2010 ‘HOLDERS SEASON’ TAKES CENTER STAGEThe West Indies’ Premier Performing Arts Event of The Year Includes AnAll-Star Lineup Featuring a Tribute to Bing Crosby
(BRIDGETOWN, Barbados), February 25, 2010 – The line-up for Barbados’ 2010 Holders Season, has been unveiled. Commonly regarded as the island’s “Biggest Social Event of the Year,” event organizers are gearing up for arts aficionados, celebrities and socialites who will flock to the annual event, which coincides with peak Polo season on Barbados. A variety of world-class music and arts performances, ranging from opera to comedy, are lined up for the 2010 Holders program which runs during March 18 – March 27, 2010. Held at the breathtaking 17th century Holders House in Barbados, the event has previously been graced by legends including: Pavarotti, Sir Tim Rice and Lesley Garrett. Ticket prices start at $15 USD ($30 BBD) per person. For more information on Holders Season and reservations visit: www.holders.net. For information on Barbados visit www.visitbarbados.org Holders Season is hosted by the gracious Wendy Kidd, owner of Holders House and mother to Jodie and Jemma Kidd – the UK’s sweetheart super-model and creator of Target’s new make-up line, currently taking the US by storm, respectively. The festival is held in the extensive grounds of Wendy’s exquisite plantation-style home, the Holders House, where she regularly entertains British royalty and hosts countless Polo tournaments. The 2010 Holders Season brings a wide range of festive sights and sounds; jazz, blues and classical music, theatre and comedy to die for. Highlights include an evening with a Bing Crosby tribute by Ian Casey and Don Hunt and also a classical evening with pianist James Rhode, who is a young master that will mesmerize the audiences at the Holder’s House. The new 2010 schedule of events is as follows: Thursday, March 18th – The Great Hollywood Stars
The silver screen comes to the Little Theatre. Clive Hischhorn was the theatre critic for the UK’s Sunday Express from 1965 to 1996. The author of numerous books on the great Hollywood studios and on some of the movie greats, Hirschhorn tells the extraordinary stories of the global phenomenon that is Hollywood and of some of its iconic figures across the decades – Garbo, Garland, Gene Kelly and many others – complete with extensive film clips.
Friday, March 19th – The Classical Piano with James Rhodes
A young master of the classical piano who came to his instrument by the most unusual path by receiving no formal academic musical education or dedicated mentoring. James Rhodes dispenses with the ‘straitjacket’ approach to classical music. On stage he interacts with his audience, sharing his thoughts on the music and the composers and focusing on the immersive experience that classical music can offer. James invites you to join him in an evening of Bach, Beethoven and Banter. A must hear!
Saturday, March 20th – Shakespeare – As you like him
Actor Bruce Morrison conjures up the world of the bard – an evening in the company of some of William Shakespeare’s greatest speeches, most raucous humor, and highest tragedy.
Monday, March 22nd – A letter from Australia – with novelist Kathy Lette
Linking in with the Lancaster Art Gallery’s show of Australian Aboriginal work, the Holders Season welcomes one of Australia’s wittiest and most successful authors, Kathy Lette. Having started life as a singer with The Salami Sisters, Kathy now divides her time between full time writer, demented mother, and trying to find a shopping trolley that doesn’t have a clubbed wheel. Kathy first achieved succés de scandale as a teenager with the novel Puberty Blues, now a major motion picture. Bring your funny bones….
Late in the Garden…The first of two opportunities to hear the extraordinary talents of Madagascan musician Modest Hugues – the annual Holders showcase of great African musical talents.
Tuesday, March 23rd – The Memory of Water
The Gale Theatre of London and Barbados in association with the Holders Season presents a staged reading of ‘The Memory of Water’, an Olivier award winning comedy by Shelagh Stephenson. A poignant, touching – and very funny – play about three sisters who convene for their mother’s funeral. The production features Olivier award winning actress Suzan Sylvester amongst its cast and Calypsonian, Anderson “Blood” Armstrong. Produced by Melissa Simmonds and directed by Thom Cross.
Wednesday, March 24th – A Tribute to Bing Crosby
Following the huge success of An Evening with Frank Sinatra in 2009, Holders welcomes another of the greatest of all superstars, Bing Crosby. Bing, of course, can’t actually be with us, but top London West End artist Ian Casey can. Together with pianist and musical director Don Hunt – who worked with Crosby – play the music and tell the tales of an extraordinary phenomenon who sold over half a billion records.
Late in the Garden…A second opportunity to hear the stunning music of Madagascan musician Modest Hugues.
Friday, March 26th – Jazz Double Bill – Ian Shaw and Liane Carroll
Two fine international jazz artists parade their skills singly and severally – the hugely versatile Ian Shaw delivers his tributes to the likes of Joni Mitchell with bravura and panache, whilst fireball Lianne Carroll ‘swings like hell one minute and is brutally heart breaking and expressive the next’. This will be a musical feast to savor.
Saturday, March 27th – Little Theatre Gala Night with Mica Paris/Kit & the Widow
A magnificent double bill to close the season, the traditional Gala taking on a new and special shape. Picnicking around the pool will refresh the palate between two fantastic performance sets variously by Holders favorites Kit and the Widow, and chart topping UK soul/R ‘n B star Mica Paris with her band. Kit and the Widow have caused more howls of delight and hilarity than any act in Holders’ history, whilst Mica Paris is guaranteed to wind up proceedings with her mighty voice and personality to match.
About BarbadosThe island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes, including The Crane beach, St. Philips, voted one of the world’s sexiest beaches for 2008 by Concierge.com. Barbados is the first and only Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is also an ideal stage for world-class events and has hosted numerous athletic championships, including the ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2007 and the 2006 PGA World Golf Championship-The Barbados World Cup. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts to award-winning five-star resorts. The newly renovated Grantley Adams International Airport offers non-stop and direct service from a Toronto daily on Air Canada and 9 times weekly in the winter and 2 flights weekly out of Montreal. WestJet commenced service November 2, 2009 with 5 flights weekly via Toronto. Barbados was voted #8 in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category. Follow the Barbados beat and catch up on the latest news via the Barbados Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/barbadosbeat and Twitter at www.twitter.com/barbadostourism. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org.