UPDATE: Hon. Walwyn to meet with Calypsonians to "resolve matters"
In an exclusive interview, the reigning Monarch in the VI for the last two years and the ‘Martin Luther King’ of the operation, Luther Buttler aka Luther B, on July 10, 2012, told this news site that there are several issues surrounding their decisions to boycott this year’s show, but the primary one is the policy where the Festival and Fairs sub-committee for Calypso is not prepared to pay the calypsonians who participate in the elimination competitions and don’t make it to the finals.
“We believe that on principle alone, once you perform you should get paid.”
Mr. Buttler said that a proposal with changes was sent to the committee a month and half ago, where they then received a reply stating that the committee will not adhere to any of the proposed changes.
As a result of that, 12 of 18 calypsonians signed a petition, showing the committee the amount of performers that are standing for the change and made a decision not to perform in this year’s, or any other calypso competition, unless the changes have been implemented.
The petition was circulated for a duration of 2 weeks and was handed over to the calypso committee last week Wednesday, July 4, 2012, according to Luther B.
He added that some of the other calypsonians who did not sign the petition were hard to contact.
“Our main proposal was that calypsonians who participate in the show and do not make it to the finals, should be awarded $500 and those who go off to the finals get $1000.”
He said that with those requests, the performers are still performing at a lost, where to get ready for those shows: music, clothes, beats etc, costs way more than they are asking for.
“The committee replied to our proposal stating that they will not pay the performers who do not make it to the finals, and those who make it will receive $700.”
Mr. Buttler added that this is the main issue but other issues relating to their decision of not entering this year’s competition stem from a decision made by the committee, where the Calypso Monarch is required to perform at all festival committee events for free.
“This by itself is not fair, asking the monarch to perform free at all committee events and other individuals performing on the same night are getting paid, this is not right. The monarch should be paid for all his/her performances.”
Another issue he pointed out is where calypsonians from Virgin Gorda sing their songs at their own shows and come to Tortola to perform the same songs. He added that this is something that he and other calypsonians ignored and never saw it as a problem, but the committee made a brief and immediate decision saying that they should not perform the same songs.
“They cannot make these kind of decisions a month and half before the show, this is not realistic and it definitely disqualifies certain performers who regularly enter.”
Luther B reiterated that every proposed change put forward to the committee they “denied everyone, with no mercy”.
“This behaviour by the committee is something that could not have been tolerated by local calypsonians, so majority of us, 12 out of 18 calypsonians signed a petition for change and vowed to not enter the show under these circumstances.”
Putting himself in the shoes of the calypso committee, he added that he sees no reason for them not to comply.
“What they’re gonna tell you is that, it is because of money, but if they are going to be using that old excuse, then I suggest they understand the economics on our side too, where we have to spend so much money in preparation for these shows.”
In relation to an alleged comment made by Marvin Blyden who is the Chairman of VI Festivals and Fairs Commitee, Luther B said it was a “senseless insult” and acquisition against the calypsonians and to make such a comment like that, it is clear that he is against paying the performers.
According to Mr. Buttler he told this news site that Mr. Blyden allegedly said “some of the guys are just coming to sing to make rent money.”
Speaking freely, Luther B said the committee is thinking of themselves instead of focusing on their primary goal, which is trying to get respect for calypso on a whole.
“Calypso is important, very important in the BVI. It is about presenting a message and speaking for the voiceless. To not have calypso and the popular performers it is major and a huge lost to the festival.”
He added that calypso is important to the VI communities, where the people look forward to hearing the different situations and what’s happening in society.
He reaffirmed that if their proposal is not considered by the festival committee, they will not be participating in the calypso show this year. “We will not perform under these conditions.”
Meanwhile, feeding on the bones of this dilemma, Virgin Islands News Online managed to get in contact with other local Calypsonians, who, in agreement with Luther B said, that until changes are made, they remove themselves from anything to do with and involving the Festival and Fairs committee.
Randolph Joseph who goes by the stage name of ‘Ranking Joey’, said in order to put your best foot forward in any show, a calypsonian has to spend. He said that it is unfair that with so much money spent, at the end of the show for some participants, they go home with nothing.
“I’m with them from since 92’ and I think it should be about development and changes.”
He too would not be participating in the show, unless changes are made.
Garfield George (Nazarene) and Joseph Garcia (Reddo), both calypsonians, who regularly enter the August Fest Calypso Show, said a change is needed and the time is now.
Nazarene told this news site that the views of the committee are ridiculous and forced him and other calypsonians to start an association in their own defense.
Reddo stated that unfortunately for him, he has to compete in this year’s show due to the fact that he already spent a great amount of money and has to compete for a chance to reimburse himself.
He added that he is of the view that a change is needed.
In contact with Rhodni Skelton, member of the Fairs and Festival committee, he declined to comment and requested that this news site contact Chairman Blyden, but efforts were unsuccessful.
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