A very colorful Dominican community and friends “joined hands in unity” on November 12, 2011, to celebrate Dominica’s 33rd anniversary at the William Reed Auditorium, Boston, MA. The event was opened with prayer, a liturgical dance and a rendition of the American and Dominican national anthems by Mamah Joseph.
It was a historical night as one of our own, Hon. Vince Henderson, Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations delivered the keynote address to a welcoming audience of about 300. He captivated the crowd with his charisma and candidness as he described the achievements of the present government in terms of ensuring education for all its youth, the improvement in medical care on the island due to updated medical equipment and cancer awareness programs and construction of new roads. He also detailed the goals that are in the plans for taking Dominica to an even higher level than it currently is.
Other highlights of the evening included a children’s play, adapted from a children’s book “An Amazing friendship” written by Juliette Toulon; a rendition of favorite Creole songs by a 12 member chorale group formed by Terri-Ann Olivacee Marie; a high couture fashion show, moderated by Yolanda Mason Shillingford, depicting variations of the traditional wear including an all black satin “femme fatale” floor length dress designed by Rita Labad; and high energy cultural dances infused with modern day dances by “Nous Wive”, a cultural dance troupe consisting of young adults from Bronx, New York. The cultural dance troupe is led and directed by Justina Henderson, known for her artistic form when dancing the Belaire. She stole the hearts of the crowd with her stellar performance of this piece of our cultural dance.
The event was hosted by members of the Dominica Independence Association, Inc. Boston, MA, (Shakespeare Christmas, Theo Drigo, Martha George, Rita Labad, Yolanda Mason Shillingford, Edmund Tavernier and Wilma Bellot Thomas). The main focus of the group is to showcase Dominica and its rich culture to the larger community, and to keep the cultural aspect of Dominica alive in Boston.
From all reports, the cultural flare of the night brought back memories of younger days in Dominica. The night would not have been complete without “jing-ping” and other local music to get the crowd jumping on its feet. Dominicans in Boston truly had contracted the Independence Celebration Fever. Happy 33rd Birthday Dominica!!!
Nice to see the unity!!! Keep up the good work
CONGRATULATIONS To all the Dominicans who produced and attended their Cultral Event with Great Pride in Boston, MA. Dominca is home to my Parents,siblings and very close friends. Raised in Dominica until my mid teen years ,Dominica is the most precious place to visit and call My Country. So it give me Great Pride and Pleasure to wish DOMINICA HAPPY 33rd INDEPENDANCE DAY!!!! MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS COUNTRY!!!
We want to see a picture of that “all black satin “femme fatale” floor length dress” designed by Rita Labad
Well done Dominicans in Boston. I wonder why Dominicans in Tampa Bay cannot have a function as half good as this pictures shows. Guess they all in it for the money.
i live in tampa and i’ve seen the hard work of the dominican committee in tampa. they hold fundraisers and people barely show up. money is needed for activities like this to come together. i bet even though they did something like that many people would not show cus its not FREEEEE.
ce moun anou sah, nou tou pa tou, ce nou ke soilel, nou ka cleweh tou pa tou,
Where was my woman Lisa White.. I didn’t see her in the pictures.. whats up with that
Keep up the good work, Yo, Rita and the rest of the Group!
Puss who Rita you talking about? the one that does make the black pudding there..
Love that!!
Congrats to the Boston Dominica Independence Association for putting on such as a spectacular show. I must add very colorful attire which of course was appropriate for the occasion.
Dominicans are full of pride in country wherever we go! Well done, take a bow Boston!
yow i just cyaan stop laughing at the 1st photo eh. it’s just hilarious!
Unity!!!!!
This is very lovely indeed, am not sure of any other Nation that hold up to culture like Dominica.
congrats to all. we are proud people.
Nice to see Castle Bruce in the organization …Theo Drigo and Shakespeare Christmas and Yoalnda Mason Shillingford. Impressive event. Dominica will always be our home
hats off to u uncle “shakey” we love you, christmas all the way,
it really have more Dominicans outside
Very nice!! Dominicans for ever!!
Lovely and patriotic! Anyone knows the contact info for this association?
Give me your email address and I’ll put you in touch with one of them.
Great keep DA alive. Sherma I see yOu.
Nice to see Dominicans being proud to celebrate their independence and culture.