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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Arts & Culture
The National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) introduces the annual NJC-MobileAssist Viewers Choice Award, an award that is determined by allowing fans to vote for their favorite Junkanoo group in the MobileAssist app. Kishlane O’Brien and Dr. Dwight Marshall (Co-Chairpersons of the National Junkanoo Committee) wanted to find a way to give Junkanoo fans a voice and a chance to participate in their very own voting process and the MobileAssist App was the answer. MobileAssist and the National Junkanoo Committee joined forces, making the 2018 New Year’s Day parade its first MobileAssist Viewers Choice Award with the Shell Saxons Superstars (New Providence) and Platinum Knights (Grand Bahama) winning the inaugural award for their respective parades. The 2018 New Providence New Year’s Day Parade award winner, Shell Saxons Superstars (Saxons), continue to show the world their craft and what Junkanoo is all about. Established in 1965, the Saxons have made a prominent name for themselves within the Junkanoo community. Toby Austin now serves as the Saxons Chairman and their goal is to keep the Junkanoo roots and culture alive through celebration and tribute. Saxons, one of the oldest Junkanoo groups, continues to excel and evolve its dynamic performances and artistic talents throughout The Bahamas. Saxons won the NJC-MobileAssist Viewers Choice Award vote by earning more than 40 percent of the fan vote among the A Category groups at the News Year’s Day parade, and continues to impress their fans with their performances throughout the year.
The 2018 Grand Bahama New Year’s Day Parade award winner, Platinum Knights, emerged from humble beginnings in a local food restaurant, grew to 400 members strong within its community, and has excelled in its artistic representations and performance in such a short time. Not only has Platinum Knights shined throughout parades, but they have also won the NJC-MobileAssist Viewers Choice Award with over 50 percent of the fan votes. Platinum Knights is led by its young leader Mr. Thomas Curry, and the group ensures that their efforts are not only showcased through the art of Junkanoo, but also through their commitment to the local Freeport Grand Bahama community. The NJC and MobileAssist plan to make the Viewer’s Choice Award a standard for all Junkanoo parades in New Providence, Grand Bahama, as well as the other Family Islands, because it gives fans the opportunity to let their voices be heard when it comes to evaluating best performance and presentation during the Junkanoo parade. The MobileAssist app allows fans to vote in an integrated, interactive platform that can revolutionize how winners of the respective parades are ultimately determined. The National Junkanoo Committee and MobileAssist are proud to present this fan-based award to help continue to strengthen the Junkanoo brand and fan participation for many years to come.
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