Black Meetings and Tourism

July / August 2016

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The combination of Bahamian food, drinks, music and culture all makes for one thing: a slam- ming party in the backyard. And hundreds of Bahamians in the tristate area, American travel agents, media, and Caribbean and US based friends of The Bahamas were treated to just that. In celebration of Caribbean Week in New York, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism hosted a party in the backyard that was chock full of Bahamian delights. In fact, one of the guests commented that the only thing that was missing was the Bahamian sun. The beat of the goatskin drum, the steady clang of the cowbells and the melodic rhythm of the brass horns, got the party started. As the Colors Junkanoo Group weaved through the exuberant crowd, many partygoers joined in. When the last whistle blew, Bahamian performers Stileet, Puzzle, D Mac, Fanshaw and Ira Storr and the Spank Band took to the stage and brought some of their down-home music. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Director General Joy Jibrilu said the aim of the event was to remind Bahamians living in the tris- tate area how great their home is and encourage them to be ambas- sadors and spread the word about The Islands Of The Bahamas. She added that the party also gave travel media and travel agents a real feel for Bahamian culture instead of just talking about it. "It was an incredible event with an amazing atmosphere," Jibrilu said. "The energy was so high. Bahamians were dancing, visitors were dancing, and the journalists and travel agents are still talking about the great party." "Some Bahamians living in New York City haven't seen Junkanoo in more than 10 years. One woman was even in tears because she was so overjoyed. To bring their culture to them was pretty special," she added. But the party provided more than just entertainment. Chef Simeon Hall cooked a traditional Bahamian meal to add to party's authenticity: peas and rice, coleslaw, fried fish, macaroni, conch frit- ters along with okra soup. Healthy servings of guava duff were served for dessert. To wash that all down, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism pro- vided Bahama Mamas, Switcher (lemonade) and Sky Juice. (Coconut water, condensed milk and gin). Benny cakes and Mortimer's candy were also provided. Jibrilu said the party couldn't have gone any better. Caribbean Week, the largest regional tourism activity in New York, ended with the Caribbean Rocks concert. Several Bahamian artists also performed at that event. CARIBBEAN CORNER B M & T ••• JuliyAugust 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 16 HUNDREDS TURN UP TO BAHAMIAN PARTY IN NEW YORK BAHAMIAN CULTURE ON FULL DISPLAY Partying In Da Backyard

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