Tent managers raise concerns over Pic-O-De-Crop finals venue shift

Tent managers and artistes have raised concerns about the last-minute relocation of the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, warning that the new venue may be ill-equipped to accommodate the scale and technical demands of the island’s premier calypso competition.

The venue has shifted from Kensington Oval to CARIFESTA House, Waterford, to facilitate preparations for the state funeral for Sir Garfield Sobers.

While acknowledging the need to honour the late National Hero, they questioned whether CARIFESTA House is equipped to host the competition, particularly at such short notice.

C.O. Williams House of Soca Tent Manager Sharon Carew-White told Barbados TODAY the timing of the change was unexpected but understandable:

“For me…the change has come at a funny time, but it’s understandable. Obviously the changes are to respect the funeral arrangements of our national hero.”

But Carew-White argued that staging Pic-O-De-Crop at CARIFESTA House presents logistical challenges, noting Barbados’ limited pool of service providers and technical personnel.

Drawing on her experience at last weekend’s Junior Monarch competition, she said the venue would require significant adjustments.

“Because of the capacity, some infrastructural changes and security measures will have to be put in place,” she said, adding that performers who designed elaborate props for Kensington Oval would now have to “scale down” for the smaller venue.

Carew-White suggested postponing the finals until the Sunday after the funeral allowing the event to remain at Kensington Oval.

She also raised concerns about the suitability of CARIFESTA House for a competition of the Pic-O-De-Crop’s scale, pointing to issues such as seating, stage size and acoustics.

“They love CARIFESTA House for sure, but they don’t think it is really there at this point for competition,” she said. “Competition is something different. You’re looking at acoustics… who can see you and at what angles, the size of the stage.”

Several members of the festival band also serve in the Police Service Band and are currently rehearsing for Sir Garfield’s funeral on Wednesday, leaving only two days to prepare for the finals, she said. 

Kooyman All Stars Calypso Tent Manager Eleanor Rice echoed concerns about the venue’s capacity:

“The place is too small. Last year we had 7 000 [patrons]. We will wait and see if it would change anything about the infrastructure,” she said, adding that she also supported moving the event to the following Sunday.

The issue prompted “robust conversation” among members of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA), which represents calypsonians, said president Barry Knight.

While accepting that the decision had been made because of the “unfortunate circumstances” of Sir Garfield’s passing, Knight called for greater transparency from organisers.

“I would like a clear transparency of how they’re gonna make CARIFESTA House accommodate that type of show and competition,” he said, urging officials to explain whether restructuring or additional infrastructure would be introduced to “set at ease all the concerns”. 

(SB)