~Anniversary show “full of surprises” at Cultural Center, Backstreet~
PHILIPSBURG:--- The popular Sunday afternoon program on PJD-2 Radio, Culture Time, will mark its 35th year on the air on September 17, at 8 pm, with an anniversary variety show at the Cultural Center, Backstreet, said organizers.
According to Fabian Badejo, founder/producer/host of Culture Time, the anniversary show is “full of surprises. It is a way of saying Thank You to the people of St. Martin, both North and South, who have been listening to the program throughout the years and encouraging us to keep doing what we’re doing.”
The show will feature music, poetry, spoken word, dance, and comedy all by St. Martin performers, many of whom have appeared on the program throughout the years, said Badejo.
Tickets for the show are available at US$20 at SoIL, at the entrance of St. John’s Ranch, Organic Creations, the wellness center in Cole Bay and at the African Market on Frontstreet, across from the Oranje School.
“Every last cent from the proceeds will be donated to charity,” Badejo said.
Culture Time ranks as perhaps the longest running cultural program on the island’s airwaves. According to Badejo, the program has had several co-hosts, including Frank Lake, Sheryl Pantophlet, Ralph Cantave, Fernando Clark, and currently Dr. Rhoda Arrindell.
“Shujah Reiph of Conscious Lyrics fame has also co-hosted the program on several occasions as a ‘pinch hitter’,” Badejo disclosed.
Among the notable features of Culture Time are the Annual Culture Time Awards. The ACT Awards “were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The awards are non-material and are in recognition of artistes and cultural workers in every area of our culture,” said Badejo, who is also an author, senior journalist, and literary critic.
“We are looking forward to celebrating this milestone on Saturday, September 17, at 8 pm, at the Cultural Center with all of St. Martin because Culture Time is about St. Martin, for St. Martin, and of St. Martin,” said Badejo.
