This year’s Band Clash and Band-O-Rama competitions have been moved from Friday to Saturday night, bringing an end to a dispute over Anguilla Summer Festival scheduling.
In February, the Anguilla Coalition of Soca Bands formally expressed “deep dissatisfaction and growing frustration” with the organising committee after it announced the date of the events.
They argued that a Friday staging is detrimental to both bands and attendees, and Saturday has historically been the most commercially viable night.
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In a strongly worded letter, the coalition asked for an urgent meeting to be convened and the date reconsidered, so as not to jeopardise member bands’ participation.
At the official launch of the Anguilla Summer Festival on 16 March, committee chair Fitzroy ‘Briggy’ Tomlinson gave an update on the situation.
He began by stressing that the committee “has the right and will continue to have the right to restructure the schedule as we see fit”, before explaining that discussions had taken place.
Tomlinson said that “we see it one way and some of the band members… they spoke with one voice that they did not like what was proposed”.
He added: “We thought and we still think that we were on the right track to what we want to do, however, a number things put place since then and the issue is resolved.
“I consider it a null and void issue at this point in time, because it’s done.”
Tomlinson said it is now up to those involved to present “a product worthy of attracting the participation and the energy that we need” to ensure the events regain “that status that it has lost”.
The Anguilla Summer Festival returns this year from 10 July to 9 August, bringing a full month of events, performances and celebrations across the island.
The festival offers a diverse line-up of events that highlight Anguilla’s culture and community spirit including boat races, parades, pageants and live music.
Band Clash and Band-O-Rama, a musical showcase of Anguilla’s top soca bands, will be held at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre from 8pm on Saturday, 1 August.
See the full festival schedule here.
