Live bands may be out during 2016 Carnival opening parade organizers say

A scene from the opening parade of Carnival last year
A scene from the opening parade of Carnival last year

Product Promotions Manager of the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), Kathleen Cuffy-Jno Jules has said that the Carnival committee is still in discussions as it relates to live bands on the road for this year’s opening parade.

The opening parade for Carnival is expected to take place on Saturday, January 16.

Cuffy-Jno Jules said at a press conference on Wednesday that the committee hopes the bands come on board to provide entertainment on the road for free as a form of giving back to the community.

“As it relates to the live bands on the road for the road parade, that is still in discussion,” she said.“One of the reasons we have contracted live bands for the parade in the past was the fact of the after activity that we usually hold whether it’s at the Stadium or the Bayfront…this year we are not having any after party.”

She explained that the DDA and Dominica Festivals Committee normally receive a package from bands.

“In effect they have not yet been contacted for contract arrangement, but what we are hoping is that they would come on board to give back to the community in terms of coming free of charge and just being on the road to give their fans something,” Cuffy- Jno Jules stated.

Deputy Chairperson of the Carnival Road Parade Committee, Charlene White-Christian said that it would be “a good thing” if live bands are not a part of the 2016 Carnival opening parade.

“There will be no live bands on the road this year which is a good thing, we will only basically have over Hi-Fi…,” she said.“At present, we don’t have Triple Kay or WCK, or those. It may change you never know by Saturday, but as of now we only have Hi-Fi.”

According to her, in the past revellers forget the parade when live bands form part of it.

“What we have found in the past is with the live bands persons forget the parade, and especially when we place them in the parade,” she explained. “If we have them to accompany we have a lot of persons just coming into the parade because they want to jump behind the live bands and they sort of mess up the parade. They do not do it with the Hi-Fi, they only do it with the Triple Kay’s and the WCK’s and so forth. I think it is a good thing that they are not there so we avoid that interference in the parade this year.”

The parade is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm.

Meantime, White-Christian said groups floats, gangs and bands, who are to participate in the parade, are asked to gather by 1:30 pm near DBS Radio and Peebles Park on Victoria Street.

“Pedestrians are asked to stay away from the parade like we do every year and allow the parades to flow,” she warned, adding that they should respect the martial and the runners who will be assisting with the parade.

“We do not want anyone to get hurt so we are asking you to please stay on the sidewalks and allow the vehicles to run through smoothly,” she said. “I want to emphasize as I did last year for the Bwa Bwas that no one cuts across the street or tries to take a photograph whilst the Bwa Bwa’s are on their stilts because two years ago we had an incident where someone fell and got seriously injured.”

She said those who wants to take photos should stay on the sidewalk.

She went on to say that this year there will be no throwing of items from the various floats.

“We are asking all pageant organizers to ensure that there are chaperones or persons accompanying the contestants alongside their floats, these persons will handover whatever tokens that they would like to give to the general public,” she stated. “We don’t want anyone getting hurt so no throwing of sweeties by the contestants…allow the contestants to smile and wave.”

White-Christian stated the parade looks “very promising” this year.

“We have about six advertising floats, we have six lapo kabwit bands, we have about five sensay groups, including the ‘Darkies’ from Good Hope, we have about four cheerleading groups, we have our ‘band mauvais’ from Colihaut, they are back and we are very grateful that they are taking part in the opening,” she remarked.

She stated further that the usual pageant groups will also be included in the parade.

Furthermore, she emphasized that only those registered at the DFC, especially the pageant groups will be allowed to parade on their floats.

“So we would like to encourage the community groups we would like to encourage the community groups to bring their contestants, it’s good for them and it adds to the feel of the Carnival,” she advised.

Persons who are interested are being advised to contact the DFC office no later than Friday (January 15) morning.

“If you are not registered we will not allow you to form part of the parade,” White – Christian warned.

She revealed that not many school bands and floats are participating in the parade.

“Because we know with Erika school started late and a lot of schools were not ready to prepare their floats and bands, so this year we are only having three primary school floats, St Mary’s Primary, Roseau Primary and Pioneer Preparatory,” she explained. “We are only having two Primary School bands, Convent Preparatory School and San Sauveur Primary school, one secondary school band, the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School and we will be having a float form the Dominica State College.”

She called on patrons to turn out in large numbers to support the event.

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33 Comments

  1. Hmmmm
    January 14, 2016

    I don’t agree. I think one live band at the end of the parade is good. This is our culture too. That people can take a free up and a bump. That way you know the season really start. Its a good warm up for the true carnival lovers not the stand up by the side of the road, looking pretty and watching.

    I think you will disappoint a lot of people if you don’t have a live band. Its like the climax at the end.

  2. B
    January 14, 2016

    Also incorporate some of the steel pan groups in the parade

  3. B
    January 14, 2016

    I totally agree to keep live bands away from the parade. There are plenty of opportunities during carnival to enjoy the live bands. Let us enjoy the floats and provide support to the contestants in a professional manner. This is a great way of showcasing our brand especially if there are tourists in Roseau which always happens.

  4. marie-claire
    January 14, 2016

    I think these committee/ so call experts in organization in Dominica need a total over haul. Year after year is the same mess. Why you waiting last minute to plan events hence you all don’t even welcome new members ideas etc if it doesn’t come with some monetary backing. Charlene and these people need to go away and let new blood organize events. They are killing the culture.

  5. Zuma
    January 14, 2016

    Get rid of these useless association called DDF dfc

  6. Dominican
    January 14, 2016

    Good! no live bands no fighting, no kawat. People who love parade will attend and the vagabonds will find somewhere else to go look for trouble. Let the peaceful people chip in peace.

  7. AA
    January 14, 2016

    You all need to shut down the country this is damn none sense now. At this point in your organisation you don’t know what is going to happen two days from now. are you people serious about you all’s job? The country needs to go back to the drawing board it is pathetic.

  8. yes!
    January 14, 2016

    thank you!prayer finally answered. those trouble makers like the live bands to carry out their devious plans.they want to move to the left and to the right and jump up high without anybody touching them and the minute you do they want to stab or fight you.GOOD job DDA.

  9. event cordinator
    January 14, 2016

    Although I don’t take part in carnival anymore the people who are organizing the event have things in reverse. It has been tradition that the opening of carnival city always climax in a venue where flag wavers dance, queen contestants etc. It was also one day during the festival where most money was made because revelers followed the band and paid to enter the park expecting more. I remember after the activity the band would return to the road and revelers would follow to the port. That’s when carnival was carnival so with all the high ideas so many things changed over the years not for the best… surely it does not reflect like costume from Monday to Tuesday, obviously it is last lap and the revelers come to take over the costume band on Tuesday. So with all you all degrees and phd if you were a nerd and did not use to take part in the activities book sense and reality are not the same. If you want to change things in the carnival festival, go to the revelers and party…

  10. so we comee
    January 14, 2016

    Lord val just over wii

  11. nonsense
    January 14, 2016

    Where Destra? Ask her to come play free. Local bands needed that money skerrit gave international artists. Now you people want them to play free. Wicked set of begging Dominicans.

  12. CornFlake
    January 13, 2016

    So last independence street jump up, Triple Kay Band was the only band to come on the road and “GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY” like they do every year, now you all want them to come back and do the same thing for ALL YOU PARADE? Damn nonsense that. Regardless of the band either if it’s Triple Kay, WCK, Bouyon Pioneers who ever it is, they don’t have to eat too then. That is pure bull.

  13. Smx
    January 13, 2016

    Repent carnival lovers…. carnival is revealing give your life to Christ

    • Estate of Mind
      January 14, 2016

      Wake Up Smx, i am not a Carnival lover but but you all as black people need to wake up.

    • God loves us all
      January 14, 2016

      Everyone, everywhere needs to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ, His sacrifice, His Lordship and His examples. There is no other way to be reunited with God than through His Son, Jesus. God loves us all but cannot accept us in our unrighteousness. We are not righteous on our own but when we believe in Jesus His righteousness covers us. Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Yes, call on His name today. Jesus, I know that I have a sinful nature, I accept the sacrifice you made by dying to save me. I accept your Lordship over my life. I am not perfect, but help me to obey you, follow your examples and submit to the will of our Father.

      • smdh
        January 14, 2016

        blablabla…..Let me guess, King James Version? Dont worry, one day i will write my own Bible version and people like you will hold steadfast to what i felt to put in it. You might even call me your savior.

    • smdh
      January 14, 2016

      And thats why Jesus turned water to wine and told the people to continue the celebrations. Yall religious fanatics kill me with that stuff though like you want to look down on people. If priests themselves take part in carnival i don’t see why you feel you need to tell me not to when no one not telling you anything about your Bible camp. The BIBLE say a lot of stuff, some which is misconstrued, some which are false (due to repeated translation flaws and some deliberate changes). Also, learn to spell first before you type comments. The word is REVELING not revealing..

  14. hmm
    January 13, 2016

    I agree. Its the opening parade they are speaking about and the focus should be on the costumes, and the culture not the big bands taking away all the attention

    • JoJo
      January 14, 2016

      I agree with you. That jump up with these bands has nothing to do with carnival whatsoever. That is no more than a mobile pop concert that is out of control. And they want tax money to subsidisze that? Val Cuffy is talking about carnival costing 1 million dollars. and people from Petite Savane still in limbo. Well let those who enjoy it and make profit from it pay. You will not see me in the streets of Roseau saturday afternoon.

  15. Gomez
    January 13, 2016

    Are you people for real? Give back to the community? Do you know how much it costs to put a live band on the road? If the committee forgot to budget for that then they should leave planning these activitIes to people who can. That is pure nonsense. I am not affiliated with any of these bands but I understand business and economics. Simply put, it cost money for them to be in the road. You all people trying to kill the spirit of carnival after you all already killed independence. If no live bands, I’d rather pay comeseetv and watch from home.

    • Cute
      January 14, 2016

      No need to pay comeseetv Marpin will have it live for free

      • Gomez
        January 14, 2016

        I know Marpin will carry it for free but I was showing how much I was willing to give up. Traditionally, we would pay to enter the “park/carnival city”, which is where the committee could make a little money to recoup their costs of the parade. The fee was nominal and worth it as the opening sets the tone for carnival. When you have a “dread” opening, the season normally is slow except for calypso. Maybe they need to get that girl from the Cadence Lypso: the Rasta. I heard she can manage a event like no other.

  16. wellbe
    January 13, 2016

    all you better go to church

    • smdh
      January 14, 2016

      why dont you just go to your bible camp up in the country or wherever you go to and stop judging. thats not your job as a christian. Church is on a Sunday, opening is on a Saturday, jump up does be on Carnival Monday and Tuesday? what church u talking about?

  17. wellbe
    January 13, 2016

    dat carnival there have no sence.by next year so it will have no carnival

    • MajeUTalkin
      January 13, 2016

      ok Jesus Christ :roll:

  18. linky
    January 13, 2016

    no ck , no triple kay ,no first serenade, no xsgroove no carnaval them bands need to boycut carnaval this
    year i would like to see what it wold look like whtout them live bands.

    • no Ck No Carnaval
      January 13, 2016

      i support u 1000000000000000000000000000000% they should…

  19. Doc. Love
    January 13, 2016

    I support the Carnival Committee 100%. We must obey our Prime Minister. We don’t want the outside world to see us having a great time and wining at the back, like the PRO, with two bottles of kubuli in our hands post Erika and at the same time begging for $1.3 billion. :lol:

  20. Zandoli
    January 13, 2016

    Am I missing something? Today is January 13 and these guys have not firmed up an arrangement that is supposed to happen on January 16?

    I have been organizing events for my club for the better part of 20 years. I get this things firmed up months ahead – and I am only a volunteer. I don’t get a dime for my effort.

    Where is the professionalism in all of this? That is why I was totally against Tronada being allowed to compete in last week’s calypso competition.

    Sometimes things happen over which you have no control and you deal with them as best you can. But the organizers knew of the opening of carnival months ago. You bring the bands on board early. You give a deadline to those who are willing to participate. If no bands show any willingness to donate their time, you lock a few DJs and you move on.

    I can’t stand these last minute deals and not knowing if I am coming or going.

    • Zuma
      January 14, 2016

      Get rid of the DFC present members.they are useless.,

    • Ma Moses
      January 14, 2016

      All sensible persons must realize that we have more important things to attend to right now than a carnival parade they want us to pay for.

  21. More Fire
    January 13, 2016

    But normally the parade has nothing to look forward in seeing, same boring, dread parade….So person come for the live band, my opinion is that; the “live band ” that makes the parade look good……………More Fire…………………..

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