After months of competition challenges, developmental workshops and other activity, nine of Barbados’ up and coming entertainment acts have made it to the Finals of Baje to the World Season 2, this Saturday, April 9.
They are Daianna Price, Rebekah Carter, Dianne Jemmott, Shontae Alleyne-Clarke, Harmoni Haynes, Jalissa Edwards, Tarique O’neal-Griffith, Christina Dottin and dance duo Damon Boucher & Asha Weekes.
The announcement was made during Semi-finals Show #2 & Finalists Reveal last Saturday (April 2) on CBC TV 8, which saw top-tier performances by the contestants of hits such as Kes’ Hello, Adele’s When we were Young, Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats, Blur’s Tender, Kacie and the Sunshine Band’s Boogie Shoes, G Flip’s I Am Not Afraid, Cynthia Erivo’s Stand Up and Jennifer Holliday’s And I Am Telling You.
The show’s TV Producer, Teshia Hinds stated, “We had a fantastic semi-finals which showcased the improvement of the performance skills of all of our contestants throughout Season 2.
“Based on what we saw last Saturday Barbados can expect an amazing Finals as our contestants vie for their chance to win $20 000 in cash and other prizes, as well as a chance to perform internationally with world-renowned Soca artistes Fay-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin.
“In addition to the finalists, we will be bringing a full entertainment package with some of Barbados’ best in entertainment including Season 1 winner Casheeda Dottin, along with Barry Chandler, Shadia Marshall, Marzville and Hypa Sounds.”
Producer Dwayne Grazette added that even though the competition’s climax will focus on the finalists’ performance abilities, Baje to the World, an initiative of the Community Development Department in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, has encompassed much more.
“The entire concept behind the programme is to develop well rounded entertainers, while equipping them with the necessary tools to launch and progress their careers in the industry here and beyond our shores.
“For us this meant involving some of the island’s seasoned entertainment practitioners including head judge Senator John King, along with the likes of Alison Hinds, Philip Forester, Andre Clarke, Marisa Lindsay and Dawn-Lisa Callender-Smith, who shared valuable advice from week to week with the contestants on improving their techniques and overall performance.
“Additionally, each competitor was paired with songwriters, producers and other creatives including Nikita, Mahalia, Shari Pollard, Kevin Watson ‘Sluggy Dan’ and Edwin Yearwood as part of our Mentorship Programme headed by Terencia Coward.
“They also participated in Professional Entertainment Workshops facilitated by Kirk Brown and Stephanie Chase in conjunction with the National Transformation Initiative (NTI) under the guidance of Director, Dr. Allyson Leacock, which covered areas such as communication, presentation and leadership skills and topics including Financial Management and Entertainment Law.”