5th Annual Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival
May 2-3, 2026
Goodman's Bay, Nassau
Food, Music, Festivities
FREE to the public
Visit: www.bcdragonboat.com
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Some Go Up, Some Go Down
"Fallen King" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Some Go Up, Some Go Down
The world is a wheel with a restless spin,
Where the losses are thick and the victories thin.
On the golden rungs of a ladder tall,
Some scramble upward while others will fall.
For the winds of fortune are fickle and fast,
Turning the first into lonely and last,
And lifting the soul who was buried in clay
To the brilliant heights of a brand-new day.
I. The Ascent
Some are born with a spark in the eye,
With wings already fashioned to fly.
They climb through the clouds with a steady hand,
Surveying the riches of all the land.
Their names are etched upon marble and stone,
They sit for a while on a glittering throne.
With every endeavor, they seem to increase,
In a world of abundance and effortless peace.
They build up their towers of silver and glass,
Watching the shadows of lesser men pass.
II. The Descent
But the ground is a hungry and patient thing,
Waiting for those who have acted as king.
For some go down with a sudden crash,
When the markets fail or the empires smash.
A slip of the foot or a change in the tide,
A hollowed-out heart or a blinded pride,
And the man who was walking the edge of the sun
Finds that his season of glory is done.
He tumbles through darkness, stripped of his name,
To the cold, quiet valley of silence and shame.
Where the losses are thick and the victories thin.
On the golden rungs of a ladder tall,
Some scramble upward while others will fall.
For the winds of fortune are fickle and fast,
Turning the first into lonely and last,
And lifting the soul who was buried in clay
To the brilliant heights of a brand-new day.
I. The Ascent
Some are born with a spark in the eye,
With wings already fashioned to fly.
They climb through the clouds with a steady hand,
Surveying the riches of all the land.
Their names are etched upon marble and stone,
They sit for a while on a glittering throne.
With every endeavor, they seem to increase,
In a world of abundance and effortless peace.
They build up their towers of silver and glass,
Watching the shadows of lesser men pass.
II. The Descent
But the ground is a hungry and patient thing,
Waiting for those who have acted as king.
For some go down with a sudden crash,
When the markets fail or the empires smash.
A slip of the foot or a change in the tide,
A hollowed-out heart or a blinded pride,
And the man who was walking the edge of the sun
Finds that his season of glory is done.
He tumbles through darkness, stripped of his name,
To the cold, quiet valley of silence and shame.
Monday, January 5, 2026
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)
"Move Bahamas" Fun Run Walk & Health Fair
The Ministry of Health & Wellness, Wellness Unit is hosting its Annual "Move Bahamas" Fun Run Walk & Health Fair. We are teaming up with the Get Up, Step Up, Bahamas National Wellness Campaign, which will be launching its 1 Million Steps challenge.
Saturday, 17th January, 2026 @ Goodman's Bay Park, 5:00AM - 11:00AM.
We will have Free Health Screenings, Free Giveaways, and Free Registration. There will be over 20 vendors participating. All ages are welcome to register.
Remember: "The Health of a Nation is the Wealth of a Nation."
Related poem: A Healthy Nation is a Wealthy Nation
Sunday, January 4, 2026
The Architect of the Sacred State: An Analysis of Fascist Theocracy
"The Church of Fascism" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
The Architect of the Sacred State: An Analysis of Fascist Theocracy
The fusion of fascism—a far-right, ultranationalist political ideology—and theocracy—a system of government in which deity-guided laws and clerical authority prevail—creates a singular and devastatingly potent form of governance. While classical fascism often treats religion as a tool for state utility (or an "ersatz" competitor), a Fascist Theocracy elevates religious dogma to the status of state law, viewing the nation not just as a political unit, but as a divine instrument.
This essay explores the ideological pillars, historical manifestations, and the chilling mechanisms of control inherent in the hybrid of the cross and the fasces.
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Auditions
Auditions for Ian Strachan's
GUN BOYS RHAPSODY
Boys 10-13
Men 16-25
Women 16-30
Thursday, January 8th, 2026
6-8pm
Dundas Centre, Mackey St. Nassau
Friday, January 2, 2026
My Father’s Obituaries by Bahamianology.Com
Collected obituaries by the Late Rt. Honourable Bradley B. Roberts.
My father collected obituaries.
In retirement, after twenty-five years in politics and sixty years of working life, the Late Rt. Honourable Bradley B. Roberts turned his attention to a project both humble and monumental: collecting obituaries. Not dozens, but thousands—each one a thread in the vast tapestry of Bahamian ancestry, each one a doorway into the interconnected lives that built a nation. Read more>>
New Year, New Rules
"New Day" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
New Year, New Rules
The Junkanoo echoes have faded away,
The brass and the goatskin have finished their play.
The sun rises bright o’er the tongue of the ocean,
Setting a spirit of change into motion.
From the streets of Nassau to the Family Isle,
It’s time to trade habits and walk a new mile.
The calendar turns, and the mandate is clear:
New Year, New Rules for a better frontier.
The Temple and the Table
We start with the body, the vessel we own,
Too long have we feasted on sugars alone.
Less heavy souse and less floury bread,
Let’s choose the fresh fruits of the garden instead.
The weight that we carry, we vow now to shed,
To walk on the beach with a lighter, swifter tread.
The habit of smoke that clouds up the brain,
The bottle that beckons to numb every pain—
We’re putting them down, for the lungs need the breeze,
And the mind deserves clarity, comfort, and ease.
No more for the powders or pills that ensnare,
We’re breathing the salt of the Caribbean air.
Call for Submissions for Short Tales 2026
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Thursday, January 1, 2026
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
New Year’s Eve Watch Night Service
"Watch Night Service" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
New Year’s Eve Watch Night Service
The New Year’s Eve Watch Night Service is more than a simple religious tradition; it is a profound intersection of faith, history, and cultural identity. For millions across the globe, particularly in the African Diaspora and the Methodist tradition, the service serves as a spiritual bridge between the "old man" of the previous year and the "new creation" of the next.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Religious Wars: Causes, Examples, and the Possibility of Peace
"Religious War" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Religious Wars: Causes, Examples, and the Possibility of Peace
Throughout human history, religion has been one of the most powerful forces shaping societies. It has inspired art, law, charity, moral systems, and community. At the same time, religion has also been linked to some of the bloodiest conflicts the world has ever known. Religious wars are often remembered for their violence, intolerance, and lasting damage. Understanding what religious wars are, why they happen, and whether they can ever truly end is essential if humanity hopes to build a more peaceful future.
Monday, December 29, 2025
A Healthy Nation is a Wealthy Nation
"Health Walk" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
A Healthy Nation is a Wealthy Nation
From the pines of Abaco to Inagua’s salt-white plain,
A message echoes o’er the blue, a chorus to maintain.
For the strength of our archipelago, the power of our name,
Lies not in gold or silver hoards, but in the human frame.
A nation’s purse is empty if its people’s pulse is weak,
So let us find the vibrant life and the wellness that we seek.
The Fuel of the Islands
In a land of sun and soil, we must choose what’s on our plate,
To turn away from processed bins and change our heavy fate.
Less of the grease and salty flour, the sugars that deceive,
And more of what the Bahamian earth is ready to achieve.
Bright scarlet tomatoes, the pigeon peas and rice,
Fresh citrus from the backyard grove—a natural paradise.
We swap the soda for the well, the bottle for the glass,
Let clear, cool water be the tide through which our spirits pass.
Two liters for the thirsty soul to keep the kidneys clean,
The purest drink for island folk that the world has ever seen.
The Rhythm of the Body
Our bodies were not built for chairs or lounging in the shade,
But for the movement of the surf, for the progress we have made.
Go walk the length of Goodman’s Bay or climb the Queen’s Staircase,
Let exercise become the norm, a steady, healthy pace.
And when the orange sun descends and moonbeams start to creep,
Honor the temple of the mind with seven hours of sleep.
In silence, cells begin to mend and weary muscles grow,
Restoring all the energy the morning needs to show.
Sunday, December 28, 2025
EABIC Bahamas - Black Christ Mass Celebration
Black Christ Mass Celebration
7 Golden Candestick(Priests) on Melchesidec Alter
Entertainment by Daniel #1 Band
Free Admission, food & refreshments
January 7, 2026 | 8pm - until
Bobo Camp, Fire Trail Rd, Bahamas Branch
2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade: December 25th, 2025
2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade: December 25th, 2025
Related article: Boxing Day: Meaning and Origins
Boxing Day: Meaning and Origins
"Boxing Day in The Bahamas" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Boxing Day: Meaning and Origins
Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26, the day after Christmas, and is a public holiday in many countries—especially those with historical ties to the British Empire, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Caribbean. Wikipedia
The name Boxing Day may seem strange at first, but it comes from a centuries-old tradition of giving “boxes” of gifts, money, goods, or charity to those in service roles or in need. In earlier times, aristocratic households gave servants and tradespeople gifts or gratuities—sometimes in decorative boxes—on the day after Christmas. This was both a form of gratitude for their service and an opportunity for workers to visit their own families after working on Christmas Day itself. Encyclopedia Britannica
Another linked tradition stems from the practice in Christian churches of placing alms boxes for donations to the poor; these boxes were opened and distributed on December 26, which is also the feast day of Saint Stephen—Christianity’s first martyr, known for his service to those in need. Wikipedia
Over time the holiday evolved. In some countries it became associated with sporting events (e.g., football and cricket matches in the UK and Australia) and, in many places today, major shopping sales. In others—particularly the Caribbean—it became a day for vibrant cultural celebrations rather than simply a day of rest or commerce. Encyclopedia Britannica
Friday, December 26, 2025
MaCaBrLi Family Christmas Dinner 2025
MaCaBrLi Family Christmas Dinner 2025
Shot and edited by ©A. Derek Catalano.
Camera: Samsung Galaxy S9+
Software: VideoPad Editor
Free MIDI music
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Christmas at Pompey Square 2025
I shot a quick video at Pompey Square last night. - ©A. Derek Catalano
Free MIDI music.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Peace on Earth: A Vow Beyond the Season
"Peace Tree" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Peace on Earth: A Vow Beyond the Season
Part I: The Midwinter Hush
Upon the weary world, a silence falls,
A velvet hush within the winter night,
No trumpet blast, no frantic bugle calls,
But soft reflections of the candle’s light.
The snow descends to blanket every street,
To mute the heavy tread of marching feet,
And for a moment, under starry skies,
The anger sleeping in the city dies.
We speak of "Peace on Earth" on this one day,
When pine and holly decorate the door,
We put the armor of our grief away,
And vow to study violence no more.
It feels so simple when the choir sings,
And when the bell inside the steeple rings;
A truce is called in every human heart,
And enemies agree to stand apart.
The hearth is warm, the cider mug is deep,
The children dream in innocence and trust,
The promises we made, we try to keep,
And brush away the cynicism’s dust.
It is a golden hour, fragile, bright,
A single candle conquering the night,
Where neighbor smiles at neighbor in the cold,
And kindness is the only hand we hold.
Friends of the Environment December E-News
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Monday, December 22, 2025
Sunday, December 21, 2025
The Bahamas as a Republic: Possibilities, Challenges, and Prospects
"The Republic of The Bahamas" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
The Bahamas as a Republic: Possibilities, Challenges, and Prospects
Introduction
The Bahamas is an independent nation that gained sovereignty from the United Kingdom in 1973. While independent, it remains a constitutional monarchy, with the British monarch serving as head of state, represented locally by a Governor-General. From time to time, public discussion arises about whether The Bahamas should transition to a republic. This essay explores what a republic is, the advantages and disadvantages of republican systems, examples of successful and unsuccessful republics, and whether The Bahamas could realistically become and thrive as a republic.
Definition of a Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the country’s head of state is not a monarch, but is either elected by the people or appointed through a representative process. Sovereignty rests with the citizens, and political authority is exercised in their name.
Most republics operate under a written constitution that outlines the structure of government, the separation of powers, and the rights of citizens. In many republics, the head of state is a president, though the role may be largely ceremonial or may carry significant executive power, depending on the system.
It is important to note that being a republic does not automatically mean having a president with sweeping authority. Many republics retain parliamentary systems similar to constitutional monarchies, differing mainly in how the head of state is chosen.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Green Turtle Cay New Year's Day Junkanoo Parade
Green Turtle Cay
New Year's Day Junkanoo Parade
January 1st at 2:00PM
Starts at the Basketball Court
Celebrating the Origins of Junkanoo-
FROM WHICH WE CAME
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Let Them Talk
"Talkin' Bad" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Let Them Talk
In every town and every street, where idle minds and shadows meet,
There lives a breed of restless soul, who makes the lives of others whole—
By picking at the fraying threads, by planting seeds in neighbors' heads,
By weaving webs of "did you hear?" and whispering in a willing ear.
They gather 'round the morning brew, with nothing better left to do,
Than catalog a stranger’s sin and let the weary games begin.
They watch the way you walk the road, they weigh the burdens of your load,
They measure out your every step, and count the secrets that you’ve kept.
With eagle eyes and sharpened tongues, they draw the air into their lungs,
To blow a spark into a flame, and tarnish every honest name.
For in their world of gray and small, they love to watch a giant fall,
To find a crack within the glass and watch the fleeting shadows pass.
It matters not if truth be told, for stories turn from lead to gold,
When polished by a bitter heart that’s mastered every cruel art.
They’ll take a word you said in jest and put it to a grueling test,
Until it looks like something dark, a jagged stone, a burning spark.
They judge the clothes upon your back, and find the virtues that you lack,
While sitting on a throne of straw, identifying every flaw.
Shakespeare in Paradise on the move
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