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Entertainers to VIF&FC: Spend smartly on international artistes

From left: Tarrus Riley, Destra Garcia and Bunji Garlin, three of the international acts announced for Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival 2017, have all performed at festivals in the VI before. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Martino ‘Tino’ Mark and Tishaun Glasgow aka Selecta Taz are two of the local entertainers who believe the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) could have done a better spending on international artistes for VI Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Martino ‘Tino’ Mark and Tishaun Glasgow aka Selecta Taz are two of the local entertainers who believe the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) could have done a better spending on international artistes for VI Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: VINO/File
The Facebook posts criticising the line-up of international artistes for VI Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Facebook
The Facebook posts criticising the line-up of international artistes for VI Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Facebook
The Facebook posts criticising the line-up of international artistes for VI Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Facebook
The Facebook posts criticising the line-up of international artistes for VI Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Facebook
The Facebook posts criticising the line-up of international artistes for VI Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Facebook
The Facebook posts criticising the line-up of international artistes for VI Emancipation Festival 2017. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A number of persons in the entertainment industry continue to express that the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) is failing to spend monies on international artistes in a smart way.

There has always been an issue where it is felt that less should be spent on international artistes and much more on local entertainers at Virgin Islands festivals.

However, following the release of the 2017 line-up, the VIFFC has come under yet another attack from more local entertainers, including Selecta Taz, Martino ‘Tino’ Mark and Dirk Walters. The artistes are blasting the committee for failing to do a better spending on a wider range of international artistes.

In an exclusive interview with this news site, Tishaun Glasgow aka Selecta Taz said, "I just think that things should be done different in selecting performers, even though sometimes we're competing amongst other islands who host carnival around the same time. I just think the pool of artistes they select from is very small, they need to be better informed and kept up to speed about current relevant artistes, especially in the soca field where most hits created nowadays are sung by smaller artistes than a Destra or Machel."

More for less!

Selecta Taz led off the discussion on social media on July 4, 2017 stating, "Me on the committee in a Rough draft: If Destra looking $20,000 which in I am sure it is somewhere around they, OK, so Destra will roughly give a hr and 45 maybe on a gd day, I'll say forget about Destra I going look at least 4 to 5 smaller artists with that same money or ah touch over, example say ah Ricky T, Peter Ram, Voice, Lavaman, MX Prime (We jamming Still), Skinny Fab, Hypa 4000, Orlando, Sugar Band etc."

"Tarrus Riley want let's just say $30,000 for that hour and 45mins, sighhh OK Tarrus we love you but we have to be economical in these times, take that money an do d same thing; example Kranium, Etana, Queen Ifrica, Vershon, Masicka, maybe even Aidonia, Shansea, Ishawna, Chino, Jamiel, Busy Signal etc! Wanna throw in some old school? OK! Terror Fabulous and Nadine Sutherland, General Degree, Tante Metro, Chaka Demus n Pliers etc....Jus saying 10 million ways to skin cat, stop, start the same way all the  time!"

Quick on the ball with a supporting response was one of the territory's leading entertainers, Mr Martino Mark aka Tino, who said, "Well said Taz... I always say this same thing but nobody seems to get it."

According to Dirk Walters, "I agree on this.

There are way more Vincy, St. Lucians, Dominicans, Guyanese etc & people that like their music living & visiting here than only Trini & Jamaican. Sometimes I wonder if they really want to make money or not. But yea I totally agree we could use some more variety mixed up in between on the topic of foreign artistes." 

Meanwhile, an apparently fedup Dj-Wiz said, "I staying out, I find I talk too much…Whatever is done is done. Most of all it’s not my money."

No reduction in gate fees

Additionally, it is the opinion that with a better spending on international artistes the committee would, along with attracting larger support at the various Festivilles, would be in a position to lower the gate fees for patrons.

Persons are of the opinion that the government controlled Festival Committee should make the activities more affordable for persons to attend all the shows. However, at a recent press briefing, the committee chairman Mr Trefor A. Grant made it clear to reporters that there would be no reduced entrance fee since the monies are need to cover expenses, mainly for festival execution and security.

Mr Grant said, "…It is to defray the cost of putting in festival itself and it helps in making sure that we pay for the security that is provided."

Defending the cost, which he said will remain around $25, Mr Grant further said, "When you look at the calibre that is brought to the festivities there is nowhere you can get that amount of entertainment."

Annually, Government budgets some half a million dollars for festival; however, the event always incurs much more and results in vendors being paid many months later as government has to revert to a supplementary budget to clear off festival debts.

26 Responses to “Entertainers to VIF&FC: Spend smartly on international artistes”

  • Agree (07/07/2017, 10:34) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    I AGREE WITH YOU GUYS....BUT LET'S BE REAL, WE ALLL KNOW THAT THE COMMITTEE'S SIGNED LONG TERM AGREEMENTS WITH THESE ARTIST..THERE IS NO WAY! YOU HAVE THE SAME ARTIST COMING EVERY SINGLE YEAR (KNOWING THE POOL OF ENTERTAINERS IS MUCH MORE DEEP), THESE PEOPLE HAD TO HAVE SIGNED LONG TERM CONTRACTS...IT CAN ONLY BE THAT
  • @ Agree (07/07/2017, 11:02) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    I Agree with you..Destra was just here for Easter? No on isn't saying she cannot perform, DAMN! she is one of the best...but let a year pass by nahhh...if you love her so much invite her to a family cook out
  • Foolishness (07/07/2017, 11:04) Like (8) Dislike (15) Reply

    It's easy for everyone to sit on the sidelines and talk! The people who talking, what have they done in life? What successful promotions do they have under their belt? Talk talk talk and if you give them the job they can't even get it in gear, much less moving. This sick jealous mentality will kill some of us. Government should just give the talkers some money and tell them run with it, then you will hear all manner of excuses. 

    • YOU MISSING THE POINT! (07/07/2017, 11:44) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      YOU MISSING THE DAMN POINT...But Question? Don't you think there is more entertainment out there other than Destra? We hearing the same thing every year and I'm sure she is getting paid the same about...when you can get numerous artist for that amount...dread
    • IRD1 (07/07/2017, 11:47) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      I've done successful promotions so I can talk...they doin chupidness
    • Future (07/07/2017, 11:50) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      So local artiste requesting a different international artiste is jealousy? Or i get it you were just commenting on the first paragraph and chose not to take in any of the main point. Btw...the point is bring someone else instead of the same ones for money that can be used more economically.
    • To d FOOL wah name foolishness (07/07/2017, 12:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

      U gots to be a total idiot whoever u is! What does jealousy have to do with such a post? Stop use word if u don't know what it mean! #J**k**s

  • Youngin (07/07/2017, 11:55) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    I don't see why ppl complaining about the entrance fee. Almost the whole of Tola went St Kitts for music fest last month. They had to pay for flight, hotel stay, if they don't have family over there, buy food, pay for transportation and still pay entrance fee for all 3 or 4 nights (which is more than $25 each night I'm sure), buy drinks and departure taxes. What the hell is $25 in your own country?? Chuuupes!! The only thing I agree with, is, the artists. There are other artists besides Destra (meh lovah). Ultimate Rejects (road march winners in Trinidad), Hypa 4000 and artists from other countries. Yes its BVI Festival but we have other ppl from other countries that helps make up the BVI. On the other hand we also need to look at availability and when the Committee try to go about trying to book artists. You can't wait couple months or weeks before festival. We know Festival is always set around a certain time, start looking or querying about artists way before hand. This will help to budget and see what artists are available. Just my opinion.
    • I agree (07/07/2017, 13:14) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      What a lot of people don't realize is that there are so many other festivals going on around that same time and these artiste require a deposit for booking. Canada, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, and Anguila (just to name a few), all have festival around the same time as BVI and while there are lots of other artiste, I'm sure most of them confirms on a first come first serve basis. I'm sure that Destra and a few others are entertainers that we can call and would be willing to confirm BVI without a deposit because of their long standing relationship with BVI promoters.
      • Honesty (07/07/2017, 14:44) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        Respect the honesty.. The best Policy.. We got to respect the honesty.. Payment for locals will be late...Straight up....Straight talk..I respect that..Everyone know the game, the rules before they start working..
        • I agree (07/07/2017, 15:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          I think like you say that everyone should know the rules before they start working, and I agree. However, we as locals too can present a contract which binds the Govt. through the promoters, as to what is expected with regards to payment, late payment penalties etc. There is no way that a true businessman should allow the same person to stiff them out with very late payment over and over and over again. Its either you as the entertainer will be understanding of the circumstances regarding Govt's ability to pay whether on-time or late, put measures in place contracting the agreement, or if you think its going to be a problem and you just don't want to go through that, you just don't do business with them.
    • To Youngin (07/07/2017, 14:55) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Almost the whole of Tola went SK Musicfest you said? That is funny.....Quit exaggerating. But feel free to keep up this madness. A Musicfest and an Emancipation Festival are two completely different things. Please don't compare apples with oranges...
      • Our 7 Million (07/07/2017, 15:38) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Tell your Brainless NDP, that our Music Festival is where some of our 7/Million should have gone then everybody would be coming, just like how people from all over the world went to St Kitts..
        Tell your two Doc Hmmm. What a mess they create
  • stuppes (07/07/2017, 11:56) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Foolishness ur talkin piss.. its because of ppl like you is why we stay backwards..
    • Mr Minister, Help Local bands... (07/07/2017, 14:18) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Where is the plan to move the BVI festival to that other level like Dominica, Grenada, St kotts , Antigua where we can run a great fun filled Festival with our own bands, great bands..convene a meeting with the bands and help them get to that standard..One main way, get the the scholarship, student in bands, let bands be of their own members, committed to excellent through practice..I'm a musician right now our major problem is having 3 or 4 of the same musicians playing in 4 or 5 bands just for a money...after the money done make band gone in no practice, until the next time to make money... Start by hiring band that has their own members... Let each band submit their members when writing in for Festival Jobs. To ensure they are not 4 bands with the same members... Help us to get to that point where we can run our festival in a quality way and make the big Money... Get better equipments, have bigger and better sounds which will help make our festival locally, brand and grand..
      • Lack of care (08/07/2017, 20:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        They do not care about locals. That is why we need to stop giving citizenship to any and everybody.
  • ABC (07/07/2017, 12:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    just pure talk
  • ........ (07/07/2017, 14:02) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    1 hour and 45 mins? I think you meant 1 hour or 45 mins...My view is that our "Emancipation" should not be for sale. One International artist per night and on weekends only. Everything else should be Virgin Islands artists. Who don't want to go, don't go. If you're having a Music Fest, then you can bring whoever you want. Festival should be about celebrating our Virgin Islands Culture and freedom from Slavery, not trying to compete with other islands, incurring debt and not paying locals until a year later. We have lost our way.
    • You are so true (07/07/2017, 15:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yep you are so true
    • Music Lover (08/07/2017, 08:40) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      We have turned our Festival into a Music Festival. Would these international artistes accommodate our bands and local artistes in their respective Festival/Carnival. I don't think so. But every year we enrichening their pockets and disrespecting our musicians. Just shameful to the core.
  • Street reporter (07/07/2017, 14:04) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Get a Sugar band, get a vybes band get a koolsession band a wck band...This is better entertainment and cost less than one of them Jamaican artist..
  • VG (07/07/2017, 14:24) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is why attendance is dropping at the festival and they complain that they rarely make money. If I have seen an artiste three, four times already why will I pay to see them again?
  • Musician (07/07/2017, 14:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Its not all about the money, yea we need the money but our focus and priority is to play good music, satisfy the people, satisfy our hearts...Money will come..
  • The Judge (07/07/2017, 14:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The brothers are on point. I myself have been saying the same things. The money is being wasted on a selected few. There are plenty of other artist that would perform to the same level and charge much less. This present way is how "kick back"
    comes alive.
  • Okay now (07/07/2017, 17:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    At least someone got the balls to speak up
  • 8th district gyal (08/07/2017, 06:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You think they are listening? I had the opportunity to look at other islands online. Imagine little Nevis (next door) on point. They even have a welcome song for you and the same FLOW is a super Platinum sponsor. Activities are spread out around the island so everyone can participate.

    The top two leaders of BVIi Emancipation Festival with last names linked to that island....cant see other islands have their festivities on point?

    We know we have a crime problem and what call does the Chair have telling us we need to hold on to our children? A press conference needs to be held and include the CoP to ensure confidence in the safety of participantss, residents and visitors. Everyone including children! Ensure proper lighting and cameras are functioning. Tell us these things!

    You guys are on point with your suggestions. Let's see...


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