The Castro Band returned to the city yesterday afternoon after being stranded in Lethem for one week after a client failed to honour an agreement and left the area.
One band member was also injured in an accident, sustaining a broken leg.
A band member told Stabroek News that they returned by air to the city yesterday.
In a Facebook post highlighting the experience, it was explained that on January 29th the band was contracted by the client to perform at an event in Lethem on April 7th. According to the agreement, which catered for transportation, accommodation and meals, 50% of the fee was paid before the members departed Georgetown leaving 50% outstanding. They were expected to return to Georgetown on April 8th.
They departed for Lethem by bus on the evening of April 6th and arrived around 8:00 am the following day. They were accommodated at someone’s house. That evening they performed at the event they were booked for from 12 am to 2 am, after which they proceeded to the Rodeo ground and then to the place of accommodation.
They enquired about the time of departure for Georgetown and the client told them, “I have to call this man then I’ll let you know”. He was also going to Boa Vista, Brazil. They said the client returned in the evening and took them to the Rodeo ground to witness the event, ignoring the fact that they were supposed to be travelling back to Georgetown.
Around 5 am the client left with the bus to “pick up something”, according to the post with Gabriel, the lead singer of the band, sleeping in the vehicle. The bus was involved in an accident and Gabriel sustained a broken leg. The band members claimed that the client took Gabriel to the hospital, left him there and disappeared.
Kind-hearted residents of Rupununi rescued the band members provided for them during the period. Because of his injuries, the post said, Gabriel could not travel to Georgetown by road. The client was contacted and promised to purchase seats on a flight to Georgetown. However, though he made a reservation, the tickets had not been paid for and the band members remained stranded until yesterday afternoon.
