Dominican civic groups in the US state of New Jersey have planned an exquisite and explosive display of Dominican culture and heritage aimed at raising funds to assist the health sector in Dominica.
The groups have organized the second annual Dominica Cultural Awards Gala on Saturday, September 27, at the beautiful, historic Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, New Jersey.
The event will feature delicious authentic Dominican food by Melanie George of Dos D’Ane, courtesy of Juliana’s Classic Dishes, a restaurant and catering facility in East Orange, owned by Juliana Baptiste from Goodwill.
One of the best-known disc jockeys, DJ Lolo of Mahaut will rekindle memories of home with some of the most wistfully appealingly Dominican music.
Folkloric entertainment will be provided by Know Your Culture Dance Troupe led by Sabeniah Mingo from Roseau and the Jing Ping Band under the leadership of Darius Moses of La Plaine; a mouth organ rendition by Vernon Musgrave from Marigot and other live performances, including bélé and konte from well-known Dominican performances.
A retrospective fashion show themed “Fashion Through the Ages” by Nyrle Robin of Wesley, will round off the evening’s program.
The first Dominica Cultural Awards Gala was held last year and funds raised benefitted a New Jersey-based civic group and provided seed money for this year’s event.
“Last year’s experience taught us that Dominicans have a desire for an event like this. For the more mature folks, it is nostalgic reminder of their experiences at home and for the younger Dominican Americans a unique occasion to observe their heritage in full display and to appreciate firsthand, the camaraderie that naturally exists among Dominicans when they get together with the sole objective of doing good for fellow Dominicans” said Sylma Brown, the chairman of the planning committee.
“The Gala provides an opportunity for Dominicans and their friends, families, colleagues and communities to party with a cause and guests are asked to donate medical items to a drive to collect medical supplies for distribution among the clinics in Dominica, an initiative of the Northeast USA Wesley Committee” she added.
Gala tickets are priced at US$70 and include a cocktail reception, dinner, open bar, entertainment and dancing. Children under 12 pay $35.
The Gala is staged through the combined efforts of the, Dominica Sisserou International; Dominica United Cricket Club, Know Your Culture Dance Troupe, the North American Association for the Advancement of La Plaine and the Northeast US Wesley Committee.
The Committee exists to share the love of their culture with their communities, to promote Dominica as the nature lover’s ideal vacation destination and to contribute to the growth and development of Dominica by supporting community efforts in the United States and at home.
The event is sponsored by DomCan Development and Juliana’s Classic Dishes. Additional sponsors are being sought.
For more information on the Gala, please email Sylma Brown at [email protected].
Nice!!
Hello New Jersey,
I am so glad that they chose to go to Upper Montclair so that small minded Dominicans like you with your inferiority complex can stay away. All you see for Dominica is wash you foot and go BBQ. Bravo to the group. Make Dominica proud and improve on last year’s event. I and my friends will be there. We want to help! All Dominicans in New Jersey should want to help!
No biggie guys do what you can.
Medard has things in place. Remember he asked Development partners to make large cash infusion for “the cancer/weak economies” pts of the OACS.
Try, but if you fail papa Medard got ur back.
He has already made duty free available for diapers for those with oral diarreah. you know like those on Kairi FM
who can’t stop talking!
Just a few months ago i was Begging my girlfriend for most valued information on how to donate items to the Medical field in Dominica and here im reading about this fund raiser wow In the name of Jesus .. I say forget about all the negativity and the members of government
WE THE PEOPLE lets do our part I will be counting the days… as a medical personel i want to help my country in that area and i will be inviting as much persons from my facility as possible we will be coming to have fun and if any one knows of any Hotel close by please let me know because the safe way is after a dinner and function no drink and drive we will be sleeping over in jersey. I’m also a professional begger i will beg for my country.
I agree we can do it help raise some fund to support Dominica, Let all come together and give a helping hand. all goes towards Dominica.
Sad and Pathetic
see why Dominica will continue to rate highly as the Poorest in The Eastern Caribbean…
why do you have a ruling regime? why did the boyish bunch invest in a President’s Palace. where are the priorities in Dominica..
why i dislike our vibes in DA is that so important folks sit back see the slide and say nothing…
Dominica is dusted and Doomed due to many a Dominican having his or her brains infested with crab mentality..
Ministers of Government and their agents living large whilst the quality of life and the service overall is dead…
those who see the light are in the minority thus it’s like trying clean up a nuclear waste site-that’s Dominica today for the globe….
White Plains Road.
Hello and good afternoon my people. I didn’t give you a Thumbs Down because to me its Un-Professional if I don’t attached my displeasure to your post. Well can I safely assume that you reside in the Bronx, NY on White Plains road which is a commercial area and all you hear is commercial vehicles night and day. Now this is a cultural event for our people and it’s not about Politics so if you not going just say why you not going. I hope you will attend this event and help keep our culture alive while raising some funds.
Sac way copawayzon ki zor yea. All you want to go Upper Montclair to have an event in order to help poor folks back home , why can’t you all have the show or whatever you all call it in an area where most Dominicans live and can attend? How many Dominicans live in Upper Montclair? East Orange, Irvington, Newark too poor for all you? These are the places where most Dominicans live and mind you, most or all of you organizing the show live in one of these cities. Don’t play highty tighty noh because I vex. It would be more convenient for those coming from NY, PA, CT. I bet you all going to pay an arm and a leg to rent the place . Bougouise mon blan ki ka westey la. Domnichen copaweyzon wii. I not coming, I not giving all you my money