CARNIRIV 2013 Parades 120 Local Artistes …As Spectators Lament Poor Performance

This year’s Rivers State Cultural and Arts Carnival (CARNIRIV) parades 120 up and coming indigenous artistes within the state and its environs.  According to the Director General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Dr Sam Dede, most of them have not been opportuned to perform on the big stage before now.

The director, who disclosed this to The Tide Entertainment recently, contended that the agency decided to give them the opportunity to perform on the big stage where the international artists will perform, using the same equipment as a way of empowering them and expose them to the international community.

However, fun seekers and other spectators at the events have lamented the poor performance of these budding stars.  According to them, the so called artistes’ performances are below standard as most of them sing gibberish.

Some of the guests also complained that the artistes lack originality as they copy the stage performances of the established foreign and local artistes line hook and sinker.

According to some of the guests who spoke with The Tide Entertainment at the Liberation Stadium, venue of most of the CARNIRIV events, these up and coming artistes may not go far in their career in music if they do not change the copy cat attitude.

Another worrisome aspect of the CARNIRIV, according to them, is the poor turnout of participants and spectators, which many attribute to the poor organisation and lack of adequate publicity as most of the local media including The Tide Newspapers were not accredited to cover the events.

Although a unique event tagged 70 horses Durber was introduced in the CARNIRIV this year which show cases 70 horses on parade at the colourful event, as well as other innovations, they still feel as a general consensus that the event this year is below expectation and nothing to write home about compared to that of last year.

However, the events continue today with the International Heritage Parade (IHP) and old Port Harcourt Town Groove, while tomorrow (Saturday) witnesses the Garden City Freestyle parade (GCFP), World  Peace conference and the closing ceremonies.

Sam Dede and participants