Officials stage media launch of Carnival 2010

Carnival Queen contestants

Dominicans have been advised to integrate carnival with the local tourism product, not just for the season but throughout the year.

“We are at our greatest and our best during this great national tradition and celebrations and we should make a greater effort to use our carnival in our tourism product throughout the entire year,” Minister of Tourism Ian Douglas said in his address at the official media launch of the Real Mas 2010.

Costume band on display

At the event, held at the Fort Young Hotel Thursday evening, Douglas said it was his hope that the country’s tourism industry would move to the next level of success and greater prosperity.

According to him, the traditional masquerade, wearing of masks and being attired in colorful costume during the carnival celebrations allows Dominicans to connect with their pasts.

“Carnival brings out not just the excitement of the revelers and the reveling; it also helps to build a passion for the unique celebrations in this nature island of the world,” Douglas asserted.

Similarly, the carnival celebrations stimulate a sense of national pride, Douglas believes.

Minister of Tourism Hon. Ian Douglas addressing launching
National Cultural Advisor and Head of the Carnival Development Committee, Alwin Bully addressing media launching
Acting Prime Minister Reginald Austrie addressing Thursday's media launching

“We can expect the island to get buzzing with exciting events, traditional culture and stunning spectacles. From today right until the last hours of Mardi Gras we hope for an awakening of the spirits and the connection of our past that will keep us singing, dancing, reveling and waving the colors that will keep the ancestors alive and happy.”

He recognized those whom he considered to “labor year after year in the background” to make our carnival successful including the songwriters, the arrangers, the musicians, the pageant chaperones and the costume builders.

Meanwhile, Acting Prime Minister Reginald Austrie said his government intends to do all within its means to get the carnival product to a new height and level of success.

“We are fully committed to the carnival industry … in light of this therefore, this Government is committed to delivering on its pledge to making carnival one of the premier national events, not only for Dominica, but for the Caribbean region,” Austrie stated.

Government’s commitment will surpass the provision of technical and financial support to the Dominica Festivals Committee, Austrie noted. “We endeavor to provide a new impetus for building greater synergies between the Dominica Festivals Commission, the Division of Culture and the Ministry of Community Development with a new partnership for building greater assistance,” he added.

LIME is the headline sponsor of carnival, dishing out over $250,000 for the event.

LIME’S Country Manager Jeffrey Baptiste said his company will commit $190,000 of that sponsorship specifically to the staging of the Real Mas 2010.

“Over four years ago we entered into an historic partnership with the Dominica Festivals Committee and the Government and people of Dominica for the staging of carnival celebrations, as the headline sponsor. This year, we
have decided to renew this commitment for another two-year term. We’re delighted to announce that a package of over quarter million dollars has been committed by LIME towards our carnival-related sponsorship this year.
The largest trunk of this amount, EC$190,000, will go directly towards the staging of Real Mas 2010,” Baptiste said.

A National Parade and Official Opening of Carnival has been scheduled for January 23, 2010.This will be preceded by the calypso quarterfinals on January 16. The Junior Monarch competition will take place on January 29 followed by calypso semi finals on January 30. Carnival Princess Show is carded for January 31, 2010.

Meanwhile, a Bouyon Festival will take place on February 6 followed by the Teenage Pageant on February 7, Lagon Street Jam on February 8 and Lapo Kabwit/Sensay Festival on February 9. Pan by de  Bay is carded for February 11, followed by the Miss Dominica Pageant on February 12 and the LIME Calypso Finals on February 13. On Sunday February 14 a Kiddies Ole Mas Big Truck Jam has been planned.

The Stardom Calypso Tent events have been carded for January 27, February 3, and February 10, when the Stardom King of the Tent will be held.

Carnival 2010 will culminate with Carnival Monday and Tuesday on the 15th and 16th of February this year.

Photos by Staff Photographer Larry Larocque

Reigning Calypso Monarch Karessah performs at media launching
LIME Country Manager Jeffrey Baptiste
Costume band on parade
DFC Deputy Chairman Sobers Esprit


Minister for Culture Hon. Justina Charles addresses launching
Head table at media launching
Costume band on display
Costume band on display

Invited guests
Invited guests
Daddy Chess performs at Thursday's launching

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28 Comments

  1. December 26, 2013

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  2. January 9, 2010

    To Fair&Square,
    You better go and square of of your political colleagues, for Ma Pierro not in your business. I am urging to find something constructive to comment on you this fair & square scumbag!

  3. Gal Power
    January 9, 2010

    Go Danna!!! Beauty and Brains but she need to relax.. She can talk but she seems nervous man.

  4. he he
    January 9, 2010

    u girls give those minsters something TO SMILE ABOUT.

  5. stocky f3
    January 9, 2010

    tuan dominique i see you rofl

  6. Fair & Square
    January 9, 2010

    @ Criticism Overdrive…………please do not take my comment out of context or get me wrong – Mrs. Charles is an elegant woman, well toned & healthy looking! I highlighted her wardrobe based on what she wore for the swearing in. Otherwise, I’d may be not even notice the lady’s clothes – aight!. Geeez, calm down people……..everybody’s so touchy. I’m not a “celeb” eh, so eyes won’t be on me! But just to satisfy your curiousity – yes! I’m always on point when it matters cuz I got ma natural swagger from ma daddy!

    @ Lookscene… what I talking about and what you talking about are 2 different things; so, vey ou la!

  7. Criticism Overdrive
    January 8, 2010

    So why question Mrs. Charles but not Mr. Douglas? What you are missing is that Mrs. Charles is very much attired for the occasion and looks good in her clothes. Hope you are always appropriately attired at ALL times considering you have eyes on everybody else??? Here’s wishing all participants in this year’s carnival all the best! Please promote the unity considering the election we just endured. One Love!

  8. TORTOLA BOI
    January 8, 2010

    AMY you’re like totally rocking that costume!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. January 8, 2010

    Dana Augustine is my pick to win for sure! Beauty, Brains, Body, Boldness… once you have those four B’s which she has, you done know you win that clean! Wait and y’all will see.

  10. lookscene
    January 8, 2010

    Fair & Square

    CARNIVAL IN A COSTUME BAND U GAN WEAR NATIONAL DRESS??????????????????? WHAT WRONG WITH THE AFRICAN LOOK? IT IS A REFLECTION FROM OUR AFRICAN HERITAGE. PLUS T-SHIRT BANDS ARE PART OF OUR ORIGINAL CARNIVAL..IMPROVEMENTS ON COSTUMES ARE A PLUS BUT AS I STRESSED WE NEED TO HAVE REGISTRATION AND COSTUME DISPLAYS MONTHS AND MONTHS B4 CARNIVAL NOT THE MONTH B4 THAT IS S*** MAN. AND WHY IS MOSTLY MAMPEE WOMAN THAT WANNA WEAR THEM SMALL TING EWWW THE SHABINE AND BROWN SKIN FLEX IN THE PIX LOOK OK …ALSO HOW U CAN HAVE A COSTUME WITH A LONG SKIRT IN A BAND? I GUESS THEY EXPECT PPL TO ONLY CHIP AND BOUNCE

  11. jocco
    January 8, 2010

    Douggie my old buddy, I wonder if it was the tatoo on her back that had you in such a trance. I am 2000 miles away and she have me licking my lips. BLAST I LOVE THAT FLIPING COUNTRY. Pou Kanaval mwen la.

  12. Fair & Square
    January 8, 2010

    Eh, eh, Carlton….breathe brother, breathe. Calm down and take the constructive criticism in stride. I stand by my earlier comment though about Hon. Justina.

    Infact too let me not waste my precious time with you eh, because it’s obvious that you can’t see humor even if ti stares you in the face.

    It’s Fridayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, free up yourself Carlton. Heehehehehe

  13. carlton
    January 8, 2010

    To fair & square I think you are niether square nor fair. And where did achieve your degree in styling?
    I think your only degree is in your month spiting —-. for your information Justina what to where and when to where.

  14. Observant
    January 8, 2010

    good luck to all the girls but my heart and love goes out to christelle

  15. d/a love
    January 8, 2010

    the young woman in the yellow costume is modelin it very well and she has the body too. she looks like one to watch on that night

  16. Ticush
    January 8, 2010

    Oh my! Where did they get this fleet this time? I suspect my granny and Judith would easily walk over these girls. No wonder the show never attracts patrons!

    Roger Gasper

  17. Young man in dominica
    January 8, 2010

    The first girl in the line looks really really sweet i hope you win i for one supporting you, you are the best of all

  18. mas
    January 8, 2010

    the girl in black and gold need to enhance/beautify them tattoos she have on her back

  19. Fair & Square
    January 8, 2010

    …..
    @ Realist, Yea, Right @ Alrighty!….allu have jokes eh. He who has eyes let him see.

    @ Celebrity…I agree with you. It’s carnival – wear something cultural man! you dere with a big red shirt as if it’s campaign time! Talking of which, Hon. Justina Charles doing things back-2-front man…..formal occasion (as swearing-in), she putting African outfit instead of a suit & cultural occassion she coming with suit instead of cultural outfit?

    (Hire me as government stylist nuh – lol…….I want my share of de millyansssssssssss $$$$$ hehehehehe)

  20. January 8, 2010

    Well Daddy Chess can always change his song in Quarter Finals. It’s not final yet.

  21. January 8, 2010

    @ Realest. I checking dat too wi! I doubt is really de costume .. was watching.

  22. Danny Suspect Scotts
    January 8, 2010

    I do not think the Liat song can give Daddy Chess a win… but he is definitely a contender along with Beno, Ghetto Prince and Yakima…. keep in mind we have not heard Scrunter, Karessa and the other top guns as yet….

  23. celebrity
    January 8, 2010

    Reginald Austrie as Acting Prime Minister!?!?!1 Am confuse

  24. suggestion
    January 8, 2010

    daddy chess u have been missing in action, its about time u give us a come back. thanks for participating this year..

  25. yea, right
    January 8, 2010

    I notice the ……. Thinking of what he would do. I know my friend, been there. Dont forget the ring on your finger.

  26. Anonymous
    January 8, 2010

    Austrie, election over wear something else besides red.

  27. January 8, 2010

    Yes I, those carnival contestants are all beautiful women. The girl in black and gold displaying the carnival costume had all eyes on her, a true example of Dominica beauty. I wonder what Douglas was thinking the way he looking at the girl like that? Jeffrey Baptiste was satisfied with the sight in front of him also, the way he smiling tells a lot. That picture is worth more than a million words for real. Excellent job by the photographer. Ready for the Real Mas 2010.

  28. January 8, 2010

    daddy chess all the way for this year’s calypso king

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