Non-stop concert to now be held @ Festival Grounds- Premier

- Brandywine Bay was first announced as the venue

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The ‘Non-stop Concert’ to be headlined by Jamaican artiste ‘Konshens’ will now be held at Festival Grounds on June 30, 2023, instead of Brandywine Bay as was previously announced. Photo: VINO/File

Amidst criticisms of the non-stop concert recently announced by the Government of the Virgin Islands, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says the event is about building the tourism product and the economy. Photo: Facebook

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The ‘Non-stop Concert’ to be headlined by Jamaican artiste ‘Konshens’ will now be held at Festival Grounds in Road Town on June 30, 2023, instead of Brandywine Bay in the Seventh District as was previously announced.

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.

38 Responses to “Non-stop concert to now be held @ Festival Grounds- Premier”

jack (08/06/2023, 14:48) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
So they forced him out of his district
- @Jack (08/06/2023, 15:08) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
  I guess he listen to the other party supporters and not VIP supporters. I'm sure it was other parties supporters making the most noise.
- Proof of Being Conceited and Proud (08/06/2023, 16:29) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
  Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Non-stop utilities!!! (08/06/2023, 15:00) Like (46) Dislike (1) Reply
That is what we want, water, electricity and maybe some good internet too.
lol3 (08/06/2023, 15:00) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
Just checking in for the comments to get my afternoon laugh.
Hmm (08/06/2023, 15:07) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
he should now charge a fee to enter. Maybe cheaper than the festival events entrance fees. I'm sure people will pay to go in and dance " bruk off their yo back"
- @hmm (08/06/2023, 15:56) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
  lol I prefer the roads get fixed so I don't "bruk off my back" falling into one of the many potholes.
  - Ignorant or just want to air their mouths? (09/06/2023, 07:14) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    News Flash! A few ignorant Islan* People blogging shi* does not speak for the majority! You really think the premier that stupid to spend this money without having a plan to fix our infrastructure??? Gosh wait until the asphalt plant is up and running before running y’all stinking mouth! A lot of y’all just like to blog to create drama! Stop getting on the blog speaking and think that you all have the write to speak for an entire nation! Some of us actually have sense and are not here to destroy the Gov elected. Stop creating division . Election done! Obviously the premier have a plan to get the infrastructure fix. Things don’t happen over night. The roads cannot be fixed over night. Some of you seem to think this. A lot must be done before asphalt even touch the roads. Let the GOV work. 250.000 won’t even pave 500 ft of road road properly! Won’t even build one class room block of a school, can’t pay a 10th of the islands increments owed! So really I am not sure what the fuss is about! Be realistic and STOP creating devision amongst the locals. Some of you say it’s the Governor? I say the Governor is doing his job . It’s the darn Islanders who get on here interfering and spreading propaganda .
    
    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 ????
    - A plan? (09/06/2023, 16:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      They all have plans year after year, decade after decade.….they’re always planning! Get the job done, that’s the bottom line!
hmm (08/06/2023, 15:09) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply
He isn't "deaf" to the concerns, yet it doesn't look like he understands them.
Go big or go home (08/06/2023, 15:16) Like (0) Dislike (9) Reply
Make it big and memorable! We VIP and so..
Ohh boy ???? we f* (08/06/2023, 15:18) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
we want to ensure our hard-earned tax money is spent well.”
street reporter. (08/06/2023, 15:34) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
Thats better. Much better than Brandy Wine Bay. I would have like to see a fresh location... The Lot between Yo-Mama and Pancake Paradise, Send the sound towards the Sea..But that is private owned land..Not as easy as said..
... (08/06/2023, 15:37) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
dude this aint making the government no cheese...outside venders allowed? big man aint have to get approval for the stage no more this his kick back plus the cost to leave it up until festival done...all I see is cheese getting eat and not cheese being made.
BVI Tourism Plan (08/06/2023, 15:42) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
"He also reminded that the event is about building the tourism product and the economy" .... Where is our Tourism Plan?

SdeC (08/06/2023, 17:56) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
Let's ask the Hon. Minister for Education. She received lots of resources (money and technical expertise) and promised delivery of a plan by December 2021: https://bvinews.com/de-castro-gets-advisor-committee-to-devise-tourism-plan-by-years-end/. She's still in Government so should be able to tell us what happened to the money and the plan! We wait.

@ BVI Tourism Plan (08/06/2023, 21:20) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
Which tourist going to this...NOT ONE.
Citizen (08/06/2023, 15:44) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
Priorities of the country set wrong. Dead wrong!
sunnt day (08/06/2023, 15:46) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
This is what happens when you a group boys running the country.
smh (08/06/2023, 15:47) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
we don't want no concert! Fix the darn roads, schools, help the needy! Chupes
smdh (08/06/2023, 15:56) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
Hard head make for a soft arse! The people say cancel the thing!

Nobody going Etana and nobody going to Konshens! Put the money into August Festival and Lobster Festival what tourists actually might come to.
two cents (08/06/2023, 16:25) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
I'd be the last person to expect to be saying but Im looking forward to this event. Its been loads of work rebuilding in every sense of the word and Ive made strides. Time for me to get outside for a minute. There is nothing like sweet music and a lil social w my people.
NB (08/06/2023, 16:44) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
You bring that nonsense in the heart of Road Town to disturb us all? We already have to be prepared for Village noise....strupps. Anyways, seems to me like you hear the people but you didn't listen.... and the saga continues...
Apparently (08/06/2023, 17:28) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
There is no stopping the Non Stop Concert.
herbs power (08/06/2023, 17:51) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
Bring Busy Signal and Melanie Armaro. Who want to hear khonsens, strups.
sorry (08/06/2023, 18:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
To all that live in Road Town you all got to listen to the loud music all day.

Lucy (08/06/2023, 22:21) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
Lucy this is not what we voted you in for! Fix this…we do not want it in town. We do not want it at all. If this goes on, not one VIP i voting for next time, including you Lucy.

@Lucy (09/06/2023, 10:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
Theres not a thing Lucy about the Premier. Say something else b not duh
beach bum (08/06/2023, 19:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
Hold on, 5 millions dollars spent on that beach an we can’t have a party there? Let me guess, they’ll be too many cruise shippers there right?
I still see it as (08/06/2023, 22:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
One big free for all ghetto fest in the middle of Road Town. Glad I don’t live in town where I have to hear a bunch of loud A.. music all day long. He still did not explain anything about what security measures will be put in place. Free means every tick and flea is going to be there. The roads will never get fixed, the water problem will never get solved, the raw sewage will continue to flow from the hillsides.
opposition (08/06/2023, 22:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
HE ISN'T DEAF BUT HE CANT HEAR
Watchers (08/06/2023, 22:46) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
I sorry for this country and civil servants cant get their increments yet what a waste. The future of this island dont look good at all.
Watchers (08/06/2023, 22:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
Just lime they have thier civil servants not well paid and want to crucify them for trying to meke moeny outside thier scope. Pay the people them so they wont be corrupt.
my two cents (09/06/2023, 06:47) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
Why don't they put these funds towards lengthening the Terrence B Lettsome Intl Airport, which is not long enough for AA or large aircraft to take off?
My only comment (09/06/2023, 07:43) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
The Premier completely DISRESPECT THE PEOPLE AND TURN A DEAF EAR TO THE PEOPLE THAT PUT HIM BACK IN OFFICE. HE SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE PEOPLE. THERE ARE LOCAL MUSIC ARTISTS THAT COULD HAVE HEADLINED THE CONCERT BUT HE CHOSE TO PUT THE MONEY IN OUTSIDERS POCKETS THAN THE LOCAL ARTIST POCKET. GOOD LUCK WITH THE GHETTO CONCERT MR. PREMIER, GHETTO BIRDS FLOCK TOGETHER.
Sad (09/06/2023, 10:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
IT DON'T NEED TO BE HELD AT ALL!!
Thuns (09/06/2023, 19:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
It going rain out..flood out..rain coming back sometime soon.
naj (11/06/2023, 09:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
SIR WE ARE IN JUNE NOW, PLEASE SAVE THAT MONEY FOR HELPING PERSONS IN NEED IF A MAJOR HURRICANE SHOULD COME, OR PUT IT INTO FESTIVAL, OR PUT IT INTO HELPING WITH HOSPITAL BILLS, OR INTO ROADS, OR INTO HOMES, OR INTO SCHOOLS, OR INTO TEACHERS, OR INTO LOW WAGE WORKERS,OR INTO THE BEEF ISLAND RUNWAY, OR INTO THE INCINERATOR, OR INTO A MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL, OR INTO ANYTHING NEEDING BETTERMENT. STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS LOOK AFTER THE COUNTRY FIRST B4 THIS CRAP.
PLEASE WE ARE BEGGING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW.

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