A free event is being planned for patrons of the 12th annual King of Kings Calypso Extravaganza, who were short changed when United States of America (USA) law enforcement officials abruptly halted the event on Saturday 22nd August 2015.
The show was held at the Tropical Paradise Ballroom in Brooklyn, New York, in the memory of the legendary, Hayden “Lord Tokyo” Desiree.
One of the Chief Organizers of the event, Anna-Maria Clarke of E-Dominica Events said on privately-owned Q95 on Monday that a concert is in the planning phase to compensate patrons for their loss.
“I know a lot of people have been calling and putting up Facebook messages and asking for their monies back but at the end of the day my expenses still stand, I still have to pay the band, I still have to pay the artistes which are getting paid whether they perform or not. The expenses are still here,” she explained. “What I plan to do for the fans, I’m hoping to have a free event, hopefully next week Wednesday … Labour Day for all the patrons who were unable to come in to see their favorite calypsonian perform…”
Clarke said priority will be given to persons who have tickets.
“So I am asking also for the persons that came from out of town that are not able to come to the event on Wednesday to call me so I can make a different arrangement with them,” she said.
Meantime she sought to explain what happened on Saturday night.
According to her, the venue is divided into two sections situated parallel to each other and it is a norm that the other side is opened up to accommodate the numbers that exceed the capacity of the main stage area where the extravaganza was being held.
On Saturday night, the other section was being utilized but it was scheduled to end at 11:00 pm.
“I know normally Dominicans flock into the place about 12:00 am to 1:00 am so I figured by that time they would have opened up the place and then we would have had enough space to accommodate everybody,” she stated.
But apparently, things did not go as planned and the organizers of the other event paid to extend their time to 4:00 am and as a result, the extended area was off limits to them.
“So we were unable to open up the place, so a lot of people were outside trying to get in and a lot of people that were in started feeling hot because the place was crowded and they went outside,” she continued.
Clarke claimed that on “many occasions” she went outside in her attempt to bring the patrons indoors and even the Security Officer tried since they needed to clear the outside.
“Then I don’t know what happened, I was inside and then the police came and asked to end the jam and asked everybody to leave,” Clarke said. “At the end of it all they asked to speak to me, I had a conversation with the police and they told me they received a call stating that there was chaos at the Tropical Paradise Ballroom and they came and decided to shut it down.”
Performances were planned from Calypso King of Dominica, King Karessah, Hunter, Dice, Daddy Chess, Rabbit, Shakey, Tronada, The Bobb, Sye, 2015 Port King Mighty Pig Tail, 2015 Road March King, Lugaz and Young Bull, Queen Tasha P, King Scrunter, King Ency and Sheldon “De Professor” Alfred. Asa Bantan was also expected to perform.
But the majority of the acts did not take place.
“It’s of no fault of the organizers … all I can do is apologize,” Clarke insisted.
Thats ot Morderating? We stuck, maybe to move on. In the land of the blind, the one eye is a giant. D.N. O. think of these things.
If you still have a ticket for this show and want a refund contact Nina Pineda at 7 on your side
[email protected]
If she hears many voices then she’ll help our plight. Everyone works hard for their $$$$ and my $40 will not be going in A. Clark’s pocket. She needs to hurry and find a way to refund people for a service that was not rendered, instead of pacifying Dominicans with the potential for a free event.
On another note I want to thank all the calypsonians for coming to NY to perform for us. I hope next time you will have a worthy promoter who treat you all like the Kings and Queen that we have grown to appreciate.
Please ease up on the lady. She made a mistake and she is paying a terrible price. I don’t think we need pile it on anymore.
Ann Marie next time if you survived this you need to seek advise from people who know what they are doing. You messed up big time and you are also big enough to sincerely apologize before the world. This embarrassment must hurt Ann Marie big time and I can only imagine. I am sure sje will come back stronger and better- Good luck with your future endeavors Madam.
give the people back their money you are a plain liar and a thief you know dam well you did not have the other side of the venue and you printed 1500 hundred ticket for a venue that only hold 400. the police should have arrested you
What a statement. “It’s of no fault of the organizers … all I can do is apologize,” Clarke insisted.
That is what pisses me off most about our people. When something goes wrong they first look to blame someone else. The first thing you hear is “who’s fault is that?” as if that solves the problem. No, it does not! Stop running away from responsibility, learn and improve, otherwise we going nowhere.
Now I finish laugh, I can talk. ‘It is no fault of the organizers’. Miss Clarke, whose fault is it? Let me wake you up a little. It IS the fault of the organizers!! You are putting on a show; a venue you have used before; this time you have more artists; the show has been well publicized; your tickets were sold out; as usual the greed took over and cash was accepted at the gate!! Now, how about you anticipated that the other part would be available? Lady, it was not available!! You cannot depend on something that was not sure! You were hoping the people left! Now you want to blame them for extending their time! Wake up!! The fact is that you oversold the show, patrons were unhappy as they should be, they complained, called the cops and the show got shut down. We do not care about your expenses. You would not have cared if you made a profit. You were willing to collect all monies you can. It did not work, just REFUND people!!
I went to this show on Saturday…if you can call it that. I arrived about midnight, and like many Dominicans I had been playing my calypso tunes all week, preparing for all the Kings and Queen. Like many of the comments I read I was also so very disappointed in the way the night ended. If there was a fire at this location I would have perished. I could hardly move through the crowd. The promoter of this event need not seek to do this next year and I feel that if her name is associated with this event in any way then we should not attend. Sometimes you don’t get another try when you fail to put the lives of others first. This wasn’t a little error. I consider it to be gross negligence on your part A.C. There are so many rental locations in NYC. I feel that had she taken the time to do some research and tallying all this could have been avoided. Let’s compare it to a wedding, can you imagine how devastated this bride and groom would be. I can imagine you must not be sleeping very…
I think the organizers underestimated or have forgotten Dominican’s love for the calypso art form. Historically, calypso shows draw the largest audiences. We love calypso. We will travel hundreds of miles, stand for hours in rain for calypso. We live for calypso, we may even die for calypso.
This show was widely advertised: so many kings to perform, and all in honor of another well loved king. Of course, Dominicans are going to show up in large numbers. Why shouldn’t we? We love calypso.
Here are some recommendations for the organizers:
– Consider a larger venue: maybe even a park or a stadium, for that matter, to remind us of our Windsor Park Stadium.
– Verify the capacity of the location.
– Sell only the number of tickets for allowable space: if the location’s capacity is 1200, then only sell 1200 tickets. Remember that there will be performers and other staff to be accommodated.
– Have contractual agreements; do not leave anything to chance or word of mouth.
We love…
If it was DA them BLUES WOULD say is Skerrit that send the Police to stop the jam.
Hello and good afternoon my people. First I must say that I was Infront of the location and I still have three tickets I purchased from the lady with the short pants and shades at forty dollars each. There were a number of problems that I observed, First, The heavy set black female security guard was very disrespectful to our people in that she kept on using obscene language at some people, Second, The owner of Tropical Paradise has a history of not providing adequate air conditioning for patrons therefore this caused the security guards to tell people if they go outside then they can’t come back inside. Now I attended the all white event that was held at the smaller part of Tropical Paradise Ballroom which Was scheduled to start at 4 pm but it started at seven therefore it was extended until 4am. I don’t believed the explanation Ms Clarke gave because if she had paid the fee the owner couldn’t have extend the all white event. When and where is the make up event. Am disappointed.
It’s of no fault of the organizers … all I can do is apologize,” Clarke insisted” whose Ann-Marie?
You miscalculated in your scheme of things & as the Nigerian writer said in his book( things fall apart )and they sure did big time. So the profit you anticipated did not pan out instead U have a crisis on your hand and it’s not only perception of U but a financial burden.
You will certainly be in the Very REDS can the Clinic help? Not now China’s economic growth slowed down and the Stock market crashing 2 weeks a go and this last two days does not look well for cash flow from Medard et Al’s new friends Can they help you with Passport sales funds??? one never know.
You can strike a deal and use the e-bziness to campaign 4 them in 2018.
Only chance. Is float or sink or stink
And another thing, they could have said we can have 2
Shows one in new York and one in jersey I do not know why Dominicans in jersey going to new York they have not realize they don’t consider Dominicans in jersey dominican
I have never, ever seen so many Doms-in-a-can on a sidewalk in new York City at two o’clock in the morning but I have observed how quick our folks always claim to be something they are not. We have fouler-uppers in disguise as organizers.
How important it is securing the venue for an event in advance of such?
As I look at the picture of the police presence, (occupation) aside from the safety issue I think ‘disrespect’ was also in the house. The patrons earned that disrespect through the organizers. The organizers blatantly disregarded the New York City laws of occupancy, creating chaotic atmosphere and using as an excuse, the patrons of the event next door.
On a legal note, this is a form of chicanery (inducement) a and a lawsuit is an appropriate action by holders of tickets with E-dominica as a party. How else can we learn? on second thought, the answer to this question is yet another question. What do birds of a feather do best?
One thing I have to say.”greed” That’s why I don’t live jersey and go to nothing Dominicans have in new york.
My wife and I used to go to New York every year for Labor Day. But every time we went to a dance it was the same story – lousy venue, the place was as hot as hell. One year the hall was right next to a place where they parked garbage trucks. The entrance to the hall stunk like a sewer.
People kept complaining every year, but they kept going the these dances.
Then we said that was pure nonsense and we stopped going. I have not been to New York for Labor Day in about 15 years. I just could not put up with that foolishness anymore.
“Clarke said priority will be given to persons who have tickets.”
So what about those who were already inside and got only part of the show? What kind of half-assed attempt to “fix” things is that.
This is not the first year that the heat is an issue at the Tropical Ballroom. In the past, you have had the other section and the very same situation happened. You need to consider getting another location to accommodate the number of people or else stop selling tickets when you have reached the maximum capacity that the location will allow. You are a very poor organizer. This is not the first year of this event and situations like this can be avoided. Your apology is senseless. In closing, although I may not know the cost, I recommend that you look into locations like Amazura which is a much larger venue.
1. The organizer of this event was wrong for not booking the both sections of the hall to ensure that she accommodated all the patrons for whom tickets were sold. It was better to have more space than less and cause patrons to lose out because of bad planning and poor foresight. You in business, business is risk taking.
2. This is poor planning and she should be held liable to refund the patrons for not giving them what they paid for. They have a right to demand a refund of their money… she should be aware that she should have liability and business insurance to cover her losses in such an situation.
3. She lives in the USA and knows the laws when it comes to a. public gathering, b. overcrowding, c. noise, especially at night, d, public safety
When will organizers of events learn to do things professionally, especially our Dominican Event Planners… when???
Gypsy you wrong, you sign a false declaration, them kinda evil things that you do killing the name of the nation to.
Preparation is everything,apologizing after is nothing..
Your pompous attitude has shown little respect for the patrons, you should have admitted that you made a mistake, you would have been given more sympathy than trying to Blame someone else for your mistake, typical Dominican attitude, it’s not me is them,,,
I would believe you will learn a hard lesson for next time… Good luck
Me That Dominica is Freedom and Heaven on Earth’ You are so ignorant……..
! direction is taking a hiatus. heard they are going to do some space travels at lest one of them is.
Is Ann-Marie taking a hiatus too? from organizing? certainly there will be a tremendous boycott if she continues to be jefa/chief cacique,cheff de la organicion de la activite’
Ann go in one direction out. seek asylum in NY. Cannot walk the streets of Roseau no nore won’t have peace.U know how our people are.Fingers will be pointed at U everytime U show up in public,every step you take every comment U make they’ll be pointingat U with the usual creole term used when cash is involved. Rememeber the non-payment of transfer fees by a certain new kid on the political block?
Remember the bins sold above price purchased in the misty woods of PA?
I visualize their disappointment. She should not have sold more tickets than the area could accommodate. It is also illegal to do so. If more people showed up later and the other section was available then, this would be OK.
To presume that it would be available at a certain time was presumptuous. She should have ensured the other section was available prior to planning this extravaganza. She probably did not want to pay for it in advance in case insufficient tickets were sold.
A crowd outside of an entertainment building and especially at that hour would be grounds for concern that anything could happen. This is why the police asked everyone to leave. This was done for safety reasons.
Not everyone will be satisfied with the new arrangement of Wednesday night. Many have to work that day and the following day. This would pose anxiety and not be fun for them, knowing they have to work on the Thursday. Friday or Saturday evening would be more appropriate.
The cost for Friday and Saturday evenings is more expensive than Wednesday evening which is why she probably chose that evening..
What kind of coco macaque is day! You claim to be such a heavyweight organizer yet hear your excuse, Damn girl! Is it news to you that in New York and all around America there is a restriction on the number of people who can occupy a location? It’s called OCCUPANCY LIMIT. All your nonsensical excuse is null and void. It is your responsibility to meet your expenses. The occupancy limit was 450, why would you sell1000 + tickets? You are not making up for that…….your reputation, well it’s in the sewers….REFUND, REUND.
ANNA CLARK WRONG IS WRONG, YOU WRONG…I WANT MY MONEY BACK
When things not working for them don’t say alas.First ask what have they done or been doing.Words of chubby
So Ms Clarke you said you were trying to bring folks in . AN elderlly lady came outside a stated that she had to go outside because she felt that she would have gotten a heat stroke. How did you think all these bodies could fit in such small space, when you learnt that you no longer had the whole venue. Jesus. …this is crazy
On a Wednesday. Ms Clarke refund people there money. What about Friday night.
I WILL SUE, I WANT MY DOLLARS BACK>>>>You will learn your lesson… SAFETY FIRST..
Ms Clarke in the U.S.A money talk. This was your wrong doing. Any police officer that passed by and saw such large crowd inside and outside would have called the fire marshall. Say thank God no incedent took place because noth you and the owner would be held accountable for people’s lives.
People’s safety first so no blame goes to NYC Police and/or Fire Department personnel for shutting down show. Dominica shows held at Somerset Hall in northeast Bronx were enjoyable yet not crowded due to minimal promotions. The Hall is near five major roadways and MTA transport; has adequate ventilation, high ceilings, plenty of standing or sitting areas. The organizers are at fault for overbooking K of K show knowing it was going to be well-attended.
bronxgrl
It would appear, Matt smelt a rat, therefore, he decided to stay home. Miss Clark must explain the reasons why is it alleged she printed 1500 tickets and up to the night of the show she was still selling ticket, when she knew the ball room could only accommodate approximately 430 persons. According to a patron, she knew what she was going. She was hoping because Dominicans have a reputation of always enjoying themselves on the outside instead of the inside, she thought by renting a small place to save money and make a big profit, she could get away with it. Little did she know, the cops had a different plan.
pure gabage!!!!
Not pure garbage total garbage he said I his supposedly one word response. remember him? How could this guy become Comish in place of forbes
To the organizers: This show is long overdue to be held in Dominica – we need every one of the calypso kings mentioned above, including Robin, the calypsonian who sang “Pointe Michel girls” – Livingstone Cassell, we need a tribute to be paid to the mighty Spider who had some tremendous hits in his days. This King of Kings Calypso show should be promoted sufficiently for either the carnival or independence celebrations, so that many Dominicans residing overseas can also make plans to return home during this time.
This is a show many, many Dominican will appreciate. Please bring this show home. This would be a massive celebration of our calypsonians. This is a show where we just will not get enough…. we love our art of calypso. Real calypso. Good memories.
Then it will be under the auspicies of the WCMF hence Ann-marie finir-bat lol!
That show would be well patronized around the festival time in DA when patrons comes to visit, u know we don’t stop jam back home. Ann Marie next yr. creole festival we on in Dominica but to tell u the truth I’m done with that kings of kings in new York, too much Malay.
That woman is not going to get rich off of this.. She explained herself, everyone has to still get paid,
Perform or not.. geeez what’s wrong with u people.
What is wrong with “that woman” jeff? Chupes
That is not my business… I paid for entertainment and I have not gotten it. REFUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Being greedy only works for a while. The place was meant to accommodate 400 people but there were at least 1000 people. And, here u come talking gibberish. Multiply 1000 x40. Money money money burning ally eyes eh
What’s wrong with u people? Eh bien belle beff por jeff!!
The quintessential fact is that she knowingly sold far more tickets that the venue could accommodate – with the assumptions that 1. Dominicans always show up late for a jam; and 2. The adjoining space will be available without confirming. Not one comment gives the impressions that Ms. Clark was looking to get rich off this. On the contrary, they all point to her poor planning. Lesson learned: you can’t host such a event on assumptions!
ofcourse its the fault of the organizers.. you should take the blame, so who is to be blamed???.. circumstances happen but at the end of it is we that normally start things bad and expect it to end good. you should really followup with the other section in advance to find out what was happening seein that you are the cheif organizers.. all you can do is apologize huh?????. then refund the people their monies or else that is theft.
How amateurish and what a joke! Can’t organise “a piss-up in a brewery”!
It’s beyond belief and one’s imagination to accept that you are organising an event of such magnitude and notoriety to bank on a compromisation – expecting a parallel / annexed event to free-up space for you to meet expected capacity. This is a Health & Safety calamity and damaging for D/ca’s image, as well as the excellent list of D/can calypsonians’.
Do you think if this arrangement was known to the Calypsonians that they would have committed to playing? It just seems a highly calculated risk gone very, very wrong with little thought gone into the repercussions – particularly D/ca’s image and that of the Calypsonians.
If that happened in DA…..PM would get licks at am…..I keep watching
When I purchased my 2 tickets for $100 after driving over 160 miles, the organizers apparently knew the place was filled and still sold the tickets. Then I had to stand in line to get in and was not able to see anything. The fact is Ms Clarke did not secure the other side. How could she just expect the place to be available? That was no contingency plan. I want my money back! I am not driving back to ny for a substandard show- some performers have already left plus Wednesday is a week day. Talking about expenses, Anne Maria you budgeted paying your expenses based on much less people, and you want to say now you have your expenses? Give me a break!!
You should say you have your big profit. I should not pay for your faulty plan.
I feel your pain my dear. I was there. I know you had the best intention. The crowd was unusually large this year compared to other years. If there is a makeup jam, I will take it! Or next year take out $10 on the price and get a bigger venue regardless my girl!! You will rise above this.
Boy, that is a cock up of mighty proportions. The organizer mus take the blame because she obviously had not contractual obligations from the venue owners to make the extra space available to her she was counting on. New York is not Dominica and she knows that, yet we take chances as if we are back home. Time to grow up and be professional in all aspects. I am sorry for those who paid good money for a good night’s (…or early morning’s) entertainment). That would make an interesting case for Judge Judy.
Been there, all the other years, this was an accident waiting b to happen, all I will say on the matter. You can fool some people some time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time!!. The unfortunate, thing there’s far reaching implications. Namely, in my case I say fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on you. I’m not hating, cause I’ve been supporting this show from its inception. In light of the I say, ” never again.
Oh see, it appears you back to picking and choosing allegedly? they cant take the heat. Only in D?A. Who is running this show???
“It’s no fault of the organisers” That is sad. You should not have sold more tickets than the hall’s capacity. You were expecting that large crowd, hence, you should have booked the extension of the place from midnight, not hope and pray that it will be available. Who are you blaming then? The crowd? The police?
The organizers are the only ones to blame!
opportunism backfired!
Hello and good afternoon my people. I counted six people selling tickets outside and they could clearly see it was overcrowded inside.
“It’s of no fault of the organizers … all I can do is apologize,” Clarke insisted
Are you freaking kidding me? How can you “plan” on using the other hall if you had not reserved it in advance?
Anna-Maria doh try dat. I organize events and there is no way I would have done something like that. Unless I have a guarantee, I make no assumptions, because I know of something can go wrong, chances are it will. And you when you have an event of that size and type, you have to ensure all your T’s are crossed and your I’s dotted.
In cases like this, I deal with contracts and I make sure everything we agreed to is on the contract.
I am surprised that someone who has such a long experience in event organizing is so callous. Despite what you said about your expenses, I would want my money back. You messed up and you expect your patrons to pay for your screw-up.
Ann Clarke needs to learn organizing 101 .One cannot hpe thing to happen by chance- the opposite side being vacant by 11: 00 when ur peeps are always late.
The people decided to extend their time. Ms Clarke shoulh have clarked that possibility in her negotiations.
Well Marie, take ur blows ur profit for e-bziness got busted this time. cannot do ur planned late summer sales shopping this year. Waddicks sorry boy!
Things fall apart Ms Clark.
Next August will increase the skeptics.
Was not affected bc I gave up years ago that my country folk are lousey at organizing and the participants we D/cans are nut cases. However this time around the organizers are to be blamed.
Lookat Ann-marie’s comments I guess it was a typo;: But apparently, things did not go as planned and the organizers of the other event paid to extend their time to 4:00 am and as a result, the extended area was off limits to them. —wasthat suppose to be us? Ann-marie you are at fault.You cannot expect people adjacent to vacate at 11:00 am then you say D/can usually come in about 12;00 that was playing close and hoping in business is a no,no one has to be exacta and not speculate in matters of evecuatio and time.You ought to have calculate the closeness long in advance and get a positive on the time people cannot be expected to wait on a place to be evacuate then U find out they are extending.You should have had it down pack.A reflection of ur sloppiness this extends to other areas of life.
“No fault of the organizers?” Really! I would beg to differ. The organizers failed. From reading this story, it sounds to me that the organizers did not plan accordingly. If the overflow was reserved and planned for after 11:00 pm, then the extension for the other event would not have been possible as the overflow would have already been reserved from 11:00 pm on. It sounded like a ” let’s see if we can get away with a jammed packed hall mentality in an effort the cut cost and increase profit; . If not we can negotiate on the spot to have the overflow hall opened.
We have to do better. Dominicans love their calypso and their calypsonians, so we will keep coming, but we have to do better and I do applaud Miss Clarke for her statement, but alas, that statement was lacking.
This statement- Clarke claimed that on “many occasions” she went outside in her attempt to bring the patrons indoors and even the Security Officer tried since they needed to clear the outside.” Really…
The Promoter has the interest of Dominica at heart and I know she genuinely wants to expose the immense talent of fellow citizens internationally, she is an amazing lady. With that being said, I must be rational and realistic. This event was given maximum publicity, therefore, the organizers should have been prepared for a humongous crowd. In the past, supporters complained about the discomfort due to overcrowding, ac not functioning properly etc., therefore, a larger venue with all the amenities for the comfort of patrons should have been given priority. This error should have not been repeated. I am hoping that this will be taken as an opportunity for growth and development, and that the necessary changes will be made to avoid future mishaps. I wish E Dominica much success in the future and would like to encourage Anne Marie to learn from this experience. Do not give up!
y did u begin nice then shaft here? just be up front and honest DC guys like U are hypocrites two face. go in one direction ru trying to be diplomatic bc u call ur self D.C D.C is the area of double standards betrayal & dishonesty.
Do I guess by living there or ( is this ur iniatials/)what ever by co-incidence or not DC is a bad influence on u.
capacity was about 500 why print 1500 tickets? This is profiteering 101 DC.
Could DC stand for Dishonest Clark or clerk
People think they are free in America but they are not. This is jail and Hell on Earth.
U dat were were talking say cricket and you come talking agricultureLol! If you talked about baseball then one could say it’s an offset of cricket or vis-versa.
You dumb man!
Me that
Perhaps your description of “Paradise USA” is a little extreme but I guess who feels it knows it!
I feel sorry for Ms Clarke who is experiencing first hand the inner beauty of DNO’s commentators!
Perhaps the “Concerned Dominicans” movement, USA Chapter should have mounted a demonstration against the New York Police for stopping their show! Don’t people have a democratic right to gather for a show, rules and laws notwithstanding, particularly in the bastion of democracy the USA?
Stop fooling dominicans…you know you did not book the other side… money talks at the end of the day so if it is not reserved for you then you cannot have it. You should have paid to have the other place then you would not have a problem. Also, if your tickets sold out, how can you have more people paying at the gate?