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Is Turks and Caicos Ready for the return of the Music Festival? Tourism Minister Jolly Announces Cultural Revival in Budget Speech

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Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2025 – In an emotionally charged close to his budget presentation in the House of Assembly, Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism announced the long-awaited return of the Turks and Caicos International Music Festival, setting the stage for a cultural revival and a strategic tourism push in the traditionally slow summer months.

“This isn’t just an event,” declared Minister Jolly. “This is Turks and Caicos. This is who we are.”

For the first time since 2008, when international icons like Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie graced the stage alongside local talent, the festival will make its comeback from July 31 to August 3, 2025. With the theme of unity, identity, and economic opportunity, this event marks a pivotal moment in the government’s vision to expand experiential tourism—a movement focused on meaningful cultural immersion for visitors while deepening national pride.

More Than a Festival – A Strategic Economic Stimulus

Positioned deliberately during a traditional lull in tourist arrivals, the festival aims to do more than entertain. It is being designed as a tool to “activate the economy,” according to Jolly. From boosting hotel occupancy to increasing demand for taxi services and supporting local vendors, the festival is expected to generate tangible economic momentum for the islands.

“We’re not promising perfection,” Jolly said candidly. “We are simply saying: this is the year we start.”

Acknowledging that the road to a globally recognized music festival is not an overnight feat, the Minister pointed to major events like Reggae SumfestEssence Fest, and Coachella as models that began modestly and grew into international juggernauts. The Turks and Caicos Islands, he emphasized, now has its moment to take the first step on that journey.

A Cultural Trifecta: Music, Pageantry, and Sport

The 2025 festival will also include three high-profile national collaborations, each bringing its own brand of energy, prestige, and community spirit:

  • Friday: Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Competition
    Elevating the country’s young women and reaffirming TCI’s presence on the global stage of beauty, leadership, and empowerment.
  • Saturday: TCI Poker Run
    A beloved tradition that blends boating adventure, camaraderie, and charity in the nation’s pristine waters.
  • Sunday: Trevor Ariza Celebrity Golf Tournament
    Hosted by the Turks and Caicos-born NBA Champion, this event adds class and star power to cap off the weekend with international appeal.

“That’s not just a weekend,” said Jolly. “That’s a movement. Music. Pageantry. Sport. Culture. Charity. One country. One cause. One moment in history.”

Cultural Identity Meets Global Visibility

The return of the festival also supports the government’s broader tourism strategy, which aims to move beyond sun and sand toward authentic, immersive experiences. The focus on experiential tourism speaks to a deeper engagement with TCI’s cultural heartbeat—from music and storytelling to hospitality and heritage.

“This is not just about music,” Jolly emphasized. “It is about national identity, economic opportunity, and cultural pride.”

With eyes on future growth, the Ministry plans to attract private partners, expand the festival’s footprint, and position it as a staple on the international events calendar. The vision is for tourists to one day plan their travel around this annual celebration of Turks and Caicos life and culture.

A Minister’s Personal Commitment

Minister Jolly ended his presentation with a personal pledge to serve the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands with honor and humility as both an All-Island Elected Member and the steward of the tourism portfolio.

“As I travel the globe to promote this country… I will do so with an unshakable determination to make the people of these islands proud,” he vowed.

With the return of the Turks and Caicos International Music Festival now official, the country potentially stands on the cusp of reclaiming a signature cultural platform—one that not only brings back a globally renowned music scene but an event which has previously sparked controversy due to its cost both fiscally and socially.

Enternainment

Peabo Bryson, the ‘Duet King,’ Dies at 75

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By Deandrea Hamilton

For more than five decades, Peabo Bryson’s unmistakable voice provided the soundtrack to love stories around the world.

The two-time Grammy Award winner, affectionately regarded by many as R&B’s “Duet King,” died on June 2 at the age of 75, days after suffering a stroke. Family members said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

While younger audiences may remember him as the voice behind Disney classics Beauty and the Beast and A Whole New World, Bryson’s legacy was built long before Hollywood came calling.

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, the South Carolina-born singer released 20 solo albums, earned five Gold records and became one of the most sought-after duet partners in contemporary music.

Few artists mastered the art of collaboration as effortlessly as Bryson.

His rich tenor elevated timeless recordings alongside some of music’s most celebrated female vocalists, including Roberta Flack on Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, Regina Belle on A Whole New World, Celine Dion on Beauty and the Beast, Patti Austin on By Heart, By Soul, Natalie Cole on We’re the Best of Friends and countless others.

Yet he was equally successful as a solo performer.

Hits including If Ever You’re in My Arms AgainCan You Stop the RainFeel the FireReaching for the Sky and I’m So Into You established him as one of R&B’s premier balladeers, earning a devoted following throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Bryson’s greatest commercial success came in the 1990s when Disney selected him to perform two animated-film love songs that became global sensations. Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion and A Whole New World with Regina Belle earned him two Grammy Awards and introduced his music to a new generation of listeners.

But for many longtime fans, it was the romance, warmth and sincerity of his earlier recordings that defined his greatness.

In an era crowded with powerful voices, Peabo Bryson stood apart by making every duet feel personal and every love song believable.

His voice may be gone, but the music remains — a catalogue filled with timeless ballads, unforgettable partnerships and memories that continue to resonate across generations.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

This angle is stronger than a standard obituary because it focuses on what made Peabo unique. There have been great singers, great balladeers and great hitmakers. There was really only one “Duet King.”

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Bahamas News

“Unspoken Storms” Breaks the Silence on Menopause—And How It Impacts Marriages of Faith

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AuthorsAndWritersHub.com

 

 Bahamas — Bahamian author Teri M. Bethel combines heartfelt storytelling, practical tools, and devotionals to help couples navigate the emotional and spiritual challenges of menopause together. Often called “the silent storm” in a woman’s life, menopause is deeply personal, widely misunderstood, and rarely discussed openly. Teri M. Bethel is changing that conversation with her new book, Unspoken Storms: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Menopause and Marriage – With Devotional Prayers for Emotional Healing and Intimacy.

Through the fictional yet emotionally raw story of Amanda—a devoted wife navigating menopause’s emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges—Bethel opens the door for honest, grace-filled conversations in homes and churches.

For many women, menopause brings more than just hot flashes; it can shake identity, emotions, and even marriage. “It’s unfortunate, but menopause sneaks up on many women and men,” says Bethel. “Beyond the jokes about hot flashes or personal summers, there’s often silence. But when mood swings, depression, anxiety, brain fog, and the physical pain of intimacy show up—and no one connects the dots—confusion can take root. My goal was to bring hope, clarity, and real help to this season.”

Early readers are calling Unspoken Storms “a book that walks beside you like a trusted friend.” Colleen Aitken praised Bethel’s approach as “beautifully tender, yet raw in its honesty—offering hope, healing, and restoration.” Heather Sands added: “I couldn’t put it down. It’s not the typical menopause book—it’s a source of peace, relief, and understanding for both women and men. This book belongs in every marriage ministry.”

Men often want to help but don’t know how, which can lead to misunderstanding, distance, or even divorce. While there are medical guides and clinical handbooks, very few books speak to women and couples with faith, empathy, and hope, blending story, Scripture, and practical steps for relief.

More than a novel, Unspoken Storms is a resource:

  • For women: to feel seen, understood, and equipped with faith and practical tools for this stage of life.
  • For men: a bonus chapter by Teri’s husband, Tellis, which offers insight into how menopause affects husbands, especially those who may be facing midlife challenges themselves, plus prayers to strengthen the marriage.
  • For couples: guidance to restore communication, intimacy, and partnership.

Bahamian author, Dr. Deborah Pople-Smith commended the book for “helping marriages realize that talking about menopause is not taboo—it’s necessary. Love and intimacy can still be shared with a little understanding and patience.”

“Menopause can feel like the end of something,” says Bethel. “But in reality, it can be the refining of love and faith. This book is an invitation to walk through it—together, stronger.”

Unspoken Storms is now available in Nassau at Logos Bookstore, in Eleuthera at Office General, and on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audio formats.

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Enternainment

Island Elegance Meets Soulful Sound: TCI Gears Up for “Intimate Jazz & Soul” at Barbetta Lounge

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Magnetic Media | Editorial Team

 

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos — The Turks and Caicos cultural calendar is heating up as the countdown begins for Intimate Jazz & Soul — a sultry, sophisticated evening of music, art, and expression, headlined by local music icon Tess Charles and a host of homegrown talent.

Set to unfold on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the chic Barbetta Lounge at The Somerset, the event promises to be more than a concert — it’s a curated cultural experience that fuses jazz, soul, spoken word, and fine art into one radiant night. From 8PM to 10PM, guests will step into an atmosphere of class and creativity, dressed in their summer linens and ready for an unforgettable night under the island stars.

The line-up is electric:

Mohen Cox — saxophonist and storyteller known for weaving melodies and humor with magnetic ease.
SamSol and Aaliyah Elliot — rising stars with rich vocals and stage presence; Aaliyah, also a Miss Turks & Caicos Universe contender, is poised to dazzle.

O’Brien Forbes and Super P — fan-favorite showmen whose energetic performances never disappoint.

Visual artists Levenia BishopAncy DoriscaBrittney Bien Aime, and Fay Ninon will add an elegant touch with a live fine art exhibition, offering guests a chance to engage with the Turks and Caicos creative scene.

Spoken word and poetry will round out the soulful ambiance, connecting hearts and minds in an evening that celebrates talent and island pride.

Presented by Barbetta House & TESSIntimate Jazz & Soul is already causing a stir on the island. Tickets are $75 and selling fast — available exclusively at Nikki’s Trinkets. For reservations, call (649) 332-4412.

With limited seating and a powerful mix of sound, sight, and soul, this one-night-only event is shaping up to be the talk of the summer. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this enchanting evening where island elegance meets artistic excellence.

Will you be there when the island takes center stage?

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