BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE 2011-2012 St. Kitts-Nevis National Carnival, popularly known as Sugar Mas, has left not a sweet but a sour taste in the mouths of many local talents that participated as they have not received their monies for participating.
Several participants including calypsonians and folklore groups are getting the run around though it is now four months since the conclusion of carnival and one month after the official prize giving.
In speaking with Sylvester ‘Socrates’ Hodge, former National Calypso King and Manager and Band Leader of the Legends Calypso Band, he said that the calypsonians who performed in his tent are owed some EC $18 000.
Hodge said that both Proud Sounds tent which is managed by Wingrove Hicks, and Legends Tent, have not received any monies to pay the calypsonians who performed with their respective tents, for providing music during carnival competitions and also for the musicians of the band.
Hodge said that this is the third time monies have been late, and that his band was paid off for the 2010-2011 National Carnival activities in September 2011 just three months before the new carnival celebration began.
He said that the Proud Sounds Tent is owed more monies than his tent because they have more calypsonians and that he and Hicks agreed to call a press conference to alert the general public of what is happening but Hicks is not answering his calls.
“I have two musicians from Nevis who are calling me to be paid because they had to pay their way to come down. This is the third year this is happening,” he said.
He also learnt that the Carnival Committee allegedly did not send in the bills to the Ministry of Finance even though they had already sent their bills to the Carnival Committee.
“I thought this year they would get it right; it’s a blame game between Carnival Committee and Ministry of Finance as to whether the bills were in on time, and in the meantime there are people who have made contribution who have not been honoured.”
He said that he is aware that the St. Kitts Music Festival is underway and that contributions are being sent towards that.
“But it’s total disrespect and disregard for the contributions we’ve made, and we’re being told it was the best carnival ever. But if you show this lack of appreciation for your local artistes, they have a right to boycott, and I’m hoping that it wouldn’t happen. Wingrove and I wanted to take a stand last year but we did not want to short change anybody and we went faithfully.
“It is also a total disrespect to the people who came in and supported the art form. It’s like they’re saying our contribution doesn’t matter; it’s really hard work, and we really don’t want to short change anyone but at the same time we have to be honoured.
“I have obligations to my band members; it’s unfair. The musicians came night after night and I have at least 24 calypsonians qualified to be paid,” he said.
Breach of Contract
Hodge said that they have a contract that states they are to be paid at the end of January.
“So in effect Government has breached the contract for the third year straight, but when you talk, people are afraid of being victimized.
But that’s not my issue. It’s just wrong, disrespectful and they need to get their act together and pay the people who make the carnival,” the former calypso king said.
Calypsonians paid too much?
Local witty calypsonian King Hot Rod is upset too about not being paid monies owed to him for performing in the calypso tents.
He said that he has heard that someone who is in a high position within the Ministry of Culture which is responsible for National Carnival felt that the “calypsonians does get too much money”.
“The calypsonians are the ones to make the culture look good and promote it good; we work hard to get our culture together; we’re not only spending money on recording but also using current (electricity) to record,” he said.
He said that he has spent about EC$500 in the studio preparing his music for Carnival.
“I feel disrespected that they want to use and abuse us and that is not the way you’re suppose to treat your local calypsonians.
“I feel real bad how the Committee have us in this drama of not getting paid on time. Each time they change chairman… is another mess. If you want to see your local artistes perform every December, you have to treat them good because they can decline. The Committee promised us we would get our money in January and this is the fourth month and nothing,” Hot Rod said.
No monies for masqueraders
A local masquerade group is also disappointed that they are still owed EC$500 for performing at the Children’s Carnival.
The leader of the group did not disclose the group’s name for fear of being victimized, and told SKNVibes that they were already paid for the Grand Parade and Last Lap troupe through the Department of Culture, but for the Children’s Parade the Carnival Committee has not paid them and other groups.
Sometime between January 6-9, the group leader said a bill was sent to the Committee for their payment. The group leader said that he checked with the Committee in February and he is always being told that “they will get back to him”.
He said he also tried in March after the prize giving but up until now, no cheque has been signed.
It was also disheartening for him to learn that they have not been paid yet because “Government did not have any money”.
“We have already performed. It is time to pay us…the children are waiting,” he said.
Carnival Committee's hands tied
In speaking with a member of the National Carnival Committee, they said they were doing all they could to get the monies paid out.
“Even though we receive requests from persons we have to wait for Government. It’s frustrating for us too and it’s a situation we did not want to happen,” the member said.
