Digicel supports Razor Blades album launch
DIGICEL (Press Release) - Tuesday, April 29th, 2014 at 6:36 AM
PRESS RELEASE - Digicel BVI is pleased to announce their continued support of the Razor Blades fungi band as they launch their debut album at Fantasy Bar and Restaurant in Duff’s Bottom starting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, 30th April 2014.
The band was announced as Digicel brand ambassadors earlier this year and will receive support from Digicel at their much anticipated album launch.
“Digicel is passionate about encouraging grass roots initiatives and supporting local talent. What the young persons in the Razor Blades band are doing is dynamic, challenging and requires dedication. That is how we at Digicel describe extraordinary,” said Kevin Smith, Digicel BVI Commercial and Operations Manager.
The Razor Blades sound offers a modern twist on fungi music. Formed in 2009, the band is now ten members strong. All of the bands members contributed to the lyrics and sounds of the debut album entitled, Break ah Leg.
“The album speaks of many conversations and folk tales from the BVI and our village where the band originated, Sea Cow’s Bay,” commented Arron Parillon of the Razor Blades.
This album is a revival and celebration off fungi music and what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. The launch party will feature popular songs from the album such as; “Assphalt,” “Carry Me Back,” and even the diverse composition of “Love on a Mountain” that hits home with the classical souls.
“We look forward to working with Digicel to create a warm reception at the launch as the music has touched the hearts of many. We hope that our album will encourage other young persons to follow suit by creating more local bands that celebrate local sounds,” commented Parillon.
Digicel will be on location at the launch party in full effect, offering top up, giveaways as well a raffle to win a brand new Nokia Lumia 520 smart phone. “This will be a fun event in true Digicel style and we encourage everyone to come out and support our local talent and celebrate their achievement,” commented Smith.
DIGICEL (Press Release) - Tuesday, April 29th, 2014 at 6:36 AM
PRESS RELEASE - Digicel BVI is pleased to announce their continued support of the Razor Blades fungi band as they launch their debut album at Fantasy Bar and Restaurant in Duff’s Bottom starting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, 30th April 2014.
The band was announced as Digicel brand ambassadors earlier this year and will receive support from Digicel at their much anticipated album launch.
“Digicel is passionate about encouraging grass roots initiatives and supporting local talent. What the young persons in the Razor Blades band are doing is dynamic, challenging and requires dedication. That is how we at Digicel describe extraordinary,” said Kevin Smith, Digicel BVI Commercial and Operations Manager.
The Razor Blades sound offers a modern twist on fungi music. Formed in 2009, the band is now ten members strong. All of the bands members contributed to the lyrics and sounds of the debut album entitled, Break ah Leg.
“The album speaks of many conversations and folk tales from the BVI and our village where the band originated, Sea Cow’s Bay,” commented Arron Parillon of the Razor Blades.
This album is a revival and celebration off fungi music and what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. The launch party will feature popular songs from the album such as; “Assphalt,” “Carry Me Back,” and even the diverse composition of “Love on a Mountain” that hits home with the classical souls.
“We look forward to working with Digicel to create a warm reception at the launch as the music has touched the hearts of many. We hope that our album will encourage other young persons to follow suit by creating more local bands that celebrate local sounds,” commented Parillon.
Digicel will be on location at the launch party in full effect, offering top up, giveaways as well a raffle to win a brand new Nokia Lumia 520 smart phone. “This will be a fun event in true Digicel style and we encourage everyone to come out and support our local talent and celebrate their achievement,” commented Smith.
Gov't Making Attempts To Wow Investors For Beef Island Development
BVI Platinum News | 19 Opinions
Published: June 04, 2014 2:17 pm AST
Published: June 04, 2014 2:17 pm AST
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Photo Credit: File
Premier Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith during a recent press conference said the project is still on the table and it was promoted at a recent investment conference in Europe.
"As far as the Beef Island project is concerned, that again was promoted as one of our investment opportunities. We also identified, mentioned or spoke about Prospect Reef...and any other investment opportunity...We have had several people who particularly at our session…expressed interest," he told reporters.
Last year, Premier Smith reminded persons that the project started in 2004 and would have allowed for the hotel and gulf course along with other types of housing; however, the development was opposed for environmental reasons.
The Beef Island project was embroiled in a court battle, which ended when the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling, paving the way for the developers to proceed to build a luxury resort, golf course and marina on approximately 659 acres at Beef Island.
Virgin Islands Environmental Council (VIEC) contended that parts of the project, especially the golf course plan, would disrupt the eco system of Hans Creek, which they contended is a protected area under the laws of the Virgin Islands.
VIEC proceeded to sue the developer, Quorum and the BVI Government.
The Court of Appeal found that Hans Creek was not validly declared to be a protected area and by extension, the decision of the Minister to approve the group´s proposed development of the BVI project granted to Quorum in January 2007, was not illegal.
Prior to taking office, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering stated that the tourism industry of the BVI will not move forward if the proposed project is not implemented.
"I know I will receive a lot of flak for this, but we the BVI, our tourism industry, the future of our tourism, cannot go ahead without the Beef Island development. I will take my licks, even if it costs me an election, but we cannot move forward with our tourism product without development in Beef Island. The BVI needs a five star hotel, we need mega yacht facilities, we need a golf course," Dr. Pickering strongly expressed.
Mass tourism not the best option, says investor
Horace Mills, BVI News Online - Thursday, June 5th, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Group Managing Director of I Am Jet Centre Paul Worrell (left) speaks with Premier and Minister of Tourism Dr. D. Orlando Smith
Having relatively large numbers of tourists repeatedly descending on the territory’s shores all at once, a phenomenon usually referred to as mass tourism, is not the best option for the British Virgin Islands, according to group managing director of I Am Jet Centre Paul Worrell.
The jet centre boss, who last month officially launched operations in the territory, said he thinks a focus on premium tourists is not only the best choice for his business, but also for the BVI economy.
He drew reference to Barbados where I Am Jet Centre is based, adding that a position has been taken in that Caribbean country not to go after mass tourism.
“I see a parallel where a strategic decision in Barbados has been taken for some time now where – as a country – we don’t look towards mass tourism, but rather tourism growth that is sustainable given the pristine environment that we have, and also the resort and hotel stock that we have,” said Worrell.
“A focus on premium tourist in general; that can have a bigger economic multiplier effect in the country rather than mass tourism where all of a sudden you might be looking for 300/400/500 room hotel popping up all over the place. I don’t know that that is sustainable here, and that type of tourism is not really what business aviation is all about.”
Responding to journalists during the launch of I am Jet Centre at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport, Worrell also stated that the BVI can capitalize significantly on what he described as the territory’s two areas of specialty – marine tourism and financial services.
“Our focus and our clients focus and interest [is] on the finical services sector, business-wise; and the fabulous world-class marine tourism, including the land resorts on the different islands and the marina operations for the super yacht; that’s where the BVI specializes,” he said.
In the meantime, speaking recently with the TravelPulse magazine, BVI Director of Tourism Sharon Flax-Mars expressed the view that the British Virgin Islands is not a “mass-market destination,” adding that there are other things that are a lot more meaningful than mass numbers.
“We have a very strong repeat factor in the BVI, and a lot of personal recommendations. I think that is a lot more meaningful than mass tourism numbers,” Flax-Mars is reported to have told TravelPulse magazine.
Talks about mass tourism come as the National Democratic Party administration presses ahead with major capital projects that it said will eventually attract larger numbers of tourists and also boost the local economy.
As part of that effort, for example, the government in January signed a 15-year berthing agreement with Disney Cruise Lines (DCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
The agreement guarantees a total of 350,000 passengers from NCL and 75,000 passengers from DLC per annum, beginning mid-2015. The cruise liners will be charged $15 per passenger for the first five years.
Copyright 2014 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
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Sent from Mailbox
Sent from Mailbox
lets see that cost us $10,000 for maybe 4 minutes with one going up every now and then,,,,,, now this one below-London- went on for 15 minutes with a zillion every minute, how much do you think this one show cost ? Amazing eh !!
Razor Blades carrying Digicel’s tag
Kevin C. Smith aka OJ, Commercial and Operations Manager of Digicel VI, right, was on spot to make the presentation to the Razor Blades Band members. Photo: Provided
Lead singer Mr Kayron N. Todman told this news site that they have been knocking on the doors of several businesses, both large and small, for sponsorship and was very elated at the response they received from Digicel. Photo: VINO
Digicel says they recognize and celebrate that extraordinary that is all around, and music has the extraordinary talent of bringing people together. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Razor Blades fungi band are Digicel’s newest brand ambassadors as the telecommunications company is supporting the band with their album launch this April as well as other activities during the year.
This is a forward stride for the band’s hard work over its five year of existence as they, a group of young men, strive to keep the VI culture alive through its Fungi Music. Their first step towards this effort was their putting together a nine song album titled ‘break ah leg’ which they intend to release later this month.
Razor Blades’ lead singer Mr Kayron N. Todman told this news site that they have been knocking on the doors of several businesses, both large and small, for sponsorship and was very elated at the response they received from Digicel.
“Much of the younger generation in the BVI tends to view fungi music as the elderly style of music, but it is the essence of BVI culture, the mixture of African and European sounds blending together to tell a story,” said Kevin C. Smith aka OJ, Commercial and Operations Manager of Digicel VI. He went on to say, “It’s refreshing to see the Razor Blades make Fungi music more appealing to younger generations, and Digicel is extremely proud to be able to work with the Razor Blades and celebrate the growth of Fungi music in the BVI.”
The Razor Blades Fungi band has been together since 2009 and is now 11 members strong. They are due to release their first album, which is yet to be named, later this month. “We’re excited to be working with Digicel as their brand ambassadors. Digicel is a community minded organization and so are the Razor Blades, now the two will be working together,” commented Kayron N. Todman.
Fungi music is the national music of the Virgin Islands and is filled with oral history and social commentary. The Razor Blades are adding a young and vibrant sound to Fungi music and yet they still have time to be involved in community projects. When they are not preforming at major festivals and events in the BVI the band enjoy giving back to schools and assisting students with disabilities. The fresh, friendly and engaging members of the Razor Blades fit perfectly with the Digicel image, the company stated.
“Digicel recognizes and celebrates [the] extraordinary that is all around us, and music has the extraordinary talent of bringing people together,” commented Smith
12 Comments
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It’s a no brainer.
Mass tourism destroys the environment that attracts all visitors. We can just about claim to have a beautiful environment still, despite the efforts of successive governments to destroy it. So yes, we do better to aim for fewer very wealthy tourists than keep encouraging more mass tourists to come trample our environment until it dead.
Some few people might make money from the mass tourism sector (yes, Romney, that’s you) but it is bad for us overall.
Anyhow, we BVIslanders don’t care. We just want everything we can get. Right away.
Careful.
As far as I see, the more tourist, the likely we are to make the money as the wealth is more broadly distributed
Financial services crashing so you all better pray the tourists keep coming in large numbers. We DO NOT have a 3rd pillar. Time some of us wake up and understand what is going on in our coutry. You all dont want tourists, you dont want investments..how the hell is the government going to sustain us? On what? struppsss man
Like the Hon. Picko said it is about management. The Diffrence between the BVI and a place like Barbados is that Barbados is a country with a plan for the benefit of its people and where policy is enforced. Barbadians would never sit down and accept the corrupt BS that goes down here.
Did you read the recent news about Barbados? I beg you hard hush you hear?
omg i was preaching this for years. dem damn politician in it for the tourists and rich and not them own people.
I agree with this. If you think about it you need to look at both the smaller and the larger picture. Looking at our immediate surroundings, we have the USVI and the PR, with huge mass tourist industries. If the British Virgin Island went down the path of premium tourists industry the BVI would stick out from the Lesser Antilles. This would also bring higher growth to small and medium businesses as the government stated they wanted to do (http://bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=1401728121)as in this link.
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Why are you blaming NDP, VIP has done a great job bringing in Cruise ship before NDP. Cruise ships will never stop as long as Taxi drivers are Voters and demand the cruise ships being brought in. So all parties will never listen.
More cruise ships = mass tourism
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Mass Tourism = Low Revenue = loss of High Revenue