Sir sidney poitier bridge stadium of fire
Home / Celebrity Biographies / Sir sidney poitier bridge stadium of fire
On August 12, 2009, Sidney Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America's highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama.
Poitier has directed a number of popular movies such as A Piece of the Action, Uptown Saturday Night, Let's Do It Again (with friend Bill Cosby) and Stir Crazy (starring Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder).
The Paralympics from March 7 to 16, 2002.
During the opening ceremony, a pyrotechnic display began north of the stadium. In 2002, 38 years after receiving the Best Actor Award, Poitier was chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to receive an Honorary Award, designated "To Sidney Poitier in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being."[5] Since 1997, he has been the Bahamian ambassador to Japan.
The evening closed with a Bahamian cultural Junkanoo Rushout, as well as a spectacular fireworks display by Grucci over the renamed, Sidney Poitier Bridge.”
Related
The 2002 Winter Olympic Games were held in and around Salt Lake City, Utah from February 8 to 24, 2002.
Rather, it’s because of the great things that he has done, both on the screen and off the screen, throughout his life."
Sir Sidney Poitier, born February 20, 1927) is an American-Bahamian actor, film director, author, and diplomat.
Paradise Island, BAHAMAS - Scores of Bahamians, local dignitaries, and tourists came out to enjoy the celebrations of the launch of the Bahamas 40th independence year (2013) and to honour Sir Sidney Poitier after a bridge renaming ceremony took place earlier in the day.
Workers at 11 launch sites in the valley around the stadium ignited 10,000 shells that spectacularly lit the mountains for nearly five minutes as the Olympic anthem blared through the stadium.
A dazzling performance for the closing ceremony
beautifully choreographed by Phil Grucci and company
to the official theme of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games -
"Call of the Champions" by John Williams.
For some reason, it was not broadcast on the national NBC feed.
«back
Sir Sidney Poitier Honoured Today: Photos of today's Historic event
THE bridge to Paradise Island was officially named after renowned Oscar-winning actor Sir Sydney Poitier today.
The evening closed with a Bahamian cultural Junkanoo Rushout, as well as a spectacular fireworks display by Grucci over the renamed, Sidney Poitier Bridge.
«back
BY OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 24, 2021 – Raphael “Ray” Munnings shared a post on Facebook on Tuesday, February 23, that resurfaced delightful memories of events held back in November of 2012 in connection with the renaming of the bridge that connects Nassau to Paradise Island.
Given the fact that teaching Bahamian history is not a top priority in The Bahamas’ educational system, I wonder how many young Bahamians know that the bridge that connects Nassau to Paradise Island was officially renamed the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge on November 2, 2012?
Ray Munnings’ post was among a cavalcade of posts on Facebook occasioned by the fact that February 20 was the 94th birthday of Sir Sidney, the iconic Bahamian-American actor, who was “the first Black man to win the Best Actor Oscar, and paved the way for many actors of color who’ve since followed,” as People Magazine noted.
The renaming of the bridge in honour of Sir Sidney was widely heralded in an article written by the Associated Press on November 2, 2012
“Hundreds of spectators cheered as Poitier and Prime Minister Perry Christie arrived for the rechristening of the Paradise Island Bridge as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Bahamian Independence,” the article noted.
Hosting the evening were Raphael Munnings and Bodine Johnson. Oprah Winfrey, a longtime friend to Sir Sidney, was also in attendance joining Lady Poitier and a few Poitier family members in supporting the man who inspired the nation.
The evening concert at Atlantis, Paradise Island showcased Bahamian musical talent with performances by The Region Bells, The Rahming brothers, Angelique Sabrina, members of Baha Men and T-Connection, Tingum Dem Band with Trent Carter, Freddy Munnings Jr, Bodine Johnson, Fred Ferguson.
The festivities were broadcast on local television to be enjoyed throughout the nation.
“Remarks were given by the Bahamas Prime Minister followed by words from Sir Sidney. “The bridge, the largest in the island chain east of Florida, will now be known as the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge.”
Here’s an excerpt from another article on the celebrations held in connection with the renaming of the bridge: “Scores of Bahamians, local dignitaries, and tourists came out to enjoy the celebrations of the launch of the Bahamas 40th independence year (2013) and to honour Sir Sidney Poitier after a bridge renaming ceremony took place earlier in the day.
“Oprah Winfrey, a long-time friend to Sir Sidney, was also in attendance joining Lady Poitier and a few Poitier family members in supporting the man who inspired the nation.
“The evening concert at Atlantis, Paradise Island, showcased Bahamian musical talent, with performances by The Region Bells, The Rahming brothers, Angelique Sabrina, Tingum Dem Band with Trent Carter and Fred Ferguson.
"Indeed he is the most globally famous Bahamian of all times," said Mr Christie. Hundred of spectators witnessed the unveiling of a plaque that will be placed on an obelisk just to the west of the bridge.
In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor[2] for his role in Lilies of the Field.[3] The significance of this achievement was later bolstered in 1967 when he starred in three successful films To Sir, with Love; In the Heat of the Night; and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, making him the top box office star of that year.
In all three films, issues revolve around the race of the characters Poitier portrays.[4] In 1999, the American Film Institute named Poitier among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time, ranking 22nd on the list of 25. The festivities were broadcast on local television to be enjoyed throughout the nation.
Remarks were given by the Bahamas Prime Minister followed by words from Sir Sidney.
"But it’s not because of his fame that we’re re-naming this bridge for Sir Sydney.
Mr Poitier during his brief remarks reminded the school children who came for the ceremony that they are the future of the country. BeBe Winans was the visiting featured performer. BeBe Winans was the visiting featured performer.