It's a fun, lively crowd that patronizes the annual Red Ribbon Ball, which means that organizers have to cater to the crowd that they get. And this year, they're certainly doing that with the entertainment that's been lined up -- Julien 'Believe' Thompson, whose latest hit is "The Caribbean Slide"; the High Tide Band; a performance by the Filipino Association of The Bahamas, and the maestro himself in Greg Lampkin holding down the fort and keeping things on a light note. The 19th Annual Red Ribbon Ball will be held on Saturday, November 10 in the Grand Ballroom at the Atlantis under the theme "An International Affair". But this year for the second year, the ball is being hosted with a twist. Last year, patrons masqueraded, this year they're going cultural to embrace all people.
"Last year we did a masquerade them that was very well received. This year, our theme is 'An International Affair' which references a concerted effort that nations around the world are taking in the fight against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)," said Corporate Communications Officer at Colina and Red Ribbon Ball co-chairperson Melanie Hutcheson. "It (theme) also gives us an opportunity to make it a little more interesting for our patrons. So we're encouraging people to either go glam in terms of black tie and formal wear which is traditional, or they can either do an exotic theme." Hutcheson said ball patrons have already indicated to them that they intend to attend wearing costumes like an Indian sari, Japanese kimono and even Greek-inspired costumes. "I think we are going to have a lot of people who are going to have fun with the international theme," she said.
It's a theme that is being taken across the board to the menu patrons will partake in -- think a Bajan pumpkin soup with roasted garlic and cumin cream appetizer; island mango sorbet of mango, passion fruit and lime flavors, garnished with a red candied rose for the intermezzo; a Portuguese port-glazed beef fillet and Bahamian herb-roasted grouper with English cheddar mashed Peruvian blue potatoes, caramelized Spanish onions, Japanese broccolini and peso and Parmesan-crusted Italian Roma tomato; and dessert that takes diners on a taste of the tropics -- Bahamian guava cheesecake, Jamaican soursop coconut tart and Haitian mango panna cotta with passion coulis. To satisfy the starch lovers, honey wheat, sourdough pull and pumpkin seed breads will grace the table. A Chilean Fronterra Merlot and a Napa Valley Beringer Chardonnay will be served. And of course fresh-brewed Starbucks coffee will wind the evening down.
As usual, John Bull will give a welcome gift to everyone that attends -- Calvin Klein fragrances and products from Elliott Lucca, the brand behind SAK leather goods. John Bull is also offering prizes from brands like Tiffany, Gucci, Micheal Kors and David Yurman to be raffled. American Airlines has offered trips to Vancouver, Panama, Curacao, Boston and New York to be raffled off. But Hutcheson said the entertainment will be stellar in rounding out the evening and with a quality host in Greg Lampkin, the Red Ribbon Ball patrons will be pleased. "We have a very fun, lively crowd, so we have to make sure that we cater to the crowd that we get. "And we have a fun, lively crowd. They don't ever want the music to stop," said Hutcheson. "And they want to dress up.
Last year when we did our masquerade, we got a little nervous at the end and brought generic masks for people who didn't have one, but we barely needed them because people were getting their masks made from the Junkanooers, or they were buying them from New Orleans, so people were really excited to dress up. So this year, I'm looking forward to being pleasantly surprised by the colors, the richness of the fabrics, and everyone getting into the theme." Hutcheson said they anticipate close to 500 patrons at this year's ball -- the amount of people that they average. And she said the ball's committee and Colina are looking forward to another generous year of donation to The Bahamas AIDS Foundation.
As of last year, the Red Ribbon Ball had raised $850,000 for the foundation along with partners like Kerzner International who make a $25,000 donation annually in addition to what the ball raises. Colina has joined The Bahamas AIDS Foundation to present the ball annually to benefit the international fight against HIV/AIDS and the world effort to make a reality the World AIDS Day theme of "Getting to Zero" -- zero new HIV and TB infections, zero discrimination and stigma and zero AIDS-related deaths. All proceeds from the ball help to provide essential services to adults and children living with HIV/AIDS. Ticket donations are $225. Red Ribbon Ball When: Saturday, November 10 Where: Grand Ballroom, Atlantis Dress: Black tie or cultural attire Donation: $225
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