Government’s investment in Music Fest is justified – Walwyn
BVI News Staff - Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 at 8:58 AM
The stage is being set up for Friday's opening of the Music Fest at Cane Garden Bay. * Photo by Andre "Shadow" Dawson
Minister of Education and Culture Myron Walwyn believes that the $150,000 government is giving to the committee to help host the Music Fest this weekend is justified.
Walwyn’s comment, which was made during the NDP’s Radio programme on Monday evening, comes just weeks after an East End resident, politician and lecturer at the HLSCC, Natalio ‘Sowande Uhuru’ Wheatley, speaking at a community meeting in the East End area, said government is putting this money into a “glorified party” when it should’ve been used for youth programmes.
“I know when I was chairman of the Tourist Board, I had asked for a report to be produced and it was produced in terms of the economic impact that the Music Fest had on the territory, and it showed that we did quite well in terms of the amount of businesses that were will supported by persons coming in for the fest. So yes, even though on one end it seems like we are spending $150,000 just for a festival, you are also getting millions of dollars back into the economy by the restaurants, the hotels, the departure tax and a number of other things; so yes, in my opinion I think it is justified,” Walwyn said.
The event opens this Friday at Cane Garden Bay and will run until Sunday.
Co-ordinator of the festival Rhodni Skelton said a number of the local regional and international artistes have cut back on their fees because of the economic situation worldwide.
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9 Comments
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Mr Minister when are you going to take a look at the operations of the High School.
I heard they are planning all kind of events for Graduation this year. Are we little America now? There are about five events planned for this year graduation. Are we in a harsh economic cilmate? Not for the senior teachers who are making these decisions. Every week the child come home telling me she needs another dress for another event. The latest is departure night. What is wrong with these Teachers?
Remember to get your tickets by Thursday. Prices on site each night is $25….ticket outlets are Big Brother’s Gas Station, Chad’s Ice Cream Parlor, Myett’s CGB, or from the committee members on Tortola. On VG, it’s at Mr. Nice Guy, and on STT at Urban Threadz and Road Town Fast Ferry. RTFF will be running a special ferry leaving Red Hook at 9:00 pm straight to CGB, returning at 2:30 am all 3 nights.
I don’t think most people care next week it will all be over and we will move on…
Just imagine how much $150k could do for trainning/jobs etc. with High School Students this summer.Just saying.
show us the data where million$ are collected from this
It’s the same millions when you all were running it and providing $300k in sponsorship. how all of a sudden its a problem? lol.
too bad nobody goin 4 dis. the line-up IS NOT impressive enuff dat it gon make people travel to get here…. atleast traffic wont b a problem now, i jus wan swim on da beach
well we aint pen up again so we will be there, its for the lime not the music entertainment.
@ reality I guess you speak for everyone.
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