BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE International Night aspect of the Sugar Mas’ 42’s annual celebration infuses a number of international and local artistes for a one-night performance before thousands of fans in St. Kitts and Nevis, but they are many people who shared mixed views about the event.
Although many people shared personal views about the decision to have regional and overseas acts for the International Night of Sugar Mas 42, SKNVibes Entertainment has decided to provide readership a review of the signature event.
An official of the National Carnival Committee told SKNVibes Entertainment, during a brief interview two weeks ago, that the decision to bring the acts was based on a survey done throughout the Federation.
“We had some of our members go into the streets and ask people who they prefer to see come for the International Night, and the majority of young people favoured Aidonia and Taurus Riley and we made a decision on the other two.”
When asked about the negative feedback the show has received, the official had this to say: “Well everyone have their own opinions about it and they will say all sorts of things but we made our decision on what benefits Carnival”.
However, when this publication went into downtown Basseterre to ask persons about their thoughts of the international, one woman had this to say, “Well, I only attended the Calypso Competition and, to be honest, I didn’t see any reason for the International Night. Which artiste we had performing that night other than Infamus?”
As we went along interviewing people, it was very clear that with the last mishap on December 23 where inclement weather forced the postponement of the show, which was slated to have Taurus Riley, Mya, Aidonia and Santana and crew out of Trinidad and Tobago, many people did not show much interest in the upcoming show scheduled for January 18.
Another person had this to say: “Me arm, when meh think back pon dat night I get mad. I got soak! Dem nuh tell we nuttin bout we money till de next day when some awe done throw way we ticket dem then call refund. Meh don’t think me gon waste money again to go to de show you know.”
It is clear however that with the new date many believe that the show would “bust’ due to the fact that many persons will have to yet again spend more money to get prepared for the new show.
“If dem giving we it free me ah go, but me nah spend $100 dalla again fuh see dem. It was done a sacrifice ah ready last month,” one man said.
On the other hand, a unanimous amount of persons welcomed the suggestion of having our very own Calypso and Soca artiste perform onstage one more time without rules or competition.
“I would ah rada they give dem men and women the money because I believe they did a good job this year and duh could ah come in handy foh dem, because singing is not no big business”, a woman said.
But it was no surprise that many of the people on the streets believed if it were an event in Jamaica, none of the Federation’s artistes could have made it on that island’s stage to perform.
“Yuh think if they got music festival dem gon send fuh awe like how we does send fuh dem. I mean dem does got some alright tunes but Carnival is we ting. Look dem man like Mr. Hype and Janus, dem man foh the first time enter dem competition and prove dem selves. Why we don’t support dem eh?” one female Rasta said.
But as we are catering for another show, there is still the question as to how prepared are we for the unexpected weather, if any, and what venue will be selected to prevent another cancellation.
