New British Colonial Celebrates Juneteenth Island Soul Event

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – It was a trip down memory lane Thursday night as partygoers turned back the clock for a ’90s-themed celebration at the British Colonial Hotel.

The event combined classic music, island soul food, and a Juneteenth celebration, creating an atmosphere filled with nostalgia and culture.

Our Delvardo Emmanuel was there.

It was back to the ’90s at the British Colonial Hotel as guests danced to old-school hits, reconnected with friends, and enjoyed a night designed to blend music, food, and history.

The event, held in observance of Juneteenth, was organized by Chef Simeon Hall Jr., who says the goal was to create an experience that celebrated both culture and community.

Chef Simeon Hall – Organizer

“We wanted to celebrate at a time where it made a social impact, something that could tell a story. Every time people hear me, there’s always a story, and that story is Juneteenth, the abolition of slavery and the start of a new chapter for Black people. So I wanted to make sure we had something to tie it in with.”

Hall said that Juneteenth provided the perfect backdrop for an event that tells a story through shared experiences.

And while the music provided the soundtrack for the night, the food provided its own cultural fusion.

Hall introduced guests to what he calls island soul food, a blend of Southern comfort cuisine and Bahamian flavors.

Chef Simeon Hall – Organizer

“Stuff like johnnycake biscuits. You have fried chicken with ghost pepper honey. They have hot honey in the States; we have ghost pepper honey here. It’s just stuff like that, fun food, comfort food, so people can have a good time and still have the energy to dance and move around.”

But the celebration was about more than just looking back.

Executive Chef Antonio Williams says the event also reflects the British Colonial’s efforts to strengthen its connections with the community through creative partnerships and experiences.

Antonio Williams – Executive Chef, British Colonial

“Like this Sunday for our Father’s Day brunch event, we’re going to have a trunk show as well, where we give people an opportunity to sell their craft and highlight their work. As guests come in and out of the brunch event, they’ll have an opportunity to support our vendors. We want the public to know that we’re open for business. We have great experiences here, great restaurants, banquet facilities, and we’re open to doing business.”