By John Denny
Nevis Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) – Nevis is getting into the Culturama mood.
Starting at noon this Saturday, there will be a street bash in downtown Charlestown complete with food, drink and live entertainment. The festivities will last until 8 p.m.
A beach bash from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday will be held at Sand Crab Hole Beach in Newcastle. Both events are being put on by the Culturama committee to prime the island for its biggest annual celebration. Culturama 2K8 will be held from July 25 to August 5.
At a press conference June 12, various sponsors were recognized for their contributions. Leading the pack, as they have for several years, was Cable and Wireless, who donated EC$100,000 in cash directly to the Culturama Committee and are donating another EC$100,000 worth of gifts and prizes.
Caribbean Cable and Communication and the Bank of Nevis both donated EC$3,000 in their sponsorship of the Mr. and Miss Talented Youth Pageant.
Horsfords and Carib Brewery both sponsored to Miss Culture Queen Pageant with EC$6,000 each.
Lefco equipment and Rental contributed significantly to the building of a new bathroom block at the Cultural Complex and TDC has sponsored the Sr. Kaiso Contest.
This year being the 25th Anniversary of the Federation’s independence, the committee is carrying the theme of Emancipation to Independence, according to Culturama Committee Chairman Halstead Byron.
“We are here to ensure that this year’s Culturama is the most exciting one we have ever had,” Mr. Byron said. “Our focus this year is on our independence.”
Also on hand to answer questions from the press were Nevis Police Superintendent Samuel Seabrookes, Culturama Festival Secretariat Antonio Liburd and Deputy Premier Hensley Daniel, who is also the Minister of Culture.
Legislation has been put in place to allow for the Government to support Culturama more than in the past, Minister Daniel said. “At the end of last year’s Culturama we recorded a profit for the first time,” he said. “We want to ensure the corporate sponsors that their money is being well spent.”
Conflicts in scheduling and other problems are anticipated to arise, he said.
“It wouldn’t be Culturama if there wasn’t a little conflict,” the Minister said.
One form of conflict that the committee would like to avoid was addressed by Supt. Seabrookes.
“Our purpose is to ensure good clean fun for everyone,” said Supt. Seabrookes. “Security Forces will be on hand to ensure public safety. We have had private security for this before, but they weren’t up to the job. The police will do what it takes to ensure security. Anyone caught with weapons will be jailed without bail. As an added measure we will be bringing back-up officers from St. Kitts.”
The committee mentioned an international music artist coming to perform at Culturama, but they as yet have not confirmed. The committee declined to name the artist until they commit to performing.
