The Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, is a festival that provides an experience showcasing a collage of culture. Additionally, it is a celebration where Bahamians and guests from around the world will be immersed in all things Bahamian. The Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival events scheduled to debut in May 2015. (May 7th-9th, 2015) will showcase Junkanoo, Rake -n- Scrape, Arts and Crafts, Bahamian Cuisine, Visual Art, Music, Dance and more.
The Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival season will open from Easter Monday through May 9, 2015 consisting of diverse parties and gatherings leading up to one weekend, four main events: JunkaMania, Midnight Rush, Music Masters, and Road Fever. Bahamas Carnival will be featured in the vicinity of Clifford Park, The Western Esplanade, and Arawak Cay.
The birth of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival emerged from the vision of the Right Hon. Perry Christie, cultural icons, Percy “Vola” Francis and the late Gus Cooper among others, who are passionate about presenting our unique culture and Junkanoo to the world.
As a result, the Bahamas National Festival Commission, (BNFC) was formed in October 2013 with the mandate to stimulate sustainable economic opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Creative Sector throughout The Bahamas, to bring to fruition a new Bahamian-styled Carnival in May of 2015, to stimulate year round employment in the Creative Sector, and to significantly impact the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is truly the rebirth of culture, tourism and entertainment, in The Bahamas. It will showcase the uniqueness of Junkanoo in a way that is unprecedented, as it is the music and spirit of Junkanoo that drives our carnival.
Roscoe Dames, CEO, BNFC, expressed his excitement at featuring over 27 Bahamian Carnival Companies, who will provide costumes for purchase via the e-commerce site.
The Family Islands will also experience a taste of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival through our support of local cultural events.
Although the roots of the Junkanoo parade remain subject to long and passionate debates, what is agreed is that, after centuries of practice, today’s cultural extravaganzas have become the most entertaining street Carnivals of not only The Bahamas, but also the world at large.
Grand Bahama “Jumps In da Line” in excitement of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.
On Friday, 17th April 2015, The Music Masters Concert, will be held in Freeport, Grand Bahama where 25 Semi- finalists of the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival song competition will perform on stage, to select the 10 finalist. A world class headliner will also be featured.
Saturday, 18th April 2015 – Midnight Rush – 6am – All are invited to “jump in da line” and participate in sweet Junkanoo! This is a rush for the people.
Saturday 18th, 2015– Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Beach Party – Music, food, and cultural entertainment on display. We invite the world to participate from 11am until.
Nassau Features Four Main Events of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival:
JunkaMania, a grand explosion of Junkanoo Orchestras that you don’t want to miss. It will be featured on May 7, 2015 from 8.00 pm-12.00 am.
The Music Masters Concert – Experience a concert like none other. Music Masters will be held on May 8, 2015 from 8.00 pm-12.00 am. This is the Mega concert that will showcase our 10 song competition finalists who will share the stage with a Grammy award winning artist. Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival sets the stage for Bahamian recording artists to nurture their sound and express themselves in front of a global audience. It will also include an immersive parade on an iconic stage.
Midnight Rush: At this event, the world is invited to feel the “rush” and participate in sweet, sweet Junkanoo. On May 9, 2015, 12.00 am-6.00 am, a Junkanoo rush out will be held at the carnival village following the mega concert.
Road Fever is the main masquerade that will evoke you to let loose in the streets of Nassau on May 9, 2015 from 11.00 am – 8.00 pm! It will be an epic collage of costumes, color and culture on parade.
The word “Carnival” is an international term for a cultural festival. There are over 200 carnivals worldwide. The Bahamas will now be added to the worldwide Carnival destination list. Carnivals are among the largest income generating festivals in the world. Carnival has contributed significantly to increased tourism and economic growth in over 100 cities worldwide.
CARIBBEAN STYLE & CULTURE 