DFC CONCERNED

(From Left) Ed Ravalier of Protection One, Nathalie Clark, Sobers Esprit.

With six weeks to go before the staging of the 14th annual World Creole Music Festival  (WCMF) organisers are in a state of concern as a major act has not yet been secured for the final night of the event.

The Dominica Festival’s Committee (DFC) –  the organisers – have been feverishly working to replace former lead singer of UB40, Ali Campbell, who was scheduled to perform on that night but was forced to withdraw due to illness.

Speaking at a DFC press conferences this morning, DFC Events Director Nathalie Clark said that while there has been dialogue with a few international acts, a final confirmation has not been reached.

This, she said, is a concern.

“Well the DFC is very concerned but at this time we also have to understand the constraints that other artists are under. They are already signed to different events so we’re pulling people from different places. So we know what we want, is just a matter of getting them to sign the contract,” she stated.

“We’re pursuing a group of artists but we can’t tell you exactly who they are as yet until we have signed a contract with these people. And yes we are very concerned. We would be silly if we weren’t concerned at this time,” she stated.

Though confident that an artist will be secured, Clark assured that there is a “Plan B” which will be revealed to the public if the need arises.

“There is a plan B but again we cannot let the public or the media know this until we ourselves are in that plan B. We’re still  in plan A right now which is too get the group of artists that we specifically are talking and talking and liaising with at this time,” Clark stated.

She said that DFC is considering the options of a meringue artist, reggae or compas artiste in efforts to preserve a certain ‘feel’  associated  with Sunday night’s show.

Clark said that the DFC has received a refund from Campbell and are working on gaining back credits from the airlines in respect to his airfare.

The WCMF will run from October 29-31 at the Windsor Park Stadium.

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25 Comments

  1. Heritage
    September 17, 2010

    The main issue which seems to be affecting the festival is the mounting COST. To reduce cost, We should utilize and engage more Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic, DA , Martinique and Haitian Artists.
    We should also reduce the live band performances to two days instead of three.
    The extra day should be more cultural performances: drummers, poets, dancers etc. together with a massive display of CREOLE CUISINE and CREOLE WEAR
    .
    In these times of global “economic crisis” we need a paradigm shift

  2. Jennifer
    September 17, 2010

    Nassio !

  3. ah ha
    September 16, 2010

    @GCY: a world class act is a world class bro!
    take or leave it! they have made a mark around the globe ok. UB40 sales exceed of USD80millon records sales world wide…food for thought! stil a good live act than alot of these stale groups around at live gigs

  4. Anonymous
    September 16, 2010

    @ that-one: I saw fay ann and bunji at the St.Kitts music festival and wasn’t impress at all. Probably Creole In The Park for a start.

  5. Sout man
    September 16, 2010

    Impulse band based in tampa floria and from dominica would be a good replacement.These guys are world class musicians and own several good albums.Lt’s jut stick to our own culture this yea eh.

  6. Antiguan
    September 16, 2010

    Being Antiguan, naturally I would love to see an Antiguan artist but I hope the replacement will be a good one. This will be the first time witnessing ur festival and I look forward with great anticipation.

  7. GCY
    September 15, 2010

    Who have more disposable income, and more likely to come to D/a last minute for the festival?

    Well….If you wand to make prudent business decision on this, that’s the angle you will take; and that’s Martinique and Guada. It’s a no brainer! Even though you loose some money on the non-refundable plane tickets for Ali Campbell, you target the best popular band ‘that has a following’ from Guada or M/nique; they are most likely to bring some fans to D/a last minute.

    That said, what’s world class about Ali or UB40 any longer,,,, whose idea was that anyway.?
    Saw them couple years ago they looked old and sluggish…better listening to the old albums.
    Good luck.

  8. naturelover
    September 15, 2010

    Hey hey what the fuss, these things happen, the man sick so ,,,the line up nice this year and whoever they get i on like onion, ,,True that–i have never missed one single night since the Festival started–ya ya 13 x 3 and will be 14 x3 Jah willing—We have to take ownership sa say sa nou,,,,and we should all be proud that our little nature island can bring the world to it

  9. Stryka
    September 15, 2010

    Give Swinging Stars the spot .It should have a similar position to groovers after 50 or so years of dedicated service to the entertainment industry in Dominica.

  10. Irie
    September 15, 2010

    Hire me, I can sing ‘happy Birthday’ and I wouldn’t break de bank…..otherwise bring in Nasio, simple.

  11. vibes
    September 15, 2010

    @Anonymous: maybe after this year’s event we need to sit down at a forum and look at the future and logistics of this event and plan a serious cause of action

    kinda weired hearing groovers lead singer advocating respect etc to local artist…havent we being doing this of 14 years now….have we learnt anything or its just a bling or block jam..

    hmm thats the issue standards need to be implace and targets and guidlines set in the Proffessional World of Management across the board..

    We have a tendancy to sit back and hope and pray it falls from the sky attitude..

    Its time we lift our standards ideas and thoughts….come on the rest of the world has left us still in the stone age way of thinking……we need newer modules and the Best tools around to gain Decent outputs….

  12. hart
    September 15, 2010

    i would really like to see gyptian on that stage/ Destra/ claudette peters from antigua/burningflames/ sherwin winchester/ david rudder/ sparrow/

  13. i see
    September 15, 2010

    seems from the dark side someone was tricked or didnt do some kind of homework…ha ha time will tell….

  14. tha-one
    September 15, 2010

    fay ann and bunji garlin dem i say…or kassav

  15. Anonymous
    September 15, 2010

    @Tru Blu:

    Luciano is already on the lineup..

  16. go ahead
    September 15, 2010

    sounds interesting….next time DFC please be more vigilant in your scouting and check artist trends etc…since that bloke left his mates its being a drama back and forth!
    seek deep within the dark side of the industry from various agents on the ground and the truth will be reveiled!

    first after departure from UB40…..he carried its as Ali Campbell and the Dep Band
    Due lack of pubilcity and poor attendances at gigs as a unknown name is the Biz..
    Then recently became Ali Campbell’s UB40 carring session musicans…

    I knew from my sources that he would never have showed up,but couldnt disclose that info at all
    so their were absouletly no suprises as their were many spins and mislead info going from his camp UB40 doesnt have issue with him having a solo career but using the Band’s name isnt in good taste

    UB40 website http://www.ub40.co.uk

    Ali Campbell website http://www.alicampbell.net

    Just adding a 2 pence aspect to the darkside of inner info…..

  17. Krix
    September 15, 2010

    Awa wii,,,Them man need to get an Act that will give the sunday night life… An artist such as Vybez Kartel, or some artist that is very popular now that will generate more income since all you saying it not making money….but yet still you guys go home with a BIG FAT Check.

    TickTOCK TickTOck….

  18. Da2debone
    September 15, 2010

    Why not make use of our own. We have Nassio Fontaine and others i am sure would make a good impact. use what you have Miss Clark and the others promote your own.

  19. Tru Blu
    September 15, 2010

    Luiciano would be ideal ……WCFM get incontact with the Danja Dane of RE TV and i know he can help you all finding artist….come on now….all shall eat

  20. Anonymous
    September 15, 2010

    Interesting alert. No one can deny the fact that screw ups occur time and again sometimes beyond the control of peeps behind the festial. With young bull out of the picture dupex etc let’s see what ms clark Cocreyo et al can salvage. If they do it fine. but let’s expect to hear they did not even break let alone break even.(smile)

  21. shatta
    September 15, 2010

    i can never go dat nonscence

  22. FRANCIS FRANCIS CHICAGO IL
    September 15, 2010

    what about soca queen sexy sensation ALISON HINDS she was there in chicago caribbean people were going crazy .

  23. Anonymous
    September 15, 2010

    Get B PUMPER AND 50 CENT

    GGGGGGG UNIT

  24. September 15, 2010

    trust me , i have no fear you guys will get though. Da is known for that.

  25. peace
    September 15, 2010

    we stilol have time though

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