Heritage Nights To Get Underway At Dockyard

Heritage Nights — offering evenings of music and entertainment for locals and visitors alike every Thursday night for 18 weeks – kicks off at Dockyard tomorrow [May 26].

This event, aimed at everyone who lives in, works in, or visits the Royal Naval Dockyard, was the initiative of the West End Development Corporation [WEDCo] and their event planners, with the aim of highlighting the rich culture of Bermuda.

Entertainment for these evenings will include live music, ethnic dance performances, juggling acts and hands-on demonstrations of artisanal crafts such as kite making and wood carving.

The primary focus is to display Bermuda’s rich cultural activities and pastimes, as well as Bermudian games, foods and drinks. In fact each week will have a different theme throughout the 18 weeks of the event.

The Victualling Yard will contain multiple entertainment and craft areas possessing an intimate feel found at county fairs with the use of decorative elements typical of our island.

A pub garden will be positioned as an extension to the Frog & Onion Restaurant with a beer garden feel featuring a Crown & Anchor table, Bermuda-brewed beer, rum tastings and traditional Bermuda foods – such as fishcakes, mussel pie and Johnny bread.

A craft market has been designed and will feature local artisans showcasing their wood carvings and paintings.

A games area for the younger audience will offer traditional carnival-style games. This area will also feature traditional Bermuda pastimes and games such as kite building and cricket demonstrations.

A Food And Beverage Area for vendors will offer gastronomical delights such as fried fish, shark hash, jerked chicken, snowballs, popcorn and ice cream while an entertainment stage will be raised to showcase performances by a variety of local entertainers highlighting the culture of Bermuda and the musical influences on our island – namely calypso, reggae and jazz.

Performances will be by both professional solo musicians as well as burgeoning youth bands and solo acts.

Performing artists and groups will include: Gombey dancers from various troupes, the Somerset Brigade Band, various Youth Choirs, the Vasco Da Gama Club, Troika and Robert Symons on steel pan drum –- to name a few.

“I am pleased to inform you that many businesses have already agreed to stay open late on Thursdays for this event and welcome the opportunity,” said Infrastructure Strategy Minister Walter Roban . “Additionally, we have many casual vendors taking part in Heritage Nights who will also benefit.

“This event is the perfect opportunity to enhance the Royal Naval Dockyard experience for our visitors and locals alike.

“Speaking of visitors, it is worth mentioning that there will be two ships in port on a Thursday nights – one from the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and one from the Norwegian Cruise Line. Events such as Heritage Nights improve the offerings and activities available to our guests and provide an opportunity for our visitors to mingle with Bermudians and experience our culture.”

Wedco are optimistically prepared to accommodate many hundreds of people at the Thursday night event and consequently Heritage Nights has been timed around the summer ferry schedule in the event that people need to return to Hamilton and/or to their hotel.

#BermudaTourism #BermudianCulture #MarketHarbourNights #Somerset

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