THE Churchill Square in downtown Freeport was buzzing with excitement on Friday with a ‘Jazz in the Square’ event, the second of four events planned by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to promote economic activity in the downtown area.

The GBPA Ltd. and its Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau (IGBSBB) launched a ‘Back to School Family Fridays’ initiative on August 5.

On Friday, August 12, it hosted a jazz event with performances by Methice Rigby & Friends and spoken word from poets ‘Esi Amani’, ‘T.O. Gittens’, Siadra Sutherland, Antonio Smith and ‘Copy Written’.

Derek Newbold, GBPA’s senior manager of business development and Invest Grand Bahama, said the event provided exceptional entertainment, as well as the opportunity for merchants to showcase their products and services.

“The event was well attended and the performances were all first rate,” he said. “It really was a one of a kind event for downtown, and the attendees loved it.

“It’s important to us that our licencees and residents…understand that we value their support.”

Mr. Newbold explained that the GBPA established the IGBSBB “to serve as a vehicle to provide the local business community with a more streamlined support mechanism geared toward delivering more tangible business solutions.”

Business Services Manager for IGBSBB LaShawn Dames hopes to make the ‘Back to School Family Fridays’ an annual event.

“This is the second Back to School Fridays event and we are gaining great momentum. The artists and musicians did an excellent job keeping the crowd entertained. It was a true display of talent and a truly a wonderful evening,” she said.

The next ‘Back to School Family Fridays’ event will be a vocalist competition on Friday, August 19 when persons will compete for a $1,000 cash grand prize.

Persons interested in participating should register at www.gbpa.com no later than today.

By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter

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