Creole Heartbeat Releases Issue #2 of Its Newsletter Honoring 25 Years of the World Creole Music Festival

Creole Heartbeat is proud to announce the release of Issue #2 of the Creole Heartbeat Newsletter, dedicated to celebrating 25 years of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF).

As Dominica prepares for the highly anticipated silver jubilee of this globally recognized cultural event, this special issue captures the passion, purpose, and people who helped shape WCMF into a Caribbean institution.

Issue #2 dives into the roots of the festival, tracing its journey from vision to legacy. It features exclusive stories and interviews with iconic figures including:

 Gordon Henderson, the international music ambassador who helped take the festival

global and emphasized the cultural force of Cadence-lypso.

 Ron Lander, the visionary behind WCMF’s financial discipline and economic model.

 Sheridan Gregoire, whose leadership at the National Development Corporation laid the

foundation for WCMF’s creation.

 Sobers Esprit, who contextualizes WCMF within Dominica’s shift to ecotourism and

cultural branding.

 Hon. Denise Charles-Pemberton, Minister for Tourism, highlighting the festival’s economic impact and 2025 vision.

 Dr. Irving McIntyre, Minister for Finance, who frames WCMF25 as a driver of both culture and national development.