Sunset Concert by the hearing-impaired a resounding success

Despite a large community of persons who are hearing-impaired, many still do not grasp the magnitude of the challenges that these persons are faced with in their daily interactions. However, through the staging of a sunset concert on Wednesday evening at the Frank Collymore Hall, attendees were able to experience first-hand how this hindrance in communication impacts them. 

Billed as an audio visibility sensory experience, the production was the first of its kind on the island. Vice-president of the Barbados Disabilities Council Sandra White-Belgrave delivered her welcome simply using sign language. It initially seemed to be an oversight not having the spoken word delivered simultaneously. However, this was in fact a mechanism used to highlight the isolation people in the deaf community feel daily.

From that point on the show embraced the concept of inclusivity, and a heavy emphasis was placed on clear communication being delivered. Whether it was through sign language interpreter Paula Medford, closed captioning on the screen mounted on stage or the spoken word of host for the evening Belle Holder. It was imperative that each member of the audience could understand the message being communicated. 

This concert was just one of the activities that was staged as part of the Barbados Deaf Calypso Project 2022 . This initiative is part of a program aimed at creating awareness, access, and opportunities for people with hearing challenges. Ruth Montgomery, a deaf musician, and music educator from the United Kingdom is the creative behind the program. Barbados is just one of the locations being visited in her contingent’s whistle-stop tour. 

The poignant message delivered was that through a collective effort we can easily coexist. The showcase saw the hearing-impaired working in tandem with their hearing counterparts as they merged their talents. The first indication of this was the delivery of the national anthem which featured the steel pan ensemble from the Barbados Community College and members of the Bajan Hands Choir.

Students from the Irvin Wilson School were also an integral part of the cast. They performed Beautiful Barbados and Anytime You Need a Calypso. The sheer delight of having their time in the limelight was undeniable. Kudos must be given to their teachers Thea Bowen and Alexis Austin who readied them for their performance. Some of their artwork was a part of the exhibition on display in the foyer.

The line-up included Acacia Mendoza, who appeared via video as she signed Rihanna’s Diamond. She was accompanied by a vocalist in the auditorium. A few of the senior members of the cast also got to show off their musicality displaying their newly acquired steel pans skills.

Fresh off of performing for the Super Bowl, the headline acts were deaf rappers Warren ‘Wa Wa’ Snipe and Sean Forbes. They had the diverse audience enthralled throughout their performances. 

Minister Corey Lane was moved by the showcase. In his remarks he noted: “For people who are deaf there is a common misconception that they can not enjoy music, this is not the case. The way that they experience music is different to the way hearing people experience music, but they can still enjoy with its full capacity. He acknowledged that the concert was able to dispel some common myths noting, “Disability is not inability and differently able is just that, differently abled.” He assured, “This exercise this evening has profoundly indicated that once opportunity is presented, people with disabilities can actively participate in social and economic ventures.” 

Champion for the deaf community Bonnie Leonce was presented with a gift for her yeoman service. (STT)