02072020 WEEKEND

Friday, February 7, 2020

art books film fashion music entertainment food puzzles design

Weekend

BUSY AS A BEE Pages 4 & 5

Twin talents Young YouTubers visit paradise pages 8 & 9

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

music

Heal the world

A new anthem to raise climate change awareness

By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

S

cientific research has shown that climate change will have a major impact on the Bahamas in the very near future. And while the alarm has been sounded, and many groups and organisations have attempted to raise awareness of this impending threat, for many people the issue has not yet hit home.

To help drive the message home, and also to assist the victims of the natural disaster that was Hurricane Dorian, 24 talented Bahamian singers came together to record the “Climate Disaster Healing Song”.

This group, under the “OneWorld” brand, includes a diverse selection of handpicked vocalists—ranging from Evangelist Emily Williams, formerly known as Sweet Emily, to reggae band leader Willis Knowles and rapper Bodine Victoria Johnson.

The song, inspired by the concept behind the original “We Are The World” relief song in response to the 1980s Ethiopia famine, was recorded at The Sanctuary studio at Albany.

The OneWorld brand aims to be a platform which brings awareness to climate change, told through the eyes of a country that has just been through one of the most violent storms in history.

“The project came from feeling hopeless during the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. When the reports started to come through of the catastrophic devastation it was heartbreaking,” said Nicky Saddleton, brand communications director of OneWorld.

“Perro Grande, the song’s composer and producer, and

COMPOSER Nevardo “Perro Grande” Dean

NICKY Saddleton of OneWorld

BAHAMIAN vocalists record the “Climate Disaster Healing Song”

I were already collaborating on a branding project and we were messaging each other once the storm passed Nassau to check in, and during our conversation we concluded that if we combined our talents we could produce a ‘We Are The World’ style song.

With his music talent and knowledge and my branding know-how we felt we could make an impact and create something long-lasting and far-reaching that would aid healing and reap economic benefits for rebuilding.”

Bahamian composer and record producer Nevardo “Perro Grande” Dean composed the song’s score using musicians from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and then blended that sound with the varied vocal contributions of the 24 vocalists. The lyrics of the song, written by Grammynominated Bahamian songwriter Anwar McDonald, highlight the need for awareness and unity in light of ever-increasing global climate change events.

“Perro Grande had a rough sense of some of the vocal talent that he would invite to participate. Names were also suggested through various channels. Ultimately, he asked vocalists to submit a raw vocal on the phone recording so he could hear the very essence of their voice. Based on his composition of the song, he allocated each voice to a part that would flow with great synergy. His criteria was also to promote diversity and to give younger, lesser known artists a chance to showcase their vocal talent,” explained Ms Saddleton.

Producing the “Climate Disaster Healing Song”, she said, has been a team effort and they hope the track has a great and positive impact.

“We hope that through music we can attract a wider audience that may not tune in through regular types of climate change messaging.

Music inspires and creates an emotional connection that can be very powerful. The Bahamas experienced something very traumatic as a nation; there is a sense of urgency now to try to mitigate the severity of future storms. Whether it is through better planning, conservation efforts or fortifying our way of life, it is time to start seeking those solutions that will protect us now and for future generations. We have a compelling story to tell the world, we are patient zero for climate change, and we also have the talent in our voices to soothe, unite and lift us all up to the challenge,” she said.

The song and its video officially debuted on Wednesday during a special launch event at Waterloo. It is now available on iTunes and Spotify.

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Friday, February 7, 2020

Inside Weekend

My perfect Bahamian weekend Alicia Bell Phlebotomist Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday brunch?

Interview 4 - 5

Beekeeper Jermaine Farrington almost died on his first day on the job, but it didn’t dampen his passion for the busy little insects

Celebrity 8 - 9 Young twin YouTube sensations visit the Bahamas for a family vacation in paradise

Photography 10 A Rose-Coloured Lens takes aim at Bahamian skies

Entertainment 12 - 13, 23 Adrianna Munnings hosts preValentine’s Day event; St Andrew’s International School invites the public to its fair, and guests enjoy an evening to remember at Jacaranda

Design 14 - 15 The art of making money – all that goes into making Bahamian dollars counterfeit proof as well as attractive

Film 17, 24 - 25 Oscar predictions, plus Margot Robbie shines in “Birds of Prey”

Calendar 19 Things to do around town this weekend

Literary Lives 20 - 21 The sense and nonsense of Edward Lear

Books 22 New releases hitting shelves this week

Puzzles 26

Animals 27 A return to freedom for wild animals, plus Pet of the Week

Music 28 Jonathan Farrington looks to conquering Broadway and asks, ‘Will You?”

Cover | Alexis D Photography

“I like the idea of Saturday because it’s less traditional. Most people would do a big Sunday meal, but really you can do it anytime.”

Q: Wine, Kalik, rum or cocktail?

“Wine. It helps you mellow out. It’s like a beach in a cup.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“That’s a tough one. I guess it depends on the weather, but the beach because it is relaxing, peaceful and helps you think.”

Q: What could you not do without?

“My own happiness, because you can’t depend on anyone else to make you happy; they can only add to it.”

Q: Weekend away: where would you go?

“I would definitely go to Disney World...just to be able to be a kid again and get away from the stress of being an adult for a while.”

This weekend in history February 7 • In 1812, author Charles Dickens (”A Christmas Carol”, “Oliver Twist” and “Great Expectations”) was born in Landport, Portsmouth, England.

• In 1943, the US government abruptly announced that wartime rationing of shoes made of leather would go into effect in two days, limiting consumers to buying three pairs per person per year. (Rationing was lifted in October 1945.)

• In 1962, US President John F Kennedy imposed a full trade embargo on Cuba.

Today’s birthdays: Actor James Spader is 60. Country singer Garth Brooks is 58. Actor-comedian Chris Rock is 55. Actor Ashton Kutcher is 42. NBA player Isaiah Thomas is 31.

February 8 • In 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England after she was implicated in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. • In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed her accession to the British throne following the death of her father, King George VI. • In 1971, NASDAQ, the world’s first electronic stock exchange, held its first trading day.

Today’s birthdays: Composerconductor John Williams is 88.

Actor Nick Nolte is 79. Author John Grisham is 65. Retired NBA All-Star Marques Johnson is 64.

NBA star Klay Thompson is 30.

February 9 • In 1964, the Beatles made their first live American television appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” broadcast from New York on CBS. • In 1986, during its latest visit to the solar system, Halley’s Comet came closest to the sun (its next return will be in 2061).

• In 2002, Britain’s Princess

Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II, died in London at age 71.

Today’s birthdays: Singer-songwriter Carole King is 78. Actor Joe Pesci is 77. Actress Mia Farrow is 75.

Actor Tom Hiddleston is 39. Actor Actor Michael B Jordan is 33.

– The Associated Press

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

INTERVIEW His first day on the job ended with him going into cardiac arrest, but that didn’t deter him one bit from becoming a professional beekeeper.

He tells Cara Hunt about his love for honey – which can cure many an ailment – and his passion for the little flying insects which are so important to our ecosystem.

Jermaine Farrington

T

here is a popular saying that states: “Everything I learned about life I learned in kindergarten.” Jermaine Farrington, however, would amend that to say: “Everything I learned about life, I learned from watching bees.”

The beekeeper with more than two decades of experience under his belt said his love of all things bees and honey related started at an early age.

“In primary school I used to catch bees in my hand,” he admitted. “And there was this one day that I saw this dead bee on the ground. I picked

it up and I remembered I was just examining it and that was when I had the idea to write my book.”

Up until that point Jermaine had only known about the practical side of beekeeping and treated it more as a hobby.

But the extensive research he did for his book led him to study the theory behind it, and ultimately made him decide to pursue beekeeping as a serious career.

Jermaine finished his book, “Beeland the Streaker: A Bee Lover’s Tale” in 2009. The book, which he also illustrated, is about Beeland Fair, a talented graphic artist with a tyrant for a boss, whose life

is forever changed when he encounters a peculiar looking bee.

While much of book is fiction, it also offers a great deal of information about how a beehive operates and shares lessons Jermaine learned working as a beekeeper.

“The beehive has taught me everything about life and how God’s kingdom should be run,” he said.

The beehive, he explained, functions as a whole. Every bee knows its role and does exactly what it’s are supposed to, whether it is to feed the young, defend the nest, protect the queen, or search for nectar and pollen.

There can be thousands upon thousands of bees in a single colony. The females are the workers, while the males fertilise the queen.

“The queen bee can decide the sex of her offspring; they have a female egg sac and a male sac and she can decide which one to fertilise.”

Jermaine said that although he knew what he was supposed to do the first time he went in to collect a hive, he was not prepared for what was about to happen.

“The first time I went on a job I was stung between 50 to 100 times. I went into cardiac arrest and I almost died. I did everything right, but bees can

sense fear and I know that they knew I was afraid.”

While such a harrowing experience would definitely dissuade others from the profession, Jermaine said he never once considered giving up.

“When you love something and have a passion for it you just have to adjust to it. And yes, I still get stung, even though I always wear my suit.

That is still a part of the job; you can’t escape it. You just have to study them before you start, so that you can figure out the type bees you are dealing with and the best way to approach them, whether it be

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Friday, February 7, 2020

smoking them out or spraying them with honey and water.”

Jermaine said he has encountered some massive hives over the years.

The most impressive ones included a hive with thousands of bees which had settled under the tub of a homeowner and another one which covered almost the entire side of a house.

In addition to removing unwanted beehives from his customers’ homes and places of business, Jermaine also extracts honey from the honeycomb – all part of his Beeland’s Hive label.

Jermaine, who is one of about 200 beekeepers in the country who produce enough honey to sell, will also set up and maintain hives for anyone wishing to develop a fruit farm garden or just to have their own honey source.

He is also currently busy creating additional products which will contain honey, including a line of lip balms.

Honey, he said, has tremendous health benefits.

He and other proponents of honey claim it can prevent cancer and heart disease, reduce ulcers, ease digestive problems, regulate blood sugar, and soothe coughs and sore throats.

And no honey is ever the same, he said, because not all plants produce the same type of nectar. Different flowers ensure that there are different nutritional components in every jar of honey consumed.

Jermaine speaks at a lot of schools and at other events about the lessons one can learn from bees.

He also enjoys talking about the health benefits of honey and how it can improve the overall quality of life.

“The most recent school I spoke at was Carlton E Francis where we talked about how they can reduce their bee problems, like for example disposing of their sweet cans and other things,” he said.

With all the invaluable services bees provide, including cross pollinating plants and producing honey, Jermaine said he also really appreciates the efforts by organisations such as the Bahamas National Trust and the Bahamas Humane Society for really doing their part to protect this important insect species whose numbers are declining drastically worldwide.

JERMAINE is working on a new lip balm line containing honey from his bees.

RESEARCH for his book, “Beeland the Streaker”, made Jermaine consider beekeeping as a serious career.

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, February 7, 2020

design

Getting creative with computers

By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

O

ne thing is for certain, there is no talent shortage in the Bahamas. Especially in the last decade or so, new artists have embarked on exciting journeys to bring their unique talents to the public, and thanks to the internet, present their work to people far beyond these shores.

These artists have also often founds ways to turn their art into a business. One such example is Steven Henfield, who is taking traditional carpentry to a whole new level with the use of cutting edge technology.

Still in its embryonic stage, Steven’s company, Carvey Designs Manufacturing, makes signs, decorative pieces and other products from metal, PVC and wood with the computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines.

“I delved deeply into carpentry in my initial research and development of the business and found so many ways that these machines could be incorporated into carpentry, architectural

design and decorative designs,” he told Tribune Weekend.

When it comes to being creative, Steven said it’s in his blood.

“My father is a highly talented artist. He once painted a picture of a beautiful Bahamian woman with a hibiscus flower in her hair which was purchased by one of our musical legends, Errol Strachan. So it runs in the family.”

As an entrepreneur, he said, he always needs to come up ideas for things that people are in need of, and that is what he is now striving to do with Carvery Designs. But he also wants to share his knowledge about CNC machines and how they can be used in manufacturing and many other fields.

With CNC, each object to be manufactured gets a custom computer programme, which is then executed by a microcomputer attached to the machine.

The programme contains the instructions the machine tool will follow. Mills, lathes, routers, grinders and lasers are common

machine tools whose operations can be automated with CNC. This new technology has been revolutionising manufacturing all over the world, but Steven said here in the Bahamas people have been hesitant about embracing it.

“People haven’t been very receptive to the technologies or the design concepts we have adopted over the past three years. So growth has been a slow and painstaking path. But I am persistent and determined to carry my business to the ends of the world because I envision that there is a huge potential for the products we manufacture. There is a great need for computerised machines and the problems they can solve in this fast-growing entrepreneurial environment,” he said.

“We strive for excellence in every product we fabricate or the job we fulfill. We are able to provide businesses that are in need of this technology with the full nine yards, from sales to training, to service and repair, to support.”

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

celebrity

Young YouTube stars vacation in paradise

By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer | cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

T

wo of YouTube’s youngest stars are having the time of their lives here in the Bahamas. The Atlanta-based double act the McClure Twins are visiting the islands this week and are enjoying a full-filled family vacation in paradise.

Six-year-old Alexis and Ava McClure, the stars of the McClure Family channel, along with their father Justin, mother Ami, and two-year-old brother Jersey, are currently staying at The Reef at Atlantis where they have already enjoyed the Aquaventure water park, Dolphin Cay, the spa and golf course, as well as swimming with the pigs in Exuma. They also had the unique experience of releasing a sea turtle into the wild.

Tribune Weekend had a chance to meet the young stars – who were named the youngest members of Forbes’ ‘Top Kid Influencers” in 2017 – during their first visit to the country.

Ava said her favourite part of the family vacation so far was getting to see the dolphins and feeding the iguanas.

Meanwhile, Alexis said her favourite moment was when she her sister and her dad got to release a turtle from the Atlantis Animal Hospital into the ocean.

“We got to hold the baby turtle; he wanted to go back home and so we took him on

THE TWINS make friends with a parrot at Dolphin Cay. the boat and he went flapping away,” she said.

During their stay, the McClure family also got to see first-hand the Bahamian following they have acquired over the past few years.

“We knew that we had some followers outside of the United States and we had some comments on our channel saying we should visit the Bahamas, but we were shocked by how

many people, locals and staff at the resort, came up to us and said that they recognised us and they watched the twins,” mother Ami said. “It has been very interesting and humbling.”

Ami said they were having a had a great time here in the Bahamas and she is thrilled that they have been able to make some amazing and lasting family memories

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Friday, February 7, 2020

“I think sometimes people have to remember that they are children, and like any other children there are times when they may not want to do something...sometimes people see that and say you are exploiting them, which is so far from what is actually happening. This is something that we do because we truly enjoy doing it.” - Ami “I think my favourite experience was when we did the Pieces of 8 excursion where we got to swim with the pigs and see the iguanas in Exuma. That was definitely a memorable moment that our family will always have,” she said.

It’s positives like this vacation, she said, that outweigh some of the cons that come with exposing your family to social media.

“There are a lot of things that come with the territory (being on YouTube), such as when you are on vacation and people do recognise you and want to get a picture. And sometimes you really can’t stop, and there are times when you do wish that you could be anonymous, but for the most part people are respectful that you are on vacation,” she said.

Ami said people will always make negative comments about her family and their channel, but they will not let that deter them from producing their content.

“Our children have had some amazing opportunities exposure because of this,” she said.

Ami added that her daughters truly enjoy vlogging and said that if ever they expressed a desire to stop, they

THE MCCLURE family at Atlantis

Credit/Alexis D Photography and Terrel W Carey, Sr when they may not want to do something in that moment, and so we work through the moment. For example, they may not want to walk somewhere, but not wanting to do something in the moment is different from wanting to discontinue YouTube, but sometimes people see that and say you are exploiting them, which is so far from what is actually happening. This is something that we do because THE TWINS with their little brother Jersey at Dolphin we truly enjoy doing it,” Cay said Ami. would discontinue filming without Ava and Alexis agree with hesitation. their mom, telling Tribune Weekend “I think sometimes people have to that they absolutely love YouTube and remember that they are children, and do not mind the cameras which have like any other children there are times followed them almost their entire lives.

“I don’t have bad days,” Ava said, and her sister added, “It’s fun to do all the stuff.”

The young stars also had some sound advice for their Bahamian fans who may be considering a social media career.

Ava says “have a good life,” while Alexis advises “to always be picture ready.”

“Don’t make faces...instead smile like this,” she said after striking a silly pose before giving her trademark smile.

The McClure Family channel has a following of almost 1.5 million and their twin Instagram page has two million followers.

Ami said the family will post content from their Bahamian vacation on all their social media platforms over the next few weeks.

Their latest video was posted on Wednesday, titled “Sea Turtle Release in the Bahamas”, and had almost 30,000 views at time of print.

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

photography

A Rose-Coloured Lens – The clearest waters

B

eauty is all around us in the Bahamas, on land and in the sea.

But many of us are too busy with everyday life to pause and really see and enjoy the astonishing sights that surround us.

Veteran photographer ROLAND ROSE captures both the ordinary and extraordinary and puts it in frame for us so we can see our environment in a new light.

Top, split level of passing jacks and Sandy Cay; bottom left, Benjamin Rose spearfishing at age 11 (He was to discover the famous Ben’s Cave in Grand Bahama), and bottom right, grey shark with sucker fish .

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Friday, February 7, 2020

entertainment

Adrianna Munnings and Friends spread the love

By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

W

ith Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it is once again time for Adrianna Munnings and Friends to present their popular love-themed night of music, drama and spoken word poetry.

The third annual red carpet affair, this time around called “Sweet Love, True Love, Pure Love,” will take place at the St John’s Rolle Auditorium this Saturday, with a reception beginning at 6pm and showtime at 7.45pm.

Featured artists include Raynell Miller, Celeuxene

Fortilien, Angelica Roker, Lorenzo Strachan, Lashaundra Strachan, Val Griffin, Tamika Taylor, Aldo Stubbs, Travis Bodie, Deshannon Watson, and more.

Over the years, singer-songwriter Adrianna Munnings has been compared to jazz and soul icons like Anita Baker and Aretha Franklin.

Adrianna came to national attention as the first runner-up of the televised “Bahamian Idol” competition. She went on to win numerous other local competitions and was chosen to sing backup for superstars Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and other

international singers. She was also a member of the all-star Bahamian choir which performed during the official opening celebrations of the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

Organising the upcoming event, Adrianna told Tribune Weekend, was challenging, but it all came together in the end after much prayer and seeking God. “God has surrounded me with 22 cast members who were committed to the call. I don’t believe in wasting time and this event is ministry for all of us; married, single, or even those who had given up

on love. One must first love themselves first before loving others. Love your neighbours as you love yourself,” she said said.

“I just believe in true love and I will say that love doesn’t lie, it doesn’t cheat, it isn’t abusive, and it doesn’t hurt. Love is rather kind, respectful, and valuable. The overall goal is the event is to have God ignite and allow us to be the vessels, light and voice to encourage all in attendance.”

Adrianna has enjoyed not only singing, but also writing her own songs since she was a child. The process, she said, gives her a feeling of healing and deliverance, joy and hope.

She believes a good song can even bring about a positive change in a person’s life when they find themselves at a low point.

And Adrianna herself wants to make a positive impact by hosting events like this Saturday’s “Sweet Love” concert.

JAZZ singer Adrianna Munnings “There are great singers and talents in our country and I want the Bahamian people to get to experience this. Most of the time when we hear about the Bahamas people they think it’s about sun, sand and sea, the conch salad and the Junkanoo. But we are a talented and very smart group of people, and I believe in my people. I believe that we can go on any platform and excel,” she said.

“Here we are on a third show and I’m so excited; everyone is excited. I’m happy to share the stage with awesome singers, musicians, writers, producers, stage managers and background singers. The whole cast is just phenomenal and I thank God for each of them. I say that can we represent the kingdom of God and the Bahamas very well.”

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

entertainment

St Andrew's pulls out all the stops for school fair

By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

T

his weekend, St Andrew’s International School is throwing open its doors and inviting the public to enjoy its school fair. Proceeds from the event will go towards building new facilities to foster future swimming champions.

“This is our second year organising the school fair, the first was April 2018, celebrating the school’s 70th anniversary. We would like to thank our principal, Gordan McKenzie, for the opportunity again. It’s a family and community event and a great opportunity to bring together friends and families to have a fun time in a safe environment; all are invited,” said Kaynell Ritchie, co-chair of the School Fundraising Committee.

The fair takes place this Saturday on the school’s grounds from 10am to 6pm. Funds raised will go towards the construction of a new poolside bathroom and changing rooms.

The St Andrew’s Fundraising Committee is comprised of a volunteer group of parents, teachers and staff working in solidarity for the continued development of the school.

Mrs Ritchie said this fair is also an opportunity for alumni to support the further development of the school, which she said has a very rich history of alumni which include swimming champions who have represented the Bahamas at CARIFTA, the

ST Andrew’s hosted its last school fair in 2018 for the school’s 70th anniversary.

Pan American Games, the Commonwealth Games, and even the Olympics.

Some of those alumni are Olympic swimmers Jeremy Knowles, Christopher Vythoulkas, Alana Dillette and Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace.

St Andrew’s hopes to foster many more future champions to represent the Bahamas on the international stage.

“This is why the SAIS Fundraising Committee is

unwavering in our endeavours to provide the school with a much needed modern poolside changing and bathroom facility,” said Mrs Ritchie.

Fair-goers on Saturday can expect booth offering both local and international cuisine, including Indian food and pizza and wings by Little Caesars, game stalls, a paint ball zone, bouncing castles and slides, and a kids’ corner with crafts.

“Kids are going to like the ice pops, ice-creams from Lickety Split, popcorn and candies. The desserts are going to be scrumptious, and last but not least, delicious daiquiris and so much more,” said Mrs Ritchie.

“And we cannot have a fair without great music and fantastic raffle prizes from Blue Lagoon, Galleria Cinemas and Outback Steakhouse, coupons, electronic gadgets, and more.

There’s going to be so much to do.”

She said it is great privilege to organise events like this, and the fundraising team could not do it without the support of the school’s patrons.

“It exemplifies that St Andrew’s is a community of families that work together to advance and improve our school for the benefit of all stakeholders – students, parents, teachers and administrators,” she said.

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Friday, February 7, 2020

celebrity

PART

I

The Weekend Fashion Report 2020 Bafta Film Awards

AP Photos

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

FAIL

FAIL

SPLIT

SPLIT

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge

Zoë Kravitz ”The Batman”

Scarlett Johansson ”Marriage Story”

Florence Pugh ”Little Women”

Karin says: “Kate championed this year’s theme of sustainability by wearing an Alexander McQueen dress she has worn several times before.

That is great and all, but from the start this should’ve been a gown for her stepmother-in-law, Camilla. It’s pretty, but too old for her.”

Cara says: “This dress is not hideous, I mean, the fabric is probably super luxurious and expensive. I am not a fan of the bodice, and it’s very oldfashioned and makes her look super mature, but hey, she has on that royal bling so she feels no pain.”

Karin says: “This is just so uninspiring.

A simple gold lamé sheath that doesn’t do anything for her. The red nails, lips and earrings are not enough to give this a pop of colour or to make it exciting. I guess she’s going for oldschool glam, but it’s just too boring for that.”

Cara says: “I am really over the shiny all-over-foil look. We see it all the time and this particular dress just does not have a ‘wow’ factor to make it special.

It’s the definition of ‘meh’ and ‘blah’.”

Karin says: “She looks like a pink flamingo, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a slightly unusual design and it does suit her very well. The coral pink is very pretty too, just combined with the feathers it’s a bit too bird-like.

It would have looked stunning in a light blue.”

Cara says: “I have to start with the hair; it just does not work for me. It just looks way too severe. I’m OK with the dress, although something about the plunging neck just seems bit weird, I don’t know, I just don’t love it. Nice colour though.”

Karin says: “I hated it on first sight, but it’s slowly growing on my. It’s very couture. I’m still not crazy about the simple little (boring) black dress underneath, or that she went with a mismatched red lipstick, but the big fuchsia coat is kinda cool.”

Cara says: “I really like this. It’s a gorgeous colour on her and I am here for all the ruffles. I think it’s a mix that really works for her. And it’s not not too old because she keep it fresh with the mini dress.”

• For more fashion faux pas and highlights, see PAGE 16

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Friday, February 7, 2020

celebrity

PART

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

AP Photos

The Weekend Fashion Report 2020 Bafta Film Awards

II

HIT

SPLIT

HIT

HIT

Jodie Turner-Smith ”Queen & Slim”

Daisy Ridley ”The Rise of Skywalker”

Renée Zellweger ”Judy”

Ella Balinska ”Charlie’s Angels”

Karin says: “Best look of the night, and shows just how stylish you can be while pregnant (by Pacey from Dawson’s Creek’s, no less). That shade of yellow is simply stunning on her, and I love her hair as well. The black halter is the only weird thing, but I can ignore that.”

Cara says: “I know when you are pregnant it can be difficult to find a great dress and have the energy to go out, but Jodie is like the poster child for that Madonna-with-child glow. She looks fabulous.”

Karin says: “I get the concept, but it just looks too rigid in real life. It’s supposed to be all flowy like a Grecian goddess, but instead comes across like a uniform. The dark green is also so drab on her. It’s not a bad dress, but it needed some work.”

Cara says: “This is another case of hair that is just too severe. However, this is a lovely shade of green on her. But I feel she just needs something more.

I don’t know, maybe some statement jewellery or something, it is all just a bit bland.”

Karin says: “It’s so simple, and could be a little boring, but it actually works for her promoting the film ‘Judy’ and that bygone era. The soft pink is very pretty on her, and for once the shiny satin works. I also really like the square sleeves.”

Cara says: “Renée always has such an Old Hollywood style and this is just a very pretty and sweet look for her.

I really like it. Maybe a brighter lip would have kicked things up a notch since the dress is so pale, but the overall look still works.”

Karin says: “This is a lot of fun.

Although where she put that train in the tightly squeezed seats at the Royal Albert Hall, I don’t know. Yes, it does look a bit like bedspread with those ruffles, but it still works. It’s definitely a look to get you attention.”

Cara says: “Super cute, super fun.

She looks great! I really like the floral pattern, and I’m OK with the ruffle hem (even if it does indeed look a little like a bedspread). I also love the high ponytail. But Ella, you lost me with those horribly plain black shoes.”

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Friday, February 7, 2020

film

A charismatic Robbie gives Harley Quinn her wings birds of prey | 109 minutes

A

t one point in “Birds of Prey,” crime lord Roman Sionis, aka Ewan McGregor, sits down with a tub of popcorn to watch Harley Quinn suffer through a brutal interrogation.

He’s a psychopath — well, so is Harley, for that matter — but Roman has the right idea.

As portrayed by the effortlessly charismatic Margot Robbie, Harley’s always gonna be the most interesting person in the room — or on the screen. Grab your popcorn, indeed.

Robbie is certainly killing it these days, and we’re not just talking about the escalating body count (especially if you include violence by glitter gun) in this visually arresting and often clever — if not particularly profound — installment of the DC Extended Universe.

Heartbreaking in “Bombshell” and poignant in “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” Robbie is looking more and more like she can do most anything. And she’s a producer here, too, as if being a ginormous movie star at age 29 weren’t enough.

But back to “Birds of Prey,” or more precisely, “Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn),” an extended title that hints at what Robbie, director

Cathy Yan and screenwriter Christina Hodson are trying to do: free Harley once and for all from her ex-boyfriend, that Joker guy, and plant her firmly within a girl gang.

And even though the Joker is all the rage these days, thanks to Joaquin Phoenix in that other movie, Harley proves a worthy subject of her own film, especially with her intriguing background (a PhD and perhaps a medical degree), her broken past, and her “obsessive-compulsive need for attention,” in her words. It’s a shame the movie doesn’t dig deeper into some of these idiosyncratic intricacies of character — but hey, there’s always the sequel.

You don’t need much previous knowledge to get up to speed, thanks to a clever animated intro, narrated by Harley (in a less-than-convincing Brooklyn-Gotham accent, it must be said). Born Harleen Quinzel, Harley became a shrink only to fall in love with Mr. J at Arkham, proving once again that advanced degrees are no protection against bad taste in boyfriends.

As the action begins, Harley has been given the boot by her mercurial lover. “I handled it real mature,” she notes with sarcasm. Revenge is topmost on her mind. She decides to blow up the Ace Chemicals Processing Plant, a place

important to the Joker, just as some people “have their Eiffel Tower, or their Olive Garden.”

Harley quickly learns that a byproduct of her new singledom is that she’s no longer shielded by people’s fear of the Joker — in other words, everyone she ever slighted is now out to get her. And those slights, we learn in a witty, lightning-quick graphic, include everything from possessing a female reproductive organ to — did we catch this right? — voting for Bernie, presumably against Hillary.

Most dangerously, her new enemies include Roman and his sadistic assistant, Zsasz (Chris Messina). Roman likes to hang people upside down and order their faces scalped off, but in McGregor’s wry performance, he’s less than terrifying, especially compared to Zsasz who is truly, deeply creepy.

Without going too far into plot here — the movie’s title stretched our word count, anyway — let’s just quickly mention that things really get going when young pickpocket Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) steals and then swallows a precious diamond, in which crucial secrets are embedded. Harley offers to get the diamond; otherwise, Roman will kill her.

The other major players, joining forces to fight Roman,

ROSIE PEREZ, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Margot Robbie, Ella Jay Basco and Jurnee Smollett-Bell in a scene from “Birds of Prey.”

(Claudette Barius/Warner Bros Pictures via AP)

MARGOT Robbie as Harley Quinn and Ewan McGregor as Black Mask

are Montoya, a tough Gotham detective (the reliable Rosie Perez); Black Canary, or singer Dinah Lance (a lovely Jurnee Smollett-Bell); and the Huntress, aka Helena Bertinelli (an understated Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a mob daughter bent on avenging her family’s killers.

Ultimately it all rides on Robbie, who, along with her blond, colour-dipped pigtails, brings an appealing blend of looniness and grit to the role,

and a hint of something sadder and darker. Still, one gets the sense the filmmakers weren’t quite sure how far to go with the feminism thing. When she says sadly that “a harlequin’s nothing without a master,” you don’t immediately get the sense that this is a post #MeToo Harley Quinn.

Like we said, there’s always the sequel.

JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

TELEVISION

CRYSTAL Clarke as Miss Lambe in the mini series “Sanditon”

Jane Austen, actress create PBS costume drama diversity

C

rystal Clarke could imagine herself playing the heroine of a period costume drama, a genre that regularly makes its way to TV and film screens with potential breakout roles for young actresses. But the African American tempered her expectations.

“I had hope for myself and I knew what I could do. But the sad part comes in: ‘Oh, other people around me would never see me that way,’” said the New Jersey-born Clarke,

a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland whose credits include “Black Mirror” and two “Star Wars” films.

Then Jane Austen came to the rescue. When the novelist died in the summer of 1817, she left behind an unfinished draft that served as source material for PBS’ “Masterpiece” drama series “Sanditon” and offered Clarke an unexpected opportunity: Miss Lambe, the sole character of colour in Austen’s works.

When the script first came to her, Clarke approached it with understandable reservation. What would such a woman be if not in the background and servile?

“It’s just going to be another (expletive) maid,” she recalled thinking. “When I was reading it, I was like, “Wait a minute, there’s actually a lot to it.’ I was really surprised at what kind of character this was they were trying to create.”

Lambe is a historically credible figure, not modern wish fulfilment for diversity,

according to an expert on Austen and her times.

“Race relations were a real thing and very complex in 18th-century Britain,” said Devoney Looser, author of “The Making of Jane Austen” and an Arizona State University professor. There were an estimated 10,000 people of African or Afro-Caribbean descent in London as the 19th century approached, she said, about one percent of the city’s population of around one million.

Austen, who famously referred in letters to “the little bit (2 inches wide) of ivory” as her artistic canvas and “four or five families in a county village” its contained focus, should not be viewed as uninformed or indifferent to the outside world, Loosey said.

“This idea that she wasn’t paying attention to history or politics is false. I think she was very keyed into history and politics,” she said, which in Austen’s time would have required an understanding of the anti-slavery movement.

Two Austen works, “Mansfield Park” and “Emma,” mention slavery, with one character defending another as “always rather a friend to the abolition.”

Wherever Austen intended to take her incomplete novel, the task of developing it for “Sanditon” fell to screenwriter Andrew Davies, whose Austen adaptations include 1995’s “Pride and Prejudice” miniseries. The characters he inherited this time around included the the briefly sketched Lambe, a young, biracial heiress from the West Indies — the centre of the British slave trade that was part of her heritage.

“There were only two words used by Jane Austen to describe Miss Lambe, ‘chilly’ and ‘tender.’ And I I took ‘chilly’ very literally to mean that she found the climate very unpleasant,” Davies said. “‘Tender’ is ambiguous. I took it to mean vulnerable, quick to see slights and prejudice in others, which she does find, of course.”

She became a more spirited character in Davies’ hands.

Georgiana Lambe and the drama’s central female character, Charlotte (Rose Williams), meet and bond as visitors to the seaside village of Sanditon. Charlotte’s love interest, Sidney (Theo James) is the orphaned Lambe’s guardian on the series airing through February 23 and available online at pbs.org.

“It would seem quite natural that Charlotte would befriend her, because Charlotte is a very open-minded sort of character and quick to see injustice and call it out,” Davies said.

“They’d be natural companions, and I thought it would be fun to give Miss Lambe quite a playful and rebellious sort of character, so as to give Sidney a hard time.”

From the start, Clarke refused to approach the role passively.

“I was very wary because the writers are white, producers are white, director is white,” she said. “There were some things that, through nobody’s fault except not knowing, didn’t sit well with me and that I would want changed to suit the perspective of a character who’s supposed to be so much in her power, or trying to find her power.”

Among her concerns: story lines that suggested Lambe’s wealth would have protected her from racism, and a scene in which she laments that a man’s anti-slavery efforts were taking precedence over her.

“She would never say that.

She grew up on a plantation and she understands the horrors of it,” Clarke said. “It’s very much of an important thing to her.”

It was at the first cast dinner that Clarke realised that she and Lambe were in good hands. The producers assured her that “‘we don’t want to just have you here. We want to make sure that it’s done right,” she recalled.

LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer

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Friday, February 7, 2020

FRIDAY 2/7 • Free Screenings – Pressure, Cholesterol and Sugar Levels.

Time: 8am - 1pm Venue: Life Wholeness Centre, Mount Royal Avenue You have a big heart, take care of it! Come out and get your free screenings.

• Senor Frogs’ 17th Anniversary Party Time: 12noon until (continues on Saturday) Venue: Senor Frogs, Woodes Rogers Walk To celebrate their 17th anniversary in business, the Senor Frogs team is transforming the restaurant and bar into the scene of

The Tribune Established 1903

beach party, featuring your favourite tunes, hotdogs on the grill, and more. A $20 cover charge applies after 9pm and includes one drink.

• Legacy – Masqueraders Costume Launch Time: 7pm Venue: The Mas Camp, Fire Trail Road The Bahamas Masqueraders reveal their 2020 Carnival costumes under the theme of “The Legend continues”. Tickets start at $25.

SATURDAY

• Nassau Village Community Cleanup Time: 7am - 11am Venue: Intersection of Alexandria and Taylor Streets Join the Future of Our Neighborhood and Jamahl D Strachan as they clean the community and effect positive change.

|100 Jamz | Y98

What's going on this Being Bound To Swear To The Dogmas Of No Master

Refreshments will be provided!

• Candles & Champagne Time: 9am - 12.30pm Venue: Alabaster Unboxed, Horseshoe Drive Learn to make candles for your own use or to create a business, or as a special gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day.

• FEW Bahamas Professional Wrestling Seminar Time: 10am - 1pm Venue: Loyola Hall Interested in a career in professional wrestling? Is it your dream to compete in the squared circle?

Receive the fundamentals necessary to succeed in the world of pro wrestling from the experts in the field.

Registration is $25. For more information, call 8037185/544-1995 or e-mail bwebahamas@gmail.com.

weekend

• Empire Fitness Powerlifting Competition Time: 1pm - 5pm Venue: Empire Fitness, Seagrapes Plaza The time for talk is over.

Empire Fitness’ first powerlifting competition for

Editior’s Voice

SUNDAY • Full Moon Fire Ceremony Time: 6.30pm Venue: Sandyport Beach Gather around the fire and let go of all that does not serve you, and bring in whatever you want to manifest for the month ahead. This month the event is being hosted by MLM Yoga & Healing.

2020 is here. This session competitors will contest the bench press and dead lift, max weight and max reps.

The Wilks formula will be used for pound for pound calculation. Entry is free for members and $10 for non-members. Prizes include gift certificates from Fitness Connection, Empire Pro Shop and Empire Fitness.

Weigh-ins start 12noon.

• Pandora’s Box of Secrets – Enigma costume launch Time: 8pm Venue: Mario’s Bowling & Family Entertainment Palace “A secret untold is a secret well kept” – Take a glimpse into Pandora’s box of secrets and behold the 2020 Carnival costumes by

the Enigma band. Tickets are $25.

SUNDAY • Night of Marley in Love Time: 8pm - 11pm Venue: Marley Resort Hosted by the Groove Quest band, this is a night for all reggae fans to enjoy hits from the legend himself, Bob Marley. Entry is $20 and includes one drink and hors d’oeuvres.

• Little Red Dress Foreplay Time: 9pm - 2.30am Venue: 1er Cru Enjoy this pre-Valentine’s Day party for singles and couples. Tickets are $20 in advance per person and $30 for couples, and are available at The Velvet Hanger, Signature Styles, People’s Pharmacy (all locations) or Primetime Lounge.

• Soca Sundays featuring DJ Puffy Time: 11am - 6pm Venue: Privilege Pool, Baha Mar ‘We come to mash it up!’

Enjoy Soca Sunday and get up close and personal DJ Puffy. Reservations required. Call 357-5616 or e-mail privilgereservations@sbe.com for more information.

• Euphoria Madness Launch Time: 8pm Venue: Waterloo Euphoria Madness unveils its costumes for the 2020 Carnival season under the theme “Mama Africa”.

Admission is $10 before 11pm and more after.

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

literary lives

The sense and nonsense of Edward Lear Sir Christopher Ondaatje marvels at the varied talents of the English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet who is best remembered for his nonsense poetry.

Edward Lear was the 20th of 21 children born to Jeremiah and Ann Lear in Holloway, North London.

He did not have a promising beginning, suffering from asthma and bronchitis, and from epilepsy from the age of six. Throughout his life he was subject to

little interest in him. In 1827, when Lear was 15 years old, his parents retired to Gravesend.

Encouraged by his sister Ann, he began to drawn “for bread and cheese”, and a few years later he developed into a serious ornithological draughtsman employed by the Zoological Society.

Lear’s first publication, when he was 19 years old, was Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots in 1830. It was a large folio size in 14 numbers funded by subscribers, but had to stop short of the required number due to lack of funds. However, from 1832 to 1836 he was employed by the wealthy Earl of Derby, who kept a private menagerie at Knowsley Hall near Liverpool.

He was required to draw precise anatomical drawings of his birds and animals. He contributed to John Gould’s Birds of Europe.

EDWARD Lear (1812-1888) depression and, in later life, partial blindness. His father Jeremiah was a stockbroker formerly working for the family sugar refining business, but in the economic upheaval following the Napoleonic Wars he was forced to default to the London Stock Exchange.

Thus, because of the family’s reduced financial circumstances, Lear and his sister, twenty-one years his senior, were required to leave the family home, Bowmans Lodge, and live together.

He was four years old. Ann continued to act as a Mother for him until her death when she was almost fifty years old. His mother took very

“Masada on the Dead Sea” by Lear, 1858

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Friday, February 7, 2020

Sadly, his eyesight deteriorated so much while working with such precision on the fine drawings and etchings of plates used in lithography that he abandoned zoological drawings and turned to topographical landscape. It was in this medium that he made his living for the rest of his life, travelling to Greece and Egypt during 1848-1849, and touring India and Ceylon during 1873-1875.

He travelled to Italy, Albania, Illyria, Calabria and Corsica and produced a great many coloured wash drawings in a recognised distinctive style, which he later converted in his studio into oil and watercolour paintings, as well as prints for his books. His landscape style reflects views with strong sunlight, with intense contrast of colour. He never lived permanently in England again, choosing to live in Italy, in Rome, and then, in his later years, in San Remo on the Italian Riviera.

Lear painted seriously throughout his life, and had a lifelong ambition to illustrate Tennyson’s poems.

He played the piano, and also the accordion, flute and guitar. He composed music for many romantic and Victorian poems, but was known mostly for his many musical settings of Tennyson’s poetry. He also composed music for many of his nonsense songs, including “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat”. However, he never played professionally – only for social gatherings and for his friends.

He had an enormous and bizarre sense of humour and had no idea that his nonsense poems and songs would become his great legacy.

Edward Lear never married.

He was a firmly closeted Victorian gentleman who lived in an era when homosexuality was regarded as a crime and until 1861 carried a maximum penalty of death. There is a touch of sadness in many of Lear’s best known poems where mismatched couples doggedly ignore the incongruity of their outward appearances. Nevertheless, like his most famous poem “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat”, they are some of the finest love poems ever written.

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note.

“Mount Athos and the Monastery of Stavronikétes” by Lear, 1857

“The Owl and the Pussy-cat”, Lear’s best known poem was published in 1871 as part of his book “Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets.” It was written for a three-year-old daughter of a friend.

The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar ‘O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are!

What a beautiful Pussy you are!

Pussy said to the Owl, ‘You elegant fowl!

How charmingly sweet you sing!

O let us be married! too long have we tarried; But what shall we do for a ring?’

They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-tree grows

And there in the wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.

‘Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?’ Said the Piggy, ‘I will.’

So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill.

They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon;

And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.

Edward Lear spent his last comfortable years in his villa in San Remo, Italy, surrounded by his many friends who accepted his humorous eccentricities. He died peacefully on January 29, 1888 when he was 76 years old. The head-stone on his grave bears an inscription by Tennyson:

“all things fair With such a pencil, such a pen, You shadow’d forth to distant men, I read and felt that I was there.”

NEXT WEEK: An English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic monologue made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of “The Last Colonial.”

He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; Edward Lear: Selected Poems (selected and introduced by Louise Guinness) (2019); and Mr Lear: A Life of Art and Nonsense by Jenny Uglow (2017)

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

books

New releases hitting shelves this week • THE WORST BEST MAN BY MIA SOSA A wedding planner left at the altar? Yeah, the irony isn’t lost on Carolina Santos, either. But despite that embarrassing blip from her past, Lina’s offered an opportunity that could

change her life. There’s just one hitch – she has to collaborate with the best (make that worst) man from her own failed nuptials.

Marketing expert Max Hartley is determined to make his mark with a coveted hotel client looking to

expand its brand. Then he learns he’ll be working with his brother’s whip-smart, stunning—absolutely offlimits—ex-fiancée. And she loathes him.

If they can nail their presentation without killing each other, they’ll both come out ahead. Except Max has been public enemy number one ever since he encouraged his brother to jilt the bride, and Lina’s ready to dish out a little payback of her own.

Soon Lina and Max discover animosity may not be the only emotion creating sparks between them...

• THE KISSING GAME

BY MARIE HARTE Rena Jackson is ready.

She’s worked her tail off to open up her own hair salon, and she’s almost ready to quit her job at the dive bar.

Rena’s also a diehard romantic, and she’s had her eye on Axel Heller for a while.

He’s got that tall-broodingand-handsome thing going big-time. Problem is, he’s got that buttoned-up Germanic

ice man thing going as well.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Rena’s about ready to give up on Axel and find some other Mr Right.

At six foot six, Axel knows he intimidates most people. He’s been crushing on the gorgeous waitress for months. But the muscled mechanic is no romantic, and his heart is buried so deep, he has no idea how to show Rena what he feels.

He knows he’s way out of his depth and she’s slipping away. So, he makes one crazy, desperate play...”I bet you a kiss you can’t resist me.”

Game on.

• THE GRAVITY OF US

BY PHIL STAMPER Cal wants to be a journalist, and he’s already well underway with almost half a million followers on his FlashFame app and an upcoming internship at Buzzfeed. But his plans are derailed when his pilot father is selected for

a highly-publicised NASA mission to Mars. Within days, Cal and his parents leave Brooklyn for hot and humid Houston.

With the entire nation desperate for any new information about the astronauts, Cal finds himself thrust in the middle of a media circus.

Suddenly his life is more like a reality TV show, with his constantly bickering parents struggling with their roles as the “perfect American family.”

And then Cal meets Leon, whose mother is another astronaut on the mission, and he finds himself falling head over heels--and fast. They become an oasis for each other amid the craziness of this whole experience. As their relationship grows, so does the frenzy surrounding the Mars mission, and when secrets are revealed about ulterior motives of the programme, Cal must find a way to get to the truth without hurting the people who have become most important to him.

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Friday, February 7, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

An evening to remember

By KIM ARANHA

W

hat happens when you take a whole lot of talent and place it in a beautiful green space, in the middle of a swimming pool, in the middle of the city of Nassau?

Magic! And that’s exactly what happened at last weekend’s second ‘Jazz at Jacaranda’ event for Hurricane Dorian.

Once that talent had settled down on the magical stage and the music started to flow, the guests all leaned forward in their chairs, as if a few centimetres more would effect the marvellous acoustics that Jacaranda House affords music lovers.

The seating was comfortable and generous, tables were set with multi-coloured cloths and bone china, silver cutlery and attractive wine and water glasses. Wildflowers, the event organisers supreme, provided lovely, fresh flower centrepieces with bright yellow roses and red ginger.

The event started at 6pm and the majority of the guests were seated at their tables well before 6.30pm. Tables of all sizes, from 10 people to tow, were set up on the terrace area of Jacaranda House, giving everyone a good view and a perfect listening experience.

The buffet dinner was a simply delicious cold feast of various salads (a variation of Coronation chicken and a fresh Salmon dish) and vegetarian/ vegan fare galore. This was a spread to please the most picky of eaters. What was particularly pleasant was that the food was set out buffet-style as soon as the event started. Guests were welcome to get their dinner when they wished it. There were none of those tedious food lines that we are all so frequently subjected to when we attend gala events. Some people chose to eat early, others waited a while. There was lots of food so

THE STAGE was set in the middle of the pool.

(l-r) Anne-Marie Davis, treasurer of the Bahamas Humane Society; Sherman Johnson, and Kim Aranha, president of the BHS.

(l-r) Percy Grant, BHS shelter manager; Loredana de Lama of Astengo de Lama Jewellery, and Dr Val Grant, a BHS board member.

nobody was pressured to “get it while it lasts”.

An amazing thing to note about this particular dinner was that the host and owner of Jacaranda House, Patricia Oakes Leigh-Wood, had arranged for a chef to prepare the dinner, but when he suddenly dropped out on the Wednesday before that event, she went ahead and assumed the role of head chef herself, preparing the entire dinner in-house at Jacaranda.

Imagine having to make that happen, and yet she did with the greatest of ease, and I know everybody enjoyed their meal immensely.

The audience was happy and satisfied, and that was even before the music started. What fabulous talent was amassed for one single night!

Musicians from so many parts of the world stood toe to toe with our own talented Bahamian jazz musicians, and the blend and the energy of this talented group was absolutely electrifying.

Tommaso Starace played his saxophone as if there was literally no tomorrow, while Italian pianist Massimo Colombo accompanied. (Massimo arranged and taped a series of wonderful Burt Bacharach music for a Grammy-nominated

CD). On the drums was ItalianCanadian Anthony Michelli – he has been part of many wonderful musical arrangements., too many to list. He is a hugely experienced and respected drummer worldwide.

Never to be over-looked was the very talented and smooth bassist Adrian d’Aguilar, who has certainly made me look at the bass with a totally new respect. I never really knew how sweet it could sound before listening to Adrian. Once, I had the pleasure of accompanying his enormous bass in it cases to Eleuthera on the ferry for the Eleuthera All that Jazz festival.

I was afraid to let it out of my sight and was overwhelmingly relieved when Adrian met it at the dock at the Current.

Other very talented young musicians joined the line-up and showcased the huge hidden talents there are in the Bahamas.

In addition to these uberimpressive musicians, we were treated to the amazing voices of Nassau-based Stazzi Appleyard and Montreal-based Anuschka Wright, both Bahamian ladies who know how to belt out a song and captivate the audience.

Within seconds of the start of the concert you could see people tapping their feet discretely to the rhythmic beat of the music It was a heck of an evening, all put together to raise funds for the Bahamas Humane Society. All the performers were there to support and help those in need. Such selfless generosity does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

Jazz at Jacaranda’s second event in its Dorian Series was targeted at the displaced animal victims of the storm; the first Dorian concert benefitted the children of the storm.

What a wonderful way to help the arts and the victims of Dorian, and at the same time provide such world-class entertainment! It was most certainly an evening to remember.

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

FILM

Oscar Predictions: Can ‘Parasite’ upset ‘1917’?

NEW YORK (AP) — Ahead of Sunday’s 92nd Academy Awards, Associated Press Film Writer Jake Coyle shares his predictions for a ceremony with a lot of locks but the potential for a few surprises.

BEST PICTURE

The Nominees: “Ford v Ferrari,” “The Irish-

man,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Joker,” “Little Women,” “Marriage Story,” “1917,” “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” “Parasite” Will Win: “Parasite” Should Win: “Parasite” Should Have Been a Contender: “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” The last-arriving contender, Sam Mendes’ World War I film “1917,” has seemingly, fittingly run away with it. The top-prize winner of the Producers Guild, the Directors Guild and the BAFTAs, “1917” is the clear favourite.

But I think Bong Joon Ho’s universally beloved “Parasite” could pull off an upset that would rank alongside the underdog win of “Moonlight” three years ago. Taking best ensemble from the Screen Actors Guild showed that “Parasite” has perhaps the most important vote in the actors (they make up the largest percentage of the film academy), and academy membership has also grown more international in recent years. The time may be

BEST actor Oscar nominees, from left, Joaquin Phoenix in “Joker,” Leonardo DiCaprio in “Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood,” Jonathan Pryce in “The Two Popes,” Antonio Banderas in “Pain and Glory,” and Adam Driver in “Marriage Story.”

LEAD actress Oscar nominees, from left, Charlize Theron in “Bombshell,” Saoirse Ronan in “Little Women,” Scarlett Johansson in “Marriage Story,” Renée Zellweger in “Judy,” and Cynthia Erivo in “Harriet.”

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Friday, February 7, 2020

SIX Oscar nominated films, from left, “Little Women,” “Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood,” “Ford v. Ferrari,” “Parasite,” “Joker,” and “1917.” The Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 9. (AP Photos) right for the first foreign-language film to win best picture, and “Parasite” deserves it.

BEST ACTRESS The Nominees: Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”; Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”; Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women”; Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”; Renee Zellweger, “Judy Will Win: Renee Zellweger Should Win: Saoirse Ronan Should Have Been a Contender: Alfre Woodard, “Clemency” Zellweger is already a winner for “Cold Mountain” in 2004. But her fragile yet powerhouse performance as Judy Garland in “Judy” is that irresistible thing: a comeback story.

The part reverberates with Zellweger’s own history; she and Garland are both former American sweethearts. She’s a fine choice, but the verve and velocity of Ronan’s great performance in “Little Women” shouldn’t be overlooked. Formidable as this category is, it would have been better with Woodard’s fully inhabited, devastatingly still performance as a prison warden in the spare “Clemency” — not to mention Lupita Nyong’o’s ferocious double act in “Us.”

BEST ACTOR The Nominees: Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory”; Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood”; Adam Driver,

“Marriage Story”; Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker”; Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes” Will Win: Joaquin Phoenix Should Win: Adam Driver Should Have Been a Contender: Andre Holland, “High Flying Bird” After several years of lethargy, best actor is the year’s most competitive category. The next five options — including Adam Sandler (”Uncut Gems”) and Eddie Murphy (”Dolemite Is My Name”) — are equally good. Phoenix, like all of this year’s acting favourites, has been the clear front-runner for some time, for his morose yet limber Joker. But Driver’s performance in “Marriage Story” is the real show-stopper here; a more nuanced and rewarding performance that culminates beautifully in song and tears. A shout-out also to the exceptional Holland, whose guileful, fast-talking NBA agent in “High Flying Bird” felt like a thrilling fast break.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

The Nominees: Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell”; Laura Dern, “Marriage Story”; Scarlett Johansson, “Jojo Rabbit”; Florence Pugh, “Little Women”; Margot Robbie, “Bombshell” Will Win: Laura Dern Should Win: Laura Dern Should Have Been a Contender: Zhao Shuzhen, “The Farewell” Dern has won every precursor award ahead of the Oscars, and is

poised to win her first Academy Award. That’s cause for celebration. Dern has been one of the finest actresses in Hollywood for decades, and her fearsome divorce attorney in “Marriage Story” is indelible, particularly her fabulous monologue on the double-standards of modern marriage. But this category is also missing some worthy actresses, including Jennifer Lopez (”Hustlers”) and Shuzhen, who played the grandmother unaware of her own cancer diagnosis in Lulu Wang’s tender family drama “The Farewell.”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR The Nominees: Tom Hanks, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”; Anthony Hopkins, “The Two Popes”; Al Pacino, “The Irishman”; Joe Pesci, “The Irishman”; Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” Will Win: Brad Pitt Should Win: Brad Pitt Should Have Been a Contender: Wesley Snipes, “Dolemite Is My Name” Nothing is more certain this year than Pitt’s win for “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,” a movie that perfectly showcases Pitt’s sly charisma. His march toward his first acting Oscar has been fun, too, in a string of acceptance speeches (thanks to an apparent joke writer helping him out) filled with memorable one-liners. The talent in this category is extraordinary — Pesci or

Hanks would win most years — but it’s still a shame there wasn’t room for Snipes’ irresistible prima donna actor-turned-director in “Dolemite Is My Name” or Rob Morgan’s powerful death row inmate in “Just Mercy.”

DIRECTOR The Nominees: Martin Scorsese, “The Irishman”; Todd Phillips, “Joker”; Sam Mendes, “1917”; Quentin Tarantino, “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood”; Bong Joon Ho, “Parasite” Will Win: Sam Mendes Should Win: Martin Scorsese Should Have Been a Contender: Marielle Heller, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Mendes appears the favourite here for the technical acumen of his seemingly-one-take “1917.” The pristine command of Bong would be a better choice but so would the colossal achievement of Scorsese in “The Irishman.” He has won best director only once before. And in 2019, Scorsese not only produced a career-crowning masterwork but mounted a passionate defence for the future of cinema. Greta Gerwig deserved to be among the nominees here for her thrillingly vibrant “Little Women,” but so did Marielle Heller (”A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), whose talent with texture, performance and authenticity doesn’t announce itself, and can go underappreciated.

26 | The Tribune | Weekend

27 7 Put out, Across: 1 As regards, 9 In tears, 10 Melt, 12 Ice, 13 Karaoke, 14 Too, Tale, 17 Ant 7, Friday,15February bear, 19 Dancer, 20 On the road.

Down: 1 Animated, 2 Sane, 3 Rut, 4 Guarantee, 5 At root, 6 Dunce, 8 Teetered, 11 Trench, 13 Koran, 16 Lava, 18 Ego.

27 We were concealing a jug (4) 28 Caught moving by spare church into virtual environment (10)

BDA E f r AE c

● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? in making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. no plurals or verb forms ending in “s”.

TODAY’S TARGET Good 14; very good 21; excellent 28 (or more). Solution on Monday

call 0907 181 2585 for today’s target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

BATTLESHIPS FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off.

Solution on Monday 2

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Across: Mechanica Calypso, Verge, Ud Subtext, Rococo, Ta 3 Dwar cAn you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid Down: Spicy, TArgeT Extra letter Surf, Lobe, number represents a letter – or black square.Chimp, 0907 181W HyDrAuLiC Chateau, Ageless, As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet (Deduct three m achy arch archil archly chair char is used. But you have to complete the grid too! each extra clue le chard charily chary chid child churl CroSSfull Dou use the given letters and black squares below solut dahl dhal diarchy duchy hail hair CLAIM181 the grid to start. the grid is ‘rotationally Across:0907 hairy hard hardily hardly hardy harl BENCH symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the Down:*Calls cost 80p per haul hiya hula hurl hydra your telephone c same if you turn the page upside down. network access HYDRAULIC hydric larch lurch rich SuMMiT uP Solution on Monday richly 94 and 109 A 30 10 18 27 32 4 3 28 39 16 11 6 B C 16 40 10 12 8 3 4 34 17 20 33 8 D E 25 6 38 4 21 12 9 30 14 20 37 2 F G 12 22 20 19 31 28 19 8 1 26 22 8 H I 35 18 32 5 16 35 27 38 38 17 10 1 J K 38 28 6 4 2 22 13 19 32 29 26 6 L M 27 7 1 32 10 5 23 8 24 6 39 6 N O 8 2 18 19 28 13 40 6 10 2 29 9 P Q 35 20 32 36 10 27 31 24 7 20 30 2 R S 8 27 12 22 14 11 26 36 34 15 1 7 T 27 6 1 U 10 2 21 11 34 15 34 38 6 V 10 1 38 9 2 4 W 10 9 35 18 37 8 X 14 13 29 10 12 25 18 38 24 8 Y 5 8 Z

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22

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The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, February 7, 2020

ANIMALS

A return to the wild Animal matters | KIM ARANHA

M

PET OF THE WEEK

any circuses and zoos have much to answer for as to how some of the most splendid of animals have been treated at their hands.

Countless lions and tigers have been kept in small cages that are no bigger than a queen-sized bed, on the back of trucks for decades.

Over the years many countries have been pressured by animal organisations to ban the exploitation of animals in zoos and circuses. This is of course a wonderful thing, but can be an utter disaster unless the animal groups step in and repatriate these animals to sanctuaries where they can live out their lives in comfort and without fear.

So many lions and tigers who are rescued bear the marks from their tormentors, their so called “tamers” who beat them and caused ugly scars to show on their faces and bodies. These so called tamers, armed with a whip, protected by a gun, would hurt and inflict pain on these most splendid creatures until they were literally broken by violence inflected upon them for simply being “wild animals” of the most glorious form.

It is stomach-turning to read reports of how family groups

were split up, nursing babies taken from their mothers, how they were beaten, starved and drugged.

One of the greatest culprits of all is the tourist who gets duped into a photo op with any of these animals. I remember being in Africa and seeing cheetahs who were being photographed with visitors, we were reassured that they were sleepy because they had just eaten. Had I known what I know today I would have realised that they were not sleepy because they had “just had lunch” but they were sleepy because the poor devils had been drugged. And after that photo has been taken, what does the tourist do with it?

What does the poor cheetah do with it? A big fat nothing … no freedom, no thanks, just drugged up and forced to do it again tomorrow, for another

JAUNTY JEHAN

By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY Tongue out, bandanna on, Jehan’s ready and waiting to go home!

This five-month-old potcake is full of puppy energy and loves to play with the other pups waiting for adoption at the Bahamas Humane Society. If you’ve been considering

bunch of tourists who just don’t get it.

Recently, Guatemala banned the use of wild animals is zoos and circuses.

Tigers, lions and elephants are no longer to be beaten and chained so that they will perform unnatural “tricks” for the uninformed humans who look on and pay good money to fuel this unacceptable behaviour.

There is a particularly endearing video clip by the BBC that a very good friend sent me. It shows some tigers and lions who had been part of a Guatemalan zoo, who were rescued by the Greater Good and transported to South Africa where there is a new and spacious sanctuary awaiting them.

For the lions, they will be returning to their own land, their own continent. They will

again feel that unmistakable sensation of the African sun and the whisper of the savannah grass, coupled with the smell of the earth. The tigers are less fortunate as they will not return to their continent but they will have huge spaces to roam, and food, water and kindness a plenty. Their freedom will be respected and nobody will ever raise a whip in their faces to force submission.

Hopefully, eventually, the entire world will follow suit and the atrocities that men submit animals to in the pathetic name of entertainment will cease. I pray that man will actually realise that there is nothing satisfying or exciting about seeing a tiger tottering on a ball or jumping through a burning hoop. It is degrading to the animal and just shows us how far we still

have to go as humans understanding and appreciating nature in its purest form.

Hats off to the hardworking organisations and the people who push the legislation forward in getting countries to ban the enslavement and exploitation of wild animals. We still have a long way to go, but each and every country that enforces the ban is another part of the puzzle completed.

To see film of animals kept in small, dirty and dark cages, introduced to the great outdoors, feel grass and earth under their pads, real breeze through their fur, to watch them roll in that grass in delight and abandon is one of the sweetest images.

We humans can but imagine what an animal goes through.

We see their eyes and how they put their heads between their paws in total dejection, we see them pace, we see them turn their faces to the wall and give up. We know that they suffer much the same way we do, only they cannot vocalise their suffering, so it makes it so much easier for some to ignore.

I ask you all to pledge with me to no longer ever attend events where there is the exploitation of wild animals, or really any animals at all.

Make this promise today!

adoption, now’s a great time, and Jehan could be your perfect pup!

Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday, or you can call 323-5138 for more information.

Jehan looks forward to meeting you!

(Photo/Patricia Vazquez)

• Party for the Animals!

Saturday, February 29 at 7pm at the BNT Retreat on Village Road. Tickets are $40 and available at the shelter and Fox Hill Nursery. Get your today and prepare to have fun with adult hoop-la and more!

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 7, 2020

MUSIC

Bahamian 'Broadway baby' releases new R&B tune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

H

e may have crossed over into mainstream music with the release of his new R&B ballad “Will You”, but Jonathan Farrington wants people to know he is still “rooted in spiritual gospel music.”

The acoustic R&B single was written by the Bahamian singer after a six-year hiatus. It was then engineered by Grammy-award winning producer Cynthia Daniels.

“I met her when I was working on the play ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ in the Hamptons. She has a beautiful home and studio out there in the woods which was the perfect atmosphere for me to find inspiration to work on the song,” he said.

“Cynthia is a gem and has such a great ear for music.

Our working relationship was very fluid and created very sincere relationship. I plan to do more recordings with her in the future.”

“Will You”, he said, was written from the heart and speaks about relationships, the human need for desire and connection.

“We long for love, communication, attention, and this song echoes those sentiments with a question of ‘Will you?’ Will you hold my hand in the summer when I’m older. Will you hold my hand in the winter when I’m colder, when I’m lonely and afraid? These questions are

“We long for love, communication, attention, and this song echoes those sentiments with a question of ‘Will you?’ “ asked out of the fact that we can’t do this thing called life alone,” he said.

But his audience is not only couples or married people.

“It’s for a myriad of relationships: parents and

children, best friends, et cetera. And all our hearts want to know if the ones we love will be there for us and continue to be there for us through the changes in seasons, through the hard trials, through the good times and

through the times when we feel very vulnerable and and alone,” he said.

Though he is primarily known for his gospel music here in the Bahamas, Jonathan said he loves songs from many different genres as long as they reflect the human experience.

“I know that I’m generally known for gospel music, but I consider myself to be a versatile artist. In my music I usually write from my life experiences, so there will be new songs that will not be of the gospel genre,” he said.

Jonathan was recently cast in an off-Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun” where he plays the Nigerian

love interest of Beneatha Younger.

“I’ve honestly been working really hard lately, auditioning, performing, vlogging, networking, writing songs and scripts, agent workshops and so much more,” he said of his time in New York.

Just a few days shy of his 30th birthday, Jonathan is hoping to release a new EP in the near future.

“My goals for my career and acting and music is to perform and work at the highest level in both industries. Working with top music producers and actors and directors of film and TV, and also Broadway,” he said.

“There have been a lot of people telling me that my next step is Broadway and I really like the sound of that. So we will see what 2020 holds for me. My focus right now is auditioning and releasing new music.”