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Some event promoters are lambasting the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) for what they call monopolising Crop-Over’s money pot. Promoter Michael Agard, one of the directors of 4D Entertainment the promoters of Soca Pon De Hill, spoke vehemently on the issue last week. “The NCF has been acting as a competitor against private enterprise. When this Government came into power it was clearly stated that the NCF was looking at privatising a lot of these events. “But instead they seem to be taking on more that are in direct competition with other promoters or events or with events that other promoters have done,” he said. The entertainer said he was disturbed that the NCF, which is supposed to be supporting the acts and the artists, would chose to go to Farley Hill where there’s already an event, referring to Soca Pon De Hill. A vocal Peter Boyce of Celebration Time tent said: “An example of how the NCF continues to prey on the same industry they are to be developing is, there was a private company that did a ragga soca competition; they could not get the finance and sponsorship to continue. Instead of the NCF looking to help them, they started doing their own ragga soca competition. “The NCF had stated it was their intention to involve more private enterprises in Crop-Over. What they are now doing is contrary to that,” he stated on Facebook. Former promoter Phil Phillips said: “Controversy will continue to be a staple between the NCF and festival promoters as long as the NCF’s mandate includes raising money to subsidise the cost of festival. “In a shrinking marketplace where it is more challenging to attract visitors from Brooklyn, Toronto, London and so on, the NCF’s role and focus should be toward brand building through innovative products and a repositioning of the festival which is seriously lacking,” he said. But Boyce is concerned about how this impacts overall on the stakeholders of the festival. “What is really putting tents in jeopardy with sponsorship is the National Cultural Foundation. They operate from a competitive nature and target all the big sponsors and get them for themselves. “Many times when you ask for sponsorship you are told by companies they can’t because they are committed to the NCF,” he said. But not all concert promoters have the same view. “I have no problems with the NCF. I don’t think we will experience any problems this year either,” said Freddy Hill, one of the promoters and directors of FAS Entertainment, which along with Berger Boyz stage the popular 10 To 10 fete. Weekly fête promoters are not having the same issues as concert producers, however. “What we try to do is plan around the NCF. Most of their events are calendar events so we look out for them and plan to suit,” said Sydney Cox of Wadadah Fêtes Parties. Another weekly party provider, Trevor Wood, from the popular Friday night Brewsters Road Crew added to the debate: “We actually want to partner with the NCF. It’s not a problem for us really, as we have fêtes as opposed to shows, but, the promoters are also correct. “The NCF has the advantage of social capital for sponsors and the backing of Government by default. No promoter has that advantage. “On the flip side, in this climate, sponsors will choose considering the best return for their investment. It means the advantages traditionally held by the NCF actually count for less. This may work in the promoter’s favour – depends on your perspective, I suppose,” said Wood via facebook.com. Chairman of the NCF Ken Knight denied claims it was trying to monopolise the festival. “NCF is not there to compete with any private promoter. Quite frankly if someone wants to do Party Monarch or the Sweet Ragga Soca Competition, we’re prepared to work with them down the years. It is not the NCF’s wish to compete with the private sector, and that is the policy of the board.” Regarding the contentious Party Monarch competition, he said: “We simply looked at re-branding the Party Monarch to give it a new look and offer more artists the opportunity to earn more money. “Over the years the audience has been declining, all we’ve done this year is to throw another wrinkle into the event with the expectation of boosting the attendance. “It was never meant to be in competition with any other promoter. This is actually the first time I’m hearing about another promoter wanting to stage the event.” Knight even said the NCF was looking forward eventually to privatising the controversial Cohobblopot. The CEO also dispelled myths that Joel Morris from Signal To Noise Productions out of Trinidad and Tobago has been contracted to produce the event. “We’ve had Signal advising us on advertising and marketing as they have a well established and proven track record. And like everyone, we want to have the best in the region,” he said. |
| Last Updated ( Friday, 19 June 2009 17:25 ) |