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….?!

MACHEL the HD man

“The government will feature only 100% Bajan talent at our Crop Over national events”.

That’s what I thought I heard government say but then I am fairly slow. I should know because I went on public record as supporting this position both on this blog and on TV.(I looked beautiful on TV)
Next thing yuh know trinidian Machel Montano came down here to launch a kadooment band and superseded that statement casually dropping a remark “I will be back for cohobblopot”.

“Yeah right” Boyce said, “Obviously no one told him what the authorities had said”. 
Low and behold at a press conference announcing the government was now doing cohobblopot themselves who was sitting at the head table being presented as a headliner none other than the same Machel Montano, ok then.
That’s what you call an entertainer with clout!
When I grow up I  want to be like Machel.
Maybe Machel is a Bajan and we don’t know, maybe he has a Barbados passport.
Or maybe he just has power that’s what happens when you have HD.
I  am going to have too go down to Trinidad and issue an edict stating I must be a headliner at one of their national shows and see what happens.
If there is true caricom reciprocation our government needs to now broker a deal where our Alison or Edwin will be a headliner at one of the Trinidadian national calypso events, I am not talking about just entering a competition I MEAN AS A HEADLINER!
 
Oh yeah, and they must get paid $60,000 bds dollars too which is like 2 million tt.

It is father’s day and you know what I hate?

That greeting that circulates around fathers day that goes “Happy Fathers Day to Fathers and too Mothers who are fathers”.
That does get me so sick then, now when it is Mothers Day you don’t hear happy Mothers day to mothers and fathers who are mothers.
Its is just happy mothers day and that’s it.

Now I am not under emphasizing the role of single mothers in society, with out women doing more than their part to raise the children when the wuckless fathers go long where would we be.
But at the end of the day you are not a father this is evident by the fact you do not have the necessary equipment. You HAVE to be a man to be a father…
They are a few fathers who play the role of both parents too that still doesn’t mean them can call them self’s mothers.

So unless you now of women out there who are planning to get a sex operation and be modified to have both a penis and a vagina, desist from saying Happy Fathers day to women alright, it is crap and should be against some law.  

I would like to go on to talk about all the big fuss they have for Mothers day and they is always a special show on for you to take your mummy too and for fathers day there is none, if you want to take out dad its “de theatre (cinema) and that’s dat.

At this point I will stop least my mother hears about this post and puts some lashes in my ass.
But in closing allow me to reiterate HAPPY FATHERS DAY and that’s it…

I gone, my Sunday Fathers Day lunch is ready! And its not just bakes either….

Small section of the big crowd at Cavalcade last night…

The Banks Cable and Wireless Cavalcades to end all Cavalcades happened at the National Stadium car park last night, well this morning really, as the event finished around 1 am.

Prime Minister David Thompson was there, Minister of Culture Blackette, all 22 parish ambassadors and about 12,000 people.

It was people like peas all over the place occupying every vantage point, in some cases all the vantage points where gone and people were just in mass supporting vendors who were doing a brisk trade. (including bakes)

I am always amazed at that myopic that line of thought that Bajan only come out to see foreign acts when I see the proliferation of people liked who flocked to last night’s cavalcade and there was NO FOREIGN ACTS IN SIGHT.

We had excellent performances from kimberley Inniss, Timmy, Lil Rick, Peter Ram who was a show stopper with his African song.

Lana Storm a young performer who puts out a dynamic wuck up presentation, Shorty Rock another young performer with potential, Adrian Clarke Contone with his popular “Hard Times” tune, 2008 sensation Stabby the Guard and to wrap it all up Hypa Dog and his real real son Underdog.

You must also compliment Alf who has been doing an excellent M.C job on a majority of the cavalcades he has come to eptomise the essence of the event with his unique style.

Would like to thank the National Cultural Foundation for giving me and my Supreme Team Jan, Keisha, Merle and Sherri the opportunity to work with and contribute to the overwhelming success of the Banks Cable and Wireless Cavalcades for 2008. 

Like Rick Hypa Dog with his Son the Underdog on stage at Cavalcade this morning, an excellent way for them to celebrate “Father’s Day”

2008 Sensation “Stabby the Guard” making his official Crop Over debut at the Cavalcade last night

Here is khiomal performing last night, he did a special cameo appearance with Mikey, but the photo of two of them is pretty blurred, to hell with it, I will publish it any ways….

I told you it was blurry, but you “hard ears”

I would also like to thank the entertainers people like Rameses Browne, Alison Hinds, ALL the performers who embraced the Cavalcades and gave support to my involvement.

Starting with the Cavalcade media launch the entertainers were there showing their support special mention to Big Tar of Spin Pooch ink for his endorsement as well…

Happy Fathers Dayagain,  Father boyce Voice is leaving the computer