The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Caribbean Muzik Festival committee is taking legal action in the United States against two Florida-based suppliers for allegedly defaulting on undertakings to supply stage and sound equipment, ultimately forcing the postponement of the final two nights of the event.

A statement from Caribbean Muzik Festival (CMF) said the committee has already issued “pre-litigation demand letters” to Big Star Stages (BSS) Inc and Off-The-Wall Sound (OTW) Co Inc, demanding the return of funds for allegedly reneging on their contractual obligations with CMF. The committee has retained entertainment law firm ChaseLawyers as its legal representative, the statement said.

According to the statement, CMF is contending that BSS and OTW, headed by John C Clark and Blair Simmons respectively, both failed to supply CMF with “vital (performance) equipment” just days before the event was scheduled to take place.

CMF claimed that the late action by both suppliers forced an “urgent search” to locate and secure replacement equipment, which allowed insufficient time to get the equipment to New Providence and have it installed in time to conduct sound checks and rehearsals before show time.

Yesterday, CMF’s spokesperson Alfred Sears said the “unprincipled, eleventh-hour action by these two parties, who failed to deliver on commitments to provide vital equipment for our event, made it impossible to meet the final production and rehearsal deadlines that are necessary in the staging of a quality event”.

“Big Star Stages, Inc, having received payment well in advance, and having committed to provide the necessary performance stage for our event, reneged on that commitment with mere days notice,” Mr Sears said. “This made it impossible to locate, ship and construct a replacement in time, forcing the postponement of the final two days of the festival.

“The Islands of the Bahamas have come to expect a high level of professionalism from the Caribbean Muzik Festival and the actions of Mr John Clark and Mr Blair Simmons of Off-The-Wall Sound Co Inc have interfered with our delivery of a spectacular event.”

He added: “The action by these suppliers caused disappointment for thousands of music lovers and the many well-established musical artists who were poised to deliver a memorable show. However, I can assure all concerned that the show will go on and it will do so sooner rather than later.”

Barry Chase, senior partner of ChaseLawyers, said while both suppliers allegedly left his client “high and dry”, he has confidence that the matter would be settled in his client’s favour without the need for further legal actions aside from the pre-litigation letters.

“This is the kind of unprofessional behaviour that has chronically harmed the reputation of the Florida production community,” Mr Chase said. “It is outrageous for companies in the business of providing live performance equipment to leave a producer high and dry at the eleventh hour. We will press CMF’s demands to the fullest.”

The four-day festival was postponed two weeks ago after two nights of activity. It was scheduled to take place from October 28 to October 31.

According to officials, an early date in December is under discussion and a specific date will be announced, once arrangements with suppliers, vendors and artists have been concluded and coordinated.

CMF is produced and promoted by Caribbean Republic Inc.

Although the Bahamas government is not responsible for the event, the Ministry of Tourism is one of its major sponsors, having invested more than $600,000 into the festival.

The Caribbean Muzik Festival was a part of the government’s efforts to fill the Bahamian calendar with musical and sporting events that would promote culture, encourage commerce and put a spotlight on the country’s tourism products year round.