What to expect on arrival

Through rolling clouds… a magnificent vista of tall mountains appear. The island’s rugged coastal seascape swirls her Creole skirts and shows her proud confidence in tones of green and passionate reds. On entering Waitukubuli… a river rushing alongside the airport cools the humid air and a meandering drive from Melville Hall to Roseau is filled with small villages cozying up inside her valleys and hiding in the lushness of her undulating hills.

Welcome to the Commonwealth of Dominica. The West Indian space I reside in and the island I have fallen in love with embracing as my home. With pride I speak of the Waitukubuli National Trail… 115 miles of segmented trails cover her expanse, 365 rivers and counting spring from her belly finding a way to gush, rush, and wind down to the Caribbean and Atlantic seas. There are about six hundred species of flora and fauna to search for if adventure calls you into her interior and melodies untold from birds to wake you each morning. This thought process has caused me to say without hesitation everyday “I AM DOMINICA”.

Being Events Director for the DOMINICA’S World Creole Music Festival (WCFM) a premiere event is a challenge I have embraced with excitement. WCMF caters for all who enjoy life, various popular music genres unique to the Creole and Ethnic speaking world. Cadence-Lypso, Zouk, Zyecco, Bouyon, Kompas, Soukouce and other indigenous styles from East and West Africa, are intertwined with fusion music such as Reggae, Soca, Calypso and Soulful music. The festival has a rich line-up history drawing from Creole acts from Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Africa, Dominica as well as the Creole Diaspora in Europe and USA. Even more interesting is that the WCMF is held within the month of OCTOBER leading into November when Independence is celebrated. At this time Dominicans embrace their Creole culture and celebrate their rich island history with a joyous de vivre in traditional national wear, tasty wild meats, and memories of their ancient past through African drumbeat and Kalinago Indian song… defying the everyday to shout “I AM DOMINICA”

Special mention goes to all the Ministries of the Government of Dominica and our presenting partner DIGICEL… the bigger… better…network! THANK YOU to our many sponsors big and small. Our Media partners locally, throughout the region and internationally. To all the Event Core team, volunteers, and well-wishers of WCMF 15… your substantial support to create the festival’s success will ALWAYS be appreciated.
This year we welcome on stage headliners from across the globe and we at Dominica Festival Committee invite you to make fond memories within the three nights of pulsating rhythms. Enjoy dancing with us and indulge your soul in the independence of our Creole spirit, food, and culture. Its’ Mizik A Nou!

Natalie Clarke-Meade
DFC Events Director