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

One of the positive things about the confusing reshuffle of the administration of Crop Over is that, the clown was removed. I am almost sad about it now what the hell will the entertainment industry do now for entertainment?
As entertainers our selves it was good that there was this personality that provided us with laughs with their utterances and guffaws.

I would admit that there were sometimes when the clown dropped some “bombs” that were not funny and seemed more directed too “mash up” the industry than any thing else, but in the final conclusion we would always sit back and laugh heartily at a comedic conclusion.

The thing is, so much time has elapsed since the clown was there that you reached certain equilibrium with it, its jokes became predictable and you knew the laughs to expect.

So while we toast the removing of the clown we must be careful that a terminator is not replaced in its stead,
While it might be entertaining to have a clown who thinks he is a terminator and fails miserably.
We might find our selves with a terminator who terminates so effectively that in time to come we will sit back laugh and fondly remember, The clown. LOL

Want to know how I spent my last weekend? Attending a Creative Writers Workshop at the University of the West Indies. Want to know who put on the Workshop? The National Cultural Foundation, aka the NCF… Wanta know why I attended the workshop? So I can improve my writing and more effectively curse the same NCF.

I would therefore like to thank the NCF for sponsoring the work shop which is a part of the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts aka NIFCA. The title of the workshop was a “Voice in My Head” Like Edwin’s song, and it definitely did put a voice in my head.

The Voice was that of Sonia Williams, who is quite a prolific and accomplished theatre person. She writes, produces directs and acts, and was also a good presenter as well. She was very effective in her teaching technique. We studied a piece from the famous Caribbean play “Moon on a Rainbow Shawl” by Errol John. I got to read a part as a “Yankee” in the play which seemed to bring much laughter to the persons present. I assumed it was because I am so damn talented and not because of how I was reading.
I learnt about the use of dramatic language and about episodic or cause effect in writing and how the two can be combined. If you don’t know what that means you need to attend the next work shop, you should not miss out on an opportunity to sharpen your skills. The coordinator of the event was NCF Literary arts officer DeCarla Applewhaite.

I want to thank the NCF for putting on said workshop and allowing me to attend; I will now be able to curse them more effectively and in a more creative and dramatic fashion. I can hardly wait!

Two statements appeared in the media recently, one from Richard Stoute who has been running his teen talent show in Barbados for over thirty years, and another from the Government rep. Curtis Gibbons who is the national coordinator of the community independence celebrations. These two statements are an excellent example of the competitive conflict and self interest that reflects the true policy of the proposed Festival Events Bureau government is setting up.

Recently Richard Stoute made a statement that after thirty one years of having his Teen Talent contest he is still unable to acquire major corporate sponsorship and must go “cap in hand” attempting to do so and being turned down regardless of his tactics.
The Government also made a seperate statement stating that they are not happy with the level of sponsorship that they have been getting for the independence celebrations and they are appealing to corporate Barbados to inject more money into their event.

So here we have it where Government – the body that is supposed to be the facilitating cultural entrepreneurs like Richard Stoute by not only injecting funding into his show but by encouraging corporate Barbados to support Richard – is instead putting itself against Richard and “begging” for the same limited funds that should be going to him.

One of the major stated objectives of the Festival Events is to pursue and secure corporate sponsorship.
This obvious and blatant conflict is one of the issues that I raised when UAB and BATMAN met with the Prime Minister discussing the flawed policies of this Bureau back on 12th July 2006. That was one of the reasons I was removed from the committee which is now being convened to explore this same FEB.

How can you claim to be developing an industry when you are coming into the same industry and competing against the participants? The teen talent scenario is a good example. Government needs to get behind Richard and support his teen talent with financial grants and concessions not put itself in a position where it can be deemed that it is the Government Versus Richard Stoute!

I have come to the conclusion that I am must be one of the biggest liars in Barbados and probably the world, I could work at the NCF then.

Recently I have been going around telling lies not only on the Government but on our honorable Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Mr Owen Arthur. Allow me to elaborate….

Remember the infamous government consultation with the entertainment industry that we had on the 21st August 2007. I recall our Minister of Culture Mr Owen Arthur stating that in response to queries raised about his “Festival Events Bureau” by persons at that meeting, the formation of this entity would be delayed for three months, in order to convene a committee including entertainers to examine the possible effects of its operation on the industry.

Since then you know what has happened? Nothing! And 3 months almost gone. It is like the consultation never happened and the statements were never made. I cannot imagine that our Honorable Prime Minister would stand in front big people and prevaricate with empty words and hollow promises. The Prime Minister cannot lie as Honorable is part of his title, and honorable men can only do honorable things.

So therefore I have come to the conclusion that the liar would have to be me, who is telling lies on our Honorable Prime Minister. I am such a liar then, I need to be rebuked!

One of these days I want to be honorable like our Prime Minister, instead of who I am now.

Peter the Liar….