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THE BIG QUESTION: What would YOU do to improve Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival in 2016?

As of Wednesday, February 3, 2016

After last year's controversy over the first Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, what would YOU do to improve the event in 2016?

Post your answers in the comments section below.

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Comments

DillyTree 8 years, 9 months ago

Cancel it.

It's a complete waste of time and money when the country has so many other more pressing matters to deal with.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago

Click my heels three times, travel back to June 2015, create a lessons learned report and start the planning to make the festival more Bahamian. Begin with the use of the word "carnival", that was a complete betrayal. In hindsight, clearly the intention was always an importation of Trinidad culture. Nothing wrong with Trinidad culture, but we're in the Bahamas and we have more than enough culture available for promotion. Now, I do not believe that "more " Bahamian equates to "all" Bahamian, but certainly the visual displays should not be dominated by the look of another culture. Look at how much trouble and grief that one word caused? Nobody is going to make a success off a parade in which no more than 10,000 of your native population participate.

Other than that I think 2016 is a lost cause. Potential lost.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago

What's upsetting is, we knew all this, its kind of late, but ask the people what they want to see. Including the 200,000 who opposed the festival as opposed to satisfying the excited 5000. A PR campaign to say here are our adjustments. It's the same problem in politics, we listen to the people who tell us what we want to hear.

And then there was the hurricane. Create a more low key affair on the "jump up" side and heavily promote the music competition. Ignoring the tragedy didn't make it go away.

What's our objective? "We need more Bahamians to participate". Identify the things that would get buy-in from more Bahamians. Costuming, decency and Bahamian culture.

There's lots of potential in native festivals

soamuzed 8 years, 9 months ago

Thisisours, you are funny The Bahamas does not have a mind of its own. You all are the puppy dogs of the US, full of US cars, using departments instead of ministries, grades instead of standard or forms. Carnival is a people culture that derived from slavery. It's amazing that you all go crazy when a DJ jams "Lucy" . You all are so closed minded that you fail to see the potential revenue this could generate for the Bahamas. Carnival is a market and not that junk called "Junkanoo"

TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago

Carnival is a trini festival. While it may have related origins not only in slavery, but in European society (where the words bacchanal and carnival come from), it is not a celebration observed here. Junkanoo may have those same shared origins, but from historical times to now, those shared origins don't make todays observations 'the same thing'.

When they start calling carnival 'junkanoo carnival' in Trinidad, then i would be happy with 'Carnival junkanoo' here. But trini prob wouldn't want that, because to them Junkanoo is not 'their' culture, nor is it a 'peoples' culture. it is Bahamaian.

In fact real carnival is going on now, and our whateveritis isn't. At least 'peoples' events like Christmas and Easter are observed on the same days.

Politician is be lying to us so much, they want to lie to the tourist too, and make them think we're trinis, no didn't from trinis, all the same people as trinis. I guess we is Haitian Jamaican Cuban and Guyanese too right?

Emac 8 years, 9 months ago

On point my friend! Carnival is an imported event, standardized by Trinidad. And even though Junkanoo was standardized by the Bahamas, it was once practiced in Jamaica, North Carolina and a few other places. Goombay is unique to the Bahamas. Don't know why officials are so afraid of things that are indigenous to the Bahamas. Guess that's why they got rid of the famous Jumbay village.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago

How many tourists are we going to "bus" in to participate? Because last year only 5000 I believe participated in the parade. If they double that it will be ten. Any good business man would figure out what the customer wanted before launching a business. I guess that also requires identifying the customer, hmmm. The parade will never be a success unless BAHAMIANS buy in to it. Bahamians LOVE Junkanoo

Godson 8 years, 9 months ago

WOW! Dillytree beat me to the deal...

"Cancel it.

It's a complete waste of time and money when the country has so many other more pressing matters to deal with.".

EnoughIsEnough 8 years, 9 months ago

Cancel it!

Emac 8 years, 9 months ago

Cancel it of course. Then expand on the Bahamas Goombay Festival: Yes, revamp the exciting, highly cultural Goombay Festival and feature all Bahamians musicians, dancers, singers, artistes for the entire summer. This can easily be done with $11,000,000. Such a move will revitalize the arts in the Bahamas, employ artistes during the tough summer months, increase tourist revenues during the summer and ultimately give Bahamians something to look forward to during the summer months! But best of all, Goombay is unique to the Bahamas. Teach the people the music of George Symonette, Blind Blake, Charles Lofthouse, Joseph Spence, Ronnie Butler and the many other musical giants of the Bahamas!

sansoucireader 8 years, 9 months ago

I believe the organizers have not even heard of some of the musicians you mentioned, like Charles Lofthouse and Joseph Spence, so they sure can't promote them. The organizers don't know the history.

Emac 8 years, 9 months ago

One of the musical directors of this doomed festival is Frederick Munnings Jr. He knows about these legends. After all his father was a musical icon and once owner of the famous Cat "n' Fiddle. Unfortunately black Bahamian artists pull each other down. As a result, the collaborative effort that is needed to bring Bahamian culture to another level is lost in all of their egos. Thank God for the Caucasian Bahamians, who are really the ones who through their appreciation for our music, keep these "Goombay" artists alive, by insisting that they are played at their parties and events!

TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago

Cancel it.. We should be investing in the cultural festivals we do have like Regatta

soamuzed 8 years, 9 months ago

I bet Regatta would not generate more revenue than carnival. The word carnival speaks for itself. The Bahamas is already a destination with proper marketing this could be a pot of gold for the commonwealth. Give it a chance and see.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

All your PLP kind ever cares about is pot of gold. All it did was promote Trininidad til their now having one every month, yeh well Brazil went broke on their's and is drastically reducing if they'll even be able to afford on this year at all, especially since they have the Olympics.

We have the Commonwealth games coming too.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago

How about adjusting a failed strategy? the word carnival did nothing for the Bahamas, in fact it seems to have worked against us, for God's sake we have millions of tourists cramped up on ships who won't even come onto Bay street, do you really think they're going to parade through the streets with the scary dark skinned natives? Besides, by May everyone already spend their money in Trinidad and saving up for Kadooment. Nobody is against a festival. This one just went in the wrong direction. All of your predictions were wrong. There were no heads in beds and no Bahamians ordered any costumes. It's February 2016. No heads have booked beds and no Bahamians have bought costumes AGAIN. you've done the same thing twice already.

sheeprunner12 8 years, 9 months ago

The PLP is the real Carnival .................... they are the clowns, jesters, boogymen, and revelers with the people's money ...................... call an early election and vote them out

sheeprunner12 8 years, 9 months ago

When the government gives an island regatta $5,000 to keep that cultural tradition alive .......... then give their friends, families and lovers $15 million for Carnival, what else can be said about where their priority lies????

sansoucireader 8 years, 9 months ago

Everyone please register for the upcoming election if you haven't already done so. We got registered the first week they started; not taking any chances with this lot.

TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago

Comrades how else could the PLP cabinet - juice Trini and other foreigner performers?
Here's my suggestion what do with the whole damn half-baked idea of Carnival 2016.
We sign da sucker over for all of $1 to Carnival Cruise Lines and have them move it off Nassau Town and permanently relocated to Carnival's own Bahamaland private fantasy island of Half Moon Cay.vv Why not when the natives done proven they have no interest in going anything Carnival, and the natives ain't exactly welcomed as guests on Half Moon Cay?

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

soamuzed 8 years, 9 months ago

The world know of Carnival because we have it in Trinidad, Brazil, London, Toronto, Miami, New York, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the list goes on. Why are you tripping. A few years ago I was in Abaco for the Heritage Festival and the RBPF Band played the US national anthem before the Bahamian own and no one said any thing but now you all up in arms with carnival and calling it foreign. 4th of July and Halloween is foreign too but you all celebrate it.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago

You've missed the boat just like the Commission. The problem isn't that Bahamians don't like soca. We happen to love soca and we absolutely love Machel. What we do NOT like, is someone telling us something that doesn't resemble our cultural display is a display of our culture. We were flat out lied to, that is what everyone is up in arms about. Regarding the name, they could have called this festival anything, the argument that naming it "carnival" would make the marketing easier, fell completely flat when NOBODY SHOWED UP. People introduce NEW things everyday, the exercise of letting people know about this new thing is called marketing. So in one fell swoop we managed to piss off the larger percentage of the native market and fail to attract any tourists.

Required 8 years, 9 months ago

To give emphasis to what others have recommended before me: Cancel it.

Chucky 8 years, 9 months ago

Best way to improve the Junkanoo Carnival is to first cancel it forever, and then cancel Junkanoo of any sort. Next we should never speak about it again. A few years down the road we can start scrubbing it from history books. After about 25 years , we might be able to get away with denying we ever had it. End of story. A disgraceful primitive part of our heritage could be easily struck from our history if we just put forth the effort to leave this behind.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Cover up at least 3/4 hip on stage pls. No touching genitals. No simulating intercourse. This is a commercial cultural arts , local talent showcase sponsored by government.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

No on stage twerk competitions

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Do t call it Bahamian if it will be Trinidadian. Call it adopted from Trinidad just like Hatian Flag day and Chinese New Year.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Don't spend $1Million on a headliner ever, carnival ain't nobody.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

It's too much about the Road March , 'fetes', and 'joverts' in the advertisements.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

The Feel:

Resurrection, Rejuvenation, Celebrating Life, Deliverance, A type of Baptism, Championship, Expecting a Season of Prosperity for the New Year, Thriving, Accomplishment, My whole crew here,  Remembering the Royalty blacks came from , appreciating and learning about extended ethnic family and similar culture, Reconnection, Emphasis of Entry markets, Jubilee, New Born, Peace and Wholeness, The Last Party on the planet , the last party of my life. . NOT SEX AND BEHAVING THE WORST.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago

That I behavin' the worst song is the best!

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Besides being about costumes , carnival could also be talent scout season for all genres of music, God knows it's missing a soca brass band competition and jazz, get urban renewal kids involved (if they're really good).

Would also be the time for an art expo like Miami's Basel.

Break out season for fashion (similar to the marketing season around Christmas for new products lines) like beauty products, accessories and shoes, casual & swimwear, and models. A church fashion show for saints.

With the diverse audience it would be ideal to take advantage of developing business connections with start up ice breakers and a expo for new businesses.

Some other events like derby cricket golf, a small dance or stage act group competition, Zumba/socacize morning workout, national carnival lotto , a cruise theatre , a ride out. Activities in the cultural village.

SHOWCASE

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

A pageant duh. Debutant and Beau ball.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

A fine jewelry show at Baha Mar's convention center , since that's one of our markets. ( ok, just an excuse to see inside Baha Mar)

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Air balloon view of the road march.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

A praise and worship gospel soca concert with those flag dancers on the grass. Anti crime. National prayer.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Tribute to victims and those lost , vary the memorial different years.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

The conch blowing Guinness book of records challenge.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

A better stage , probably curved.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

If most of the fetes and joverts were based on a single artist , that would be fun. It creates more popularity of local talent, generates even more interest in the competition, may increase earnings besides the prize money, gives reason to attend multiple parties. Carey's carnival party , Belive's carnival party, ect.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Bare trucks are so hideous. A artist or personality could be on each truck too. The junkanoo trucks was freaking awesome, could lessen the requirement on Junkanoo truck materials for whatever is easier , but quality and recognizable.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

I don't get the point of all the carnival groups trying to make brands honestly, people knew junaknoo groups. Could make it junkanoo's carnival groups where say Fusion wins a collab or sponsorship from Valley. It's the same people working anyway. This would be one vehicle for Junkanoo names to cross over from tradition to market.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Food trucks, because Amricans love them.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Beside band groups, allow civic community groups to register, i.e. gymnists, human society, HeadKnowles.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Bring this guy, Blaze the Bahamian . That way it won't look like all a platform for Perry's daughter.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

A damn affiliate program for sales on the sites retards. (Search plugins , upload, begin)

Carnival special room and package bookings hello.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Always invite something from abroad to expand our knowledge.

(For heaven sakes stop seriously mimicking other accents on the mic , looks foolish)

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Encourage performance training for all applicants, please if they CAN'T SING LIVE DON'T APPROVE. Waste people's money, foreigners are used to professional . Practice practice practice.

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago

So right, many of them have no endurance. One jump on stage and they're out of breath

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

A FRICKIN CD ON ITUNES

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

Designated section dancers on the March who know the dance moves for people to follow. Music isn't always about wining. Tourist would want to follow along to beat.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

What is quality? Think something that could be performed at Disney Epcot. If it don't measure up , scratch it.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

..We're notEuropean Masquetaders, it's Creole Forever. That African/ new word hybrid. Kids of the slaves , born free in paradise , wherever you find them.

There's even Crreoles in Australia http://iocp.potomitan.info/australia/in…

Emac 8 years, 9 months ago

By all means, just take the damn page over! LOL

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago

@soamuzed, everybody saw this coming except you and your colleagues. Change the strategy if you want to succeed. Stop getting caught up in the fun you had at Trinidad Carnival, this is the Bahamas. Do the things required to get Bahamians to buy in. Tourists will come after.

duppyVAT 1 year ago

If the Bahamians do not buy into the idea ......... it will FAIL. That is the problem ............ Bahamians do not see Carnival as anything Bahamian. That is why it is so stupid for the PLP government to push this idea if 75% of Bahamians cannot see it as worthy to support.

ThisIsOurs 1 year ago

That is what is so unbelievable...all of this parroted, drink-the-koolaid talk about the number of hits the word "carnival" gets and no one thought to study the native vs tourist percentage participation?? Clearly they're banking on a parade made up solely of visitors. Failing strategy.

What's even more silly is John reminded us that a fifth grade student came up with the name. As Tal says, Comrades you can't make this stuff up.

sheeprunner12 8 years, 9 months ago

There should be a Carnival parade on every island ......... culminating in a big road march in Nassau at the stadium........... let each island take to the streets from every direction with their own band ............ that will really make Bahamas Carnival a truly Bahamian event ......... but trying to make it a Trini copy or giving perks to political cronies to start up soca bands is not very smart or productive ....... there are enough "island people" in nassau to make this a tryly national Carnival ........... can you imagine seeing Abaco, Eleuthera, Inagua, Andros, Bimini etc on the road heading to the stadium???????? ............ COOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

This is what New Years Junkanoo should have and scrap some scrap gangs.

Or not, got a whole 24/hrs.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 9 months ago

A hurricane recovery element should be incorporated, otherwise carnival will look more jack ass than it is.

Could use a Thank You commercial played in Miami as an invite.

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