The Tribune

WE hope that both will forgive the term but two great Bahamian institutions are being celebrated – one with a birthday bash over the weekend just passed and the other with a major concert next weekend.

The Mall at Marathon was first to party – with a celebration over the weekend to mark 35 years since its opening.

There was music, dancing, appearances by Junkanoo dancers and the Bahamas All Stars and more.

In the business landscape of The Bahamas, 35 years is well worth celebrating.

There is often discussion in these pages of the ease of doing business – or the lack thereof. It can be hard work negotiating the red tape that goes with trying to get by day by day. To have done so for 35 years is to be saluted.

There was a real buzz in the air on Saturday as shoppers were treated to what felt like a real occasion.

One of those business challenges made itself felt from time to time – the occasional power dropout from BPL making life a chore. One singer was just about to hit a high note when everything went dark.

There was also a concert in the evening with a list of familiar names lined up to perform.

So we congratulate the mall, we say happy birthday to it – and wish it all the best for the next 35 years.

The second institution is a man. Eddie Minnis. Artist, musician, and part of the Bahamian cultural landscape.

In Friday’s Weekend section, he talked of his return to perform in front of an audience for the first time in decades.

He talked of how he felt people would not know his songs – he is wrong, we are sure. Songs such as Naughty Johnny are part of our world.

Mr Minnis is due to perform at the Nassau Cruise Port at the weekend.

There is something noteworthy about someone so integral to our nation’s culture taking to the stage at what is still very much a new venue in our part of the world.

The amphitheatre at the cruise port is a beautiful location – and it would be wrong for it to always behind a fence for only the tourists to make use of.

Events such as this see Bahamians able to partake as well – including to see the Junkanoo museum too where a special exhibition is on show to coincide.

Back when the mall was opening its doors 35 years ago, the founders may have never thought they would have seen as much success as they have. But it is a cornerstone of our New Providence experience.

The cruise port location has just set out on that journey – one day, we hope it too as the years pass will be seen as integral to our landscape, for Bahamians and for visitors alike.