Bahamas News

“Toward the Rising Sun…” – 44th Independence Celebrations Announced

Published

7 years ago

June 28, 2017

Bahamas, June 28, 2017 – Nassau – The 44^th Bahamas Independence Celebrations will have all the ingredients of the annual national birthday bash – pomp and circumstance, music, dance, singing, storytelling — lively ‘Bahamiana,’ and proud waving of the aquamarine, black and gold Bahamian Flag.

At a press conference, June 23, at the Cabinet Office, Churchill Building, Chairman of the 44^th Anniversary Bahamas Independence Celebrations planning committee, the Hon. Mark Humes, MP, announced that the festivities give cause to celebrate “our one-ness,” as the theme for this year reflects: “Toward the Rising Sun, One God, One People, One Bahamas.”

To launch the official week of activities, men and women of our national security forces in a combined musical band will perform the popular Beat Retreat in Rawson and Parliament Squares on Sunday afternoon, July 2 at 5:30 p.m.

National Pride Day will take place in Rawson and Parliament Squares on Friday, July 7. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. there will be Flag Raising and ceremony with address by the Governor General, performances by children’s groups including the National Youth Orchestra and the National Children’s Choir, marching bands, all-Bahamian music, fun and lots of food — all day — to provide lots of entertainment.

On Sunday, July 9, beginning at 8:00 p.m., the 44th Grand Anniversary Celebrations begin at Clifford Park. The Independence Celebrations will feature an Ecumenical Service conducted by the Bahamas Christian Council. As is customary, there will also be a Cultural Show, driven by artistic team of Ronald Simms (producer of bands, cultural show, march past), Fred Ferguson (musical director), Erin Knowles (cultural show director) and Patrice Francis (writer of the cultural show).

The centerpiece cultural production will be a unique unfolding of steps to Bahamian Independence through the eyes of a grandmother speaking to her grandchild – starting from ‘way back’ and bringing it to present day. The storytelling will feature top performers in the country, who will narrate the perspective from different islands of the archipelago.

The cultural show will be different this time – not a variety show, but a story being told.

At 1:00 a.m. on Monday, July 10, the annual “People’s Love and Unity Rush” takes over Bay Street in an explosion of Junkanoo. Organizers will, just prior, give a nod, first, to honour several persons for their Junkanoo contributions in special ceremonies; and then there will be the excited rush to main street in the Flag Colours.

Official ceremonies for Bahamas Independence culminate with the annual Government House State Reception.

Other activities surrounding the official week include: a Culturama Liturgical Dance Parade & Concert at the Western Esplanade on the afternoon of Monday, July 10, when typically 1,500 young people participate and perform. It is a family event featuring Gospel singing, liturgical and folklore dance.

The National Children’s Choir performs at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts on July 3 at 7:00 p.m.; Bahamas Press Club holds an Art Exhibition at the Central Bank of The Bahamas, July 6-28; and other special events include the Junkanoo Summer Festival on Saturdays in July; and Commonwealth Youth Games at the National Sporting Complex July 18-23.

Independence Celebrations take place throughout the Islands of The Bahamas and at Bahamian Embassies in different countries.

Press Release: BIS

Photo Caption:

Chairman of the 44^th Anniversary Bahamas Independence Celebrations planning committee, the Hon. Mark Humes, MP, centre, announced plans for the celebrations at Cabinet Office, Churchill Building, June 23, 2017 in a press conference. Also pictured from left: Supt. Kendal Strachan, Cabinet Office DPS Michael Humes, and Cabinet Office SAS Sharine Symonette of the National Events Planning Unit.

(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

The Bahamas’ economy is in good standing according to reports from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute which released the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Series. They indicate that quarterly GDP trends for 2023 saw increases compared to 2022, a sign of recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic.

The most significant increase was 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023, and the industries responsible for the growth include Accommodations and food, construction and Arts.

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

Bahamas News

Get your laugh on, March On show coming to Turks and Caicos with box office at IGA Friday and Saturday

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale this weekend from May 3 to 5.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew.

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attention.”

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.

A ticket booth will be set up from today, Friday May 3 in the foyer of IGA grocery store beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and then again all day on Saturday, allowing residents to purchase with cash.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. Then the full team returns on Friday, May 11 for the actual showing at 8 pm and their two showings on Saturday at 4pm and 8 pm. The venue is Brayton Hall, Providenciales under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.

Tickets are only $60 for general seating and $75 for VIP seating.

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stoplaughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”