Minister: Local Entertainers For RCI Cruise Line
Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell spoke today [Sept 20] in the House of Assembly regarding an entertainment employment initiative in partnership with Royal Caribbean International [RCI].
The Minister said the initiative will provide opportunities for local entertainers to perform onboard RCI ships whilst in port.
The Department of Tourism hosted an open audition for entertainers at Chewstick on September 11th, which saw 25 local artists perform in front of the RCI Executives .
The Minister said RCI was “very pleased with the caliber of performances of our local entertainers, and indicated that they were optimistic in providing entertainment opportunities on board, prior to seasons end.”
Minister Crockwell added that RCI would also like to source local entertainers to provide a pier side “Departure Performance” for their passengers on the Explorer of the Sea and the Grandeur of the Seas.
“We consider these initiatives as positive steps to broaden the exposure of our local talent and also enhancing our local tourism product,” said Minister Crockwell.
Minister Crockwell’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, the creation of jobs and employment opportunities is a clearly stated goal for this Government and it is the view of this government that we will take the initiative to provide meaningful employment opportunities wherever possible and to think out of the box in creating these opportunities.
Therefore, I am extremely pleased to report today on another employment opportunity initiative that will soon bear results.
Mr. Speaker, the plight of the local entertainers is very well chronicled, there is a dearth of employment opportunity on the island, and the opportunities that are available are very often for a limited period.
Many of our seasoned and aspiring local entertainers seek the assistance of the Bermuda Department of Tourism to create and provide opportunities for them to perform and display their talents at various locations and venues throughout our Island.
Mr. Speaker, in support of our local entertainers the Ministry of Tourism Development and Transport has commenced an entertainment employment initiative working in partnership with Royal Caribbean International (RCI).
This initiative will provide opportunities for local entertainers to work and perform onboard RCI ships whilst in port for the remainder of this cruise ship season, with the intent to continue this initiative in the 2014 cruise season and beyond.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Tourism hosted an open audition inviting all interested entertainers to perform at the Chewstick Headquarters and this event was held on Wednesday September 11th from 6pm to 9pm. The range of entertainers included musicians, vocalists, dancers, comedians, actors, magicians and cultural performers.
Entertainers were requested to provide a photographic image, as well as their Entertainment Resume, and they were invited to perform for five (5) minutes. Following their performance a short list was created and those who were successfully shortlisted were invited back to participate in an Entertainment Showcase.
Mr. Speaker, the Entertainment Showcase saw twenty five (25) of our top local musicians and artists perform in front of the RCI Executives which was headed by Mr. Mike Ronan who is the Vice President of Government Relations for the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia, and he was accompanied by Mr. Rob Waterfield who is the RCI Specialist for Contracted Musicians and Entertainers.
The Showcase was held the following day on Thursday, September 12, at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess in the Gazebo Room. Mr. Ronan and Mr. Waterfield experienced, first-hand, Bermuda’s remarkable talent and they were able to evaluate and determine how to amalgamate and include some of our local entertainers into their onboard entertainment programs.
Mr. Speaker, both Mr. Ronan and Mr. Waterfield of RCI were very pleased with the caliber of performances of our local entertainers, and indicated that they were optimistic in providing entertainment opportunities on board, prior to seasons end.
Most importantly they considered the visit, and the viewing of the talent, to be excellent timing for their decision making in planning their entertainment schedules for the 2014 season.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to RCI’s commitment to providing entertainment opportunities onboard their ships, we are also pleased to announce that for the remainder of the cruise ship season, RCI would also like to source local entertainers to provide a pier side “Departure Performance” for their passengers on the Explorer of the Sea and the Grandeur of the Seas.
Mr. Speaker, we consider these initiatives as positive steps to broaden the exposure of our local talent and also enhancing our local tourism product. I would like to thank the principals of RCI for working with us to develop and offer solutions that will assist our local entertainers by providing much needed employment in this sector.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Department of Tourism staff for their role and efforts in organizing the auditioning and Entertainment Showcase that received rave reviews.
Thank You
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Category: All, Entertainment, News, Politics
This is a great idea. Might even try out myself.
Ting ting ting ting….
the send off is done in many areas around the world. it’s good to see Bda catching up though. better late than never.
Was this advertised or were certain entertainers invited? Never heard anything about it. Sounds like a good opportunity and an added bonus for our guests.
Any entertainers suitably qualified would be well known.
Well I’m not well known as an entertainer because I haven’t put myself out there yet but I’m interested in possibly doing so. I’ve never considered myself an entertainer but I’m currently trying to get in with a group that for all I know could have been there (I like to try new things). If I had known about this it could have given me an opportunity to see what is out there and possibly speak face to face with a rep of the group I’m interested in. The more entertainers we have and the more diversity between them, the better our overall product will be. We’re getting left behind and I see no reason why Bermuda can’t have performances the same calibre as Las Vegas, not saying we need some American influenced performances with bright lights, explosions and fireworks but quality performances in our own unique island way. We have the talent out there, I’ve seen it. I’m asking because if it was an invitational sort of thing it gives me something to work toward. I still think I have a lot of work to do so I don’t think I would be ready for this particular opportunity but its still nice to know.
It was advertised and there was an audition.
It was advertised and open, but, sadly, with short notice.
There were quite a few folks that turned up. I was very happy and pleasantly surprised with the turnout and the quality of the entertainment.
Yes it was advertised & there was a news article about the venture. It was an open call to ALL local musicians. Auditions were held at Chewstick.
So it’s just musicians?
Nope! There were comedians, monologists, an improv troupe, magicians… a whole LOAD of talent!
This is an excellent initiative at every level and great for our entertainers to hone and to show their talents. Full marks to whoever came up with it.
Common sense. As I wrote above the peir thing is nothing new. It’s done in many ports around the world.
This is Just Great for the Locals,,who are the Lucky Bermudians who will get this oppertunity
Does such a band exist? Sure there are a few musicians around good enough for wedding receptions but there has not been a real entertainment band since The Happening BDA in the early 70s.
If you think this is true, you simply aren’t going out enough.
I agree with you Mike! Someone hasn’t been out much! The Happening!!!! Seriously????!!!
True, I don’t get out much in Bermuda. I rely on info from an in house member of the family who is involved with entertainment in Bermuda.
With only a couple of exceptions live entertainment is in a pretty bad way.
At this moment I am attending a multi day music festival. The standard is good. The cost is less than $200 inclusive of multi night camping fees.
5 hours music yesterday. 10 hours music today. How do you compete with that?
Well that is a good idea should be linked to any agreement to allowed cruise ships to have in port gambling. That is all we do as a country; give away everything to foreign interests; while getting very little in return.