Toronto – Dominica wins Canada’s First Madam Wob Creole as St. Lucia and Dominica joined forces to celebrate Creole Month in Canada.
The islands of Dominica and St. Lucia came together on Saturday October 11, 2014 for Canada’s first of its kind Creole event titled, Two Islands: One Culture – A Creole Extravaganza. Attendees from both the Dominica and St. Lucia Diaspora came together in packed house to support this spectacular event.
The evening was hosted by the Commonwealth of Dominica, Ontario Association (CDOA) and the St. Lucia Toronto Association (SLTA).
The main highlight of the event was Canada’s first Madam Wob Creole Pageant that saw a total of six contestants, three from Dominica and three from St. Lucia, vie for the title of Madam Wob Creole.
Another highlight of the evening was the launch of a new play written and directed by Lucy Hamlet entitled “La Vie Dou En Creole”.
The play, a love story set amidst the turmoil of the 60’s and 70’s West Indies, explores themes of identity, immigration, language and love within the colour lines.
The Associations of St. Lucia and Dominica have a history of collaboration that includes the recent celebration of His Grace Cardinal Felix in Scarborough, Ontario and Canada’s first Journen Creole(Creole Day) in 2009, in partnership with Haitian colleagues.
The standing room only audience listened as Consul General for St. Lucia, Mr. Michael Willius expressed his appreciation to the organizers for the tremendous effort put forth in helping join the communities, and in the celebration and highlighting of the Creole culture in Canada.
Frances DelSol, Trade & Investment Commissioner for Dominica observed that the event was the continuation of the great working relationship that both Associations have shared and was a shining example of how Caribbean Associations and Caribbean peoples can work together. “What is being done here by Dominica and St. Lucia” she said “is a microcosm of what the Caribbean community in Canada needs to do in our quest to achieve One Caribbean”.
Hernica Dorival Coriette of Roseau, Dominica won the top prize of Madam Wob Creole while Relinda Fletcher originally from Castries St. Lucia and Cherina St. Clair Emmanuel originally of Anse La Raye, St. Lucia came in second and third places respectively.
The other participants included Diane Telemaque & Nora Xavier from Dominica and Gloria Beausoleil from St. Lucia.
Entertainment for the evening included Paula and Levi Loblack of the group Levitasyon, ‘Tricky’ Fontenelle, Joel Sylvester, Prince Flair, DJ Toxic, DJ Intelligent Sound, CCAS Dancers & CDOA Cultural dancers.
President of the Dominica Association, Ms. Hetty Lawrence, expressed her thanks to the audience and volunteers and advised that this event would grow from strength to strength in the coming years.
President of the St. Lucia Association, Mr. Ross Cadasse, was equally appreciative of the hard work done by the volunteers to make the event a success. He also expressed that St. Lucia and Dominica’s creole culture is so similar it is important to continue to showcase it within the Diaspora.
The second Annual Two Islands: One Culture – A Creole Extravaganza and the 2nd Annual Madam Wob Creole is slated to open Creole Month in Canada, next year, on October 4, 2015.
For more information related to the above associations, contact Ross Cadasse 416 432 0239 (SLTA) or Hetty Lawrence (CDOA) Tel: 647 702 6831.
The Wob can be made from Flowered prints……striped, madras or even plain white…the dress is beautiful…love the colours and the flowers on it…congrats…
this is not madrass I have not seen anything like the original cloth of the culture ………
Go do your research them come back with a more informed comment. Since you know so much, perhaps you can join the committee for next year’s pageant, Put your money where your mouth is!
But funny how some people pushing these shows in Canada and the US. They were never a part of the masses in Dominica, wear the traditional dress or even partake in their village carnival events. They were playing too great. Now the dress is their main outfit to parade on facebook and DNO.
Not sure what your point is or if you even have one for that matter. If you are so proud of your culture & are always seen dressed in your cultural wear, then perhaps you need to lead by example and sign up for the next show. Put up or shut up! Let me know if you need an outfit to borrow.
And what is your contribution, other than to criticize. At least, they are doing something now.
Haters will always hate. What does it matter?
Of course she won. Dominica has the most beautiful, intelligent and talented women in the Caribbean. Don’t believe it, come see for yourself.
oh please. Obviously you don’t get out much.
Well done sister islands, I see the Canadian culture habrnt erased yours. Proud of you all. Keep it ablaze.
Well done, keeping the culture alive wherever you are.
Congratulations!!!! Representing ! One love, let Dominica and St. Lucia, come together in unity and blaze the trail towards bringing Caribbean integration at the foe.
congratulations keep making Dominica proud lovely dress indeed