The Atlantic Current: The Sports Issue - May/June 2017

TH E ATLANTI C

May-June 2017 | Issue 28

Coastal Culture | Palm Beach & Broward County

SPORTS ISSUE Lexi Thompson Fabiana Delfino Sterling Makish Gilbert Burns

Fireside Prophets | 26 Degree Brewing Craig McInnis | The Corner Porch

FREE 1 @ATLANTICCU R R E NT

Professional Golfer Lexi Thompson

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CONTENTS

THE SPORTS ISSUE 16

Lexi Thompson

Family, Rio Olympics and legacy.

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Sterling Makish Bringing home more than surf trophies.

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Fabiana Delfino

Turning heads in the local skate scene.

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Q&A with Gilbert Burns

We sit down to chat with the BJJ legend and current UFC Lightweight.

CURRENTS

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24

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Fireside Prophets

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Behind the Piece

38 26 Degree Brewing 42

Corner Porch

46 Snaps

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On The Cover Lexi Thompson Photo by: Al Bello/Red Bull Content Pool

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dustin Wright | Dustin@theatlanticcurrent.com

MANAGING EDITOR Stella Alves

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Danny Wright | Dan@theatlanticcurrent.com

PUBLICATION DESIGN Richard Vergez

PHOTOGRAPHY

1,100 WHISKEYS AND AND COUNTING...

COUNTING...

Ben Hicks | bocaratonphoto.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bret Hunter Samuel Thornhill

SEASONAL & STAPLES

Alexis Terrosa Al Bello

COCKTAILS COCKTAILS

WRITERS Sean Gordon

kitchen

David Rolland Savannah Sheehan

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Samuel Thornhill Darien Davies

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COMMUNITYNEWS MAY/JUNE 2017

LAKE PARK ARTS DISTRICT CONTINUES GROWTH

FLORIDA MANATEE POPULATION IS UP

By Danny Wright

By Savannah Sheehan

F

or those of you who have never heard of Lake Park, once known as Kelsey City, it is south of North Palm Beach with only 8,300 residents. In recent years, the area has begun to take a turn for the better. This rejuvenation was largely put into motion by A.J Brockman—artist, entrepreneur, and property owner.

May 13th, 2017 will mark the 3-year anniversary of The Brewhouse Gallery, which was the first installation of refinement in the Lake Park area established

by Brockman. The Brewhouse Gallery serves as an art gallery by day for local artists with alternating artwork every three months. Providing local artists a commission free, co-op style environment, Brewhouse does not take away from the artists’ earnings. When the sun sets, a profusion of local and non-local craft beers begin to flow from the tap.

After the creation of The Brewhouse Gallery, Brockman opened The Kelsey Theater, and then bought the entire shopping plaza that fills the town’s commercial center. The next step: more art. The idea for a large scale mural along the backside of the plaza was born, which brought the Mural Project Phase 1.

The idea was to employ some of the top local artists to bring the wall to life, all of which was made possible through crowdfunding on Indiegogo. This was the official launch of the Lake Park Arts District. The second-phase of the Mural Project to paint the next 100 feet of wall space is currently being funded, which will be revealed on May 13th as part of the Brewhouse Gallery 3 Year Anniversary Party. Anyone and everyone can participate in this sensational movement that flows deeply into the betterment of a city, a society, and an economy.

Visit indiegogo.com to contribute to the cause @brewhousegallery @thekelseytheater

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he U.S Fish and Wildlife Commission recently announced that our manatee population is up, and that their classification had been changed from “endangered” to “threatened.” This is great news, but there’s more to the story.

Whatever the classification, we must stay diligent in protecting our manatee friends as risks still abound. Critical warm-water habitats around power plants could vanish if the plants shut down. Death and injury by boat strikes still happen. Waterfront development and red tide are manatee enemies. In fact, according to Dr. Katie Tripp, the Save The Manatee Club’s Director of Science and Conservation, “Much work needs to be done to safeguard Florida’s water quality and spring and river flows before anyone can say the manatees’ future is secure.”

Speed zones and their enforcement will not be changing according to the Fish and Wildlife folks. We simply can’t lose focus when it comes to adhering to safe speeds in manatee areas. Make your concerns known to your local Representatives.

To learn more, check the links below: www.fws.gov/northflorida/manatee/manatees.htm www.savethemanatee.org Boaters, get the free manatee alert app for iPhone or iPad

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THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD...

COMING SOON TO

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EVENTS 17

24

The Wailers

Todd Rundgren

@ Respectable Street — WPB

19 Uproot Hootenanny @ ER Bradley’s — WPB

The Jake Walden Band

MAY 12

DELRAY BEACH CRAFT BEER FEST @ OLD SCHOOL SQUARE Starts at 6:30pm for VIPS, 7:30 for general admission This will be Year 6 for this excellent event—your ticket gets you unlimited sampling of more than 100 craft brews and ciders. Attendance is limited so get your tix now. $40 general/$55 VIP. DBCraftBeerFest.org for tix and more info.

1 Monday Night Reggae w/ Lance-O feat.

Brothers United @ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

3-7 SUNFEST

— Downtown West Palm Beach

4 Suicide Girls

Fiesta de Shred Skim Contest @ Deerfield Beach Pier

Artikal Sound System @ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Monday Night Reggae w/Lance-O feat. Sweet Justice

Delray Beach Craft Beer Fest @ Old School

@ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Island Water Sports Full Moon Parade Around Deerfield Beach Island

@ Old School Square — Delray

RedLyte

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

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@ Culture Room

— Delray

LOTOS Music Festival

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Free Friday Night Concert Series feat.

Royale Majestique @

@ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

@ Mizner Park Amphitheater feat. Boy George, The Romantics, and more

Old School Square — Delray

George Thorogood and The Destroyers @ Pompano Beach Amphitheater

19-20 One Funny Mother Starring Dena Blizzard@ Crest Theater

— Old School Square

20 Blue Friends Beach Clean-up @ Loggerhead Marinelife Center — Juno Beach

Billy Gardell

Ocean, Brews, and Blues

Due South Brewing 5 Year Anniversary Weekend

Selwyn Birchwood CD Release Show

@ Palm Beach Improv

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@ Deerfield Main Pier Parking Lot

@ Funky Biscuit

MUSE w/special guests 30 Seconds To Mars

Real Friend, Have Mercy, Tiny Moving Parts, Broadside, Nothing, Nowhere

Free Friday Night Concert Series feat.

Rod Stewart Experience @ Old School

Square — Delray

Electric Kif

@ Guanábanas — Jupiter

26-28 Chris D’Elia @ Palm Beach Improv — WPB

27 Uproot Hootenanny

@ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

Spider Cheery

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

Island Water Sports 6th Annual Board Swap and Sample Sale —Deerfield Beach

Tigers Jaw, Saintseneca and Smidley

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Spred The Dub

Conrad Pickel Celebration

@ Boynton Beach Arts District

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Unlimited Devotion

Copperpoint Brewing 2 Year Anniversary

Undertow Music Festival

Boynton Beach Food, Wine, and Brew Festival

Spred The Dub

Blues on the Square Presents Jay Blue

@ BB&T Center

@ Old School Square — Delray

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter @ Funky Biscuit — Boca

15 Monday Night Reggae w/ Lance-O feat. Brothers United @ Boston’s on the Beach

16 Jimmy Buffet

@ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater @ATLANTICCU R R E NT

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

The Weekend, Starboy: The Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tour

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12-13

Blues on the Square Presents Gabe Stillman and the Billtown Giants @ Old School Square

Dubbest

Orange Blossom Jamboree Official Pre Party feat. The Heavy Pets

@ Square Grouper — Jupiter

Square feat Uproot Hootenanny

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Brewhouse Gallery 3rd Anniversary Block Party and Mural Unveiling

@ Benvenuto Restaurant

@ Funky Biscuit-Boca

@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

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Greensky Bluegrass

Free Friday Night Concert Series feat Remix (Top 40)

Pompano Beach Saltwater Shootout Fishing Tournament

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@ Culture Room

@ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater

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@ Parker Playhouse — Ft Lauderdale

@ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater

@ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

Train, Natasha Bedingfield, and O.A.R

@ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater

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@ Pompano Beach Amphitheater feat Grouplove, K. Flay, Milky Chance, and more

Uproot Hootenanny

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22

Monday Night Reggae w/ Lance-O feat.

Brothers United

— Boynton Beach

@ Deck 84 — Delray

Monday Night Reggae w/ Lance-O feat. Jahfe’ @ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

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U P C O M I N G MAY 13TH 1PM-12AM ANNIVERSARY BLOCK PARTY & MURAL UNVEILING FREE EVENT | 3 STAGES | 16 BANDS MAY 26TH 5:15PM - REAL FRIENDS, HAVE MERCY,TINY MOVING PARTS, BROADSIDE, NOTHING, NOWHERE MAY 27TH 7PM - TIGERS JAW, SAINTSENECA & SMIDLEY

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S H O W S

JUNE 3RD 8PM - F6 FUNDRAISER WITH THE HARD RICHARDS REUNION, THE SENSIBLES, SHAKERS, BARGAIN BIN HEROES, AND THE NO NAME SKA BAND JUNE 7TH 8PM FROGGY FRESH,THE ROUGH DRAFTS & THE HELMSMEN JUNE 17TH 9PM & 11:45PM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW WITH FULL SHADOW CAST

7 0 0 P a r k Av e . L a k e P a r k , F L 3 3 4 0 3 | 5 6 1 . 3 2 8 . 7 4 8 1 | t h e k e l s e y t h e a t e r. c o m @ATLANTICCU R R E NT

EVENTS 31

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Crazy Fingers

Free Friday Night Concert Series feat.

Flavor @ Old School Square

@ Funky Biscuit — Boca

— Delray

JUNE 1-4

9-11

32nd Annual Ladies Fish-Off

Darrell Hammond (SNL) @ Palm Beach

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Free Friday Night Concert Series feat.

Motowners

Spred The Dub

— Hillsboro Inlet

@ Old School Square — Delray

2-4 Gary Owen

Improv

@ Square Grouper — Jupiter

11 U2: The Joshua Tree Tour @ Hard Rock Stadium

@ Palm Beach Improv

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3

Monday Night Reggae w/ Lance-O feat Omari Banks

Community Unity Ska Festival @ Kelsey Theater

— Lake Park feat. Hard Richards (reunion), The Sensibles, Shakers, Bargain Bin Heroes, And No Name Ska

@ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

12-30

Uproot Hootenanny

@ Kahunas — Deerfield Beach

FAU Department of Theater and Dance Presents: Festival Rep 2017

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Detox Yoga Every Sunday

Chance The Rapper

@ Twisted Trunk Brewing — PBG

@ American Airlines Arena

15-18 Brad Williams

5 Monday Night Reggae w/ Lance-O feat. Brothers United @ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

7 Daryl Hall and John Oates w/ Tears For Fears

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24

29-30

Uproot Hootenanny

Uproot Hootenanny

Benji Brown

@ Deck 84 — Delray

@ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

@ Palm Beach Improv

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16

@ Deck 84 — Delray

Uproot Hootenanny

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@ Guanabanas — Jupiter

New! The Illusion of Paint @ Old School Square — Delray

Froggy Fresh Live Tour

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Pompano Beach Saltwater Slam Fishing Tournament

What better way to kick off summer than some jams from one of our favorites.

Slightly Stoopid comes back to Boca on the heels of their 2015 album “Meanwhile…Back at the Lab” to give South Floridians just what they need. Joining will be Iration, J. Boog, and The Movement. Visit slightlystoopid.com for tour and ticket info.

Uproot Hootenanny

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8-11

SLIGHTLY STOOPID @ SUNSET COVE AMPHITHEATER

@ Palm Beach Improv

@ American Airlines Arena

@ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park w/ The Rough Drafts and The Helmsmen

JUNE 24

@ Kelsey Theater — Lake Park

Crossing For A Cure —50 Mile Paddle from Bimini to Dania Beach—Learn More At www.crossingforacure.com

Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi

Monday Night Reggae w/ Lance-O feat Brothers United @ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

22 Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes @ Funky Biscuit — Boca

L.A. Guns—The Reunion Tour feat.

Traci Guns and Phil Lewis @ Culture Room

@ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater Photo: Robert Clark

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Slightly Stoopid @ Sunset Cove Amphitheater

25 John Mellencamp w/ Emmylou Harris

30 Spred The Dub @ Galuppi’s — Pompano Beach

Chicago and The Doobie Brothers

@ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater

@ Mizner Park Amphitheater

26 Monday Night Reggae w/ Lance-O feat. Roger George @ Boston’s on the Beach — Delray

29 Canvas and Cocktails @ Old School Square — Delray

For more local event listings, visit theatlanticcurrent.com/ events

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

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THE PISE OF

LEXI THOMPSON 16

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FROM GOING PROFESSIONAL AT THE AGE OF 15, TO THE RIO OLYMPICS IN 2016, LEXI IS FAR FROM FINISHED.

BY SEAN GORDON

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exi Thompson got introduced to the game of golf very early in life. She started playing at age 5 in her home town of Coral Springs where she grew up competing against her two older brothers, Nicholas, 34, and Curtis, 24, who were both gifted players themselves. “Having two older brothers that played definitely made me tough on the golf course. I always had great competition to play against. They made me so much stronger as a person and a competitor on the golf course,” Lexi said. As it would turn out, being the youngest on the course would become a theme in Lexi’s career. She turned pro at the age of 15, and was once again the youngest in the competition.

Lexi has seen a meteoric rise through the ranks of the LPGA Tour since her appearances in 2010. She proved that she was well beyond her years on the golf course by dominating her Junior PGA stint and becoming the youngest Junior champion at the age of 12. Three years later, Lexi began competing against the best in the world on the European Tour and The LPGA Tour, entering tournaments on sponsor exemptions from Red Bull and CobraPuma Golf.

PHOTOS: RED BULL CONTENT POOL

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When asked about her mindset preparing for her first professional events, Lexi said “I knew what I was getting myself in to. I had to step my game up since I was going pro at 15. I needed to be ready.” >> TH EATLANTICCU R R E NT.COM

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“Representing my country was the highest honor and to be able to be there was my number one goal.”

Only one year later, Thompson captured her first career LPGA Tour win at the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic, becoming the youngest winner in LPGA Tour history. This particular win was made much sweeter because she got to share the joy with her father, Scott Thompson, who had been her caddy all week. “That was honestly the best feeling just to have my dad out there by my side. Walking up to the 18th green for my first win and getting to share that experience with him was a great feeling. We were both crying and he was like ‘you have to walk up there without me’ because he was so emotional. Just getting to hug him after I made that winning putt – words can’t even describe it.”

Over her first few seasons, Lexi has had many moments that could qualify as career defining achievements. Most notably, her major win at the prestigious Kraft Nabisco Championships in 2014 where she defeated Michelle Wie, who was then ranked number 6 in the world.

Despite her 7 career wins and 44 top 10 finishes, Lexi considerers participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics for The United States Women’s Golf Team her greatest accomplishment. Lexi said, “Representing my country was the highest honor and to be able to be there was my number one goal.” 2016 marked her first Olympic appearance and

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even though she didn’t play to her standards, she still cherishes the experience, saying “Playing in tournaments representing my country is just a totally different feel than a regular LPGA tournament because you are not only playing for yourself, you are playing for your teammates beside you and your country. That definitely makes for added pressure, but it’s truly amazing.” After getting a taste for Olympic competition, Lexi now has her eyes set on Tokyo in 2020.

During the off season, Lexi can be found at her new home in Delray Beach where she enjoys spending time with her family, lounging on the beach, and binge watching her favorite show, Law & Order SVU. “I am addicted. I think I have seen every one,” she says.

The 2017 LPGA Tour season is just getting started, and Lexi already has big plans for herself. Her two main goals for 2017: to compete on The US Team in The Solheim Cup and win her second career major.

Despite being a veteran on The Tour, in her mind, she’s just getting started. w @Lexi

rox Mon tue wed thu fri SAT SUN 19

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daily specials calendar for Dine-in and Buy 3 Pizza’s Take out only Get One Free Day Two Punches Double punch for One Pizza loyalty Card Day With the purchase Kids Eat of one Adult pizza Free Day

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Draft, Bottle and Can Craft Beers only $2 5pm to 11pm Students get 20% off with student iD

Buy a Pizza Get a Mimosa

(561) 200-0792 | 1880 N. Congress Avenue, Unit 150 Boynton Beach, Florida 33426

STEPLING

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MAKISH BRINGING HOME THE TROPHIES

BY SEAN GORDON

PHOTOS: BEN HICKS

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TH EATLANTICCU R R E NT.COM

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G

rowing up in his hometown of Deerfield Beach, Sterling Makish was always surfing with his father, Stephen. They started surfing together when Sterling was only 4 years old. “I always had a passion for it and he showed a real love for the water so he took to surfing really easy,” his father says. Since then, his passion and mentorship have really paid off. After only 4 years of being introduced to the sport, Sterling began entering into competitive surfing events all over the east coast, and it wasn’t long before the trophies followed. At only 12 years old, he’s already building quite the resume.

Over the past few years, Sterling has been extremely active with his love for surfing – traveling the country and surfing in events like The National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA), Surfing America Prime, Eastern Surfing Association (ESA), and Atlantic Surfing Federation (ASF) circuits. Sterling competes mostly in the 12 and under (U12) and the 14 and under (U14) divisions and occasionally steps up to the 16 and under (U16) division. Sterling is currently riding a hot streak as he has had some stellar performances as of late. At The Atlantic Surfing Federations Championships in Sebastian Inlet, FL he took home 2nd place in the East Coast section in both the U12 and U14 divisions. Soon after, up in Nags Head, NC Sterling placed 3rd in U14 and made the Quarter Finals in U16 for the Surfing America Prime in November.

Most recently, Sterling traveled north to compete in the NSSA Regional East Coast Championships in New Smyrna Beach, where he had his most memorable event yet. There, he placed 4th in the Open Boys division and took home his first career East Coast title, winning the Explorer Menehune division. His big win in the NSSA qualifies him to compete out west in Lower Trestles, CA for the National Championships on June 19th-22nd. Not only does this win lock up an invite to a prestigious national competition with some of the most talented young surfers in the country, it’s also a feeder event for some coveted slots on the USA Surfing Team.

Makishs’ performance in the water has garnered him a lot of attention in the industry. He has racked up an impressive list of sponsors including Vissla, D’Blanc, Island Water Sports, Gorkin Boards, SunBum, Stance, and Octopus Traction. These companies have been extremely supportive of Sterling through his young career, supplying him with boards and all the other gear he may need for his competitions.

Despite his busy competition schedule, Sterling still manages to find a way to balance the other side of his life at school. According to his father, the water isn’t the only place where Sterling excels.

“He’s really academic too, just a super good student,” Stephen said. Recently, Sterling has added a couple more awards to his collection outside of surfing. He took home a ribbon from the local Art Fair and his school science project won at the Science Fair.

The future certainly is bright for young Sterling and at the rate he’s going, he may need a bigger trophy case before he’s even 13. w

@sterlingsurf

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BROKEN BONES WON’T STOP 24

FABIANA

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TURNING HEADS IN THE LOCAL SKATE SCENE

BY DAVID ROLLAND

Every once in a while when Fabiana Delfino heads to the skate park, she’ll still get a heckler. “When I was younger, I felt I couldn’t escape someone yelling ‘Girl Power’ or ‘Skater Girl’ in a condescending way trying to get in my head and ruin my vibe.” The insults always ended when she got on her board. “They keep their mouths shut when they see me skate.”

The twenty-year old business management major at Palm Beach State College first picked up a board as a nine-year old girl in Boca Raton.

“My brother would skate around the neighborhood with his friends.

I would come along but on rollerblades. But I liked the challenge of skateboarding. At first, it was just something to do to get from point a to point b in the neighborhood.”

Skating came easy to Delfino, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had her falls and scars. Among her injuries have been countless ankle rolls, two fractured wrists and a pair of broken thumbs. But as soon as she heals, she’s back on her board. “Just the other day I was going fast and a kid came out of nowhere to get in my way. I was setting up for a trick about to go up a ramp and I slammed straight into him and got a shiner on my shin.”

Except for the endless parade of injuries, Delfino’s family has been very supportive of Fabiana as she’s followed in her brother, Pedro’s, footsteps of becoming a sponsored skateboarder. “At first, my parents thought it was just a hobby, but they love that I’m following my passion. They’re stoked when I’m happy.” >>

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PHOTOS: BEN HICKS

DELFINO

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PHOTO: MATT ROY

Among her happiest moments are when she’s doing variations of her trademark trick of an ollie onto a ledge into a nose manual. Technical tricks of that sort are where Delfino thinks she excels. Whenever injuries permit, she spends several hours a day honing her craft on her board.

She grew up at Boca Raton’s Tim Huxold Skate Park, learning the terrain on her rollerblades even before she skateboarded. Now you can usually find her at Fort Lauderdale’s Ramp 48 Indoor Skate Park, and when doing street skating she prefers to head south to explore Miami.

It’s on the street, not when she’s high up in the air that fear comes into play. “I’ve gotten too close to some moving cars. I’ve definitely had some near death experiences.”

Her highs tend to come from the rush of competition. She’s currently gearing up for the Wheels of Fortune competition held in May in Seattle, Washington, which she hopes could qualify her for the X Games. “You have three skaters on the course at once for five minutes where we skate simultaneously. I go in there with a run planned, so I don’t forget what to do during the heat of competition.”

Though she has plans after a skating career to start her own business, in the present Delfino is proud to be a role model for young girls to pick up a skateboard. “I get looks being a girl. People don’t see girls skating, much less a girl skating like me. Growing up I had role models in Elissa Steamer, Vanessa Torres, and Lacey Baker who skated and

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killed it. I hadn’t planned on being an inspiration. If I am one, that is very flattering.” @fabiana_delfino

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Q&A with GILBEPT BUPNS How did you first start training BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)?

I have a younger and an older brother in Brazil and we were kind of crazy…a lot of energy. We did a little bit of Karate when I was like 5 years old. But we just did it for a few weeks then we stopped. But we were always fighting, so my dad decided he needed to put us into something. But at the time he didn’t have the money to pay for three kids. I don’t know if it was destiny or God, my dad was fixing the interior of a car and the client had a gi (jiu-jitsu uniform) inside of the car. My dad asked the client about it and found out he was an instructor in jiu-jitsu. Even though we were tight with money, my dad asked if he could exchange three months of classes for the work he did on the car. We ended up loving it on the first day. After one month we tried to compete. My two brothers won and I got second place. Next one I won, and then we just never stopped competing. Every month was another tournament. That school ended up closing, but our instructor took us to a new school and asked to keep our scholarship. My dad told us that

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CREDENTIALS • 3X BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU WORLD CHAMPION • 3RD DEGREE BLACK BELT • UFC LIGHTWEIGHT • 11-2 MMA RECORD • AGE: 30 • NICKNAME: DURINHO • FROM: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL PHOTOS: ALEXIS TERROSA • FIGHTING OUT OF: COMBAT CLUB if we really like it, you have to go hard and can’t just play around. So we had to make sure for those three months that we went every single day, go early and do our best. Once we did that, then our dad asked to extend the scholarship (membership). That’s how it all started.

What’s your favorite part about teaching jiu-jitsu?

I like it so much when I see people evolving. I think when you teach… you just learn so much when you’re teaching that it puts you on another level. Sometimes when somebody asks you a question…like “How do you do this” or “Why do you do that”… You know why, but maybe you’ve never had that question…you’ve just done it for so long. When you explain why, you learn so much. That’s the best part of teaching: to learn and see people evolve.

Your nickname is Durinho, what does that mean?

>>

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“My dad told us that if we really like it, you have to go hard and can’t just play around.

Man, I like a lot of things about South Florida. It looks a little bit like Rio. Also from Miami it’s like eight hours back to Rio. I like the atmosphere here. The prices are starting to get a little higher but it’s not too crazy. California is crazy expensive, so Florida is nice. Big Brazilian community here too, so I have all I need right here. I have a great jiu-jitsu community here, a lot of friends in jiu-jitsu, I have my gym here now, I have family, and I’m looking forward to bringing my parents here too. Delray or Boca is going to be perfect for my parents. They’ll be close to their grandsons…it’s going to be great.

We know your diet has to be strict, but do you have any favorite cheat foods?

Hamburgers. I like two spots. I like 5 Guys a lot. And then the other spot on Hillsboro…Charm City. Every week I have one cheat meal.

It means the little tough one. Because when I started and was just playing, my older brother was tough. His nickname meant “very tough.”

So I got the little tough guy.

What are your favorite hobbies outside of the gym?

I like to relax and take a vacation with my family. I have two kids who are always with me, but I still do a lot. I have seminars, I do coaching, I’m just so busy…so man, when I have time I want to have a vacation and relax. I always love to travel and there are a lot of places that I still want to go to. Thanks to jiu-jitsu, I’ve been to a lot of places. Lots of places in Europe, Asia and all over. But when I was in a place like Japan, I didn’t get to see anything…just seminars and busy running all over. I just want to have time to enjoy more of it all when I travel. I want to go to Australia for sure. Thailand…and Japan again too, but with the time to enjoy it.

How old are your kids now?

My oldest one just turned 4 and my youngest one is going to turn 2 in August. It’s busy, because I train and teach, my wife (BJJ black belt) teaches the kids classes, so whenever one is teaching or training, the other has to watch the kids.

So they’re in a way being raised in or around the gym?

Oh yeah, everyday. Monday through Saturday at the gym.

Would you let your kids fight if they wanted to pursue it?

If I could choose, no. I would be happy if they did jiu-jitsu. I just want them to know how to defend themselves, so you have to know a little bit. But you don’t have to be a fighter. I would like them to do one sport and take it serious. If I can choose I don’t want them to fight, especially MMA. What’s your favorite part about living in South Florida?

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Henri Hooft, one of the best striking coaches in the world, runs the other half of Combat Club. What’s it like working with him?

He’s one of my friends and we’re very close. He’s a very nice guy but also very strict. If he sees you do something wrong, he’s straight up with you. He’s very honest. Very high level coach. He’s been in there and has had over 100 high level fights. Lot of knockouts. So he’s been there as a fighter and as a coach. He’s helped a lot of guys with their standup. I love his system and the way he does things. I think he has something special. He just works so hard. Always holding pads, going to corner the fights, teaching seminars, always busy…always working.

So I have a lot of respect for him from the history he’s had and the one he’s building right now.

Who’s the scariest person you’ve trained with?

Anthony (Johnson). When we spar, we spar with everybody. When we rotate partners, we go right away. So there’s no “Oh I won’t go with him.” Sometimes, you end up with Rumble (Anthony Johnson). If he hits you, you just feel the difference. Even if it’s a light jab…think about the hook or overhand right… He’s the scariest guy in the UFC for sure.

How do you like to celebrate after a fight?

I like to come back home with my family. Just relax and enjoy it. Then I like to celebrate with the people who helped me get the win. w @Gilbert_Burns

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[CURRENTS] MUSIC | ART | BEER | FOOD & DRINK | SNAPS

FIRESIDE PROPHETS

EVOLVE THEIR REGGAE-ROCK FUSION 32

@ATLANTICCU @ATLANTICCUR RR REENT NT

BOCA BAND BUSY RECORDING NEW EP ‘HEATWAVE’

BY DAVID ROLLAND

I

PHOTOS: BRET HUNTER

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t was not once, but twice that the reggae rock fusion of Fireside Prophets came together on the Florida Atlantic University campus. The first time was back in 2008 when singer/guitarist Justin D’Alfonso was attending freshman orientation. “I met the drummer Travis Schmeider and we hit it off so well we decided to be roommates,” D’Alfonso remembered. “Everyone on the floor we lived on was studying music so we’d have jam sessions. Our first bassist (Oren Gross) was dating a girl on the floor. We wrote our first song ‘Under the Sunshine’ in that dorm.”

That song like much from the band drew its inspiration from the beach. Hanging out on the Florida coast is where their name, Fireside Prophets, came from, says D’Alfonso. “Fireside Prophets comes from our storytelling. We’d sit on the beach singing songs over the campfire. Sometimes Travis and I would freestyle over Notorious B.I.G. beats.” >> TH EATLANTICCU R R E NT.COM

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MUSIC

As a trio based in Boca Raton, they bonded over different genres of music. D’Alfonso carried his grunge heroes in his raspy voice, while Schmeider brought hip-hop beats into his drumming. It was West Coast roots reggae that really brought them all together though, admiring bands like Rebelution and Slightly Stoopid. Fireside Prophets gigged all around South Florida for years. D’Alfonso felt everything was coming together when they released their debut full length album, Ignite, in 2015. But then they received a curveball when they learned Gross was leaving the band to go back to school.

“When Oren left, it was almost the end of the band. Everyone is a guitar player down here, so it’s hard to find a bassist.”

D’Alfonso decided to go back to where it all began to find a replacement. He stapled

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flyers all over the music department at FAU seeking a new bassist. Not only did they find one of those in Cal Nelson, they also found a saxophone/keyboardist with Patrick Montanari. The current college students helped reenergize the band, D’Alfonso said. “We’re all 27 and the new guys are 21.

They reminded me of why I got into this. All the rejection and heartbreak you go through being in a band, they help remind me I got into this for the music.”

Being a quartet he believes has completely altered the dynamics of the band. “It always felt as a three piece something was missing. Patrick playing both sax and keys is a game changer. The soulful sounds you get from a horn can’t be found in a voice or a guitar. Now that we can implement three part harmonies, we’re starting to write crazy new stuff.”

Fireside Prophets is hoping audiences will hear their changes with a planned summer release for a new EP titled Heatwave. D’Alfonso says since there are so many reggae bands in South Florida, they really want to stretch themselves musically by entering the realms of funk and blues with the intent of getting grittier. He says the most important aspect of Fireside Prophets is that he keeps the lyrical content as real as he possibly can. “I’m a poet, but when I write things, it has to be either what I experienced or what someone I know went through. You have to show different sides.

Just cause Bob Marley sang ‘everything is going to be alright,’ he didn’t in every song sing about happy things. You’ve got to sing about losing your job, your lover, your mind, and then you can get to everything being all right.” w @firesideprophets

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ART

BEHIND THE PIECE WITH CRAIG MCINNIS “PIGGY”

“W

ay back when in my art school days, it was most important to first and foremost have a socially conscious voice in my artwork. My favorite subject matter was socially aware leanings, usually regarding political influence, greed, war, and environmental travesty. Upon graduating, I was teaching myself Photoshop and I decided to mock up a piece about global warming. I was trying to sharpen my skills of morphing things together with my newly found medium, as previously I had been a 100% hands-on artist. This is where “PIGGY” originally existed; only in a digital format.

Just this past year a friend, cohort, business partner and mentor (Rolando Barrero) was putting together a show at his gallery “THE BOX” in the theme of climate art. The first thing I thought of was this old digital “mock up” I had named “PIGGY.” So I went about purchasing myself a nice big (4’x4’) canvas, excited to revisit an old friend in an artistic theme I was still very much interested in speaking about through my art.

Artistically and technique wise, “PIGGY” was a great challenge as much of the painting is flesh tones and other texture balance. I set about using knowledge given to me in my first acrylic painting classes in art school, achieving depth through glazing. After a classic push and pull, multi-session scenario in which I typically have moments of glee mixed with bouts of doubt and frustration (a.k.a. the “artistic process”), I arrived at a product I was happy with. I employed my favorite blending techniques to bring forth the soft fades that my original photoshop rendering had but adding a more solid base through tight edges.

I have very much enjoyed the reactions and discussions that “PIGGY” has made happen when he has been in public view. I am hoping the discussion continues and even perhaps inspires people to take action. If we all start to care enough to make a difference in the footprints we leave behind on this planet, we will be helping to advance human history and forge a progressive path.”

www.craigmcinnis.com @craigmcinnisstudios

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PHOTO: BEN HICKS

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