Following a two year hiatus, festival lovers can once again look forward to the resumption of the long-awaited World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) which is expected to take place between October 28 and 30, 2022.
Minister for Tourism, Denis Charles, recently broke the news on state-owned DBS, revealing that a survey will soon be launched to get the public engaged with regard to the selection of the bands and artists they would like to see play at this year’s festival.
“We will be trying a different approach for more public engagement in the decision making,” Charles stated. “Behind the wheels, we are already putting our plans in place.. finalising,” Charles stated.
Heeding the advice of health officials, Charles, in 2020, announced the cancellation of the three nights of “pulsating rhythms” which is known to attract a large number of patrons from across the region as well as returning Dominicans.
At the time, she highlighted the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the main reason for calling off what would have been the 22nd edition of the festival.
In 2021, prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit, during his weekly program, revealed that the cabinet had set aside 400 thousand dollars for the staging of WCMF which would feature only local artists, but that too had to be cancelled due to an upsurge in local COVID-19 cases.
In light of the expected return of the festival, the tourism minister encouraged Dominican nationals living abroad who may have missed the special entertainment events held during the carnival season, to take advantage of the direct flights to Dominica, and “come home for the world creole music festival.”
First held in October 1997, the festival was launched to complement Dominica’s annual Independence Celebrations as well as to promote the Dominican tourism product and create a world-class platform for indigenous Dominican music.
The now renowned staple event on the regional music gala calendar typically features an array of unique music from across the globe including Zouk, Reggae, Soca, Soukous, Kompa and Calypso to name a few.
The event features three nights of music – from dusk to dawn – during the last weekend in October.
Skillibeng he is the best artist
Bedjine!!!!!!!!!!!
No triple crap. No reggae artist
I want a heavy dose of regional Zouk/ Kompa/ Soukous and the local artists. However, would also bring back two Calypso artists in Kes and Motto. That will attract some wider Caribbean interest, both from the region and the NA expat community.
Add Patrice, Colton T, Third World, Carimi, Steel Pulse, and maybe Shaggy and we have a weekend.
Since when does the public’s opinion matter?
Like “Jazz’n Creole”, the “World Creole Music Festival” is a misnomer. It does not truly reflect creole music. I suggest that the organizers research the origins of creole music so as to better understand the genre.
As it stands, the event might better be described as a Caribbean Popular Music Festival.
Bring Back Steel Pulse and Carimii..