One of the directors of Vida by Esquire, Senator Ryan Forde, is proposing a safer, more structured approach to Foreday Morning Jam, including the use of multiple venues, as concerns grow over private events being hosted alongside the national festival.
Speaking during Vida by Esquire band launch at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre recently, Forde told the Weekend Buzz the increasing size of Foreday bands and shifting patron preferences point to the need for change, particularly where safety and organisation are concerned.
“I haven’t jumped in Bridgetown for Foreday since probably my early 20s. The people Barbados attract to come to our events they stopped before the private events started, they stopped going into Bridgetown for different reasons at night and how things are going they just felt more comfortable to try something different something fresh.”
He added: “I’m not going to get into the argument with the Foreday bands and the larger company that is coming but I think all of us can add to the festival in one way or the other but stay true to the culture.”
Forde explained that such an approach would allow for better management of crowds while catering to different types of revellers.
“I always thought that because of the size of Foreday bands growing, we could probably have three designated areas, you could have Bridgetown for the traditional experience, somewhere like Vaucluse for another group and then a space like Bushy Park for a different style of event and then make it mandated that all three areas depending on the style of band if its party, if its culture, if its boutique then at least you have dedicated three areas and you can spilt five to seven bands in that area,” he said.
He added: “It may come down to resources, but if private and public sectors work together, there’s a way to make it happen.”
His comments come as several Foreday band leaders raised alarm over private events being staged on the same day, arguing that they drew patrons away from the traditional celebration. However, Forde said the issue must be viewed in context, noting that the shift towards alternative events has been happening for years.
“I think this started from a couple of years ago. Once you open it up for people to do different things, it then comes back to whether what you’re doing aligns with what Foreday was created to be.”
Despite the concerns raised by traditional bandleaders, Forde maintained that private events can complement the overall Crop Over product.
He said his team has taken that approach with the introduction of a new foreday event, Staind, which aims to provide an alternative experience while remaining rooted in Barbadian culture.
“We said we would do our own Foreday, something that reflects what we believe in. It’s a collaboration with Breakfast, the Bajan Experience, which is the Sunday brunch party and then it’s combined with Events Barbados and key individuals in the industry. Everything we’re doing is centred around the culture. We’re trying to bring back some things that are no longer around. Remember Cohobblopot when you had the best time ever? We bringing that element back.”
According to Forde, while there may be slight Caribbean influences, the focus remains firmly on local identity.
“We may add a little bit from the Caribbean because that’s part of who we are, but we staying very hard and true to Bajan culture,” he said.
While acknowledging that tensions may exist between traditionalists and newer promoters, Forde said he prefers to focus on contributing positively rather than engaging in disputes. (TRY)
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