DOMINICA CULTURAL GALA 2018

I am sure we all love to see the displays and the dances and the rythms of different cultures across the world. None of which, in my opinion, compares to the love and untouched respect that the Dominican people have for their culture. The way they move and act, it is almost impossible to miss a beat. In every way, shape, age, size, color and yes... rhythm, Dominica takes the cake for culture in the Caribbean. Dominica is one of the best places to witness this why? well... unlike other islands, Dominica dedicated a whole month of competition between themselves to bring forth the best of the best on this Cultural Gala Stage. So yes, Dominica takes it but you don't have to take my word for it, see for yourself below.

DOMINICA 2018 INDEPENDENCE MILITARY PARADE MARCH PASS PART 1 & 2

Dominica's Independence is hands down one of the best times to be in the Nature Isle of the Caribbean. Why? because leading up to this prestigious event is a whole month of pulsating culture and rhythm that showcases the best of the best of what makes Dominica, Dominica. The Independence marks a finale to this and to visitors both from Dominica and/or abroad, it cements what it truly means to be Dominican. Though we are still very much on the road to recovery, it does not stop us from shining and shining as brightly as possible with what we have been given. Dominica to the World!!! Happy Independence Dominica.

PART 2

KALINAGO TERRITORY 8 MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE MARIA PASSED THROUGH DOMINICA

One of the saddest state of affairs is when mother nature comes with her full force to bring havoc to a nation. Not just a nation though, but a nation full of life and vibrant people! Last year, Hurricane Maria, swept through the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica, leaving it in utter dismay and destruction. The persons living on the Island were shocked at the sight that they woke up to the next morning as they sifted through the destruction looking to salvage whatever they could. A few months down the line, persons have been working tirelessly to ensure that they could somehow bring back a certain level of normalcy and eight months later, here we are in the Kalinago Territory.
The Kalinago Territory, formerly known as the Carib Territory, is situated some what north yet eastern side of Dominica, where the Amerindians(Caribs) settled. After Hurricane Maria swept through the island, a number of individuals were very concerned about this part of the small but mountainous island. Many individuals came to the aid of the Kalinago people and some assistance and some progress has been made. However, the question still stands, 'Are the Kalinago people, and Dominica by extension, ready for the upcoming Hurricane Season 2018. The season, my friends is less than a month away and this is what the Carib Territory looks like eight months after the Category 5 hit the island.
This video was pulled from Mystelics Vlogs May Day 2018 Island Tour and goes more into depth from a ground level as to what the settlement looks like at present. If you would also like to see the Aerial View of what isn't seen in this video, please do so by clicking HERE.

DOMINICA CALYPSO SEMI-FINALS 2019 LIVE HIGHLIGHTS

One of Dominica best events in music is surrounding the Calypso Season. This is the Season that Dominica knows and calls its own. Today we are here for the Semi-Finals which lead up to the grand finale of the Calypso Season. Many of the patrons involved may have their favorite calypsonians and enjoy their favorite calypso songs but this is the night that puts the very best of the best together and send them straight to the top. This is where the realest of the realest make it. Congratulations to all those who made it through to the finals. This however is not about who made it but in the showcasing of the highlights for 2019 Calypso Semi-Finals Competition at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

DOMINICA CALYPSO FINALS SHOW 2017

You know who my favorite calypsonian is? No... let me rephrase this... Do you know who is the best Calypsonian in the Caribbean to date and is loved by everyone? He is from Dominica! The 8 time winning Calypso King of the world goes to King Dice!!! I love the king's music and his songwriter, Mr Aaron, does him justice! There is just something about the beauty of two individuals coming together to do something that they love and seeing the works of it manifest itself in such a fashion that the crowd or audience listening, no matter great or small, can definitely relate. Whether it be to the Lyrics or to the Talent itself. Everyone loves King Dice and he is back again to try to gain his 9th Calypso Title! I pray God that he gets it because this man has worked hard and I believe it's only fair but... the judges decision is final so no matter who wins I know that to topple the King... you have to come good.

Taking place in Carnival City in Dominica at the Pottersville Savannah Park, is the Calypso King Competition. Now Calypso is known all across the Caribbean and I think it is one of the first set of music to really make the people come together in unity and celebration. Calypso speaks on issues that take place in communities and dare I say speaks on the solutions. Calypso also speaks on the play of words which may hold double meanings which most of the times will make you laugh because you know what the artist and writers are trying to portray! Haha! It's fun and I love it and I believe this is one of the reasons why we love King Dice so much. Not that we don't love the other competitors, they too are great but we love the King. Another one I enjoyed was the one known as BooPlay. He, however, won't be at this year's competition due to his untimely passing. He sang a song last year called Air and this was one of the songs that placed Booplay in the top 4 finalists. May he rest in Peace. Now without a further a do, fierce competition in Carnival City and only one can wear that crown. Will it be King Dice Again or will he be Dethroned by one of the other talented Calypsonians this year. Do enjoy this year's Calypso Finals Episode Above.

WORLD CREOLE MUSIC FESTIVAL SUNDAY EDITION 2016

The World Creole Music Festival, commonly known as 'Creole Fest' is one of Dominica's, and dare I say, one of the Caribbean's most prize festivals. This festival takes place during the Creole/Independence Season in Dominica and happens on the last weekend of October(Friday, Saturday and Sunday) just after yet another phenomenal event known as Creole in the Park. Creole in the Park(CITP) takes place in Dominica's Botanical Gardens; a wide enough area that can take thousands upon thousands of people. At one pointing time, there was even a census stating that over 100,000 people were at the Botanical Gardens for one of the years that Creole in the Park went on. So this is to show the magnitude of support that these types of events receive. Surely, WCMF is much grander in style and stature and takes place at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

Last year, the WCMF had to be cancelled due to the unforeseen disaster of Tropical Storm Erika which, and I kid you not, brought so much rain that it merged all the rivers of Dominica causing serious flooding on the island. Many persons lost their lives, families, properties and will to survive at that time. It was as if mother nature was punishing us for not paying her much attention but we rose up like the Phoenix from the waters and regained strength to continue. This year we are back and stronger than ever to deliver. In this Episode we showcased what took place on the last night of Creole Fest and on that night brought the likes of Breve Music out of Dominica, Akon, all the way from Africa, Gentleman, all the way from Germany, and many others to our shores. There were numerous artists of that night who did a phenomenal job but in this BrBpTV Episode we highlighted a few and this was why. Please have a look at Episode Above.

New Jersey Know Your Culture

“Let us not forget where we came from and who we really are in this world.” These are often the words spoken by persons who know the true value and meaning of culture; more specifically their own. It is what defines us amongst the billions upon billions of people the world has and the thousands upon thousands of cultural forms attributed by groups of individuals. Whether the differentiation comes from dancing, singing, dressing, speaking and so forth, there is a commonality that holds deep rooted meaning. The key here is being set a part from the rest of the world through similar customs and principles. Each and every one of us has a reason to be grateful and should be grateful for our history and the culture in which we were born and raised in. This begs the question, ‘How can one honestly move forward in this life without the knowledge of who they are and where they came from?’ Think about it. It is either you adopt another culture or you carry on your own. Take for examples children who are unfortunately been abandoned and left for foster homes and/or families. They often times adopt the culture of their new families but there is always something that seems to be missing and sometimes they feel like outcasts. If I am black and growing up in a white family, I will feel like an outcast no matter how well the family treats me because I don’t look like them.
There must be some commonality that will make me feel at home. Most, if not all, persons, when they reach to a certain age, their natural instincts indicate to them that they need to find out who they really are. When they find it, they find comfort when they finally meet with persons who are just like them. The same thing can be applied even yet on a much bigger scale. The dancing, the singing, the dressing always causes someone to feel at home when they can be associated to it with others who share common ground. Honestly speaking, I can’t imagine how a people or even an individual can be defined if they know not their culture and this goes to say how important the role of culture plays in each and every one of us. Please, if this is untrue, let me know.


The United States is filled with persons from all over the globe and this to me brings a lot of skills and potential to the nation. How do we define all the people? That’s easy… by their culture of course. You have Indians, Africans, Caribbean, Muslims, Mexicans, and the list goes on. Their dancing style, their dressing styles and language are clearly different from each other and for this cause we will be focusing on one of those cultures. One specific culture that brings us here today is that of the Caribbean culture. Not just the Caribbean Culture but that of the Creole Culture. Not just the Creole Culture but that of the outstanding beautiful and gorgeous nation called Dominica. Yes, the Dominican Creole Culture is what brings us here today. We are in New Jersey setting aside and displaying the Domincan Culture to the up and coming Dominican-American population. Being away from home has its advantages and it’s disadvantages and one of the disadvantages is being away from the Dominican Culture. Be not dismayed though Culture is who we are and therefore it needs to be displayed and reinforced amongst those overseas who relate to the Dominican culture, directly and indirectly. Creole is a part of what distinguishes its people from the rest of the other cultures and it brings a sense of truth and pride to its people. I remember being at Labour Day Parade in New York and this was pretty much the proudest moment of my life. To meet new Dominicans in a foreign land, with our flags held high as we mingled together and had fun amongst other countries? This, my friends, was absolutely brilliant. Love your culture and share in the moments that make you who you are as a people defined by your own true commonalities. Have a look at some of the highlights of how Culture had been displayed in New Jersey.

Cultural Gala Celebration - Dominica

And surely we are back here once again for yet another year in the Caribbean where we get together for the Independence Celebration! History has it that all the Caribbean Islands had been colonized by European heads who surely had an interest in the Caribbean lands and what it could produce but after years passed and as the new era would have it, some of the islands sort out their independence and obtained it. Here today, one of these islands is celebrating its 34th year of Independence. This island is known for its beauty and mountainous ridges and is dubbed to be the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, which is better known as Dominica. Waiti Kubuli which stands for tall are her mountains, clearly gives the ideology of what kind of island we are talking about. Not to be mistaken with Dominican Republic, Dominica is an untouched island of Natural Beauty and it is said, if Christopher Columbus were to come back, he would quickly remember Dominica for its beauty and outstanding and untouched natural habitat.


Today is the 3rd of November, the date of Dominica's Independence and we are here standing at the Botanical Gardens which is in the Capital of Dominica, for the glorious celebration. For the entire month of October, a lot of festivities in traditions and customs took place for the Creole/ Independence Season and they were all in preparation for this beloved day when Dominica took on its own in the world as an independent nation. This kind of reminds me of a baby who then grows into a child, then to a teenager and then a young adult. It is within those years that this child grows up and understands the value of independence and seeks after it to make their own mark in this world. Well my friends, this is Dominica's 34th Independence Celebration and indeed she has come a long way. Carrying on its own traditions and customs as an independent nation, it is defined by its people. There have been many strides made and as a developing body, let us as Dominicans keep in mind that we are the ones who make and made Dominica what it is today.
We, Dominicans, celebrated the day with the National Day Parade which took place at the Windsor Park Stadium in the morning and now, brought to you by BrBpTV, we bring to you the Cultural Gala for the Independence Season. Surely, the best of the best will be shown here today in dances, songs, musical accompaniments, stories, food and you just name it, it will be there. As long as you think of Dominica and what Dominica's culture is, you will find it at the Cultural Gala. So let's take a look at what went down on November 3rd, in the evening, as we reflect and grow in unison as a people. For a people that is divided cannot stand but if we put our heads together, we will surely move together(literally and figuratively) to develop our land.

Creole Quadrille Dance Competition Finals 'Culture'

There is so much that can be said about the Creole Independence Season festivities, that I don't know where to start. All I can think about it colours, dancing, food and surely, the high level of beauty that the nature island possesses and has to offer. The people, in part, being particular with this understanding, waste no time in fully basking into the cultural aroma. In the month of October, we, Dominicans, celebrate our Independence Season. We don't take it lightly as everyone sees this as a joyous occasion to celebrate. Putting as all our petty differences as we come together as a nation undivided to celebrate who we are, Dominicans.
The Independence Season is introduced through the Creole environment which includes a lot of dances, food, socializing, more food, oh yeah... and more dancing of course. This is why we are here today! Coming to you all the way from the Old Mill Cultural Centre in Canefield, I bring to you the very first ever Quadrille Dance Competition held in the Nature Isle of the Caribbean. It is a competition that involves two sections; the kids section and the adults section. Unfortunately, we were not able to make it in time for the first part of the competition which was the kids section but from what we heard, they were absolutely stunning in their dances and we do want to congratulate them for the great effort and participation that they gave on the stage. We will most assuredly catch the best of the best displaying their culture at the Cultural Gala for sure.


Here, we bring to you the adults segment of the competition and I am still lost for words to have witnessed such high level of professionalism in dance styles that took place on stage that night. Dominicans do take their creole tradition very, very seriously and I can only imagine the heart, sweat and determination that took place behind closed doors at each and every dance groups' practice. This event cannot be taken lightly because although they are doing just one dance type (Quadrille), this dance can take up to 25-30 minutes, 20 minutes at minimum, depending on the way the dance style is executed. As tradition would have it, everyone must keep in tune to the beat and the steps while putting their own modern spins to it. Picture walking for 20 minutes, then picture walking for 20 minutes in heels... in circles at a time. You have got to show some love to our ladies for doing this. Great job and we say thank you. It is not an easier task on the guys either because they are responsible for leading the ladies and showing them that support that they need to push on so a definite shout out to the guys in this regard as well. I'm sure the guys don't mind though because to see these beautiful faces smiling at you while holding these gorgeous creatures in your arms, should make any sane man, a happy man. :)
We have created the episode and like I said each dance is at minimal 20 minutes and we had to create a 20 minute video. We did not make the video into a competitive one seeing that everyone deserved to win. Each group danced the same style but had variations in their executions of the dance and therefore we tried to point out the differences of each dance group to create a successful episode without repetition. So please do enjoy the first ever Quadrille Dance Competition Finals and a Happy Independence Greetings to all. Thanks!

Cultural Gala 2011 Celebration

There is therefore no condemnation to those who truly believe in Culture and have the Cultural Spirit. Culture is who we are and it defines us as a unique people. Those who do not respect their own culture ought to be ashamed and out of place because culture brings comfort, character and a place you can share home with. Culture is important to us, as Dominican people, and we represent and go hard everywhere we go. This is the Dominican culture being displayed from our home soil, Dominica, to the rest of the world for the Creole Independence Season. As a climax to the ending of the Creole season, the Nature Isle of the Caribbean brings forth an event called, 'Cultural Gala'. It brings light to what Dominica is and who its people are. Dominica Independence Celebration takes place on the 3rd of November, giving this prestigious island 33 years on its own as a developing and progressing nation. What better way is there to celebrate Dominica's Birthday than through what has made it what it is today, Culture. Culture is the way of life of the people and what you are about to see is the partaking of a unique culture to its fullest capacity. It's all about the people, the colors, dancing, singing and creole music! The preparation for this phenomenal celebration all started with a series of creole competitions with three semi-finals held all across the small but great Caribbean Isle. Those who won the competitions were the best of the best and they performed at the Cultural Gala with the traditional customs. The story-line, the people, their music, colors and their traditions are all part of this grand event and this is what makes Dominica, the Nature Isle of the Caribbean.
Children as young as two and three years of age took part in the sharing and the understanding of their culture, while at the same time gaining first hand experience of the event of the day and of the season. As you will also see the little kids, not only taking part, but are also feeling the cultural spirit and having fun. This of course, says a lot but one thing that is being said here is that traditions will surely be passed on and continued. There is no place like Dominica and its traditions are held sacred amongst its wonderful, friendly and talented people.

Creole Cultural Finals in the North Competition

Colors, mixtures, food and a congregation of people dancing is the first set of things that pops into our minds when we hear or see the term, 'Creole'. Well... this usually is the case for the people of the Caribbean, especially in Dominica. For those who do not know what Creole is, let's first define ot, shall we? The term 'Creole' according to the Encarta Encyclopaedia, carries the meaning of a person of mixed European and black descent, especially found in the Caribbean. This too is very factual seeing that it was the Europeans who brought the Africans over to the Caribbean to work as slaves and mingled with the gorgeous African women to create was is known as, Creole meaning mixed. This mixed style reflects in the people's way of life especially during the Creole season where there is the showcasing of different colours in dress, dance styles and when the language is spoken. Creole Season is mixed with a lot of Creole speaking termed, Patois. According to Wikipedia, the creole language is a stable, natural language developed from the mixing of parent languages. Most often, the vocabulary comes from the dominant group and the grammar from the subordinate group, where such stratification exists. Creole(broken french) is a mixture of French and English. Since English is the Dominant language in the Caribbean then broken french is spoken in the accent of Caribbean English.
Now that we have a little understanding of what Creole means, the matter at hand is the use of the Creole Culture as a tradition. It was displayed through the Cultural Finals which took place in one of the Caribbean Islands called Dominica at the Cabrits National Park located in Portsmouth. There were three Cultural finals taking place across Dominica, where different groups from all ages and life walks, competed against each other to see who stood out as the best of the best to take part, in dance, at the Cultural Gala in the Capital. Everyone did their best in the displaying of their heritage through different dances and color variations and for this cause everyone is a winner. This episode, however, is not about competition. BrBpTV became a fan of everyone and therefore sides cannot be taken or shown. This episode was created to shed some light is the cultural festivities of October which engulfed itself around Creole. Take a look at the video below to understand more on what the Creole heritage is about.

Market Day with a Difference

Market day with a difference!!! One thing we know is that the creole culture festivities started out in the marketplace. When slaves fought and finally got their emancipation and independence in the Caribbean, they were able to buy and sell as everyone else in the market. Part of what made them unique was the way in which they dressed and carried themselves. They had a sense of pride for which they most definitely displayed to the public and for this cause these traditions stayed within the lights of what we call the Creole Season today. Market Day with a difference has the notion of just an ordinary market day but with a drastic twist involved. Persons, both buying and/or selling, brought back the sense of the wonder, color and dancing to the market place by also displaying that pride in creole wear and in cultural dance on that day.
Everyone was involved in Portsmouth; from the young ones to the older folks and in between all took part of this wondrous event. Keeping the creole culture alive is something that will always stem in the hearts of the Caribbean Island people of Dominica because the traditions are passed down to the up and coming generations. Let's take a look at what went down that day!!!

Creole Culture Fashion Show at St. Gerald’s Hall

There is no doubt that there is always a new spin or new addition when it comes with the development and modernization of Culture during the Creole Season. Keep in mind that this is not a bad thing but the fact that modernization takes place sometimes we may tend to lose the real essence of our culture. However, this may not be the case, here seeing that the individuals are in theme with the creole season. What is that theme you may ask? That theme is simple; colours and seasonal type meals. As new things come in via each upcoming generation, there is no doubt about it that they will bring in their own way of demonstrating the culture of their ancestors. The Fashion show held here today, is one of the new things that has been applied to the Cultural experience of the modern day age. Style and class is demonstrated and it keeps with the understanding that when slaves were freed, they had a sense of pride about themselves seeing that they were then seen as equals. They wore colourful clothing in the market places where they sold their produce and wore straw hats as an accompany to their outfits and protection from the warm Caribbean sun. Fashion is a part of the new age in which we live and therefore models displayed a variety of different dress styles and creole wear to help promote the Cultural celebrations.
In addition to this a time of gathering involving the wonderful smell and taste of creole dishes were present for the partaking of the guests gathered. I was so glad to be there especially for this part of the event. :) A time of gathering and celebration of the creole season and a video clip of the Friday Night get away at Rituals during the Creole Celebrations, all in one. Have a look.