Crop Over Calendar 2012

Crop Over is officially here! I've put together THE guide so you know where to go, what to do and how to party in our little island paradise. For the first-timers, and the so-called veterans - it begins! 

Dates and times according to info available at press time. Events to be added/updated later in the season. Three stars *** means a Crop Over Chronicles choice pick

Crop Over Tuesday - 31st July

Soca Titans 

Great showcase of soca artistes that starts off Crop Over week with a bang! All the big names from soca have made an appearance over the past few years this has been in existence. For a soca-holic like myself it is a must-do this year.

Crop Over Wednesday - 1st August

Wadadah Together As One

The last lap for Wadadah Group for the season. I like a good fete, more than that I like one put on by a group that is 100% local and contributes to good causes. Aside from the fact that Wadadah plays a great role in the community, they throw a hell of a party! Fun guaranteed.

*NEW* Lush Cooler Party
Cooler party - a new concept for Barbados and Crop Over in general. At a reasonable $25US it shouldn't deter money-conscious Bajans. Venue is a 'West Coast villa'. In addition to your coolers, bottle bar is also available.


***Harbour Lights Beach Extravaganza 

This outdoor party spot is always a good bet on any given week outside of the season, with free drinks (which I've always found to be a bit watered down) complemented by live performances from big names. Also a good place to start if you're fresh off the plane, as the vibes are always crazy. 

*NEW* Crop Over Rum Beer and Wine Festival

Now two out of three of my favourite drinks made my ears perk up at this one. Being held at Cricket Legends in Fontabelle, and for only $12.50 US including free drink vouchers. With live entertainment, tuk bands, steel pan, DJs and karaoke, this may be a good event to add to your calendar.

Crop Over Thursday - 2nd August

Uniform Boatride (daytime)
Put on by some experienced promoters from all over the world, this dress-up boatride always gets good reviews from the attendees. All-inclusive with food and drinks for a great price.


Glow by Power x 4
Power x 4 the band has a lovely venue called the Party Stand, and 'Glow' is their all-white event held here. The quality of music performances and the just-right size of the space makes this a good option for the Thursday.

Frazzled - Mug Madness

A Bajan version of a good cooler fete – like Wicked in White. Hype live acts and great vibe is a given here. A bit disappointing in 2011, mainly because of the venue choice. The crush of people made it less enjoyable than usual. Here's hoping for a new venue/VIP area(!) or I'll have to give it a miss in 2012. 

*NEW* Rize All Inclusive

This event, being held in a particularly lush estate in Sandy Lane, sounds very interesting. Let's hope they do it right the first year, as Bajans tend to be wary of new things. Stay tuned for more info as The Crop Over Chronicles gets it!

Crop Over Friday - 3rd August

***Bridgetown Market

Soak up the atmosphere on Spring Garden Highway before it gets inundated with sweaty bodies on Monday, stalls abound with local products. Experience an authentic Bajan day out. Check out the Brewsters Road Crew stall while you’re there.

The Bathsheba Experience

Tagged as 'The Ultimate Cropover All Inclusive', but not one where you stand up and pose. Popular with foreigners  and celebrities. The venue is not as close as most events, but getting there is half the fun!

Roast Cruise

Roast - Bajan for hurt, frazzled, rip up, etc. All inclusive cruise with the aim to make you useless to yourself until late Saturday afternoon. If you have a weak liver, avoid at all costs! Only attend if you think you can bring it, prepare for ultimate vibe and ultimate drinks, with a pre-party dockside. 

Pork Lime 

Starting at dusk, this is a free weekly Friday lime with surprise artistes and DJ music, the final one being on Crop Over Friday. As you may be able to tell from the name, the specialty dish here is pork. Lots and LOTS of pork in every form is on sale. Runs into the wee hours of the morning. 

Cabanas

First held in 2011 with a 'cabana' and bottle service concept. Haven't gotten around to asking those who attended for a review as yet, so still not sure if this is worth attending, but it seems it's being done again this year. 

Pic O De Crop finals
Excellent opportunity to see some real Bajan music, this has the best of the best, or 'crop' that have come down through the rounds of calypso tents. The most exciting thing in recent memory is a backstage scuffle between The Mighty Gabby and a reporter, but on the whole it's good clean fun. Goes straight into Friday night into Crop Over Saturday and:

Foreday Morning Jam  approximately 12am to 7am

Foreday/jouvert options include:

Collision

I had a great time in 2011 with Collision Foreday Morning Band. The Trini rhythm section was a nice touch.

Baje Jouvert

This is an actual jouvert party, good if you like your jouvert not on the road. Baje is known for having a bar as long as 50ft-this fete is drinks inclusive of course.

Jambalassee Jouvert

You will find a lot of the masqueraders are good friends and repeat customers. Booked way in advance, nice people, and safe. This band has always sold out quickly.

Mojito by Allure Ent                 

Sponsored by Bacardi,  guaranteed mojitos and rum all night into morning. Includes private party 10pm Friday to 6am Saturday. Anything that includes a pre-party too is a-ok in my books-2 for the price of 1!

  

Colorz Entertainment Jouvert

Great value, with no increase from last year's price includes FREE PRE JUMP UP PARTY Again, you can't go wrong with that.

DMD Entertainment 

Last year's theme was 'BATTLE AGAINST MR.HARDING'. They called themselves the  Redjet of Jouvert bands at only $45US!! Any DMD party is bound to be bashy – if you don’t understand the meaning of bashy, attend this and find out.

Island Fusion Jouvert 

Only in its third year yet I'm quite certain it will be sold out almost as soon as it launches. You'll find the Bajan hot girls and according to some, a bourgeoisie vibe here. Frontline costumes were a great innovation last year for you divas out there!

***Wadadah Morning Brek Out

The after - foreday party. Water, foam, paint and mud zones. Add to that all the Crop Over artistes passing through and you've got THE party you go to after foreday-that's right! No sleep! A definite favourite of mine. 

  

Crop Over Saturday - 4th August

Scorch Cooler Cruise

What can one say about a Scorch party, but to say expect nothing but young wild and free, sexy, hip party animals will be present. An overabundance of Trinis tend to flock to this bring your own drinks event put on by the Trinidadian DJ Hypa Hoppy. 

***Bliss

The all-inclusive to end them all. Think Beach House, Soka in Moka, etc. The guys who hold this calendar staple always have an amazing venue and good looking attendees. Girls, buy a new outfit. Trust me. The women don’t play at this one. Guys: try and shave at least.

10-10

From 10pm Saturday to 10am Sunday, a 12 hour party for those of you who think you're able. You're guaranteed to find the hottest acts, international, regional, and local, just bring some stamina. VIP is available, and probably advised if you don't like standing for 12 hours, plus want food and drink included, but enjoy yourself in some flats in the General section - you'll have just as much fun.

Crop Over Sunday - 5th August

Island Mas breakfast party

Increasing in popularity year by year, still the only real 'breakfast party' and a great setting. Usually at the Barbados museum last year it was at a new equally beautiful venue -  George Washington House. Had live performances and a great cause being supported in the HIV assistance program.

  

Booze Cruise

Those who go, know. All inclusive cruise, after party on the beachfront with big stars passing through to perform live. Just like Vale Breakfast Party in Trinidad, good luck finding a ticket, though...

Limerz Cruise

Fully inclusive, this cruise takes place on multiple catamarans instead of a regular boat. Good time all around. 

*NEW* Exotica

All inclusive event held from 3pm, so almost in direct competition with the above cruises. The organisers promise a 'premium' experience. Let's see what they bring!

Cohobblopot
Similar to Rama in Trinidad, creme de la creme of artistes perform, just don't stay till morning if you're jumping the next day. FYI: 'jumping' is the Bajan equivalent of 'playing mas'-always good to get your vocabulary straight  :)
Harbour Lights pre-jump party
Never fails as a great hype builder to the jump the next day. Lights has its own band (Blue Box Cart), and the band's revellers are well known for heading straight onto the road when they finish partying here!

Grand Kadooment Monday - 6th August

Grand Kadooment

The parade of bands ending at Spring Garden Highway. If you have any last minute vibes and feel like joining a band, contact TrpleF. They also have a great all inclusive option for $50 US or so, where you can watch the bands as they pass and get free drinks and food all day. Bank Holiday Tuesday - the day after is now a public holiday, there are some good cooldown options Tuesday - I've heard of a Rum and Roti lime on! 

Let us know which event you can't miss this year.

Welcome to Crop Over!

**Disclaimer** This is not a comprehensive list, just the things The Crop Over Chronicles endorses to some extent. Although if you hear about something not on this list, it’s probably not that important.

For all tickets to events and band registrations, like TrpleF Services page on Facebook and Twitter or email: trplefservices@gmail.com