The following is a statement from Consuelo Dupal On her Talent Performance at the 2011 National Carnival Queen Competition

Consuelo Dupal during her performance. Photo courtesy: Luciancarnival.com

I went into the recent competition with no intention to deny anyone of their due recognition of their God–given talent and creativity.  I went into the competition also not knowing anything about Intellectual Property Rights.  For the record, I must say that very early in preparation for the Carnival Queen Show I brought to the attention of the show organizers that my performance was not original.  As a matter of fact, I auditioned my intended performance for the Carnival Queen Show Committee, as is required by all contestants, and at the time the Committee advised on some adjustments, but no one at the time raised an objection as to its origins.  I may also point out that nothing in the contest guidelines for the contest makes it mandatory for me to present original material written by me. 

When I decided to use the skit penned by Vaughn Walters of Antigua, it was in no way to deny Mr. Walters of his recognition as the original author.  I regret not acknowledging his talent and creativity at the time of the show. 

As a result of what has happened, I have since learnt a lot from this experience.  I have spoken to Mr. Walters to apologised for my lack of acknowledgement and recognition for his work.  He was most understanding and gracious after I explained what happened that it was an honest mistake.  In fact, Mr. Walters has offered to assist me if at anytime I require his creative input in any of my future performances. 

I am thankful for all those who supported me through this and who believed in me.  I trust that the message of the performance is not lost as I believe it remains just as powerful as when it was first performed.

Consuelo Dupal

2011 Carnival Queen Contestant

The 15^th Annual Dominica World Creole Music Festival officially launched July 15, 2011with a spectacular media event held at Krazy Koconuts from 6:00m pm.

Dominica Festivals Committee, the Discover Dominica Authority and headline sponsor, “Digicel unveiled the line-up for this year’s festival signaling the start of the hard work and creative effort leading up to the staging of “the three nights of pulsating rhythms”, the signature music event in Dominica’s annual events’ calendar. This year’s event beckons you to “make a memory…come dance with us” the tagline given by DFC Events Director Mrs. Natalie Clarke-Meade.

This year’s World Creole Music Festival will be held from Friday 28^th October to Sunday 30^th October 2011 at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.  World renowned performers hailing from England, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Paris and Dominica will form part of this year’s WCMF line-up.

Invitees to the Media Launch included Government Officials, Sponsors and other key stakeholders of various public and private sector corporate entities. The Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ian Douglas; Chief Cultural officer, Mr. Raymond Lawrence; Chairman of the Dominica Festivals Committee, Mr. Colin Piper and Manager of Digicel Dominica, Mr. Richard Stanton. A special presentation of the participating artistes and groups done by Mr. ‘Wadix’ Leroy Charles also formed part of the event.

The official launch of Dominica’s 15^th annual World Creole Music Festival will herald the start of activities to celebrate 33 years of Dominica independence and nationhood with major activities planned throughout the month of October, 2011.

Line-up Includes the following;

Friday 28 – 8:30pm to 4am

Kolo Barst

Harmonik

Ali Campbell –the legendary voice of UB40

Jeff Joseph –Grammacks New Generation

WCK

Saturday 29 – 8:30pm to 4am

Dobet Gnahoré

Jean-Philippe Marthély & Jocelyne Béroard

THIRD WORLD

CARIMI

Midnight Groovers

Sunday Night 30 – 4:30pm to 1am

Swingin’ Starz

Gyptian

Zouk Allstar Band… Fanny… Jocelyne Labylle…   Alex Catrin

Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann

TRIPLE Kay

It is projected that the 15^th Annual World Creole Music will be launched at key destinations in the upcoming weeks and information can be found on www.wcmfdominica.com and www.discoverdominica.com

Yes Folks it’s official.

At a meeting which took place at the St. Lucia Tourist Board on Monday 20, June 2011, Carpet Media SLU was told that it would not be able to broadcast St. Lucia Carnival 2011 events live via Scruffy TV, and that another Media House had been awarded the contract.

The meeting was scheduled for for 11:45m with members of the Government Appointed Committee. But, present only was Carpet Media SLU, Media Zone and two representatives from the St. Lucia Tourist Board. Other members of the committee were absent.

Carpet Media SLU was informed that the new Carnival Committee had gone into a contractual agreement with another media house ( non-internet broadcaster) for video production and live broadcasting of St. Lucia Carnival events via Cable TV and the Internet.

Carpet Media SLU in it’s defense explained that it has been providing the service of live online broadcast of St. Lucia Carnival events for years and that it should have been considered for providing these services.

The company went further to explain that information was being solicited from the Cultural Development Foundation since January of 2011 via various e-mails and phone calls but was unsuccessful in getting any response from anyone at the CDF to date. It was only last week when they contacted the committee that they were asked to submit a copy of the proposal to the new committee.

Carpet Media SLU believes that the current turn of events for this year’s St. Lucia Carnival is a clear example of the lack of communication, Preparedness and Proper Understanding on the part of the organizers and/or producers of St. Lucia Carnival.

The Company wishes to state that it is to no fault of Carpet Media SLU or Scruffy TV that they are unable to provide live online coverage of this year’s St. Lucia Carnival events.

Carpet Media SLU urge’s the organizers and/or producers “To Get It Straight” by bringing together all of the main stakeholders of St. Lucia Carnival at an early stage to discuss all what needs to be done and also to get it done early. We have 10 month’s prior to the staging of the event.  A stakeholders seminar was conducted yes! but look what came out of it.

Carpet Media SLU wishes to apologize to all its viewers of Scruffy TV and would like to thank everyone for their continued support. Please keep it locked as we will be bringing you a more enhanced genre of programming.

Patience is virtue…. Trois Jeux anyone?….

The Eastern Caribbean Copyright Licensing Association, (ECCLA), has been incorporated in the OECS Member States.  ECCLA was established to ensure that creators and publishers of image and text-based works are protected and remunerated for the copying of their copyrighted works. The first meeting of ECCLA was held in Barbados on Tuesday March 29^th 2011.  The meeting adopted the proposed byelaws of the Association and developed a three-year business plan, which includes a membership drive.  The meeting also agreed to the execution of both a management and a bilateral agreement with the Jamaica Copyright Licensing Agency, (JAMCOPY) to assist in the effective administration of the work of the new Association.

The establishment of ECCLA grew out of a series of consultations sponsored by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO), on the establishment of a single Reproduction Rights Organization (RRO) that would service the small Member States of the OECS, and give rise to economies of scale.

The goals of the Association are consistent with collective management of reprography, and ECCLA will, as a representative of creators and publishers from the OECS Member States, seek to create a compliance culture and encourage and protect the creativity of its members. Writers, photographers, poets, composers, illustrators, artists and other visual creators whose work is published in printed form and publishers of books, magazines, newspapers and other periodicals are invited to join ECCLA.

ECCLA’s day to day management will be effected at its principal office in Saint Lucia, by a Board of Directors comprising Dr Simon Jones-Hendrickson of Saint Kitts and Nevis as President, McCarthy Marie of Dominica as Vice President and Michael Fontenelle of Saint Lucia as Treasurer.

Other directors include Wayne A M Williams of Grenada and Desiree Richards of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Lydia Elliott of Saint Lucia was appointed at the first meeting of the Association to serve as Secretary.

ECCLA is one of 5 organizations established in the Caribbean to protect the interests copyright holders of image and text-based works; the others being JAMCOPY in Jamaica, the Trinidad and Tobago Reprographic Rights Organisation (TTRRO), the Barbados Copyright Agency Inc. (BCOPY) and the Belize Copyright Licensing Agency (BECLA).

After setting festival benchmarks and establishing a long standing history as the best party in the Caribbean for years running, the annual Saint Lucia Jazz is set to record another milestone.

The 2011edition of the vastly popular musical event, which represents the biggest activity on the Saint Lucia’s Tourist Board’s (SLTB) special events calendar, will celebrate two decades of existence when the 20^th edition is launched on January 17^th at the St. Lucia Golf Club in Cap Estate. For the first time in its 20 year history the event is being simultaneously launched in front of a captive audience at Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace in Jamaica.

In announcing the dates for the 2011edition Saint Lucia Jazz, Special Events Committee Chairman Cuthbert Didier told a highly anticipative audience, “in true legendary style the first set of world acclaimed acts would take to the stage on April 30, to be followed by a steady stream of international renowned artistes throughout the two-week period before the curtains came done with the usual fireworks display on May 8.”

Didier said the survivability of Saint Lucia Jazz was attributed to constant improvements and innovations in the product and the way it which it was presented to patrons. That approach he said “had allowed the government, the SLTB and its valued partners to grow the event; feature a healthy cadre of Saint Lucian entertainers alongside regional and international counterparts; and attract increasing visitors from around the world to the island’s shores.”

Didier noted that several innovations would characterize the 20^th anniversary edition like devoting specific days to varying genres of music. Wednesday and Thursday nights he exclaimed, “Would feature Straight Ahead Jazz with the weekend shows dedicated to World Music; Rhythm and Blues (R&B) as well as Funk and Contemporary Jazz.”

Another anticipated highlight of Saint Lucia Jazz 2011 would be one of the largest groupings of local acts to take to the stage to date. An ensemble of Saint Lucian’s jazz icons will make up the ‘Saint Lucian Collective,’ who will perform a mélange of sweet pulsating Caribbean beats.

The 2011 Saint Lucia Jazz lineup is headlined by six time Grammy winner John Legend and includes accomplished acts like Jazz fusion quartet Yellowjackets, violinist  Regina Carter, Saint Lucian  saxophonist Augustin ‘Jab’ Duplessis, saxophonist Maceo Parker , Hatian Creole Band Carimi, African vocalist Angelique Kidjo, Saint Lucian vocalist Mervyn Wilkison, Jamaican reggae band Morgan Heritage, and many more. One other major headline act is to be announced in coming days.

The early release of the exciting and diverse line-up allow patrons adequate time to begin booking flights and accommodations in order to be part of what continues to be the best party in the Caribbean.

For the current line-up CLICK HERE!

Ten lucky customers are about to become winners of one of the greatest sweepstakes to be offered in a LIME Christmas promotion. The draws for the 10 grand prizes in the company’s Pon De Remix promotion will be held this weekend. Each of the winners stand to receive $10, 000 cash, free Super J groceries and free LIME services for one year, a new mobile phone along with a post-paid plan.

Two more customers will win runner up prizes, namely a family vacation for 4 to a destination of their choice (2^nd prize) and a 3D entertainment system (3^rd prize). 60 customers came away with weekly prizes during the 6-week long promotion, including iPads, mobile phones, Super J groceries, car makeovers from Automative Art, gym memberships from Sportivo, RJ Clarke vouchers and lots more. Winners came from all across the island, including Vieux Fort, Dennery, Carellie, BlackBay, Choiseul, and New Development Soufriere.

“Our Pon de Remix promotion has turned out to be a really fantastic event!” said LIME Head of Marketing & communications, Laurencia Cadette. “Thanks to the support of our corporate partners, we were able to assemble a vast mix of awesome prizes to reward our customers. And now it’s time to make it all come together. We especially want to thank all our customers who participated in the promotion by taking advantage of our great offers. We look forward to treating ten lucky customers to the ultimate lifestyle remix!”

To qualify for entry into the draws customers simply had to top-up $20, text Merry to 5463, or purchase a handset. The grand-prize draws will be held under the supervision of the St Lucia National Lotteries Authority and will subsequently be aired DBS and Calabash TV

Thurgot Théodat - Haiti Forum

“As we are about to mark the first anniversary of the terrible earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, we all have the duty, not only to remember the suffering of the Haitian people, but also to do whatever we can to support recovery and reconstruction.” This was the message coming from the Haiti Music Forum that took place in Castries, Saint Lucia, in May 2010 when musicians and other people involved in the music sector met to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration and to build solidarity in the aftermath of that disaster. This event was organised by Bluemangó and Labowi Promotions, organisers of the Jazz in the South Festival.

The Forum brought together people representing a range of interests in the sector, including the Saint Lucia School of Music, the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO), the Folk Research Centre, the Cultural Development Foundation and the Alliance Française. In addition to participants from Haiti and Saint Lucia, festival organisers and cultural organisations from Guadeloupe, Martinique and Trinidad and Tobago were represented, and the meeting also greatly benefited from the contribution of performer Dobet Gnahoré from Ivory Coast, whose performances were one of the highlights of the 2010 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival.

The Forum noted the need to recognise Haiti as a cultural giant that has contributed immensely to Caribbean identity and civilisation, and the need to build solidarity among musicians in the Caribbean, and especially between Haitian artists and musicians from other parts of the region.

Musicians are among those who lost lives, homes, hopes, relatives, equipment and sources of income. Like any other sector of society, they need to rebuild, and this is a long and painful process. One of the best ways for any community or sector to express and concretise solidarity is to support its counterpart in Haiti and to focus on concrete and realistic actions.

It is in this context that the Haiti Music Collective renews the call to all music festivals in the Caribbean and around the world to support the recovery of Haitian music and musicians by including at least one Haitian performer or group in their line-up. This is a pledge that every Festival could and should make for 2011.

For its part, Jazz in the South, which has worked with Haitian artists virtually every year since 1997, will in its 2011 edition include several Haitian performers, and is also exploring the possibility of including a unique and original collaboration between musicians from the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Jazz in the South 2011 will run from 30 April to 3 May, and organisers are delighted to announce that this edition is placed under the patronage of pan maestro Andy Narell.

Ronald "Boo" Hinkson

LIME has extended congratulations to Oaktreez Inc for the successful staging of ‘Think St. Lucian’, a fund-raising concert and telethon held Sunday last at Samaans Park in aide of victims of Hurricane Tomas.

LIME was a sponsor of the show and was happy to take the opportunity to further extend its support to those affected by the storm. The company contributed cash and telecoms service, totalling approximately $25, 000

The show was the brainchild of Lindale “Oaktreez” James and featured a star-studded line-up, including Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson, Arturo Tappin, TC Brown, Crocodile, Trish, Carl Gustave, Claudia Edward and many more.  The event was sanctioned by the government of St Lucia and the Red Cross and the telethon was overseen by BDO accounting firm. Commenting on the production of the concert, Lyndale James, the Managing Director of Oaktreez Inc said, “Oaktreez Inc is dedicated to the growth of the local Music Industry and is grateful for the opportunity to showcase our St. Lucian talent in a fund raising effort to aid the victims of Hurricane Tomas.”

Santa’s Helpers were also on hand dishing out LIME goodies and surprises as part of the company’s Christmas ‘Pon de Remix’ promotion.

“It’s our responsibility to help our neighbours. We believe that by providing support to initiatives like ‘Think St Lucian’ we can make a big difference in the lives of many families and help further the national relief and restoration effort. We have dedicated our time and resources to this worthy cause and will continue to do so,” said LIME General Manager, Lawrence McNaughton.

LIME would also like to thank all the media especially Calabash TV Party Access and Scruffy TV, for their assistance given to this event. As LIME continues to remix Christmas, look out for more from Santa’s Helpers in your community. LIME. For living. Everyday.

In the midst of our calamity, we as St. Lucians have something to celebrate.  Emrand Henry, St. Lucian Gospel Singer/Writer and Performer was on October 30th, 2010 – the same day St. Lucia was hit by Hurricane Tomas – awarded the prestigious Marlin Award in the Bahamas.  Emrand came out victorious after being nominated for Best Gospel Soca Single for 2010 amongst nominees in this category such as phenomenal Gospel Soca artistes Nigel Lewis and Sherwin Gardner of Trinidad.

This has been long awaited by Emrand Henry as he has been nominated for various Marlin Awards over the years but had not been successful in winning.  He also served as a judge for the Marlin Awards two years ago where he was sent the music by all nominees for that year from the region to be revued.  In 2010 he was on the other side of the fence where he was  judged and was successful.

Emrand also perfomed at the 2010 Marlin Awards as it celebrated its fourteenth (14th) year. For the first time in its history the Marlin Awards released an official theme song “Together as One” produced by Soca sensation and Marlin Award winner Nigel Lewis from Trinidad.  This was a multi-artists effort which featured some of the most dynamic performers in the region – Emrand Henry (St. Lucia), Sherwin Gardner (Trinidad), Christian Massive (Bahamas), Jumelle (St. Maarten), Christafari (USA) and Nigel Lewis.

The track which enabled Emrand Henry to win the Best Gospel Soca Marlin Award was “Dis Year” which he composed and rode on the Campari Riddim produced by Nigel Nicolas, Patrice Regis and Jose St. Clair of Slaughter Arts Records of St. Lucia and recorded at Lynx Studios owned by Gilbert Cooke of St. Lucia.  All songs on the Campari Riddim are presently being sold on ITunes with all proceeds going to Hurricane victims of Hurricane Tomas.

Emrand Henry continues to make us proud as he is in Baltimore, USA continuing his tour for 2010.  We congratulate him and wish him all the best in his future endeavours in his musical career.

As part of Guinness’s world wide campaign and celebration of Arthur Guinness day, in honour of the founder of the world’s most famous dark brew, one lucky Saint Lucian will join 22 other lucky winners from other islands in the grand finale of the celebrations on October 23 in Kingston, Jamaica. There, the Arthur Guinness Celebrations which is set for the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica will be headlined by actor and rapper Busta Rhymes.

Born to Jamaican parents, the Brooklyn New York native, has remained viable and is to this day a tour de force in the Hip Hop world.

The iconic rapper has been added to the already stellar line up of dancehall and reggae pioneers which include Grammy award winning artiste Beenie Man, Shaggy, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Wayne Wonder and Lady Saw.

Busta Rhymes, who is currently riding high in North America and Europe with his latest album “Back on my BS” for Universal Motown is expected to bring things to a wonderful close at the National Stadium on October 23.

The 38 year old is expected to unleash some of  his recent and timeless hits such as Platinum Grammy nominated single “Whoo Hah,  Got You all in Check,” “Put your Hands where my eyes can see,” as well as number one Hip Hop and R&B and Number 3 pop single “What’s it gonna be,” featuring Janet Jackson.

UTC winner from Saint Lucia receives his prize from Guinness brand manager Sylvester Henry

Established in 2009, during the 250 year anniversary of Guinness, Arthur Guinness Day is marked by a series of promotional events and celebrations taking place around the world, to celebrate the life and legacy of Arthur Guinness and the brewing tradition which he brought to the world.

The highlight of the “Day “ itself saw people around the world raise a Guinness at 17.59 local time from 23rd September in a truly remarkable global toast which kick starts the celebrations.

This year, here in Saint Lucia, Arthur Guinness Day was activated with the “Under the Crown promotion” which was launched on Monday August 23, 2010.

“For the under the crown promotion the special branded bottle caps contain the unique codes underneath them, and so far the response has been really good,” Guinness brand manager in Saint Lucia Sylvester Henry says. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity since the event in Jamaica is only accessible by persons winning a ticket, so our winner will be treated as a real VIP when they get to Jamaica,” Henry added. So far a number of persons have won some of the many prizes which include cell phones, top up, Guinness paraphernalia and the dark brew itself.

The winner of the grand prize from Saint Lucia will join winners from St. Kitts, Barbados, Guyana, Haiti, Trinidad, St. Vincent and Antigua and of course the thousands of Jamaicans who are expected to attend the concert in a grand celebration to Guinness which is enjoyed at a rate of 5.5 million pints daily, worldwide.