ONE Family conquered its competitors as the group was declared the unofficial winner of the 2022 Junkanoo Boxing Day Parade yesterday, captivating the judges and crowd with its theme "Rise of the Warriors".

The group scored a total of 92.73 points, clinching first place. #After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade drew thousands of people who came to witness Junkanoo on full display. Some people in the crowd screamed “we back on Bay, baby” and others danced on their feet to the pounding drums and cowbells. #After a dazzling display, One Family won best overall performance, best overall costume, best choreography, best off-the-shoulder, and best music.

The group scored a total of 92.73 points, clinching first place.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade drew thousands of people who came to witness Junkanoo on full display. Some people in the crowd screamed “we back on Bay, baby” and others danced on their feet to the pounding drums and cowbells.

After a dazzling display, One Family won best overall performance, best overall costume, best choreography, best off-the-shoulder, and best music.

After the unofficial results were announced members of the group were overjoyed, chanting “We won, we won!”

The Valley Boys came second with 92.48 points with a “Wonders of the Deep” theme and also won best banner, best free dance, best lead costume, best step down and Shirley Street categories.

In third place, the Genesis Warhawks scored 88.93 and Roots placed fourth with 86.52 points. Meanwhile, the Saxons — which won the 2019 Boxing Day Parade after a penalty reversal and also was victorious in the 2020 New Year’s Day parade — placed fifth with 84.79 points.

Music Makers rounded out the top six with 30.00 points after receiving a 40-point penalty.

In the B group category, the unofficial winner is Colours 84.40 while Fancy Dancers came second with 78.11 points. Original Congos placed third with 76.72 points, Conquerors for Christ placed fourth with 67.90 points, and the Immortals placed fifth with 67.29 points.

The last time One Family was victorious was the 2018 Junkanoo Boxing Day Parade.

Christina Fernander, the group’s chairwoman, expressed her excitement about the victory to reporters as she said the group “bounced back” despite challenges of COVID-19 and the members they would have lost.

“We did it for those fallen warriors and soldiers that we lost. We did it for our loved ones, we did it for our group, we did it for our community because we are ‘one family,’” she said.

The parade was initially scheduled for Sunday night, but was postponed to Monday because of weather concerns.

However, that did not stop spectators who turned out in full force despite the chilly weather.

Many bystanders stretched their necks to get a glimpse of the dazzling costumes of the various groups that were designed with vibrant colours, jewels, fluffy feathers, gold, silver, and much more.

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis rushed with the Shell Saxons Superstars under its theme “In praise of nature in all things, give God thanks”.

Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis spoke to reporters about the delay leading up to the parade, adding it was unfortunate.

“But you could still see the excitement, feel the rhythm and feel it reverberating throughout all the people out here. Just the excitement of having Junkanoo being face-to-face once again,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis also declared he was representing the Valley Boys that night.

For his part, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said he was excited to have the parade back on public display, adding it was important that the cultural phenomenon was back on front stage.

With the parade consisting of thousands of people sitting in the bleachers and standing on the sidelines, one reporter asked if there was a concern with safety due to the large crowd.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville responded that he was quite satisfied that all of the necessary precautions were put in place.

“We are quite pleased all of the necessary precautions were put in place so that everyone could enjoy the celebrations. The Bahamian people have been waiting for this moment. I know I’m excited. I’m here with my family and looking forward to the great excitement,” Dr Darville said.

In terms of security, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said the parade had gone well, adding officers were placed at every route of the parade. On social media, numerous users praised the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for their outstanding policing.

On Friday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Craig Stubbs said more than 800 law enforcement officers were set to be at the parade. There were road closures, strict screening and security measures for persons entering the parade route.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Mario Bowleg, Under Secretary Montez Williams, Director of Sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills, and Consultant Harrison Johnson joined the Bahamas Games Secretariat at the Official Launch of The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games, on November 12, 2022, held at the Baha Mar Resort. Also among those present at the launch were Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Zane Lightbourne; Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Dr. Raymond E. King; Island Sports Councils and relevant National Sports Federations representatives; Chairperson of The Bahamas National Cultural Commission Carolyn Vogt-Evans; and other Government and sports stakeholders.  There was also a parade of the uniforms that would be used for the various sporting disciplines, as well as a sampling of a number of food and craft vendors who will be showcasing their wares during the games. 

The Ministry of Youth, Sports andCulture is seeking to revive the culture of steel-panning in The Bahamas byhopefully reintroducing the creative art into the educational system.

Under the auspices of the Bahamas Ministry of Culture, with the tutelage of NevinRoach, of Barbados, music teachers throughout Grand Bahama were given abasic, yet in-depth, crash course on steel-panning. The one-day workshop washeld on Friday, September 30, 2022 in the auditorium of Bishop Michael EldonHigh, the school notorious in Grand Bahama for its Steel Pan ensembles andexperience.

“It is my intent to take them (music teachers) through every aspect of steel-panning, from the history of the instrument, to learning tunes, to setting up thepan, to creating melodies,” Roach explained just before the start of the workshop.

Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the workshop wasdesigned to revitalize the instrument of the Steel Pan back into the schools onGrand Bahama. Anya Bowe, Administrative Associate within the Ministry ofYouth, Sports and Culture, noted that traditionally, when one heard of steel-panning, one immediately thought about the Caribbean.

“We wanted to breathe a little life back into the development of this art form,”said Ms. Bowe. “Some people may think that it’s an art form that has died down,but we wanted to ensure that we can revive this and take it to the Bahamianchildren and show them how much fun there is in playing the instrument andwhat melodies can be created from the Steel Pan.

“Don’t forget, the Steel Pan is an instrument that was created in the Caribbean, sowe want to cultivate that culture.”

Nevin Roach, CEO and Founder of “Pan-O-Grama”, has been in The Bahamas for afew days taking his crash course on steel-panning to several schools, includingschools in Lyford Cay and the University of the Bahamas in Nassau.

“It’s very difficult to explain what music does to me, but it’s a way to expressyourself, be free and it’s a way to communicate and exchange culture. There is somuch that comes along with playing the steel pan,” explained Roach.

Monique Leary, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Cultural Affairs Officer saidthe response from the teachers to participate in the workshop was one ofexcitement. However, she admitted that at one point she was afraid that theworkshop would have had to be postponed because of the threat of HurricaneIan. But with the all clear, she’s happy that the workshop was able to happen.

Ms. Leary said it was important to host the workshop because it could help bringback some Caribbean roots. She admitted that although not as popular as it hasbecome in Trinidad and a few other Caribbean islands, the Steel Pan was onceused intrinsically in the Bahamas’ cultural displays.

“Back in the day, there were Steel Pan bands as a part of Junkanoo groups andthey would come out and give their solos and people enjoyed that,” explainedMs. Leary. “But it slowly died because a lot of schools never had it incorporatedinto their curriculum. So, this is an opportunity for all of our teachers here onGrand Bahama to explore, to help evolve into this and bring it back in some way.

Ms. Leary said she’s hoping to be able to have steel panning introduced into all ofthe schools’ curricula in Grand Bahama. However, she noted that the challenge tohaving that happen would be getting the Steel Pans into Grand Bahama andkeeping them tuned, for which someone would have to be designated.

 

 

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is seeking to revive the culture of steel-panning in The Bahamas by hopefully reintroducing the creative art into the educational system. Under the auspices of the Bahamas Ministry of Culture, with the tutelage of Nevin Roach, of Barbados, music teachers throughout Grand Bahama were given a basic, yet in-depth, crash course on steel-panning. The one-day workshop was held on Friday, September 30, 2022 in the auditorium of Bishop Michael Eldon High, the school notorious in Grand Bahama for its Steel Pan ensembles and experience. “It is my intent to take them (music teachers) through every aspect of steel- panning, from the history of the instrument, to learning tunes, to setting up the pan, to creating melodies,” Roach explained just before the start of the workshop. Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the workshop was designed to revitalize the instrument of the Steel Pan back into the schools on Grand Bahama. Anya Bowe, Administrative Associate within the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, noted that traditionally, when one heard of steel- panning, one immediately thought about the Caribbean. “We wanted to breathe a little life back into the development of this art form,” said Ms. Bowe. “Some people may think that it’s an art form that has died down, but we wanted to ensure that we can revive this and take it to the Bahamian children and show them how much fun there is in playing the instrument and what melodies can be created from the Steel Pan. “Don’t forget, the Steel Pan is an instrument that was created in the Caribbean, so we want to cultivate that culture.” Nevin Roach, CEO and Founder of “Pan-O-Grama”, has been in The Bahamas for a few days taking his crash course on steel-panning to several schools, including schools in Lyford Cay and the University of the Bahamas in Nassau. “It’s very difficult to explain what music does to me, but it’s a way to express yourself, be free and it’s a way to communicate and exchange culture. There is so much that comes along with playing the steel pan,” explained Roach. Monique Leary, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Cultural Affairs Officer said the response from the teachers to participate in the workshop was one of excitement. However, she admitted that at one point she was afraid that the workshop would have had to be postponed because of the threat of Hurricane Ian. But with the all clear, she’s happy that the workshop was able to happen. Ms. Leary said it was important to host the workshop because it could help bring back some Caribbean roots. She admitted that although not as popular as it has become in Trinidad and a few other Caribbean islands, the Steel Pan was once used intrinsically in the Bahamas’ cultural displays. “Back in the day, there were Steel Pan bands as a part of Junkanoo groups and they would come out and give their solos and people enjoyed that,” explained Ms. Leary. “But it slowly died because a lot of schools never had it incorporated into their curriculum. So, this is an opportunity for all of our teachers here on Grand Bahama to explore, to help evolve into this and bring it back in some way. Ms. Leary said she’s hoping to be able to have steel panning introduced into all of the schools’ curricula in Grand Bahama. However, she noted that the challenge to having that happen would be getting the Steel Pans into Grand Bahama and keeping them tuned, for which someone would have to be designated.

MIAMI, Florida - Jasrado 'Jazz' Chisholm Jr. and the Miami Marlins challenged the New York Mets this past weekend, and came out on the losing end in two of the three games, but Saturday's encounter was all about the lone Bahamian suiting up in the majors at this time.

The Marlins recognized and honored Chisholm on ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. Bobblehead Day presented by loanDepot at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. The Marlins lost the game, 5-3 to their division rival Mets but there was a festive Bahamian atmosphere regardless as fans and baseball enthusiasts celebrated the second edition of Bahamian Heritage Night with the Marlins.

According to reports, activities centered around the backdrop of a beautiful Bahamian-themed celebration. The festivities were in celebration of Bahamian son of the soil Chisholm – a starting infielder with the Marlins.

The aquamarine, gold and black colors signifying Bahamian pride lit up the park’s promenade and a pregame junkanoo rushout led by the Bahamas Junkanoo Revue out of Miami and legendary junkanooers Quentin ‘Barabbas’ Woodside and Langston Longley, moved the nearly 20,000 spectators to their feet.

Percy ‘Vola’ Francis, known as the ‘King of Junkanoo’ in The Bahamas and leader of the Shell Saxons Superstars junkanoo organization, also made a special appearance during the performance, showcasing his popular ‘Vola Shuffle’ dance move. The crowd joined in the celebration with many spectators waving Bahamian flags, beating goatskin drums and dancing to the pulsating music.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg threw out the first pitch of the game, and spectators were treated to more 

Bahamian experiences throughout the night. The heritage celebration is a collaborative initiative by the Miami Marlins, the Bahamas Consulate General (Miami) Office, The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, the National Sports Authority (NSA) of The Bahamas and the Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA).

Acting Director General of the Ministry of Tourism Latia Duncombe said: “This is a proud moment for The Bahamas, to witness one of our own excel in Major League Baseball (MLB), and to see Bahamian heritage being celebrated before thousands of fans. This event is a great opportunity to showcase the authentic cultural expressions that visitors to our destination can experience.”

Chisholm’s outstanding talent combined with his charismatic persona has made him an all-around fan favorite in the majors. He is the first Bahamian player with the Marlins MLB 

franchise and only the seventh Bahamian to ever play in the majors.

This year, fans were able to receive an exclusive Bahamian Heritage Marlins Jersey and a collectible ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. bobblehead souvenir, presented by LoanDepot.

The night ended with a postgame concert featuring lively and rhythmic Bahamian music, marking an exceptional celebration of the country’s deep ties with Miami.

As for Chisholm’s performance, he finished a double in four at-bats on Saturday and was 3-for-7 for the series with a run scored. He didn’t play in Sunday’s game – a game the Marlins won in dramatic fashion, 3-2 on a walk-off home run by Nick Fortes in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Chisholm is now batting .255 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs (runs batted in) and 39 runs scored. He is having a phenomenal second full season in the majors, and based on the first returns, Chisholm is the leading vote-getter for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles, California, on July 19, for second basemen in the National League.