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Hundreds attend 'epic' Non-Stop Concert @ Festival Grounds

Despite the criticisms of the Non-Stop Concert from certain sections of the community, hundreds of persons flocked to Festival Grounds for the free opportunity to be entertained by local and international artistes on Friday, June 30, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) described the non-stop concert as ‘a tremendous success and an excellent start’ to the festival season. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) described the non-stop concert as ‘a tremendous success and an excellent start’ to the festival season. Photo: VINO/File
The non-stop concert was organised by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) to celebrate the successful June 1, 2923, launch of American Airlines (AA) non-stop service between Miami in the United States and the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: JTV Channel 55
The non-stop concert was organised by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) to celebrate the successful June 1, 2923, launch of American Airlines (AA) non-stop service between Miami in the United States and the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: JTV Channel 55
Even a little drizzle couldn't stop the free non-stop concert at Festival Grounds on June 30, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
Even a little drizzle couldn't stop the free non-stop concert at Festival Grounds on June 30, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
Monea in full swing at the non-stop concert. Photo: JTV Channel 55
Monea in full swing at the non-stop concert. Photo: JTV Channel 55
Grimm Reefer at the non-stop concert at Festival Grounds on June 30, 2023. Photo: JTV Channel 55
Grimm Reefer at the non-stop concert at Festival Grounds on June 30, 2023. Photo: JTV Channel 55
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Despite the criticisms of the Non-Stop Concert from certain sections of the community, hundreds of persons flocked to Festival Grounds for the free opportunity to be entertained by local and international artistes on Friday, June 30, 2023.

The event was organised by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) to celebrate the successful June 1, 2923, launch of American Airlines (AA) non-stop service between Miami in the United States and the [British] Virgin Islands.

The show was headline by popular Jamaican dancehall artiste Konshens.

Other artistes included Rock City, Monea, Jeremy Vanterpool, Kamau A. Georges and Grimm Reefer.

Among the bands were Euphonic Band and Too Smooth Band.

Concert was a ‘tremendous success’

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) described the concert as “a tremendous success and an excellent start” to the festival season.

Dr Wheatley said the Vice President of International Operations for American Airlines subsidiary Envoy, Jorge Ramirez-Blanco, was in attendance along with his family, and that he was extremely pleased with the event.

“Certainly, it sends a message about the BVI making the investments necessary to make it an even more attractive destination.

“We received visitors from abroad and our residents came out and had a great time. Local businesses made money, and this was an encouraging start to the vision of establishing entertainment tourism in the Virgin Islands.”

The Premier, who had defended the event amidst criticisms, congratulated the BVI Tourist Board Director Clive McCoy and Events Manager Dirk L. Walters, along with the entire Tourist Board Team, sponsors and partners, for making “this the epic event that it was.”

34 Responses to “Hundreds attend 'epic' Non-Stop Concert @ Festival Grounds”

  • I wanna fly (02/07/2023, 13:06) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    They should have let the premier do his song too????
  • No Caucasians in the photo (02/07/2023, 13:10) Like (38) Dislike (22) Reply
    Where are the tourists that came in on American Eagle?
    • ....b (02/07/2023, 13:30) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
      if a next event should be held by tourist board...how about lobbying for a cruise ship the be in port over night. this would bring more effect from tourist you guy are chasing crowd would be more blended and it would be awesome
  • rattie (02/07/2023, 13:11) Like (30) Dislike (18) Reply
    No boycott crazy Cindy has no influence
    • @rattie (02/07/2023, 21:18) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Cindy the snake handler is who put the clown back in so her noise has no weight. She just a mouth piece who trying to stay relevant.
    • Edmund (03/07/2023, 10:13) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      I only went because I wanted to cuss the protesting Cindy and her supporters (both of them) as I went in, but she did not show up to protest so I missed the chance.
  • wasted money (02/07/2023, 13:12) Like (69) Dislike (19) Reply
    The country did not benefit from this one bit.
    • ... (02/07/2023, 13:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      man just both his election votes
    • @wasted money (02/07/2023, 15:23) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
      As a BVISLANDER we have become too visual.Its time to go forward in this country! Many positive things are happening behind the scenes!!People who came to live among us are counting on us as well. As I tune in on news and festivities around the Caribbean, I noticed many of them are in full swing! Whilst some have already had a successful carnival! We must promote pre-events before the actual event- that's what happened on Friday night! I was happy to see it was not boycotted!!
    • Super duper (03/07/2023, 05:47) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Well the bars and the street food had a good night and I am sure the stage people will benefit
  • Jim Jones (02/07/2023, 13:13) Like (34) Dislike (8) Reply
    Freebs gonna kill ayo
  • you call this a success? (02/07/2023, 13:40) Like (34) Dislike (4) Reply
    1500 hundred folks attended a function what 20,000 were against?
    • @ you call this a success? (02/07/2023, 18:32) Like (2) Dislike (22) Reply
      Congratulations on a successful concert vip all the way 4 more years bossie who don’t like it go home!
    • Survey (03/07/2023, 06:24) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply
      Did you conduct a survey to determine 20,000 was against or you just pull the number out of your ass to try to impress. If you conducted a survey what was the level of confidence? Let’s make our criticism based on facts and good reason.
    • School children are saying that ... (03/07/2023, 10:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      If 1,500 persons attended, and it costs $1.5m, then that is only $1,000 per ticket.
      Money well spent!
  • bb (02/07/2023, 13:52) Like (25) Dislike (11) Reply
    Some ayo gone home and couldn’t shower. Had nothing to eat Saturday morning but ayo gone to jump up and wine up pun somebody man/woman. This is epic! Carry on!
  • Anonymous (02/07/2023, 13:58) Like (11) Dislike (21) Reply
    Many of the haters jealous the event was a huge success
  • WOW (02/07/2023, 14:51) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Looks like carnival village crowd! Week done team!
  • Disinterested (02/07/2023, 15:03) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    The nonstop concert was a “boondoggle.” The attendees may have had a good time built the event was poor prioritizing.
  • WTF (02/07/2023, 15:55) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    We are in July. Where is the entertainment line up for August Festival? When is it going to be advertised so people can see it and make plans to come? Well, I guess we will see it July 29th and it will be too late for the international visitors to make plans. So I guess it will be just US. Where is the Festival Committee at this time? Invisible. They will wake up in the next 3 weeks to put on a mediocre Festival at best. So pathetic. I will go to Anguilla.
  • Bread and Circuses (02/07/2023, 16:00) Like (43) Dislike (3) Reply
    A sixth form history teacher I had used to talk about the “bread and circuses “ that characterized the decline and fall of the Roman Empire:

    “In a political context, the phrase means to generate public approval, not by excellence in public service or public policy, but by diversion, distraction, or by satisfying the most immediate or base requirements of a populace, by offering a palliative: for example food (bread) or entertainment (circuses).“

    And that is where the BVI is now - no running water in many places, electricity increasingly down, potholes everywhere, etc, etc, etc. But give the people nonstop concerts, pokey runs, three day festival holidays and all is well.
  • pyour @if$$ishness (02/07/2023, 16:03) Like (31) Dislike (12) Reply
    Well look how dah dude blow quarter of a million dollars on @$$ishness while current going off just about everyday?
    • Citizen (02/07/2023, 16:25) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      big facts it went off again on Saturday morning that is at least 3 times this week alone, this place is worse than third world
  • Youth (02/07/2023, 16:25) Like (11) Dislike (16) Reply
    You can never please some of these ungrateful people in the BVI.
  • DING DONG (02/07/2023, 16:56) Like (22) Dislike (12) Reply
    Extremely disappointed in anyone who supported this garbage.
  • Thirsty (02/07/2023, 17:39) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Were the drinks free?
  • @ ding ding (02/07/2023, 18:35) Like (3) Dislike (18) Reply
    Look people mehson lots of ppl came from the usvi and vg

    So happy our young lion leader stuck to his guns long live Our premier and the vip
    • @ @ding ding (02/07/2023, 21:09) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      It is 'ding dong'. If you can't get that right, I'm not convinced the IQ levels are high enough to make a valid comment.
  • Creat (02/07/2023, 20:23) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Waists of tax payers hard working money just give away for FREE.....the government could've invested that 250.000 towards festival SMH
  • tourism (02/07/2023, 21:09) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    This product needed much attention for years good to see we are paying some attention now rather than later. Many may disagree with the funds spent. Off to a good start in new ways of promotion. Time to elevate this product and the time is now otherwise we would continue to be behind the 8th ball.
  • question (03/07/2023, 00:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why was it themed free concert ?
    I mean free entry would’ve been correct
  • WOW (03/07/2023, 07:11) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I just don’t understand people in the B VI complain to must ever other island keep thing you never hear negative comments they go and support we need to stop it . The show was great .
  • WHAT REALLY WENT ON ? (04/07/2023, 09:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    THERE WAS A LITTLE OVER A HUNDRED THOUSANDS PEOPLE THERE , AND THATS IN THE MINDS OF THOSE PARANOID FREAKS THATS HOOKED ON SOMETHING ELSE BESIDES BOOZE ????


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