Preserving culture and forging legacy:

The transformative power of the arts in the Bahamas

By Rowena Poitier-Sutherland and Rupert Hayward

Culture has undergone a profound evolution over the past 75 years. As the world deepens its understanding of our collective existence, one enduring truth remains unchanged: art is a timeless vehicle that both preserves our heritage and shapes our understanding of the world. Art shapes our narratives, ensuring the passing down of our histories and culture, ultimately leaving a lasting legacy.

Remarkably, despite the Bahamas’ small size of 0.01 percent of the world’s population, we have garnered international acclaim in various fields. Team Bahamas’ athletes have earned numerous Olympic gold medals in track and field, highlighting the country’s athletic prowess. Additionally, artists involved in our oral traditions of storytelling have made significant contributions to the cultural landscape. These individuals embody the diverse artistic talent that resides within The Bahamas. Performance arts have long been intertwined with cultural preservation, serving as vibrant vessels that convey narratives, rituals, and customs, shaping collective memory. In the Bahamas, the power of storytelling and the performing arts played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s identity and history. One such example is the remarkable oratory skills of Sir Randal Fawkes, a renowned Bahamian orator whose speeches left a lasting impact. His ability to captivate audiences with his words and rally support was a testament to the transformative power of performance. The general strike of 1958 stands as a testament to Sir Fawkes’ influence, as he used the power of one word, “enough,” to unite workers across the nation in a stand of solidarity.

The Bahamas also had vibrant performance spaces, such as nightclubs like The Jungle Club in Fox Hill, The Silver Slipper on East Street, The Cat & Fiddle on Base Road, and Ronnie’s Rebel Room on Nassau Street. These venues became breeding grounds for talented artists like Bert Cambridge and “The Chocolate Dandies,” as well as Maureen Duvalier, “the mother of Junkanoo” a trailblazing singer and entertainer. Duvalier’s contributions to the performing arts in The Bahamas cannot be overstated. As a founding member of the Dundas Repertory and Cultural Group, she played a pivotal role in promoting theatre and providing a platform for Bahamian artists. Her performances and artistic endeavours contributed to the preservation of Bahamian storytelling traditions.

In Grand Bahama, the Regency Theatre stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the performing arts. Founded by Sir Jack Hayward, the theatre has been a beacon of artistic expression and community engagement. Sir Jack’s vision and contributions have transformed the Regency Theatre into a state-of-the-art cultural hub, fostering creativity and artistic vibrancy. Today, his grandson Rupert Hayward continues this work, ensuring that the Regency remains at the forefront of artistic innovation in The Bahamas. With its world-class facilities, the Regency Theatre can be positioned as the artistic hub for the Caribbean and Latin American region, attracting artists and audiences from near and far.

Beyond their entertainment value, performance arts play a crucial role in fostering a sense of identity and community. They create spaces for cultural exchange, where individuals can come together to honour their shared heritage and forge connections. For young Bahamians, engagement with the performing arts offers an opportunity to learn about their roots, develop a deeper appreciation for their cultural identity, and contribute to the ongoing preservation of their heritage.

In a world that is becoming increasingly melded, the performing arts hold the power to anchor communities and celebrate their distinctiveness. They provide a platform for Bahamians to share their stories, struggles, and triumphs with the world, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural tapestry that defines the nation.

According to the UNCTAD report on the creative economy, the creative industries can significantly contribute to economic growth and job creation. In 2019, the global creative economy generated $2.25 trillion in revenue and employed over 30 million people. The Bahamas, with its vibrant artistic talent and cultural heritage, has the potential to harness the economic benefits of the creative industries.

The creative industries encompass a wide range of sectors, including film, theatre, music, visual arts, design, and more. These sectors can attract investment, foster entrepreneurship, and contribute to the overall economic diversification of the Bahamas. For instance, the film industry can generate revenue through the development of international productions, creating job opportunities and boosting tourism as films showcase the country’s natural beauty and cultural richness. There exist other unique opportunities in film, such as attracting Hollywood and the like to bring licenced properties to our soil, that they may film on location in the Bahamas, giving an economic boost to our economy while creating jobs for Bahamians.

Similarly, the music industry, with its live performances and festivals, can attract domestic and international audiences, driving tourism and supporting local businesses. Theatre as an industry enjoys a rich legacy around the world, with huge stages and robust shows seen by hundreds of people per night, creating superstars.

The Bahamas may be the perfect paradise to attract big-ticket theatrical performances, attended by both foreign and domestic crowds. By nurturing and supporting the creative industries, The Bahamas can fully tap into the unrealized financial potential of this sector.

As the Bahamas celebrates its 50th anniversary of Independence, let us seize this opportune moment to not only preserve the invaluable photographic and film archives of cultural institutions but also delve into the stories and experiences of individual artists and communities alike. By documenting their journeys and the impact of their work, we can safeguard their immeasurable potential for future generations.

In this journey of preserving our cultural heritage, organisations like the Bahamas Artist Movement (BAM) play a vital role. Recognising the importance of passing on these art forms to the next generation, BAM provides training, leadership and opportunities for young

Bahamians to explore and excel in various artistic disciplines. By nurturing and supporting emerging talent, BAM ensures the continuation of our artistic legacy and the preservation of our cultural heritage.

The Bahamas continues its journey of cultural preservation, and the performing arts will undoubtedly remain a life-sustaining force, weaving together the threads of identity, community, and pride in a tapestry that speaks to the hearts and minds of all Bahamians. Through collaboration, support, and investment from all sectors, we can ensure that the transformative power of the arts continues to shape our collective narrative, forging a legacy that will resonate for generations to come.

As we advance into the future, let us embrace the profound impact of the performing arts in shaping societies, fostering understanding, and building bridges across cultures. The Bahamas stands as a shining example of the transformative power of artistic expression. Through our commitment to the arts, we will continue to stake our claim as a vibrant people of significant cultural achievement and truly global worth.

Rowena Poitier-Sutherland is the founder of the Bahamas Artist Movement (BAM) and has taught hundreds of students in the Bahamas and internationally in Theatre Studies. She has developed performing arts curricula at various institutions, from the primary school to the Bachelor’s level, and has contributed to the development of the first acting course at the University of the Bahamas. She has also served as the youngest Executive Director of Culture for the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture.

Rupert Hayward is founder and president of Blue Action Lab and Blue Action Ventures, organisations dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial efforts to build coastal climate resilience solutions. He is an executive director of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation and holds a government appointed board seat on The Bahamas Protected Areas Fund and is an advisor to the University of The Bahamas on climate resilience. Rupert’s family has a long history of supporting the performing arts in The Bahamas. His grandfather, Sir Jack Hayward,

Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

Cryptic Puzzle

Across

1 Uriah’s mate is terribly unprofessional (10)

6 Pound note remains (4)

10 Restrictions for members in clubs (5)

11 Took the main course but possibly not a sweet (4,2,3)

12 Team not assumed to be of star quality (8)

13 Inter perhaps when lifeless (5)

15 Brings together a thousand donkeys (7)

17 Take a trip? (7)

19 Got down to making a proposal (7)

21 Playthings for unbalanced children (7)

22 They may be held in revulsion (5)

24 Settler in Panama? (8)

27 The paints set before us? (2,3,4)

28 The advantage in having good Latin (5)

29 Sovereign included in the takings (4)

30 One problem resolved about a sailor? Unlikely! (10)

Down

1 Eager to behead the king of Israel (4)

2 Detest having a crowd up in to tea perhaps (9)

3 Follow directions and engage in litigation (5)

4 Inexperience produces the wrong answers (7)

5 Records set in tennis matches (7)

7 Religious passage - a tissue of lies (5)

8 A flower will transform these areas (6-4)

9 It may be assumed it’s struck theatrically (8)

14 Used by the teacher when correcting papers? (7,3)

16 Vendors possibly nameless (8)

18 Robs banks in order to get a door fitting (5,4)

20 Hold forth on medical reform (7)

21 One who shows rank subservience? (7)

23 Repress it in male offspring (3,2)

25 Article sent up by Roberta rich man (5)

26 It has no earthly connection with the mainland (4)

12345678

Yesterday’s Easy Solution

Across: 1 Inhibit, 5 Blaze, 8 Phenomena, 9 Hop, 10 Yoga, 12 Go to town, 14 In a row, 15 Devise, 17 Dead duck, 18 Melt, 21 Lot, 22 Rationale, 24 Every, 25 High-hat.

Down: 1 Imply, 2 Hoe, 3 Blow, 4 Tremor, 5 Blazoned, 6 Aphrodite, 7 Expense, 11 Guarantee, 13 Corduroy, 14 Indulge, 16 Scotch, 19 Treat, 20 Long, 23 Ash.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution

Across: 1 Fatigue, 5 Ashes, 8 Limelight, 9 Moa, 10 Oafs, 12 Animated, 14 Essays, 15 Annual, 17 Exposure, 18 Thea, 21 Ass, 22 In the dark, 24 Theme, 25 Release.

Down: 1 Folio, 2 Tom, 3 Gala, 4 Engine, 5 Antimony, 6 Home truth, 7 Scandal, 11 Fishpaste, 13 Ayrshire, 14 Elegant, 16 Grater, 19 Ankle, 20 Well, 23 Ada.

Easy Puzzle

Across 1 A genealogical table (6,4)

6 Competent (4)

10 Comparatively unimportant (5)

11 At risk (2,3,4)

12 Annoyance (8)

13 Two-masted sailing boat (5)

15 Archbishop (7)

17 Betrayal of allegiance (7)

19 To praise (7)

21 Unfriendly (7)

22 A return from investment (5)

24 A delusional mental disorder (8)

27 Sincere (9)

28 To wake (5)

29 Behindhand (4)

30 Indian Ocean islands republic (10)

Down

1 Celebrity (4)

2 Idiosyncrasy (9)

3 Immature form of an insect (5)

4 To double-cross (3-4)

5 No longer existing (7)

7 Constructed (5)

8 Impartial (4-6)

9 Foolhardy (8)

14 Of doubtful authority (10)

16 Interesting short account (8)

18 Religious (9)

20 To exhaust (7)

21 Holder of unorthodox opinion (7)

23 Demand and get (5)

25 Tend in illness (5)

26 Part of the eye (4)

G P I R Y A D N O

● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here?

In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in S permitted.

TODAY’S TARGET

Good 20; very good 30; excellent 39 (or more). Solution on Monday

Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer

Call 0907 181 2585 for today’s Target solution

The Alphabeater

CAN you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid number represents a letter – or black square. As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet is used. But you have to complete the grid too! Use the given letters and black squares below the grid to start. The grid is ‘rotationally symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the same if you turn the page upside down.

34

FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off.

2345678910

A 1 B C D E F G H I J

Yesterday’s Kakuro Answer

Extra

TARGET BATTLESHIPS 27 28 2 3 4 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 4 4 3 3 4 3 Place the the grid four different numbers different appear in and column. Solution Monday KEIJO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 22 23 24 ■ 25 26 27 28 29 C 30 31 32 33 14 15 16 17 34 35 36 37 ■ ■ M D A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 17 38 14 26 1 21 22 4 13 27 17 15 39 14 18 32 11 5 34 10 39 3 11 9 34 24 30 37 33 23 22 13 10 18 31 22 12 18 21 34 30 33 32 11 22 3 35 7 24 37 28 4 18 39 9 35 33 37 19 32 34 5 2 22 6 20 12 23 28 40 18 12 2 26 36 3 39 22 25 23 36 18 14 36 30 30 31 11 22 35 29 5 13 7 34 3 11 4 34 17 22 17 21 15 29 30 34 16 32 22 6 39 1 13 27 37 11 7 6 12 32 13 17 12 11 30 29 18 25 22 35 33 39 5 34 29 8 7 15 38 31 40 20 Inspiring one another in medium backhander (7) 27 Name one, generating gas (4) 28 Liking quiet mention (10) Please guests, containing smooth transition (5) Across: 1 Classroom, 7 Operas, 9 Stomach, 10 Hews, 12 Pie, 13 Priests, 14 Elm, 15 Sigh, 17 Vehicle, 19 Ethnic, 20 Postpones. Down: 1 Cashmere, 2 Late, 3 Ago, 4 Spaceship, 5 Recess, 6 Oasis, 8 Stephens, 11 Silent, 13 Pluto, 16 Glue, 18 Can. THE ALPH TARGET CROSS SUMMIT Across: BOOTH Down: SHOPS 89 and 107 Black squares: 25, 26, 32, 37, Across: Glass, Shop, Tutu, Gnocchi, Bamboozle, Down: Scarab, Surf, Undo, Poked, Ululating, Know, GLIMMERED deem deme dime dimer dimmer elemi emir germ gimme glimmer GLIMMERED grim grime grimed idem lime limed meld mere merge merged midge mild milder mile miler mime mimed mimer mire mired regime rime rimed rimmed