What's up with people these days? Laura knows that it can be tough being an artiste having to come up with at least one hit song every six months or else you'll be eating salt and rice for a whole year, but once you've got a hit on your hands all you have to do is fulfill your engagements and just maybe a couple of promoters will give you a bligh even when you have no good songs to offer. Just last weekend a widespread soca diva was facing legal action when she informed a promoter in New York that she would not be making a gig although she had already been paid some of the money. Now Laura is hearing that a couple of other artistes in the local reggae arena have been taking people's money for shows that have no intention of performing in. These fellows have for years been crying out for a platform and now that they can eat a little Ital, they playing the fool. It seems to Laura that these guys want to go back to carrying ganja from Moruga and begging for a sweet drink price in Arima. If you people take the people money, especially that of the little pub owners, show up for the gig.
A mas band leader that is known for his consistency since the genesis of his band (he has gone bust every year since launching) is again under some financial strain as suppliers and facilitators are refusing to provide services unless he comes up with monies up front. Word is that registration has not been encouraging and the man is hoping he is strong enough to hold out until nearer to Carnival when the tourists will grab anything available because all the good bands are sold out by then.
A certain journalist paid a visit to the Copa on Richmond Street recently with some friends who only intended to sip some beers while checking out the ladies. No one had any intention of paying for anything more than drinks and smokes. The young writer was, however, so enchanted by the smile of a cute little Columbian girl that he quickly pulled out the required fare for a fare, if you catch my drift. Laura was told that while his friends sat back in amazement the journalist was led away completely hypnotized by the young woman. The crew thought they were in for a long wait and had just settled in with another rounds of beers when the poor fellow slumped back to his seat all within five minutes or shorter. Can you imagine the laughter that erupted not only from his friends, but throughout the bar as the other women congratulated the young lady for making probably the fastest couple hundred dollars she ever did.
