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Performers, patrons in limbo with cancellations

by Barbados Today
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COVID-19 has caused the casualty of one concert so far while some entertainers with a number of overseas bookings are in limbo as they stand to lose thousands of dollars in income.

The annual Gimme Soca show which was scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 28 at Kensington Oval has been postponed. Organisers of the event announced that “due to the COVID-19 concerns” they are forced to reschedule the event.

A statement said: “The decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty. We take the safety and health or our patrons, staff, sponsors, service providers and community very seriously.

“Although currently no cases of COVID-19 in Barbados, we understand person’s relunctance of the public gatherings and thus had to make this difficult decision.”

The promoter promised that tickets for the postponed show will be honoured for future events. Those seeking a refund are asked to go the box office they bought the ticket from on Monday. For online purchases, patrons are asked to contact Ticketpal’s support desk.

The novel strain of coronavirus is in the Caribbean with 12 reported cases in St Vincent, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Saint Barthelemy, Martinque and French Guiana.

This now has serious implications for many mass events planned regionally and internationally.

When contacted, three Bajan artistes who are heavily booked for gigs over the next few weeks and months have had cancellations or are uncertain as to whether some of the events will indeed come off.

Damian Hypasounds Etienne, who is scheduled to tour New York, Atlanta, Orlando and Canada, has had one overseas event postponed so far – huge blow, he said, since his biggest market is the United States. But he was swift to say that he was not going to risk his health and safety for a payday.

Hypasounds told Barbados TODAY: “I would be heavily impacted since I travel extensively to develop my career. Already the US is hard hit and this is my biggest market.

“As the situation is unfolding, things are now being discussed and we’re trying to come up with ways to deal with it.

“My health is far more important than a performance fee. I will not be compromising my health, that of my family and country by going into a territory with a high risk of exposure to the virus.

“Promoter and management would have to renegotiate the terms of the contract.”

Edwin Yearwood, speaking for himself and krosfyah, said the band was mostly in the Caribbean until the summer, going to places such as US and British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Grenada.

He said: “There’re a few gigs that are now up in the air that would have made an already slow year better as entertainers have bills, too.

“They’re some gigs that are directly in harm’s way but they’re some gigs within the Caribbean that have not yet been affected but this thing can be a very serious setback for people in general and the country as a whole. It will surely make people and promoters nervous.

“If it gets to a stage where large crowds are unable to gather for the event and we are unable to perform it will be a massive loss of income and could cause some serious setbacks as it would affect our livelihood and ability to earn.

“However, the safety of the public comes first it would be a definite blow but without the fans we wouldn’t be here.”

Gospel singer Neesha Woodz, who is set to launch her third album, Incredible God, on March 28 at the Hilton resort, said that some of the shows she was to perform at in the UK and Europe were already cancelled.

She said: “The reality is I don’t really make a substantial living here, like I would when I travel overseas. 2020 was slated to be a year of much travel but so far my events for example in the UK and Germany have been cancelled because of the virus.

“So it definitely has started to hinder some of my potential cash flow because of the cancellations.

“It will to some extent negatively impact the marketing of my new album since the plan was to travel promoting it this year after its launch on March 28.”

More immediately, the award-winning singer is scheduled to headline St Vincent’s Gospelfest next month.

“I will continue to closely monitor the situation which will influence my decision as the time draws nearer,” Woodz told Barbados TODAY. “The promoters have not contacted me with regards to cancellation. I think at this point, they are just monitoring the situation before any decisions are made. Once there is a case and it is contained there is no reason to panic or stop living as usual, you just have to be more cautious in my opinion.”

The gospel artiste said she would continue to do all that is humanly possible to take care of her own health. She also used the opportunity to offer some advice to fellow Bajans.

She said: “I think now is the time to firstly seek God and pray. God’s covering is stronger than any hand sanitizer or soap and water.

“The COVID-19 is another virus just like the flu but with a lower fatality rate. So Bajans if a case is discovered here at some point let’s not fear let’s just be cautious and trust God. This too shall pass.”

The National Cultural Foundation issued a statement acknowledging that they are aware of the cancellations of various events and the effect this may cause on the arts and culture scene.

The NCF said: “We are confident with the guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health and continue to be guided accordingly. We advise all cultural practitioners and private promoters to do the same.”

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