The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Bahamas Tourist Office, Briland Management, the Briland Youth Band and Barabbas Woodside are happy to announce the first Official Bahamas Junkanoo Tribute to the Miami Dolphins, set for halftime during the NFL game scheduled for November 16, 2003 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. Not only is this the first time a foreign country has ever paid tribute to an NFL team, but it also marks the first time that Bahamian-style Junkanoo music will be performed as a halftime show at an NFL game
The Bahamas Tourist Office is covering many of the expenses for thirty members of the the Briland Youth Band, including funds to create the costumes for the complete traveling group of 150 music makers from Harbour Island, Nassau and Freeport. Barabbas Woodside, award-winning Junkanoo designer from Nassau, is donating his time to build the Junkanoo costumes in Miami Dolphins’ team colours at cost, donating his time to create the group’s costumes as well as designing forty authentic Junkanoo hats to be worn by the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders throughout the game.
Briland Management is producing 15,000 music CDs to be given away at the stadium event, complete with cover photo shot on Harbour Island and commemorating the event. The CD features four brand-new tunes from Harbour Island’s popular Courage Band, including a special song, ‘Dolphin Hustle,’ written especially for the Miami Dolphins. Briland Management is also underwriting the costs for ten Harbour Islanders working at the event as musicians, performers, dancers, security personnel, including all of the members of The Brilanders music group.
The Miami Dolphins have provided a VIP suite for all visiting Bahamian dignitaries, and Briland Management will be bringing the prime minister of the Bahamas, the Hon. Perry G. Christie into Miami for the celebration. Bahamian media has been invited to the event and will be provided with press credentials.
Corporal Howie Pinder of Harbour Island, Daschiel Roberts and Kayla Davis of Harbour Island will be escorting the Briland Youth Band during their weekend trip to Miami, and are coordinating the raising of all additional funds needed for the youth band Loys Whelan of Briland Management. The group is seeking a total community donation of $9,000, at $300 per band member, to cover meal and travel costs for the Harbour Island bandmembers. Donations can be made on the island directly to Cpl. Pinder at the Harbour Island Police Station, or by mailing or wiring funds to the Briland Modem Funds stateside account at Bank of America. For more information, please e-mail Kimberly King-Burns at BMF, info@briland.com. All contributions would be very much appreciated. We thank you for your continued support, and look forward to seeing you in Miami!
