A Weekend in Solidarity With Dominica

WASHINGTON - Nov. 5, 2015 - PRLog -- (Washington DC) - Rebuild Dominica Inc. gears up for its “Weekend in Solidarity With Dominica” event series. The festivities begin with a spotlight on The Commonwealth of Dominica during the annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH) on Friday, November 20th, 2015. CaribNation TV will broadcast this cultural event worldwide to over 22 Caribbean territories, the USA, Toronto (Canada) and the United Kingdom. The gala begins at 6:30 pm EST and will film at the Hyatt Regency hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

The Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards were instituted in 1994 by the Institute of Caribbean Studies in order to demonstrate the contributions that Caribbean immigrants make to the USA. It is a campaign to ensure that the dialogue on the future of America and immigration includes acknowledgment of the united and ancient linkage between the US and the Caribbean. During the CARAH gala, the Trailblazer Award will be presented to Dominican-born music legend, Gordon Henderson, the godfather of cadence-lypso: a fusion of cadence rampa from Haiti and calypso from Trinidad and Tobago.

Cadence-lypso is a popular music genre originating in the 1970s; primarily from the Caribbean islands of Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique. The music genre’s pioneer is the group Exile One, led by Gordon Henderson, and other important groups that include Midnight Groovers, Les Aiglons, Liquid Ice and Les Gramacks. Cadence-lypso is the antecedent to the worldwide phenomenon known as Zouk music.

The fête continues at the National Harbor on Saturday, November 21st as SPAGnVOLA Chocolatiers launches Chocolat de La Dominique; a unique tasting that features premium dark chocolate bars made of Dominica’s cacao. The experience will run at SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier’s retail location from 12 pm to 2 pm at 181 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD. The tasting allows guests to explore what Dominica has to offer and savor the rich and luscious flavor of an artisan delicacy. It’s an exclusive occasion for lovers of high-quality chocolate to see the world a little differently.

During the gourmet session, guests will also be presented a display of Dominica’s indigenous crafts while mingling with ambassadors and dignitaries who support Dominica’s reconstruction efforts. In collaboration with CiBEXO Group Dominica, the Law Office of Gabriel Christian and Caribbean Agriculture Network, SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier has joined the relief efforts for Dominica victims of Tropical Storm Erika: 100% of the proceeds will go towards storm victims in Dominica.

Following the decadent affair, Irie Bar & Grille Caribbean restaurant at 2200 Petrie Ln (Lanham, MD) hosts the Dominica Benefit Showcase, where supporters of Dominica can party for a great cause. The celebration kicks off at 9 pm and Gordon Henderson will deliver one of his powerful performances alongside live entertainment provided by the premier Caribbean ensemble; Image Band. Additionally, the showcase will include pulsating performances by a lineup of Caribbean artists. This includes Dominica’s own Desmond "Desii" Hyson (Grammy Nominee), Joseph "Ras Iwa" Lambert, Brian "Rocket" Rocket, Levi "Super L" Loblack, Jerome Austrie, Garner Fingal, Challenger and the Core Band, Sammy Garraway and Tronada. The bash is also sponsored by Darren "DJ Sprang" Solozano. This showcase is sure to bring back memories of Dominica’s cool breezes and natural ambiance. The emcee for the evening is Fox45’s news reporter and producer, the vibrant Chardelle Moore; an accomplished Caribbean woman from the Nature Island of Dominica.

The festivities wrap up on Sunday, November 22nd with a 10:30 am church service at Evangel Assembly at 5900 Old Branch Ave in Temple Hills, MD. Attendees are encouraged to wear Creole National Wear in observance of Dominica’s Independence. The service will be led by Dominican native, Pastor St Clair Mitchell, who has a long history of giving back to his birth island.

Following the mass, the Rebuild Dominica Inc and Evangel Assembly team up to bring traditional dishes to share for a community potluck-style brunch, which will be served for added enjoyment and spice.

2015 Weekend Schedule:

Friday, November 20 - CARAH Gala at Hyatt Regency Hotel Capitol Hill @ 6:30 pm where Gordon Henderson will be awarded 2015 Trailblazer Award. Visit CaribbeanHeritageAwards.org for tickets!

Saturday, November 21 – Launch of Chocolat de La Dominique at SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier from 12 to 2 pm.

Saturday, November 21 – Dominica Benefit Showcase at Irie Grille in Lanham MD from 9 pm to 1 am featuring a live performance by Gordon Henderson and The Image Band with an appearance by DJ Sprang! Plus, more live performances by Desmond "Desii" Hyson (Reggae singer and Grammy Nominee), Joseph "Ras Iwa" Lambert, Brian "Rocket" Rocket, Levi "Super L" Loblack, Jerome Austrie, Garner Fingal, Challenger and the Core Band, Sammy Garraway, & Tronada!

Sunday, November 22 – Dominica Independence Mass at Evangel Assembly @ 10:30 am followed by a Potluck Brunch.

To purchase tickets to the Dominica Benefit Showcase, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/dominica-benefit-showcase-pre... or contact Law Offices of Gabriel Christian @ 301.218.9400.

About Rebuild Dominica, Inc:
A non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to raise/distribute funds, expertise and material resources in support of the recovery/reconstruction efforts of communities on The Commonwealth of Dominica that were impacted by floods from Tropical Storm Erika. Rebuild Dominica Inc aims to make a sustainable, long term impact, and focuses on programs that address the unmet needs of communities around Dominica. The organization is inspired by the spirit of "Koudmen": volunteerism, team work and cooperative self-help.