There will be no international artistes at this year’s Digicel Cohobblopot on August 1 at the Kensington Oval.In a Press conference yesterday at The Oval, Festivals Coordinator David Jordan revealed that ˆthis year’s theme Bajan Forever, would incorporate a 100 per cent Bajan line-up.He explained that the choosing of an all Bajan cast was the culmination of a three-year development programme that was first instituted when they had included international artistes. Three years ago Machel Montana performed as one of the headline acts.“Bajan Forever seeks to take a look at things Bajan, the way we eat, the way we look, how we talk, our appearance and how we wuk-up,” Jordan said. Jordan told media personnel and some of the local artistes attending the Press conference that over the three years, they had been simultaneously looking at developing the local artiste, and now the National Cultural Foundation was satisfied that the local programme had begun to mature.As part of the development programme he said, artistes were given a production allowance to help the production elements of their show. In dispelling rumours that over the years international artistes had been given preferred treatment and “more money to perform”, he said the production allowance was never given to any international artistes.Jordan also used the opportunity to announce that this would be his last year as Festivals Coordinator, and noted if he did return, it would be as a consultant.Head of Sales and Marketing at Digicel, Alex Tasker, said once again that Digicel’s sponsorship was a way of giving back. He said “The Bigger Better Network” always saw themselves as part of the social landscape and expressed their continued support for the Crop-Over Festival. It is their sixth year of sponsorship.This year’s line-up comprises krosfyah, Soca Kartel, featuring Blood and Mikey, Gorg, Peter Ram, Natahlee, TC, Mr Dale, Red Plastic Bag and Li’l Rick, and the new generation sound which consists of Hyper Kids, Red Man and Queen T.Blood, speaking on behalf of Soca Kartel, said the duo intended to give a very exciting and high energy performance. Reigning Party Monarch and Sweet Soca Queen TC, said she was recovering from the flu, but would ask God to “carry her through” the Soca Royale competition at Bushy Park. (CT)
