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Entertainment Support Agency: Skreativez

Skreativez

OECS Competitive Business Unit applauds new Entertainment Support Agency: ‘ Skreativez ’.

A group of passionate entrepreneurs in Saint Kitts and Nevis have begun laying the groundwork on an initiative that aims to improve the subregion’s entertainment industry through education and collaboration with the assistance of the OECS Competitive Business Unit: Skreativez

Skreativez, launched on August 20, 2017, will provide a range of services to persons involved in the industry – from merchandising to copyright and trademark law.

The launch, held in the form of an Industry Mixer, created an open atmosphere where key stakeholders within the entertainment industry and up-and-coming artistes and musicians had an opportunity to discuss the potential of the project with the Skreativez team: Vernalderine Francis, Chevaughn Richardon, Grace Richardson, Brandon Rawlins and Azem Bailey.
Skreativez hopes to serve as a lynchpin in a new era of music development within the creative industry in Saint Kitts, and at a time when the industry badly needs leadership and a cadre of dedicated professionals to support its further development.
The newly formed agency seeks to adopt two distinct roles:

  1. Firstly, Skreativez will act as a service organisation:
    1. offering services in production, marketing and business development utilising the skills and experiences of its members as well as bringing in outside support to work with potential clients and artistes in need of such services;
    2. helping with arrangements for artiste development on the island as well as accessing technical support and other resources to work with artistes and music industry professionals.
  2. Secondly, the agency hopes that it can stimulate the formation of a music association which will be membership-based to encourage collaboration among artistes and to provide a voice for the music and entertainment industry.

Mr. Sobers Esprit, Business Development Officer specialising in the Creative Industries at the OECS Competitive Business Unit has been working with the group to guide them on the process to the launch and to help in building a solid organisation.

“This initiative is part of the CBU’s effort to continue working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the targeted sub-sectors of goods and services across OECS Member States.”
“The CBU intends to provide mentorship, guidance on organisational development and support to strengthen the on-going work of the sub region’s SMEs in those sectors,” commented Sobers.

Sobers said the continuity of the CBU’s support is geared at ensuring the work carried out during the implementation process of the 10th EDF Regional Integration for Trade in the OECS can be sustained through the utilisation of internal resources within the targeted SMEs.

“The CBU wholeheartedly welcomes the effort by this group of enthusiastic, visionary and passionate music entrepreneurs to help grow the music and entertainment business on Saint Kitts.
“We see this as the kind of work that artistes and entrepreneurs across the OECS must begin to undertake in order for us to see real, sustained development within the region’s creative sector.
“We salute the work of Skreativez and encourage its members to stay the course on the journey to helping grow and develop the music industry in Saint Kitts and the region,” added Sobers.

Founding member, Mr. Azem Bailey, served as Master of Ceremonies at the agency’s soft launch and moderated discussions on state of the entertainment industry in Saint Kitts-Nevis and the sub region.

“The dialogue was lively and there was agreement that much work needs to be done to improve the status of the entertainment industry in Saint Kitts and Nevis.”
“Legislation needs to be amended, practitioners need to work on improving brands and users need to pay the required licenses,” said Bailey.

The group’s passion for the creative industry can be discerned from their active engagement in initiatives such as the Saint Kitts and Nevis Association for the Performing Arts (SKNAPA), which was founded by the Skreativez team; the Regional Song Writers Camp held in Dominica in 2014; and the Specialty Caribbean Expo held in St. Lucia in March 2017.
Key stakeholders and sponsors in attendance were Mr. Mahesh Nariani, Owner of Sun Island Clothes and Sun Island Hi Tech Graphics; Ms. Jihan Williams, Head of the Intellectual Property Office; Mr. Javier Cordero, Owner of Don Carlos Cafe; and Messrs. Jason and Orren Joseph of askblunty.com, an online educational platform.
More on Skreativez

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) 50th Anniversary Exhibition

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court continues the celebration of its 50th Anniversary under the theme – “Celebrating the Past, Embracing the Future“.

In celebration of this milestone, the 50th Anniversary Steering Committee has planned a 50th Anniversary Exhibition to be held in the Castries City Hall from October 9th -13th, 2017 from 9.00am to 4.30 pm each day.  The ECSC 50th Anniversary Exhibition will be held in collaboration with the OECS Commission, The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) and the St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertension Association (SLDHA).

An invitation to view the exhibition is extended to all citizens, residents and visitors as this is a weeklong event from 9:00 am. to 4:30 pm. daily. The main purpose of the exhibition is to give the people of Saint Lucia a better understanding and appreciation of the inner workings of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
Among the many exhibits will be the works of The Rt. Hon. Sir Vincent Floissac, former Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, having served in that capacity from November 1991 to July 1996.
Members of the legal fraternity and the public will also benefit from a live tutorial on how to successfully navigate the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s website.
ECSC 50 Exhibition Flyer
 

Tropical Storm Nate heading through the Western Caribbean

Tropical Storm Nate

NEMO and the Met Service hereby inform the public that as at 4:30 p.m., local time Tropical Storm Nate with winds of 40 miles per hour was located near 14.9 North Latitude and 84.3 West Longitude or approximately 460 miles south east of Belize. The pressure was at 1001 milibars. Nate is moving to the north-northwest at 10 miles per hour. The main threat to Belize is expected to be mostly thunderstorms and heavy rain which are likely to cause dangerous flash floods and localized flooding. As much as 6 inches or higher rainfall is expected.
The current track keeps the centre of the storm in the warm waters off the coast of Belize. The stronger winds are expected to be east of Belize, over the sea. By tomorrow Nate is expected to be directly in front of Belize. It is likely that a Tropical Storm Watch will be issued. Nate is forecasted to reach the north-eastern Yucatan Peninsula and head into the Gulf of Mexico by Friday night or early Saturday. Due to the size of the system the country could continue to experience rainfall even after the storm gets into the Gulf of Mexico.
People in low-lying areas are advised to move to higher grounds. If you need to go to a shelter, know which shelter you will go to and workout how you will reach the shelter. Check up on family members and neighbors who are in need of assistance. Secure as much food and water as possible. At risk families, the elderly, women, and children are encouraged to weather the storm in a safe dry place. Do not wait until it’s too late to take action.
It is not advised to venture out to sea tomorrow. Fishers and people on the Cayes are hereby strongly urged to monitor Tropical Storm Nate and to take the necessary actions to preserve life and property. Farmers are urged to attend to their crops and animals. Crossings; in the Cayo district the Succotz Ferry is closed, and in the Stann Creek district, the Coastal road is closed due to flooding. The public is advised to stay out of flood waters.
Drivers are reminded to drive with extreme caution, when driving in wet conditions, reduce your speed, put on your low beam, and hazard lights. Do not drive through flood waters.
NEMO’s Emergency Coordinators can be reached as follows:
– Corozal, Mr. Williard Levy at 623 0237;
– Orange Walk, Ms. Suliema Celiz at 605 5046, or Mr. Aragon at 636 6094;
– Belize District, Mr. Lionel Tillett at 6154834 and Mr. Kevin Pollard at 621 2275;
– San Pedro, Ms. Vanessa Parham at 632 3698;
– Belize City, Ms. Timrose Augustine at 600 8672 and Councillor Willoughby at 615 9793;
– Belmopan, Ms. Clare Moody at 630 9791;
– Cayo, Mr. Al Westby at 630 3224 or Mr. Johnny Ramclam at 625 2526;
– Stann Creek, Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 615 9711; and
– Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 630 9787.
– The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936.
NEMO is on full alert and continues to monitor Tropical Storm Nate. Please take heed to the advice issued by NEMO and the National Meteorological Service.
More on Belize

Unveiling of Usain Bolt statue during Heritage Week

Usain Bolt
The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that the unveiling of the statue of the world’s greatest athlete, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, will take place on Friday, 13 October 2017 at the National Stadium.
“The unveiling is [set for] 5:30 on Friday (afternoon) …following that will be a reception in honour of our track and field athletes who went to the World Championships in August,” said Minister Grange.
Minister Grange extended an invitation to the public to attend the unveiling ceremony:
“The public is invited. We’re asking that they come out early and give Usain all their love and appreciation and to get the first look at the life size statue that will be unveiled of Usain Bolt. And I know they will not be disappointed.”
The bronze sculpture was designed by renowned Jamaican sculptor Basil Watson and arrived in the island “during the past 24 hours,” according to the Minister.
The statue of Usain Bolt is the first of four statues of national sports stars that were commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport under the Jamaica 55 Legacy Programme.
The reception for the World Championship team (which is a private event) and the unveiling of the Bolt statue highlight activities for the celebration of Heritage Week.
“Heritage Week will be massive,” said Minister Grange who highlighted that there will be a National Reparations Youth Baton Relay, beginning in Heritage Week, and organised by the National Council on Reparations as part of the public education programme about the Government’s reparations agenda. “We will have Dr Julius Garvey (son of National Hero Marcus Garvey) visiting during this period and there will be a run with athletes across the island to take the message of reparations to the people of Jamaica,” said Minister Grange.
The National Reparations Youth Baton Relay will be staged over three months.
Additionally, Heritage Week activities will highlight Jamaica’s rich heritage in music, sport and literature. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, the National Library of Jamaica and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust are organising a series of activities in every parish; while the Ministry is staging a Heritage Concert “From Kete to Reggae” on Saturday, 14 Oct 2017 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, starting at 7pm.
Heritage Week officially begins on Sunday, 8 October 2017 with the National Heritage Week Interfaith Service at the University Chapel, Mona starting at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
More on Jamaica

IBM to present at Region's premier Tourism Industry Gathering

IBM

The American multinational technology company IBM will present at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) which opens in Grenada next week.

IBM’s global industry leader responsible for hospitality and travel related services, Greg Land, will be part of a panel which explores ways in which the Caribbean can use technology creatively to enhance the visitor experience and successfully sell destinations.
As part of his presentation Mr. Land will focus on Watson, IBM’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform, and how Caribbean destinations and businesses can utilise AI in decision making and to engage visitors.
The session, entitled, Active Engagement: Riding the Technological Wave, will also include presentations by Amrita Gurney, the head of marketing at CrowdRiff, a Canadian visual marketing platform used by tourism brands, and Oliver Gale, the founder of Bitt, a Barbados-based financial company that uses blockchain technology for online money transfers using any form of currency.
This session runs from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Friday 13 October, the final day of the conference, which will have Super Bowl winner Dorsey Levin as the keynote speaker.
“I will focus on rapid rebound and will also touch on how to take control of life without excuses and how to navigate successfully through stressful situations and keep moving forward. I would like nothing more than to motivate and inspire delegates to get back on track after the damage caused by the hurricanes,” Levens said.
The conference has as its theme, Supercharging the Brand: Meeting the Needs of the New Explorers, and in the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on some member countries, the CTO is adding a special session to the SOTIC programme that will focus on how to recover and rebuild after a major disaster.
The four-hour session on Thursday 12 October is designed to explore and examine the issues and key recommendations to be considered as the Caribbean rebuilds after the monstrous category five storms, in particular, or other natural disasters it might face in the future.
It will focus on the economic cost of the disasters, including potential impact on gross domestic product, employment, the cost to rebuild and recovery time.
The State of the Tourism Industry Conference is being organised by the CTO in collaboration with the Grenada Tourism Authority and Grenada’s ministry of tourism, and will be held from 10-13 October at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort. The conference will be preceded by business meetings on 9 and 10 October.
Other key conference sessions include Infusing Dynamism in Caribbean Tourism, Who are the New Explorers, Business Models that Rock, Turning Our Waters Into Goldmines – Investing in the Blue Economy, and Spicing Up the Caribbean Brand.
The highly anticipated tourism youth congress and a Stakeholders Speak Out session are also part of the programme.
For further details on the conference, including how to register, please visit http://sotic.onecaribbean.org/.

Government and CDB to launch the implementation of STEPs

STEPs

The event will take place in the Lecture Theatre, Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, Pine, St. Michael, at 9:00 a.m.
Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ronald Jones, will deliver the feature address, while Dr. Sherry Rose, Consultant, University of New Brunswick, Canada, will present on the STEP framework and planning for enhancing school effectiveness.
Coordinated under the Education Sector Enhancement Project II, the STEP Initiative aims to institute the framework for teacher and school effectiveness through the development and implementation of STEPs for primary schools, and the provision of specific training to facilitate their implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
To support the implementation of STEPs, the Ministry has facilitated the enhancement of capacity at the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College to make available continuous professional development programmes for teachers and school principals, aimed at improving school leadership and classroom teaching practices.
It is expected that this will result in the overall improvement in student performance, especially in literacy, numeracy and science.

Implementation of School Teacher Effectiveness Plans – STEPs

STEPs

You are invited to send a representative to cover the official launch of the Implementation of  STEPs – School Teacher Effectiveness Plans at eight project schools in the lecture theatre, Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, Pine, St. Michael, on Monday, October 9th, beginning at 9:00 A.M. Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ronald Jones, will deliver the feature address.
Media Invitations

Barbados strengthening relations with IDB Group

IDB

Barbados is improving and strengthening its excellent relationship with the Inter-American Development Bank ( IDB ).

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Christopher Sinckler, who is also Barbados’ Governor of the IDB Group (IDBG), recently met with four Directors of the IDBG Board at Government Headquarters.
Mr. Sinckler said during the courtesy call that he was “very pleased” to have the Directors visit because these types of engagements would give them “greater appreciation of what is happening on the ground”.  He opined that although Barbados continues to have an excellent relationship with the IDBG, “the country still has more development work to be done as it seeks to protect what was achieved over the last 50 years of Independence and build out new areas for further advancement in our economy and society”.
The visiting Directors were: the Executive Director for Croatia, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom, Toshiyuki Yasui; the Alternate Executive Director for Canada, Ian MacDonald; the Alternate Executive Director for Panama and Venezuela, Fernando de Leon; and the Alternate Executive Director for Brazil and Suriname, Frederico Jayme.
Alternate Executive Director in the Caribbean Constituency Office of the IDB, Cheryl Morris-Skeete of Barbados, said the two-day visit was intended to sensitise the Directors to Barbados and to the work which the IDB, in partnership with the Government and private sector, is undertaking through various projects and programmes.
“It was also intended to increase their awareness of some of the challenges experienced by small island developing states that are classified as upper middle income but are still grappling with development issues,” stated Mrs. Morris-Skeete, who  organised the visit.
The Group Directors also participated in both official and recreational activities, including meeting with Minister with responsibility for Energy and Telecommunications, Senator Darcy Boyce, and his team, and were updated on the status of the Energy projects funded by the IDB.
A courtesy call was also paid on President of the Caribbean Development Bank, (CDB), Dr. Warren Smith. He and his staff took the opportunity to update the Group Directors on the work done with the funding provided by the IDB to the CDB for on-lending to eligible members of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States, as well as the work being done to assist islands affected by the recent hurricanes. Two of the visiting Directors are from Brazil and Canada, and these countries are also members of the CDB.
The Directors also visited the local IDB Country Office, where they were welcomed by the Acting Representative and Chief of Operations, Francisco Urra, and staff. They were given an update on the Barbados development portfolio and other ongoing initiatives. They also visited a number of operations funded by the IDB, including the Board Walk at Hastings, which is being used as a model for many other countries.
More on Barbados

Belize on Caribbean Regional Youth Council – CRYC Executive

CRYC

NYCBThe National Youth Council of Belize (NYCB) announces the installation of Kristin Marin as the Vice Chair of Membership and Partnership on the executive of the Caribbean Regional Youth mCouncil (CRYC). Ms. Marin was nominated by the National Youth Council of Belize as a candidate to vie for the post and the nomination was accepted by the electoral board of CRYC by way of returning officer, Ms. Tamar Moss of the Bahamas. The elections were on the agenda as the second sitting of the General Assembly for the 5th Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit which took place at Runaway Bay, St. Ann in Jamaica where ten of the thirteen member states were present. The observers included secret ballot counters, the CRYC electoral board and the designate UN representative from UNDESA. This third round of elections for CRYC closed at 1:05am and it was announced that Belize came out victorious over Guyanese contender, Onika Stellinburg, with six of the ten votes.

Kristin Marin
Vice Chair of Membership and Partnership- Kristin Marin (Belize)

It is notable to mention that after a majority vote of none confidence for the position of Board member for Information and Communication elections for that post was reopened. Ms. Stellingburg was re-nominated by a sitting substantive member of the general assembly along with two other opponents and won that post with a majority vote.
The full executive is as follows:
Board member for training and development- Kimberly Gilbert (Trinidad and Tobago)
Board member for Information and Communication- Onika Stellingberg (Guyana)
Vice Chair of Resource and Mobilization- Marcus Ambrister (The Bahamas)
Vice Chair of Policy and Advocacy- Michelle Thomas (Jamaica)
Vice Chair of Membership and Partnership- Kristin Marin (Belize)
Chairperson-Shaquille Knowles (The Bahamas)
This is indeed a phenomenal feat for youth development and representation of Belize on a regional level as recognized by the returning officer at the installation ceremony and underscored by the fact that Belize is the newest member of the CRYC general assembly. Join us at the National Youth Council of Belize as we congratulate Ms. Marin and this truly national achievement!
NYCB Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NationalYouthCouncilBZ/
More on Belize

Prisnms: The Garth Concert successfully staged

Garth Concert

In a production marked by intrigue and quiet beauty, the third instalment of the Cultural Icon Series was staged at the National Cultural Centre on Monday 2nd October.  The inspirational project whose aim is to pay tribute to the visual artists, actors, dancers, writers, musicians and folk artists who wrote about, painted, composed and created a large part of the Saint Lucian identity, and share their histories, stories, experiences and work, commenced in 2015, honouring the work of Saint Lucia’s foremost composer, Honourable Charles Cadet, followed in 2016 with the celebration of the tremendous work of dance icon, Virginia Alexander.
Garth Concert
The near two (2) hour production, brought the creative talent of a number of artists with a background in dance, music, theatre and poetry to the fore when they interpreted the literary work of Garth St. Omer and performed to a small but appreciative audience.  Four-member band Protégé, Piper and Friends (including former Director of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band, Gregory Piper on clarinet), Ronald “Boo” Hinkson, Barbara Cadet, Luther Francois, Dianna Philip and Arthur Allain presented the work of Garth St. Omer on stage in superb splendour as their musical expositions reverberated throughout the auditorium.

Garth Concert
Chr Nat Bru

“Exile, Love and Return to Country”; interpretive dance inspired by St. Omer’s “Nor Any Country”, was performed by Roxanne Didier-Nicholas, Sadia Chandler, Ian Celestine, Natanni St. Omer and Leroyson Alexander, mirroring Garth’s work in an exploration of themes that speak directly to the Saint Lucian society while at the same time reaching out to a global audience.  In a mesmerizing performance, visiting duo Sade Bully (New York) and Momo Sanno (Romania) seemed to effortlessly weave conflict, independence, anguish, imprisonment and freedom into a phenomenal web of masterful choreography, inspired by the iconic writer’s prose.  The evening would have been incomplete without the soothing “floetry” of performance poet, Felicia Montoute with her inspired “Room on a Hill” presentation.
Garth Concert
Pip Fri

The 2017 tribute to the legendary Garth St. Omer, is being described by CDF officials as a success despite the low turnout this year.  The Cultural Development Foundation remains grateful to Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy; patron of the event, the Saint Lucia Events Company Inc., producer and Technical Director; Adrian Augier, the stage management, production management, lighting, sound, audio visual and digital imaging crews as well as ALL Biz, Wavemaker Photography and platinum sponsor FLOW for their support in ensuring that the third annual Cultural Icon Series was staged with a favourable outcome.

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