WHAT'S HOT IN THE BARBADOS

Crop Over, a five-week summer festival, is Barbados' most popular and colourful festival. It's origins can be traced back to the 1780's, a time when Barbados was the world's largest producer of sugar. At the end of the sugar season, there was always a huge celebration to mark the culmination of another successful sugar cane harvest - the Crop Over celebration.

As the sugar industry inBarbados declined, so too did the Crop Over festival and in the 1940's the festival was terminated completely. However, the festival was revived in 1974 and other elements of Barbadian culture were infused to make the extravaganza that exists today ..... an event that attracts thousands of people from across the globe.

• The festival begins with the Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and the crowning of the King and Queen of the Festival - the most productive male and female cane cutters of the season.
• Bridgetown Market consists of several stalls which sell local food and beverages as well as local arts and crafts. Enjoy the calypso music and the live tuk bands as you browse through the stalls.
• Cohobblopot is a huge carnival-like show with members of the Kadooment bands displaying their elaborate and stunning costumes. In recent years there has also been a huge entertainment package with the most popular calypsonians and bands performing to packed audiences.
• The children are not left out as they can participate in the Kiddies Kadooment, donning beautiful costumes and joining their friends in a band to parade before the judges of the competition.
• Folk concerts and art and photographic exhibitions are integral parts of the festival, highlighting Barbadian history and culture as well as the artistic talents of Bajans.
• Calypso is one of the main features of the Crop Over festival. The calypsonians are organised into "tents" (Conquerers, Untouchables, House of Soca, Pioneers, Stray Cats,etc) and these tents are sponsored by Barbados businesses. Calypsonians compete for several prizes and titles, including the Party Monarch, the Road March Monarch and the Pic-O-De-Crop Monarch. The semi-finals of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition are held at the picturesque East Coast Road, where the calypsonians perform on a stage with the Atlantic surf as the backdrop while the spectators gather in the hillsides with their picnic baskets. This magnificent spectacle should not be missed! The finals of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition is held at the National Stadium, and this is followed by the Fore-Day Morning Jump-Up!
• The grande finale is the Grand Kadooment! This carnival parade features large bands with members dressed in elaborate costumes to depict various themes. Designers compete for the coveted Designer of the Year prize while the revelers seem more intent on having a good time! The revelers make their way from the National Stadium to SpringGarden accompanied by the pulsating rythym of calypso music. When they reach SpringGarden, the party continues with more fantastic music, lots of food and drink and, for some, a quick swim at the nearby beach. A grand end to a grand festival.

THE GAP

St.Lawrence Gap, a 1.3 km stretch of road in the parish of Christ Church, is famous for it's fine restaurants, diverse accommodation, lively nightlife and good shopping.
'The Gap', as it is commonly known, is a place where various cultures meet and merge ... it is an experience that should not be missed!
Entertainment in Barbados starts in St.Lawrence Gap!

Bajan Roots & Rhythms, held at the attractive Plantation Garden Theatre, is the only dinner and stage show in Barbados designed to offer visitors a genuine representation of West Indian culture. Bajan Roots & Rhythms, uniquely known for its interactive segments and party atmosphere, affords its guests plenty of opportunities to join in the fun. 10% discount for Internet bookings.
A stroll through The Gap reveals a number of nightclubs, catering to all musical tastes.

• Reggae Lounge - this open-air nightclub offers the opportunity to dance the night away under the stars, surrounded by natural, tropical vegetation. The club offers a wide range of music, from reggae and calypso to mellow music and Rhythm and Blues.
   
•  The Ship Inn, proclaimed as "The Original Pub" has a DJ several nights of the week, along with live bands. It's the place to be on the Island Thursday and Saturday Nights.
   
•  The Gap's other nightclub, After Dark offers an extensive bar covering the length of the passageway. The popular outdoor dance floor features live music with popular local bands such as Square One and Coalishun. A DJ provides music for those preferring the indoor dance floor.
  While waiting for the music to heat up, nightclubbers can sample the local fare of food vendors that assemble in the Gap!