Great Bay:--- The String Band Music Foundation, and AVS News presented outgoing Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell with the first copy of the "Kais-o-rama 1" DVD, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Minister's office.Marvin Dollison (aka, "King Stunky'), made the presentation on behalf of the two organizations. "I wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to you and your Ministry for the support you have extended to us for the pre-St. Martin Day Day cultural event, "Kais-o-rama 1". This DVD is a compilation of all that took place during the event," he said.
Dollison further gave a brief report of Kais-o-rama 1, calling it a relative success, in spite of the blackout of NV GEBE on that night which led to the loss of Internet feed, as the event was being streamed live via Internet, as well as the late start that turned some patrons away.
On the bright side, however, Dollison said the live broadcast on the Internet resulted in large exposure which has inspired the Foundation to host another 'Kais-o-rama" this year. The objective of the event is to attract visitors to the island one day before St. Martin Day, thus creating business opportunities for hotels, car rentals, restaurants and stores.
"We really appreciate your support, because kaiso is an art form that is not recognized in our community as such. Politicians only remember calypsonians at election time when they want them to sing for them," Dollison told Minister Arrindell, who he said, was caught on tape dancing during the event.
The Minister thanked him for the gesture, and asked him to convey her gratitude to String Band Music Foundation and AVS News. She said she believed in the event and its organizers, and recalled how she grew up listening to calypsonians such as Swallow, Short Shirt, and others. She assured him that she would enjoy watching the DVD over and over again.
Minister Arrindell expressed the hope that "Kais-o-rama" would indeed become a permanent feature of St. Martin Day celebrations, regardless of which part of the island the celebrations are held.
