Fringe event added to Dominica's Jazz 'n Creole Festival

Dominica's popular Jazz 'n Creole Festival has a new element this with, with the introduction of a street jazz fringe event.

French Quarter Street Jazz Festival is planned for 31 May, and will featured music students and young bands.

The aim of the additional event is to build a following among a younger audience.

Maxine Alleyne-Esprit, one of the organisers, said: “We are launching this year the French Quarter Street Jazz Festival as a fringe event of the overall Jazz and Creole Music Festival.

"That will be on Wednesday, the 31st of May, outside of Urban Garden Café on Castle Street. The intention is to grow that fringe event into something that is bigger and better.”

Esprit says the event will give young music students a chance to be exposed and spark the interest of others who have an interest in music.

“We would like to encourage parents of children who are interested in music, who enjoy music, who enjoy listening to music to come out and expose them to something new and something different," she added.

"It’s a free event so you really don’t have nothing to lose."

The Jazz 'n Creole Festival is now in its eighth year, with the Dominica government its main sponsor.

The main stage event is slated for 4 June at the Cabrits National Park in Fort Shirley, Portsmouth.