Founder of Creole Heartbeat and leader-organizer of the first-ever Cadence-lypso tribute festival Leroy Wadix Charles, says that the three-night event has contributed tremendously to the local economy.
According to Charles, thus far preliminary figures indicate that over 800 visitors came to the island for the activity which paid homage to several of the local musicians who played a pivotal role in the advancement of Dominica’s indigenous cadence-lypso music.
“Return on investment can be realized. For instance, the visitors had to pay head tax, all rentals were booked for the weekend, hotels got some non-traditional business, the restaurants and supermarkets stores got sales, taxi operators also enjoyed the business,” Charles said.
He continued, “The service providers, the sound systems, the stage and lights operators, security, stage management, the vendors, health and safety personnel, videographers, photographers, ambulance services, musicians and artists all got employed over this weekend,” he added.
The cultural proponent is of the view that the festival has set the stage for this to become an annual flagship event which the entire nation can benefit from.
“We are not trying to compete with the World Creole Music Festival we are trying to enhance Dominica as truly the creole capital. Carnival is a flagship event, Jazz n’ Creole is a flagship event, and the WCMF is another flagship event. In Dominica we have very few events where we can invite the world to enjoy what is indigenous to us and we felt that the cadence lypso tribute festival is one of those opportunities,” Charles stated.
Among some of the many challenges, he revealed that caused him and his team to think that the event would not have come to fruition was the lack of financial resources.
Nevertheless, he declared, “cadence-lypso still prevails and this is something that we need to understand. It belongs to us and if we don’t protect it and take up the responsibility to support it because when it’s dead and done we will have no one to blame but ourselves.”
He went on to express his gratitude to everyone who assisted to ensure the success of the show. He further revealed that a press conference will soon be held to obtain feedback from the public and to disclose the financial statement of the festival which ran from July 29 to 31 at the Windsor Park Stadium forecourt.
Night one of the festival which paid homage to Midnight groovers opened with a thrilling performance from the first serenade band. Other performances from the evening came from Pato of Black roots, Lobster, RSB, Sixth form sisserous singer, White Fayrie and Midnight Groovers themselves.
Night two, which was a tribute to the late Jeff Joe, featured Luc Leandry, Dominica’s lady of Song Ophelia, Curvon Serrant, Chris B, Ecstasy Band and the cadence all-stars.
On night three, patrons were entertained by King Dice who performed alongside the man of the night Fitzroy Williams. Other performers included Derrick Peter, Janet Azzouz, Jerry Llyod, Jay Dee and the signal band, among others.
Below is a photo gallery of the three-night event.
Legendary! Hard work and dedication make big things happen.