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Local artistes should get advance payment for Festival - Resident

- Commentator says locals should have been paid first; overseas artistes should wait!
One resident stated that he couldn’t understand why local artistes were still awaiting payment for performances during the Emancipation Festival even as overseas artistes were already paid in full. Above: members of the Showtime band. Photo: VINO/File
According to commentator Julio Sam Henry, there is no excuse why local artistes haven’t been paid for services during the recent Emancipation Festival. Photo: VINO/File
According to commentator Julio Sam Henry, there is no excuse why local artistes haven’t been paid for services during the recent Emancipation Festival. Photo: VINO/File
Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith asserted at a press conference on September 18, 2013 that no artiste had approached him on the issue of non-payment for their performance during the Emancipation Festival. Photo: VINO/File
Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith asserted at a press conference on September 18, 2013 that no artiste had approached him on the issue of non-payment for their performance during the Emancipation Festival. Photo: VINO/File
Henry called on Culture Minister Hon. Myron V. Walwyn (right) and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden, along with the National Democratic Party (NDP), to do better for local artistes in facilitating the celebration of Emancipation Festival.
Henry called on Culture Minister Hon. Myron V. Walwyn (right) and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden, along with the National Democratic Party (NDP), to do better for local artistes in facilitating the celebration of Emancipation Festival.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – One resident stated that he couldn’t understand why local artistes were still awaiting payment for performances during the Emancipation Festival even as overseas artistes were already paid in full.

The resident, a caller on the Speak Your Mind TV show on September 21, 2013, said he felt local artistes should also receive advance payments as well.

According to commentator Julio Sam Henry, there is no excuse why local artistes haven’t been paid for services during the recent Emancipation Festival.

“There aint no excuse why [local artistes] haven’t been paid. I don’t care how much money you have, if you don’t have enough, you should have paid them first and let the outsiders wait,” Mr Henry said.

He called on Culture Minister Hon. Myron V. Walwyn and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden, along with the National Democratic Party (NDP), to do better for local artistes in facilitating the celebration of Emancipation Festival.

According to the host, if the government could not do what needs to be done without outsiders, then they should use what is available.

“Use your local artistes, push your festival, your carnival or whatever you want to call it locally and let everybody else come and celebrate. If you don’t want to come and celebrate we’ll see you later, it’s a BVI thing.”

Reflecting on a recent indication by a group of artistes that there would be a boycott of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Emancipation Festival if payments were not made, Henry said he didn’t feel a boycott was in order.

“I don’t feel that they need to boycott but they definitely need to make some noise,” he said.

Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith asserted at a press conference on September 18, 2013 that no artiste had approached him on the issue of non-payment for their performance during the Emancipation Festival.

“Nobody has come to me and said that they have not been paid so unless that happens I would not be able to answer the question,” Dr Smith added, “Now that you’ve asked the question, I will have some discussions with the Minister responsible [Hon. Myron V. Walwyn].”

11 Responses to “Local artistes should get advance payment for Festival - Resident”

  • qc (25/09/2013, 13:18) Like (2) Dislike (34) Reply
    The bucks stop with the minister it’s clear that he has failed the people…we need a new election boss
  • Think!! (25/09/2013, 13:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree all must be paid for their services but do you really think guest artist will come here (or anywhere) to perform without payment first? Perhaps local artist should 'up' their standards and request payment in advance. Or present some form of contract stipulating the committee at a certain date or incur late fees.
    • band man (25/09/2013, 20:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Truth is, everyone we talk too are confused about why we have not been paid.
  • u see (25/09/2013, 13:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Still the people and the musicians have to be free from all doubt that they are not biased on who you support and when you get paid
    • dog ate my home work (25/09/2013, 20:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please stop throwing around irresponsible comments.
  • pay day (25/09/2013, 15:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    if Myron wants this to go away just pay the people dem ova & out
  • Daddy Poncho (26/09/2013, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How you expect people to get pay if you have a set of dishonest, untrustworthy people on the commitee religiously teefin the money? Well guess what, i ain't trying to knock nobody hussle eh, cause i know times hard... But at least deal with me first before you put your hands in the cookie jar!!
  • vincyman (26/09/2013, 15:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i can bet Myron an the festival commitee member alway collect there money for the service/work they did in that period of time.so why cant the artists them still waiting...?
  • point blank (01/10/2013, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i think these artist should be paid by the turn out i cant believe some of these artist making noise for money and they cant even pull a crowd i cant wait for when festival would have all local acts these booth owner will suffer.... local artist on free nights an village still empty instead of cryin for money try an up your music then u can start demanding but until then jus humble yourself........over and out 10/4


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