~ Police stop show 20 minutes before shut-off time ~
CARNIVAL VILLAGE–Youngsters came out in large numbers to see their peers perform on stage Monday evening. The show started at 6:30pm and three public schools kicked off the packed programme.
The seven-hour show originally had to finish at 1:00am, but was stopped at 12:35am. Police officers gave no reason why they stopped the show, but members of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) decided to pull the plug because of sexually explicit lyrics in several songs being played during the show.
Host radio personality Dutty Sham came under fire close to the end of the show and made inappropriate remarks toward Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs who was in the crowd. “Good night to the sexy minister,” he said. After the remark, police decided to cut off the show with only 20 minutes left to go.
“The show was well attended and we screened all performers a week before the show. Performers were again informed by organisers that they should keep their material child appropriate,” stated Laugh Out Loud (LOL) Productions public relations officer Daniel Dormoy on Tuesday.
He wanted to make it clear that the organisation did not know the host would go off script and make inappropriate remarks towards any person, especially the Minister. About three of the 38 performers were not able to perform and LOL is in talks with several show promoters to get the youngsters on stage to perform, as they prepared for months.
Close to 3,000 youngsters came out to the event and LOL thanks parents and supporters for coming out to see what these talented youngsters had to offer.
“I would like to thank the Department of Public Education, who presented a memorable programme at the start of the show with their steel pan and drum performances. The teachers also did a great job,” said Dormoy.
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