BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE second annual Calypso World Cup Competition scheduled for the Sugar Mill at Warner Park in St. Kitts last evening (Jan. 4), turned out to be a disaster as the show did not take place.
It is said that angry patrons and supporters of the calypso art form, who had purchased tickets or paid their entrance fee to see the show, demanded a return of their monies after they realised it would not take place.
The event was scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m., but at 10:00 p.m. the stage was in total darkness.
It is alleged that the organiser of the event, Michael Walters, had secured the service of a generator owned by Laughton Bridgewater, but he failed to make proper arrangements for its payment.
When patrons were made aware of what was taking place, they started making demands for the return of their monies.
Many of them were photographed at the entrance to the Sugar Mill demanding the return of their monies, and a large group of patrons were also seen outside the Basseterre Police Station while some of them were within lodging complaints to the law enforcement body.
It was rumoured that the calypsonians who were scheduled to compete in the competition, including last year's winner Karene Asche of Trinidad and Tobago, were nowhere near the venue but at their hotel rooms demanding to be paid their performance fee before taking to the stage.
Reigning National Calypso King, Konris Maynard had indicated that he would not be participating in the competition, which resulted in First Runner-up in the 2012 Senior Monarch Competition, 'Rudder', taking his place in representation of St. Kitts, while Nevis would have been represented by former Culturama Calypso King, Dis ‘N’ Dat.
Speaking this morning with Junie Liburd on Freedom FM, Walters explained that the calypsonians were on contract and that he was not at fault for the show’s failure.
He claimed that he was at the Sugar Mill at about 8:00 last evening and some patrons were already seated, but he had left to get the calypsonians from the hotel in which they were staying. However, on arrival at the venue, via the rear entrance, the place was in darkness and members of the Grand Masters Band were packing up to leave.
Asked if there was a previous financial disagreement between himself and Bridgewater in relation to the providence of electricity, Walters answered in the affirmative but noted that that matter was amicably settled and that could not have been the reason why the venue was in darkness last evening.
He was also asked about payment to the Grand Masters Band and he explained that management of the band was paid an advance sum and would have received the remainder either during or after the show.
According to his explanation, sabotage seemed to have been the order of the day.
However, Bridgewater turned up at the studio and in his explanation to Liburd, stated that he was not at the venue, but individuals under his employ were there.
Bridgewater confirmed that at 8:00 p.m. Walters was indeed at the venue but he did not touch the subject of payment. He also explained that everything was in place, including the lights, band and some patrons, with the exception of Walters and the calypsonians.
He further explained that if Walters were genuinely concerned about payment for electricity, he would have spoken to one of his employees about it. But he did not.
A female caller to the radio station claimed that Walters was involved in a similar incident on Nevis and that “he is a liar”.
A representative from the Grand Masters Band echoed a similar sentiment and his explanation seemed to have corroborated the statements made by Bridgewater.
Walters was the organiser of the first ever Mother's Day Pageant held in St. Kitts.
