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Local entertainers still not paid for Festival 2015

Festival & Fairs Committee Chairman, Minister silent
Almost half a year since they performed at Festival 2015, none of the local bands who graced the stages of the various Festivilles have received a dime from Government. Photo: VINO/File
Ricky E. Conner, owner and manager of one of the newest bands on the Virgin Islands scene OMG, also confirmed that his band which made a number of appearances at the various Festivilles had not yet been paid. Photo: Provided
Ricky E. Conner, owner and manager of one of the newest bands on the Virgin Islands scene OMG, also confirmed that his band which made a number of appearances at the various Festivilles had not yet been paid. Photo: Provided
Eustace 'Boss' Freeman on stage. Photo: VINO/File
Eustace 'Boss' Freeman on stage. Photo: VINO/File
When we contacted Showtime Band manager Kensley R. Samuel he confirmed that not only his band but just about every local band that performed had not been paid. Photo: Facebook
When we contacted Showtime Band manager Kensley R. Samuel he confirmed that not only his band but just about every local band that performed had not been paid. Photo: Facebook
This news site called Chairman of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee Kishma A. Baronville for a comment. However she said that at the time she could not respond to this news site’s inquiries as she was “at work” and asked that we call her later that afternoon. When we tried her phone again there was no response. Photo: VINO/File
This news site called Chairman of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee Kishma A. Baronville for a comment. However she said that at the time she could not respond to this news site’s inquiries as she was “at work” and asked that we call her later that afternoon. When we tried her phone again there was no response. Photo: VINO/File
OMG Band. Photo: Provided
OMG Band. Photo: Provided
Text and WhatsApp messages to Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn went unanswered up to post time. Photo: VINO/File
Text and WhatsApp messages to Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn went unanswered up to post time. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Almost half a year since they performed at Festival 2015, local bands who graced the stages of the various Festivilles have yet to receive all of their monies from Government. According to reports some have been paid for performances outside of Road Town while others have not received a dime.

This was confirmed to this news site by members of a number of top bands in the territory, including Showtime and OMG.

“Festival 2015 payments are still outstanding,” said Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman, lead vocalist for multiple Road March champions Showtime Band.

However, Freeman said he was not apprised of the latest situation regarding payment and asked that we speak to the band’s manager Kensley R. Samuel.

When we contacted Samuel, he confirmed that not only his band but just about every local band that performed had not been paid.

“Generally nobody has been paid. And nobody is hearing anything. The last thing we heard was what the Minister had said.”

“That’s basically it. Nobody calling us to say nothing. We are kinda lost like the general public too,” Samuel said.

The band manager said Showtime was paid for performing at the festiville in Carrot Bay but are owed for its services in Road Town and East End.

Ricky E. Conner, owner and manager of one of the newest bands on the Virgin Islands scene OMG, also confirmed that his band, which made a number of appearances at the various Festivilles, had not yet been paid.

Conner said his band has not been paid a cent for any of its performances.

According to reports reaching Virgin Islands News Online, all foreign entertainers were paid for their performances.

'Time longer than twine'

Local entertainer Tishaun Glasgow Aka Selecta Taz, writing on his Facebook page recently said, “This NDP Government looks like they think it don’t have another election coming but time longer than twine. No Festival money and is a New Year…”

This news site called Chairman of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee Kishma A. Baronville for a comment. However, she said that at the time she could not respond to this news site’s inquiries as she was “at work” and asked that we call her later that afternoon. When we tried her phone again there was no response.

Text and WhatsApp messages to Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn went unanswered up to post time.

In late August 2015, the Minister had apologised to persons still to receive their money for work done during the Emancipation celebrations.

The Minister at that time committed to having the issue resolved and said that it was his aim to have persons paid before the Christmas season of 2015.

“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 was 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 2015.

30 Responses to “Local entertainers still not paid for Festival 2015”

  • influence (18/01/2016, 07:56) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply

    Myrun full of sh*t how come dem pay sister j to keep her teap shut?

  • Spoil (18/01/2016, 08:04) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look how this is going to mess up this yrs festival program again with more boycotts. NDP, murder....!
  • just asking.... (18/01/2016, 08:05) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    NDP left the country broke so where will they find the money?
  • tretretrete (18/01/2016, 08:08) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myron will talk his way out of this mess. He always does & then his magic makes them forget his nonsense & love him more.
  • well saw (18/01/2016, 08:10) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    The NDP don't have money to pay the musicians and the contractors but they bought a $7 million dollar plane. Well saw!!!
    • Yes (19/01/2016, 09:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      them ain self buy the plane... jus to get the okay to travel straight to miami.... they only have shares in the plane... NDP boyy lolol
  • solution (18/01/2016, 08:13) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    If these people want to get paid they have to do like what the man Huge Darley doing...go viral for these corrupt, don't care dictators.
  • Peavey (18/01/2016, 08:25) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Entertainers should Boycott 2016 festival unless they get paid
    • Hmm (18/01/2016, 09:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      That is exactly what the Government want, they don't want us to have an enjoyable festival. If it was up to them they would cancel it.
  • wize up (18/01/2016, 08:59) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    ladies and gentlemen; I was just advised this whole matter was just an oversight and it will be settled before the next election with interest!!!!
  • Hmm (18/01/2016, 09:04) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Query, do any of these bands request half their fees before they perform? If they can find the $$ to pay outside entertainment why then can't they pay the locals? Oh wait, their LOCALS therefore they can push them on the backburner and deal with them when they feel like. Then we wonder and ask why our young ppl have no respect & behaving the way they do. Come on now look at the adults! Greed, selfishness every man for himself is it really any wonder why the youngsters are the way they are yet the same adults trying to crucify them? They are a product of their environment so who to really blame
    • VG (18/01/2016, 10:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      SPOT ON......they creating the monsters in the young ppl and then bashing them for their actions....sick ppl mehson
  • Tolian (18/01/2016, 10:10) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron so love the camera and to be in the news VINO you all sure he did not response?
  • disappointed (18/01/2016, 11:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

    I am one of them. Myron disappointed me so badly. Then to put someone who is a failure who doesn't care about people should make sure we get paid in charge of our health care is scarey

  • man to man (18/01/2016, 11:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    These politicians never had boy days. Never had fun days. They don't understand. So they don't care. They killed music festival and the are killing august festival.. Next they will kill horse race..the people we are electing. We have to elect fun. Our going caring and happy people.
  • @Mr. Minister (18/01/2016, 11:33) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pay the daxmn people. Get it over with. Why you like drama so.
  • yes yes (18/01/2016, 13:51) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    They will do what they accustom of doing you years all these entertainers know they will get paid around may june and the fun will start all over again cause money changes minds
  • becareful with ball headed (18/01/2016, 14:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope you guys who have the courage to speak out are not vitimized
    • @ becareful with ball headed (19/01/2016, 07:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      it's a freedom of speech country and all who quoted in the story BORN RIGHT HERE
  • MASA (18/01/2016, 16:23) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Heard some of the guys backing back like losters afraid of standing by what they say
    • -------------------- (18/01/2016, 21:52) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Let’s be clear: the NDP and Myron are idiots for not paying up..these people vote yall,
  • H darley (18/01/2016, 17:58) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I still waiting to get paid to
  • i from here (18/01/2016, 22:01) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    it is very difficult to ignore the way locals are treated under this island man goverment
  • NHI No BVI Band (19/01/2016, 00:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    They will find thousands of people who arrive run get work permit then run up medical bill they never could afford in the first place on the backs of the middle class!!! Cant pay little bands 2,000??? Really this is crazy and the worst.
  • Scorpian (19/01/2016, 13:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Ayo see how deh b*r**n**e woman aine studying nobody aine paying the musican them. Ayo wait till yo gotta file claims down NHI whey she is. It going be the same ting. Ah scorpion say so!

  • ndp (19/01/2016, 17:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is sickening these ministers are just so dishonest have 7million but can't find 2000 rediculous


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