Bahamas News
Caribbean Wines & Spirits Raises $7,200 for National Art Gallery with Immersive Art and Dining Experience
Nassau, BAHAMAS — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS) hosted an intimate and immersive dining experience with the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) to mark the opening of NELEVEN: Into the Void, the 11th National Exhibition featuring of 23 Bahamian artists.
The evening was the perfect blend of culinary finesse and art. Throughout different stages of the experience, guests enjoyed the finest
champagnes, wines and cognacs provided by CWS.
Keeping true to its philanthropic pillar, CWS sold all tickets and raised $7,200 for the NAGB.
Waylon McHardy, General Manager for Caribbean Wines & Spirits spoke to what prompted CWS to host, “A Night at the Museum.”
“As a 100% Bahamian owned company which is focused on the advancement of culture, we felt it was important to contribute towards the growth of Bahamians in the orange economy.” McHardy said.
Maelynn Ford, Director of the NAGB expressed her gratitude in receiving such a generous donation from CWS.
“I am so pleased that Caribbean Wines & Spirits saw the opening of this National Exhibition, not only as an opportunity to showcase their phenomenal wine selection, but also to donate to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. We look forward to deepening this partnership.”
she said. 60 philanthropists were welcomed to the museum with glasses of Bleu Brut and Brut Rosé from CWS’ Besserat de Bellefon champagne line along with various hors d’oeuvres. For an hour they had exclusive access to view NELEVEN: Into the Void, which was unveiled to the public only days before.
DeCarlo McPhee, Sales Advisor for CWS shared why Besserat de Bellefon champagne and rosé were the perfect sips to start the evening.
“For an evening such as this there is no better way to greet our guests than with champagne from the “Maison” Besserat de Bellefon. Founded in 1843 this champagne house is known for its elegance and finesse. It has fine bubbles that are pleasing to the sight and palate making a great start to a beautiful night.” he said.
Following their gallery exploration, guests were invited into the ballroom which held various art pieces, one being from artist Jonnique
Beadle. Before dinner, host Nicholas Mitchell gave a warm welcome and an overview of dinner, officially starting the culinary portion of the night. Patrons indulged in a delicious six course Italian tasting menu fused with many Bahamian delights prepared by Chef Alexandra Maillis-Lynch.
Dishes such as the: thyme and goat pepper braised Bahamian octopus, with roasted bone marrow on squid ink risotto, and the seared fish, with creamy coconut sauce, on fried breadfruit bruschetta offered an explosion of flavor.
Guests enjoyed a curated selection of exceptional Italian wines from CWS’ extensive collection. The wines—Villa Matilde Greco di Tufo, Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo, Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto, Michele Chiarlo Barbaresco, Michele Chiarlo Barolo, and Fonseca 10-Year—
were carefully curated to complement each course, creating a complete gastronomic experience. At the dinner’s midpoint Beadle spoke to the audience about her straw mannequins ‘Straw Doll Series: Sentinel and Nexus Nostalgia’ along with the exhibit’s Co-curator, Letitia Pratt.
Artist Jordanna Kelly was also in attendance. Her piece titled ‘95%’ which she co-created with fellow artist Jenna Chaplin is partially sponsored by Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), CWS’ sister company.
After the final course, guests were escorted outside to the gallery’s lawn which was transformed into a tropical lounge for the final treat of the night – cognac and cigars. Guests got exclusive access to CWS’ newest product ABK6, the finest French cognac in The Bahamas. The cognac was perfectly accompanied by hand rolled cigars from Graycliff.
“In our desire to give our guests the ultimate dining experience we chose to give them a taste from our ABK6 line, an exquisite French single estate cognac. We featured the VSOP, XO Renaissance and the Honey Cognac Liqueur, all of which were thoroughly enjoyed.” McPhee revealed.
Guests left the evening transformed by the incredible blend of culinary and artistic flair. CWS is proud to have hosted such a successful event in support of programming at the NAGB.
To learn more about the latest products, sampling schedules and upcoming events, visit Caribbean Wines & Spirits’ website at www.cwsbahamas.com.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1st insert: Guests seen engaging in stimulating conversation at the start of the dinner. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
2nd insert: Jordanna Kelly adorns a bright smile in her piece titled ‘95%’ which is partially sponsored by Coca-Cola. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
3rd insert: A big smile along with the various cognacs CWS offers from the ABK6 line. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
4th insert: Bubbles Galore: CWS Team members standing at their champagne stations, one being a lush champagne wall to greet guests. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
5th insert: An up-close shot of Chef Alexandra’s seared fish, with a creamy coconut sauce, on fried breadfruit bruschetta. Photo credit: Travis Bastian
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
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