The Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) is facing a tough schedule as it plans for two major events in close proximity to each other.
The committee is charged with organizing the 15th World Creole Music Festival to be held in October and the upcoming carnival celebration early next year.
Cultural Advisor Alwin Bully has reiterated that DFC officials are strained with the excess responsibility and has said that this justifies requests for the date of carnival to change.
“Once World Creole Music Festival is over, you just have a few weeks before carnival is on us and the same people who are totally burnt out from World Creole Music Festival have to pull their resources, pull their energy again and try to get things going,” he argued.
Bully said organizers have had to schedule a meeting this month to look at several tasks they must undertake before next carnival.
Simple solution: Put it to a debate and vote on it.
Not having it in February or just before Lent will really change things…..I say try it out and see how is works out. If its not well received then revert to the previous dates.
Put creole festival in august, leave carnival where it is….
Pityful excuse for change and is more of personal agenda of Bruney to move Carnival.
Why not changed date of Creole Festival instead?
Why not just change the people in charge? Carnival is (originaly) based on a religious holiday. Maybe we should move Christmas to July so that the organizers would have an easier time between Creole and Carnival.
To clarify for the person who gave me a “thumbs-down” and austin: I’m asking about joining a costume band in Dominica; a band with a sexy costume, kind of like they have in Trinidad, Brasil etc, NOT a T-shirt band
Man, some people are SO sensitive!
ADMIN, you know how many times Mr. Bully has been saying that? So you going to call this news everytine he makes the same statement? Just pull out the old story, dust if off and you good to go.
I not saying he wrong or right, just that he has said the same thing 300 times before. It stops being news after the 91st time.
By all means de man is determined to have the carnival season moved to a later date. He won’t stop yarking the same thing over and over until he gets his own date. Well Alwyn, we playing mas till the cock crow ash wednesday.
Right on!!!!
Everyone has their opinions on this issue which is all well and good!
I think from the perspective of local businesses, spreading the shopping seasons more evenly over the year is better for the economy. having all the major shopping seasons between october and february is not a peoblem…it’s just that the other months are slow and not much to focus on. Also, after christmas season, businesses have to hustle to get new products in time for carnival. You decide what’s best…this is just a view!
Hmmmm….there may be a reason that other seasons are slow (hint: Emily, etc) Why are you caught by surprise every year after Christmas? After all, it comes every year.
So What are we going to do about saving Agriculture in this country ?
Changing the date of Carnival I dont think will help this !
Slightly off-topic: Does anyone know how i could go about joining a costume band for carnival 2012 (whenever it is, lol)?
I’m looking for something fun and sexy, á la Trinidad, Brasil etc.
Thanks!
bite me
did i miss something? WTF is wrong with you?
Pre-Med puss but but but.. you dow hearing those people planing for the festival where de ras you talking about getting costume for mas 2012 and that hasnt even been looked at in the plannning process. Lord help me.
miss pusina, you and austin clearly have trouble with reading/comprehension! I didnt ask about buying a costume! I said “Does anyone know how i could go about joining a costume band for carnival 2012?”
Meaning: Is there a website or something where i can find information on the costume bands that participate in carnival.
I’m asking a simple question and getting these RIDICULOUS responses!!!
Smh
if you change the date you have to change the name too..and nobody wants that…
The most popular reasons for not changing the date of Carnival are religious, conflict with Caribbean festivals and conflict with school end of year. While these arguments are all valid, many of our Caribbean counterparts are faced with the same challenges and somehow manage to make alternative Carnival dates work for them.
I think we need to define Carnival in a Dominican context and then set goals and objectives based on that definition. With public participation, an independent committee should assess those goals and objectives and then determine the parameters necessary to accomplish the desired outcome. For example, if one of the goals is to increase the number of visitors to our shores, the committee should look at convenient dates for returning Dominicans and regular tourists, increased access (both air and sea), international marketing opportunities and partnerships, city cleanliness and hygiene, etc. Given different objectives, other issues would be discussed and decisions taken.
Ultimately, the real issue isn’t the date of Carnival, but the definition of that event. Another concern is that the public should remain open-minded and flexible. Yet another major issue is the willingness of decision makers to engage the public. The powers that be should consult with the public and we, as the public, should be willing to compromise (within reason) and change if necessary. For example, the events held on the Monday and Tuesday Street Jump-up were switched over the last two years, and some believe that this change has resulted in a more smoothly run Carnival. What do you readers think of that change…?
However, I do agree that there needs to be better time management at DFC. I’m not sure that delegating to a subcommittee or a brand new group would solve the problems. And I’m not convinced that changing the date would result in a better product either.
To those who keep saying things like “get younger people involved” and “give the youngsters a chance”… I totally disagree. The young people need to give themselves a chance! Show interest by volunteering for DFC events (they always welcome volunteers), join a costume or T-shirt band and offer extra help, start your own band… Young people cannot wait for the powers that be to ask for input. They need to step forward and show that they can add significant value to WCMF and Carnival in their own ways.
if its their job to handle 2 festivals in a year, and they cannot handle that, then I don’t know papa. Are these paid employees or volunteers. If volunteers then I understand.
The summer would be good!
If you are so concerned about your culture or see the value help build it…The asking for a change of date is a clear indication that you see trinidad (my home) have more value than your very own…Where as you could push to PROMOTE DOMINICA AS AN ALTERNATIVE.
Remember Carnival is not Literary festival where you can insult many local writers, Play writers and novelist with the skill Qualification and bring down foreigners to talk THE SAME THESE MEN AND WOMEN DO ALL THEIR LIFE
Philsbert Aaron, Harold Sealy, Arundelle Thomas, Dorothy Leery, Alick Lazare,PAT Aaron, Steve Hyacinth, Ian Jackson, even lennox honeychuch mannnyyyyy more in your country….You had to go trinidad!! I had to leave trinidad to here a trini talk about writing in DOMINICA?? Does Dominica have a perspective? do you care or Value it?
I like this…it is so true we seek to place less value on what we have here…!!! I am sure the Trini person took his/her name from I is ah trini…they valu what they have so they not changing it for nothing…and he is right if you cannot appreciate your own then whats the point
to admin: Hey i humbly ask that you post the comment before so that his above can make sense and flow to support my argument…thank
I like this!!
is the same 365 days a year….
how is it some islands can manage their 6 month block of festivities and we cant….
Trinidad does it fine…all their band launch already..what he need to do is promote efficiency of the Carnival ORganizers not change the date…why no band here ent launch yet?
Strategize DFC! Strategize! You cannot possibly begin to plan these events just a few months of the actual dates! By the time you are finished with WCMF, you should only have to follow up on things for Carnival, not start preparing for it and the cycle continues, same for the WCMF, you cannot wait till after Carnival to start planning for the WCMF. Strategize! You have a template, WCMF has been happening for more than 10yrs and Carnival is a no brainer….Work Efficiently…something that is lacking real badly in our beautiful island.
You old timers need to let the younger more energetic crowd have their chance. Let others run one and you guys handle the other. Do not change the date!!! What u guys need to do is this..Right now have carnival bands register and encourage them to have their members register in their bands. If more costume bands were created and ppl had months to pay installments more ppl would join bands.
put down $20+ everymonth till you pay everything by the time carnival monday come ppl already pay their bands and bands have everuthing organised months ahead. when i say months i mean atleast 8 months man.. none of that last minute bullcrap…
Not only Old timers but those holding unto an imaginary Status Quo
PUT THE CARNIVAL IN MAY THAT WILL GIVE PPL WHO ARE TRAVELING FROM OVERSEAS TIME TO GO BACK MAKE SOME MONEY TO COME SPEND …… I THINK THATS THE BEST DATE DOMINICA LABOUR DAY MAY IST 2011 HAPPY CARNIVAL TO ALL..
but chris , moving carnival to may, isn’t bringing it closer to creole festival…who can pull resources between may and october?
Bully go rest your weary soul, make room for younger energy.
In all fairness to Alwin, he has called on the youth to get on board on several ocassions.
ALL OFF YOU THAT JUST TAKING THERE STOP DISCOURAGING AND PUT ALL YOU MOTHER— AND WORK YOU ALL DON’T WANT TO DO NOTHING JUST SIT BEFORE ALL YOU COMPUTER AND WAIT TO MAKE COMMENT.
You are a true Dumnican
Yes! forming a new committee for the carnival event seems to me a better idea than changing the dates. Do you have an idea when you would like to change the date to?
Unbelievable that a suggestion (informed by experience) is soliciting this unwarranted attack on Mr. Bully! Why are our people so vicious?
It is this kind of attack, especialy from people who sit on the wayside, that drives our talented and capable people away.
mr Bully after you enjoy all your years of carnival in the nice cool days, now your bones old and hard and cannot dance no more you want to change date and put it in the hot sizzling summer days? You just being selfish man.
CARNIVAL was there first. So if any thing should change, it would have to be CREOLE FESTIVAL.
Now that’s the best thing I’ve heard.
If Mr. Bully cannot manage then I am sure there are others in Dominica, younger people, with ideas also who can organise the carnival, so we can have two management teams, they can collaborate but it does not all have to be the same people.No need to change any dates. Employ more people, let us have some new ideas.
Equation for conflict: Carnival as we know it, was originally a religious celebration by Roman Catholics. Now, a non-religious committee (DFC) is responsible for it.
Sorry Mr Bully, but the only solution is to hand “Carnival” back to the Catholic church. Let the Catholics who oppose change do their thing including following all the rites.
Then you should start a new celebration with a new name and date. It has been done successfully (Toronto-Caribana, Barbados-Cropover etc)
Failing to do so will be like banging your head against a wall. Dominicans don’t like change, even if it’s for the better.
One Love
@ Poyo
Where do you reside and what do you know? Do not be silly. What change are you talking about?
Who are you anyway? Are you or were you not a Catholic and a practicing one at that to begin with?
Alwin is a Catholic unless he ceased practicing his faith. He should never consider changing the date of carnival for he fully knows why carnival is held at that time.
I am certain that it is not only the Catholics who oppose the change. Those who oppose the change are within their rights and are correct.
Some of you blab your mouths and put your fingers to the keyboard without first discerning what you heard, read about and what you oftentimes state, relaying the wrong information.
You speak of Toronto Caribana. First of all, the date of Caribana has not changed and never will be unless winter sets in, in summer. The date is here to stay, the last Saturday in July, leading up to the first Monday in August which is a civic holiday in Ontario, called Simcoe Day – historical.
Are you fully aware of the reasons about the “change of name” for Caribana? It is because the very original organizers and others could not get along. There was a lot of disagreements and melee among those people to the point of enmity and some of them not turning up for meetings.
Some of the money from the proceeds was not utilized legally, some for their personal expenses. In the end, this is what it came to. Caribana almost lost out/ceased. The City of Toronto got involved and then Scotiabank which can afford to fund it. The government provides a certain amount of funding but Scotiabank now owns Caribana and sadly so. They want to reclaim “Caribana”. The controversy will continue. All this because so-called blacks could not get along and cannot get along. What else is new, eh?
When you speak and write, state the truth, prove yourself and give reasons. As the saying: “Be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth in gear” and “fingers to the keyboard” prior to sending your comments” lest you provide wrong information and deceive others.
The date of Dominica’s carnival has been set years ago and it should remain so, religious or otherwise. Everyone in Dominica, whatever their religious affiliation love carnival and participate in it one way or the other. Nationals who reside out of the country visit there at such a time. They look forward to carnival at that time.
As for Barbados Cropover, I am not interested nor should Dominica. In any case, keep Toronto Carnival and Barbados Cropover out of it. These have absolutely nothing to do with Dominica and the date of its carnival. The issue here is changing the established date of Carnival.
LET THE DATE REMAIN AS IS! NO DATE CHANGE IS NECESSARY!
yeah let Dominicans hold on to their little spontaneous carnival that’s going no where…..Mr. Bully is quite right. If carnival has to get anywhere the date has to be changed.
I must have touched a nerve between your eyes and brain. (if you have one) You might be able to read quite well, but you must have missed the comprehension class. What I said (and you can re-read) is DO NOT CHANGE CARNIVAL DATE. Start a totally new celebration with a new name and date (LIKE Caribana or Cropover)
All who want to celebrate Carnival can still do so as is. Why does DFC have anything to do with a Roman Catholic event?
I was born and raised a Catholic. Yes the same church which forgives priests who abuse little boys. Yes the same religion which held mass above the holding cells filled with slaves along Africa’s west coast. The same Catholic church which was responsible for the Roman Inquisition and condemned Francesco Patrizi, Giordano Bruno, Tommaso Campanella, Girolamo Cardano, Cesare Cremonini, and Galileo Galilei. The same Catholic church which would condemn you for believing in heliocentricism. In actuality, the Roman Catholic Church was no different than the “Radical” Muslims of today who believe that anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe ought to be removed from this Earth.
One Love
Leave Barbados out of it, you know nothing about it…….cropover was always at the same time and has never been changed……so what are you talking about PLEASE
i do think the people we put incharge of doing our local festivals are not good enought to run and manage those things. what do you need another 2 months to have a 14 month year calander to be able to do things. get on with it as is.
If Dominicans claim they love Jesus, they should follow him my question to you all is, if Jesus peace be upon him was in Dominica right now, would he approve of Carnival? Would he approve of the filthy music, women half naked, fornication and adultery under the influence of alcohol, fighting, murders etc?
Where is the spiritual benefit of this Carnival? Who legislated Carnival?
There is nothing wrong with Carnival. God expects that human beings must have fun and some sort of deviation.
What is wrong is the manner in which some people dress and conduct themselves during Carnival.
Keep in mind, not everyone approves of the mode of attire and what it has come to, today.
How about you? As you criticize and are quick to quote what Our Lord Jesus Christ said, how do you live your life in Jesus Christ? Are you perfect? This is mortal and spiritual food for thought.
I admire and respect Alwyn, he is gifted and hard working, but changing carnival date is not the answer. Dominica festival committee should have two committees, one for WMF, and one for carnival. The planning should not start in October, but March, right after Carnival, and November, right after WMF.
In Dominica, the same people are asked to sit on all committees, thereby missing valuable talent and ideas from our young people, bring in other people, especially the young ones, they have fresh ideas and usually think outside the box. Delegate, delegate, delegate.Why don’t the Festival Committee have fundraisers throughout the year?? One must remember that the very people who would visit have things happening in their country as well, especially the summer months. In North America, summer months are for proms, weddings, family reunions, to name a few, because we have to take advantage of the warm weather, so its not all about what is happening in Dominica.
Long time mister trying to change the date for Carnival. He keep bringing it up every few years or so.
Since all you cannot manage to host events one after the other, then why not change the date of the Creole festival? After all it is still in its infancy.
Carnival is the legacy that our fore parents left us. That was their celebration from slavery, it would be disrespectful to change that. This is our heritage and culture man, you of all people should know that.
Again if you can’t manage try moving the creole festival to the summer or step aside and let someone more energetic take over.
I watchin’ still….
By the way,,what is carnival, what brought it around in the first place, how did it end up being on these dates? Wouldn’t changing the dates cause it to loose it’s meaning? If the date for carnival all of a sudden is an issue…..just bam carnival totally.
*ban
@ looking in
You asked some good questions. You should know that Carnival is around prior to your great grands and mine. Lennox Honeychurch who has done research and writes historical books on Dominica could give you this information. He did write a book some years ago which I have and read. Ask him or go to the Dominica Library or a book store and you will get this information, if you reside in Dominica.
What I recall Carnival originated from the days of slavery and when the slaves made fun of their masters. Please look for the book. It is about the history of Dominica and other relevant matters.
It is for this reason that Carnival is historical and traditional and the date should not be changed. It may be that Alwin is not aware of that or that he has forgotten. For an educated person he should know about it and not wish to change the Carnival dates.
Some people harp on the idea that it has to do with Catholicism. This may very well be so for in that era Catholic French missionaries came to Dominica to preach the faith and that Carnival was established prior to Ash Wednesday, to have some “clean fun” prior to Lent, days of fasting and abstinence. There were no parties or dances during that time. On Wednesdays and Fridays meat was not eaten.
Today, some people have turned Carnival into something it was not in those days. Now, some people with their so-called modern day ideology try to change the Carnival dates. Figure this out.
October, November, December, January?????? Hard to describe that as “close proximity” Dang, I used to do about 20 major events during that time frame. Maybe the problem is the wrong organizers, not the wrong dates.
@ Production Manager
Alwin needs to learn a lesson from you.
i think that the committee must put their act together. they only have two things to organisy not mloe and they cannot do any. there should be a committe dealing with carnival and one dealing with Creole festival. One more thing, whynot move creole fest to another date.it is INTERFERING with Independence.so move it to sometime in August together with Emancipation and leave carnival alone.
It would be a good idea to change the dates because Dominica and Trinidad have their carnival during the same time. Maybe we would get some of those people going to Trinidad instead…
Alwin!. This is a controversial and complex issue. As a very good friend my advice to you is leave that alone (God Bless you always).
Why not just stop having carnival, we are old and tired.
Speak for yourself, grandpa.
@ Anonymous
Have you given up on life yet?
Have you not heard, you are as old as you feel and life is what you make of it? You are never too old to enjoy life, health and strength permitting.
alwin did yu leave overseas for about twenty years? well we got by very well. kreole fest is what 15 years old close about/ leave well alone. do not let Ghost and alex bruno and dem fellahhss bulldozing an using u. do not dosrespect the Churcha nd the schools. 50% of the kids will fail if yu mess with their exam time. give it a break an cool it. clam down bredren
Alwin, please leave well alone. I read that in the past you have been promoting changing Carnival to suit other West Indian countries carnival.
You are depicting that the Creole Music Festival is more important than the Dominica Carnival and takes precedence over it. Who are you pleasing?
I do think that you are upsetting resident Dominicans who have known Carnival at that time ever since they were born and prior to that.
There is a reason why the Carnival date was established in bygone years prior to Lent.
You are also upsetting those of us who reside abroad in a wintry country and who look forward to the traditional Carnival in winter during this visit.
Carnival means much to resident Dominicans and to those who reside abroad in whatever country, warm/hot or cold. They look forward to this time.
There is no excuse to change the traditional date of Dominica’s Carnival.
The date which should be changed is the Creole Music Festival, a few months from Carnival. It can be done.
In any case you will do well to leave the Carnival date as is. No change of date is required. Squash this idea once and for all. Thank you!
PLEASE LEAVE THE DATES U IDIOTS WORLD CREOLE
JUST COME ON THE SCENE AND U ALL WILL LOOSE
IT ANYWAYS TOO MUCH REGGAE BANDS. THE WORLD CREOLE MUSIC FESTIVAL HAVE NO TASTE AGAIN
Our carnival date is preventing us from realizing full economic benefits to carnival. Liat’s industrial action illustrated how much of an economic venture carnival is, well in this case to Grenada, who was expecting about 10 000 visitors for the event. Our date is competing with Trinidad, and well you guys may think that i am making this up but some caribbean islands do not even know if we celebrate carnival. They know of Trinidad around that time and thats that.
As far as the religious ppl go, carnival is NOT a christian feast, therefore whether or not it is before or after lent is all a matter of tradition which can change.
if the festival committe cannot handle doing two events then i suggest that a separate one be set up specifically for carnival… that should solve d problem!!
All respect to you Mr Bully, one of our Cultural Gurus; however while open to the idea of change I am not yet convinced that your proposed change is substantiated and therefore not warranted at this time. While I agree that the preparation time for Carnival is limited, the burnout of a small group of people doing the work should be seen an opportunity for other people to participate. The argument for a change in Carnival’s date is based on issues related to the organisers of Carnival or the supply of the product. At a glance I believe that there are weaknesses in this trend of thought as I think we have left out the patrons, arguably the most important element of Carnival.
Given the importance of the patrons, Carnival should be held when it best suits them not the organisers. Whenever Carnival is held the locals will be there; this leaves the patrons who are off island. I am not sure of the best time for them, therefore I would ask “Have we analysed the overseas patrons to determine when would be best for them? Do we have any surveys which can inform out timing decision? Would patrons be willing to come in summer when there are so many activities available in Europe and North America? Why do the cruise ship companies have a winter cruise season in our region and not a summer cruise season? Have they done any research and found that people find it much more convenient to escape the cold of winter?
I really do not know the answers to these questions but just think that they should be among the factors considered in deciding on whether to change the date for Carnival or when is the most appropriate time. Please let us not be copycats and say that St Lucia did it, therefore…. Also, we have already said that ours, “The Real Mas” is different from Trinidad’s Carnival and therefore not competing with theirs. My two cents.
Think before you act Mr. Bully.
1. Big mistake to move carnival from SUNNY February/March to RAINY, STORMY June/July
2. Let’s say if carnival were to be moved to June/July you would still have 3 months to prepare for the WCF thereby contradicting your reasons for changing the date.
3. If it is a burden on the committee to handle both festivities, the obvious resolution is to create two seperate committees
Alwin Bully,don’t u think the few days of your life that is remained to live on planet earth, the great GOD almighty will repay u better for doing a spiritual work for him which would help the youth stay away from drunkeness and all abominable acts.For neither revelling nor drunkeness shall inherit the kingdom of GOD.
NO NO NO CHANGES TO THE CERNIVAL DATE. LEAVE IT AS IT IS.
Alwin I am tired telling you: If you want to go to Trinidad for Carnival, just GO. We not changing no potato date for you OK?
How many years now since the World Music Festival? So why now? Have oneever thought of sub-committee or haven’t the heard of the word delicating.
Some people just want to do it all and then complain.
LOL the word is “delegating” and i know that’s no typo! maybe you should volunteer your services?
true dat true dat, the solusion is to share the load, some think is they alone that can run these things,that’s he problem, date change will have the same problems,if the same people running things.
valid point, but please don’t touch the dates for carnival 2012………i have already schedule my vacation for this event………….
The St. Lucia Jazz Festival is held in May and St. Lucia Carnival in July. What is wrong with the World Creole Music Fetival being held in October/November and Carnival in February/March.
If we have all systems in place and ongoing promotions that should not be a problem.
The issues affecting our special events is not the timing but rather:
(1) Lack of adequate access. While we have night landing capabilities, we do not have direct international air access from North America and Europe and this is what will make the difference with international patronage to the events.
(2) Lack of adequate partnership/sponsorship of the events. That is partly due to the limitations of the corporate partners. That being said, those who come forward must be graciuosly thanked for their imput.
(3) After 15 years… we have not taken the World Creole Music Festival as a business… we are still talking volunteerism. Where are we going… while some vounteering others drawing big time. This i=will not work. Get real we are in 2k11 y’all
(4)Support of fringe events to ensure that that major events like Carnival and the WCMF gets added promotions. Why should the focus be of Carnival and WCMF in Roseau only.
OK it’s a Roseau thing then by all means other Dominicans who live in other parts of Dominica will not be as committed to it. LEarn from Saint Lucia y’all…
Also canival is a religious activity associated with the Roman Catholic Church and the Lenten Season. IT IS NOT PART OF THE EMANCIPATION FROM SLAVERY. EMANCIPATION IS IN AUGUST.
Carnival and WCMF are two different events. Treat them as business opportunities and put separate management teams to manage these events individually and see how much money we going to make.
Stop making Dominicans feel like is only some that know how to organize events and is more sh** they doing… get real y’all and get other people involved… we are Dominicans too…keep it real.
I do agree their are a lot more matters in DA that need looking into stop this nonsense and stop interfering with the CANIVAL dates we in DA can organized several EVENTS back to back it is time to move away from that idea Alwin Bully what bring added funds to the CANIVAL is from the folks that come home so dont just sit there and think it’s only a DOMINICAN thing people come from all over do you think a change of dates will bring more people and their are those of us on the Island that we are just alright.
I agree we should have two seperate management teams it’s two different EVENTS that is what Alvin you should be discussing.
To What?? We will do so then there will be some excuse why the events are poorly planned. It is time that Dcans learn to do long term planning and also allowing other people to get invloved in the planning process rather than having the same set of ppl doing everything.
Each festival should have its own committee. The date and time of Carnival has a history. Hence when the Carnival season is over that committee should be planning for the next year. It is a job, so it requires had work to be successful. No matter what date you change Carnival to, you guys will experience the same problem. Start planning early and be organized.
@ Chant
You are correct. Wise statement. Dominica’s Carnival has a history and it should remain just that way.
I guess unless Mr. Bully gets HIS way, there will be no end to the ‘change carnival date’ story.
We have said over and over, carnival is based on the catholic calendar of events. It culminates on ash wednesday and we know the rest. We are not interested in changing history. If the organization cannot handle the work load which they are paid to do, then hire some people, create emplyoment and delegate efficiently. The problem is one set of people want to be the decision makers. They want to impose all their ideas on the rest of us. Other people have ideas and are quite capable of handling the organization of these events.
Mr. Bully, if you are unable to face the heat, get out of the kitchen (aka RETIRE, LEAVE). In the meantime, our calendar of events for the year will remain unchanged. Thanks!
Well Said. I was thinking the same, but you are head of me
MR.BULLY MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE MOVING OF THE CARNIVAL DATE WILL NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.WHAT MUST BE DONE IS,
1.REDUCE THAT VAT AND TAXES ON CARNIVAL MATERIAL BY 100%.
2.BANDS LIKE SWIN-IN STARS,WCK,TRIPLE-K ETC MUST REDUCE THEIR PRICE FOR PLAYING ON THE ROAD BY 50%.
3. GOVERNMENT MUST GIVE THE BAND LEADERS OR CUSTUME BUILDERS SOME FINANCIAL HELP.
IT IS TRUELY MADNESS TO PAY A BAND $7000 TO $10,000 TO PLAY ON THE ROAD.
not only close proximity but many of us would like to come for carnival and have kids. ending of june would be great since kids would be out of school. may have more visitors
@ Anonymous
I expected that of you. You are not the only Dominican. I emphasis that Carnival should never be changed to specifically suit you who are solo in approving this traditional change.
Considering that some people visit once in some years, the kids will one day grow up and soon enough. You will have enough time to visit at Carnival.
By the way they are children, human beings, not kids. Kids are small goats.
@ Truth and Love:
1- Anonymous is NOT the only one approving the change.
2- Are you kidding me? Emancipate yourself from mental slavery. This is 2011. Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time. “Kid” was first recorded as an extended meaning of “child” in the 1590s and was established in informal usage by 1840s.
One Love
I am quite sure that many come to Carnival and make kids already. Check the birth rates for November.
Please live the date of carnival as is… We need to get the youth involve or more involves in our cluture planning and leadership role. Bring them onboard the committees. start from the school to get them involves and have seminars and work shops to get them interested.
Live the date for carnival as is… people are use to those dates
Please the date as is…….
Then the date is not the problem.
The same shoulders are obviously bearing too much of the load of these two major events.
There is a need to get more people involved and an organization structure that would enable planning and organization for both events to be carried out simultaneously.
In the real world there is always a hangover effect after a very successful showing, i.e. – if one event is very successful, the other, most likely, would be a flop. I believe that this kind of structure would also ensure that both events are very successful.
no no no no
YEAH! PUT IT ON GOOD FRIDAY!
IT WOULD BE A FITTING GESTURE TO WHAT WE HAVE BECOME
And your point is????? What have we become, exactly?
WE HAVE BECOME:
ANTI CHRISTIAN
ANTI CHRIST AND…
ANTI TRUTH
WITH THIS ENDLESS AND SNSELESS REVELRY DEVOID OF ANYTHING HOLY WE HAVE MADE A MOCKERY OF OUR CHRISTIAN LABLE.
WE HAVE MADE A MOCKERY OF THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST.
WE HAVE BECOME THE ROMANS
OH… AND I AM CATHOLIC BY THE WAY
Reggie saying at the end”I am a hypocrite by the way “
The other dates that come to mind are all crowded with similar festivities – St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, and Grenada.
We will be competing for airlifts with the limited number of flights that we get from liat. Never mind the idea of night landing. It will not happen anytime soon.
The other challenge we in Dominica will have is that of participation from schools – primary and secondary – common entrance or grade 6 assessment, CXC, GCE and other final term exams. Then there is final term report card with parents always making it a priority to begin the purchase of text books for their children over the two and a half month holiday period since we in this country cannot buy all our children textbooks within one month!!!
These are the challenges that will confront revenues for carnival with a change of date. It will not be more profitable; it will not breakeven like now; we will pile up heavier losses. The bands that travel for Labour Day, Caribana and Nottingham Carnival will be challenged too.
Take an in-depth study and do a value for money analysis. Part of the solution is to provide the private sector and individuals with tax incentives for both carnival and Creole festival sponsorships and to increase the staff compliment of the Festival commission. Other things that will lessen the work load is to have a permanent venue for carnival and Creole festival – that will help eliminate the annual financial wastage for stage rentals by having our own stage, light, and sound. These items can be rented out at other times in the year to bring some revenue for the commission.
Alas, I even forget Domfesta activities.
Carnival has been as is and it did not affect anyone, school children or not, in those days. Why today?
Let us not make an issue out of it. Leave Carnival as is. Period!
I WILL ALSO CALL UPON THE POWERS THAT BE TO LISTEN TO DI MAN. LISTEN TO HIM PLEASE. HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.
SIR YOU ARE AN EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD AND I FULLY AGREE WITH YOU. NOT ONLY BASED ON THE FACT THAT YOUR TEAM IS OVERWHELMINGLY TIRED, BUT ALSO BASED ON THE NEED FOR HAVING THE FESTIVAL AT A TIME WHEN THERE IS NOTHING ELSE GOING ON ON ANY OF THE CARIBBEAN, THEREBY CAUSING MORE VISITORS FLOCKING ONTO OUR SHORES.
@ Jespen
Who cares what is going on in other Caribbean countries? Dominica has had a historical, traditional Carnival from bygone years. There is no need to change it and it should not be changed to suit outsiders. Comprehend?
Alwin should promote Dominica’s Carnival, in that many will flock to its shores.
I recall a Trinidadian who visited Dominica stated that he prefers Dominica’s carnival to T & T and would visit Dominica at carnival time. It is not a matter of having lavish and expensive costumes but enjoying oneself, having a good time and peacefully. This is what Dominicans have enjoyed throughout the years. Let us keep carnival as is which means the date.
i don’t agree with changing the date of carnival..so what u all are saying if u all push carnival to sometime in May or early summer u all are not gonna be under the same burden to prepare for creole fest..
no matter what month u all put carnival u all gonna have lil time to plan..
Let’s say u all put carnival in June, u all just gonna have 3 months to plan for fest..
I LOVE MY CARNIVAL IN FEBRUARY!!! NO NEED TO CHANGE IT!!AND U ALL DNT HAVE TO WAIT FOR FEST TO FINISH TO PLAN FOR CARNIVAL..
ALL NOW SO U ALL SHOULD BE PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR CARNIVAL..
Our main problem with carnival in Dominica is lack of costume bands..A very good idea is the committee should set up an account and have people pay by installments for their costumes, so by the time carnival arrives the people should already have their costumes.. That’s for people who cannot afford to pay for their costumes right away..
I believe this will help increase the number of people in the costume bands..
It’s just an idea I am throwing out there..We need to try different strategies to get people involved in the bands..every year is the same thing..So please Dominica Carnival committee I am throwing this idea out there, hope u all are pleased with it..
@ Till
The issue is that Alwin wants to change the date of carnival because of the Creole Music Festival. This is not the first time he suggested that this should be done and if I recall prior to the Creole Music Festival being established. Correct me if I err on this one.
Alwin did not mention about costumes, the type of costumes and the cost. You should take this up with the Carnival Committee.
We need to stick to the issue, changing the carnival date.
all u man do damn lazy….if is me that had the money to run them thing dere u would see how dominica would be…..events whole year round none stopp
all u guys need to do is have 2 separate commitees in order to achieve your goals. There should be a committee for WCMF and another committee for carnival celebrations. In that way there will be no need for hustling and lack of involvement. The present date of carnival is fine with me. Lets not make the date an issue because u guys lack planning expertise. If the date has to be changed its gonna clash with many other activities around the caribbean . And lets not talk bout the months april-june where primary and high schools all over dominica is preparing for exams including the common entrance and cxc exams. Mr. Bully all due respect, but please seek advice from the general public b4 making decisions through your team.
HOW ABOUT PUTING CARNIVAL UNDER THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE , SO THE PROBLEM OF EXHAUSTION OF STAFF OF DFC IS NOT THEN AN ISSUE?
great idea! If it’s not broke, don’t fix it
Seriously? After one event people are burnt out? this is the real world. event planners do it day in day out. get focus. learn how to multi task and complete projects symultanously.
@ Anonymous
You are one person who always contradict what you state. Can you not make up your mind?
no too much rain in october and there is already too much going on during october