UPDATE: Will ‘BVI Night’ Brouhaha damage VI/USVI relationship?
Informed and reliable sources here in the VI as well as of the USVI have spoken with this news site but asked not to be named. They said they are very concerned about the damaging effects of the situation which arose out the alleged ‘infighting’ as it relates to some five bands attending and participating in the St Thomas Carnival’s BVI Night.
According to the USVI source, the ‘touted’ decision of the VI government to not participate by sending the bands that were granted waivers could cause their entire night of Carnival activity to fail miserably. They claimed that their Village would have no entertainment without the VI bands.
Up to the time of speaking with this news site, the USVI source had said that they were not in receipt of any formal document from the VI government or its associated arms of the BVI Tourist Board or Festivals and Fairs Committee as to what their position is as it relates to the VI participation.
However this news site was also reliably told that at least two bands, Final Faze and Showtime Band, have made a decision that they will be going forward to represent the Virgin Islands at the BVI Night as they would choose to save the face of the VI.
Contacted leaders of both bands declined to confirm or comment on this. However lead singer of the Showtime Band Mr Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman had given all indication on a local radio programme that his band is prepared to attend the BVI Night.
One band member said, “It’s not that we want to make the government look bad but we feel obligated [since] we as a band were directly contacted.” They have also indicated that meetings are still in train between the various responsible arms of the government discussing the best options to resolving what they described as ‘big mele’ and ‘brouhaha’.
It is this news site's understanding that it is the VI Government's position that if all bands cannot be granted waivers none will attend under its banner.
This news site will continue to follow this issue.
See previous story posted on April 23, 2014
Four bands granted waiver for St Thomas BVI night
- But will there be a BVI night???
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Contrary to reports in some sections of the media Director of the BVI Tourist Board Ms Sharon Flax-Mars has confirmed with Virgin Islands News Online that the Virgin Islands (VI) waiver has been granted for four bands to performed at the St Thomas Carnival BVI Night this Sunday April 27, 2014.
According to Ms Flax-Mars this information was communicated to her by the St Thomas Carnival Committee. She said that there are some issues that are to be worked out nonetheless, “But I cannot comment further at this stage,” she said.
A few members of local bands who are slated to participate in the St Thomas’ Carnival BVI Night did indicate to this news site that they were told that they would not be able to perform any longer. This they claimed was told to them at a meeting called by the BVI Festivals and Fairs Committee which is headed by Mr Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden.
They did claim that they were told that they issue was at the level of the USVI Customs which had denied the groups entry to perform. However this news site was informed that that was far from the truth. “There is more in the pudding that what they told us there at that meeting because everyone not stupid and there are people on the very festivals committee who told us the truth,” alleged one band member.
“It is a money issue I can tell you that much but I wouldn’t say more let the leaders come clean and tell the Territory the clear truth and the facts,” alleged the band member who was also supported by others.
Another said, “They just spend a set of money for USVI bands to come here and perform for the VG Easter Festival and now they can’t invest to promote us in St. Thomas, that make sense?”
Contacted earlier today, Chairman of the BVI Festivals and Fairs Committee, Mr. Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden told this news site that he was advised not to comment on the issue and that the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn is the one to respond directly.
Efforts to contact the Minister were futile as this news site was told that he was in Cabinet meetings. His Permanent Secretary was said to be on travel duties while Ms Mathavious said that she had no comment and advised that efforts be continued to be made to reach the Minister at some stage.
Informed and reliable sources had previously told this news site that the idea for the BVI night at the St Thomas Carnival was one that was birthed by the BVITB as a marketing initiative to promote the 60th Jubilee. It was then taken in hands by the BVIF&FC in partnership.
This news site will continue to provide further details as they becomes available.
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37 Responses to “UPDATE: Will ‘BVI Night’ Brouhaha damage VI/USVI relationship?”
I spoke to a band member who was AT THE MEETING and YES they were denied entry indeed!!
Oh here is a fine example between USVI and BVI when it comes to rules. St John,USVI has a national park that no matter who you are, you cannot buy land there and build on it. Here in BVI, Mt Sage is also a national park and yet, to my shock and awe, taking a walk down the trail last year, there is some white man house perched on several plots of it.
You think if BVI adhered to rules you can have a situation where all you had to be was white to get a trade license while they gave black people hell, to get anything done? All you had to do if you were white was hang out at the Dove and anyone one of your white friends could hook up with a job while they tell locals there is no work?
Listen don't be talking BS that BVI need to develop rules for St Thomas bands. What you need to do is take a leaf out of their book and don't let all and sundry into your border and you won't be having the social and economy woes you have. BVI is used to relaxing its rules for outsiders and now when St Thomas adhere to their rules, you want to be talking a bun of crap?