Dominica / Special Interests / Music

By James Henderson

Dominica has a number of talented musicians and all forms of West Indian music are listened to and cherished, most notably at carnival, Independence Day and the World Creole Music Festival celebrations (more of that shortly), while local artists Ophelia Marie and Michele Henderson share an international reputation. Live music is not easy to locate though. Some of the hotels engage bands at different times and there are two main Roseau venues and Big Papa’s reggae night in Portsmouth, but that aside, a thriving bar and music culture does not really exist. Posters may advertise the odd street jam and such, and local radio may give tip-offs for other happenings or fetes but the island definitely comes alive in late October when the Dominica World Creole Music Festival blasts off with a host of star attractions. It has gathered a major following in only a short time, attracting visitors from all over, and specifically the French islands. A three-day multifaceted music event at the Windsor Park Stadium, not limited to purely Creole forms, is supported by Creole in the Park. This is a four-day cultural pageant of food, crafts and live music, and is a real family friendly outing in the Botanical Gardens. Other big concerts take place in the north and east at Portsmouth and La Plaine respectively.

Traditional music and dance is alive and well in the form of the Quadrille, an elegant costumed square dance performed by four couples in the French courts of the 1800s, and associated with the jing ping band – a basic pipe, rattle, tambourine and accordion ensemble. The Bélé is a more atavistic, African-based courtship dance based on the drum with a gradually rising beat and tempo, but songs and music from Britain and France have also changed the soundscape. In popular music Dominica took a lead from Trinidad in calypso and steelpan but cadence calypso, drawing from Haiti’s Creole kompa, took root in the 1970s followed by soca and Martinique’s zouk later. A hybrid genre, bouyon, has since gained widespread acclaim in Guadeloupe and Martinique as well as Dominica, a fusion of cadence calypso and jing ping and played at ear bending levels during Carnival.

Steel drums

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Upcoming events

07 Jun - 14 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Various venues with a week of Celtic music, dancing, food and sport. This year's events currently include:

7 June - Pipers along the boardwalk on the south coast
8 June - Concert at Plantation Theatre, in St Lawrence Gap with the Peat Bog Faeries and
9 June - Food event - cooking demo by International Chef Paul Wedgwood at 11.30 am, Relish Epicurea, Limegrove, Holetown.A Jeep Safari Rum Shop Tour is slated for the afternoon.
11 June - Special 5 hour lunch cruise on Cool Runnings. Irish Night from 6pm at McBride's Pub in St Lawrence Gap.
12 June - Walk and Talk in the Flower Forest.
13 June - The Alan Kelly Gang in concert at Holders House - guest performances by John McCusker and Heidi Talbot.
14 June - Grand finale details to be advised.

Please see individual dates for more information.
07 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Listen to the rousing sound of Highland Bagpipes as the sun sets along the Boardwalk, on the South Coast (free event). Entertainment near Blaikeys Bar at 5.30pm by the Celtic Fusion dancers from Canada.

On the West Coast there will be live Celtic music at JuJu's beach bar in St James from 5.30pm (free event).
08 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

An exciting fusion of Celtic dance, rock, jazz, hip hop and reggae music by the Peatbog Faeries from Skye (nominated for Best Live Act BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012) supported by Sandra Macbeth and her band. Includes a performance by Celtic Fusion, from the Mackenzie School of Dance, Nova Scotia. Cost US$25/Bds$50. The Plantation Theatre, St Lawrence at 8pm.
11 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Special 5-hour Celtic cruise along the West Coast of Barbados on the 60ft catamaran, Cool Runnings. Cruise from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. Cost US$80/Bds$160 which includes lunch, drinks, snorkelling and swimming with turtles.

Irish Night at McBrides Pub in St Lawrence Gap with Happy Hour all night and live music by Fiona Young's band. Tickets available at the door from 6pm.
12 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Enjoy a guided walk through the enchanting 50-acre Flower Forest with owner David Spieler. Bagpipes and Celtic dancing at a favourite beauty spot with views to the East Coast and Scotland District. Starts at 11am. Cost US$10/Bds$20.
13 Jun

Carnivals & Festivals | Barbados

Irish folk music at Holders House Holders from 7pm, with the option of dinner by celebrity chef, Paul Wedgwood. Holders Season in association with Celtic Festival Barbados present The Alan Kelly Gang in concert, with guest performances by John McCusker and Heidi Talbot. Cost US$50/Bds$100 including drinks (dinner extra).

Browse Music on other islands

Or read our other island guides

Dominica’s weather

When to go and weather

Looking for inspiration?

Appreciate the urban history and fabric of Roseau on the Historic Walking Tour
Trek Morne Bruce beside the Botanical Gardens for spectacular views
Scuba dive or go whale watching for once in a lifetime memories
Hike to the Boiling Lake along the Waitukubuli Trail
Ride down Indian River, through Portsmouth, to the Cabrits National Park

Dominica Events

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