Apr 20 - Organisers Promise Fun-Packed May Day – Seamus Byrne Interviewed
YGTV caught up with Seamus Byrne who’s leading the team behind the organisation of the May Day celebrations next Friday.
Interview by David Diaz
David: I'm here with Seamus Byrne from Gibraltar Cultural Services who is organising the May Day Celebrations down at Casemates Square. So Seamus, tell us what's going on down at Casemates Square on May Day?
Seamus: Well we are organising the entertainment on behalf of HM Government of Gibraltar and when I say ‘we’ it is myself and the team at the Gibraltar Cultural Services. It is going to be a free of charge event for our community to enjoy.
D: So at what time does it all start?
S: From 11am to 6pm – We will have jumping castles, Disney characters, face painting and arts and crafts activities for the youngsters to enjoy. On top of that, we will have dance performances from Urban Dance and Art In Movement. Kicking off the live music will be Kristian Celecia who I first saw on 'The Hub'. As from 1pm the live bands will commence. Performing on the day will be Headwires, Heritage, Another Day, SuperWookie and Jetstream who will be headlining as far as the local bands are concerned. It's a very diverse lineup which I'm sure everyone will enjoy. As from 8pm we will have the Santos Productions Choir performing and then we will have our international act, the 2013 X Factor Winner, Sam Bailey. And following this, leading us into 12:30/1am there will be DJ's, No Limits Entertainment. It’ll be an action packed day with a lot of activities to enjoy.
D: People were wondering before Sam Bailey's name was revealed who it was going to be and now that her name was revealed, everyone is wondering, why Sam Bailey?
S: Well in the past we have always had X-Factor Finalists but we have never had an X-Factor winner perform here so it serves a different purpose. For a small event like this one, it is good to have an artist of Sam's calibre for our May Day event and I'm sure she will perform 'Skyscraper'.
D: So tell us about the behind the scenes preparations for the event, I can imagine it has been months in the making with a lot of hard work?
S: Usually, as we have done so for the last few years, it is the same format every year and preparations start early in advance and we have been working hard since the beginning of the year organising all the entertainment, security, health and safety, technical aspects and many logistics you need to have for such an event. Obviously, this year, with the bonus of the international act, we have extended the duration as it is a day everyone should come out to celebrate. It is important people stay behind despite it being a long weekend to enjoy the celebrations.
D: Were there any other acts besides Sam Bailey contacted?
S: Not really. We went straight to the point and contacted Sam Bailey immediately. Obviously for a back up plan if Sam wasn’t available, we had a shortlist of acts.
D: Obviously I can imagine it's going to be a big deal for Sam as she is headlining without any other big names around?
S: That's right. It is going to be a huge event; she is already delighted to be able to come over and see Gibraltar and to be part of our cultural aspect that the day brings.
D: Well that's always great to hear. I'm sure once she steps out of the plane, she will never want to leave.
S: Well that happens to everybody that comes. Whether it is judges for the Miss Gibraltar Pageant or you have come over for the Drama or Literary Festivals they all leave with a good image of Gibraltar.
D: Well a lot going on, it seems.
S: Yes I am very lucky to say that I am a very lucky person to be Events Director for the Gibraltar Cultural Services for the HM Government of Gibraltar. I enjoy my job very much and it is very gratifying to promote all these events.
D: Thank you Seamus for your time.
S: Thank you David.
{fcomment}
