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SPIRALLING COSTS MAY soon push some calypso tents out of Crop-Over. And tent managers say coupled with an increasing production bill, support from corporate Barbados is dwindling. "If people don't want this thing (calypso tents and by extension Crop-Over) to implode they are really going to have to put money into it," said John King, tent manager of De Big Show. King said there were early indications that costs could surpass the $240 000 figure tent organisers paid out last year. He said although his tent was entitled to the $16 000 subvention from the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), there was an urgent need for corporate Barbados to play a bigger role. Sharon Carew-White, manager of House of Soca, the longest running tent on the island, explained to the SUNDAY SUN that she had seen production costs double since 2003 after taking over the tent which was established inthe late 70s. She also expects costs to increase in 2009 and although the sponsors have not been as forthcoming as in previous years, she intends exploring alternative production and marketing strategies for this year's Crop-Over. "I have changed my entire concept this year and am looking towards offering a package to hotels and tourists. At House of Soca we'll be offering a Bajan village, so when people come to the tent they will also be exposed to indigenous arts, craft, music and confectionery," she said. While the larger corporate entities have reduced their funding, the smaller businesses have been forthcoming,she said. "They obviously can't give the big sums, but they offer a little $500 or so, and that also helps tremendously." Although embarking on tent production for the first time solo this A new Experience in tent's show year, Peter Boyce has been affiliated with tents for more than a decade. He estimates his production costs will run between $25 000 and $30 000 this year. In spite of the challenging times Boyce said he also recognised the need for people to see the arts as a means of escape. This point was supported by Sinclair Gittens, president of the Barbados Association Of Tent Managers. Even as they seek to make a positive impact on society with calypso, the organisers of the Experience Tent have changed the format of their show to reach a wider audience. "It is now the Experience Tent and Show and includes spoken word [poetry] as well as dance," said manager Errol Griffith. Because of the recession, there will be no Hit Parade tent, according to liaison officer Patrick Gollop. |
| Last Updated ( Friday, 19 June 2009 17:27 ) |