The Bahamas Creator Economy Initiative

 

The Bahamas Creator Economy Initiative

 242 Influencers & Creative Conference

 

Your talent. Your voice. Your income. It's time for Bahamian creators to claim their place in the global digital economy.

Bahamian creators are building audiences of millions. Now it's time to turn that influence into income, backed by the full support of the government. This is opportunity. This is a movement.

An exclusive gathering of creators, government leaders, and platform partners charting the future of the digital economy.

Sunday, March 29, 2026 - 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Nassau, The Bahamas

Register here>> 

Creative Edge Masterclass 2026 Set to Inspire the Next Generation of Creatives

 

Creative Edge Masterclass 2026

 

Aspiring and emerging creatives across The Bahamas are invited to elevate their craft at the highly anticipated Creative Edge Masterclass 2026, an immersive and high-energy experience designed to connect participants with industry professionals across multiple creative disciplines.

Scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the University of The Bahamas, the masterclass will bring together talent and expertise from a wide range of fields,including dance, music, theatre, fashion, mixology, visual arts, and interior design.The event begins at 6:30 PM, with attendees encouraged to arrive at 6:00 PM for registration.

 

Read more>> 

The CAPAS Bill is now law

 

CAPAS: Creative And Performing Arts School

 

The CAPAS Bill is now law. For years, talented young Bahamians lacked the support to take their craft further. Now, they have a place to train, grow, and build careers in the creative arts - right here at home.

In the vibrant tapestry of The Bahamas where every thread is woven with the profound love for the performing arts, CAPAS stands proudly as architects of dreams, sculpting aspirations into breathtaking masterpieces.

Learn more at http://capas.gov.bs

Freeport Fashion Week is back! - March 20 & 21st

 

 Night 1... we dream in colour!

 

 Night 2 we go pure white!

 

Tickets for Freeport Fashion Week are officially on sale!

Tickets are now available at:
The Grand Bahama Port Authority Headquarters

The Stoned Crab Restaurant

Secure your seat, support young creatives, and witness the future of fashion on display.

 

#FFW #DreamInColour

Newsband - Carlito Catalano: Dancing Odissi Across Oceans

 

Newsband - Carlito Catalano: Dancing Odissi Across Oceans

 

Our son Carlito makes the news again! Featured in an interview in Newsband, another newspaper in India. Well done son. We love you. 💗

 

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From the verandas of The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas to international Odissi stages, Carlito Catalano's journey is one of devotion, resilience, and cultural bridge-building. As the sole practitioner of Indian classical dance in his homeland, this artist has turned solitary passion into a global pursuit.

 

Read full interview>> 

 

More articles about Carlito Catalano.

The Bahamas Dances Odissi: Carlito Catalano

 

The Bahamas Dances Odissi: Carlito Catalano

 

 

Our son Carlito has been featured in the Indian DCN News Epaper today. Read it in their dance column "Rhythms and More".

 

Congratulations again son. You make us all very proud.

 

More articles about Carlito Catalano.

Introducing Bahamian Artist Carlito Catalano & Odissi

 

Carlito rehearsing in India

 

Introducing Bahamian Artist Carlito Catalano & Odissi

 

By Winston D. Munnings/ChatGPT

 

Bahamians exhibit an incredible versatility that is truly remarkable.

 

It’s likely that you, like many of us, have never encountered Odissi, an ancient and intricate form of Indian classical dance. I was introduced to this captivating art form only recently (sort of), thanks to a dear friend (𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰 ~ Bit.ly/4n31U1c) from my television days at the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas. His son, Carlito Catalano, is a pioneering Odissi practitioner in The Bahamas. 

 

Carlito has devoted himself to mastering this expressive dance, known for its graceful movements and rich storytelling rooted in Hindu mythology. His passion not only highlights the beauty of Odissi but also enriches the Bahamas' cultural tapestry, offering a unique fusion of traditions that celebrates both this Indian heritage and the Bahamian spirit. Through his performances and teachings, Carlito fosters greater awareness and appreciation of this centuries-old dance form, enabling audiences to experience its elegance and profound emotional depth. 

 

Carlito Catalano is celebrated for his unconventional path in the arts, having taught himself the intricate and graceful movements of Odissi and Bharatanatyam through a wealth of online resources and instructional videos during his teenage years. His self-directed study reflects a passion for classical dance and a commitment to mastering these traditional art forms.

Body, Space & the Cinematic Encounter

Our son Carlito's short film to be showcased in India.

 

 

Body, Space & the Cinematic Encounter

These works explore how movement is shaped by space—architectural, natural, urban, or imagined. The camera becomes a choreographic partner, revealing new relationships between body, site, and time. Here, dance film is less about documentation and more about spatial dialogue and cinematic composition.
Showcasing:

Dis Connection by Carlito Catalano (8 minutes 40 seconds)

Movements in Transition by Sudhir Ambasana and Sayli Kulkarni  (8 minutes)

The Whispers of the Cage by Vaishnavi Dhore (12 minutes 28 seconds)

Ceremony of the Crows by Nikolina Nikoleski and Priyasha Bhardwaj (3 minutes 55 seconds)

Mangalore – The Sky and the Sea by Luke Sydney (4 minutes) 

Apavarga by Sairam Kannan (4 minutes 13 seconds)

Read more>> 

Carlito Catalano's "Homeward" Journey

Shirley Hall Bass Foundation

Professional Training & Cultural Exchange

 

 Our son Carlito Catalano

We're all proud of you Lee 😊 

 

Carlito Catalano's "Homeward" Journey

A Cross-Cultural Artistic Achievement

Carlito Catalano, a dedicated Bahamian dancer specializing in Odissi classical Indian dance, recently completed a transformative artistic journey with his performance at the University of Chicago's Logan Center. His three-part collaboration with Mandala Arts Chicago explored themes of slavery, migration, and civil rights through the powerful lens of cross-cultural dance. Read full story>

 

More posts about Carlito

Bahamians Debut Amazon Film tomorrow August 22nd, 2025

 

Caribbean Talent Takes Center Stage in Award-Winning Drama Featuring Geneva Maccarone and JaQuay “Dasquai” Adderley

 

From The Bahamas and Florida to Amazon: Deon Gibson’s The Pages of My Heart Streams Globally August 22

TAMPA, FL — After years of perseverance, delays, and creative transformation, Bahamian-born, Florida-based filmmaker Deon Gibson is celebrating a major breakthrough as his film The Pages of My Heart makes its global debut on Amazon Prime Video this August 22, 2025.

The emotional, award-winning drama — led by A Madea Homecoming star Geneva Maccarone and executive produced by Bahamian entertainer JaQuay “Dasquay” Adderley — marks a powerful moment for Caribbean creatives in global cinema.

The Power of Imagination: The Importance and Significant Contribution of Creative People and Creative Industries to a Country

 Imagination is more important than knowledge - Albert Einstein

 

 "Artist on Duty" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Download

 

 

The Power of Imagination: The Importance and Significant Contribution of Creative People and Creative Industries to a Country

In any nation, the pulse of progress is often measured in terms of economic output, technological innovation, and infrastructure development. Yet, beneath these concrete indicators lies a vital, often underappreciated force: creativity. Creative people and creative industries—artists, writers, poets, designers, filmmakers, musicians, dancers, architects, game developers, advertising professionals, bloggers and countless others—are not just cultural ornaments. They are economic drivers, social transformers, and national assets. Their meaningful contributions permeate every aspect of society, shaping identity, stimulating growth, and fueling innovation. This essay explores the multifaceted importance of creative individuals and industries, highlighting their economic, cultural, educational, and societal impact on a country.

Ākāra - A Bijayini Satpathy's Choreography

 

 Ākāra - A Bijayini Satpathy's Choreography

 

My son Carlito will be dancing in Utah. 

 

Ākāra is retelling of quintessential dances of Odissi when it emerged as a national dance - expressed through young global practitioners of today, whose life and realities are far and unfamiliar to the land of Orissa. - View Instagram post.

 

Related video:  PRAVESH Odissi Performance

Related article: Shirley Bass Foundation Sponsors Bahamian Dancer

Bahamas Artist Registry

 

"Harbour Island Alley" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Download

 

 

The National Artist Registry Project is the final component of the Joint SDG Fund Programme (The Bahamas & Bermuda) Building Back Equal through Innovative Financing for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment comprised of various UN agencies inclusive of UNESCO.

The Project forms a centralized database or platform that catalogs and showcases information about creatives and their works.

 

Register now: Bahamas Artist Registry

 

Related news story: National Cultural Artist Registry Website

Related article: The Evolution of Bahamian Art

Related article: The History and Evolution of Bahamian Music

Related article: Importance and Contribution of Creative People and Creative Industries

Shirley Bass Foundation Sponsors Bahamian Odissi Dancer's Journey to India

 Carlito Catalano

We are all proud of you son.

 

Shirley Bass Foundation Sponsors Bahamian Odissi Dancer's Journey to India

 

The Shirley Bass Foundation proudly announces its sponsorship of Carlito Catalano, a pioneering Bahamian practitioner of Odissi, one of India's classical dance forms. This sponsorship will enable Carlito to further his studies in India, marking another milestone in his remarkable journey as a cross-cultural artist.

Despite the geographical distance between The Bahamas and India, Carlito has cultivated a deep connection with Odissi dance through determination and modern technology. His journey began in his early teens when he discovered Indian classical dance videos online and began teaching himself the intricate movements and choreographies of both Odissi and Bharatanatyam. In 2019, Carlito's dedication led him to study with renowned dancer Bijayini Satpathy at a workshop in Atlanta. When the COVID-19 pandemic shifted dance instruction online in 2020, he seized the opportunity to begin regular virtual training with Satpathy, who has since become his guru. This relationship has blossomed into multiple trips to India for intensive workshops under her guidance.

While maintaining a career in the insurance industry, Carlito has achieved significant milestones in his dance journey. He completed the Indian Classical Dance Educators' Professional Development course at UNC Charlotte in 2020 and was selected for the competitive Unrehearsed Artist Residency Program in 2023, conducted by San Francisco's Nava Dance Theatre. Through this residency, he created a short film documenting his experiences as a solo artist.  Read full story.

 

Related video: PRAVESH Odissi Performance by Carlito Catalano

PRAVESH Odissi Performance

 

 Our son Carlito Catalano presents PRAVESH - A debut Odissi performance.

 

It was held 7pm, Saturday, April 6, 2024 at The National Art Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas.

Well done son. We're all proud of you.