There is a new addition to Dominica’s Carnival product in 2016.
The first ever Bouyon Monarch Competition (BMC) will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016, at a venue still being ironed out by organizers and is expected to be a permanent fixture on the country’s carnival calendar.
Organizers say the show seeks to revolutionize the Bouyon genre and to put it on a grand stage. It is not expected to replace any existing Bouyon styles but add depth to an already dynamic genre.
“Bouyon Monarch is expected to be a core event of the Carnival season with the ultimate goal of exporting ‘an original Bouyon experience,'” Kevin Francis, one of the organizers of the event, said.
The competition will follow familiar formats of Soca and Calypso Monarchs around the region and will focus on our country’s local and authentic sound, he said.
There will be prizes for first, second and third place winners, and participation prizes awarded to other participants.
Registration is open until December 25, 2015, and costs $150.
A total of EC$21,000 is up for grabs at the show.
Interested artists who require more information or applications should email any questions to [email protected].
Applications and guidelines can also be found on Bouyon Monarch Facebook page www.facebook.com/bouyonmonarch.
Bouyon is a musical genre indigenous to Dominica. It is only right that it should be included as part of the Carnival events, as unofficially it already is. When the bouyon bands touch the streets during carnival the celebrations get turned up quite a few notches. Go bouyon, keep it 100% DOMINICAN!!!!
What is the sound of Bouyon? Is there someone kind enough to describe it to me?
I mean that I know Calypso, I know Cadence, and most of all I know Reggae, but I do not Bouyon; must be that I have been gone to long. Lol!
But I am returning shortly–God’s Will be done–I want to know a bit of what I will fined.
I’m glad they have Bouyon Monarch. Bouyon is our creation and should be kept alive. St. Lucian soca artists got their start by sampling Bouyon riddims. Rupee paid for the Balance Batty riddim. The genre also gets ALOT of respect from other Caribbean countries as well.
If carnival is going to be that kind of soup count me out. Bouyon has nothing to do with our carnival, jumping up behind an old truck with T-shirt advertising some commercial product or service. Tja man that is so base. No culture in that at all.
People like you are so negative. What is our culture? Quit being stuck in the past and start thinking out of the box. I see this venture as adding diversity to our carnival events. Bouyon is Dominica’s very own. Let’s support what is ours.
Of course bouyon is our own, our own negative crap. Give me Gordon Henderson and real music any time.
Weather you like it or not its gonna happen you can get all angry you want its gonna happen
Gimme d bouyon!
Finally! Bouyon is Dominica ting. 767 let’s go!
Exactly!