No Romantic Rhythms for Antigua this year

by Suelika N. Creque
Editor-SKNVibes.com

ST. JOHNS, Antigua – CHAIRMAN of the Romantic Rhythms Music Festival, Alvin Edwards told SKNVibes that due to the economic conditions the festival would not be staged this year.

This information was made public Wednesday evening (Apr. 15) with the release of a statement by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Eleston Adams, who said the postponement of the event was due to the worsening global economic crisis.

Although several options were considered before reaching the decision to postpone the festival, including using a lesser number of performers, shortening the days and using only regional acts, altering the festival would mean damaging the Romantic Rhythms brand.

“My committee recommended that we put it off for next year and make it a higher standard event as it will be bigger and better,” Edwards said.

Adams, according to the statement, said the postponement was a difficult decision.

“It was a very difficult decision to postpone Romantic Rhythms 2009, but given the current economic crisis we feel it is the prudent thing to do. We set a very high standard for our first year.
Significant resources were put into marketing the event and establishing the Romantic Rhythms brand,” he said.

The Romantic Rhythms was first held last June 2008 and featured a number of stellar artistes including Damian Marley, Keyshia Cole, Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie.

Edwards noted that the people of Antigua were highly disappointed about the festival being postponed and fear that the idea of the themed festival would be picked up by another country to host.

However, the statement from Adams noted that the festival would be back in 2010 and negotiations have already begun to secure the best international performers.