Top musical fare at Rock Hall Heritage Fair

Despite rainy conditions the Season of Emancipation’s Heritage Fair recently got off to a rocking musical start at the Rock Hall Freedom Park, Rock Hall, St Thomas.

Phoenix Steel Orchestra which comprised former students of the Darryl Jordan Secondary School played hits including the soulful “Beautiful Barbados” by the Merrymen, the impactful “How Many More” by John King and Mighty Gabby’s social justice hit “Emmerton”, among many others.

Master of Ceremonies Antoine ‘Brudda Daddy’ Williams who kept the show flowing smoothly reminded that the theme for this Season of Emancipation was “A Legacy of Resistance – From Riots to Reparations.”

The Pinelands Creative Workshop which brought the rhythm and much flavour to Rock Hall was quite a spectacle with a crowd gathering despite the rains
to watch their movements.

Also sharing the stage was poet Theo “Deo The Poet” Greenidge who performed his piece “The Rose that Grew From the Concrete”, Akeem “Stoned with Cupid” Chandler-Prescod who performed – “Family Affair” and Shamona Forrester with her piece “Corpse Sinking”.

Production Coordinator Adisa AJA Andwele said that having the fair in the first free village was critical for the sake of knowledge within the Season of Emancipation.

“This is an important event not only from a historical and cultural perspective but from the fact that it is being held in the first free village where the Freedom Park is situated. It is still a site that is in progress. It is a wonderful site and therefore to have the first heritage fair staged here is important,” he said.

“The fact that the first heritage fair is being held in the first free village which represents the freedom of our ancestors living in a space that they can call their own was tremendous,” he added.

In the second half of the afternoon there was a collaborative performance by Haynesville Youth Group and the Pinelands Creative Workshop in the form of drumming and dance.

Also performing were residents from Rock Hall Monarchy Music who performed original pieces that were well received by the crowd which grew even bigger by they took to the stage.

Following their performance was the Multifarious Dance Group who brought their nifty moves, opening their set with music by national hero Rihanna and comments by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

Seasoned performers Adrian Clarke, Betty B, Alex Cage, Jamal “J Slo” Slocombe, Anderson “Blood” Armstrong and Tony “Poser” Grazette brought the evening to a close with some excellent spouge performances. (MR)