Category Archives: Culture

Junkanoo festivities in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Fool’s Regatta 2013

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Picos ready and waiting to start the racing at the Fool's Regatta on Saturday.

The 2013 Fool’s Regatta at the Children’s Park in the Bight was held on Saturday. Saturday was as perfect as perfect gets even though it had a dubious and a bit ominous start weather wise. I arrived at about 1 pm in the afternoon and the kids races were underway. Tents were set up selling drinks and burgers, the water was warm and inviting (yeah for summer time when I can actually get into the water). Yes, I know what you are thinking but when you live on Provo, you tend to be pretty selective water warmth wise before swimming. Here’s some of the photos from the day.

The colourful Beluga was showing off for the crowds watching the racing.

The kids of the Provo Sailing Club were having a blast sailing and competing on the Picos

 

The kids (little and one big) were happily playing and building castles in the sand.

These two little seven year olds were away to the races.

Lil' Tinkerbell was sporting her pink bikini.......she's a potcake rescue chihuahua that's found her forever home.

 

Big boats and Caicos Sloops were also racing just off shore.

 

The talented youngsters of Provo Primary Steel Band entertained the crowds.

 

Most of the kids learn to sail with the Provo Sailing Club.

 

Wishing he could be out there sailing!

Every June the Fool’s Regatta gets underway so come down to the beach the next time you are here and especially during Regatta time.

 

 

Happy Sailing!!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Ripsaw

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Bending the saw to make music

One particular type of music in the Turks and Caicos Islands is called “Ripsaw” and it is also known as “Rake n’ Scrape.” The main instrument is a plain and ordinary carpenter’s saw and some musicians have turned these instruments into a work of art.

Diamond performs on his painted saw

The saw can be played with the serrated edge or teeth facing the body, though some players face them away. Also the saw can be held by the handle or the reverse end to produce a gentle bend in the center of the blade.

"Ripping the Saw" by using a knife in this case to produce a unique scraping sound.

 

An "S" curve in the saw will make it sing.

Our local musicians use a metal scraper of some sort, either a knife, a screwdriver or a fork  is raked and scraped over the teeth of the saw to make rhythmic percussion-type scratching sounds.

Ripsaw music is included in local folklore skits

 

The centre of the S curve is "the sweet spot" that creates sound when scraped.

 

Ripsaw musician with the Island Boys local band

Diamond in action

We are fortunate to be able to see and enjoy the abundance of local talent found here in the Turks and Caicos.  Head on out to some of the hot spots on island to enjoy the sounds of our Ripsaw bands.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Fools Regatta 2012

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The kids on their Pico's are dwarfed by the fast sailing Minx as she heads out racing to Pine Cay and back.

The first Fools Regatta was held in 1990 and the Minx was part of that first race so many years ago along with the Beluga. This year’s event brought out crowds of people even though the weather was cloudy and a tropical storm made for an exciting day in more ways than one. This year the sailing club introduced the kids to 12 Laser Picos and these have been ideal for training the islands’ younger sailors.

The Caicos Sloops were all in competition for the Tom Lightbourne trophy

Young Provo Sailing Club member watches the races.

 

These three little sisters were having a blast playing in the water.

 

Even some of our four legged friends got in on the water fun

 

Provo Primary Steel Band provided some lively music...those kids are amazing!

 

Storm clouds moving in, the water turned choppy and the winds kicked in.

 

The Beluga and a native Caicos Sloop racing through the waters

 

Awards ceremony with the lovely young presenter receiving the "fools" cap

Winners in the Caicos Sloop A Class category.....Congratulations!

Capt. Tim of the Beluga wins the Bent Prop award for his mad, heart pounding, wind forced dash towards the beach!

Another Regatta is over and this one will be remembered for it’s hurricane like abrupt end. Nonetheless, we all had a great time. Lots of sailing and racing, fun, laughter and seeing and enjoying friends. Well done everyone and the volunteer effort always amazes me. You are all stars in my book!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

Tanka

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The Turks and Caicos Islands has said a final goodbye to Wesley ‘Tanka’ Williams R.I.P.  I only knew him from the enjoyment he gave all of us on the many occasions we were lucky enough to join in the Junkanoo. I searched through my photos and sure enough, there he was………..a giant of a man, a gentle man with a vision, a mentor, a teacher, a no-nonsense man, a coach who encouraged his kids to to be successful in whatever they did. He worked towards giving less fortunate kids a second chance through athletic scholarships and training. He played an important role in helping to develope the Turks and Caicos Culture and bringing Junkanoo to our islands.

Wesley 'Tanka' Williams entertaining the crowds at Junkanoo

 

Tanka Williams R.I.P.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Maskanoo 2010

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David Bowen danced up a storm as he led the Maskanoo parade last night in Grace Bay.

David Bowen danced up a storm as he led the Maskanoo parade last night in Grace Bay.

Wow!!     What a spectacular evening we all had as hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the sights and sounds and the fun of Maskanoo 2010. Maskanoo is a combination of Masquerade or “Massin” as it’s known in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamian Junkanoo.

Young and old came out to watch the masked revellers as they paraded and danced their way down Grace Bay Road.

Young and old came out to watch the masked revellers as they paraded and danced their way down Grace Bay Road.

Locals were out in full force dancing to the rhythms along with our island visitors as everyone joined in together to celebrate the TCI’s FIRST Maskanoo.

This Maskanoo-er had unique bottle shakers with colourful decorations.

This Maskanoo-er had unique bottle shakers with colourful decorations.

David Bowen, the cultural director and his group of dedicated helpers and workers have put in hours to stage this event. It’s important for the younger generation to get involved as well as educated about our island’s heritage and culture. What a great way to pull everyone in together for a funfilled Maskanoo.

Turks and Caicos Islands Maskanoo

Happy smiles and dancing feet during last evening's Maskanoo parade.

Dancers from the We Funk group up on the stage.

Dancers from the We Funk group up on the stage.

The evening was full of local entertainment with dancers, bands, ripsaw, drums, arts and crafts displays, food, drinks…a great showcase of the islands’ cultural heritage.

 

This local youngster was part of the great entertainment.

This local youngster was part of the great entertainment.

Dancing to the beat of the drums, whistles, shakers and other instruments

Dancing to the beat of the drums, whistles, shakers and other instruments

Mark your calendars……….an event NOT to be missed. Next year will be bigger and with more participants. See you there.

 

Well done everyone. We had a super fun filled Maskanoo evening.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Festival Part 2

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Some beautiful conch pieces, bowls, lamps and shells were for sale under the tent at the Conch Festival in Blue Hills yesterday.

Some beautiful conch pieces, bowls, lamps and shells were for sale under the tent at the Conch Festival in Blue Hills yesterday.

These young ladies were eager to get their photo taken on the beach during the festivities.

These young ladies were eager to get their photo taken on the beach during the festivities.

Several bands played on the stage at the festival. Here's a gentleman playing the ripsaw.

Several bands played on the stage at the festival. Here's a gentleman playing the ripsaw.

Pop the balloon relay as one little boy upturns the chair in his eagerness to sit on the balloon and pop it.

Pop the balloon relay as one little boy upturns the chair in his eagerness to sit on the balloon and pop it.

Aspiring young models show off their moves!

Aspiring young models show off their moves!

The sun sets and a wonderful day of fun at the Conch Festival 2010 comes to a close.

The sun sets and a wonderful day of fun at the Conch Festival 2010 comes to a close.

See you next year………..I’ll be there!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Festival 2010

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Samples of delicious conch salad were on offer at the Conch Festival this afternoon in Blue Hills.

Samples of delicious conch salad were on offer at the Conch Festival this afternoon in Blue Hills.

We had such a great afternoon of fun, laughter, meeting friends, music, singing and dancing and  watching the numerous competitions from tug o’ war to conch blowing.

The multi talented David Bowen was MC for the event and he showed everyone how to produce sound from a conch shell.

The multi talented David Bowen was MC for the event and he showed everyone how to produce sound from a conch shell.

A competitor in the conch blowing contest dressed in traditional Turks and Caicos Island national costume.

A competitor in the conch blowing contest dressed in traditional Turks and Caicos Island national costume.

The happy winner of the conch blowing competition

The happy winner of the conch blowing competition

The kids were all having such a fun time in the tug o' war.

The kids were all having such a fun time in the tug o' war.

Mother nature treated us to a wondrous rainbow sunset..the sky was a blaze of orange and pink with a beautiful rainbow to top it all off.

Mother nature treated us to a wondrous rainbow sunset..the sky was a blaze of orange and pink with a beautiful rainbow to top it all off.

More photos to come tomorrow.

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Festival

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The annual Conch Festival was held this afternoon down in Blue Hills

The annual Conch Festival was held this afternoon down in Blue Hills

The Turks and Caicos Conch Festival is held each year in Blue Hills and today was the day for fun and conch tasting. The weather was a little cloudy but nonetheless all kinds of delectable conch dishes were prepared and samples served up by the islands best restaurants.

Delicious servings of conch were tasted by the crowds attending this annual event

Delicious servings of conch were tasted by the crowds attending this annual event

The 6th annual Conch Festival had all kinds of events from marching brass bands, our island queen’s were in attendance, conch blowing, cultural performances, Mojito contest along with my favourite event… the Bamberra Rum Junk A Noo Rush.

Junkanoo is a must to see and enjoy........Blue Hills is the place to be.

Junkanoo is a must to see and enjoy........Blue Hills is the place to be.

You can't help but dance along with the drum beats, whistles and bells.

You can't help but dance along with the drum beats, whistles and bells.

The colourful costumes of the swirling dancers combined with goatskin drums, cowbells, horns and other instruments. Everyone joins in as the performers go through some wild and uninhibited dancing as they bang on drums and move down the Blue Hills road.  The word “rush” is given to this all-out form of dancing in the streets as people “jump up” to the island rhythms.

Mark your calendars.  November is the month for the conch festival so come join us on Provo.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com