January
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December 1999 DECEMBER
3 - 5 AUTHENTICALLY BAHAMIAN CHRISTMAS TRADE SHOW [Nassau/Paradise Island] Organized by the Ministry of Tourism. An extravagant, indigenous showcase of "Things Bahamian" -- an assortment of high-quality and unique products by Bahamian manufacturers, such as batik creations, ceramics, shell jewellery, sculptures & carvings, strawcrafts, quilts, condiments, ice cream and more. Location: TBA. Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. First Fri. & Sat. in Dec. For more information, contact Rowena Rolle or Andrea Coakley, respectively, at the Ministry of Tourism at telephone (242) 302-2074 or (242) 302-2063; fax (242) 328-0945.
DECEMBER 4 & 5
CHANGING OF THE GUARD CEREMONY [Nassau/Paradise Island] A tradition of pomp and pageantry marking the changing of the Guard at Government House. Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: Government House Grounds, Blue Hill Road, five minutes from downtown Nassau. Note: Dates are subject to change or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. Telephone (242) 322-2020 to confirm date. DECEMBER 4 EIGHTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY [Nassau/Paradise Island] Organized by British American Insurance Company Of The Bahamas Ltd. A Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, comprising entertainment by children's choirs. Location: British American, Independence Drive. Time: 6 p.m. The first Fri. in Dec. For more information, contact Diane Lockhart or Sharon Smith at telephone (242) 322-4731; fax (242) 328-7616. DECEMBER 4 - 31 (TENTATIVE) ANNUAL BEAUX ARTS MASKED BALL [Nassau/Paradise Island] An annual fund-raising event to support the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts. Lots of entertainment and sumptuous fare. Time: 10:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m. Location: Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island. First Sat. in Dec. For more information, contact the Dundas at (242) 393-3728. SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION.
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC [Nassau/Paradise Island] heralds in the Yuletide Season with an entertaining evening of Christmas carols and humorous skits. Featuring the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, leading choirs, chorales and musical artists. Produced by the Rotary Club of West Nassau. Time: 8 p.m. Location: Atlantis Show Room, Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island (TBC). Admission: $20. First Sun. in Dec. For further information and tickets, contact Dr. Kendall Major at (242) 325-5165; fax (242) 322-4193.
ANNUAL RENAISSANCE SINGERS CHRISTMAS CONCERT [Nassau/Paradise Island] presenting an evening of classical, modern and ethnic Christmas music, performed by The Bahamas' leading chorale. Tickets are $20. Time: Nightly at 8:30 p.m. Location: Government House Ballroom. For more information, contact Mrs. Pauline Glasby, telephone (242) 323-8550/1 ext. 4512, or (242) 328-8553. Tickets are available at Arthur D. Hanna & Co., Deveaux & Dowdeswell Streets, telephone (242) 322-8306.
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING [Nassau/Paradise Island] Location: Parliament Square, Downtown, Bay Street. Time: 6:30 a.m. For further information, telephone the Nassau Tourism & Development Board at (242) 394-3575. DECEMBER CHRISTMAS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE [Nassau/Paradise Island] Various choirs, local artists and military bands perform music of the season. Location: Historic Upper Gardens of Government House. Time: 8:30 p.m. Tickets: Direct enquiries for an invitation to the Secretary to the Governor General at Government House at telephone (242) 322-1875/6. DECEMBER 12 POLICE BAND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS & CLASSICAL CONCERT [Nassau/Paradise Island] The world-famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Band performs traditional Christmas tunes and classical pieces by master composers such as Hayden and Philipp Nicolai. Feature performances by classical pianist Francis Fawkes, popular Bahamian tenor, Cleophas Adderley, the Bahamas Concert Orchestra, the Diocesan Chorale and several of the country's leading singers. Second Sun. in Dec. Time: 8:00 p.m. Location: Atlantis Showroom, Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island (TBC). Tickets are $20.00. For further information, telephone Sergeant Darville at (242) 322-2020 and for tickets, Chief Sergeant John Rolle at (242) 322- 4568.
SUN INTERNATIONAL BAHAMAS OPEN [Nassau/Paradise Island] A truly international event attracting some of the top ranked tennis players in the world. Location: Ocean Club, Paradise Island. For further information, contact Mr. J. B. Farrington, telephone (242) 363-3000; fax (242) 363-2543.
JUNIOR JUNKANOO PARADE [Nassau/Paradise Island] A competitive display of indigenous Junkanoo music, dance and festive costumes by Primary and Secondary school students. A prelude to Boxing Day and New Year's Day Junkanoo Parades. Time: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Oakesfield, Nassau. For further information, contact Vola Francis at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture at telephone (242) 394-0445; fax (242) 394-5920.
SOUTH REGION FUN [Nassau/Paradise Island] Format: 3 scramble. Location: TBA. For registration and further information, information contact Pauline Curry at (242) 364-4992. DECEMBER 19 (TENTATIVE) BEAT RETREAT [Nassau/Paradise Island] A precision drill display, by the internationally renowned Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, to traditional and Bahamian Christmas music. The parade culminates with an evening hymn, "Sunset" tune, during which the national flag will be lowered, the National Anthem and, finally, Auld Lang Sine. Location: Rawson Square, downtown Nassau. Sun. before Xmas. Time: 4:00 p.m. For further information, telephone Sergeant Darville at 322-2020. DECEMBER NATIONAL JUNKANOO COMPETITION FINALS [Nassau/Paradise Island] An individual competition, where the best of Junkanoo (the national street festival -- a kaleidoscope of sound and spectacle, a bit of Mardi Gras, Mummer's Parade and ancient African tribal ritual) is judged -- best drummer, best cowbeller, best dancer. Additionally, the best two-man combo on horns and the best five-man combo on cowbells, dance and horns will be selected. Location: Churchill Tenor Knowles Softball Stadium. Time: 3:00 p.m. until. Admission: TBA. For more information, contact Vola Francis at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture at telephone (242) 394-0445; fax (242) 394-5920. *DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY. A public holiday. (Note: Date to be observed to be advised.)
BOXING DAY (Official date is December 26) A public holiday. The day is a traditional English holiday started centuries ago when leftover Christmas goodies were boxed by nobility and landlords and given to servants and tenants. DECEMBER 27 (TENTATIVE) BOXING DAY JUNKANOO PARADE [The Islands Of The Bahamas] On Bay Street, downtown Nassau, during the early morning hours (starting at 1:00 a.m.), Junkanoo, a kaleidoscope of sound and spectacle (a bit of Mardi Gras, Mummer's Parade and ancient African tribal ritual), takes place. Revellers, dressed in colorful costumes of crepe paper, parade through the streets to the sounds of cowbells, goatskin drums, whistles and many other homemade instruments. Prize-giving is at 8 a.m. The parade is repeated on New Year's Day, January 1. For more information, contact Rev. Philip McPhee at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture at telephone (242) 394-0445; fax (242) 394-5920. For bleacher tickets, ask for Vola Francis. Visitors who wish to participate in the Junkanoo parade in Nassau can contact X-plorers Junkanoo for the necessary costs at telephone (242) 361-0907/325-3567; fax (242) 361-7448; http//www.batelnet.bs/-junkanoo; e-mail: junkanoo@batelnet.bs. Parades are also held on Grand Bahama Island at Ranfurly Circle near the International Bazaar from 6 p.m. (242) 352-6020; and most of the other major Islands Of The Bahamas -- times vary. DECEMBER 26 (TENTATIVE) PARADISE ISLAND BOIL FISH TOURNAMENT [Nassau/Paradise Island] A Paradise Island Member event for amateurs each Boxing Day. Format: 3-Person Scramble. Location: Paradise Island Golf Club. For registration and further information, contact Jackie Longley at telephone (242) 363-3925. DECEMBER 26 (TENTATIVE) THE PAUL A. JOHNSTONE MEMORIAL 7-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT [Nassau/Paradise Island] Location: Winton Rugby Field, off Prince Charles Drive. For further information, call Peter Muscroft or Bill Mills of the Bahamas Rugby Football Union, Nassau, at telephone (242) 328-7888 or (242) 326-8000, respectively; fax (242) 323-3720; e-mail: aav@bahamasnet.bs. DECEMBER 27 & 28 (TENTATIVE) CHRISTMAS SAILING REGATTA [Nassau/Paradise Island] Thirty to forty locally built sailing sloops converge off Montagu Bay in a battle for championship. Continues into the New Year's Day Regatta on January 1, 2000. Organized by the Bahamas Boat Owners Association. A spectator boat is available for a close-up view of races. For more information, contact Rev. Philip McPhee at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture at telephone (242) 394-0445; fax (242) 394-5920. DECEMBER 29 - JANUARY 2, 2000 THE MILLENNIUM [The Islands Of The Bahamas] Activities to be advised. |