Like the the culture that inspires it, Creole music is a gumbo of spicy styles and influences simmered to perfection. The music is as sensuous and sassy as it's down south origins in New Orleans and the Delta and from October 30 to November 2, these Cajun sounds meet Caribbean sizzle at the 12th annual World Creole Music Festival in Dominica. Say it with me: Hot time in the City.

Held annually around the time of the Dominca's Independence Day Celebration, the festival has developed a reputation as one of the few indigenous music events in the Caribbean.

The 3 day lineup emphasizes genres rooted in the creole speaking world and include bands versed in Cadence-lypso, Kompas, Zouk, Soukous, Bouyon, Zydeco. Past performers have included Kassav, Tabou Combo, Exile One, Gramacks/New Generation.

This years headliners are a blend of the old and new styles as Grammacks, one of Dominicas most well known Cadence-Lypso bands, who headlined the inaugural festival in 1996 share top billing with current dancehall superstar Sean Paul, who headlines the Saturday night set.

While staying true to tradition, the festival lineup is mixture of old and new sounds. Reigning soca king Machel Montano and new school Canadian songbird Tanya Mullings are slated to perform alongside more traditional acts including Oliver N'Goma from Gabon, Haiti's popular CARIMI and Djakout Misik, and Dominica's own international sensation Nasio Fontaine.

Concert tickets are on sale now and festival packages are available on the festival website at www.wcmfdominica.com.

CARIMI performs as the 2007 Festival.