Bands clash over award

Thunderbirds and Karnival Korner Karnival Bands are threatening legal action if the Dominica Festival Commission (DFC) does not disqualify Afrikulture Stilt Walkers "or to provide a satisfactory response, including evidence that the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers did not on Carnival Tuesday violate the judging criteria."

The DFC has named the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers as the Adult Band of the Year for Carnival 2016.

In a letter dated 17th February 2016 to the DFC, Emmanuel Loblack, band leader of Karnival Korner and Caesar Emmanuel of Thunderbirds gave the DFC up to 26 February to respond.

The letter stated: "We wish to refer to the document entitled "Judging Criteria for Adult Band of the Year Carnival Tuesday Parade Judging Time 11:00am to 2:00pm" which specifically states inter alia:

"Band must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to participate in the competition and be adjudged Band of the Year.

"The Carnival Band must: Be registered with the Dominica Festival Committee; Have a minimum of 50 adults' persons; Carry measuring 4' x 9' banner depicting the title of the concept being portrayed; Display its banner at the front of the band; Have a King and Queen of the band; Make at least 2 complete rounds along the route.

"Based on video presentation that showcased the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers on Carnival Tuesday and reveling activities in general on the said day coupled with eye witness accounts and in the very words aired in the media of a senior member of the Afrikulture Stilt Walker group, the latter could not and did not have a minimum of 50 adult persons taken to mean persons of 18 years and over.

"In fact, the said member stated that last year the group had 39 persons and that this year the number had increased to 51 persons. Assuming but not admitting that what was quoted by the said member is and was true, we submit that 50 of those 51 persons were not of adult age.

"Additionally, we draw to the attention of your office that the Band did not "make at least two complete rounds along the route" in accordance with the guidelines.

"In the circumstances, we request that the Afrikulture Stilt Walkers be disqualified as a participant and the winner of the Adult Band of the year for having clearly breached the criteria to be eligible to participate in the Adult Band Parade on Carnival Tuesday and be adjudged the Adult Band of the Year".