St. Lucia Captures Madam Wob Creole Canada 2016 Title

Toronto, ON. October 1, 2016. Before a sold-out audience at the Latvian Cultural Centre in Toronto, St. Lucia's Sharlene Jn Baptiste took top spot at Toronto's Two Islands - One Culture: St Lucia Meets Dominica, Madam Wob Creole Canada.

The annual event hosted by the St. Lucia Toronto Association (SLTA) and the Commonwealth of Dominica, Ontario Association (CDOA) is Toronto's premiere event which opens Creole Month in Canada.

Three ladies from Dominica, Dianne James (Marigot), Ursula Winston (Wesley) Sheryl Barnett (Grand Bay) and three from St. Lucia, Sharlene Jn Baptiste (Bois Cachet, Castries), Melissa Joseph (Mon Repos) and Uhanna Charles-Obaizamomwan (Ti Morne Union) competed for the title last held by Hernica Dorival of Dominica.

The participants made three appearances, the most popular being the Wob Dwiyet round in plain lace Wob Dwiyets designed by Ceclia Philogene of New Jersey. The talent round saw a variety of performances including Creole skits from St. Lucia, Bélé from Dominica and a broad display of singing talent from both islands.

In what was a very tight race, St. Lucia's Sharlene Jn Baptiste took top prize with Dominica's Sheryl Barnett and Dianne James coming in second and third respectively. Sheryl Barnett took the Best Talent Award with a dramatic piece on moving to Canada from Dominica and the winner, Sharlene Jn Baptiste took the Best in Wob Award, which carried the most points.

The five Judges comprised of Scientist Francis Jeffers & Entrepreneur and Artist Janice Lau Corbett from Dominica; Arletta Walcott Communications Officer for the St. Lucia Consulate in Toronto and Gloria Beausoleil, former St. Lucian contestant in the Madam Wob Creole event, and the Head Judge, Jennyne Meynard, CEO of Festival Kompa Zouk from Haiti.

The show attracted dignitaries including former MPP Zanana Akanda, whose roots are from St. Lucia and Hon. Justice Dr. Irving Andre from Dominica who sashed the winner.

The CDOA and the SLTA Associations have a history of collaboration, having been part of Toronto's first Jounen Kweyol celebration and more recently in hosting Cardinal Felix' visit to Toronto. They are currently heavily involved in the relief effort for Haiti in Canada, being co-chaired by Dominica's Trade and Investment Commissioner, Frances Delsol

Next year's event is slated to once again open Creole Month in Toronto on October 7, 2017.

For information on the CDOA please contact Hetty Lawrence (president@dominicaassociation.ca) or for SLTA contact Ross Cadasse (president@stluciatoronto.org )