Exuma’s Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival is Back!
NASSAU, Bahamas (14 March 2023)– Following a two–year hiatus due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, the annual Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival returns for its 17th edition, 16 – 18 March, at Regatta Site in George Town, Exuma.
“The return of the Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival is a testament to the resilience of our people and our commitment to preserving and promoting our cultural heritage,” said the Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.
“This three- day celebration is not only a showcase of the unique traditions, music and cuisine of Exuma, but is also a reflection of the diverse and vibrant culture of The Bahamas,” said DPM Cooper.
Festivalgoers of all ages are in for an unforgettable experience during the cultural extravaganza, from samplings of Bahamian food at “Da Festival Kitchen” to tastings of some of the best Bahamian food and drinks including peas n’ rice, homemade bread, banana pancake and Switcha, at the booths of various vendors.
A special feature of the festival will include exciting cultural activities for primary school students, such as demonstrations in wood carving and straw plaiting; games of hopscotch, jump rope, sack racing; nursery rhymes & songs and storytelling.
There will also be learning booths for adults to try their hand at straw plaiting, traditional Bahamian bread making and bush tea brewing. The festival will feature a mix of contests of Bahamian dances, such as Mash da roach, Sculling and Heel & Toe. A culinary competition and a cultural competition including onion peeling, sugarcane peeling and straw plaiting will take place on the final day of the competition.
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Highlighting each evening of the festival will be a concert headlined by top Bahamian performing artists: a Gospel Concert on Thursday, 16 March, featuring Bishop Lawrence Rolle, Glorious Praise Dance, Natasha Lewis- Robinson; Performances on Friday, 17 March by Avvy, Blaudy, Exuma Rake n Scrape Band, Jammin Rahming, Julien Believe and many more; and on the final evening, 17 March, a Close-Out Party featuring performances by Basil Smith, Calypso Rockers, D’Mac, Fanshawn, Fire Dance and the Lassie Doh Boys. A dynamic Junkanoo rushout will culminate each day’s festivities.
For more information, visit Bahamas.com and TourismToday.com
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PRESS INQUIRIES
Danielle Bodie
General Manager
Domestic Communications
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
dbodie@bahamas.com