From left: President of the National United Society of the Blind (NUSB), Rudyard Welch; Elviston Maloney, President of the Barbados Association of the Blind and Deaf; and PRO for NUSB, Errol Hurley.
Contestants of the National United Society of the Blind (NUSB) 2016 Calypso competition.
THE National United Society of the Blind (NUSB) 2016 Calypso competition comes off on Saturday, October 8.
Richard Daisley, a.k.a Mr Daze, will be leading off the performances, which will take place at the Prince Cave Hall, District ‘A’ Police Station, Station Hill, St. Michael, starting at 6 p.m.
He, along with the seven other contestants including reigning Monarch, Granville Carter, a.k.a Mr DJ, drew their positions on Monday at the National Union of Public Workers’ Auditorium, Dalkeith, St. Michael.
Following Mr Daze on stage will be Elviston Maloney ‘Size 2’, Errol Hurley ‘De Phantom’, Mary Sayers, Errol Greenidge ‘Redd Man’, Mr DJ, Roger Vaughan ‘Biggie Bear’ and Lisa Williams ‘Lady Emerald’.
The competition was conceptualised in 2011 by Senator Kerryann Ifill to create a forum for talented persons who are blind and visually impaired to showcase their creativity in writing, through the expressive rhythms of calypso.
Reaping much success, the competition has witnessed two of its contestants take part in Crop Over. Performing with Super Gladiators were Size 2 and Mr DJ, who have not only showcased their talent, but they have sent a strong message to Barbadians that “Disability is not Inability”.
“Throughout the years this competition has exposed persons who are visually impaired or blind to the wider Barbados, letting Barbadians know that we have got talent,” stressed Hurley, who is also Public Relations Officer for the NUSB.
“We are all ready to show our talent, and we thank all of the sponsors who are making sure that the competition is a success.”
Producer of the show, Peter Brito, noted that the competition has grown immensely since its inception.
“I chose to get involved in this competition because I realised there was a lot of talent,” he expressed.
“The competition this year is really going to be one of the bigger ones… Each of the eight competitors are very good at their craft.”
Brito also revealed that the show will include guest performances from Junior Calypso Monarch in the 8-12 category, Summa Sargeant; as well as reigning Calypso Monarch of the Barbados Port Authority’s competition.
Barbadians can look forward to meeting the contestants when a motorcade takes to the City and its environs on October 1. (TL)
Section: