"The Regency Singers" Freeport, perform Handel's "Messiah"

Click to Play

Thanks to Betty Bethel, General Manager, Business Development, Ministry of Tourism Grand Bahama, The Bahamas Weekly is pleased to present herewith excerpts of Handels "Messaih" performed by The Regency Singers Under the direction of Lois DeSaulniers.

The concert took place Thursday, December 4th, 2008 at 8pm at Church Of The Ascension on West Beach Drive. Freeport, Bahama. This was an event worth attending, be sure to press the play button to enjoy the performance.

Background information on Handel

Handel wrote Messiah in twenty-four days in August 1741 and put it aside, saving it for the right moment: a concert on March 13, 1742 In Dublin in aid of two hospitals. In Handel's lifetime, he dedicated the performances of Messiah to charity and when he died, he left the Score, a set of parts, and the Proprietary or Copyright property to the Foundling Hospital in England, a charity that benefited orphaned Children. It is known today as The Thomas Coram Foundation for Children and is still Dedicated to homeless children. Messiah, to Quote the 18th Century music historian Charles Burney, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and Fostered the orphan. It is our privilege to perform his beautiful music annually and to honor Handel by donating the proceeds to a local charity this year, the Salvation Army will benefit. We will present the Christmas section from part one of Messiah consisting of five scene intact, plus the Hallelujah chorus. We sincerely thank you for your support.

The Regency Singers,

Lois Desaulniers, Director

Messiah

Special Guests Artists
Herbreanna Pinder
Daniele Willie
Erica Weir
Teena McDonald
Sheena Moore
Joylane Russell
Georgina Prineppi
Sandy Celestin
Christopher Hart
Victor Bowe
Hewitt Martin
Gary Davis
Daniel Williams
Covena Murphy
Carla Wildgoose
Tirzah Carey
Samantha Williams
Paula Wildgoose
Suzanne Baker
David Dean
William Ratuszynski
Brian Callaghan
Vince Rolle
Jacob Cooper

Accompanists

Harpsichord/Organ:Hazel Springer

Strings: Africa Karamo, Theres Saunders, Eva Ratuszynski, Helene Peloquin

Oboe: Rasheed Robinson

Timpani: Alexander Romanenko

This video you will see excerpts of two of Handel's compositions (including Hallelujah chorus) that were performed at the concert.

This event was proudly sponsered by: Pelican Bay Hotel & Suites at Lucaya and Grand Bahama Tiles.

Spring break 2009

Click to Play

Grand Bahama Island - Get a glimpse into Spring Break in Freeport, Grand Bahama on a wild night in March with more than 2000 students on Island via such companies as Xtreme Trips, Student City, and Spring Break Celebrity Entertainment with Inertia Tours. The travel company spokespersons seen in this video explain why they chose The Bahamas for their student travel destination. After a hiatus from hurricanes of 2004, and reflecting back on a time when 2000 students was nothing compared to the numbers that used to grace the island, it is good to have the revenue back on Grand Bahama even for a short time out of the year. In this video you will hear from Karen Ferguson-Bain, Production Coordinator of Port Lucaya Marketplace who explains how valuable Spring Break students are to the local economy and how her company prepared to receive the student travelers. Their business offers other activities off of the Marketplace venue like beach parties and snorkeling and water activities. Also seen is Britton Clarke, owner of Sparky's Bar who interestingly ended up on Grand Bahama via her previous career with the company Spring Break Travel, which in her last year of working with them carried over 12,000 students to Grand Bahama. Port Lucaya Marketplace and Count Basie Square offers a unique destination for Spring Breakers as it provides a one stop shop for all the students, no matter which travel company they've arrived with, to party and socialize in one location. By 11pm most Spring Breakers are at the Port Lucaya square. It offers plenty of room for them to dance together, with many bars and restaurants to choose from. Host hotels are also situated close by so travel by car is most often not necessary. Security at Port Lucaya is top notch, and the local police department has an office adjacent the Marketplace. Another venue seen in this video is The Prop Club which is located on the Westin and Sheraton property at Our Lucaya Resort. Jorge Brouwer, owner of Xtreme Trips explains how he approached Sheraton to receive his students travelers this year, and how he anticipates numbers growing in 2010. A local food vendor on the square shares all the varied eats available to the students, from Bahamian favourites like cracked conch, conch salad, to American staples like burgers and hotdogs. Also seen in this video is Burns Taylor, a Grand Bahamian college student who also enjoys Spring Break at home. The evening always ends out at Bahama Mamas a little bar that is always hopping into the wee hours. www.Xtremetrips.com www.StudentCity.com www.portlucayamarketplace.com

Johnny Depp accepts Career Achievement Award from Sir Sean Connery at BIFF

Click to Play

Nassau, Bahamas - American actor, known to be 'the sexiest man alive' received a career tribute award at the 6th annual Bahamas International Film Festival on December 13th at the Balmoral Club in Nassau. The event was sponsored by Swiss private bankers, Lombard Odier Darier Henstch and The Balmoral .

The Bahamas Weekly News Team, media sponsors of the event, were on hand for the red carpet arrival and are pleased to present this VIDEO coverage containing an interview with Mr. Depp, along with comments from Sir Sean Connery, a patron of the Festival who also lives in The Bahamas and presented the award to Depp.  You will hear from founder and executive director of the festival, Leslie Vanderpool, as well as view scenes from the tribute for Depp.

In a beautiful outdoor theater on the property of the Balmoral, Johnny Depp received a hand carved award of a fish, which depicts the BIFF logo and was created by a Bahamian artist.  Depp also received a framed portrait drawing of himself, unexpected by all, from a young Bahamian artist in the audience during the question and answer session moderated by author Doug Brinkley.

When asked how he felt about receiving the award he said he was "a little stupefied by t he notion" of winning awards.

"The first thing I say is 'why?' I just go to work like anyone else, except my job is a little stranger," added Depp

Depp revealed that he would be spending Christmas on his private Bahamian island in the Exumas.

"This place is as close to paradise as anywhere you can get," he said about The Bahamas, and he said he'd be pleased to do any work in a place he loves to be. 

He said he will be back in his his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the next Pirates of The Caribbean film in summer  of 2011.

The evening ended with a montage of Depp's greatest roles from Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd and of course Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean.

After the tribute a private dinner was held in his honour at The Balmoral for Depp, Connery and special VIP guests.

Mark Knowles 2009 Celebrity Tennis Invitational

Click to Play

Nassau, Bahamas - The Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational got underway on December 3rd as visiting pro players enjoyed an evening of food and entertainment at The Balmoral.

Mark Knowles introduced the visiting pros to the sponsors of his charity event, and an auction took place whereupon sponsors bid on each of the tennis teams who will be on the courts at Atlantis competing Friday afternoon, December 4th in the Pro/Am.

It all lead up to the big public exhibition that was held Saturday, December 5th where persons came out to watch some great tennis and meet the many pros on island...

Islands of the World Fashion Week 2009, Bahamas Overview

Click to Play

Nassau, Bahamas - Islands of the World Fashion Week, in its second year was nothing short of stellar in presenting fashions from 'island nations' in a three day event hosted in The Bahamas and organized by Modes Isles.

The event brought participating designers awards Eco-Fashion and Culture Fashion; as well as Seals of Excellence awards, and the coveted Next Gen award for best upcoming designer,.  New this year was The Muse Model Search which presented the best male and female model also from island nations. 

In this VIDEO you will hear from editor of The Bahamas Weekly, Robbin Whachell; Bahamian designer Philicia Ellis;  Bahamian designer Kevan Evans; Bahamian designer Sabrina Stirrup; American designer Henry Jackson who has many of his pieces worn by first lady, Michelle Obama and who was the only designer to have a plus-size model, Chanel Clark;  cover girl for the Henry Jackson line, Marisa Damallie;  Bahamian model Ray Harif aka 'Ray Bay Bay'; supermodel Bobby Roache who modeled as well as judged in The Muse; judge and model Kirk Brown from Barbados who is also a singer with the Strategy Band; Jamaican Heike Wollenwebber of Axes Media; and photographer from The Bahamas Weekly Lyndah Wells.

You will also see the amazing eco-fashion designs of Patrick Lafrontiere. Designs by Spice Box and K-Bobby are also featured and you will hear from K-Bobby's stylist Mauva Gacitua. Bags from Bahamian designer Harl Taylor BAG are seen throughout the show with footwear from Bani Shoes of The Bahamas. You will also meet some hardworking volunteers who assist at the international event.

The video wraps up at an after-party at The Marley Resort in Nassau where you will hear from the resort's operations manager, Rory Shepherd.

Related articles and links:

www.IslandsFashionWeek.com

(VIDEO) Islands of the World Fashion Week 2009 - Night 1

Islands of the World Fashion Week (IWFW) ends in grand style!

RESULTS of the 2nd annual Islands of the World Fashion Week