Sixteen days before the official opening of Carnival 2014 on February 8, events director of the Dominica Festivals Committee Natalie Clarke has announced that the route for this year’s parade will not be following the traditional style.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Clarke said that this year the Carnival opening parade will go from Pottersville to the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard instead of following the usual Victoria Street to Pottersville route.
“The opening parade will have a slight twist this year. We are going from Pottersville down to the Bayfront but we’re having a Konnet Vive Fete in the Windsor Park Sports stadium car park with CK, Triple Kay and the Boss Dj Flip. That is going to be a new all-inclusive event that we you to support.”
Clarke also encouraged the corporate citizens to come out and play their part in sponsoring the 2014 Carnival. According to her, only two of the seven Miss Dominica pageant contestants have received sponsorship. Thus far Francine Baron of Grandbay is fully sponsored by D-Tread Tyres and Donella Riviere is sponsored by the Bank of Nova Scotia.
Calypsonian Val “Young Bull” Cuffy, also called on corporate citizens to support the calypsonians. “We should sponsor the calypsonians as well because the big shows that you see, also cost money and most of the guys have to try to find the necessary funds to do what they have to. So we should not only look out for the queen contestants but look out for the calypsonians as well.”
Cuffy also warned revelers against any form of violence during the carnival season noting that Dominica’s carnival is a product which can be tarnished if there is violence.
will kkk n ck b on the road?
everybody has something new, changes and more changes . . .so they can say “I did that, I am smarter ” instead of making what have worked for years a better product.
with no regards to persons banking on the old route . . .five weeks before the carnival celebrations to change it!!
typical Dominican moves!!!!
did the executive director of the DFC gave any thought of/to the people who made plans and spent on preparation and readiness for the original route to make a dollar??? why wasn’t this decided upon long in advance and tell the vendors and business persons who are located and will be located on the original route to make a dollar???
This is in advance so change your plans if needs be.
Woosh Toutouch, dey all in at de las minute… what else is new, allu doh see de women makin a mess of our already failing carnival every year?!
What about letting us know how much it costs to sponsor a queen contestant or a calypsonian? Is there a flat fee, or is it whatever the sponsors can come up with?
If the costs were made public then regular folks could consider part sponsorship. Village Councils could organize simple fundraisers to sponsor girls from the villages. That way the communities would feel a sense of ownership of the various competitions. Bioche could sponsor Miss Fish Fry; Layou could sponsor Miss Ti-Ti-Wi. Then corporate sponsors could match community funds.
What about Diasporans helping to sponsor some contestants? All the DGS, PSS, CHS, WHS, ITSS, SMA etc. alumni who are out there with a few dollars to spare could arrange to part-sponsor some of the students who are participating in the various junior competitions.
Some Diasporans are willing to help. They just need to know that there is accountability and that funds are well spent.
If Carnival is a Dominican event, then let’s think of how to get more Dominicans involved beyond only showing up for de rum and de party.
Even better yet, how about a uniform fee, so that it comes down to who can be the most creative on that given sum. Because as it is now, the sponsor with the biggest cash flow can turn in more impressive product than those struggling to come up something eye catching as a possible winner. One cost for all, and let the most creative mind and the most engaging costume wearer come to the front.
Bring back Monday and Tuesday as it was….Jouvert stops at seven, the parade comes out a nine, and parade of bands .Tuesday Tshit bands and groups, and let us have a Sunday Float parade of the winners, how it was done years ago…at least some of the Government vehicles can be used….
I like the idea of using all those nice shiny SUVs the Government has bought.
Hi Natalie I am afraid I have to agree with t he above person these l :-organisagtions are more than able to assist if they dig deepmthey will be more than able. I am not having a dig but the performers in DA appearance is not up to scratch with yhe rest of tue world apart from Dice, Hunter, and a few others their presentation is much to be desired even the women come on DA move with the times. I still love you but let us take pride please be reminded that you are being filmed. Ki hope to see some improvement be sexy women bye lace, high heels tight jeans and so on?
Hi Natalie I fully agree with the above persons these organisations are jokers let them dig deep into their pockets. Another observation apart from King Dice are the other contestanta aware that they are viewed on Tv their dressing is atrocious please fellas as well as the women take pride in yourselves. Look at performers from neighbouring ISLands they make an effort. It looks bad and tacky. Just an observation I hope that you all take heed. Women get sexy bye nice lacey tops with heels and nice shorts come on the days of being vonservative is gone be real let us see a new DA
Get the Chinese Embasy to sponsor the Queeen and calypso; Get Fort Young Hotel to throw some cash and aas well as Astaphans Co. The other folks with money is ISidor Law firm, get him to sponsor , he has MILLIONS!!
Lennox Lawrence law firm – should sponsor;
Tony Astaphans LLB – should sponsor
Alick Lawrence LLB – Should sponsor
Venezuela Embassy – Should Sponsor
Owner/s of the Villas- should sponsor
Ministry of Tourism – Should sponsor
Red Clinic Corperation- should sponsor
KIRI FM $ Krazy coconut – Should sponsor
Dominica Lottery – Should Sponsor
There should be no need to beg for sponsorship to have a successful calypso and queen show. That is nonsense. A few as named above has the finance but no one is asking them. Stop begging and go to to BIG POCKETS in the country. All other businesses fighting to survive..
In addition: UWP-Had lots of money to tour, spend some on culturs
Labour party
DCP
Jolly Pharmacy
company of Henry family(with Dr. V. Henry)
Funds from diaspora
Other hotels in DA
These are just suggestions if they were not tapped.
jolly pharmacy is sponsoring a young lady going up for Mother’s Queen. They are doing their part
Fast Company from Vieille Case
The Cement Company (Chris Walter Company)
Ronald Bedneau Company…….. :
Bolo Company…….
Not “get.” They should be approached and politely asked.
I think you have covered most of the big guns. That was good thinking, unlike @T-Ya you have not included the strugglers. You have gone straight to the top off the mountain. That should suffice. Good advice, Nathalie should take action in that direction.
boy that’s a great comment. You need an award for that. But why these people don’t volunteer to give back to the society that gave them those millions na?
DNO. This only applies to the opening parade. Your headline makes it sound as if there is a new route for Monday Tuesday Mas. I would suggest that your headline includes the words “Opening of”. Otherwise its misleading
Admin: Thanks for the observation
Hmmmm…they have a whole year to sort this, and then make changes two weeks away? What about all the business owners along the traditional path tha have purchased their products for the people who always come to relax and enjoy. Just a thought…make your silly changes right after the Carnival Season, not just before.
i agree with you ONLY Now you want to come and talk about route as soon as carnival done guys shld be planing 4 the next 1 that is y allu there is not to wait till last min to come and say things like that after pple done try and organize their products etc to make a lil cash stupes We can do better that that man seriously
Ms. Clarke you need to change back the carnival route. The carnival is dying with the way it is. The Tuesday should be the best day for the last day of the season but people don’t come on the Tuesday because they are to tired from the Monday.
And another thing, what happen to the painting of the streets of the carnival route.