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‘Entertainers not paid for Road Town Festival’ - ‘Selecta Taz’

- according to entertainer, they have been promised their money before Christmas
Entertainer Tishaun Glasgow Aka Selecta Taz has disclosed that while entertainers were paid for performing during the Festival villages of East End and Carrot Bay, they have not been paid for their performances at the Road Town Patsy C. Lake Festiville, the biggest of the festival villages. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn committed to having the issue resolved and said that it was his aim to have persons paid before the Christmas season. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn committed to having the issue resolved and said that it was his aim to have persons paid before the Christmas season. Photo: VINO/File
Local entertainers VIBE on stage during one of the Festival Village performances in Road Town. Photo: VINO
Local entertainers VIBE on stage during one of the Festival Village performances in Road Town. Photo: VINO
Showtime Band. Photo: Provided
Showtime Band. Photo: Provided
Local band OMG. Photo: Provided
Local band OMG. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Entertainer Tishaun Glasgow Aka Selecta Taz has disclosed that while entertainers were paid for performing during the Festival villages of East End and Carrot Bay, they have not been paid for their performances at the Road Town Patsy C. Lake Festiville, the biggest of the festival villages.

Speaking with this news site yesterday September 13, 2015, Glasgow said, “As far as I know, Road Town [performances] haven’t been paid for but I think Carrot Bay and East End made some efforts to pay people already.”

“In terms of Road Town I think that is the issue right now because nobody had been paid for Road Town as yet,” said Glasgow, who represents the entertainment watchdog body the GRATE BVI Music Alliance.

He said that it is usually the case where East End and Carrot Bay performances are paid for. “But town is always some story…you have to wait until the next quarter for the budget and all that stuff,” he said.

He noted that Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn has committed to ensuring that artistes are paid for their services rendered and that this payment should come sometime before Christmas.

“More than likely that is what it is looking like this year,” he said, referring to statements allegedly made by the Minister apologising to local artistes for being late with their payments.

“Apparently they are trying to blame it on something to do with the books…that they always have a heap of overhead expenses when festival is finished. He is saying basically that this year will be the same thing and that a little closer to Christmas is when we should expect that payment,” said Glasgow.

“I have no knowledge of anybody receiving payments in terms of Road Town for sure. So if anybody could attest and say that they receive payment in terms of the work that they did in Road Town then something is wrong,” said Glasglow.

Minister apologises

Two weeks ago, the Minister apologised to persons still to receive their money for work done during the Emancipation celebrations.

The Minister committed to having the issue resolved and said that it was his aim to have persons paid before the Christmas season.

“I want to first apologise to those persons who have given their service to festival and to the country. They haven’t been paid in the month and I assure them that they will be paid,” he is quoted as saying in another section of the media.

The Minister explained that there is usually an annual shortfall of about $400,000 and this cannot be addressed until supplementary appropriations are brought to the House of Assembly later down in the year.

This news site contacted several members of bands and entertainment groups, however, none of them wanted to go on record with their comments.

One lead vocalist of a major VI band said that they were paid just a part of what is owed to them for their performance during festival. The band leader said that, according to the Minister, the balance of the payment should be coming to them before Christmas.

Another lead vocalist of a rival band told this news site that he would not disclose such information to the press when approached by this new site for a comment.

Accountability

One concerned letter writer to this news site voiced their opinion on the issue, saying that there is the need for accountability.

“This has gone on for far too long and we need some accountability for the way locals are treated...I'm quite sure Destra, Shurwayne Winchester et. al. have all been paid and have moved on to several other shows by now, meanwhile our people, OUR fellow Virgin Islanders have been left begging for scraps like a dog at Thanksgiving Dinner. Enough is enough. I implore the persons responsible for these actions to have a heart and do the right thing. A lot of the vendors and performers take on these jobs to help supplement an already meager income. I'm not in the habit of naming names, but may resort to such things in future letters if this trend continues. I just hope and pray my fellow Virgin Islanders will lend their support to this cause and help right this injustice,” stated the concerned resident.

26 Responses to “‘Entertainers not paid for Road Town Festival’ - ‘Selecta Taz’”

  • open wide (14/09/2015, 09:11) Like (15) Dislike (7) Reply
    We need a minister of culture who cares
    • Yes (15/09/2015, 01:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Remember this the same party NDP that said they have 90 million in reserves. Looks like a big lie. The PSID all that money for election win and for gas for the motorcades. Now hard working people got to wait six months for pay. Someone please check to see where that $90 mil went please.
  • back up is on the way (14/09/2015, 09:26) Like (14) Dislike (27) Reply
    The money used to build that prison like wall around the high school could've well paid those artists.
  • Ump (14/09/2015, 09:48) Like (10) Dislike (29) Reply
    You talking about 2 months not being paid. Two seasons/years of softball is now completed and umpires haven't been paid, but you don't see us running to the media. Let the bald head Monster do what he wants. Only he is suppose to have money to live comfortable
  • qc (14/09/2015, 09:49) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    he use people like gathaiw ad now dem can't get paid
  • Fed Up (14/09/2015, 09:54) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Same bull every year man????
  • pay day (14/09/2015, 10:18) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
    story on vino now they will get paid by next week trust me!
  • Eagle Eye (14/09/2015, 10:20) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    festival should have been before election we would have gotten our money already in flying colors.but we salt it came afterwards.
  • YeSa (14/09/2015, 10:31) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    If these same artistes know this has been a problem for YEARS, when you get book every YEAR to come and end up with this same story problem, cant they see the problem to say sorry i cant render my services. So dont put the blame on the festival staff, put some on yourself for making the same mistake again....Now book that one now, lesson learned!
  • Classmate (14/09/2015, 13:13) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    he should just come out and tell the people the NDP broke the country for the election so there is no money!!
    • @Classmate (14/09/2015, 15:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      The country always broke in September thru November cos of slow summer season, NDP now waiting for Dr Mathavious to deliver the company fees end of November to pay all its bills. Maybe not so many companies this year!
      • sea weed (14/09/2015, 17:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Big mac is an ndp so they will get that money shortly
        • @sea weed (15/09/2015, 11:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          only if Big mac get the money first. Read the company figures first, no guarantees this year!
  • Yes (14/09/2015, 14:38) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    We want jobs, contracts, schools, hospitals, fire stations in each district, post office in each district, free clinic, old people home, centers for differently able, scholarships, financial assistance, good roads, reliable water and electricity, proper solid waste dept to keep the place clean. We want all this but when we are asked to contribute financially we kick up a storm. I agree the people that worked should be paid as agreed, but this just shows how ridiculous we are, always want want want but as a fee, tax etc. increase, we kick up a storm. Government doesn't print money or have oil wells, Government is actually ''we the people..."
  • tretretrete (14/09/2015, 14:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    IT's obvious the Festival committee should know the fees of the local artist before booking, just like they know the fee for the international Artist...put monies aside for payment, what's so hard in that? If you booking artist so and so and he charges $500, ok I'm going to put that amount aside then look at my budget...makes sense?
  • Unity Man (14/09/2015, 15:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Life is funny, the outside artist want 50% before they reach the territory, specific accommodation, specific food etc, and these outside artist gets they other 50% right after they perform, you don't never here government or the festival committee owing outside artist, what about your own people, we are nothing them could wait, but you cater for the outside artist them. Pure bad mindedness every year, festival committee wrong, government wrong, it's bad and it need to stop, we all one people wether you big artiste or small artist or entertainers etc
    • reality (14/09/2015, 21:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Village will be packed with the right international acts. No local artiste can pack the village. Reality.
      • wize up (15/09/2015, 07:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ reality: that is the problem with our territory today; the grabbing after the dollar: your mindset is packing the village so you willing to sell your soul to see that village full with international acts: I understand your thinking but that festival is a BVI- Heritage celebration and not a music fest type setting: you sound like a broke nigga,you don't have any money to travel to see international artist perform so you sit back knowing the government of this territory will important them for you ( you sound like one of the festival committee members)... just saying
  • Meli (14/09/2015, 23:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Perhaps someone should explain just why the NDP took we money to buy the election and once they win not a man could get paid!!!.
  • Liat 521 (14/09/2015, 23:53) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    this goverment is going to learn the hard way, that the people are not fools!
    • VG-1 (15/09/2015, 07:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Liat 521
      The government don't need to learn anything; and yes the people are fools. The people are the ones that put them back there. So stop the bawling and wait on your money and shut up. That's what you all wanted. You made your bed, now lie in it. Keep the pressure on NDP, they love it.
  • wize up (15/09/2015, 03:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    did the outside artist get paid? I am willing to bet they were paid in full:
  • Eagle Eye (15/09/2015, 16:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    might have to move the festival to two weeks before christmas like st kitts
    • wize up (16/09/2015, 08:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ eagle eye: why we have those among us that suddenly wants everything change: VG festival is an issue after all the years, now this fool "eagle eye" wants Tortola festival in December: where is immigration when you need them!!
  • Voter Too (17/09/2015, 05:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Unity Man, a Dat me a say as this seems to be happening all over as even in SKB this happens after music festival and carnival and then you know who feel the squeeze. Sometimes a whole family and friends depends on such. You may lend the artist some financial assistance or give of some service thinking that you in turn may give back in kind and everything gone down de drain and then who you owe is in your face.I have had my experiences so I know how it is


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