Bahamas News
GB Junkanoo Groups Receive Seed Funding; Hear of “Exciting” Plans
#Bahamas, September 25, 2017 – Grand Bahama – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard, on Saturday, September 23, presented the major Junkanoo groups on island with their seed money to prepare for their New Year’s Day Parade.
Describing Junkanoo as the most culturally recognized expression in the country, Minister Pintard said it attracts the largest number of Bahamians as participants and observers.
“We recognize that the cost of going downtown and displaying this gift could never be covered by the government, so clearly the practitioners of Junkanoo are doing this because they absolutely love the culture, love this art form.
“But what we [the government] can do is continue to contribute to the growth and development of Junkanoo throughout the country, and of course, in Grand Bahama.”
The Minister also used the opportunity to announce that the government is about to embark on what he described as an “exciting programme”: He said that the government believes that Junkanoo should be available throughout the year, providing employment and providing economic opportunities for group members. “One way of doing that is if each group transforms at least one of their shacks into its flagship multipurpose facility that has a logo store, that enables them to share a wide range of cultural products, particularly those created by Junkanoos.
“Secondly, to have a demonstration or performance space, where they can show whether it is to school children, Bahamians, tourists belling, blowing whistles, choreographed dance, and a wide range of other things.”
The multipurpose space, he continued, could also be utilized as an area where costumes are built.
“The government intends to invest in this, not merely be the advocate, but to put some skin in the game, as we are asking the Junkanoo groups and the private sector that have supported them, to similarly put some skin in the game.
“So we will play a role in working with Junkanoo leaders to help in the acquisition of the land, secondly, contributing to the designs of the multipurpose facilities, as well as contributing financially to the construction costs.”
Minister Pintard noted that Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis, will address the matter in detail.
“It is an honour to serve in this capacity, simply because I believe that the creative industries hold a huge potential to transform the economy of The Bahamas and to add to our GDP.
“Across the world, the creative industries is clearly demonstrating that it is the fastest growing segment of most major economies. The Bahamas, has unfortunately, lagged behind despite the tremendous talent we have in our country.”
It is the government’s intention, continued the Minister, to utilize the creative industries: as a tool for national development; and as a means of generating income and employment.
In Grand Bahama, the Advisory Council will be co-chaired by Mark Gardiner and Kevin Russell who were described by the Minister as individuals who will bring “tremendous leadership.”
By: Robyn Adderley
Photo Captions:
THE HON. MICHAEL PINTARD – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)
JUNKANOO SEED MONEY – Junkanoo leaders were on Saturday, September 23, 2017 pleased to receive their seed money early. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Michael Pintard, made the presentation during a press conference at the C.A. Smith Building. Minister Pintard (front row centre) is seen with group leaders and committee members. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
