Massive Show!

The World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) has been a cornerstone of Dominica's cultural calendar for over two decades. As the 23rd edition of this spectacular celebration recently graced the island, one of its founding members, Gordon Henderson, stepped forward to praise the festival's continued success and share his views on the ongoing debate about changing its name.

The 23rd edition of the WCMF brought together a diverse range of artists and music styles, captivating locals and visitors alike. From the infectious rhythms of Cadence-Lypso to the vibrant sounds of Zouk and the irresistible grooves of Soca, the festival continued to highlight the rich and diverse Creole culture of Dominica and the wider Caribbean.

Henderson, a legendary figure in the world of Cadence-Lypso and one of the founding members of the WCMF, was quick to applaud the successful staging of the 23rd edition following his performance on the main stage.

In addition to celebrating the festival's success, Henderson has clarified his stance on the ongoing discussion about changing the festival's name. He firmly opposes any such alteration, as he believes that the name "World Creole Music Festival" encapsulates the core objectives of the event - promoting Dominican music, attracting tourists to the island, and celebrating the fusion of cultures that defines Dominica.

Founded by a committee of dedicated individuals, including Henderson, Jerry Brisbane, Leroy' Wadix' Charles, Sheridan Gregoire, Mark Marie, Eddy Toulon, and Julius Timothy, among others, the festival has long been a symbol of Dominican identity and a platform for showcasing its unique musical heritage. Recently, there has been a call for a name change by one of the founding members, Wadix, who argues that the festival no longer aligns with its Creole roots. He suggests that the festival's name should reflect its evolution, given the broad range of music and artists it now features. However, Henderson strongly believes that the core objectives of the World Creole Music Festival have remained intact throughout its existence.

The festival's primary mission, he stated, was to draw visitors to Dominica, thus boosting the local economy and showcasing the island's rich cultural heritage. In his view, the festival has effectively accomplished these goals by consistently promoting Dominican music and artists internationally.

He acknowledges that society evolves and that changes are sometimes necessary to suit a product's format better. Still, he is resolute that the festival can retain its original name, "World Creole Music Festival," while adapting to modern trends. He emphasizes that the term "Creole" carries profound meaning, especially in the context of Dominica's history and culture. The festival's initial definition of music as "franco-creole" highlighted its connection to French roots and played a significant role in shaping its identity.

Henderson argues that the debate about changing the festival's name should be approached with level-headedness and intelligence. He believes it is crucial to consider whether such a change is not only intelligent but also necessary. In his view, the festival's original name still resonates with the essence of the event, and it remains a symbol of Dominican identity and the celebration of Creole culture.

Another artist who lauded the stage of the 23rd edition of the event was Dominica's princess of song Michele Henderson.

Night One

On night one of the festival –October 27 – Henderson, the opening act, heated a wet Windsor Park Sports Stadium (WPSS). During her performance, the singer/ songwriter executed a tribute to Dominican pioneering bands of Cadence-lypso music.

Succeeding her performance, she said, she felt honoured to be part of this year's event.

Stellar performance also came from VAYB, the dynamic Haitian Kompa band, who brought a touch of Caribbean elegance and groove to the WCMF stage. With their melodic harmonies and rhythmically rich sound, the group left an indelible mark on the festival's opening night, proving that Kompa music has an enduring appeal and is a force to be reckoned with.

The Jamaican dancehall sensation Popcaan took to the stage with boundless energy, captivating the audience with his infectious beats and charismatic stage presence. Known for hits like "Only Man She Want" and "Party Shot," Popcaan had the crowd dancing to his Reggae and dancehall tunes, making it clear why he's considered one of the genre's brightest stars.

Patrice Roberts, the Soca queen from Trinidad and Tobago, ignited the stage with her infectious Soca hits. She thanked the Dominican public for their continued support.

On the Bouyon side of things, Mr. Ridge brought the sounds of Dominica to the forefront with his pulsating rhythms and catchy melodies. What added to the night's excitement were the surprise appearances by Dominica's Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, who performed his song with the artist "From AM to PM."

Skerrit told the press that his appearance at the was a last-minute decision but one he enjoyed nonetheless.

The daybreak specialist, TK International, closed night one of the show to the audience's delight.

Night Two

The saying, "The only thing the rain stops is cricket," was proven true on night two of the festival and Saturday night of the WCMF proved to be a testament to the unwavering spirit of music enthusiasts, as they defied the rain to witness a stellar lineup of international and local artists. Despite the downpour, patrons showed up in large numbers, demonstrating their dedication to enjoying the vibrant sounds.

However, the rain did cause some catastrophes, as a tent within the VIP area collapsed, leaving just over a dozen attendees with minor injuries.

All was not lost as the artists managed to captivate the soaked but resilient crowd with their incredible performances. The second night of the WCMF proved to be a testament to the unwavering spirit of music enthusiasts as they defied the rain to witness a stellar lineup of international and local artists. Despite the downpour, patrons showed up in large numbers, demonstrating their dedication to enjoying the vibrant sounds.

The legendary Jamaican Reggae artist Beres Hammond, with a decade-long career and a catalogue of hits that resonate with audiences of all ages, delivered a soulful and melodic performance. Classics like "What One Dance Can Do" and "Rockaway" had the crowd swaying in the rain, and his smooth vocals brought warmth on a chilly night.

The Zouk extravaganza featured the iconic Tabou Combo alongside some of Zouk's most cherished voices. Joelle Ursull, Njie, Jean Luc Guanel, and Medhy graced the stage with enchanting melodies, taking the audience on a musical journey through the French Caribbean. Their harmonious blend of voices and infectious rhythms left everyone entranced, dancing and singing in the rain.

From Nigeria, the talented Joeboy brought his Afrobeat flavour to the WCMF stage. His energetic performance included hits like "Baby" and "Don't Call Me Back," drawing cheers and applause from the audience. Joeboy's performance showcased the global influence of Afrobeat music and its capacity to unite diverse audiences.

One of the most anticipated acts of the night was Kalash, the internationally acclaimed artist from France. As rain continued to fall, Kalash's performance set the stage on fire. His infectious beats and charismatic presence had fans dancing fervently, disregarding the weather.

Bringing a close to night two, Asa Bantan, "Bouyon Boss", made a grand entrance in a limousine that set the stage for his exhilarating performance. Known for his high-energy and provocative lyrics, Asa Bantan had the crowd jumping to his infectious Bouyon beats. His dynamic stage presence and fervent delivery made him a crowd favourite.

Night Three

The WCMF reached its crescendo on the final night, leaving attendees with a lasting memory of vibrant rhythms and eclectic performances.

The Exatsy band set the stage ablaze with an energetic opening performance. They were followed by the legendary group Midnight Groovers, who brought their signature Cadence-Lypso sound to the WCMF stage.

With a rich history of captivating audiences with melodic and groovy tunes, Midnight Groovers once again displayed their enduring appeal. Their performance was a tribute to the Creole musical heritage that the festival celebrates.

However, the band's performance ended on a sour note. At the end of their allotted time, the group requested to perform their final song but was denied, which was met with boos from the crowd. A disappointed Chubby was seen storming off the stage, leaving behind a bewildered audience.

The abrupt ending didn't overshadow the rest of the night, as the crowd's memory of vibrant rhythms and eclectic performances prevailed.

The WCMF reached its crescendo on the final night, leaving attendees with a lasting memory of vibrant rhythms and eclectic performances.

The Exatsy band set the stage ablaze with an energetic opening performance. They were followed by the legendary group Midnight Groovers, who brought their signature Cadence-Lypso sound to the WCMF stage. With a rich history of captivating audiences with melodic and groovy tunes, Midnight Groovers once again displayed their enduring appeal. Their performance was a tribute to the Creole musical heritage that the festival celebrates.

Jada Kingdom, the Jamaican dancehall sensation, graced the stage with her vibrant and bold performance. Known for her captivating lyrics and fierce style, Jada Kingdom captivated the crowd with her powerful stage presence and infectious beats. Her performance was a fusion of Dancehall, Reggae, and R&B that showcased her versatility and talent.

Signal Band continued to delight the audience with their groovy bouyon rhythms. The night climaxed with the much-anticipated performance by the Soca King, Machel Montano. With his boundless energy and chart-topping hits, Montano delivered an unforgettable Soca extravaganza. His classical hits had the crowd singing and dancing with enthusiasm.

The night climaxed with the much-anticipated performance by the Soca King, Machel Montano. With his boundless energy and chart-topping hits, Montano delivered an unforgettable soca extravaganza. His classical hits had the crowd singing and dancing with enthusiasm.

At the end of his over 1 hour and 15 minutes set, patrons chanted, "We want more," a demand that Montano quickly fulfilled.

According to many fans at the event, the 23rd edition of the WCMF was undoubtedly one to remember.

-By Ronalda Luke