Rob Riley To Attend Carnival Launch Weekend

November 19, 2015

Trinidadian-American actor and carnival enthusiast Rob Riley will be on the island this weekend as the celebrity guest for the 2016 Bermuda Heroes Weekend launch event, with Mr Riley saying he “can’t wait to see the beauty of Bermuda first hand as it’s always been a dream vacation destination.”

Activities have been planned with the assistance of the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] to give Mr. Riley and his team the full Bermuda experience, BHW said.

Mr Riley, who is known for his roles in shows including Hit The Floor, Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse and The Bourne Legacy, will attend the combined band launch on Friday night and the black tie gala on Saturday night. He is also the CEO of Hollywood Massive, a band in Hollywood Carnival.

Trinidadian American actor and carnival enthusiast Rob Riley Nov 19 2015

The launch weekend will be held this Friday and Saturday at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club in the Harbourview Ballroom, and will feature costumes for 2016 including new bands, announcement of Band of the Year 2015, a performance by Ricardo Drue and more.

“I can’t wait to see the beauty of Bermuda first hand as it’s always been a dream vacation destination”, says Mr Riley. “Once I heard about Bermuda Heroes Weekend, visiting the island became a necessity.

“I can’t wait to enjoy the band launch this weekend and then returning in the summer to witness the evolution of carnival. Hollywood Massive is looking forward to being right at home in Bermuda.”

Residents are invited to attend both events for an exclusive preview of Bermuda Heroes Weekend 2016. On Friday night, nine bands will showcase their themes starting at 8pm with mini fashion shows featuring costumed models for Parade of Bands 2016.

In addition, soca artist Ricardo Drue will perform hits including “Vagabond” and “Professional”. DJ’s Barrie Hype, Titan VCD and local DJ Coolie will keep the party going until 2am.

At Saturday night’s black-tie gala, guests will have an opportunity to learn about Bermuda’s ties to the Caribbean and the history of Carnival. The event is titled “Our Time – Celebrating Unity, Rhythm & Culture” and will feature Corey Butterfield as guest speaker for the evening.

The night will begin at 6pm with cocktails in the Trudeau Room featuring local steel pan entertainment. A four-course Caribbean inspired dinner will follow in the Harbourview Ballroom at 7pm.

Various entertainment is planned for guests and an after party will follow with international DJ, Titan VCD with D’General and DJ Coolie. The Band of the Year for 2015 will also be announced at the gala, which will finish at 1am.

“We look forward to offering an entertaining weekend for our patrons and are excited to see what each band has planned”, says Jason Sukdeo, President, BHW. “On behalf of BHW, I encourage the community to attend one or both events to find out a bit more about carnival in Bermuda.”

Tickets for the launch party are $40 from Kit N Caboodle or on www.ptix.bm. Guests can buy a combo ticket for $175 which includes admission into the launch party and the gala. Group tables of 10 are available for $150 each and can be purchased by emailing vbuckley@bermudaheroesweekend.com.

For more information, please visit www.bermudaheroesweekend.com or visit the Facebook page.

Read More About

Category: All, Entertainment, News

Comments (16)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Onion Juice says:

    Did Hanbury say that we are not in the Caribbean and Bermuda will be marketed as an Atlantic Destination and not a Caribbean Destination?
    What a F!@#&^$ JOKE, and to think we are paying him $1000,00 a day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Bermyman says:

      Is Toronto or London a Caribbean destination? Yet both have Carnival events. And yes we are not part of the Caribbean, never have, never will be.

      Hanbury knows what he is doing, everytime you criticise him you criticise the hard work of the dedicated team of Bermudians in the BTA. He is making positive strides in building a brand, something that was never done successfully before. Would you rather have Wayne pay $80k to the Red Sox so he can sing the national anthem and take a photo? Because that is what we got with the PLP.

      • Onion Juice says:

        “Consumers are interested in Bermuda’s British traditions :tea time, cricket and focus on service.”- Bill Hanbury
        So am I missing something here or is the a Flip Flop episode.
        LMFAO

        • Onion Juice says:

          @Bermyman, no one said we are part of the Caribbean, it’s just Hanbury jumped the gun about Bermuda’s connection with the Caribbean before he did his home work. Well if I was promised $1000,00 a day it wouldn’t have mattered to me either.

      • umok says:

        Nooo Hanbury doesn’t know what he’s doing. Let’s be real.

  2. Unbelievable says:

    Who is this person?

  3. Say Whaat? says:

    Sounds fun!

  4. I heart 441 says:

    @ Onion Juice, this venture is enticing affluent Americans with a Caribbean background to our shores. Don’t be surprised if we get close to 1,000 visitors primarily for BHW 2016. Please Keep it positive, plus it’s soca, nothing negative ever happens when it’s soca related!

    • Say Whaat? says:

      Don’t jinx it!

      • I heart 441 says:

        Hahaha, you are right to. How do I edit on here? Lol

      • Onion Juice says:

        Close to 1000, that’s all. Well IF we get 1000 and they all spend $80 that will compensate for the $80,000 bonus fee.
        LMFAO

        • I heart 441 says:

          That’s all, 1000 visitors for a weekend of feting and you are saying that’s all. Please tell me you are being sarcastic.

  5. Hey says:

    Yessss!!! I love him! One of my favorite actors!!

  6. john silvester says:

    Didn’t someone get stabbed at a soca event last year?
    It was reported just outside even though most know the truth.
    Not to pick on any genre because violence can happen anywhere.
    Even in tranquil, romantic Paris. Point is, do not generalize like it can’t or doesn’t happen.
    Of course, I cant imagine any of us hoping that there is violence in any shape or form at a soca event or a gospel event.

    • I heart 441 says:

      You have valid points, but Bermuda’s vibrant soca crowd, 99% of the time they don’t act in any form of antisocial behaviour at soca events.