The mission: Tell a story pertaining to and maintaining Bahamian history, but also make it entertaining, bringing to life the history so that people could see the value of where The Bahamas is at, and the ability to celebrate Jubilee Day.

The resulting program at the Southern Recreation Grounds on Friday, May 5, produced by Fred Ferguson was the culmination and combination of Majority Rule Day and Black Tuesday.

"I was approached to present an event around January 10 - Majority Rule Day, not long before the day, they missed the deadline. They determined they were going to do Black Tuesday which was in April (29) and missed that deadline, and so, Jubilee Day came and they determined they would combine Majority Rule and Black Tuesday – and that's how that came to be," said Ferguson.

Majority Rule Day, January 10, 1967, represents the transition from the old Bahamas to a new Bahamas; the point of transition from minority government to Majority Rule; the point of transition to a modern democracy.

"My vision was because Majority Rule Day has always been viewed as partisan – as PLP and just as a holiday – I wanted to use the opportunity 50 years in to change that view and find a way to show the country that we can come together and celebrate who we are. I see Majority Rule Day as akin to Martin Luther King Day in America," he said.

With Philip Burrows in a consultancy role; Erin Knowles-McKinney, directing; and Dr. Nicolette Bethel and Patrice Francis in charge of script writing - Ferguson in a very short timeframe brought the story together to produce Jubilee Day.

"We researched and found newspaper clippings and got different people to act. Candia Dames voiced for The Nassau Guardian; Ronald Simms, The Tribune, Mike Smith acted as a reporter for back in the day, Anthony 'Skeebo' Roberts was Sir Clifford Darling ... we had people represent Sir Randol Fawkes, Sir Stafford Sands, the Duke of Windsor, and Obi Pindling as his dad, [former Prime Minister the late Sir Lynden] Pindling - all in an effort to bring to life that history so the nation could see the value of where we are to be able to celebrate Jubilee Day."

Because the event had to come together in a quick time frame, Ferguson said he was not completely pleased because he knows it could have been better if they had more time.

To bring what they did, they brought in the Higher Level Band, Bahamas all Stars, dancers, a choir, students from Jordon Prince William High School with placards superimposed into scenes like the march with Sir Randall which Ferguson said was cool, and Darvinette Hanna, head girl at C.I. Gibson Senior High School to tell the story from her perspective to bring it all together.

"We made it happen. We made it work. It was challenging but in true Bahamian fashion we made it work," he said.

HOLLYWOOD star Morgan Freeman was the guest of honour last night at the Bahamas International Film Festival - as he received this year's Sir Sidney Poitier Tribute Award.

The star, known for films ranging from The Shawshank Redemption and Glory to Driving Miss Daisy and Lean On Me, is known the world over - and festival organisers noted that Sir Sidney Poitier himself said of Freeman: “He infuses the characters he plays with a real life, three-dimensional aura”. See Friday’s Weekend section for more from the festival.

The star, known for films ranging from The Shawshank Redemption and Glory to Driving Miss Daisy and Lean On Me, is known the world over - and festival organisers noted that Sir Sidney Poitier himself said of Freeman: “He infuses the characters he plays with a real life, three-dimensional aura”.

See Friday’s Weekend section for more from the festival.

The Downtown Freeport Business Association (DFBA) continues to look for unique avenues to increase traffic downtown, and on Saturday, April 29, Town Centre will come alive with an event combining local food and local talent.

The event will feature performances by youngsters from 15 schools participating in the National Arts Festival along with offerings from food trucks and booth vendors.

DFBA Vice President Shamine Johnson said the upcoming event is part of the association's mandate to attract wholesome, family-oriented activities back to the downtown area.

"The idea came about after conversations with business owners and a suggestion that an event which will focus on children be promoted," Johnson explained.

After brainstorming about what activities would entertain and feature children, Johnson said the National Arts Festival came to mind.

Johnson emphasized that the event is a partnership of the public and private sectors.

"At the end of the day, everyone has a significant piece of that puzzle," Johnson said.

"For example, the stage production from start to finish is being handled by the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. Aliv is coming onboard with free WiFi and assisting us with snacks and refreshments for the school children who are participating.

"Grand Bahama Power Company is assisting us with power and additional lighting. The Grand Bahama Port Authority is providing the trophies for the schools, all of our marketing, PR and management.

"The Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Pineridge constituency are sponsoring 14 slots for the booth vendors."

She explained that the first parking lot, where the car wash business operators are located, will be designated for 10 food trucks. The next lot is where the booth vendors will be placed.

Johnson said the start time of 5 p.m. is family-friendly.

"This is a community event that is safe and holistic for the entire family," she said.

If you thought your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 was bold, wait until you see the new model, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G!  This foldable smartphone is not only bold, but its design is refined and modern, bringing innovations that go beyond looks.

Even when folded, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G provides quick access to useful tools, with just two taps. That's because the cover screen allows you to view key information conveniently by keeping your favorite widgets available, so you can perform simple actions like answering calls, play your favorite music and checking the calendar, among many others that can be customized to make your day-to-day easier.

Here’s how you can personalize your phone’s cover screen of your Z Flip4 5G with the information that best suit your routine with this easy step by step guide:

1. With the smartphone open, swipe up and open the "Settings" icon. Then, in Settings menu, tap "Cover screen". 

2. In “Front Screen” menu, go to “Widgets”. Then you will find a list of widgets that, when activated, will be available on the external screen of your smartphone when it is folded. Activate each widget option that you want to be available on the external screen. 

3. You can also choose the sequence in which you want the activated widgets to appear on the external display of your Z Flip4 5G. Just click "Reorder" in the top right corner and move the list items up or down according to your priority. 

4. Once the widgets are activated and arranged in the menu in the order that suits you best, they will be available on the external screen of your Z Flip4 5G. To access them when your smartphone is folded, double-tap the external screen and swipe left. Thus, the Widgets will appear in the previously selected sequence. It’s easy to edit directly from the cover screen by moving, adding or deleting them the way you want. 

The camera comes in an array of colors -  Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue. You can customize your phone with Bespoke Edition front and back panels and frames. Bespoke Edition colors are Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki and Red. Frames come in Black, Silver and Gold.  

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G. Coming soon to The Bahamas.

 

 If you thought your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 was bold, wait until you see the new model, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G!  This foldable smartphone is not only bold, but its design is refined and modern, bringing innovations that go beyond looks. Even when folded, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G provides quick access to useful tools, with just two taps. That's because the cover screen allows you to view key information conveniently by keeping your favorite widgets available, so you can perform simple actions like answering calls, play your favorite music and checking the calendar, among many others that can be customized to make your day-to-day easier. Here’s how you can personalize your phone’s cover screen of your Z Flip4 5G with the information that best suit your routine with this easy step by step guide: 1.     With the smartphone open, swipe up and open the "Settings" icon. Then, in Settings menu, tap "Cover screen".   2.     In “Front Screen” menu, go to “Widgets”. Then you will find a list of widgets that, when activated, will be available on the external screen of your smartphone when it is folded. Activate each widget option that you want to be available on the external screen.   3.      You can also choose the sequence in which you want the activated widgets to appear on the external display of your Z Flip4 5G. Just click "Reorder" in the top right corner and move the list items up or down according to your priority.   4.     Once the widgets are activated and arranged in the menu in the order that suits you best, they will be available on the external screen of your Z Flip4 5G. To access them when your smartphone is folded, double-tap the external screen and swipe left. Thus, the Widgets will appear in the previously selected sequence. It’s easy to edit directly from the cover screen by moving, adding or deleting them the way you want.  The camera comes in an array of colors -  Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, and Blue. You can customize your phone with Bespoke Edition front and back panels and frames. Bespoke Edition colors are Yellow, White, Navy, Khaki and Red. Frames come in Black, Silver and Gold.   The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G. Coming soon to The Bahamas.