Rocker Lenny Kravitz made his triumphant debut in the Bahamas on Friday, kicking off the 4th Annual Culinary and Arts Festival.
“This is my first time playing on my home turf,” an emotional Kravitz, whose maternal grandfather was born in the Bahamas, told the crowd of chefs, celebrities and adoring fans.
Kravitz performed some of his biggest hits during his 90-minute set at Nassau’s Baha Mar, including “Fly Away,” “It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”
“This is monumental for me,” the Grammy winner said at the “Taste of Baha Mar” welcome party.
Kravitz ignored the Caribbean heat as he strutted around the outdoor stage wearing a leather jacket, low-rise jeans, and a gold metallic top.
He accessorized his look with layered necklaces and oversized sunglasses, which he continued to wear even though the concert ran from 10:30 p.m. to midnight.
While celebrity chefs Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Marcus Samuelsson and Geoffrey Zakarian sang and danced to every song, actress Tia Mowry was overheard talking excitedly about meeting Kravitz after the show.
Luckily, Grand Hyatt hotel guests also gathered on their balconies to watch the outdoor performance from afar.
Earlier in the evening, attendees sampled delicious dishes from Baha Mar’s famous restaurants, including Conant’s new Italian restaurant Leola, sushi favorite Katsuya, master butcher Dario Cecchini’s Caluna, and Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud.
Two nights before the welcome party, Boulud hosted a five-course truffle dinner at Rosewood Baha Mar’s restaurant.
Starting Wednesday and ending Sunday, the Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival offers foodies the opportunity to experience special culinary events, including masterclasses, demonstrations, private dinners, and intimate conversations with celebrity chefs.
Sting and Rod Stewart performed at the 2023 and 2024 welcome parties, respectively.
The festival is also home to the 3rd Annual FUZE Art Expo, a unique showcase for Caribbean artists to exhibit their work.
