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CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BARBADOS’ INDEPENDENCE

Tonight, at the invitation of His Excellency, the Ambassador from Barbados, Selwin Hart,   step onto foreign soil (actually international soil of many different nations), as we join diplomats from all over the Americas and the World, and embrace the Caribbean a very special Caribbean Celebration in honor of Barbados at the Organization of the American States!

The Embassy of Barbados, in partnership with the Barbados Association of Washington D.C. is pleased to announce the culmination of a yearlong celebration of Barbados’ 50th Anniversary of Independence with the SPIRIT OF BARBADOS Gala – commemorating its past and celebrating its future!

Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic community, government leaders, business and academia, and members of the Barbadian and Caribbean Diaspora will attend and participate in the Gala.  

This year’s signature event will include exquisite Caribbean  cuisine prepared by award winning chefs from Barbados. Open Bar (including unlimited amounts of the best  Barbadian Rum- Rum was invented in Barbados in Barbados over 350 years ago), diplomatic greetings, live entertainment from renowned Barbadian and Caribbean artists, dancing, and much more!

As you step into this magnificent venue into the grand ballroom of the OAS (usually restricted to diplomats and high ranking government figures) we'll be swept away like royalty into a majestic setting while embracing the spirit of Barbados. 

Proceeds from each ticket will benefit The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and its Hurricane Relief Fund and the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) and its Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE),

Featuring:

(1) DINNER FROM BARBADOS CHEFS

Special menus from three distinguished chefs from Barbados will challenge and delight your palates.  Including

  (a) Chef Andre Nurse:   Chef Andre Nurse is a Chef de Partie at the acclaimed The Grille Restaurant and Careenage Bar at Hilton Barbados Resort.  His presence on the Barbados Culinary Team helped them win 5 gold medals since 2010 and the coveted title of Team of the Year in 2015 and 2017! 

  (b) Chef Damien Leach:  Having achieved the title of Barbados Chef of the Year in 2016, Damien was selected to represent the island at the annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Taste of the Caribbean competition held in Miami Florida.  There, he won Gold and the highly sought after CHTA Caribbean Chef of the Year title.

  (c) Chef Craig Greenaidge:  Chef Craig Greenidge, owner and Executive Chef of CM Catering, is the 2016 Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Rum and Rhythm Chef of the year and the 2016 Embassy Chef Challenge Winner.

(2) CARIBBEAN OPEN BAR WITH RUM FROM BARBADOS 

This evening, we will pair off regional wines, beers, and rum located throughout Barbados! 

Featuring legendary bartender Philip “Casanova” Antoine. He has been featured in several magazine and newspapers around the Caribbean and has also appeared in several commercials and TV Shows.  He is the past Barbados Bartender of the Year winner a member of the award-winning Barbados Culinary Team and is the Gold medal award-winner Taste of the Caribbean Bartender of the Year Competition!    
 

(3) LIVE REGGAE/CALYPSO ISLAND MUSIC FROM THREE BARBADOS MUSICAL LEGENDS

Join us for the live music of one of the hottest and most well-known Barbados musicians today! Featuring Barbados premier recording artists Edwin Yearwood and the dynamic duo Leadpie and Saddis.  Playing multi Caribbean/Barbados style music, they will take us on a fantastic musical journey as we dance to their special Island music and recreate an island atmosphere!

They are favorites among the ambassadors and Caribbean embassies throughout the area and tonight they put on a show you will never forget!

(4) DIPLOMATS

Meet and hear from Ambassador Hart and other high ranking diplomats from the Americas and around the world will be invited and are expected to attend. Talk with many representatives of the Caribbean countries and learn about their culture, their economy, history, travel opportunities and you can further develop closer friendships and opportunities with them.
 

(5) WIN A TRIP TO THE BARBADOS
   Two trips to Barbados and accommodation at a beachside resort will be included among the many items in a special silent auction.

(6) CHARITY
Proceeds from each ticket will help to benefit the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and its Hurricane Relief Fund and the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) and its Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE)

ABOUT THE OAS: The Organization of American States (OAS, or, as it is known in the three other official languages, OEA) is an international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States. Its members are the thirty-five independent states of the Americas. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_of_American_States for full info)

Tonight's event will be in the grand ballroom of the HALL OF THE AMERICAS. This venue stands premiere to almost any other embassy ballroom and space with its huge ceilings, large dance floors, multi-cultural paintings and sculptures and much more!