Monchy Jazz will not be held this year, Gros Islet MP Kenson Casimir announced on Monday.
Typically, Monchy Jazz is one of the final community events of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, which concludes on Sunday, May 10.
Monchy Jazz, with its tagline Mizik en Kweyol, drew thousands into the community, providing significant economic benefits to vendors and other suppliers.
At a pre-Cabinet press briefing, Casimir announced that the organisers have decided not to hold Monchy Jazz in 2026.
“Monchy Jazz has bloomed into a premier event that is first and foremost free of charge. It is the only event that we have and the whole concept was to give individuals from the community that are not able to afford mainstage Jazz an opportunity to experience Jazz,” the MP said.
“Over the years, we have had a number of people that would previously volunteer but are now asking for compensation. So we now have a price tag of between $175,000 and $200,000 for an event.”
In addition, although community events receive some support from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, sponsorship to offset costs has dwindled.
“Sponsorship has spread throughout Saint Lucia due to the number of community events that are being hosted and so the commitment from sponsors to actually host Monchy Jazz just did not meet the marker of anywhere near $175,000,” Casimir said.
He added that the organisers will review the event and aim to return next year with the high-quality experience Monchy Jazz is known for.
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