Category Archives: History

Celebration for Black History Month 2013

John, for North Wales Jamaica Society, has asked us to share information about the following event:

Celebration for Black History Month 2013 Saturday 2nd November at Penrhyn Castle in Bangor – free of charge.

Register with Black History Month for the event by

  • emailing john_wyer@hotmail.com
  • or mobile John Wyer 07427522001
  • Or register on the day at Penrhyn Castle on the day
    (let staff know you are there for the Black History Month Celebration).

There will be two presentations starting at

  • 10am and again at 2pm. sessions which will explore Jamaican history through Reggae music,
  • 10.30am and 2.30 pm sessions music and poetry by Spicy Fingers
  • 11am and 3pm sessions ‘Castles of West Africa@ with Rev Garnet Parris
  • 11.30am and 3.30 pm sessions Capoeira sessions with Wales only capoeira group Mocambo

The ideal time to see the castle would be during the lunch break form12 noon until 2pm.

Look out for the BHM signs when you reach the Castle grounds.

A brief history of Banda Bacana

To this day Banda Bacana have built up a strong reputation for being a dance band and have gigged far and wide across the country bringing Afro Latin funk to people’s ears. We play a variety of different events, from Weddings and party’s, to pub and club gigs, right up to mini and larger festivals.

Just ask anyone who’s heard us and they’ll testify that they had trouble staying still because the grooves can REALLY grab you by the hips and make you swing.

Banda Bacana started out in 2003 as an offshoot of the local samba band in Bangor. John and Kate decided it would be a fun idea to get together and play some Bossa Nova’s with some percussion from Simon, Saxophone sounds from Sandy and some sassy vocals from local singer Joy Lily. The gigs they were playing were local events held at the Greenhouse, Shekina and local pubs where they became more and more popular going on to play mini festivals at Hendre Hall with Byd Mawr. Continue reading