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”,

The prestigious Sherbourne Center

Where were the bakes?      That is the question I asked when I attended the “Sponsors breakfast” yesterday morning at Sherbourne Center hosted by the Government and NCF.

In case you don’t know, the “Sponsors Breakfast” is an annual event where the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) invites sponsors to breakfast with the objectives of wooing them with highlights of the coming Crop Over season and hopefully acquire their financial support through sponsorship.Or the government gives sponsors some hot tea in an effort to help them “brek de air” and “brek some money” at the same time…

The presentation of the ‘Breakfast event” was impressive, the entertainment was excellent especially the multimedia piece performed by Merle Niles and Jennifer Walker. Prime Minister David Thompson was there along with Minister of Culture Steve Blackette, the NCF Chairman, CEO and a cadre of government ministers.

NCF Corporate Communications officer Wayne Simmons performed M.C duties and along with media specialist Doug Hoyte presented the 2008 Crop Over theme for this year “We Ready”.

Will go into what the Prime Minister said tomorrow but today I want to focus on a more important point. The food served at the event was excellent with eggs, fried plantain, fruit and other breakfast gastronomical delicacies. Except for one thing, look as I may I could not find any bakes….! Fish cakes were there, but no “bakes” that popular bajan delicacy from years ago made with flour and water.

Come to think about it I have never been to a function and been served “bakes”, that needs to change. NCF being the vanguard of our culture needs to take the lead in this indigenous food matter. Next time we have a traditional Bajan breakfast, I want to see some bakes…!

Otherwise Great Event, Can’t wait for Crop Over 2008!

Tomorrow; The PM say dat…….. (to be continued)

”Lord come fuh yuh world do!”Peter Boyce working for the Government?” “Looka my crosses though, he sell out…”

I thought so at first when first approached by Mr Antonio “Boo” Rudder head of the now defunct Festival Events Bureau back in November 2007. “Boo” said it was an opportunity to contribute and participate in the planning of Crop Over from a national level.

My first impulse was to refuse as I did see it as restriction of my usual “anarchistic” role of representing the industry. Most of my colleagues however saw it differently, they stated it was an opportunity that I could now represent the industry from the “inside” making input into the decisions that would more benefit entertainment.

So I accepted, bearing in mind it was also an generating opportunity. When the government changed I was fortunate enough that the David Thompson administration also recognized my potential and maintained my participation, and I thank them for that.

I pledge the Boyce Voice will continue to operate as it has in the past addressing contentious issues which affect entertainment.If for some reason I seem to be lacking in my usual acerbic tone and you need to buse my ass on any pro government position I might articulate, that’s what comments are for…

Me in a serious coordinating mood, yuh idiot….

Guess who is coordinating NCF Cavalcades this year?
If you said Peter Alphonzo Boyce you would be right.
“What” you should exclaim almost shattering your computer screen, “Peter Boyce working for the NCF?? No Freaking Way!”

Well you are freaking wrong! Peter the Boyce through my events management company Supreme Events has been engaged to work with the National Cultural Foundation to make Cavalcades 2008 the best ever.
I have been working for the past few months planning, coordinating and meeting artistes and their management.
This year you will find that all the crowd pullers Lil Rick, Peter Ram, Captain Sawyer will be back on the Cavalcade stage.

Not only big names but you will also be seeing new talent being brought to the fore and exposed in a manner that will benefit young artistes.
Gone are the days when “the Cavalcades” were used to victimize artistes who certain ex CEOs did not like or as a threat to the existence of calypso tents.
Delivering a quality event with the acts you want to see will be the number one priority, Cavalcades 2008, its going to be Great!

Around this time you should be saying “hmm so Boyce working for the government now? So he sell out…”
Well I would like to curse your ass now but I am outta time…

Log on tomorrow when I will answer your questions and queries and if needed curse you royally…..

Boyce is going to coordinate…..

 P.S; This is not another April Fool’s joke, though it sounds like it…

Yesterday’s media headlines announced that Ian Estwick was no longer the top man at the NCF, of course Boyce Voice had already told you his ass was gone from every since.

Ex NCF CEO Estwick stated in the media he had nothing to say. Well allow Boyce Voice to say it for him.

The termination of Estwick brings an end to a five year reign of cultural victimisation and vindictiveness which had been unleashed on cultural industries during his tenure as CEO. There are two Estwick memories that have imbued themselves on me that I would like to relate to you in as concise a manner as I can.

Back in 2005, I was invited to a business lunch as the then President of the Barbados Association of Tent Managers at the British High Commission. The purpose was for cultural industry reps to network with visiting UK business people with a view to developing business opportunities.

Estwick attended as NCF CEO also representing our cultural industries and this is how he chose to do it. Over lunch, he proceeded to explain to this African gentleman based in the UK how in Barbados people in cultural industries consisted of persons who had “failed academically”,could do nothing else and therefore became entertainers..

That is how as CEO of NCF he chose to articulate on our behalf, that’s why his ass is gone!

I also vividly remember a meeting at NCF where Mr. Estwick as chairman blatantly ignored and refused to recognise my efforts to make contributions and participate in the discussions, he then dropped some remark about how he ignores people who oppose him publicly. That’s why the ass is gone….!?

Wait, I am sorry, did I say “The ass”? I profusely apologise I meant “his ass”. That’s why HIS ASS is gone!! OK? Don’t want to get my ass in trouble, me and my uneducated Cawmere self. That’s why my ass is still here!

I attended a meeting at government house yesterday where a fellow entertainer remarked to me after all the arrogant abuse that had been suffered by us under the previous CEO, he was now gone and we were still here…

Estwick’s chaotic NCF reign can be described in the words of Shakespeare as “a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury, signifying nothing…”

Or in the words of Boyce Voice, “His ass is gone!”

The headline in today’s Nation newspaper is likely to send the calypso fraternity in a panic, “Back to the NCF”.The thought of the administration of Crop Over being put back into the hands of CEO imbecile Estwick is enough to make a person go Madd.

But wait, there is more. The article goes on to state that reports indicate that both Carol Roberts AND Ian Estwick have been dismissed from the NCF (National Cultural Foundation). To this Estwick is reported as saying “He was at work today and expects be at work tomorrow morning (today).” (I have to be careful when I quote Estwick as he threatens to sue me)

Don’t mind he and all that talk. His ass has been terminated! He probably means he will be going in this morning to clear out his desk. He needs to get his ass out and make way for the new guy. Instead of worrying if Estwick is going to be there you need to start guessing who will be the next CEO.

I hate to disappoint Boyce Voicians Ken, Leon and Asiba, but it is not going to be me. While I am overwhelmed by your confidence in my abilities, the diverse responsibilities of such a post along with its restrictiveness would not be congruent with my nature. That is not to say I would not have a tangible contribution to make in another form. More on that later.

The cultural industry need not be deterred by the changes that are occurring. Be assured that all will be well in the final analysis. Boyce gives you his personal assurance of that. I will miss Carol Roberts. I found her to be very effective in the brief time I interacted with her recently.

As for Estwick I am yet to write a fitting epitaph to summarize his NCF CEO stint, but for now I will use two words, GOOD RIDDANCE!

Boyce is leaving the computer!

The Entertainment Industry is celebrating! albeit cautiously. The cultural grapevine has been rife with the word that Ian Estwick has been terminated as CEO of the National Cultural Foundation.

Halleluiah! Praise the Lord! Calypsonians are happy. Dancers are happy. NCF workers are happy and Boyce Voice is happy too.

As you can see from our Boyce Voice poll, Estwick has not been faring too well either. A massive 68 % of voters said a resounding no to Estwick being CEO. A small misguided and probably bribed 14% said yes, 7 % were unsure and 11 % didn’t care.

I would like to thank you all for participating and curse the 18% who voted unsure and didn’t care, u should have voted no! Unsure my foot, if you find me to be bias you are right, I am Peter Boyce not Peter Wickham!

I have sent the results of this poll along with my analysis to our new Prime Minister David Thompson for his perusal but from what I am hearing it might not be needed.

Let’s just hope that the news is true and that Ian Estwick - who has been the worst CEO who ever presided over the National Cultural Foundation - has had his rule of cultural tyranny brought to an end.

The opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of management, its just the Voice of the Boyce.

Boyce Voice has been watching the developments at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) with keen interest and so should you.You should know by now that the NCF Chairman and board recently resigned and I bet you are wondering who the new Chairman will be…..

Well wonder no more, a reliable little birdie told me that the new Chairman of the NCF will be a Mr. Ken Knight and the Deputy Chairman Mr. Colin Spencer. Do you know who Ted Knight is? I don’t, I have never heard of him as it relates to culture, that should mean he might bring an untainted slant to the administration of culture.

Well I have heard of Colin Spencer, ace controversial calypsonian, he usually sings about the government now he will be representing the government as NCF Deputy Chairman.
Colin has a wealth of experience that should serve him well in this new position.
Lets see if our little birdie turns out to be correct, other wise it will be a dead little birdie and I will keep his car.

The position of NCF CEO is what has me worried. I am not hearing that that position is vacant. A little birdie also told me Ian Estwick might be remaining as CEO.  That’s not bad news that’s HORRIBLE news. This is something the Industry needs to take notice of, as you know Estwick has been a bugbearer in our industry for years. How ever in order to get an unbiased opinion on Estwick’s performance, if Peter Wickham can do a poll so can Peter Boyce Voice.

So we invite you to comment on Ian Estwick’s performance as CEO NCF and also vote in the poll. Lets see if we are right about NCF Chairman and Deputy Chairman other wise I will be posting a picture of a dead bird…

Boyce in straight jacket going Madd yesterday!

I could not believe the day I would write a post with the words you see above. Yesterday I was in a state of shock, and considered calling the “mental” to verify if I was me or somebody had taken over my body. What could have caused this revolting reaction? I Peter Boyce read a statement in the newspaper that was emitted from the mouth of CEO of NCF, Mr. Ian Estwick AND I AGREED WITH IT!

I could not believe my eyes then… Estwick was quoted in the press as responding to the recent Economic Assessment of Crop over 2005 – 2007 done by the SALISES (Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies). The CEO stated that when a festival generated an economic impact of $77 million in one year, it was unfair to expect the NCF to turn over a profit when the entire country benefited. I would like to wholeheartedly endorse Estwick’s statement. That is always a position which cultural industries articulated to the previous government which they seemed unable to comprehend.

Maybe there is some hope for Estwick after all. Do not think that I am one of those people who do not recognize when a valid statement is made, even by Ian Estwick. If the CEO would make a statement stating he would be resigning as the head of the NCF and going home, I would wholeheartedly endorse that as well. Hint Hint.

Me, Peter Boyce Voice attended the NIFCA Finals last Monday night at the Frank Collymore Hall. You really must commend the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) on the excellent job they are doing regarding the production of the NIFCA events which in turn provide a competitive enviorment that also serves to nurture and identify new talent in all areas.

If government would only stick to their developmental mandate instead of attempting commercialization we would all be better off. Madd also entered NIFCA when we were looking for exposure back in the early eighties and it served to give us the opportunity to go on to bigger things like where we are now.

Let’s focus on highlights of the quality production which was presented on Monday 5th November. Performers who were outstanding included Debra-Ann Clarke and her son who did a touching rendition of “Walk with Mama”. Comedian/Teacher Carl Padmore performed some effective rhythm poetry entitled “Belly Full”. Combermere Violin Strings also impressed especially with their “plink plank plunk” song and they created some unique sound effects I did’nt know violins could do.

My Pampalam partner Yolanda Holder put down a tight dramatic performance entitled “guard your virginity”. Mime actor Andre Belle was also good and the Coleridge and Parry School choir was outstanding with their charismatic conductor. I know that when you think of culture people sometimes think it will be humdrum and boring but you should go out and check the performances happening in the NIFCA events, you will be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

Coming Soon; Nifca; The Badd