Sammie Starr will make a guest appearance at this weekend's showcase.
With Bahamian songs, pop songs and even classical tunes on tap for this weekend's program; along with a guest performance from Sammi Starr, The Bahamas All Stars Band's Talent Showcase will offer entertainment to satisfy a variety of tastes.
"It's going to be high energy, and the public will get to see the kids perform at an advanced professional level -- everything will be of top quality," said band director Yonell Justilien. "People will get their money's worth, and may even want to donate more after seeing these kids perform."
The band will perform the fundraising showcase at the St. John's College Auditorium on Saturday, April 23 with proceeds going towards defraying the more than $300,000 the 130-plus band will need to get to Dublin, Ireland to perform at the St. Patrick's Day March 11-18, 2017.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin invited the Bahamas All Stars to perform.
During the fundraising showcase, band members will perform individually as well as a group in the program that is just under two hours and will be capped off with a performance by the entire group. Performances expected on the night will come from the instruments, some vocals, skits and the drum majors as well as the dance group.
"We have kids of various talents in the arts, so they will be displaying their individual talents as well as group talents," said Justilien.
Having the fundraising effort do well is important to raise the funds necessary to get the band to Ireland. He said is important to give the band members every possible exposure as it raises the level of their performance. He said through the exposure, the children even perform better academically. In the past five-year existence of the band, Justilien has seen some 70-plus children attain college scholarships. "It gives them confidence in what they're doing," said the band director.
"The trip to Dublin will be very costly, so we're encouraging the public to come out and support these kids, because some of them aren't fortunate, and some of them have never traveled that far," he said.
The showcase gets underway at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children four to seven and free for children three and under.
This weekend's fundraising showcase is just the first in a number of events the band has scheduled for its fifth year celebration. Band members will engage in a Band Jamboree battle of the bands on June 18, in which college-based band members will form a band to face off against existing band members. The battle, which will take place at Loyola Hall, Justilien said, is expected to be the highlight of their fifth year.
The alumni college-based band members will then join the existing band members on June 26, for a 200-strong showcase as they celebrate at their anniversary church service.
The band, a youth development organization was formed to attract talented youth between ages 13 and 18, including those who are considered "at-risk", and possess special abilities in the various forms of performing arts. The children represent both public and private schools with diverse backgrounds from different communities.
Through the program, the band members receive professional training and mentoring, and are introduced to a strict code of conduct that encourages them to live a positive lifestyle free from drugs, gangs and crime. The aim is to create opportunities through the arts that will empower them to become productive citizens.
The band has previously performed at events such as the Battle 4 Atlantis; Prince Harry Youth Rally; the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Relays; Historically Black Colleges and Universities Football Classic; Popeye's Bahamas Bowl Football Game and during the Bahamian Independence cultural show.
The Bahamas All Stars Band will put their talents on display on Saturday, April 23 at a fundraising showcase to raise funds to defray the cost of the $300,000 trip to Dublin, Ireland, March 11-18 to perform in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. (Photo. Yonell Justilien)
Shavaughn Moss
Guardian Lifestyles Editor
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