Gombey troupes share their stories and more at festival
Hi KidsI can't believe that we're over halfway through September and I have only just found out that it is Save The Koala Month! I haven't saved a single koala yet so I guess I had better get cracking. There are bound to be loads hanging around the Railway Trail or somewhere. Here are some other things to do in Bermuda during September:l The Annual Gombey Festival will be held on Saturday, September 22 with the 2012 edition taking place at the WE Joell Tennis Stadium instead of the usual venue of City Hall Car Park. From 5pm until 9pm, all active Gombey Troupes will participate (this includes H&H Gombeys, Richardson Gombey Troupe, Places New Generation Gombeys, Warner Gombeys, Warwick Gombeys, Roots Gombeys and Gombey Warriors) and each troupe will dance for 15 to 20 minutes with the dancing interspersed with excerpts of Gombey tales and the history of the Gombey troupes. Each troupe will also be given space to display the uniqueness and the history of their particular troupe through an exhibition featuring fun treats and crafts of the Gombeys. A new addition this year will be two stilt-walkers, or Mock-a-Jumbie dancers, from St Kitts who will share their tradition of dance with the Bermudian performers, highlighting the importance of appreciating traditions from other societies. For more details, see www.communityandculture.bm/pages/gombey-festival-2012.l The next Chewstick Griot Session will be on Saturday, September 22 at 8pm with singer/songwriter Rachel Brown, who has been featured in a number of performances and projects both in Bermuda and overseas. Rachel is on-Island as a featured act at the John Lennon Tribute Concert and is billed as a wonderful medley of talent, intelligence and a soul-wrenching voice and lyrics that should not be missed. If that isn't enough incentive for you, the opening act will be Bailey Outerbridge who has been featured in the Ride the Wave compilation CD. Doors open at 7pm and the after-party will go until 1am. The cost of entry is $10, which is payable at the door or in advance on www.ptix.bm. For more information, call 292 2439 or visit www.chewstick.org.l The next event from the Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda will be on Thursday, September 27 as they present ‘For the Bible Tells Me So’ at 6pm. This award-winning documentary deals with the topic of homosexuality and its perceived conflict with religion and will be screened at Chewstick HQ on the corner of Elliot Street and Court Street. The film will be followed by a brief discussion and the Rainbow Alliance will provide popcorn, with other snacks and drinks available. This is a free event (donations to Chewstick are appreciated) and everyone is welcome.l Saturday, September 29 is the last Saturday of the month, which means that it's Super Saturday at Masterworks! Each month has a different theme and this one will be ‘At The Beach’, where families can participate in free beach-themed arts and craft activities from 10am until 2pm. Full details can be found at www.bermudamasterworks.com!l Tomorrow's Voices Bermuda Autism Early Intervention Centre will be hosting its second Annual Bounce for Autism Fun Day at Southampton Rangers Sports Club on Saturday, September 29 from 2pm until 9pm. As with last year, this community fun day will have the focus of activities being bouncing and will include fun castles, bounce basketball, water tag, a Velcro wall, water slides, food and snack stalls, vendors, face painting and tattoos, bouncy raffles, a great door prize and a children’s dance competition. This event will raise funds for their Centre, which provides daily services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities in Bermuda. Entry is $10 for anyone over two (if you are reading this and are under two, I am very impressed).l As you’ll all probably be aware by now, people saying that there is nothing to do in Bermuda drives me CRAZY! Another common complaint is that it is hard for singles to meet new people enter Spark Bermuda to save the day! The Spark Launch Party will be on Wednesday, September 26 aboard the UberVida and from 6pm until 8pm, you can cruise through Paradise Lakes with 150 singles in their 20s, 30s and early 40s. The boat boards at #1 Dock and will feature complimentary appetisers, a cash bar, prizes and giveaways, and music by DJ Siid James. Tickets are $10 and available from www.ptix.bm.For full events listings and flyers, please visit www.NothingtodoinBermuda.com. The above is abbreviated content from that site.