Mi bex and bringle till it a bwile ovah! The thing that has me raving mad like shad is the scant regard some promoters and so-called booking agents in the much-lauded diaspora show for performing artistes.

I'm speaking from my direct experiences and up-close observations of arts and entertainment runnings in the Jamaican community in the Greater Toronto area between 2004 and now. And I'm talking specifically about some promoters who come from Jamaica and establish themselves in Canada, and the way they treat Jamaican artistes, especially if they discover that you're now based in foreign, too.

First of all, very few people want to pay standard rates. If you're based in Jamaica, they know they'd have to provide plane tickets and hotel accommodation and make sure and pay you properly. But once they discover that you're based in foreign like them, most of them expect you to 'accept a small honorarium'. Honorarium! My good peeps, di lickle meagre pittance that they usually proffer with that word makes it clear to all and sundry that there's no honour in dem ray nor in dem rum! When they reluctantly agree to pay, you have to wait on some of them forever and behave like you're begging them a favour.

Case in point is some of my experiences which I'm about to share. This sharing is not just out of the need for personal catharsis. And my desire is not really to embarrass anybody. But I'm hoping this outcry may serve as a way of opening up a larger conversation about arts, entertainment and ethics among Jamaicans in Canada.

no payment

One promoter/agent booked me for an event on July 21 with a commitment to pay two weeks afterwards (mi have it in writing!), and for another engagement on August 6 with an agreement to pay on the day of the event. And up to tideh day, even as you read this rant, mi nuh get none a dem money deh yet! And look here nuh people, we're talking about massive public events with more than decent crowd support and plenty name-brand corporate sponsorship. Several phone calls and email exchanges later, no apology has been tendered and no payment has been forthcoming.

Promoter person has actually informed me that the money for August 6 was ready and I'm to blame for leaving the venue without collecting. When I reminded said promoter that the money was requested after I came off stage and the response was a dismissive walk away from me, I was told (in writing), "I walked away from you because the discussion was consuming time I did not have. Artistes were begging for more time on stage. Not wanting money."

Now you tell me! This is how entertainment business proceeds in the big first world country? Said promoter booked me for a brunch as Owen 'Blakka' Ellis, printed poster and programme with that name, and then sent me a cheque written to 'Winston Ellis'. When I called, clarified and sent back cheque, promoter sent another cheque this time written to 'Noel Ellis'. About seven weeks after the event I finally got a cheque with my correct name; a cheque that I couldn't cash. I had to lodge it in my account and wait some more for it to clear.

Jamaicans in foreign love skin up dem nose and gwaan like dem superior, but experience tells me that as far as arts and entertainment is concerned, the Jamaican community in Canada have a whole heap fi learn!

box-mi-back@hotmail.com