Non-stop concert to now be held @ Festival Grounds- Premier
This was revealed by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in a live announcement minutes ago, June 8, 2023.
The change comes amidst criticisms by some who do not see the need to invest in the tourism industry, considered one of the main pillars of the Virgin Islands' economy.
Dr Wheatley said there has been a lot said about the non-stop concert since he first made the announcement on June 2, 2023, and that he sees it as democracy at work.
‘I am not deaf to the concerns’- Premier
He said “It is good that persons are openly expressing their views” and he is “not deaf to the concerns I have heard from the people in the Virgin Islands” and he wants to ensure the emancipation celebrations receive maximum support and we want to ensure our hard-earned tax money is spent well.”
According to the Premier, an important shift was therefore made and that is the concert will now be held at Festival Grounds and it will be the first event to kick off the Emancipation Festival season.
He also said the stage for the non-stop concert will remain up after the event “which will allow for more pre-Festival activities.”
Premier Wheatley said this new development will result in significant cost savings and the opportunity to raise funds.
Event ‘is not just a big expensive party!’
He also reminded that the event is about building the tourism product and the economy.
“Contrary to what some have said, it is not just a big expensive party. It is not a VIP celebration, neither is it a pat on the back or a victory lap. This is a good-natured, well-intentioned effort to promote our first American Airlines non-stop flight between Miami and Beef Island.
“It is an effort to build entertainment tourism in the Virgin Islands and it is an effort to improve the economy that will sustain all of us.”
Premier Wheatley said he has heard the cries of the public that there are many priorities to be addressed, “but the money that allows us to build better roads, to finance derelict removal, to build our schools and improve our community comes from our financial services and tourism industry. Investing in the success of our tourism industry will help us to fix the very same problems that we all want to see addressed,” Dr Wheatley reasoned.
Other artists for the non-stop concert will include Rock City, Vibe, Kamau A. Georges, Jeremy Vanterpool and more.
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38 Responses to “Non-stop concert to now be held @ Festival Grounds- Premier”
Let’s be realistic.. what can $250.000 or how far can the get us in fixing the infrastructure? Can’t even pay for engineers to do assessments. Smh ????
Nobody going Etana and nobody going to Konshens! Put the money into August Festival and Lobster Festival what tourists actually might come to.
PLEASE WE ARE BEGGING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW.