New ‘Swing’ for entertainment scene

The local entertainment scene is receiving a boost from an increasingly popular television programme.{{more}}

With the tag-line “Every pan knock, we dey dey”, the new IK TV show “Swing” aims to highlight the nightlife of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), showing that there is much to do and places to go to be entertained.

Show host Andano Coombs, more commonly known as “Small Meech”, said that he is pleased by the response he has been receiving so far for the show – which had its first taping on June 1.

“I’m really enjoying what I’m doing. I love the interactions with the people,” said Coombs. “That’s what is keeping me going!”

He also said that he gets a sense of pride when people, both young and old, stop him in the street to congratulate him on an episode.

“I live for those moments. I really appreciate the love,” he said.

Currently, “Swing” focuses on the local nightlife, but Coombs said that he hopes to widen the show’s scope soon to include the numerous facets of entertainment.

He added that he even has plans to do a regular segment looking at the hairdresser and beauty salons, and how women prepare themselves to get ready for a night out.

In addition to being the show’s host, Coombs wears the many-feathered cap of producer and director, with Junior Lee acting as camera man, video editor and graphic designer.

Coombs admitted that he did not anticipate the enthusiastic public response that “Swing” is now receiving.

“Starting out, I was a little hesitant. I didn’t know how people would react … but this thing just took off with a speed!”

He also said that social media platforms have greatly assisted in spreading the word about the show. So much so that he has generated a trending tag on Twitter: #FFFollowMiNuh.

“Swing” also has a Facebook page and a YouTube channel.

Coombs added that he hopes to take the show further afield, specifically targeting Barbados’s Crop Over Festival and Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.

“We want to be a regional name,” he explained. “We already have requests from persons in Canada who want us to cover events.”

Sponsors of the show include St. Vincent Distillers Ltd., Dwight “Bing” Joseph, Coreas Hazells Inc, Anake Boutique and The T-Shirt Store.

Coombs also thanked several persons for their assistance in helping him make the show a success, including his mother Roslyn Coombs, girlfriend Zoe Millington, and business advisors Ifoma Sargeant and Jawanza Fraser.

He also thanked God for giving him the wisdom to effectively organise the show and come up with fresh ideas.

Coombs said that he has high hopes for the future of “Swing” and is determined to “push the envelope of entertainment reporting” in SVG.

‘Swing’ airs on IK TV (channel 45) every day at 6 p.m. (except Fridays and Saturdays, when it airs at 9 p.m.), and is repeated at various times throughout the day.

You can follow Coombs on Twitter (@smallmeech) and follow the show’s progress on Facebook (www.facebook.com/iktvswing).(JV)