Creatives highly productive despite COVID restrictions

by David Hinkson

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Barbados’ shores almost two years ago, and subsequently major cultural activities such as the Crop Over Festival, the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), and myriad other events where artistes from all aspects of the creative economy could showcase their talents were cancelled, it looked like the end for that sector.

However, the reality has been somewhat different, according to cultural practitioner and co-founder of the Gine On?! People’s Choice Awards, D.J Simmons, who later this month will be hosting the third annual Celebration Ceremony honouring the island’s musicians, poets, authors, and other members of the cultural sector.

Simmons said: “COVID has caused the artistic community to be a lot more innovative, with how they see creativity.

This is why the People’s Choice Awards has such a strong focus on being a digital platform that can connect Barbadian artistes with international markets and people overseas can see what they have done with direct links to their online platforms and profiles.

We hope that this helps the Barbadian creatives to stand proudly while being published online and on similar platforms to other international artistes in their field.”

He added that despite the cancellation of the Crop Over Festival over the last two years, many of the more experienced entertainers, plus other artistes involved in the festival, still produced new material.
Simmons added that his company was committed to ensuring local performers received maximum exposure in as many markets as possible over time.

“The cancellation of Crop Over definitely affected the calypso music, but some of the seasoned and more professional artistes still produced music.

They understood that Soca music is not just for Crop Over, but it is about connecting to the Soca lovers all across the region and all across the world.

So, you still had very solid productions from some of our artistes, and we must bear in mind that Crop Over is not just music; it encompasses many different artistic genres such as visual arts, culinary arts, etc. With no Crop Over that meant that some of these artistes just needed alternative prompts to publish their expression.

“We as a company, Gine On, will continue to seek organisations and entities overseas to link with, to increase the chance of international opportunities.

As we continue to grow, we will provide this platform for locals and lovers of Barbadian culture worldwide to be educated by some of the practitioners making the most impact in the community each year and strengthen the creatives’ digital identity.”

An example of just how well the creative sector has been faring is the fact that there are 57 categories on the cards this year, and much of this has come as a result of feedback from those within the sector.

“There are some new categories this year inspired by conversations that we’ve had with the different cultural practitioners.

For example, Live Vocalist of the Year – which celebrates those people whose stage performances we enjoy.
We have also included Cultural Stage Performer of the Year; these are those people who entertain some of our visitors at “floor shows” such as fire eaters, Limbo dancers, stilt walkers, Mother Sallys etc., which helps to remind us of our folk culture.

There is also the very popular category of Radio Personality of the Year, where it was suggested that there should be a difference between a disc jockey and a radio personality, where we can get to highlight some of our favourite announcers that we like to listen to and carry us throughout our day on the radio,”
Simmons noted.

What we do and what we will continue to improve on, is to take the categories to people in the public who are knowledgeable about that particular field, and we encourage them to submit names so that the nominations can have some of the best within every genre included.

In addition, the public builds the list of official nominees by selecting from short lists of submissions. This forms the official nominees.

Voting is then open to the public, so you can really get the pulse of the people so that the true impactors of that particular year can be recognised”.

The public can continue to select the deserving talents on the website GineOn. com/Awards.

This year’s ceremony will take place over two days, utilising both a digital and in-person format.

“Last year, we were still able to do the awards online due to COVID and the national restrictions.

However, this year, for our two-day celebration, we will be integrating what we have learned from the digital celebration and merging it with an in-person celebration under safety protocols.

“The shows are scheduled for the 26th and the 27th of February. We will be having celebration of nominees, announcements of awardees, unique live performances, celebrity local presenters, special announcements and more,” he concluded.