Representative of FLOW, Dominica Kareem Guiste has highlighted some improvements he wishes to see during Mas Domnik 2017 and beyond.
Guiste, who speaking at the 2nd Mas Domnik 2017 press conference held at the Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) office on Wednesday, believes that one of the improvements should include more participation of patrons during the costume parades.
“I think we are always excited about a lot more colour in the Carnival,” he said. “I think a tighter parade, that is a reduction on gaps, because that is one of the critiques that we get. This is constructive criticism and discussion, so we have a tighter parade, we start on time and that we have a perfect flow in the splendour and the costumes we are displaying on the roads, so we get a nice storyline being depicted.”
Guiste mentioned that persons must all understand that countries across the globe are going through some economic turmoil including Dominica.
“I am sure the organization that I represent is not spared, but we make the effort and we ensure that we do not reduce on value that we offer to our partners, mainly the DDA[Discover Dominica Authority] to ensure that they provide and present a world class event,” he said.
Another suggestion made by Guiste is ensuring that there is a transparent and robust way in the judging policies and procedures of the bands on the streets.
“Because as we are aware that we know that there are some bands that will not be participating this year for whatever reason it may have been, but if we get a little bit closer in making sure that the clarity, process and policies are highlighted and identified upfront I think we would have a better festival atmosphere,” he stated.
He said Carnival is really not a place where there should be disagreements.
“Carnival is supposed to be a very festive time,” Guiste noted. “So it is really unfortunate when you hear groups speaking to their thoughts of how the judging criteria is…”
He said FLOW Dominica continues to partner with the DDA through the DFC to produce the Real Mas 2017.
According to Guiste, the overall contribution this year is in the tune of $330,000 in totality to various troops, bands, costumes, to include the Dominica Calypso Association receiving $75,000 and a contribution to DDA amounting to $200,000, a spilt of $100,000 in cash and $100,000 in kind.
“It’s speaks to our commitment over the years towards development of the arts, culture and heritage in Dominica,” he stated.
AGAIN!! Have an event the week before carnival jump up. there is NOTHING to do during the day for our guests. All i seeing is calypso and paegents. what if i do not like either? what else is there for me? Have a Carnival in the Park the week before the jump ups. Get the place lively. Have a come as you like day like how you have a creole day. Put people in the mood to celebrate. The place dread dread dread. The bands fraid to release music like is gold they ckkeping to themselves. In other countries the artists hype you up months before. All now is bajan and trinidadian soca that on the airwaves more than bouyon. The bouyon artisits themselves, that is another story which i will leave because people like to act like people like our local bouyon music that is made today is grammy material. MAKE THE PLACE LIVELY!!!! give the guests and locals who take leave around that time to go out during the day and fete and party. Not just old stupid calypso and a old queen show.
I agree with you in many ways but first thing first Mr. Piper and his crew kill the carnival, the DFC not seeing what they done to carnival over the last years. You say carnival start at 4am the bands cannot come on road till 6am that madness by that time my rum well cook in my head i ner dance yet. you take off t-shirt last lap Tuesday and put it on Monday that in it self just not working.
DFC ask the people what they want
give us the electronics bands from the port to the streets from 4am to 8am then start with steel-pan and lapoo and hifi after that till the big band come back in the afternoon with the queens them on show on Monday
And bring back the T-shirt back for last lap Tuesday. Thanks
The drivers of the parade(the ones who drives the vehicles) tha’s the issue. They stop to talk to their friends or family leaving the big gap in between. I’ve witnessed it many times.
HOW about improvements to you all 2mbit internet speeds OMW
Hell with Mass Dominik we only want passport news that scandal too Big, hold back other news.
That is true some Body please tell us how we can save our COUNTRY from big feet TONY AS TAPHAN, ROOSEVELT SKERRIT, ALICK LAWRENCE, LENNOX LAWRENCE, ETC Save D/ca from that PASSPORT scandal