On June 30, 2013, Dominica was represented in a historically significant way in Bridgeport, Connecticut as Dominica Tri-State Area Connection (DOTSAC) participated for its first time in the annual Great Barnum Street Parade.
The parade, the culminating event of the Barnum Festival, has been a staple of Bridgeport’s history since 1948, a commemoration of Bridgeport’s most famous resident, P. T. Barnum and is described as a celebration of peoples and communities united.
Members of DOTSAC were joined by representatives of Dominica Emerald Organization of New Jersey (DEONJ) as well as representatives of three organizations from Boston: Dominica Independence Association, Dominica Boston Cultural Performers and Dominica Heritage Society of New England.
The Dominican contingent was divided into two parts. Some, wearing white DOTSAC t-shirts navigated a helium dinosaur balloon while others, dressed in Dominica’s national wear wowed parade onlookers with singing and dancing.
Honored guest, Dominica’s lady of song Ophelia Olivaceé-Marie, led the “chantuelle” and “lavway” performances of popular folk songs including “Come Go Home/En Nous Allez .” Gamaliel “Gammy” Moses (son of Delmance “Ras Mo” Moses) worked magic on the “tambou” drum and cultural dancers paused briefly along the route to teach spectators how to do the Heel and Toe and other Dominican dances.
DOTSAC’s president David Mann, expressed his pride at the fact that Dominicans, both by birth and heritage, adults and children alike, came together in such a show of unity. Mr Mann communicated that it was the group’s intention to continue to participate in this annual tradition in fulfillment of part of DOTSAC’s mission. “DOTSAC’s mission,” he said, “is to educate communities about Dominica; to recognize and assist with the needs of those less fortunate including but not limited to Dominican interests, to promote Dominican culture, heritage and products in the tri-state area and to help foster a co-operative relationship between Dominican communities and their American counterparts.”
DOTSAC has been in existence since 2008. While still fairly young, the organization has hosted a yearly Flag Raising Ceremony and Talent Expo in the City of Bridgeport, using these events to recognize notable Dominicans and gather contributions to benefit Dominican causes including CHANCES Place of Safety Home. DOTSAC’s executive consists of Dominicans living in Connecticut including: David Mann (Bath Estate), Fern Allick-Mann (Wesley), Jessica Floissac (Roseau), Efia Joseph (Portsmouth), Avanson Clarence (St. Joseph), Gloria Laudat (), Shermaine Cooke-Edmonds (Roseau), Drix Hill (Mahaut), Gamaliel Moses (Delices), Emmaline Mann (Bath Estate), Laureen Williams (Goodwill) and Derrick Mann (Bath Estate).
People with the negative comments please join the group so the next time it will be bigger and better. Some of my country people u don’t know how to please them. everything positive u try to do there are those that always have something negative to say. You all have no idea what it takes to run an events, stop blahing and come on broad u views are welcome
Thank you to Jimi Hendrix, Pellam and Justice and Truth. We appreciate that you understand what may be necessary to effectively spread the word. It would be an awesome thing if all of us were this proactive. Apologies, of course, to those who genuinely do not find out about our events on time. Please email us your contact information at [email protected] and we will be sure to include you when we issue information regarding events. You are also welcomed to find us (for the time being) on FB. We have a page and a group, both named Dominica Tri-State Area Connection (DOTSAC). In the meantime, we are working on a website and will give the info regarding the site as soon as it is completed. Stay blessed!
Thanks for all the wonderful and encouraging words, even the constructive criticisms. Truthfully, the timing of this event did not allow us the opportunity to contact more people than attended. So for all the people in and around NY, NJ, CT and MA, we promise to send out the word way in advance next time. In the meantime, feel free to check out our page and group on FB (Dominica Tri State Area Connection/DOTSAC). If you request an addition, we will be more than happy to facilitate.
As for other events, we have the yearly flag raising event – this year’s date is September 22, 2013. In addition, we have our yearly BBQ fundraiser one month in advance of the flag raising – August 18. So we would love to have as many as can attend. Blessings to all and let us continue to keep the interest of our beloved land in focus always.
Alright, woohoo. Way to go DOTSAC.
Make us proud…
post my comments. i want to know what is the history about that? Is there anything wrong about my question ADMIN?
While we promote Dominica’s culture overseas, the culture is being taken over by the Chinese at home.
what is the history about that?
Good question! Most of them use these association to get people to go to DA to vote illegally; that’s where they start to put their list together to buy tickets for thier cohorts to come to Dominica to vote for Labor and leave Domicians in misery this is just a farce.
What are we raising the flag to really???
THE WAY U SOUND U SO WILL CRIPPLE DOMINICA, I CAN TELL U ARE AN ANGRY DOMINICAN, YOU SO DONT NEED ANY REASON WHY THE DOMINCA FLAG
It’s people like you that don’t want to see Dominica move forward. you don’t need any explanation about the flag raising. get a grip,Jealousy
Thanks thanks for all the positive comments, and Dotsac is doing its best to keep the culture alive in Connecticut. Am sending personal invitation to all those living in Boston, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the surrounding States to the Annual Dominica Flag Raising in Bridgeport Connecticut. Thanks DNO
MARCUS!!!!
Thank you, everyone, for you comments of encouragement. @B.E.B. and Mrs B., point well taken, and we will make an effort to contact as many Dominicans as we possibly can for next year’s parade. In the meantime, we have a page as well as a group on FB that is open for all to see. You can request to be added and whenever we have events you will be in the loop. It is as easy as searching Dominica Tri-State Area Connection (DOTSAC) on FB. Our website is currently in the process of being constructed and will be available within the next month or so. It is somewhat impossible to have the contact info of everyone in the North-east so we rely on Dominicans in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and elsewhere to spread the word. I can assure you, that in the future, greater efforts will be made to contact as many as want to participate in the Barnum parade.
In the meantime, we have a fundraising BBQ coming up in Bridgeport, CT on August 18 and this year’s Flag Raising is also in Bridgeport at the Margaret Morton Government Center on September 22, 2013. So please spread the word. We are proud of our heritage and want to continue to display everything Dominican wherever we live.
Why is it that all of your events are held on a Sunday? You all ensure that your sabbath is respected on a Saturdays, what about those of us that celebrate our sabbath on a Sunday? You all need to be flexible.
Please feel free to attend events (or not), as the case may be, on a Sunday. That ball remains squarely in your court. We have opened membership in the organization to all who live in the area and are Dominican or of Dominican descent. If you get involved and take some initiative maybe you will get your wish. It would be a more sound move than being outwardly critical when you have no clue what you are speaking about…or maybe you do have a clue and are being a tad facetious, maybe even personal. Either way, it makes no difference. At any rate, if you had some sense you would realize that the date for the Barnum parade, for example, was not our choice, and yes, it was a Sunday. It seems that some people just want to find a reason to focus on something critical no matter how else is good. Some people…
let me response the Barnum Festival Parade was always Held on the last Sunday before the July 4th which is the Independence Day in America in Bridgeport DOTSAC have no say in that. About the other events it is open to changes it not about the Sabbath. The door has been open for it to be on Saturday.Dotsac members are both Saturdays and Sundays church worshipers. The Saturday worshipers don’t make the decisions the board members make it. we would be glad to have u onboard to run it on a Sundays
correction we would love u to come on board to run it on Saturday
Has it ever occurred to you that DOTSAC was not responsible for setting this date? They were invited to participate. It’s sad how quick we are to “down” anything that our people do to support our country. Be encouraging, be supportive or keep your negative comments to yourself. This is for positive people who are proud Dominicans and want to see ANYTHING good about Dominica progress. Just keeping it real!
Most Dominicans out there,do the best they can to up lift Dominica’s image.Thoes at home need to keep the candle of Democracy ablaze.
We are ALL Dominicans;and we Love Dominica.
Is that Mayma Joseph to the left of Ophelia? She too is leading in the “chantuelle” and “lavway”
I always love to see Dominicans abroad displaying our heritage. proud of you guys. keep the colours going
so proud of the organizers and participants. i am just too far away otherwise i would be in that. Live it up Dominicans. Love your country stick to your roots no matter how far away you are. Home will always be home. Sa say coltaire a nous.
Slowly but surely!
Very good, congratulations to the Mann family, make us proud and represent Dominica in positive ways
Yeah! Thanks to everyone who joined us on the parade route – Boston, Connecticut, New York & New Jersey.
This event was’nt advertised. If it was advertised I would surely be in attendance, I live in the Bristol area of Connecticut.
That’s what I’m saying! I live in the Boston area and have to find out about these events on DNO. Only one set of ppl know about these things. Is there a website or can we join an email list? I would have brought my whole squad.
Can you guys suggest a manner of advertizing that would reach you more easily? Radio, Newpaper and TV advertizing is very expensive. Perhaps you should write to those organizations and give them your email address.
I am part of a Dominican group that stage events and while many people attend our functions, there are always a few people who make that claim. While that is quite valid, you may reach out a tiny bit to make sure you are appropriately connected.
I live in Bridgeport had no idea, that the Dominican Group would have been on parade at the Barnum Festival. Even though I was at City Hall all week. How was this advertised???
Do you attend Dominican social functions? If there is an Association all Dominicans are invited to the meetings and other events. There would be an annual membership fee if you wish to become an active member.
The Association should get all email addresses. If you reside in the area and they had your email address they could have forwarded information for this event.
I reside in Toronto. I frequently receive email messages for upcoming events from the Toronto Association. It is actually called CDOA, Ontario.
If you do not reside in their vicinity, surely a Dominican relative/friend could inform you about these events. Ensure in future the Association has your email address so that you will be kept informed of current events and will not miss them if you wish to attend.
Firstly I need to congratulate all for this initiative and your patriotism. Secondly, I know the work that is involved in creating and developing a group especially when everyone is also busy dealing with work and other crucial matters in their respective lives. There is a call for involvement and so I would like to support the call from Jimi Hendrix to get yourselves involved and just help in making this a bigger event as the years go by and lets not highlight the little hurdles like whether or not it was advertised adequate, which has a cost. The best advertisement is word of mouth and the more the merrier for our future participation in this activity. I see the mom of Keith Goddard in the photo alongside Ophelia, special greetings to you madam. Unity and participation can conquer these little hiccups lets not dwell on them.
correction: Adequately
They should have posted it on FB or on DNO before the event happened. Some of us really do find out about these events after the fact.
Now you know!every year they participate,so start making your plans for next year,so you won’t make this lame excuse.
Great job by my boston girls,love you all represent.
Beautiful! Way to go DOTSAC and the other groups visiting from the neighboring states. Dominicans at home and abroad making us all proud!
Love this…good going guys keep representing our lovely country
Congratulations Cous. Looks good! great job, keep up the good work
looking good folks, looking good…I love it. Keep on representing!
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Wow…How touching…Great job guys..May your organisation grow from strength to strength…as you strengthen the bonds of unity…
Am loving that moment DOTSAC is keeping the culture alive in Connecticut. I Emmaline Mann a member of the Dominica Tri-State Area Connection DOTSAC want to give a personal thanks to all the groups and our Connecticut supporter who made this first time event for DOTSAC a success. Thanks for your support and see you all in large numbers at the Dominica’s Flag Raising Sept. 22nd in Connecticut. thanks again
Well done. we don’t only read the negative news on DNO done by our fellow Dominicans overseas we congratulate Dominicans when we do good overseas as well
lovely…very nice my people….keep promoting our beautiful country!