Lawsuit expected over Muzik Festival fiasco

The Soweto Gospel Choir at the Caribbean Muzik Festival in Rawson Square on Thursday. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

As of Tuesday, November 3, 2015

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DAYS after the postponement of the final two nights of the Caribbean Muzik Festival, a lawsuit is expected to be filed in connection with the event.

Organisers were tight-lipped about what caused the postponement and would not disclose details about the matter when contacted by The Tribune yesterday.

However, a source close to the matter vaguely described the issues facing the festival, saying: “A lawsuit is going to be filed concerning vendors reneging on their contracts.”

The Tribune understands that organisers are contacting the artists who were scheduled to perform on Friday and Saturday to secure their commitment toward performing in the festival at a later date.

Organisers hope the festival will be resumed this year, although it is not clear whether this is feasible.

A statement released by the Ministry of Tourism last night said that Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe and members of his executive team met with the chairman of the Caribbean Muzik Festival and his executives on Monday to address the postponement.

“As a result of the meeting, the Caribbean Muzik Festival Committee is vigorously endeavouring to identify a new date to host the festival,” the statement said. “More information will be provided in due course.”

On Friday, officials announced that tickets for the event are refundable.

The festival is produced and promoted by a company called Caribbean Republic Inc.

The Ministry of Tourism is the event’s biggest sponsor, having invested $650,000 in the festival.

To some, Friday’s postponement marked an inauspicious return for a heavily promoted event that had been on hiatus for 17 years.

In an interview with The Tribune on Sunday, Mr Wilchcombe said he hopes food sellers in particular will be able to secure a return on their investments.

“Some (food) vendors I’m deeply concerned about because they spent their money already to buy their stuff, to prepare their stuff, so to be told in the last minute that the event has been postponed is not enticing,” he said. “It will be important for them to explain to the people what happened, to apologise and to see how best to move forward. We have an obligation to vendors who have made an investment to ensure that their investments are not thrown away.”

The Caribbean Muzik Festival was a part of the government’s efforts to fill the Bahamian calendar with musical and sporting events that would promote culture, encourage commerce and put a spotlight on the country’s tourism products year round.

TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago

Comrades all to prevent this Muzik Festival fiasco from being looked upon as but a joke, is that this Obediah just happens to be the same damn cabinet minister, who was responsible for the 12 million dollars Carnival 2015 fiasco.
Remember when they originally said Carnival 2015 would not cost more than three million dollars, so take it with a grain of Carnival 2015 salt, that this one will stop burning though taxpayers monies, now that the 650,00 thousand has been handed over to the Musik organizers.
And, where in the hell is this ministers much promised financial audit for Carnival 2015? You do realize that to date, there has been NO audit released to the public that confirms that Carnival 2015 only cost the 12 million dollars, nor how the monies were spent and to whom did they's go to, and for what?
As I called for with Carnival 2015, release ALL the credit card statements, so the taxpayers can see for themselves - who spent what and for what?
Can those in office to serve the people, and those appointed to positions by the governing politicians, just say, spend and do these kinda things, and that's the end it? No accountability?

TruePeople 9 years, 1 month ago

Ya, they hopin we ga forget. Truth is Carnival LOST money.... it didn't make money.

And really 'carnival' ... i guess the trini performers where actually better than the Bahamaian ones, but that ein mean you sell out ya cultcha...

If they was into Bahamas culture they would give more support to things like Gtown Regatta and make that a big fest thing for tourist and local alike. No dey only into how they can pocket money and give kick back to dem cronies right

Bun down dese Pagan outta office