Postponement of Soca 5.0 Concert by NCF CEO for Safety Reasons: What Happened and What's Next

Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Carol Roberts explained that the decision to postpone Sunday evening’s Soca 5.0 concert after it was in progress at the National Botanical Gardens was done out of an abundance of caution following consultations with the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS).

“We had breaking news from Sabu Best, director of the Met Services and after consultation with the emergency services and the Minister of Home Affairs, we were advised that in the best interest of everyone connected with the show that we should postpone it until further notice and that is the very tough but real decision that we have taken.”

Roberts made clear that the safety of patrons, service providers, vendors and entertainers is a priority for the foundation.

The development came as the BMS issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the island that resulted from unstable conditions associated with a tropical wave that was generating significant thunderstorm activity. The BMS warned this could result in significant lightning activity.

Roberts acknowledged that while patrons who were already at the event which started just after 8 p.m. and those on their way would be disappointed, frustrated and even angry, but she insisted it was not a light decision.

“I would want them to be mindful of a couple of things. One, we did not see this coming. We noted the rain, but we’ve had concerts in the rain before. As was explained by the director of the met services, this system though very small grew very rapidly and therefore the need to evacuate as quickly as we have been advised to do would never have been anticipated.

Two, safety, safety, safety, that is our commitment and our mantra as we try to get both patrons entertainers, vendors and service providers home.

Roberts assured the country that the NCF will announce a new date and time for the Soca 5.0 show as soon as it can.

The NCF CEO also addressed a notice circulating on social media that Grand Kadooment set for Monday, August 5 has been cancelled.

Roberts said : “That story is fake news. We will be guided by the Barbados Meteorological Services and as I speak, there has been no cancellation of Grand Kadooment. Why? because Mr Best advises that the system will be short, sharp and intense and is likely to have done its worst just around midnight or after.”

Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams also made clear that Grand Kadooment is on schedule for tomorrow, describing the social media notice as fake news.

“It is entirely malicious, it is distasteful and it is not true, ” he said.