Muzik Festival organizers requested an additional 100k

Tue, Mar 29th 2016, 01:04 PM

Organizers of the Caribbean Muzik Festival requested an additional $100,000 from the Ministry of Tourism to put on two events they postponed last October, according to Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe.
The Ministry of Tourism spent $650,000 to sponsor the festival.

In a recent interview, Wilchcombe said while the festival organizers have proposed several dates for the event, "the issue is cost".

"The ministry does not believe it should engage in any further cost," he said. "They have asked and they have sent us a budget. They've sent us [a budget] seeking additional funding to get artists in town.

"We are not going to engage in that. They have an obligation as was set out; to deliver based on what we did. We are not going to spend any more on that."

Wilchcombe indicated that the $100,000 additional seed money would have also covered airlift and hotel accommodations.

The minister said last month the government was considering providing additional seed money to help the event along. At the time, Wilchcombe said the festival had been scheduled for early April. However, an exact date has not been provided.

Asked about a date, Wilchcombe said, "They have a responsibility and we are going to sit and talk with them.

"The Ministry of Tourism will be demanding that they tell us a date and bring the project to fruition."

While Wilchcombe said he understands circumstances change, "whatever happened with them and their vendors in the United States, that is not my issue".

"My issue is, you still have an obligation," he said. "If you don't fulfill your obligation, then we have to take necessary steps."

But Wilchcombe said he believes based on the "good standing of individuals" involved with the festival, organizers will fulfill their obligation.

The promoters of the festival claim the suppliers defaulted on undertakings to supply stage and sound equipment, ultimately forcing the postponement of two of the festival's four events.

The promoters want the return of money they allegedly paid the two companies. The suppliers have denied being at fault, however.

A dancehall music night was set to take place at Arawak Cay on October 30, and major artists were due to perform on October 31 at the carnival site at the sports center. Two of the planned events took place on October 28 and 29.

In December, Festival Director Desmond Edwards said a new date for the festival will be announced within the "next few days".

Weeks before, organizers were expected to announce a new date for the events that were postponed.
At the time, organizers were still conferring with artists and confirming a venue, among other considerations.

In a previous joint statement, the Ministry of Tourism and Caribbean Muzik Festival (2000) Ltd. said early dates in December were under discussion for the postponed events.

According to that statement, serious difficulties were experienced that made it unwise to attempt to continue the festival.

By Royston Jones Jr.

Guardian Staff

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