Queen Show Pageant by Nigel Francis

Queen Show Pageant

by Nigel Francis

The Carnival Queen show, as it is called, was first staged in Dominica in 1945 with Jeanne Dixon (Delacoux) winning the coveted title. Since then and throughout history, carnival queens from this nature Isle- Dominca have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in Caribbean pageantry. From the Royalty and beauty of Carnival Queens, Margarete Rose Cools-Latigue, Diane Francis, Marcella Larocque, Giesel Francis, Nadira Lando, Martha Augustus, Leandra Lander, Marah Walters, Marcia Baptiste and Leslassa Armour-Shillingford we have presented to the world that “ Dominican Beauty”. So where do I begin to share my thoughts on this important aspect of our Carnival Activity - The Queen show or in more recent times called “ Queen Pageant or Miss Dominica”

Queen Shows- 1960-1980

The name Queen show suggests that this is the naming or crowning of a “queen”, henceforth, (at least for the carnival season), to be known as the “ Carnival Queen”, her majesty, the one who rules over the Carnival Season. In reviewing the period 1960-1980 when there were very few Regional shows/competitions, the local/Dominican Queen did rule over her carnival subjects for the season. Carnival activities, including the queen show was organized by the Jaycees up till 1972, with the Carnival Queen show being held at the “Carib Cinema” seating less than 500. At the Carib Cinema in the 1960’s we were thrilled to witness the crowning of Queens like Evadney Charles, Avonelle Shillingford, Allison Trotter, Rosemary Giraud , Susan Adrian- Nesty and Claudia Hill. Antigua at that time 1960-1980’s led the region in regional queen competitions, though on a smaller scale. Dominica won the Antigua Caribbean Queen Show title twice in the 1970’s with Kathleen Telemaque and Marie Louise-Rock. We also won the CARIFTA Queen title twice with Anthea Mondesire and Esther Fadelle (1973). Most notable we particiapted in the Miss World competition in 1978 with Mona

Queen Shows 1980-1990

Welcome to the period 1980-1990 when a new or should we say a different thought process was introduced to the Carinval Queen show. The focus slowly shifted from just “ getting contestants” for the local queen show, to that of “regional representation”. It must be pointed out that this shift was not intentional but more a response to the changing times reflected by the new mantra of “OECS Unity”.

The political climate was such that the Lesser Antilles or more popularly known as the “smaller islands” needed to be more assertive and claim “ their rightful place” in global affairs. Representation to many, living in those islands was lacking or in some cases non-existient. Culture and more so carnival has always had a relationship with politics (ask the calypsonians and government officials) and so 3 years later in 1984 the 1st OECS Queen show was intoduced and staged in Dominica. The OECS Queen show was held during the period 1984-1998. During that time Dominca won the title “ OECS Queen” on four occassions with Kamala Jno-Baptiste-Aaron being the “last winner” in 1998. The competition did make a return to Dominica in 2019 after a 20 year hiatus.

The period 1980-1990 also witnessed a re-emergence of our traditional carnival with notable son of the soil, Alwyn Bully (Chief Cultural Officer in 1980), leading the way and creating the Carnival Organzing Committee. This committee was to organize Carnival for the next 2 decades and more before the mantle was passed on to the Dominica Festivals Committee with a greater emphasis on “selling the traditional mas” as a tourism product. In the 1980’s Carnival lovers both at home and in the region, especially St.Vincent (Vincy Mas), Antigua, St Maarten and St.Kitts (Sugar Mas) witnessed the grace, elegance and beauty of our Dominican ladies, as Queens, such as Anthea Burton, Diane Francis, Margaret-Rose Cools-Lartigue and Marcella La Rocque “ruled the Caribbean (OECS) Queen show stage. Diane Francis went on to win the Caribbean Queen title in Antigua in 1986, while Marcella La Rocque won regional crowns in Antigua, St. Maarten and St. Vincent. Marcella and later Leandra Lander (2007) to this day remains our most “crowned” Queens. Margaret Rose Cool-Lartigue represented Dominica at the 1985 Miss Universe pageant. The queen show had now gained promenince and with the introduction of the talent and swimwear rounds was gaining popularity and allowing creative Artists like Steve Hyancinth, Ras Mo, myself, Nigel Francis, and others to “create a talent” for “my contestant”. The competion was heating up and so to were the expenses, sponsorship and to a lesser extent prize monies. Interestingly though the crowds participation at the Queen show was getting smaller as Calypso now became the “draw crad” - something had to be done for after all, the “ Carnival Queen” was still expected to flaunt her graceful presence at our carnival events.

Queen Show 1990- 2000

Welcome to the 1990-2000 era – Dominica had experienced not just political changes in leadership but also an awakening, as it relates to our music, arts and cultural expressions. The musical forces of WCK and 1st Serenade were beginning to once again place Dominica on the “cultural map” of the region - just as Exile One, Grammacks and Ophelia did. Balance batty and “beff la large” were becoming the national anthemns of the region and our carnival was being promoted, rightfully so, as “ the most original carnival” in the Caribbean. There needed to be new energy injected into the carnival queen show and so - welcome “the village launching” of the carnival queen contestants.

Having been appointed as chairman of the queen show committee, I saw it necessary to compliment the new “bouyon energy/musical creation” with the carnival Queen show. The idea I had, was to reflect in some way, what happened at the Independence Wob Dwiyet competitions where contestants were selected and represented the various districts in Dominica. It was felt by some, that this would limit and or restrict the participation of queen contestants as only 1 contestant could represent the district. The vision was clouded but the mission not aborted and so the novel idea of returning to the village of the “queen contestant” to launch her became my compromise.

The idea was to in someway revolutionize the concept of the queen show/pageant as the “village launching” became the highlight of the “pre-carnival queen show”. The launching was incorporated with speeches, carnival presentations/ costumes and Hi-fi music along the route to the contestants village. This was meant to increase village participation/support and corporate sponsorship for their “ girl/contestant” and at the same time create a weekend carnival activity leading up to the grand opening of carnival and beyond. Ultimately it meant increased gate receipts and overall crowd size. By then of course the Queen show had moved from the Carib cinema (1960’s) to the Windsor Park (1980’s) and now to Carnival City (DGS grounds). That novel/creative idea back in 1997 continues today.

as the National Queen Show pageant/competition. There was increased visibility, greater sponsorship and “better” prizes. The 90’s produced Queens like Martha Augustus, Gloria Ophar, Francillia Agar, Levi Beaupierre, Priscilla St.Ville, Giselle Francis and Kamala Jno. Baptiste-Aaron. And just as Diane Francis and Marcella Laroque captured regional titles, so too did Martha, Gloria, Francillia, Giselle and Kamala.

Queen Show 2005- Current

The period after 2005 has been marked with some remarkable changes for the Queen Show/competition. In 2013, Dominica marked its return to the Miss World pageant in Jakarta, Indonesia. Miss Dominica 2013 - Leslassa Armour-Shillingford represented us at the pageant and was selected as a finalist for the talent segment. We have witnessed changes in prize money and the now coveted prize is a scholarship for the Queen. We have also witnessed changes in the format of the show, bigger costumes, then smaller costumes and almost no costumes. It is imperative that we pay homeage and express gratitude to the costume builders, Darnley Guye, Clarence Douglas, the late Michelle Raffoul, John Liverpool, Alwyn Bully, Lennox Honychurch, Albert “Piwi” and so many others, including the upcoming ones. Their creativity and inspiration in producing these wonderful works of Art continue to astonish all and the continued cry of storage and “preservation of costumes” after carnival continues - maybe one day an ARTIST will occupy a seat at “the table” and then that vision of cultural industries will become reality.

We have also witnessed changes in the talent rounds, moving from monolouges to dancing, street theatre and beautiful voices or playing of instruments. The creators must be remembered, the likes of Steve Hyancinth, Raymond Lawrence, Alwyn Bully, Lennox Honychurch, Nigel Francis, Alex Bruno, Val Cuffy, Franklyn Moses, Gregory Rabess and the number of others who have transitioned their words to actions rthymically portrayed by the queen contestants.

The evening wear rounds and swimwear rounds must be complimented as we have witnessed the outstanding creations of our designers. Those designs have left us speechless and in some case breathless as we witness well toned beautiful ladies expressing their feminity, strength and poise, reminding us of the beauty of the “African Queen”.

Finally, we pay homeage to our Master of ceremonies, sound systems, DJ’s Musical bands, especially the longest serving band for the Queen show/competitons - The Swinging Stars.

All these players over the years have ensured that the Carnival Queen show/competition is no longer a “ceremony” for a certain few but rather a celebration and spectacle for the masses. We look forward every year to this event and to the crowning of a “ Carnival Queen” who reigns over the carnival both at home and in the Region. May this spectacle – the QUEEN SHOW continue for decades and just as we crave for deeper Caribbean integretion, we look forward to the day when we (Dominica) hosts the 1st ever Ms. Caribbean/Creole Queen show.