by Rick Lowe

Nicolette Bethel over at Blogworld and I have been exchanging comments on this recent opinion piece about the Sunday Jazz at Sandyport

For ease of reference, the exchange follows:

I don’t see why the businesses in Sandyport and the various performers couldn’t do something similar. Maybe form a partnership?

Although I applaud the Ministry of Tourism for their effort, tax dollars are precious and taken from all Bahamians. I don’t think they should be spent on a hundred people etc.

It’s like stadiums. If the people interested in sports can’t garner support enough to make it happen, why should tax dollars be used?

The performers and the businesses profiting from the obvioulsy good idea should be able to get together and continue it. If it’s profitable enough for all concerned that is.

Posted by: Rick | July 18, 2006 at 07:58 PM

Seems to me there’s too much “they” going on here. I’ll turn this around and remind you of something that was said on another blog about theatre. If you like it, support it and make sure it happens. Don’t wait for someone else to do so for you.

Audiences are made, not found. With the right support this can continue — but it’s easily possible that our community is too small to support the high cost of good entertainment. So what then? Should it not happen because it costs too much and isn’t profitable?

I don’t believe that governments should support these things indefinitely. I know that culture can be an engine for economic growth and can be sustained. But if government doesn’t, until individuals who support these things make a commitment to pay for them, the greatness of things like this will always die.

Oh, and what should tax dollars be spent on anyway?

Posted by: nicob | July 21, 2006 at 09:00 AM

Thanks Nicolette.
I have been speaking with various landlords to see if they would form a partnership with the jazz bands for a venue. No luck yet, but I will keep trying.
Also, I have had a conversation with the gentleman running the Oyster Bar effort at Sandyport to encourage them to continue, even if once per month.
If not, the jazz bands or musicians should form their own company and start a lounge/bar.
Nothing in life is free.
Private enterprise should be doing this stuff – not tax dollars.
Oh, and tax dollars are better spent on infrastructure and the Police and courts that so badly needs sensible funding.

Posted by: rick | July 21, 2006 at 05:55 PM

Tax dollars are better spent on fixing stuff that’s gone bad (police and courts to arrest people who’ve turned to crime) rather than on preventing stuff from going bad (sports and cultural centres)?

Just playing the devil’s advocate here. But it’s an old, old story — and one that’s coming to an end in other countries besides ours.

Posted by: nicob | July 21, 2006 at 07:24 PM

Now you are on one of my pet peeves…education.
The government owns the problem yet refuses to fix it. That would help with the criminal aspect down the road as well. Of course I would prefer they privatise education.

Posted by: Rick | July 21, 2006 at 07:54 PM

Don’t get me started.

Posted by: nicob | July 22, 2006 at 09:15 AM