New NCF D.D.A (Diss De Artistes) Dept Doing Well
The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) yesterday announced the establishment of a new department dedicated to the cultural industries of Barbados. The CEO at a press conference proudly introduced a new initiative of the NCF entitled D.D.A meaning – the “Diss De Artistes” department.
Source: boycevoice blog
This weekend is the last lap for Crop Over 2007. It seems appropriate given all that has happen during the season to donate some BU space to examining one of the many issues troubling the festival…
Peter Boyce’s name is sure to always surface around Crop Over time. He and his school mates on leaving school have been able to brand themselves in the entertainment industry in Barbados. Few would deny they have demonstrated over the years that they are excellent businessmen given their success with Bachannal Time calypso tent. Peter Boyce is often credited with challenging the status quo at the risk to his personal reputation. Regrettably, most Barbadians because of their inclination to want to avoid conflict prefer that Peter Boyce would shut-up and just go away. BU over the years would not have agreed on some of the issues which Peter has introduced, but in general we have a healthy respect for the man who has not been afraid to air and defend his position on behalf of his colleagues involved in Crop Over industry.
It is no surprise after reading his blog that his latest post which is cloaked in satire, pokes fun at the latest controversy which has emerged during Crop Over 2007. It appears that the show piece event Cohobbolopot will be missing many of the leading local acts. Although CEO of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) issued a press statement which has deflected the issue to the local artistes demanding unreasonable performance fees, Peter echoes another view. The truth is we have heard many of the other artistes airing similar views on the various talk shows which discuss the festival. At the heart of the matter is the perception of the local artistes, real or imagined, that the foreign artistes contracted to perform on the show will be paid significantly more than the local artistes. Peter appears to be cynical about the involvement of foreign artistes in the local festival. We do not have the facts of this case to arrive at an intelligent conclusion but we can offer a suggestion to BATMAN or the United Artistes of Barbados (UAB), we are not sure who is charged with acting on behalf of the artistes anymore!
It does not seem unreasonable that before the start of the season the NCF and the agent acting on behalf of the local artistes should conclude contract agreements long before the season starts. The Crop Over festival has been in existence too long to be continually dogged by the niggling controversies which inevitably seem to appear hours before a major event. Crop Over is being reported this year as being a 50 million dollar enterprise; it must not be managed like the rum shop in the village (oops that might be a bad example). Although we have heard Admiral Nelson, a local radio personality expressing the view that the artistes need to shut up and take charge of festival, we do not agree. The Crop Over brand has been developed at great expense by successive governments and the major events of the festival must be managed by the NCF or the appointed government agency. The huge task which is required to mobilize diverse resources cannot be left to the calysonians who have shown an inability to agree whether a tea bag is required to make a cup of tea over the years.
Perhaps the latest discontent by the local artistes is being fueled by the prevailing feeling of many Barbadians that our island has now become the play ground for anyone who is foreign. The local calysonians, whether they want to accept it or not, cannot benefit under CSME as one of those elite groups given favor to move around CARICOM peddling their art forms, and then resist any reciprocal arrangements. They should remember that Arthur is the lead Prime Minister for CSME matters and must visibly demonstrate that Barbados is on board with the concept. While we empathize with our local artistes they have become entangled in a process which is much bigger than any narrow interest they represent. They need to also recognize that Al Gilkes (Chairman NCF) and Ian Estwick (CEO-NCF) are merely functionaries who are marching to the beat of drummer boy Arthur. Did anyone notice that we seem to be unable to avoid the long arms of the politicians?
So what is the solution?
That is the 64 thousand dollar question!
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