Ronnie Butler
It's a celebration of a passionate love affair with the world of rum -- it's history, rhythms and tastes -- combine that with food and culture, and a performance from the legendary Ronnie Butler, and that means it's an event that's not to be missed.
Butler leads a stellar lineup of artists scheduled to perform at the third Festival Rum Bahamas which kicks off today at the historic Fort Charlotte; the musical icon will be joined in the entertainment lineup today by Funky D. and Ira Storr, kicking off the three-day festival tonight.
The talented Bahamian lineup continues over the next two days with Visage and Ancient Man headlining on Saturday; and K.B. and The Motion Band headlining Sunday's festival.
Pat Rahming, Frankie Victory, Adrian D'Aguilar Jazz Band, Action Jackson, Jason Burrows and Cool Survivors Band, Mettelus native show, Force Fusion Show, and Duke Errol Strachan comprise the other entertainers tapped for the event. And in true Bahamian style, a Junkanoo rush out closes out each night of activities.
"I am so excited," said Catherine Chisnall-Mitchell, Festival Rum Bahamas team member with responsibility for public relations and marketing.
"Ronnie Butler was one of the inspirations for the line-up behind the festival. When I was speaking with him on his birthday, he said he missed the nostalgic feel of Bahamian hospitality and entertainment when you could sit in a club with the cool breeze blowing, know that your wallet was safe, and really listen to the best and brightest of our talent, and we tried to curate a show with our legends of The Bahamas -- to recapture that feeling of nostalgia that the young generation has not had, and that those of us who are old enough to remember, still miss."
Butler she said was just one person in a tremendous lineup of entertainment that will take place throughout the fort over multiple stages. It's an exciting line-up for the three-day festival that while still in its infancy, has become one of the must-attend events each year.
"The entire fort will be filled with different types of entertainment to satisfy all tastes," said Chisnall-Mitchell.
"We have multiple stages, so there's no area of the fort that will be neglected. So if you're in the sugarcane fields at the front, or at the Tradewinds Lounge at the at the top of Fort Charlotte, or if you're drinking at the Pirate's Watering Hole at the back, or you're in the Street Party of the Caribbean, we have the beat... the mood... the style for you. So if you feel like chilling with a cocktail and a cigar looking out over the beautiful port of Nassau with your sweetie we've got that; we've got a screen on the green at the top of the fort where you can chill and watch a movie."
Patrons will be able to satisfy their appetite for adventure and their adventurous appetite.
Other features throughout the weekend will include rum and food pairings, bartender classes, a mixology competition, culinary presentations, historical presentations, Chippie Chipman watch and learn the drums, and Emanji Circus street performers.
You can indulge in fun and feisty bites and be able to savor Caribbean comfort foods with a new world twist and taste creative island fare; observe professional chefs battle to win the coveted title of most creative use of rum in food; see amateur chefs compete for the best savory rum sauce award; be tempted by the innovative food displays exhibiting fresh takes on local favorites, and purchase locally sourced jams, jellies, sauces, and barbecue glazes, all inspired by rum and sugarcane themes.
"It's so exciting, and so worth seeing," said Chisnall-Mitchell of the festival.
"It really makes you proud of The Bahamas, and the tremendous and diverse and unique creativity behind our artists, musicians and vendors that will be out there, all working together to be performing, because part of our entertainment is the vendors. They have been working for months going through vendor training and getting their booths ready, and on having interactive experiences ready for you. So along with what you're going to see on stage, it's what's going to surround you. Festival Rum Bahamas is an atmosphere, not just a product. And it's fun."
Festival Rum Bahamas provides 12 hours of entertainment daily with gates open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $25 adults; children 12 and under free; a Three-day pass is $60. Tickets can be had at Premier Cru @ Bristol Cellars, Gladstone Road; Liquid Courage, Palmdale; Atlantis Box Office and Rum Bahamas Office, Elizabeth Avenue.
Visage
By Shavaughn Moss
Guardian Staff
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
