Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Showtime Band making positive influence @ local schools

“Our aim is for the project to be a collaborative partnership between the schools and members of the band as we engage students while teaching them to rise above obstacles, challenges, circumstances, etc,” said band member Eustace “Boss” Freeman. Photo: Provided
In giving back to the community, Showtime Band members attended the Joyce Samuel Primary School and addressed the students at its general assembly on how to “Rise Above” all challenges as well as how to become better students to ensure success in life. Photo: Provided
In giving back to the community, Showtime Band members attended the Joyce Samuel Primary School and addressed the students at its general assembly on how to “Rise Above” all challenges as well as how to become better students to ensure success in life. Photo: Provided
Members of Showtime Band take their mentorship programme, The Rise Above Project, to the Alexandrina Maduro and Willard Wheatley Primary Schools. The mentorship programme aims to support students in “Rising Above” any and all negative influences which can hinder their success as a student and throughout life. Photo: Provided
Members of Showtime Band take their mentorship programme, The Rise Above Project, to the Alexandrina Maduro and Willard Wheatley Primary Schools. The mentorship programme aims to support students in “Rising Above” any and all negative influences which can hinder their success as a student and throughout life. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - They are not only about their personal development and advancement in today's society but as a member of the GRATE BVI Music Alliance, eight-time BVI Road March Champions, Showtime Band, has embarked on a mentorship project entitled “Rise Above” with primary and secondary schools across the Territory, a project that would see them positively influencing the lives of in-school youths.

This  seeks to establish a mentoring relationship between Showtime Band members and school students, with the aim of supporting and helping students to “rise above” any and all negative influences which can hinder their success as a student and throughout life. 

“Our aim is for the project to be a collaborative partnership between the schools and members of the band as we engage students while teaching them to rise above obstacles, challenges, circumstances, etc,” said band member Eustace “Boss” Freeman.

The areas the project focuses on are: resolving conflict, school attendance, tardiness, academic performance, assisting with communication skills, improving classroom behaviour and developing interpersonal skills.

The Rise Above Project has already positively impacted a number of students at Willard Wheatley, Alexandrina Maduro and the Joyce Samuel Primary Schools.

“The Rise Above Mentorship Programme is a needed addition to our school. The volunteers are responsible and courteous young men who research areas of our concern to address. Students have already begun to form bonds with the members and look forward to their visits. We are extremely grateful that Rise Above selected the Joyce Samuel Primary School as the benefits of this mentorship programm promise to be plentiful,” said Mrs Orlandette Crabbe, Principal of the Joyce Samuel Primary School.

“I learned from Showtime Band that not everything comes easy in life, you have to work for what you want and you don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great,” exclaimed Shakoy Henry of Willard Wheatley Primary School.

Another student of the Willard Wheatley Primary School, Adrian Baijnauth, explained what he likes most about the project. “What I like about the Rise Above Programme is that the members speak to us about how we can be better people and to follow our dreams. I think it is great that people come to the school to spend time with us and talk to us. It shows how much they care."

“As musicians, the Showtime Band members know the importance of music in a child’s life and thus we would like to give back to the community, making a difference in the lives of the students. By showing our support, offering guidance and creating relationships, we can do our part to improve the child’s chances of success in life,” Ottley Hodge, owner of Showtime Band said.

Anyone interested in having their school partner with the Rise Above Project may contact any member of the Showtime Band as the members are reportedly eager to begin teaching students to keep rising above.

Showtime Band first came on the scene in 1991. By 1998 the band had grown and restructured. It was not long after the Showtime band successfully rose to the ranks of Road march Champions with favorites such as Soca Pledge, Exercise, Circles and Sort Out. Showtime Band has performed in several arenas, both locally and internationally, such as Atlanta, Miami, Anguilla, Nevis and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2012 the band received international acclaim by tying with Machel Montano HD of Trinidad for Over All Soca Band of the Year at the ISA Awards.

16 Responses to “Showtime Band making positive influence @ local schools”

  • Concern1 (04/01/2015, 10:17) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    Musically the influence is good and otherwise but the band rere not good at all for the youngsters Let see if we can put more of peace and been at peace with one another for 2015 and beyond and I must say forever
  • ccc (04/01/2015, 10:35) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Everybody wants there five mins in the spot light
  • Bounty (04/01/2015, 10:40) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Heard two other members left the band Is there still a showtime…ting to talk
    • Yes (04/01/2015, 12:26) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      ,just another angle for these guys try to hustle the government out of money I guarantee you they going to be putting in for some kind of assistance for the program
    • high (04/01/2015, 16:16) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply

      You mean two members were fired for sm*k!ng too much!. get rid of them and stay clean Showtime band Good over Evil

  • asura (04/01/2015, 12:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kudos to showtime
  • Looking on (04/01/2015, 16:13) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is big by Showtime band my youths love them , and to see they using there music to influence on the youth i love that.. keep it up, Last but not least many of the negative comments are just sickening to me cause i am sure who commenting has done nothing to inspire the youths.
  • Is that yo man Wuk him (04/01/2015, 17:19) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply

    Best band in the world with no musicians. H**** is useless, actually the worst person to be in front of these kids. Sc***** is clueless. Now for Eu****, let's jus say brace yourselves, for the ting jus start. Attention seekers!! Lap dance sit down on it!

  • mother hen (04/01/2015, 23:20) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Love what this band is doing and the leader boss is true to youths development. Watching from a high place need more people like him .
  • Love of kids (05/01/2015, 07:10) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    People here just use kids so badly it's not even funny. Everyone can see e
  • insider (05/01/2015, 08:49) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    This program was founded by showtime band no government involved in these young men taking their time to reach out to trouble kids . I understand you may be accustomed to people using the government through youths and elderly but it's easy to find out that this is soley Showtime movement
  • my 2 cents (05/01/2015, 12:15) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    It saden me to see how low this band will go for fame. If your going to reach out to the younger generation, please clean up your lyrics, you can not tell kids its wrong to say this and that and your songs have lyrics like lap dance. Come on. Is this another stunt for fame and for people to feel for you. Lets see how long this will last and i feel sorry for the kids that will be looking forward for this.
  • Really (05/01/2015, 14:28) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Showtime is the only band that sings positive songs example sort out , let dem know and many others they albums name says it all Good over Evil , message to their music . I say this because I listen all the bands all from bvi to usvi
    • my 2 cents (05/01/2015, 16:08) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply

      You have to be one of the members, cause that band gone to the dogs, you and T*ny@ are the only fans left!!! you talk about Good over Evil. Here's my two cents every member that left that band were the good ones... so what left... you do the maths and get back to me. 

  • Really (05/01/2015, 23:33) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    What I observe is vibe members and few supporter are so childish you and them can't watch showtime band do anything great without trying to do what you doing which is talk negative and anything to lead people from the facts and works of the showtime group. News flash it doesn't work with mature people , it doesn't work with majority of the bvi that's for the last couple jouvert Vibe has no one behind their/your truck and showtime have the entire bvi behind them . It's sad that you choose come under This article with this my investment club will never look at that vibe band for this reason
  • my 2 cents (06/01/2015, 10:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    Really... like really, who said i was a Vibe supporter, I just speaking the truth. and you just come up with that, then my frined your the childish one. you need help if that's your response. I am a very mature person. I only wished your so called band members were also mature. You my friend is what is considered a hater.



Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.