Three Dominican bands, dance troupe to be recognized

Swinging Stars will be one of the bands to be recognized

Three Dominican bands and a dance troupe are about to be officially recognized by the US-based South Florida Dominica Diaspora and the Dominica Calypso Association.

The four are the Swinging Stars, the Midnight Groovers, the WCK band and dance troupe – the Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company.

The awards, an annual affair, will be presented during Saturday’s Calypso Finals at Carnival City.

One of the key people behind this, Emil “Pa Ben” Serrant, says the four are being recognized not only for the kind of contribution that they have made to Dominican culture and entertainment, but for their longevity as well.

Swinging Stars for example, is fifty years old and has made and continues to make a sterling contribution in the field of music.

Pa Ben told Dominica News Online “the message that we are trying to send is to encourage Dominicans that are in Dominica doing their best to help alleviate and promote and push Dominica and develop Dominica”.

“There are so many people around doing so many things, and it goes unrecognized.  You know we cannot depend on government to recognize people,” he said, pointing out that groups like his have a responsibility to pinpoint deserving persons and honor them.

Swinging Stars, described as the number one dance band in Dominica, is reported to have released 19 Albums and over 30 singles.

Midnight Groovers is meanwhile labeled as being “still the only and oldest Cadence Band in Dominica”.

Of WCK Pa Ben and his association says: “Dubbed the Bouyon Band by fans worldwide, their high-energy shows are legendary in Caribbean entertainment.  The band continues to capture the hearts of multiple generations of music lovers not only with Bouyon music, but with a diverse repertoire, both live and at the production level.”

The “creole creative dance” Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company is credited with having “for many years provided opportunities for young people in Dominica to develop their skills and talents in the area of creative dance music”.

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17 Comments

  1. Country
    March 11, 2012

    Please don’t bash each other. Regardless if a singer or band has 1 fan or 10,000 fans, it’s all good. Music is Dominica’s backbone, look what Reggae has done for Jamaica. Music is a powerfull tool use it to lift each other up not put each other down. Jah Bless

  2. Sout Man
    February 21, 2012

    The ‘King of Cadencelypso’ lives on. Congratulations to the Mighty Chubby and the Midnight Groovers of South City.

    I can recall the rivalry between Ziro’s Black Machine and Chubby’s Groovers. Groovers were giants among Stalwarts like Exile One, Grammacks, Belles Combo, Liquid Ice and Black Affairs. Swinging Stars have been in a class of their own since the demise of the Gaylords Power Union. Congratulations to the Stars, WCK and Waitikubuli Dance Troupe.

    I can recall the many weekends that Groovers ‘jam’ at Woodford Hill, their staunchest supporters, after South City, ( sorry Wesley, Salisbury, Castle Bruce, Grand Fond, Soufriere, Fond St. Jean, Colihaut, Tete Morne, Marigot, Cochran, Petite Savanne and LaPlaine). We have been one and should remain one in Love, Peace and Unity. Thanks to Pa Ben and the Dominica Diaspora group along with the Calypso Association for the recognition.

    Why don’t we have more Groovers ’70’s music on YouTube? What happens to ‘Gwen Zeb La’; sung by Pierre Larbor, but penned by the Mighty Chubby (manipulated by Henri Debbs – nuff said)?

  3. Lyn
    February 19, 2012

    Congratulations to all of them!!

  4. Your Past Schoolmate
    February 18, 2012

    Well done continue the good work god bless

  5. yow
    February 18, 2012

    we die nahhhhh big up wck

  6. Anonymous
    February 18, 2012

    I’m proud.

  7. Breadnut
    February 18, 2012

    well deserved, these Four Groups have surely carried and excited us and gave all of us, joy, dance, fun and MUSIC. Longevity. DOMINICA AND Dominicans at home and aboard let’s all say Thank you, and continue to rein upon us the good vibes of entertainment. You four. Big up every time!!!!!!

  8. River Street
    February 17, 2012

    Get real does WCK truly meets the criteria? With one original member, the true pioneers of Bouyon are not the ones benefiting. Longevity here is only the name. By the way what was the band’s last hit?

    • truth
      February 20, 2012

      why ppl like u love to embarrass all u self, a band is one person fool? its a group and clown it was for long service not for hits, stupid hater

      • River Street
        February 20, 2012

        Jack$$$ your failure to comprehend just shows who is the clown .Longevity as a name, not the work/performance of the persons carrying / exploiting the foundation set by others. We know who’s the real King of Bouyon and he is a River Street man. Allez soukway sak ou la ou van chebown.

  9. WCKism
    February 17, 2012

    congratulations are in order for this WCK PHENOMENON WHICH CHANGE THE MUSICAL INDUSTRY IN THE REGION.

    I have had the dustinct pleasure of seeing the WCK BAND perform in several caribbean islands and more recently beyond the Caribbean. Its quite amazing to see how consistently dynamic they have been irrespective of the change in personel. fans still hope to see the return FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY OF CORNEL RAH SNAKEY some kind of OLD SCHOOL SESSION….. I heard that LIME may well be sponsoring a OLD WCK versus NEW WCK for under privilege charity in Dominica and the Education Trust Fund, Disable and Challeged kids etc…. I do trust that such a venture comes into being.

    So all cudos go to WCK WE WISH THEM ALL THE BEST. They have revolutionissed music and have earned the respect of the substantial majority of Dominicans. True Kings Of The Road ! Magicians of the stage !

    SAME WAY

  10. ....................
    February 17, 2012

    :-D

  11. Amen
    February 17, 2012

    Oh my god I hope they are referring to the old WCK and not that present Coshuni WCK. Since Cornelle left WCK band the set of guys are just ridding the name WCK and are just not delivering. Swinging Stars and Chubby deserve the recognition- congratulations to them.

    • truth
      February 20, 2012

      i can know a triple kay fan wen i see dem write and hear dem talk.. in time to come dey will get their own

    • River Street
      February 20, 2012

      So true!

  12. CIA on the watch
    February 17, 2012

    This pa ben award thing is becoming a joke now, what is the significance of this thing, what is the criteria he use, how does that award makes the awardee more recognize globally, Is pa Ben using his contacts to promote these awardees outside of DA or is he looking for self praise. Just want to open up a debate on this matter

  13. hmmmmmmmm
    February 17, 2012

    your headline says three and your story says four

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