Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo will be the headline artiste for the 5th annual Jazz ‘n Creole Festival, Director of Tourism, Colin Piper, announced on Monday.
“It will be none other than Angelique Kidjo,” he said during a press briefing at the Evergreen Hotel.
Angélique Kidjo, is a Benin-born singer-songwriter and activist, noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos.
She is fluent in Fon, French, Yorùbá and English, and sings in all four languages; she also has her own personal language, which includes words that serve as song titles such as “Batonga”. She now resides in United States.
Afro-funk, reggae, samba, salsa, gospel, jazz, Zairean rhumba, zouk, and makossa are among genres performed by the singer.
She is the first woman to be listed among “The 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa” by Forbes Magazine.
The festival will run from June 4 – 8 2014 beginning with fringe events which culminates with the grand festival at Cabrits National Park.
The event has been labeled as a “fusion of Jazz and Creole music, food and culture” and ” a family-oriented affair.”
It also serves as an “avenue for showcasing local jazz artists next to regional and international performers. It is positioned to attract visitors from the French West Indies and wider Caribbean to Dominica,” Piper noted.
According to him, the event has been well received with over 1,500 patrons in 2013 who appreciated the inviting and casual ambiance of one of Dominica’s major tourism attractions.
Organizers are also hoping to have pre-fringe events but said this will be finalized at a later date.
The price for the festival is $75 for adults, while children between the ages of 12-18 will pay $25.
Children under 12 will enter the event free.
The fringe events are as follows:
-Wednesday, June 4 – Evergreen Hotel
-Thursday, June 5 – Anchorage Hotel
-Friday, June 6 – Fort Young Hotel
-Saturday, June 7- River Stone Bar and Grill in Belles
Piper said the objectives of the festival are: to develop the stage and stage an event that will become a marque festival tourism product and generate economic activity, drive destination branding and increase visitor arrivals.
He said Discover Dominica Authority is also partnering with Hike Fest, so persons can experience hiking in Dominica by day and by night experience jazz and creole at the various fringe events.
Wish i was here to see her. Been to many of her concerts, its a pleasure to be in her presence. I wish we would invite her for Creole Festival and more of our African brothers and sisters. I would bring all my friends and family definitely. Great You all should definitely go see her and the others
OMG!!!! She sings my favorite song “Agolo” I just love her style and presence. This is one year I might definitely go.
Sounding good…….Great selection Piper and Team !!!!
If Angelique Kidjo delivers anything near what I have seen in concert then Dominicans are in for a thrilling treat. Saw her live in Union Square as recent as last year, my what energy. Internationally she’s well known, and instead of these reggae artist this is what I have been hoping we would see at the creole festival. Serges Kassy is someone that would wow Dominicans too.
A must see for music lovers. Talented electrifying and energy when I saw Her at the TD Jazz Festival. Apart from having a few of Her CD,s also She is on the Quincy Jones 75th Birthday Celebration DVD.Check it out.
colin colin everytime i see u and read about im mad just wasting money. Let us knw the profits we make in all the festival pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
DA you are in for a treat.
Kidjo is an awesome entertainer!!!!!!
Seen her several years ago in Central Park NY …she’s great….wonderful performance
keeps getting better and better
I love this lady- check out her rendition of the old Swahili classic song Mailka on you tube. I saw her in concert a couple of months ago and she is amazing. If I am not mistaken she is also a U.N Goodwill Ambassador.
Congrats Mr. Piper.
Wow, what a great talent. One of my favorite artists.
Seen her a few times in New Haven, Connecticut. She’s definitely the best talent to fit the Jazz & Creole label.
For the person who wants to know what does this have to to with D.A. – this is the kind of publicity we want (not that “artist” from jamaica, not the winter “olympians”).
She is a true INTERNATIONAL artist and always posts blogs and pictures about all her performances. Follow her on Facebook.
Seen her live, what a performer she’s awesome
Wow have seen her live AMAZING
Me too. She is a fantastic onstage performer!
I can’t wait for this event!
what that have to do with us in D.A?
Ignorance sad
Since you stated it, the thought had occurred to me. What has she ever contributed to D/ca and will in the future? Now only with her performance. She will be taking a lot of D/can money with her.
Simply the truth, I’ve always wanted to say it but chose not to waste my time. I have some time today so I’ll say that you need to stop all the talking and negative postings. If you don’t know about Ms. Kidjo, go and bury your head in a book. DNO is for in the mean time, in between time. Not for your all day, everyday talk. GET A LIFE!!!
She will contribute her beautiful talent and great voice. That’s what Dominica invited her to come and do. She didn’t invite herself.
this is one of the reasons Dominica is the way it is. Negativity, tunnel vision, ignorance. so unfortunate that some just wont learn and progress
Who are you? Where did you come from and originated to make such a statement? Allow people their right to comment and cease insulting them. You are the low-down person including every comment you made. What suits some does not suit others.
God is taking note. What is in a voice? If more people would flock to church and fill the pews rather than to hear and see entertainers, some of them who are on the side of immorality, they would be happy, peaceful and respectful towards others. Their homes would be peaceful.
If more people did for God what they do for the world, many souls would be saved. There would be decreased criminal activities, if none at all. Contemplate on this.
Did you actually read the article or did you make an assumption that it has nothing to do with Dominica?
This is a Dominica event being launched in Dominica!!!
But if you still don’t see it, enjoy you blissful ignorance.
Bless Up
So ignorant sad.
i was there at the last Jazz Festival, it was real good.