It may not be the full caravan, but Oscar B., Lima Calbio, Leon Coldero and Juma Primo, lead singers from the legendary Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, are brining their high-energy performances to a Bahamian stage this weekend.

The foursome will be backed by The Spank Band at this weekend's soca concert which will also feature a performance by Kirkland "K.B." Bodie.

First it was Survival Weekend 2, then Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and for the third weekend straight, you can get your dance on with Soca Reunion hosted by Unique Entertainment.

Promoter Muhammed Knowles said people should come out in the fame of mind to do dance and the party is set. Calbio has been in town since carnival, Oscar B arrived on Tuesday, and Coldero and Primo touched down yesterday afternoon, primed for tonight's performance.

The Botanical Gardens will rock to the sounds of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires hits -- Congo Line Dollar Wine, Teaser, Ouch, Soca Butterfly, Soca Party, Swing Engine, Tiny Winey, Take Your Clothes Off, and Whoa Donkey. Byron Lee has hundreds of songs that Bahamians would be familiar with.

Knowles said the performers themselves are looking forward to tonight's event at they haven't seen each other in a few years, as they are all over the world doing their own thing.

The gates to Soca Reunion opens at 8 p.m., the show kicks off at 9 p.m. and is expected to run at least five hours, and be hosted by The Mighty Pencil.

Tickets to Soca Reunion are $35 in advance, $45 at the gate. Knowles said they are not offering VIP tickets because they believe all of their patrons are important.

Fanshawn in her winning performance of “Dig Up Da Road”.

The top ten Music Masters Finalists, all mounted the stage for their final performance on Friday evening, with hopes of clenching the $20,000 grand prize and bragging rights. At the end of the evening, Fanshawn Taylor was victorious with an impressive performance of her song “Dig Up The Road.” Sammie Star walked away with the second place prize of $12,500 and Lady E was the third and fourth place winner.

BTC CEO Leon Williams said “The music masters competition embodies the level of talent, creativity and determination that exists in this country. Through our sponsorship of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, we are able to support events like the Music Masters.”

BTC was this year’s title sponsor, injecting $1m into the second annual event. BTC is also a major supporter of many noted cultural activities including Junkanoo.

By: Chauntez Dillet-Wilson

Source: Serena Williams Media & Public Relations

After winning the 'B' category in the 2016 New Year's Day Junkanoo Parade, the Genesis Warhawks has moved to compete in the 'A' category. Genesis will now go head to head with Junkanoo giants the Valley Boys, the Shell Saxons Superstars, One Family and Roots.

Jamiko Dean, vice chair of the Genesis Junkanoo Organization, said the group's steering committee made the decision after considering several factors.

"We have a message we want to send," he said. "We've been an official Junkanoo group for just over a year and our organization has grown tremendously. In the 'B' category you can't have more than 201 people. Currently our database shows 400. We have simply outgrown the numbers for the 'B' category."

On New Year's Day Genesis pulled an upset over returning 'B' group champions Colors. The group had been looking forward to its twelfth straight Junkanoo win, but was defeated in a blowout victory by the Warhawks. But now that Genesis has made the jump after winning its first time competing on Bay Street, Dean said the group has the ability to make a few waves in the 'A' category.

"Most of the leaders of our organization have never participated in the 'B' category," Dean said. "The level of work we're doing is of an 'A' caliber. We love being the underdog. We respect all of the 'A' and 'B' groups, but what do we have to lose? We look forward to the challenge."

According to Dean, moving to the 'A' category also has financial benefits.

"We recognize that the money our sponsor, FYP Builder's Mall, has invested in our group is on the same par as those in the 'A' category," he said. "So it's only fair that the company be given the same recognition as the companies who sponsor the bigger groups."

Members of Genesis pay dues to assist, which according to the vice chairman, goes a long way with its community service projects.

Several of the group's leaders split from the Shell Saxons Superstars in late 2014 after deciding to make Junkanoo a more year round initiative with more focus on community outreach.

"Our work speaks for itself," Dean said. "We said it before. This is not just about Junkanoo and Bay Street. It's about going into all the communities and touching lives, impacting them some way or the other."

The group recently did a clean up campaign and will volunteer at the Bilney Lane Children's Home on Saturday. They also partnered with the Bahamas Crisis Centre for an Easter Egg hunt.

Genesis has a registration drive scheduled for Thursday, May 12 at FYP Builders Mall at 6 p.m.

Kyle Walkine

Guardian Staff Reporter

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson is pictured, centre, with stakeholders and representative members of the “TEAM BAHAMAS” artistic delegation traveling to the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival. Among those pictured with Minister Johnson are Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Sheila Carey, fifth left, and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism Harrison Thompson, fourth left. (BIS Photo/Eric Rose)

In a bid to “jump-start the Bahamian music industry in international markets,” a delegation of more than 40 Bahamian musicians and entertainers will participate in the Annual Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Exchange at the 2016 Meet In Beijing Arts Festival, a major artistic gathering.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Dr. Daniel Johnson presented members of the “TEAM BAHAMAS” artistic delegation Tuesday at the Office of the Prime Minister; the group travels to Beijing April 27.

In her statement Director of Culture Rowena Poitier said: “The Bahamas is pleased to have been invited to take part in the 2016 Latin American and Caribbean Cultural exchange in China. I am informed that this year will be one of the biggest exchange programs in China, ever, with over 30 Latin American and Caribbean nations taking part. Special thanks to our new ambassador to China, Paul 'Andy' Gomez, and the team at the Embassy in Beijing, for all of their efforts in pushing this initiative forward.

“China is indeed one of the largest cultural and entertainment markets in the world. As we work to develop the Prime Minister's new and exciting vision to push the Bahamas' creative and cultural industry, a market like China will be key. Music is one of the most powerful and transformative mediums in cultures, universally. China has a population of more than 1.3 billion people, so we view this as an amazing opportunity to jumpstart the Bahamian music industry in international markets.

“We are proud to announce that two Bahamian bands, Visage and Ting Um Dem, along with Fred Munnings Jr., Julien Believe and the Goombay Dancers, have been identified by the Bahamas Embassy in China to represent Bahamian music and culture, to the world.”

The Bahamian group will perform at the Food Festival at the JW Marriott Hotel on April 30th, then at the "798 ART ZONE," a cultural hub that caters to thousands of people daily and features art galleries, museums, cinemas, culinary arts, theatre, open forums and exchanges – on May 1 and 2.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture partners with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and the Ministry of Tourism in this major cultural drive. It also partners with FOCOL and its Chairman Sir Franklyn Wilson; Equity Bank and Trust and its Vice-Chair Mrs. Ivylyn Cassar; and The Palm Cigars and its President Mr. Robin Nichols towards its success.

The delegation is scheduled to leave Beijing on May 3rd.

Source: Bahamas Information Services