27/01/2023
DISAPPOINTED & DISGUSTED.......
A statement from Orlando Gittens - Sunrise Coast.
It's not often I group these two words together in fact I never have.
In this instance I feel the need too!
The following is calling to attention the actions of Janice & Weininger Irwin, Caribbean Mixx.
Approximately 5/6 years ago possibly longer, I met Janice & Weininger as attendees at the sadly now defunct Hayling Island Weekender.
If my memory serves me correctly they asked to do one or two keep fit classes, one in particular raggacize, which I thought was really cool.
Moving forward we developed a relationship where we would talk about their aspirations & dreams and I would actively encourage them.
This culminated into me suggesting that they start their own keep fit organisation & eventually start their own keep fit Weekender.
I suggested that in order to build their brand they come under the umbrella of the Sunrise Coast Weekender & build their own identity as Carribean Mixx.
The deal was they would advertise the event as Sunrise Coast in association with Carribean Mixx.
Sales would be generated through their own link linking them to the official agents.
To help with costs I agreed to pay a commission based on their self generated sales through their website. However the sales generated did not cover the fees the instructors were charging you but in good faith I paid for the accomodation and the fees.
Fast forward to last years Weekender once again sales were low, at the time Janice blamed it on people ignoring their link which they were advertising to their database and instead were booking direct with party ace and get your tickets.
I questioned this as the vast majority of people booking were not keep fit enthusiasts but were in fact supporters of one of my many numerous events, Hayling Island weekenders, Giants of Lovers Rock, Giants of Rare Groove, Soul Disciples, and the various large scale concerts I had promoted featuring legends like Angie Stone, Jodeci, John Holt etc etc.
I only mention these events to put into context Janice's assertion that a large number of people coming to Sunrise were in fact their supporters, which they had miraculously accumulated without putting on any major shows themselves.
The keep fit classes were also poorly attended according to the security but maybe they couldn't see behind the medicine balls.
Moving on to the main point leading to my disappointment & disgust.
After the last weekender we both came to the conclusion, Janice & I, that the keep fit element was no longer viable as I had to cover the cost for all of the many staff but the customers attracted, approx 60, didnt sufficiently cover my outlay.
At this stage Janicec was talking about doing their own keep fit & I was advising her on how to go about it.
I also mentioned that I would only do a stripped down version of the keep fit element in line with what I had practised earlier at Hayling, one or two classes a day. Janice asked if I needed help & I said no as it would only be small.
Shortly after this it was brought to my attention by my partner in Sunrise, Mark Wynter that his wife and family had received an email stating that Caribbean Mixx were no longer part of Sunrise, that a new weekender was coming & that the food would be better.
To be Frank I was surprised but I let it slide, no big deal.
After the Giants of Lovers Rock concert in October had passed I received a call from Janice asking where her invite was. My response was all you had to do was ask and if requested I would have given you complementary tickets & also to the OAP group you ran classes for also.
We both laughed it off, again no big deal
Janice then proceeded to say they were hosting a new Weekender my response was that's brilliant, where is it, the answer was Lowestoft, I responded rather naively in retrospect, where in Lowestoft, Janice then dropped the first bombshell.... Pontins! The sane site I was using & had introduced them too, not as partners, as we were not, but as someone who would be using the space for keep fit classes during the day.
They had gone behind my back & booked the venue I was using. I also found out that negotiations and the bookings had actually taken place before last year's Weekender. INEXCUSABLE!!
Janice then dropped the second bombshell not only had they sneakily booked the venue, the dates they chose was the month before Sunrise and the Weekend after !!!! I come out on a Monday they move in on the Friday. INEXCUSABLE!! ( Janice and Weininger were also offered an alternative date in the summer but they refused, the date was chosen on purpose)
It then came to light they were approaching Djs who were part of Sunrise to be a part of their Weekender. INEXCUSABLE!!!
I then found out that even the concession sellers at my event had been approached. INEXCUSABLE!!!
I then receive a video advertising their event which contains primarily footage from Sunrise Coast Weekender!!!
At the time when I last spoke to Janice I stated I was extremely disappointed, sadly that has now been taken over by the stronger word DISGUSTED!!!
IMHO Janice & Weininger Irwin are prime examples as to why the Children of the Windrush generation have failed so miserably in comparison to other ethnic minority groups.
Crabs in a barrel, no morals, no principals, no ethics.
These are strong words but their actions leave me with no other alternatives.
No one is perfect, certainly not me, but what they have done is truly deplorable and I won't let it hide in the dark.
AS OUR PARENTS WOULD SAY
SHAME ON YOU!!!!!
On a slightly different note I was also disappointed in Pontins accepting their booking even though I was assured at the time of initially booking the venue that they would not knowingly accept a similar type of event.
The representatives RESPONSE, when I pointed this out was that it wasnt in writing.
More fool me, lesson learned.
Consequently I have taken the decision to cancel all of the events which were going to take place this year at Pakefield Pontins.
Soul Disciples, Sunrise Coast & Live on the beach.
My partner in Soul Disciples, Scott James and my partner in Sunrise Coast Mark Wynter were both equally appalled at the turn of events and have also decided not to host any future events there.
Please refer back to original point of sale for more info & refunds.
Lastly I also have to say that my stance on any dj or artiste working with Caribbean Mixx on their Weekender, who have worked with me before, will now no longer be considered for any of my future events.
I value loyalty above all else!!!
Anyway, as its my birthday today I want to end this rather long negative piece on a more positive note.
Sunrise will be back and Mark & I are currently looking for suitable venues, preferably hotels, so drop us a line if you know of any.
We will also be hosting a free event on the 23rd July 23 in Wembley as a thank you for those who had booked and were looking forward to this year's event.
More details to follow shortly.
Orlando & Mark
