With just over a week to go until the 23rd Edition of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF), the organizers have announced that they are fully prepared for the three-night event filled with vibrant rhythms. The festival is set to take place on the Forecourt of the Windsor Park Sports Stadium from Friday, October 27th to 29th.
Festivals and Events Manager Nathalie Walsh confirmed their readiness at the weekly WCMF press briefing on Wednesday. She stated, “In terms of preparations, we are ready. Our key stakeholders are already here in Dominica, and our sound and light team is currently at the stadium setting up.”
She also mentioned that the vendor area is being arranged. “We are setting up our sound system, stage, and lighting at the stadium. We are fully prepared for this year’s festival,” Walsh added.
According to her, the artists who form part of the line-up will come from different parts of the region and the world.
“We are welcoming people to Dominica,” Walsh indicated. “I believe we have a very good mix in terms of the genre of music for all. And most recently many Dominicans via social media, Facebook, Instagram [and]… in terms of the feedback on the streets, it’s very positive.”
Meanwhile, some people have been raising concerns over the price of season tickets for the festival. However, Walsh believes the price for a season ticket is “a very good deal.”
“I strongly believe as a strong Dominican and as the Festivals and Event Manager the $400 price for a season ticket is a very good deal for all,” Walsh indicated.
The price for the season ticket is EC$400 in advance and EC$450 at the gate.
In a previous statement, she revealed that the nightly price is EC$150 on Friday, October 27, for those who choose to purchase their tickets early, and at the gate, it will be EC$175.
“On Saturday night only, it’s EC$200 and at the gate [it] is EC$250, so again, if you buy your nightly tickets now, you will save EC$50 and then on Sunday [it] is also EC$150 in advance and at the gate [it] is EC$175.”
Walsh also announced that there are the party V.I.P season tickets at EC$1300 and the village V.I.P season tickets at EC$1650.
Persons can purchase their tickets at www.dominicafestivals.com
Tickets can also be purchased at Bullseye Pharmacy in Roseau, Portsmouth, or Grand Bay and at Depex Color Lab in Roseau.
Ready for what, is the question I would like to ask?
It would be good if Ma Walsh could say how many tickets have been sold to date.
I am especially curious about ticket sales for the VIP and Village VIP sections
Nathalie, for many days now, scan past your advertisements, not seeing anyone apparent comments, my curiosity, caused me to take a peek to see why!
Upon reading the advertisement, with all your delectable words, it was not until I came to the very end I discovered the reason for the lack of interest.
Let’s face it: in Dominica the minimum wage is approximately $EC4.00 per hour, which means for a forty hour work week one earns about $160.00. Though the price of your tickets varies, they still cost more than the average person with a job earning in a week.
It’s my concern that one working for such meager amounts can’t even afford to buy enough food to last over a five day work week, so why would they burden themselves to support something to get others rich; while they stave?
Anybody who would spend the little cash they have spending it to support something they can’t afford would have to be a fool.
The higher the tickets means less participation.
Poverty shall always be in…
You all don’t know a word in Creole…much less speak another language and involved in planning?
BS…putting nasty business on the world stage…that what u bring for people children!
Magee sa!!! give it to any country that want it..Lucia! Gwada! I don’t want it!