~Anniversary Show at Cultural Center, Backstreet “full of surprises”~
PHILIPSBURG:--- The popular Sunday afternoon radio program on PJD-2 Radio, Culture Time, will mark its 35th year on the air on September 17th, with an anniversary variety show at the Cultural Center, Backstreet, which organizers say will be full of surprises.
According to Fabian Badejo, Founder/Producer/Host of Culture Time, the anniversary show 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.”
He said the show will feature music, poetry, spoken word, dance, and comedy all by local performers, many of whom have appeared on the program throughout the years.
Tickets for the show are available at US$20 at SoIL, at the entrance to St. John’s Ranch, Organique Kreations, the wellness center in the Orange Grove Shopping Center in Cole Bay and at the African Market on Front Street, across from the Oranje School.
“Every last cent from the proceeds of the show 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 the current one, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell.
“Shuja 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 (ACT) Awards, which “unfortunately were suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.” The awards are non-material, but rather a recognition of artistes and cultural workers in every area of our culture.
“We are looking forward to celebrating this milestone on September 17th at the Cultural Center with all of St. Martin because Culture Time is about St. Martin, for St. Martin and of St. Martin,” Badejo concluded.
