have their own events and projects, so if there is a school that wants to have a concert with their school band . . . they – the university, the Barbados Community College and so forth – will have a venue available to get them more involved in the arts,” explained Newton, as he recalled that many major bands across the region started out playing in nightclub spaces.

Stating that The Gap has historically been the “entertainment capital of Barbados” and that entertainment was “an important part” of the island’s culture, he added that it was his goal and that of the other investors to return the location to that former glory.

“It was the place where I saw my first Square One, my first Krosfyah, where the big bands in Barbados were,” Newton said.

The executive promoter said he was happy to be associated with a project that helps to generate critical economic activities that would benefit several other industries and sub-sectors.

“We are a very important part of Barbados’ eco-system. When I say ecosystem, I mean even to get this place ready [we] employ a designer to decorate the lovely cabanas, a painter, a sound guy, the guy who put down the carpet, so the entertainment industry is much deeper than people look at it. They look at it as partying and wukking up and carrying on, but in order for you to get there, there is a lot more that has to happen,” said Newton, who is one of the investors.

“So people always see the end product.

They come for three, four or five hours and enjoy themselves, but the employment behind it is so great. It is enormous how many people have to actually work in the entertainment industry to get to this level.”

The new venue is expected to hire about 20 people part-time, and “when the industry gets back up in full pull” that figure could increase to between 50 and 60 people, said Newton.

The Halo Ultra Lounge is expected to be one of the major party spots to ring in the New Year, with a premium drinks event that will feature Skinny Fabulous out of St Vincent and Barbadian artiste Lil Rick.

The improved location, which now features wooden cabanas, a VIP area, open spaces, one main bar and other customizable spaces, is also earmarked for a special New Year’s Day event that will feature Krosfyah.

marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb