Dominica Travel 2009

Roseau

Roseau has a casual air to it, it is a compact city due to the surrounding mountains, with a population of 25,000. It has lovely Creole architecture, particularly in the French Quarter and central city. The French quarter is the oldest part of Roseau distinct from the grid layout of most of the city which developed during the British. During Creole week and Carnival its narrow streets are particularly lively with vendors, pedestrians and cars. During these time it may be difficult to find flights and accommodations so plan well in advance.

The World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) offers the ultimate experience to listen and compare the music's in their native setting. Nothing could be more satisfying than a night of music under the stars. However WCMF is just the climax of a week-long celebration of Creole culture. During the week leading up to WCMF, Roseau, the laidback capital of the "Nature Isle" is alive with music, art, dance and crafts celebrating it's vibrant culture. Each afternoon "Creole in the Park" brought 6 hours of music and performance to the vast and beautiful Botanic Gardens. Evening performances occurred on the Bayfront, the Old Mill Cultural Center, the Ft Young Hotel and other sites. The Creole Day holiday leads into the music festivals first nightand features a parade through the streets of Roseau in traditional Creole dress.

A thriving crafts market is a popular stop in the french Quarter, central Roseau on the site of the old slave market in downtown Roseau.

Dominican Ron Mellow discovering a forgotten part of local history, the "Baracoon" in a holding area in the basement of the city council, a colonial era building in downtown Roseau, Dominica. Slaves were held here just steps from the slave marketplace, now a crafts market for tourists. It is the last existing "Baracoon" in the West Indies and is being restored.

We learned a lot about the relationship between between African and Dominican culture from an essay by noted Dominican historian Lennox Honychurch featured on his personal website, whose link is: http://www.lennoxhonychurch.com/africa-dominica.cfm

Roselia Bazil, Ms. Wob Dwivet 2008 leading the Creole Day parade through the streets of Roseau, Friday October 31st.

Wob Dwivet is an annual display of Creole costume and dance in which women from all over the island compete. A couple days later is the annual Creole Day Parade, a favorite of school children and their mothers. Creole Day is celebrated by wearing traditional outfits and eating traditional Creole food. The fabrics are reminiscent of the geometric patterns of West African Kente design.

Dancers participating in the Wob Dwivet contest

Traditional outfits on display in Roseau on Creole Day that included a parade swept through the city center.

Traditional Creole patterns on display in the annual Creole Dress parade, on Creole Day, friday October 31st, 2008

Crowded street in Roseau during the World Creole Music Festival

Creole in the Park, is a popular free event in Roseau's Botanical Gardens, from noon to 6PM October 23-26th this year, offers top Dominican artists. Now in its 6th year, Cable & Wireless Creole in the Park is rivaling in popularity the World Creole Music Festival featuring a wider range of Creole musics including Jing Ping, Steel Pan along with Bouyan and Soca. Local foods, arts & crafts and family activities supplement the music which takes place daily from noon to 7pm. It takes place in a picturesque setting under the trees at the Botanical Gardens in Roseau. The official website for Creole in the Park is: http://www.dominicaelections.com/

Young dancers in an evening performance on the bayfront, downtown Roseau during Creole Week

Dominos game at Roseau Market

Produce vendors at Roseau Market

Vendors at Roseau Market wait out a rain shower

At Tropicrafts women weave Vertivert grass into mats with elaborate abstract patterns a skill passed from generation to generation. Tropicrafts: Queen Mary St. and Turkey Lane, Roseau Telephone (767) 448 2747

Pam, a visitor from England, taking in Earl Etienne art exhibit at Old Mill Cultural Center

Traditional costumes on Creole Day holiday, opening day of the World Creole Music Festival

Annual Creole Day parade in Roseau

Fresh produce market in downtown Roseau

Woman hugging two girls after performance on Creole in the Park stage

Petit Savanne jing ping band performing on the streets of Roseau, on Creole day, friday October 31th, 2008

Roseau street early morning

Cruise ship looms over Roseau