World Creole Music Festival

The World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) is an annual three day music festival hosted on the island of Dominica during the final weekend in October, as a grand conclusion to Creole heritage month.

WCMF is the premiere festival of Dominica, and is widely regarded as the world's most prominent stage dedicated to the advancement of global Creole culture and music.

Launched to promote the Dominican tourism product, and create a world class platform for indigenous Dominican music, the World Creole Music Festival has become a renowned staple on the regional music gala calendar.

Over a trinity of enthralling evenings beginning on the final Friday in October each year, patrons are treated to a cavalcade of star power, emanating from the Caribbean, French Antilles, Africa and North America, arranged to thrill the seasoned festival goer and novice alike.

The first edition kicked off in 1997 during International Creole Month October to bolster lagging tourist arrivals during the island's Independence celebrations which culminate on November 3rd. Dubbed "The Festival That Never Sleeps" because of its evening kickoffs which last into the wee hours of the morning, The World Creole Musical Festival is part of a three week block that has quickly become a staple in the Caribbean, also featuring the Cadence-Lypso Competition and Creole In The Park.

The festival has given special focus to musical genres with roots in various forms of musical fusion from various countries of the Creole-speaking world.

To date, musical forms that have gained exposure at the festival include Cadence-lypso, Kompa, Zouk, Soukous, Bouyon, Zydeco (from the US state of Louisiana).

The festival is managed by the Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) formerly headed by Executive Directors Claudine Springer (2016), Natalie Clarke (2012-2014) and Val "Young Bull" Cuffy, who enjoyed a decade long tenure and currently serves as a consultant to the DFC.

Recognized as Dominica’s signature event, Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival consistently attracts extensive regional and international media coverage, and a discerning market demographic.

The festival is lauded for building regional cooperation and network capabilities in tourism, culture, and entertainment while catering to over 10,000 patrons, 100 international and regional media partners and upwards of 20 cultural and musical acts each year.

The World Creole Music Festival returned in 2016 following a one year hiatus in the wake of devastation levied by Tropical Storm Erika.

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Wikipedia