By EUGENE PITTER,
Staff Reporter
CHRISTMAS revellers shopping for entertainment and 'bashment' clothes this year are not likely to spend much more than they did last year.
It appears that most show promoters and clothing stores have not increased their prices.
In the live show world much remains unchanged because it is felt the public can't afford it.
Bounty Killer's show, "Saddle To The East 2000", to be held at Rockfort Vocational Centre, December 25, is unchanged. Jade Lee, co-ordinator of the show said pre-sold tickets were priced at $500, with $600 being asked at the gate. Students with ID's are offered a special price of $300.
According to Ms. Lee: "With Bounty Killer claiming he is the poor people Prime Minister, he is always looking out for the masses... show promoters may be experiencing increased overhead costs but they were ensuring that the public can afford these shows. Salaries of people have not increased so we have to keep down the cost."
Teen Splash is also holding its entrance fee firm at $399.
According to Teen Splash promoter, Linval Gibbons: "It is my duty to keep my shows at a price that Jamaicans can afford. Many people are not working so they cannot afford to spend a lot of money on entertainment when there are priorities like rent to pay and food to buy."
Gibbons said: "A man with a "Nanny" ($500) is able to come to my show and buy a juice (drink) and feel happy," he added.
Tickets for Sting 2000, to be held December 26, at Jamworld, are up by $100 to $1,000 at the gate. Promoter Isaiah Laing feels this is still a good deal.
"I think $800 pre-sold and $1,000 at the gate is more than reasonable. Last year's ticket cost $700 but we have to think about artistes price increasing," Laing said.
Shows like Christmas Extravaganza to be held at Independence Park, Black River, St. Elizabeth, December 23, is affordable, according to a spokesperson for that show. And, for most dances, patrons will be asked to pay as little as $200 and no more than $500.
The spokesperson for Christmas Extravaganza told THE STAR, "We believe in a price range which will attract a lot of patrons so we have to make it affordable."
And you can enter the Tommy Hilfiger Platinum Party for just $500. Jackie Haughton, an organiser of the show said: "With people able to shop around for shows it would be unwise for any promoter to think of having a price way above what patrons can afford."
Revellers will be able to get affordable clothing if they are not too fussy.
For women fashionable bell-bottom jeans could cost as much as $3,000 while a pair of Nine West shoes attracts a price of $4,000. But, store operators said patrons can choose fashionable outfits which do not cost much. And women who opt for the natural look for their hair will save even more.
Men too, should have little problem unless they decide to wear name brand outfits, THE STAR understands.
