By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS National Festival Commission CEO Roscoe Dames yesterday urged Bahamians “young and old” to participate in this year’s Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival festival, which takes place from today until Saturday.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Dames called on the Bahamian public to “come out and party and enjoy all that we’re offering during this weekend.”

This year’s festival, in its second instalment, will feature a large assortment of Bahamian artists and other international performers. According to officials, “the down home flavours” of Bahamian sounds will be mixed with a Caribbean fusion of soca, reggae and Latin vibes during three nights of non-stop music.

The festival will see performances from Trinidadian soca singer Destra, known for her recent hit “Lucy”, Grammy award winning Haitian hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean, as well as Jamaican reggae star Tarrus Riley. Regional soca artists Ricardo Drue, Kerwin Du Bois, Farmer Nappy, Rupee, Fadda Fox, Patrice Roberts, Skinny Fabulous, Bunji Garlin and Lyrical will also hit the stage during the three-day festival.

The festival will also feature a mix of Bahamian artists, including Elon Moxey, Julien Believe, the Blue Band Connection, Willis and the Illest, and many others. It all takes place at the Western Esplanade and Clifford Park.

“We invite everyone to come out,” Mr Dames told The Tribune. “It’s in conjunction with the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Security is of paramount importance for us. As we did last year, we’re going to make it safe. It’s a great family atmosphere during the day time; at night you come out and party and enjoy all that we’re offering during this weekend.”

Each day from today until Saturday, those attending can expect lots of free entertainment and fun-filled activities at designated booths inside the Cultural Village, including hair braiding and straw plaiting demonstrations, Junkanoo pasting, as well as two Junkanoo performances.

The Junkamania concert is tonight, in which some 12-13 Junkanoo orchestras will perform live in the Cultural Village, the highlight of the evening.

On Friday night the Music Masters song competition takes place, in which eight finalists and 10 songs will battle for $50,000 in grand prize money. They will share the stage with Bahamian acts D Mac and Visage, along with Wyclef Jean, Destra and Patrice Roberts.

At noon Saturday is the Road Fever Street Parade, which will start at the Thomas A Robinson track and field stadium, make its way onto Bethel Avenue en route to Tonique Williams-Darling highway, head north on Blue Hill Road before heading west on Poinciana Drive and then north on Nassau Street back to the Cultural Village. That night, Mr Dames said, will be a “finale concert”, which will see performances from Tarrus Riley, Trinidadian artist Bunji Garlin, as well as a host of local artists including Julien Believe, Funky D, and the Sky Juice Band.

“We’re very excited, very happy to have everyone, young and old, come out and enjoy all of the great entertainment, great vendors that we’re going to have there,” Mr Dames said. “Craft products will be available for sale, as well as our demonstrations during the day.

“This adds to our cultural dynamic here at Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, because truly, Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is a uniquely Bahamian product.”

Tickets are available at all Cash N Go locations.

Tickets are available for $15 after 6pm today, Friday and Saturday. General and VIP admission to the Music Master’s concert and other performances on Friday night is $25 and $75 respectively.

Admission is free before 6pm daily.