On Friday, December 10, 2010, local artists will converge on the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard for a ‘Peace and Love’ concert which will cap 16 ‘Days of Activism’ to end violence in Dominica.
The event is spearheaded by international reggae artist Nelly Stharre who has partnered with UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) and its Campaign UNiTE to end Violence Against Women 2008-2015.
Over 15 artists and bands have volunteered their talents for the concert. They run the gamut of the Dominican musical landscape and include reggae artists, calypso mavericks, bouyon masters, opera vocalists and jazz instrumentalists. Stharre says patrons are in for a treat as some artists may sing songs outside of their genre, while others may deliver unexpected duets.
This show is the last in a series of events which started on November 25. They include various workshops within the community including one with local artists, radio and television panel discussions, as well as observance of World AIDS Day on December 1 and International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
Prior to the 16-day event, UNiTE held a media workshop at the Fort Young Hotel facilitated by UNIFEM Programme Violence Against Women Specialist Tonni Brodber. The workshop focused on the chain of gender-based violence from the moment a crime is reported to support structure available to victims. Stharre says this last link needs a significant amount of attention from government as well as the private sector. According to her, “In Dominica there are no safe houses and the prevention of violence programmes here have little funding. The issue is not taken seriously in the community.”
UNitE’s efforts were featured throughout the independence celebrations at both LIME Creole in the Park and the Digicel-sponsored World Creole Music Festival. Nelly Stharre manned booths at both events where visitors could read literature on the cycle of violence against women and children and were encouraged to sign a massive canvas which will be displayed at Friday’s concert. The UNiTE PSA was also played several times during the World Creole Music Festival in between performance sets. It featured commentary from noted female Caribbean artists such as iNDRANi, Destra Garcia, Terencia Crawford and of course Nelly Stharre.
Stharre’s first encounter with the group was in May 2010 when she was invited to take part in a workshop with other artists to discuss how their music impacts society.
Dominican organizations such as Bureau of Gender Affairs, Dominica National Council of Women, National AIDS Prevention Unit and Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities are in full support of this concert and will be present to lend their support. Raffoul and Co. and J. Astaphan and Co. are sponsoring the backdrop for the stage which will be painted by local artists.
Telecommunications company LIME is a major sponsor of the event.
The UN Secretary General launched the Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women 2008-2015 on 25th Feb 2008 with the overall objective of raising public awareness and increasing political will and resources for preventing and responding to violence against women and girls.
Is Aima moses on the show?
great work ms Starre…. Dominica we’re moving forward..stop violence against women and children…
real recognize real . easily irie vibes .
good vibes
In June 0f this is year a group in Wesley called the Wesley Tourism Improvement Committee recognized the need to promote Peace among all communities, “Radical Jam for Peace”. They had two days of activities. Day 1: WTIC honoured three Wesley Students from the North East Comprehensive Secondary School for their academic achievements and two adults who demonstrated acts of kindness to persons in need. Day 2: The main street was block off to host a free jam for peace with Swinging Stars and Club DVD.
It is good to see that some positive movements in the area of peace are continuing.
Bravo Wesley for setting the pace.
A true Wesleyan
ok i’d like to congratulate ms stharre on her success n goals in music,,,now with that i’d like to say is about time our artists get the financial support to do bigger things,,,,i believe that a musician is not a respected field in d/ca,,,i mean if u go for a loan to build ur own studio n the loans officer ask,,,what do u do for a living,,,n u say u’re a full time musician is almost like u lose the loan already,,,not taking into consideration that u get paid for gigs n u can make money by producing music for other artists in ur studio,,,,,,now video production has to step up,,,,REtv has said that to get video played is free but it has to have a good format n storyline plus votes n it’ll be played during the day,,,the less creative is the later in the night it’ll get played,,,,,i say that cause,,,once i a video of Nasio Fontaine,,,,n i wasn’t impressed,,,,this guy supposed to be our reggae icon,,,,,yes he makes good music but i believe these guys take the “keeping it real” rasta business to serious,,,,,
the video basically have nasio in d zion chatting,,,,in the bush nothing creative,,,,have some singers in the vid with their turbans shaking from left to right,,,,,i mean cmon man Nasio,,,look at jah cure,,,,don’t tell me nasio can’t afford a good quality vid,,,,i did not bother to watch the whole vid n best believe REtv played that vid bout 11 pm,,,,,,my fren told me bout the vid so i decided to stay up n look for it,,,,,,
now as someone interested in music n plan to have my own studio,,,i want to use that opportunity to pass some info to artists/managers n the like
get the book All You Need To Know About The Music Business by Donald Passman
best believe i have my own copy and the information in here is priceless,,,,this is the bible of the music industry,,,,,everything is discussed,,,how to deal with managers,producers,,,record labels,,,lawyers,,,publishing,,,copywriting,,,the new 360 deals,,, how to set up ur own production company,,how to get paid from t.v deals etc etc n many more,,,,,,
u can’t go wrong,,,,ADMIN can verify i’ve put up this info many times b4,,,but the topics were not popular so i’m hoping that the story on Nelly Stharre will give my peeps ability to absorb such info,,,,it’s wrong to get robbed by managers n labels,,,,gain knowledge as how to proceed when dealing with the business side of the music industry,,,,,,,
wow…..more positive vibes for DA ….forward sons and daughters of the soil….
Nelly, great initiative & good luck.But can’t they find you a better venue? They should give you the stadium! Why clogg up our main thoroughfare, the Dame’s boulevard for such events, even if it is Lime, which is rapidly becoming an events company rather than a customer -service orientated entity.
THAT IS A REALLY GOOD GESTURE
Nelly, I am a big fan. I have all your albums. I heard you sing at the State House last year and you are the best. Please sing all your songs at that concert …also sing Etta James’ “At Last” which you did so well at the State House.
Peace and Love to you….One love.
where is smokie cut nah,,,,ay ay bcuz d boi do a song 4 mwanga allu do put him on