Soca Monarch is back, Dimanch Gra Way Lay Lay introduced to carnival 2011

From left: Nathalie Clarke-Meade, Paul Toulon, Clint Henderson and Harold Tyson.

After a one-year absence, the Soca Monarch competition is back on the carnival calendar, but with a few changes.

Dominicans will also see what organizers call the biggest carnival event for 2011 – the Dimanch Gra Way Lay Lay – on Carnival Sunday.

Formerly the Soca Monarch and International Artist night, this year will feature no international artists segment but an International Bouyon Night. It is carded for February 25, 2011.

One of the organizers, Clint Henderson, told a press conference at the Dominica Festivals Committee’s office this morning that financial constraints have resulted in this change.

“We see that we have to try to localize it and because of the funds and the financial injection for that kind of caliber show, we really have to put some money into that show.We see that we have to try to use the local bands more,” he said.

The Soca Monarch will feature two segments where 10 finalists will compete in a groovy soca competition and another 10 in a power (up-tempo) soca segment. The international bouyon night will feature local and international bouyon artistes and bands.

“It’s a forum to see new aspects of new artists in Dominica,” Henderson said.

The Royalty Band from New York will perform on that night. Triple Kay, WCK and Claudette Peters are also carded to perform, among other acts.

Registration for artists costs $25 and closes on Friday. Deadlines may be extended to early next week.

The Dimanch Gra Way Lay Lay, scheduled for March 6, is intended to revive Kiddies Carnival and present a whole list of other spectacles in one day.

The event will start at 3 p.m. with the Kiddies Carnival and continue at 6 p.m. with a Dance Off and DJ Clash. It will culminate with a showcase of various local bands. They  are organized in collaboration with the Dominica Carnival Committee, DFC, Reality Steppers Entertainment, Clint H, among other stakeholders.

These events are scheduled to take place at the Pottersville Savannah, the Carnival City. At present, ANP Solutions Limited is responsible for building that site for carnival celebrations.

More information on both events will be published at a future date.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

10 Comments

  1. who won
    February 26, 2011

    who won the soca monarch?

  2. Lano188
    February 4, 2011

    bigg up 2 my crew R.S.E we LARGE … n bigg up fellaz mamager 1 time tyson u kno ur self .. i still reppin d crew up in d states mn nuff love

  3. Creole Enthusiast
    January 27, 2011

    Gordon Henderson and other pioneers of the cadence music will tell you that soca got its genesis right here in Dominica. King Shorty of Trinidad came here to do a show back in the ’70s and tried out a song written by Dominican Chris Seraphin. This song was called “ou pity”. in the final version the chorus was in Cadence and the verse in Soca. His drummers had difficulties in maintaining the cadence beat so a ‘corrupted rhythm’ ensued which was christen soca. Shorty went back to Trini and ran with the new soca beat. The rest is history.
    I do agree that bouyon need to be dealt with in an organised and profession way so that a unique and endemic sound output eminates. The lyrics and vocals quality need tightening. The foolish infighting between the bands need to be dissipated in favour of cooperation and uniform approach to this beat. Articles should be presented to caribbean and world media demonstrating and promoting our proprietary involvement to its creation.
    I dont share the view that soca should be subsumed within the calypso, where it might serve as a distraction, it has enough potential to build up steam on its own.

  4. Mr.Interrup
    January 27, 2011

    Soca music is not Dominica’s Music! Although it is a good initiative to push the artist, what about our very own Boyoun Music? Nothing is being done to market and promote our music. As we can see that the other caribbean countries are using the boyoun beats and make songs and they call it Soca music. when we infact know its boyoun!

    Dominicans saying oh the music not making sense lyrically etc..But that is the music we created, so why not improve it? we have calypso and we have many great writers why cant writers take interest in boyoun music so great boyoun music with strong lyrics will be produced!

    To cut it short! Can we do without boyoun music for the Carnival? Dominicans will not jump to soca not even for an hour. it is time we go back to the drawing board,develop a boyoun association and even create a boyoun monarch! Lets push our music! Hearts off to all the local bands trying to keep the boyoun alive.

    I have interrupted!

  5. following their masters like poodles
    January 26, 2011

    We have 2 type of music that we develop and can call our own we choose to ignore them and try to emulate Trinidad and promote soca how ridiculous. In Dominica we can never seem to appreciate what we have all we can do is try to copy what is from foreign Why cant we focus on our bouyon music and try to make it as big as trinidad made soca? Why a soca monarch y not a bouyon monarch? what is wrong with us cant we have a music of our own and make it world known or do we think we to small for that. I guess till then we will promote foreign music try to call it our own and ignore ours. One reason why we not going nowhere fast.

  6. Jen/Cane
    January 26, 2011

    Can any other village handle the capacity of this big show? You have to look at transportation (not everybody can manage DA roads), distance between major hotels, etc. Yes it would be nice to take these types of shows to the North South or East but we have to look at that king.

  7. No Name 2
    January 26, 2011

    No offence but how many times have we seen Claudette Peters…after all…..give us something new….

  8. sister souljah
    January 26, 2011

    royalty band reppin for d tri state :mrgreen:

  9. king
    January 26, 2011

    to me Dominica placing too much notice on roseau, even if it the capital , where the second town don’t get no attention, people of the north don’t like visiting roseau every time just to have a good time… and Ian Douglas self just getting fat and not doing nothing for us youth… so check other villages especially around those time…I’m coming back for carnival but if it nonsense , that will be the last time i coming back Dominica 4 carnival

    • Bouquets
      January 27, 2011

      So? Nobody will miss you whether you come or not

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available