Junkanoo in July?

By Chakara Bennett, Guardian Summer Intern

Image Source:http://bahamastings2do.com/junkanoo.html


June came, and almost went before word came from the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation that the annual Junkanoo in June celebrations had been pushed back to July, and was renamed Junkanoo Summer Festival, putting the minds of Bahamians at ease, because they finally had a definitive answer about something to get excited about.

With the move from June to July, the festival will avoid the heavy rains of June and should avoid any washouts, and take the shape of a music and heritage festival from July 12 to August 2, at Arawak Cay every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., celebrating the roots of Bahamian cultural activities.

"Those attending Junkanoo Summer Festival this year will notice a marked, down-home flavor to all the festivities," said Janet Johnson, director of Product and Events Strategy in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. "There will be lots of music, and we have made a concerted effort to provide an acoustic sound. While the electronic enhancements of rake 'n scrape are still popular, our visitors and residents will have a unique experience this summer, listening to the natural sounds of the saw, the scrubbing board, the tin tub, and the goatskin drum."

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Party in da Backyard!

By KARAN MINNIS,Guardian Lifestyles Reporter,karan@nasguard.com

The Brilanders

Party in the backyard, oh yeh ... party all night long. Rake and scrape until the morning come, gonna party 'til the break of dawn.

The Brilanders sang it best with their nationwide hit "Backyard Party". And come March 13-15, at Regatta Park, George Town, Exuma will host one of the biggest "backyard parties" ever — the Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival.

With perfomers like Avvy, KB, Ronnie Butler Elon Moxey and Funky D leading the way, the three-day event is sure to be a smashing success, and one you don't want to miss.

Pepherina Hanna, acting general manager of the Exuma Tourist Office said they really "knocked it out of the ballpark" with last year's event, and that most people would think it difficult for them to top that show, but she says they have done it with this year's line up, which she said is "even more spectacular".

Festival organizers will continue with its the gospel night concert, with endless performances from the biggest gospel acts from throughout the country. This includes all the favorites on Exuma.

"We will have all the big guns. You name them and they will be here. We have MC Mr. Wenrick Clarke, Police Youth Marching Band, Ebenezer & Mt. Sinai Praise Worship Group, Seventh Day Adventist Choir, New Uprising Group, and Al Gibson for the Gospel Concert. Ecclesia Praise & Worship Group, Bishop Lawrence Rolle, Simeon Outten, Therese Davis, Ms. Daisy, and Christian Massive will also be performing that night.

"MC Kenneth Nixon, Peaches, Musical Smitty's, The Rolleville United Band, George Whylly and the In Crowd will perform on Friday night along with The Falcons, Action Jackson the Limbo Dancer, the Long Island Rake 'n' Scrape band, Anita Ellis (Nita), Eugene Davis (Geno D), Elon Moxey, Ronnie Butler, and the Soulful Groovers."

In addition to the music, organizers say there are also plans to expand the heritage aspect.

"We had a lot last year but this year we will have even more examples of Bahamian heritage," she added. "We want to immerse our visitors and residents in the knowledge of the way things were back in the day. Some of these things our kids have never seen and we will have it all here to educate and entertain," she said.

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View Exuma Music & Heritage Photos

Happy Valentine's Day from Native Stew

Love's Medley

By Kadria R. Sears


Tossed through waves of emotions

Aimlessly landing fusion of doubtful thoughts,

Hoping that soon, somewhere somehow,

That wonderful magic begins.

We often define these times

as wholly sacred.

Times that can never be matched

no matter what happens.

Thus in this medley that so

often parades, brings about

colors, sensations and tremendous escapades.

Oh! how we yearn for those colors to shine,

Warming our hearts and tantalizing our minds.

But love so divine, has its moments

as everything else we have.

Capturing each illusion, each imagination thereof.

Valentine's Day

By Elizabeth Munnings

It's Valentine's Day again.

Colors of red and white are seen everywhere.

Laughter and smiles are visible,

At this very special time of the year.

The flowers, fruits, chocolates, teddy bears and other treats

Can be seen in delectable baskets by vendors on the streets.

Cards with "I love you", are also placed in the baskets,

For that special someone.

A child, children, adults, parents, and others,

All share in this wonderful day.

As they encourage each other every step of the way.

Valentine's Day comes around once a year.

Keep that special loved one close in prayer.

Love is patient, and is kind.

Show and share this love each day of the year!

Valentine's Events & Promotions

by The Bahamas Weekly


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Valley Wins With Elemental Power

By Sasha L. Lightbourne


One thing that did go as planned this year, despite rain delays and bleacher problems, was that the Junkanoo results came out at 6pm on Arawak Cay Tuesday.

And when it was all said and done, the Valley Boys – depicting the theme "Earth, Wind, Fire & Water: The Story of Nature and the Elements"- were deemed the unofficial winners of the parade.

The Valley Boys captured four overall categories, including Best Choreographed Dancers, Best Banner, Best Music and Best Shirley Street Performance.

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A Night At The Carnival

Each year this carnival comes to Nassau, Bahamas. It's a must do event for most Bahamians during the holidays.


I and my children Carlito, Christopher and Jamie Lee went there the other night. It was a ball of fun for all. Here's the video:



Shot & edited by Derek Catalano using an Olympus SP-350 and Windows MovieMaker.

Happy New Year 2008

Happy New Year from Native Stew.

Happy Guy Fawkes!

HISTORY OF GUY FAWKES

November 5th is known as "Bonfire Night" or "Guy Fawkes Night", and all over Britain people fire off fireworks, light bonfires, and burn effigies of Guy Fawkes. Guido Fawkes was an Englishman who, in popular legend, tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament with barrels of gunpowder. He was caught, imprisoned, tortured on the rack, and finally executed, as we'll see.

400 years ago, Guy Fawkes was a co-conspirator in the "Gunpowder Plot" of 1605 in England. He and his cohorts decided to blow up the both Houses of Parliament in London and kill King James I upon the inaugural opening of the Parliament, and succeeded in smuggling several barrels of gunpowder into the basement of the Parliament.

This "Gunpowder Plot" occurred two years after King James I (of the "King James Bible" fame) ascended to the throne. A group of English Catholics, of which Guido Fawkes was a member, decided to kill the King because it was felt he had reneged on his promises to stop the persecution of Catholics. To this day, it is the law in Britain that a Roman Catholic cannot hold the office of monarch. And the Queen is still Supreme Head of the Church of England.

The plot was foiled at the eleventh hour; some of the plotters escaped, some turned King's Evidence and reported on the rest. The unlucky Fawkes was taken in chains to the Tower of London. He was hanged, drawn and quartered. After Guy was hanged, he was torn asunder and drug through the streets of London behind a horse cart. The charge was treason, though some people in England prefer to remember Guy as "the only man ever to enter Parliament with honourable intentions."

To this day, one of the ceremonies that accompany the opening of a new session of parliament, is the searching of the basement, by a bunch of men in funny hats. Parliament somehow made political capital out of the close call, and poor Guy Fawkes is burned in effigy every November 5th on bonfires all over Britain. They sell a lot of fireworks too, and children beg for money on the streets to buy them. The children usually exhibit the "guy" or dummy that will be put on the fire. "Penny for the guy, mister?" is a common refrain at this time of year.

In the last dozen years or so however, with the pervasiveness of American television and culture in England, the custom of celebrating Halloween is in the ascendancy, and many children are now going for the double treat: candy on October 31, money for November 5.

Web Source

Related Links:
Guy Fawkes Bio
Guy Fawkes Videos
Guy Fawkes Traditions
Guy Fawkes Photos