You could not have asked for a better demonstration of the true feelings of government to cultural industries. I am Boycing about the recent demolishing of the unfinished auditorium at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Center to make room for a car park and offices.

They were not just demolishing an auditorium they were demolishing culture.
In an country that is sadly lacking in adequate entertainment venues government while playing lip service to cultural industries is finding time to destroy one.

Why waste money on an auditorium when they can just continue to issue empty promises, like the promise to refurbish the Empire Theatre, I so tired hearing bout that then. Or the promise to fix up Queens Park theatre and reopen it, I don’t know if you can still call them promises, when is it that a promise crosses over and simply becomes a blatant lie. If a fruitless promise is given often and long enough it must be upgraded to a lie.

I didn’t mean to demolish the hopes and dreams of you in the cultural industries; government is doing a good enough job at that.
While government talks the talk it is time they walk the walk, if they are so sincere about the development of culture they need to show prove it.
By demolishing that unfinished entertainment auditorium, government demolishes our hopes and by extension demolishes culture.

Workman Demolishing Unfinished Auditorium

Who the ass does Paul Clarke think he is? I usually desist from cursing fellow entertainers but in Clarke’s case I must make an exception.When I think of Clarke I remember Gilbert Rowe’s statement made many years ago about entertainers having “delusions of grandeur”
Mr Boyce “Why would you be speaking of your Facebook friend Clarke in such an acerbic and contemptuous manner?” You might ask, allow me to expand…

Paul Clarke was one of the originators and owner of an event which is known as the Ragga Soca competition.
Paul had invested his money and staged several Ragga Soca competitions some years ago.
You are thinking, but that’s all laudable stuff Boyce why would you curse a man over that?

Here’s why….
Recently the National Cultural Foundation announced they were staging a Ragga Soca competition, least that’s why they called it at first.
Mr Paul Clarke had the audacity to approach NCF and inform them that he was actually the legal owner of the name “Ragga Soca” registered at Corporate Affairs and NCF was infringing on his rights.
He seemed to think that the NCF would have recognised his investment and contribution and would have paid some kind of compensation to utilize the name he registered.
He seemed to think that taking his “Ragga Soca” event experience into consideration NCF might have had him as a consultant.
Paul Clarke obviously mistook himself for a Trinidadian, he forgot he was a Bajan and therefore would not be eligible to any consultant status, compensation to use his event name or even recognition.
What the NCF did do is circumvent Clarke by changing the name of competition to “Sweet Soca” competition therefore stripping the Barbadian entrepreneur of his rights or any claim to the competition.
Serves Paul Clarke right, who the ass does he think he is any way? freaking idiot, Happy Birthday Paul Clarke from Boyce Voice..

P.S: N C F stands for “No Clarke Funding”

In 2009 the acronym N.C.F now has a different meaning, “Now Cropover *F##kup”.

The haphazard manner of how decisions and plans being made and then unmade, gives the ominous impression that NCF are making up things as they go along.

Case in point the shifting of the semi-finals from the gymnasium to Farley hill and then back to the gymnasium again.

I would like to know who the ass was who got the brilliant idea that if a show can’t attract 2000 patrons in a 5000 seat auditorium, let’s take the show to Farley Hill which is a 15,000 people venue with much increased expenses.

But I suppose you can’t blame the NCF as they are taking advice from their non existent “Trini” consultants, If I were to go down to Trinidad to make decisions for their Carnival I would probably make dumb ass decisions too.

Next I see in the media the NCF chairman speaking about “drastic changes” being considered for Party Monarch.The rules have already been issued and calypsonians registered and they are now considering changes?

Now I see in the Saturday Sun yesterday they might have to change the name of the Ragga soca competition because of legal issues, I want to speak to that separately cause that’s a doozy.

Now I hear they are looking to change Junior Monarch event to a different date dos nt it ever stop?  

There was a time when you could plan your shows around the NCF Crop Over calender now that document can only be seen as a work in progress.

As the 2009 “Crapacades” (lol,sorry I got that name from my facebook friends, allow me to write that again).As the 2009 Cavalcades fizzle to an end, not only  Rick-less, Edwin-less and Alison-less but also people-less. You start to get the impression that there’s almost a deliberate intention to “F” Crop Over up.

 So that’s why N C F now has a different meaning in 2009 “Now Cropover *F**kup!”.  Brace Your Self!

* Fork, NCF means now Crop Over “FORK” up. meaning they keep digging up and changing things like a farmer “forks up” a ground..

U thought Iwas cursing didnt u? u dirty minded person u, i will have to get a better class of person reading my blog.

When Edwin sang somebody “forking” up the land, I think he meant the NCF…

Boyce is in a quandary as it relates to deciphering the fee policy of the National Cultural Foundation, while government is being viewed as discriminatory because of its recently stated immigration stance on non nationals it seems the NCF is looking to balance  the odds by discriminating and unfairing local artistes.

Note last year in order to justify the huge fee U.S $25000.00+ that NCF paid Trinidadian Machel Montano to participate in Cohobblopot, Minister of Culture Blackette proudly proclaimed “An artiste must be paid what he is worth”.

So American Rap artistes etc were all booked on that event and paid the thousands of U.S dollars “they were worth”.

Now this year have you noticed a dearth of major local acts from this years Cavalcades?

No Lil Rick, No Peter Ram, No Mr. Dale, do you know why you are not seeing some of these artistes who helped to develop cavalcades from scratch?

Negotiations have broken down between NCF and these artistes cause they can’t pay the money the local acts are charging.

Apparently you can tell an artiste what he is worth, but he must be Bajan. It seems as though NCF admin looks at the world through Trini glasses, when you log onto their official website promoting Barbados Crop Over, the first thing you see is Destra Garcia saying she is going to be here performing for Crop Over, seems like she is booked already, and she will not be paid any poo poo money.she is not a Bajan you know.

I hear that there is even a Trini consultant working with the NCF advising them on Crop Over affairs, this is after they claimed they could not afford local talent.

The policy of NCF clearly states say yes to Trini’s no matter what the cost and no to Bajans.

P.S; I know I have been tardy in my writings and profusely apologise, I recognise how there seems to be an effort to rename this season a Crap Over Festival and it needs to be spoken too, spoking therefore is what Boyce Voice will do…carrier to noise ratio

Congratulations are in order of the organizers of the recently concluded successful St Philip carnival! If I wore a hat I would take it off to them but I don’t.
The successful and efficient organizing of this event by the St Philip Committee s not an activity that should go unnoticed by the powers that be.

Often the question is asked when will the staging of Crop Over be able to be placed into the hands of the private sector.
 Government needs to take its place as a facilitator empowering the entrepreneur to thrive and reach their full potential.

What entities in the private sector have the capability to efficiently coordinate the multiplicity of mammoth tasks and events which constitute our national festival?
The St Philip Carnival Committee is an example of the answer to the question.

 Chances are if you can organize a carnival parade successfully in St Philip you should be able to do the same only on a bigger scale in St Michael where Kadooment takes place.

Efforts should made by Government to nurture and groom this St Philip committee who are obviously pregnant with potential to be a major event coordinator player in our Crop Over.

congrats to the St Philip Group on not depending on the government but getting up off their asses and not only staging their own event but doing it successfully!

Boyce is leaving the computer……

Who will take over when the tall philipian goes to crack jokes in beyond the pearly gates?
Have you ever thought of that?
Well I am inviting you to think about it now; your brain is not busy! Who will be the next person to step into Mac Fingall’s shoes when he is gone?
Not only is there a dearth of comedians in Barbados but there is a dearth of people aspiring to be comedians, which is sad.
Nobody wants to make people laugh.

Think bout it, who do we have that is funny in Barbados?
(I mean funny ha ha)
There’s Trevor Eastmond accomplished comedian who has been around for a number of years. He is known for his colorful language. Then you have Alf who has been making a name for himself performing in the Crop Over Cavalcades.
Then there’s Mr. Kb Kleen, again another comedian/Mc who is known for operating mainly during Crop Over specifically in Bacchanal Time.
And then There’s Mac Fingall, Mac is considered the maestro of mc/comedians in Barbados. His busy performance schedule not only in Barbados but internationally is testimony to his talent and how much in demand he is.

Then there’s Madd Entertainment who is known for situation comedy skits.After you go past the above mentioned entities that just about it.! Did I miss anybody?

Oh yeah, Jenifer walker is another good comedic talent but she only MC’s every once in a while.
My point is 25 years ago the persons who dominated the comedy scene are the same people who reign now.
And the person who stands head and shoulders above all is Mac.
We are hard pressed to identify a successor to Mac; every one wants to be a freaking singer no one wants to make people laugh.
I am not talking about the political public figures that make people laugh at microphones without intending to I mean real potential comedy talent.
Maybe NCF needs to start having comedy work shops in schools to identify new talent, and have Trevor Mac and KB develop teach and pass on their skills so that our dearth of comedy can be filled.

Hey, speaking of dearth of talent reminds me of my self,

I am a bit of comedian too myself, “There is a dearth of talent in the void of my brain” I want to be known for saying that….

Boyce is out…..

“I do agree, however, that there are certain Crop-Over events which lend themselves to this sort of partnering. Cohobblopot is one good example of this, and it is certainly my hope that next year we can have enough time to invite tenders for the staging of this potentially lucrative event.” Quote from Minister of Culture Steve Blackett at 2008 Crop Over Awards Ceremony

Yeah right, where have we heard that before..

While the Ministry of culture speaks of out sourcing Cohobblopot their words and actions don’t add up.

Not taking into consideration their failure to operate above board as it relates to entertaining bids for the Cohobblopot this year, at the launching of the same event it was stated by the cultural administrators they had a 3 year plan for organising the event. That does not correspond to the minister’s statement they intend to out source it.

The question will be asked why would the government give up an event that is profitable when it can generate revenue for it self at the expense of private promoters.
While from the outside cohobblopot 2008 appeared to be successful the question must be asked will that “success” equate to profits?  
We have been hearing of excessive sums of monies that were spent including those on regional and international acts.
We have been hearing how $40,000 was paid to Brian Lara to host the VIP area at the event plus a commission from the door, When it came to Cohobblopot 2008 the regional people can’t complain at all.
All the pay outs kick backs and expenses that we have been hearing about we await to see in the final analysis exactly how profitable Cohobblopot really will be.
As for the minister’s statement of privatisation, with out action behind them they remain mere empty words, lacking in credibility, sincerity or legitimacy.

Here’s one of the burning issues you want me to deal with, Euphoria 2008.             

Regardless of the financial results of the event, its existence is essential to challenging the commercial government strong hold which continues to be maintained on Crop Over the night before kadooment.               
Let’s look at some of Euphoria’s achievements, because of this event there were many Bajan acts included on Cohobblopot that would have been left off.     
The last minute inclusion of 2008 Pic o de Crop monarch Adrian Clarke is an example of this. It was only after Euphoria added him to our line up and started promoting this, did cohobblopot follow suit. It had become the norm for several years that the Pic o De Crop monarch was no longer included in the cohobblopot event.          
The fact that Euphoria was able to overcome the obstacles speaks to the fact that entrepreneurial involvement is being allowed in the festival.                       
Stated government policy supports efforts like euphoria, but certain key individuals are deviating from the policy for their own ends. (If you have a key in your pocket maybe its you)                      
Euphoria offered an opportunity that artistes who were not included on Cohobblopot could still work, it also offered a competitive alternative in terms of ticket prices. If not for the technical challenges, we would have achieved our objective entertainment wise and not have lost out on the flow of patrons who had started to enter the venue.                                    
We want to thank the Prime Minister for endorsing Euphoria publicly and his assistance and Senator Irene Sandiford Garner for attending the event.                             
Euphoria’s misfortune was daring to challenge a government statutory entity which was willing spare no expense of tax payers money to crush a private sector effort.                     
Euphoria’s fortune is that there is still a government intent to truly assist, develop and involve the entrepreneur in Crop Over.

Euphoria Inc would also like to thank our sponsors Starcom Network, Eqity Insurance and major sponsor The Plantation Garden Theatre, with out them and others who assisted and gave advice behind the scenes, the event would not have been possible.

Coming up:Cohobblopot Analysis

Just to show there is no hard feelings, this morning I am going to give Cohobblopot some free promotion! Lets focus on the latest addition to the Crop Over National Festival Cohobblopot, American Rap artiste Lil Jon.
Lets take some time to peruse some lyrics of Mr lil Jon, here”s his song ‘Bitches aint Sh*t’.

Back in the days i use to like bitches
But i tell you now days bitches aint sh*t
And if you wonder why i say this
I’ve had a lot of women and bitches think they slick
Sneakin’ around f**kin’ around whenever were not around
Actin’ all sophisticated spending money that she didnt make
I get so mad that i could slap her actin like she cleopatra
Aint no need to ask shes a slave to tha money and im the master  
Thats why i smoke sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday
Dont let no girl no bitch (hey) no man no nigga get in my way
I keep my gun with me (always) for peace i keep it right by my side
Big nate long beach we’ll keep Lil’ Jon tight beat

Whoa, that is what you call hard hitting lyrics, I now see why Soca Queen Alison Hinds and Mr Dale could not get on Cohobblopot. Decision makers at the National Cultural Foundation have F@#king out done them selves in their attempt to deepen our cultural awareness. I take my F@#king hat off to them, I am learning something from Lil Jon already…

Here are the official results of the 2008 Crop Over preliminaries sent to Boyce Voice from the NCF, those of you who think we are not friends are wrong, check the results….  

19 –PIC-O-DE CROP SEMI-FINALISTS 2008
All Stars   Adrian Clarke    Adrian Clarke
All Stars   Ronnie Clarke    De Announcer
Bacchanal Time  Charles Smith    Romeo
Bacchanal Time  William Waithe    Classic
Bacchanal Time  David Piggott    Kid Site
Bacchanal Time  Rameses Browne    Rameses
De Big Show  Anthony Carter    Gabby
De Big Show  John King     John King
De Big Show  Sheldon Hope    Sheldon Hope
De Big Show  Clairmonte Pilgrim   Pompey
Headliners   Anderson Armstrong   Blood
Headliners   Ishiaka McNeil    Ishiaka McNeil
House Of Soca  Jude Clarke     Hee Haw
Super Gladiators  Andre Inniss    Dre
Super Gladiators  Patricia Noel    Lady Isha
The Experience  Chrystal Cummins-Beckles  Chrystal
The Experience  Margaret Holder    Enobong
The Experience  Rommell Hall    Rommel
The Experience  Mathew Clarke    De Original Clarke Dan
Trimart Hit Parade Anderson Ward    Mr. Impact

19 – PARTY MONARCH FINALISTS 2008
TENT    NAME     SOBRIQUET
All Stars   Kimberley Inniss    Kimberley Inniss
All Stars   Miguel White    Miguel
Bacchanal Time  Khiomal Nurse    Khiomal
Bacchanal Time  Justin King     Justin King
Bacchanal Time  Donella Weekes    Donella
Bacchanal Time  Rameses Browne    Rameses
Bacchanal Time  Peter Wiggins    Peter Ram
De Big Show  Natalie Burke    Nathalee
De Big Show  Stedson Wiltshire    RPB
De Big Show  Terencia Coward-Thompson  T C
De Big Show  Ryan Chase     Buggy
De Big Show  Jafar Burnett-Burnett   Jafar
Headliners   Michael Mercer    Mikey
Headliners   Anderson Armstrong   Blood
Headliners   Dale Rudder    Mr. Dale
House Of Soca  Jude Clarke and Owen John  Hee Haw & Dragon Slayer
House of Soca  Daniel Borman    Jimmy Dan
House of Soca  Owen John     Dragon Slayer
Tomorrow’s Children Jamar Bradshaw    Jay-B

Reigning Monarch
Headliners   Ricky Reid     Lil’ Rick

RESERVE
De Big Show  Elenza Brewster    Serenader