International Jazz Day to form part of DOMFESTA for first time

Jacob said Dominica will observe International Jazz Day for the first time
Jacob said Dominica will observe International Jazz Day for the first time

For the first time, International Jazz Day will be added to the list of activities which form part of Dominica Festival of Arts (DOMFESTA) 2016.

DOMFESTA 2016 which is in its 33rd year was launched at the Old Mill Cultural Centre in Canefield on Tuesday and is being spearheaded by the Division of Culture and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA).

“This year Dominica will be observing International Jazz Day for the first time, however noticing the number of activities that are going on in April and May and DOMFESTA, we came up with three key activities which will platform it for the first time in Dominica,” Marketing Executive DDA, Monique Jacob said while addressing the launching ceremony.

According to her, the DDA has partnered with Castle Comfort Lodge to include their ‘Jazz on the Waterfront’ on Sunday, April 24th from 6:00pm at the Castle Comfort Lodge.

“On Wednesday at the Fort Young Hotel ‘Unwine Wednesday’ will become International Jazz Day ‘Unwine Wednesday and for the entire week from the 25th of April to the 30th of April, we will have a Jazz Corner at Roseau Public Library,” she explained. “This will be dedicated to the evolution of Jazz music and the Dominica Jazz Industry. International Jazz Day was created or formalized in 2011 by UNESCO and is celebrated on the 30 of April annually.”

Acting Chief Cultural Officer, Jacinta David said this year the Cultural Division and the National Cultural Council have prepared yet another wide-ranging programme of activities for DOMFESTA 2016.

David encouraged Dominicans to support DOMFESTA
David encouraged Dominicans to support DOMFESTA

The activities will begin with a dance concert presented by the Waitukubuli Dance Theatre dubbed, “Celebrating the Dream” to be held at the Arawak House of Culture from 8:00 pm and ‘SANKOFA!’ “A Journey Back” will bring the curtains down on June 4th.”

She said the activities will be held in an effort to showcase the temporary artistic expressions in music, drama, art, theatre, literature, film and dance.

David revealed that another new addition this year for DOMFESTA is the Music lovers Government Band 65th Anniversary Concert to take place at the Peebles Park from 7:30 pm on June 3rd.

“Another new addition is the DOMFESTA Film Programme to be held every Tuesday in the month of May,” she revealed.

According to her, DOMFESTA is growing from strength to strength.

She encouraged the general public to attend all the events marking DOMFESTA 2016.

Meantime during the ceremony, a sound system was presented to the Dominica Institute for the Arts (DIFA) courtesy of the ‘Dream Team’ headed by former Miss Dominica, Leslassa Armour-Shillingford.

Her brother, Dafar Armour-Shillingford represented the Dream Team on her behalf.

The donation goes towards the Dominica Institute for the Arts
The donation goes towards the Dominica Institute for the Arts

The following is the list of activities to mark the DOMFESTA 2016:

-“Celebrating the Dream” A Dance Concert by Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company, Arawak House of Culture on April 29-30, 8:00 p.m.
-International Jazz Day on April 30th
-Jazz on the Waterfront at the Castle Comfort Lodge on April 24th, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
-Unwine Wednesday at Fort Young Hotel on April 27th, from 5:30 p.m.
-Jazz Corner, Roseau Public Library on from April 25th – 30
-Kweyol Spelling Bee Competition on May 4 and 11 at the Arawak House of Culture from 10:00am.
The annual Kweyol Spelling Bee competition for primary schools takes place in two stages: May 4 semi-finals in various districts and May 11, the finals at the Arawak House of Culture from 10:00 a.m. This event is organized by the Konmite Pou Etid Kweyol (KEK) and the Division of Culture.
-DOMFESTA Art Exhibition at the Old Mill Cultural Centre
This year’s DOMFESTA Art Exhibition runs throughout the Month of May and features the art works of Aaron Hamilton, Shadrach Burton, Ellingsworth Moses and George Deravariere. The Exhibition opens on May 4 at 7:00 p.m. with live music.
-DOMFESTA Film Nights on May 10 th at the Arawak House of Culture from 8:00 p.m.
-“Not Until” a Play by New Dimension Theatre to be at the Arawak House of Culture, on May 6-8, from 8:00 p.m.
-DAME High Scorers Concert to be held on May 12, at the Fort Young Hotel, from 6:30 p.m.
-“Your Time Is Now” A Play directed by Alwin Bully, Arawak House of Culture, May 13, 11:00 a.m. & 8:00 p.m.
-Jazz ‘n Creole, Fort Shirley, Cabrits, May 15, 2:00 p.m.
-Fete Isidore, Grand Bay May 16
-Africa Week, May 18-25
-Poetry Against Violence, UWI Open Campus, May 18, 7:30 p.m.
-DIFA End of Year Closing Ceremony, Arawak House of Culture, May 19, 4:00 p.m.
-Steel Pan Concert “Moods of Steel” Alliance Francaise, May 21, 8:00 p.m.
-Amateur Drama Evening, Arawak Huse of Culture May 22, 5:30 p.m.
-Festival Jwe Twadisyonnel Domnik, Portsmouth & Roseau, June 2-3, 10:00 a.m.
-Music Lovers Government Band 65th Anniversary Concert, Peeble’s Park, June 3, 7:30 p.m.
-“SANKOFA! A journey back.” Arawak House of Culture, June 4, 8:00 p.m.

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