The Tribune

By KORTNEY RODGERS

THE Bahamas All-Star band is requesting the public’s support towards the $200,000 cost of their journey to perform at the 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City later this year. The world-famous parade is expected to be the group’s biggest performance to date and will be added to a list of other international accomplishments.

According to the band’s director Yonell Justilien, the All-Stars were chosen to be one of 10 marching bands selected from a group of 175 applicants to perform in front of millions of live spectators and over 50 million television viewers.

“This accomplishment is truly a dream come true and helps with our objective of exposing young Bahamian talent to the international community. I am confident that New York City and the millions of spectators will enjoy the entertainment and energy Bahamas All-Stars will bring to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2014,” said Mr Justilien in a press release yesterday.

Since its inception in 2010, the band has grown rapidly to a group of over 130 active members which has pushed the estimated cost of their New York trip to nearly $200,000. To help cover the cost, the group has held a number of fundraisers, including a concert, and their next major initiative, “Battle of the Bands,” is scheduled for October 4. That will feature a contest between the All-Stars and the Brooklyn United Marching from New York.

Thus far, the group has managed to raise funds with the help of its Parents Association and various organisations such as the Lyford Cay Foundation and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture.

Patrice Ash, whose daughter is a member of the band, told The Tribune that she will continue to help the band expose young Bahamian talent. “Being in the band pushes her to do well in school and motivates her because you have to have a certain grade level to participate in the band,” Ms Ash said.

“I have sent out a few letters to some businesses, but we still haven’t gotten any responses for donations.”

The Bahamas All-Star band is expected to go to New York on November 25-29.