Sponsors Breakfast Report: PM David “Walks the Walk”
As we previously said the Sponsors Breakfast stage at Sherbourne Center on Tuesday by NCF while “bakeless’ was other wise an impressive launching of Crop Over 2008.
The Chairman of the NCF spoke, Minister of Culture spoke but I was especially impressed with the speech given by Prime Minister David Thompson.
In his speech the PM stated “I fully endorse the work that the National Cultural Foundation is doing, but I am hoping that over time they can hand over some of those activities to the management of new players who can truly make it a national festival,”
I have already stated my “Euphoric” joy in hearing of this new policy of the current government in contrast to the exploitive agenda which existed before.
Of course as commented by P’ Oui any one can say any thing but you must wait and see if they will follow through with action. What impressed me with the speech was not just the content, but the knowledge that what was being stated was already being put into practice.
Example; my involvement working with the NCF coordinating Cavalcades, one year ago would you have guessed that the culturally nefarious Peter Boyce would be the point person for the government’s inaugural Crop Over event? That’s an example of private enterprise being utilized.
Another Example “Cohobblopot” the premiere revenue generating gem of our national festival, I happen to know NCF is right now reviewing tenders to give out a concession for that event to be done by a private promoter. That is something that would never have happen before. “Give away we biggest money earner? Wuh You is a idiot?” That talk done, new policy in place!
This opens the door that fledging young promoter talent like Ronnie Morris, Chris Harper, Andy John and more can get involve with the festival.
So in the case of PM David he is not just doing the talk but “walking the walk”,
If during the reading of this blog there is any thing I might have written which might have incensed or offended you, GET OVER IT! There are many things I read and hear in the media on a daily basis that I don't like either. SO DEAL WITH IT! You are welcome to leave your comments though. Make sure and come back yuh hear !!!...
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April 18th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I endorse the comments of the PM and I must say I felt pleased to hear him say that the Festival should not the Government’s festival but should be the people’s festival.
He also stated that new and upcoming promoters/artistes would always arise to challenge the status quo of the day.
My problem is up to this day in the history of Barbados only one entity has engaged in cultural development/artistic development (albeit a poor job) is the NCF.
Very few private promoters have shown the ability to promote local talent on a broad scale resorting to paying excessive monies to foreign acts.
No entity has emerged with the abilty to DEVELOP local talent on a broad scale.
Encouragement should therefore to facilitate private entities who desire to DEVELOP,PROMOTE and MARKET local talent.
If you are going to encourage private promoters then private developers should be encouraged EVEN MORE.
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 am
Site, I understand what you are saying, but with the exception of Madd entertainment, who else have the balls to come forward and take the risk of undertaking the promoting and running of crop?
How many of our promoters undertake calypso shows, or any other aspects of our culture?
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
“Example; my involvement working with the NCF coordinating Cavalcades, one year ago would you have guessed that the culturally nefarious Peter Boyce would be the point person for the government’s inaugural Crop Over event? That’s an example of private enterprise being utilized.”
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I think if you observed which way the political wind was blowing that would not have been a bad guess.
“Another Example “Cohobblopot” the premiere revenue generating gem of our national festival, I happen to know NCF is right now reviewing tenders to give out a concession for that event to be done by a private promoter.”
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Is this process being followed for every Crop-Over event that is being outsourced? No spite thing… I’m genuinely curious because 1) I know some young promoters that would like to get a bite at that cherry but ‘dem ent know nobody’ so a request for tender might give them a fighting chance and 2) I did not see/hear of any tenders for the Cavalcades…
April 24th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Don’t get me wrong here…the encouragement of private promoters is a great thing; this is the logical direction for Crop Over….but I don’t want to see a situation like Reggae on the Hill where livelihood for foreign acts is maintained while there is virtually no promotion or development of the locals.
Madd Entertainment (kudos to them) have over the last couple years promoted EXCLUSIVELY local talents and others like them should be encouraged but please not mass importation of outsiders at the expense of your locals in a Festival where the locals are promoted heavily.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
In reply to Curious.
i ENDORSE your comments…young promoters with innovative ideas would really make the Festival exciting.