CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - After some nine (9) weeks of what many individuals have termed First Class Entertainment, Saturday May 1st, ushered in the Finals of the 2K10 Nevis Karaoke Idol.
The Finals saw three (3) Singers vying for US $1, 000, and when the judges finally surrendered their decision, Mr. Laurenn Barry walked away a little bit richer and with at least one year’s worth of bragging rights. Ms. Rhyanna Wong placed second and Mr. Levis James third.
Ms. Wong collected US $650.00, while Mr. James accepted his US $350.00 cheque with a big smile. The Event itself was conceptualized and coordinated by SEN Consulting, a local Marketing firm in St. Kitts – Nevis. In speaking to Noah Mills, Managing Director of SEN Consulting, he explained that the over-arching objectives were to:
1. Help to Showcase local Talent on Nevis
2. Assist in enhancing Nightly Entertainment in Nevis
3. Allow Local businesses the opportunity to make some additional revenues in these challenging economic times
a. Four Venues were rotated and allowed to keep all revenues collected from their Kitchens and Bars
4. Provide Corporate Sponsors with over three (3) months of extensive exposure using a variety of traditional and contemporary Media Channels (prior to, during, and subsequent to Weekly Events)
5. Introduce locals to a variety of Music Genres, while developing Karaoke on Nevis
Mills went on to affirm that he was confident that all five (5) objectives were met and he commended all the Performers, Judges, Venues (Pinneys Beach Hotel, Rumours Restaurant, Bar & Grill, Dick’s Nite Club & Bar, and Legends Sports Bar), the Project’s Management Team, and of course, his Corporate Sponsors.
The Platinum Sponsors for the Event were Carib Brewery (St. Kitts – Nevis Ltd.), TDC, and LIME, whilst SEN Consulting served as a Gold Sponsor. Other contributors included Scotia Bank, CETEP, Carino Hamilton Estates,
Driftwood and Trivento Wines. The Management Team was comprised of Mr. Livi Liburd, CEO of CETEP, Mr. Patrick Daniels, Mr. Vakeel Pereira, and Ms. Collette James. The Judges who worked diligently for nine (9) Shows were Mrs. Nicole Lawrence, Dr. Raymonde Moving, Mr. Antonio “Abonaty” Liburd, and Mr. Delison Roper. Ms. Shari Greaves served as the official Auditor.
In speaking to a few audience members, some of the comments given were: “all Shows were managed well,” “I loved the fact that it always started on time, promptly at 8:00 pm,” the concept was very new to Nevis and I loved every single Show,” it was nice that it started off in Nevis as everything else usually starts in St. Kitts,” everyone always had fun; the MC was great, the audience members won all sorts of prizes, and the Performers always gave their best to entertain.”
One person even asked, “so what are we supposed to do and where are we to go now that the Karaoke Idol is over?” Some others took the opportunity to praise Carib Brewery, TDC, and LIME for having the vision to foresee that it would have been a big success.
The first Show kicked off on Friday March 5th, with thirty (30) Performers and after the first Round, fifteen (15) moved on. Subsequently, week after week, three (3) Idols were allowed to “go home to rest their vocals.”
As for the future, the next step is to open the St. Kitts Karaoke Idol next month, June 2010, and then, host the St. Kitts versus Nevis Challenge sometime in September. It is also being planned to make the three legs annual events. The original Performers included:
First Last
Andy Junior
Wayne Hanley
Simone Hylton
Monica Leader
Hilita Leader
Martina Leader
Natasha Nicholas
Jamella Liddie
Collin Guishard
Randy Jeffers
Conway Stanley
Romain Mills
Rohan Grant
Jamal Jean-Jacques
Denise Johnson
Andrew Nisbett
Cisse Cohen
MacKeasch Griffin
Amie Guishard
Vallencia Hanley
Jervan Swanston
Natalie Charles
Lenny Claxton
Irvinsia Warner
Monte Fredericks
Dawn Desreaux
Dore Allison
Levi James
Rhyanna Wong
Laurenn Barry
The Prize Giving Ceremony for the Nevis Karaoke Idol will be held on Saturday May 8th, 2010, at Island Life starting at 8:00 pm. This will be followed by the official After Party, for which the Ultimate Band will be playing.
