The Hook Up

Fri, Dec 6th 2013, 12:42 PM

New Providence
HIGHGROVE SINGERS: A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols with The Highgrove Singers under the conduction of Adrian Archer and the Golden Gates Hand Bell Choir under the conduction of Navarro Gibson will take place on Sunday, December 22 at 6 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, George Street. Music to be played will be by Bob Chilcott, Steve Pilkington, Benjamin Britten, Sean Ivory, Jan Sandstrom, Neil Harmon, Eleanor Daley, Dan Forrest, Craig Courtney, Laura Paige, Andrew Carter, Daniel Elder, David Danner, Paul Caldwell and congregational carol singing with musical arrangements by Sir David Willcocks. Admission is free.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: The changing of the guard, a display of Bahamian music and military exercise, takes place each month on the last Thursday and Saturday at 10 a.m. at Government House. The changing of the guard has been a tradition since 1958. The ceremony features the world-renowned Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force guards.
JAZZ AT THE HILTON: Jazz group Vice Versa, featuring vocalist Naomi Taylor, performs every Tuesday and Thursday at British Colonial Hilton at 6:30 p.m.

SPEED WEEK: Bahamas Speed Week takes place December 4-8. This event, which started in the mid-1950s and took place for 13 years, was the dream of a man named Captain Sherman 'Red' Cruise, who created a series of automobile races held in Nassau. Internationally acclaimed drivers from around the globe attended to compete and to soak in the backdrop of sun, sea and scorching hot cars.
Schedule: Saturday, December 7 (6 p.m. - 8:3- p.m.) - Hill climb at Arawak Cay, Fort Charlotte. General viewing is free; Bleachers A, B, C $25; Race car paddock $50; VIP driver's lounger $175 (located in the center of the circuit, inclusive of food and beverage by Van Breugels, Young's Champagne, Sands Beer, assorted wine and liquor and soft drinks, exclusive bleacher seating, meet the drivers, browse the race car paddock, souvenir program and VIP parking) and Paddock club piazza $75 (located in the center of the circuit, a la carte food and beverage from vendors, exclusive bleacher seating, browse the car paddock, souvenir program and VIP parking). Sunday, December 8 - Race car sprint (9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) at Arawak Cay Sprint Circuit. General viewing is free; Bleachers A, B, C $25; Race car paddock $50; VIP driver's lounge $275 and Paddock club piazza $85.

CELEBRITY TENNIS: The Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational takes place December 5-8. Established in 2001, the annual event is a fundraising event to support local charities throughout The Bahamas. For more information, telephone 357-9679.

GYMNASTICS: Teams from the United States, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas converge on the Atlantis Crown Convention Center for the Atlantis Crown International Gymnastics Tournament, the largest competitive meet in the Caribbean, December 12-14. For more information, telephone 327-2154.

JUNKANOO: Boxing Day Junkanoo takes place Thursday, December 26. For more information, telephone 302-2000.

Grand Bahama
HAIR SHOW: Pizazz Beauty Shop presents Imagine Hair Show & Competition, dubbed The Ultimate Hair Show to be held on Sunday, December 15 at the Grand Lucayan Convention Center. Making an appearance will be Seven Adrin Washington, Karlie Redd and Derek J. Tickets are $40 general admission, $65 VIP and can be purchased at Gizmos & Gadgets.

FESTIVAL NOEL: Restaurants and students from around Grand Bahama are getting ready to deck the park with delicious cuisine at the 19th Annual Festival Noel on Friday, December 6 at the Rand Nature Centre. This year's committee has resurrected the Chef Noel competition in which local restaurants, Flying Fish, Sweet Affairs, Red Beard's and Agave will compete.

Abaco
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL: The Annual Abaco Christmas Festival takes place on Saturday, December 7. This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the popular Christmas festival that is known to attract family and friends. The event usually kicks off the holiday season in the Abacos with general holiday activities that include early Christmas shopping in the Arts & Crafts Bazaar, a food court filled with Bahamian dishes, performances from choirs, quartets, soloists, marching and Calypso bands, a Junkanoo parade, a Christmas float parade, a dog show and other activities. For more information, telephone 367-3067,

JUNKANOO: The Annual Christmas Junkanoo Competition takes place on Saturday, December 28 at Sea Spray Resort & Marina in Elbow Cay, featuring a number of local groups who compete for top honor and bragging rights. Residents of the cay are joined by locals and visitors who travel from the mainland to enjoy the elaborate costumes, music and lively performances that are paraded during the night-time event. For more information, telephone 366-0065.

Acklins
BOXING DAY JUNKANOO: Boxing Day Junkanoo celebrations, the spectacular Bahamian street festival with the sounds of goat skin drums, horns, whistles, cow bells, dancers and bright dazzling costumes, will take place in Acklins & Crooked Island on Thursday, December 26. Food will be on sale. For more information, telephone 344-3250-1.

Berry Islands
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL: The Berry Islands' Christmas Festival, which celebrates the yuletide season and features a Christmas tree lighting, visit by Santa and caroling, music, pantomime and liturgical dance expressions in concert, local cuisine reception, arts and craft and a Junkanoo parade, will take place on Friday, December 6. It is also a celebration of achievements within the community and a homecoming for residents and visitors to the Berry Islands. For more information, telephone 367-8291.

Bimini
JUNKANOO: The Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade will take place on Thursday, December 26. It is a spectacular street festival with the sounds of goatskin drums, horns, whistles, cowbells and costumes featuring the competitive beats of Bimini Tum Tums and Bimini Stompers. The venue is Alice Town in North Bimini. For more information, telephone 347-3529.

Eleuthera & Harbour Island
JUNKANOO: Eleuthera and Harbour Island will take to the streets for the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade on Thursday, December 26. The venue is Tarpum Bay, South Eleuthera. For more information, telephone 332-2142.

Exumas
TREE LIGHTING: Locals and visitors gather in Regatta Park to sing carols and see performances by local talent on Thursday, December 12. For the grand finale, Regatta Park is transformed with thousands of lights. For more information, contact Felicia Saunders at 336-2390.

JUNKANOO: The Christmas holidays culminate with a Junkanoo parade on Thursday, December 26. For more information, contact 336-2370.

Long Island
BAZAAR: St. Peter's & Paul's Catholic Church's Annual Bazaar take place on Thursday, December 26. The fair raises funds to assist with the maintenance and building projects of the seven Catholic churches on the island. Native dishes, music and games will be the order of the day. The venue is The Big Yard Grounds in Clarence Town. For more information, telephone 333-8868.

FORMAL DINNER PARTY: Stella Maris Resort New Year's Eve Formal Dinner Party takes place December 31-January 1 and is the party of the year on Long Island. It is a great way to ring in the new year. Reservations are required due to limited seating. Dress is formal. For more information, telephone 338-8668.

Rum Cay
TREE LIGHTING: The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place Sunday, December 15. For more information, telephone 428-4943 or 331-1870.

MINI-JUNKANOO: A mini-Junkanoo parade takes place on Rum Cay on Thursday, December 26. For more information, telephone 331-2816 or 331-2806.

San Salvador
MINI-JUNKANOO: A mini-Junkanoo parade takes place on Thursday, December 26. For more information, telephone 452-0161.

o To have your event listed in The Hook Up, email your information to shavaughn@nasguard.com.

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