REVIEW of a few carnival events

Throughout the 2016 carnival season, a variety of shows and art forms had taken place.  Majority of which were pageants, calypso events, kubuli village limes and the official carnival Monday and Tuesday.  One only has a better understanding and view of the events through being a spectator.  The impact of being an active spectator is different from that of reading of the event or listening via the radio.  Being an active spectator makes you involved and fully appreciative and critical of the concept.   The youths have been constantly called upon to acknowledge and participate in Dominica’s culture hence; I attended a few of the events and partook in our beautiful isle’s carnival season.  Some of the events were; the Teenage Pageant, Miss Mas Jamboree, and the parade on Carnival Tuesday.  Moreover, these shows which I had attended improved my analytical skills and allowed me to realize the importance, preparation and benefits of these shows.

The Dominica Teenage Pageant was held on the 31^st of January 2016.  With a scheduled start at 5pm the show began with the national anthem accompanied by the Swinging Stars band.  The national anthem was remarkably recited.  This show consisted of seven contestants from various high schools across the island.  These beautiful and intelligent ladies were well rehearsed and instructed throughout the preparation of the show.  It could be seen through their execution in each round mainly the talent and question and answer round.  The multitude of messages within each talent was productive and well incorporated into the performance which they did.  Additionally, the costumes were simple yet vibrant and recreated the idea of the real mas.  The evening wear round demonstrated the ladies elegance, poise and posture which helps them become well rounded individuals in their community.  The bravery and determination which it takes to ensure the success of the show is challenging however, they overcame their fright and represented their schools with pride and honour though, they might not have emerged victorious.  Congratulations to Tiffany Eloi of the Portsmouth Secondary School on her victory to the crown, Tatyana Dangleben of the Convent High School who placed first, Emelda Boston of the Dominica Grammar School who placed second and the other contestants.  I do ensure that the lessons and criticisms these contestants received over the season has moulded and shaped them into responsible and mature females in the society.  Continue striving for success and never be deterred by the negativity of others.  Also, the Dominica Teenage Pageant should be marketed more so that the girls may be given an opportunity outside of the country to showcase their talent.  It is one way of keeping the youth aware of circumstances and situations around them and keeping with their culture.

The Miss Mas Jamboree was the next event which I attended on the 4^th of February 2016.  Generally, the production was splendid as the rounds went by smoothly and the intermissions were carried out by a vast amount of dance groups and artists.  However, the show which was scheduled to begin at 5pm began around 6pm.  There was no explanation for delayed start to the patrons but, the crowd were anticipated and thrilled at the commencement of the show.  The age range however was different from that of the Teenage pageant as this was a show held by the Dominica State College to prepare the girls for further pageants, to become ambassadors to their country and further advertise the college.  The show consisted of six rounds with a total of seven contestants.  However, there was no introduction round where the ladies would give a brief overview of themselves.  I believe that this round should have been inserted.  Throughout the show the crowd grew by the minute to barely being able to move along the forecourt.  The chaperones and personal trainers spent hours ensuring that the girls performed at their best and portrayed their true self throughout each round.  Moreover, the band, engineers and technicians should be applauded for a perfect sound system and overall lighting.  Personally, the thematic wear and talent round were the most entertaining rounds in the pageant.  The various messages in the show were in close relation to rebuilding and togetherness.  Despite the enthusiasm and zeal, the responses to the questions were unsatisfactory, insufficient and appalling for students at a college level.  There were a few who did a brilliant job answering their questions as they thought before they spoke and one may assume well-read individuals.  Our youth should spend more time being aware of local and international affairs, reading and improving their public speaking before considering going up for any pageant.  In addition, the judges had a difficult role in assessing and deliberating their results as in some of the rounds there was no clear cut winner.  Special thanks to the judges, hosts and sponsors for a job well done.  To the winner Chrisline Tavernier a former carnival princess congratulations on another title won, Sue-Elyn Myers for placing first, Saidah Charles who placed second and Arkisha Valmond for securing the third position.  To the other contestants Kerdelle Cuffy, Hendrica Smith and Dahlia Bruno you all performed your outmost best.

In regards to the Carnival Tuesday national parade, consistency must be kept in the flow of the costume bands.  It is detrimental that year after year, wide gap remains leaving the onlookers puzzled as to whether the parade is over.  The festivals committee must take a stern initiative to ensure that all participating bands arrive on time to ensure an efficient and more vibrant, bright, attractive and entertaining parade.  This is to promote our rich culture and gain more sponsors towards Dominica’s carnival.  A special thanks to the police officers who ensured that the level of violence in this year’s carnival was kept low.  I do hope to see an improvement in Mas Dominik 2017.

N.B: This article was written by LEAD Institute student, Chrissia Tavernier, as part the requirements for one of her courses at that institution of learning.