Everybody is welcome!

There will be a herbal blessing from the Kalinago Shaman Manley at the sacred waterfall, followed by a day of yoga, which will include a mini-me yoga experience for the kids, and then different classes throughout the day to de-stress, raise vibration, boost immunity and have fun!! We will finish the day with a guided relaxation and sound healing.

Entrance is free. Refreshments will be available.

Donations towards the Barana Aute space will be welcome.

UPDATE!!

Rossella will be giving a Sunrise Yoga Class in the Botanic Gardens at 5.45am on Saturday, June 19th!

This year May is full of activities with DOMFESTA, Hike Fest, Community Tourism events, Public Awareness campaigns and forming partnerships.

See the Calendar below for all this month’s activities.

Celebrate your love for the Nature Island!

All day long today, post everything you love about this amazing island nation.

The Nature Island, the Whale-Watching Capital of the World, a Diver’s Paradise, land of boiling mud, steaming vents and the Boiling Lake…

Where else in the world can you swim through warm sea bubbles while watching reef fish? Or hike to the glorious summits of our tall peaks, soak in hot waterfall pools, submerge yourself in a magnificent vibrant underwater world, eat delicious creole cuisine, drink fresh local juice, and chat with kind friendly people?

No where.

Welcome to the Nature Island.

WELCOME TO DOMINICA!

Boeri Lake trail in Morne Trois Pitons National Park

Morne Watt seen from the Fresh Water Lake loop trail  

The Boiling Lake

Snorkeling & diving in the Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve

Dominica is the Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean… and the World!

Learn all about Dominica at avirtualdominica.com

DOMFESTA, an annual event running from May 3rd to May 31st 2017, has just begun. It’s festivities will run right up to another annual event – Jazz ‘n Creole.

A wonderful way to acknowledge the sweet sounds of this genre of music, Jazz Fringe Events kick off the festival by spreading the experience in several locations around Dominica. This year we have the renowned Courtney Pine as the Headliner for Jazz ‘n Creole Main Stage event on June 4th. Active since the 1980’s, he established his name as a jazz saxophonist, however he is a multi-instrumentalist.

Listen to one his tunes HERE!
Get more details for DOMFESTA and Jazz n’ Creole. See you there!

According to Dr. Lennox Honychurch, Dominica’s Coat of Arms was designed in 1960 by three people:

• First Chief Minister of Dominica Franklin A. Baron
• British Administrator of Dominica, Colonel Alec Lovelace
• Eleanor Lovelace, wife of Colonel Alec Lovelace

In 1961, the Coat of Arms was registered at the College of Arms in London.  The Coat of Arms is to be displayed as follows:

“on Seals, Shields, Banners, Flags or otherwise according to the Laws of Arms”.

The shield is divided into 4 parts and shows:

1. volcanic soil and a coconut tree
2. the crapaud – (now an endangered species)
3. a kalinago canoe with sails
4. and a banana tree with mature fruit

The Motto is Apres Bondie C’est La Ter and it means “after God, the earth” which shows the significance of soil and agriculture in Dominica.

• Read more about the Coat of Arms at www.Lennox Honychurch.com

For more information about Dominica’s National Symbols and Independence Celebrations, see avirtualDominica.com

The Sisserou, Amazona imperialis, is Dominica’s national bird and the larger of the two endemic parrots in Dominica.Sisserou Parrot

These precious birds are found nowhere else in the world and are found only in the higher elevation rainforests around the Morne Diablotins and Morne Trois Pitons National Park here in Dominica.

Appearance: Males and females are almost identical in appearance, coloured with greens, purples, black and orange. Males tend to weight about 900g (32 oz) and females about 650 g (23 oz), and they average 20 inches in length.

Diet: These birds eat a variety of fruit, nuts and other local vegetation such as bromeliads and wild anthurium.

Character: Sisserou parrots are shy and generally travel solo or in pairs or trios. They live to about 70 years old.

Cultural Importance

The Sisserou is featured on

• Dominica’s Flag
• The Coat of Arms
• The Parliamentary Mace

DID YOU KNOW?

Sisserou Parrots mate for life! Once the Sisserou finds a partner, it remains with it until its death.

• Read more about the Sisserou Parrot and other birds of Dominica on avirtualDominica.com

Official Ceremony to Be Held at Windsor Park Sports Stadium

Roseau, Dominica – January 14, 2016 The opening parade and official ceremony for Mas Domnik 2016 is expected to be filled with fun, color and vibrancy. The event kicks off this Saturday, January 16^th2016 from 3:00PM. Vice chairperson of the

(L-R) Mrs. Kathleen Cuffy Jno.Jules, Product Promotions Manager at DDA; Mrs. Charlene White-Christian, Vice Chairperson of the Carnival Road Parade Committee; Mr. Valantine Cuffy, Carnival 2016 Promoter

Carnival Road Parade Committee, Mrs. Charlene White-Christian, is pleading to spectators to remain on the sidewalks at all times, particularly during the parade of Bwa Bwa groups. This will not only aid in the prevention of safety mishaps but also promote the free flow of movement through the streets of Roseau. She strongly discourages the public from “cutting across streets or moving onto the [parade route] to take photos.”  Mrs. White-Christian also emphasized that there should be no “throwing of promotional items” from moving vehicles; instead designated persons should walk along the parade route to hand these items out.

A number of groups – advertising, traditional, community, pageantry and cheerleaders – have already registered for the upcoming parade. All groups wishing to participate are encouraged to contact Dominica Festival Committee (DFC) for

Masqueraders at Mas Domnik 2015 Opening Parade; Photo Credit: DDA

registration by Friday, January 15^th for the latest. Those wishing to bring their own music system are advised to inform DFC ahead of time so the necessary preparations can be made. Groups are expected to assemble on Victoria Street outside of the Roseau Public Library from 1:30PM. The route for the annual parade, which begins at 3:00PM, will begin on Victoria Street, then onto Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard followed by a right turn onto King George V Street, a left onto Great George Street, a right onto Kennedy Avenue, a left onto Bath Road, a right onto the Windsor Park Sports Stadium Link Road and finally culminating at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium for the opening ceremony. Advertising floats will not be allowed to enter the stadium. The official ceremony is a free and open event and all are invited to come and support Mas Domnik 2016 – The Real Mas.

Ms. Ferdina Frampton, FLOW’s Marketing & Communications Executive, reinstated her company’s role in sustaining Dominica’s culture by supporting various Carnival events and activities such as Calypso events, the Princess Show, Miss Teen Dominica Pageant, and various T-shirt and costume bands. Product Promotions Manager of Discover Dominica Authority, Mrs. Cuffy Jno.Jules, has urged the public to sponsor Carnival activities, whether in full or in part. Partial sponsorship can go towards part of major events, such as the National Carnival Queen pageant rounds. Potential sponsors are invited to join DDA, DFC, and private event organizers to make Mas Domnik 2016 a success.

Upcoming events this weekend include Showdown Mas Camp Calypso Tent, Stardom Tent, Pan in the Sand, Calypso semifinals and the Princess show. Visit www.facebook.com/dominicafests for Mas Domnik’s full calendar of activities.

Read the full Carnival 2016 Press Release here

To learn more about Dominica’s Carnival or to Join a Carnival Band visit avirtualDominica.com

Carnival Events in January