It kicks off tonight: the 2020 edition of "Sir Barry's Belikin Bash" but this year, due to COVID-19, it's going virtual: streamed on Youtube, Facebook, and your favorite local channel - including this one. It's a chance to catch a performance by your favorite Belizean artist without ever leaving the comfort and safety of your home.
I got a preview of the 3-day extravaganza this morning when I spoke to one act from each night about their Belikin Bash performance and the mid-pandemic version of a live show.
You've seen and heard the non-stop online, TV, and radio promotion for this year's virtual Belikin Bash. But what will the biggest concert of the September season be like in this new socially distanced world? That's what we asked Bowen and Bowen hype man John Palacio.
John Palacio, Public Relations Coordinator, Bowen & Bowen Ltd.
"One of the things we recognize here at Belikin is that changing times simply means it enhances how humans are supposed to live it brings forth best for business so we went to the drawing board and said what are we gonna of we could actually do this virtual and everybody could be there, normally the tradition is that we're at a park, 6- 7,000 people come out we're making sure that everybody is a part of it so hundreds of thousands, it doesn't matter where you are because it's gonna be viewed on social media and on all the TV channels."
The company says that Sir Barry's Belikin Bash is all about giving back through music and this year that means giving to the musicians themselves, all of whom have been sidelined since lockdowns put an end to their live gigs. And this morning they told me about the switch up they've had to make to go virtual.
Christian Gonzalez, Guitarist, Ascenthium
"Very different and very challenging at the same time."
Dina Halsall, Bassist, Ascenthium
"It caught us off guard and made us really reconsider how we were putting out content to our fans and try to really step back and. See how we could continue being creative during all this. Musicians are stepping up to the plate a lot of people are doing live streaming."
"Finding new ways to interact with fans so we're seeing something on the horizon new technology is gonna allow bands to connect with their fans in a different way than before."
Francisco Alcoser, Manager, Super Furia Band
"We Super Furia we have a program on Sundays it's from 3 in the afternoon so we are always inviting everybody, home and abroad people to tune in to Super Furia Band."
Vida Magdaleno, Sweet Pain Band
"It's been very rough for us because everything we have to do is you know virtual and we don't get any sponsors sometimes we just do it you know for the love so that people don't forget that the band exists but it's very hard, very difficult."
"We've done so many virtuals, so many lives so that people could still react to the band, we've done mother's day we've done 10th day we've done 9th night, we've done everything and, 20th night as well, and this weekend we're doing Belikin fest."
Cherisse Halsall:
"Belikin really gave musicians an opportunity to showcase themselves in a safe way, safe for you, safe for your fans, so what was it like behind the scenes making this year's Belikin bash?"
Francisco Alcoser, Manager, Super Furia Band
"Like I said it's something new but it was fantastic. It was great, great, great, beautiful and I know 100% know the audience will love it."
Julio Alcoser, Member, Super Furia Band
"What I liked about it was really precaution like before you go in. Verry very good."
Christian Gonzalez, Guitarist, Ascenthium
"That was awesome mein, working with Belikin like there are so cool very professional in the way they sanitized the place back and forth when we went in, when we came out, everyone was cordial, everyone worked together."
And after all that high tech and strictly sanitized work we asked the artists what we can expect from their weekend performances.
Francisco Alcoser, Manager, Super Furia Band
"So, when we did it I told my guys well you know this is the time we're gonna do it."
Cherisse Halsall:
"So what can we expect from Ascenthium's portion of the Belikin Bash?"
Christian Gonzalez, Guitarist, Ascenthium
"A lot of awesomeness, a lot of awesome shredding, a lot of drum solos."
Dina Halsall, Bassist, Ascenthium
"It's what we normally do, we bring rock and roll and heavy metal to the country."
Vida Magdaleno, Sweet Pain Band
"Belikin bash is always fun but, mein I will miss the people but we have to make it happen."
Cherisse Halsall:
"So what can we expect from the performance that you guys put down this year?"
Vida Magdaleno, Sweet Pain Band
"Well, sweet pain band will be the last night which will be the 20th night so lookout for a mad performance all the dances, all the steps everything artists we're backing up Chico Ramos as well too so it will be a very very hype night."
John Palacio, Public Relations Coordinator, Bowen & Bowen Ltd.
"If you're not there you're nowhere but we're making it best for you to be there, why, because it's gonna be right here on Channel 7, on Belikins Facebook page on Youtube and on your favorite local channel, it's gonna be good."
Francisco Alcoser, Manager, Super Furia Band
"Just remember you're gonna have it much better with a belikin - you know at home nice cold Belikin enjoying it."
And while dollar beer won't be a thing this year you can hold on to the cartons of your 6 packs throughout the weekend for the chance to win several prizes.
