An injunction barring the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers from claiming the Carnival Adult Band of the Year has been lifted and officials of the Thunderbirds Carnival Band and Karnival Korner Karnival are hoping for an out of court resolution to settle the matter.
The two bands had taken legal action and an injunction was issued to stop the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) from handing over prize monies to the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers who were judged the Adult Band of the Year for Carnival 2016.
However, the injunction was lifted on March 22, 2016, when the parties met in court.
“All I can say to you at this time is that the injunction has been lifted and we are hopeful that a speedy and out of court resolution can be reached when all the parties meet with the DDA on March 30, 2016,” one individual with inside information on the matter stated. The individual did not want to be named since they were not authorized to speak on the matter.
The individual also explained that more live footage of the parade will be viewed by all to make a full and final determination on the matter.
“Once we see the full three hours, plus of the video footage of the parade of the bands, it will shed light as to what conclusions that will be arrived at,” the individual stated.
On Friday, February 12, the DDA announced the winners of the Carnival road parades, noting that the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers: Tempest Island Alive, was the Adult Band of the Year.
But in a letter to the DDA, dated February 17, Thunderbirds Band leader, Caesar Emmanuel and the leader of Karnival Korner’s Band, Emmanuel Loblack, expressed their “disagreement and opposition” to the results.
They pointed to a document entitled “Judging Criteria for Adult Band of the Year Carnival Tuesday parade Judging Time 11am to 2pm” which, they say, points out the following and which they say the Stilt Walkers did not meet:
A. Band must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to participate in the competition and be adjudged Band of the Year.
• the Carnival Band must be registered with the Dominica Festivals Committee
• have a minimum of 50 adult persons
• carry measuring 4’ x 9’ banner depicting the title of the concept being portrayed
• display its banner at the front of the band
• have a king and queen of the band and make at least two complete rounds around the route.
Government not even following the constitution, how should we expect organisation to follow laws?that’s the truth
Can we all Get along?, Not Rocket science, Rules are made to be observed, if the rules are clearly stated as documented, then are we to understand that the persons who were charged to judge the bands violated their own rules and criteria? In my opinion, the stilt walkers, acted in good faith, and were brilliant in their display, but! if the criteria for judgeing were not met, then why are we making a mountain of a moe, hill,? as we have become in our lovely Country we are too pre occupied in marjoing in the Minor. smh. Examine the rules and criteria as stated and who ever played by the rules wins!!!! simple, case over. My fellow stilt walkers come back next year follow the rules and judging criteria, and win fair, and square, we all will be happy. Typical Dominicas” King Hunter”!
The stilt walkers are not to be blamed for nothing, they filled their band with the number of persons registered with them.
It is the judges call as to which band followed the criteria for Band of the year and award the prize to the correct band.
It is all on the Judges doing the right thing.
Rules must be followed and when they are not the People must challenge those who do not follow them.I am sure Mr. Piper and others would have my head if I went around Roseau burning Garbage cans,they would not just say the cans are burnt let us move on
They fighting for brogodow
Good! I’m glad that settled. Next time just follow the rules everybody and let the best band win. I like the stiltwalkers but they must comply.
I like your comment except that it is not the stilt walkers that must comply. It is the Prize giver. The Stilt walkers cannot give themselves the prize.
If you don’t know personally SHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!! they followed all the rules down to the the T
They did comply or would not have made ‘Band of the Year’. And Queen of the Band too.
Loblack and Caesar go suck on a lollipop. Big men like all you.
I hope all you come out and apologize to the Afrikulture because they did nothing wrong but got caught up for participating in the Real Mas and beating those recycled veteran bands.
That’s what happens when people do not follow the regulations that are set.
The Afrikulture Stilt Walkers Inc. followed the regulations.
Give them their prize and apologize and move on.
This is what that happens when persons like you assume and have no idea of what you speak about especially on a level of ignorance. Did you carry out a survey to know if the AKSW met the requirements or you are judging from hear say ? Shame……another typical Dominican.
the band won, carnival done,.. a Lil money u want to have big court matter over … best every one who isn’t satisfy with judges decision take it to court .. the Queens, teen and princess show… the band of the year winner deserve it … only in Dominica
I don’t think is the money. I am not a member of any band, but if there are criteria for judging Band of the Year then why break it? What they should look into doing is to give other prizes to encourage the other bands.
How do you know they broke any regulations? Chewps…present the facts and prove them they are in default.
The Bwa Bwa have been ridiculed by Mr Loblack and his likes for years; do you think that the DFC would have allowed them to win if they didn’t check everything with their prominent judges such as Celia Nicholas. Now these bands have some serious competition they are crying.
Come on Mr Piper and co. give the Bwa Bwa their prizes which were well deserving. You made this bed for yourselves by not speaking up.
Does that mean they are not band of the year?
If so, which band is Band of the Year?
So the judges decision is not final.are we going to have carnival corner and T/birds to judge?Utter rubbish put this pettiness behind us and move on.a complete waste of time by big men all for greed,sore losers. The recycled costumes will show up .
I am convinced now that we Dominicans are in need of prayers. I can’t believe there are disagreements for every single thing. First it was princess, then it was queen, now it is band of the year. Don’t you people see that the devil is trying to control our lives and dividing our nation. We are now fighting each other for petty things, there is increase robbery, people of high standard in our society are alleged to be abusing our children, our youth are going astray, increase in guns and drugs on the street.
We need God more than ever. We don’t need carnival next year but an island wide crusade. We need to pray.