The latest word to come out of National Cultural Foundation (NCF) in their “developmental” objectives is that no monetary assistance will be given to the calypso tents from next Crop Over.
However, I wish to emphatically state I do not blame NCF in this particular instance.
The blame lies wholly and solely on the shoulders of the Barbados Association of Tent Managers aka Batman.
At many Batman meetings I touted to our illustrious President St Clair Gittens, I beseeched him in the name of the lord to change the name of the organization to the Trinidad Tent Managers Association and register in neighboring T&T.
But Batman President Gittens was so hard ears then.
He thought the contribution that the calypso tents had made to building Crop Over would have made a difference to the NCF.

He thought that Tents being “stake holders” who had sat at the negotiation tables with NCF, worked on rules, selected judges and invested time and money into the festival and culture that somebody would cared for their well being.

He thought that just as how some of Corporate Barbados were willing to take money and sponsor Bajan calypso tents NCF would lead by example and look to do the same.
Well Mr. President of Batman you were wrong, NCF needs to be able to finance paying $30,000 to one Jamaican to fly down here and do 2 dub songs at we Crop Over,
Why pay Bajan Tents $100,000 when you could just spend that money on Machel show and done.

But like I said, I blame Batman; they refused to put Trinidad in their name and are now paying for it. They should now change from Barbados Association of Tents to “Barbados Asses” and done!

Speaking of Done, so am I!

Was I experiencing Déjà Vu?!….I could not believe my ears when I heard the announcement of the Chairman of National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Ken Knight.

Ken’s big announcement was that the NCF had gotten the novel idea to form a Festival Events Bureau to run Crop Over with a view to making a profit.
Why did Boyce think he went back in time?

That same Festival Events Bureau had been proposed by the NCF under the previous administration.
I remember being at a consultation on August 21st 2007 where the then PM and Minister of Culture Owen Arthur touted the so called benefits of this Festival Bureau with the same commercial objectives.
I am therefore at a loss how the existing government who had stated that they would divest Crop Over events and encourage entrepreneur participation should now turn around and adopt the same flawed policy document.

The actions of the NCF remind me of a book I read while at Combermere School.
In the George Orwell classic “Animal Farm”, led by the Pigs the animals take over the farm from the humans and at the end of the book the pigs become the exact copy of the same humans they had overthrown. Go and study that!

What the Festival Events Bureau seeks to do is drop the “burden mandate” of developing artistes and instead set up a draconian entity which seeks instead to generating a profit through exploitation of our cultural industries.

The “Festival Events” documents speaks of government producing music, supplying sound services and producing even more shows to compete against local promoters.
Is that something that we want?

Congrats to “The General Edwin”!
The National Cultural Foundation must feel like dogs then, after they over look Edwin and Krosfyah for Cohobblopot in favour of foreign acts.
Edwin was able to prove his worth by winning not only the People’s Monarch title but also the 2009 Tune of the Crop Road March Title.
From its release the song “De Middle of the Road was tearing up the airwaves and mashing up the venues around Barbados and in Celebration Time calypso tent.

All of Barbados and Facebook people had identified that Edwin was the man to beat on the road kadooment day and he did not disappoint.
He allowed Celebration Time calypso tent in its inaugural year of operation to be able to already boast of having 2 titles.

The Question is why was all of Barbados able to see the worth in Edwin and Krosfyah while the NCF could not.

The NCF said they could not find money in their budget to pay Edwin, never wanted Krosfyah on the show as they had Machel’s HD band.
But they could pay u.s $30,000 to Trini Bands and u.s $15,000.00 to one Jamaican artiste to do 2 songs at Cohobblopot.
Fortunately local entertainment entity Barbados 246 was able to save the day with their “Climax” event at Plantation Garden theatre.
There you would have seen not only locals Lil Rick, Mr. Dale & Krosfyah, but also the Man who from 1995 when he first entered the calypso arena continues the prove he is unmatchable, Congrats again to General Edwin!!

The Question is; Is it right for the NCF to import Trini Consultant “Signal to Noise” to run Crop Over Festival and book local acts for our events? Hell No!!
It is a fact that our National Cultural Foundation (NCF) brought in Trinidadian promoter “Signal to Noise” to coordinate Cavalcades, Party Monarch and also Cohobblopot.
Our major events have been turned over lock stock and barrel to Trinidadians and they are the persons making the decisions and selecting which local acts they want on Crop Over events.
At the meeting which took place at NCF to decide whether Barbados 246 would be in or out of Cohobblopot “Signal to Noise” was present.
Could you imagine Trinidad having a Bajan decide if Destra will be in their Soca Monarch show? Well that’s what happens here.

It appears to me the message that is being sent here is that in all of Barbados there is no promoter who is capable of organizing a successful show hence such expertise needs to be brought in from outside.
The interesting thing is since the NCF has brought in the “Trini” advisors most of the events Cavalcades Party Monarch etc, have been dismal failures.
Boyce has studied it and have realized why the Trini’s performers are being so highly paid and have taken over our events. RPB says Home Drums have to beat first and obviously if you are a Trinidadian your “home drum” would have you booking Trinidadians first.

It has been renamed by Lil Rick “CohobbloNOT” and when you look at the 2009 Cohobblopot line up you can see why.
NCF has shown a total disrespect to the Bajan entertainment industry through their foreign selections and their local omissions from what was once known to be the premiere show of our Crop Over festival.

Though its laudable they are featuring Alison Hinds but there is a blatant dearth of acts that are uniquely bajan.Where is Lil Rick, where is Mr. Dale and Biggie Irie?
Where is “the General” Edwin and Krosfyah?

Our local acts have been thrown to the side like “cultural garbage” to make way for Trini’s Machel, Patrice, Zen and Jamacian Busy signal.
In an economic situation where NCF can’t find bajan money to pay locals, where they are cutting cavalcades (sorry crapacades) and decreasing opportunities for young bajan performers.
They can find bajan money to turn into U.S and ship it out in thirty thousands to Trinidadians and Jamaicans.
It is an ironic coincidence that RPB should win a NCF competition with the song “Home drums have to beat first” when that obviously is not a policy of the National Cultural Foundation.

The mistake that Edwin, Lil Rick, Mr. Dale and Krosfyah made was banding together and naming themselves Barbados 246, knowing the disgust NCF has for Bajan acts they would have stood a better chance if they were named Trinidad 868.

One last point, notice in the cohobblopot print ad, all of the local acts they have put on the card are lumped together under a heading “No Names” what the ass is that?

Where Edwin, Lil Rick, Krosfyah Biggie Irie and others will be is at Plantations tomorrow for a 100% Bajan “Climax”.
As for the cohobblopot I would go with the Rick rename, “CohobbloNOT”

Behind the scenes photo of commercial being video taped promoting “Judgement Night in Celebration Time” on this Friday 10th July at 8 pm.

In the photo veteran actor Tony Thompson plays calypso boxer “Kid Socaholic”, camera man is Selwyn “Get Bizzy” Browne and Carolann Scantlebury is directing. creative advertising are one of the hallmarks of Celebration tent, with ads that are as entertaining as the tent itself.

The Celebration has been getting rave reviews as the hottest calypso tent show in town, With a line up that includes Edwin, Alison,Mac Fingall, Khiomal, Keann, Ramases, Thicky Sweets, Chow Mein, Lil Rick, Underdog, The Hypa Kids, Kimberley Inniss, Mr Impact and more.

Watch for the Celebration Judgement Friday 10th July, there’s a big Celebration Kids show on 18th July at George street auditorium.

On Thursday 30th July there the Big Celebration Show on at the Sir Garfield Sobers Complex, all the big stars of Crop Over will be there, don’t you miss it.

Remember this Crop Over, for the best time. its Celebration Time…

Quite an educational session is in store for to at the BMA workshop on from tomorrow,some big industry names both local and international will be making presentations.
What is laudable about ronnie’s efforts as that he has a complimentary session that everyone can attend so even cheap people can benefit.
The pay session is worth much more than $50 too, check out the info below

January 3rd- Olympus VIP- Sheraton. There are two sessions. The morning session (Turning Music into Gold) which is complimentary, and sponsored by the US Embassy and COSCAP, runs from 9AM- 12 Noon. The Platinum workshop, sponsored by the Arts and Sports Promotion Fund, comes with a $50 entrance fee, and runs from 12:30 Noon until 4:30PM. There will be live performances, demo submission etc at the platinum workshop. To register for the workshop, call 256-4364 asap as the venue, Olympus VIP, has limited capacity – 91 seats. Your registration will be taken over the phone, and your fee will be collected.
 
Guest speakers- Platinum Workshop

Regina Belle (Grammy and Academy Award winner)
Don Pooh- Executive Producer for Mary J. Blige
Kirk Shannon-Butts- Editor- GLAMOUR Magazine
Datwon Thomas- Editor In Chief- XXL Magazine, Executive Editor- KING Magazine & Rides Magazine
Tim Ralph- Manager- BET J
Rodney Gill- Vice President- Media- BET
Dre Knight- Producer- Sizzla etc
Casely- Epic Recording Artiste
Craig Skilling- International Booking Agent- Epic / Bad Boy Records artistes etc.
Walter Greene- Sister 2 Sister Magazine
Ruben Rodriguez- Pendulum Records (USA)
Erica Smith- CEO- COSCAP
Nhojj- New York based recording artiste- Independent success story
Hector Lincoln- MTV Tempo VJ
George Thomas- Got Rhythm
 

“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.

Edwin and Krosfyah performing

Here’s something that would be of interest to Krosfyah fans especially people like FyahKros
Here’s a chance for you to be the Star you always wanted to be but were afraid as you were a scardy cat
Krosfyah is now looking for EXTRAS for a new music video, Edwin’s new release for 2008 “Nah missing me”.
So you cannot miss this…
Shoot day: Sunday June 29
Location: Ocean front restaurant – Coral Reef Hotel – St James
Call time: 5 PM

You will get Food & drinks plus1 Ticket for a Krosfyah Crop Over party
 

The theme of the video is bringing the “World” to a Krosfyah party.
They are providing some ethnic costumes, fabrics and accessories Size SMALL and MEDIUM.KrosFyah will appreciate your contribution in bringing any costume, uniform, ethnic outfit or accessories that you will feel comfortable using.
To give you an idea of the costumes and character they are looking for, here is a list:
- Priest, nuns, bride, bride’s maid, groom
- Nurse, doctors, surgeon
- Indian, African, Arabs, Jewish, Muslim, Mexican, Tunisian, Sikhs, Hindi, Masai, Hawaiian, Asian…
- Construction worker, mechanic, postman,chef, waiter, maid, driver, bellboy, military, pilot, flight attendant, US marine, soldier, sailor, fireman, police officer…
- Bad boy, cowboy, business people, posh woman, Geisha…
- Pompom girl, footballer, referee, athletes, ballerina, equestrian, snowboarder…

I feel that I will be going as a “Bad Boy-ce!”
You get it? It’s a joke, I took Bad Boy and added on “ce” and…Look don’t worry bout it.

Boyce will look forward to seeing you at the Krosfyah video shoot on June 29th 2008.
 Drop Krosfyah an email at fyah@caribsurf.com with your name, contact number and size and you could be the next big video star…
 

See the man dance…

The man is dancing a jig

why is the man dancing a jig?

Because He is happy and gay

He is a calypsonian/tent manager/ kadooment band leader/ gay rights activist

That’s why he is so flipping happy? Let’s examine why…

For the first time in recent cultural history
Government subsidies and prize monies to Kadooment bands, calypso tents and Calypsonians have been increased.
 
Yeah, you might say that has been done before but the difference is it has not been preceded by cultural industries having to “holding the country to ransom”.

Usually increases are the results of a bitterly fought battle between NCF and Batman, I know because Boyce has been involved many of these skirmishes over the years.

Now we are fortunate enough that we have an administration that recognizes the financial challenges that face our industry and with out threat have responded and increased their funding.

So the man above dances his gig as a Kadooment Band leader, Tent manager and calypsonian he is happy, but how is he happy as a gay activist?

They are now marrying gay couples in California!! whoopee does it get better than that….?!