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Holders Season, starting on the 11th in 2003, this is the major music, opera, drama and cabaret festival in the Caribbean. International artistes are invited to Barbados to perform in plays, opera, cabaret, musicals, classical or jazz concerts, folk music and recitals, in the spectacular outdoor setting of the garden of Holders House, owned by John and Wendy Kidd, beautifully situated just above the polo ground. When Pavarotti sang there a few years ago, the entire polo field was occupied by an eager audience, but a smaller audience for a more intimate show such as Kit and the Widow with Melanie Marshall in When the Fat Lady Sings can be accommodated around the swimming pool, while a stage is erected on the lawn for plays such as The Complete Works of Shakespeare, presented by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Not all the talent is imported, however. In the 2002 season the Choir of Bridgetown Cathedral teamed up with German virtuoso saxo- phonist Ingrid Laubrock and Brazilian jazz guitarist Ife Tolentino for a blend of ancient and modern and in 2003 there will be four evenings when Bajan artists will join forces with the visitors. The 2003 season will feature the virtuoso violinist Nigel Kennedy playing a mix of his popular classical works with jazz and rock, as well as opera stars Mexican tenor Francesco Araiza and German soprano Christine Esterhazy. Kit Hesketh Harvey will again perform, this time as the Judge in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, and this year’s Shakespeare will be A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The setting is unbelievably romantic, perfect for ’The Dream’, in the garden of Holders House, with thousands of fairy lights twinkling in the palm trees and among the shrubs. Take a picnic and a bottle of bubbly or Chardonnay, it’s a great social occasion. Don’t forget your umbrella and insect repellent. For details see T 4326385, F 4326461, http://www.holders.net Oistins Fish Festival, held at Easter, celebrates the signing of the Charter of Barbados and the history of this fishing town. There are three days of competitions, parades, demonstrations of fishing skills such as fish boning, and a big street party with music which goes on until late at night – and of course, lots of fried fish and fish cakes. A very popular event which attracts thousands of people, while TV crews from the USA and Canada spread it to 40 million more. Contact Dan Carter, T 4286738.
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