02102017 weekend

Friday, February 10, 2017

culture entertainment film fashion music shopping society

Weekend

flying fish Pages 8&9

Art therapy Tragedy sparks painter’s creativity Art, pages 14&15

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 10, 2017

life through a lens Photos/Jason Koerner

All that jazz

A

t just 17 years old, Giveton Gelin is the Bahamas’ star trumpeter who is all set for international success. Last month, the teenager participated in the 36th annual National YoungArts Week 2017 in Miami, Florida.

The National YoungArts Foundation selected Giveton as one of the 691 most promising young artists in the literary, visual, design and performing arts fields in the United States. He was selected to be a finalist, which signifies the organisation’s highest honour.

The YoungArts Week is considered a signature programme which aims to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and community while offering finalists the guidance needed to prepare for the next stage of their artistic development.

While in Miami, Giveton joined his fellow finalists in performances at the New World Center and Le Chat Noir, considered one of the city’s best venues for live jazz music. He also took part in a music master class.

Have you taken a selection of photographs that might make a Life through a lens feature page? If so please submit it to weekend@ tribunemedia.net for consideration

Photo/Katherine Bollens

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Friday, February 10, 2017

Inside Weekend Interview

4-5 Anita Bosfield-Dillet about her new book which tells the story of her ancestor, a young slave girl named Tulip Roker.

Food 7 -9 Grand Bahama’s Flying Fish is ranked the 58th best restaurant in the world, plus Wok N Roll celebrates Chinese New Year

Entertainment 10 Happy Foods 242 is back for a sixth season

Shopping 11 A young entrepreneur ‘lights the way to love’ this Valentine’s Day

Culture12 The popular Greek Festival returns Art 13 - 15 A tragic death inspires Ryan Turnquest to take up his paint brush, plus ‘3rilogy’ host second successful ‘ParticiPAINT’ event

My perfect Bahamian weekend Stefanisha Strachan Bahamian student in Azerbaijan Q: Beach or sofa?

“Even if there wasn’t snow outside my window right now I’d definitely have to say beach.

There’s just a serenity there that’s almost tangible. Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m really just an island girl that wants nothing more than to be a fulltime beach bum. Unfortunately, I think that would kind of conflict with my schedule, being a fulltime student and all.”

Q: Wine, rum, cocktail or Kalik?

“Since I’m away from home my inner nostalgic Bahamian is screaming ‘Kalik!’. However, once I’ve silenced her I can guiltlessly choose wine. It’s honestly my go-to drink after I get home from a long day at school and I desperately just need to unwind.”

and just eat, drink and laugh to our heart’s content. It’s truly something ‘easy’ about Bahamian Sundays that I just wouldn’t trade.”

Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?

“My faith. It’s the one thing that has brought a little island girl like me half way across the world and it’s the one thing that continues to sustain me daily. For me faith is more than just believing. It’s me trusting in something greater than myself and holding onto

Film 18 -19

Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday lunch?

“Sunday lunch is practically a tradition with me and my friends.

Whenever I’m home on break we’d choose a restaurant usually near the sea, like Compass Point,

Fans are excited for “Fifty Shades Darker”, plus “John Wick 2” and “The Lego Batman Movie” reviewed

Things 2 Do this weekend

Society 20 - 21

Friday

The Zonta Club hosts ‘Tapas and Jazz’ fundraiser, plus wine lovers get a taste of history

• Sip and Shop with Cia Monet Time: 5pm-11pm Venue: Cia Monet Consignment Boutique Enjoy a Valentine’s Day shopping experience. Admission is $20 and includes free drinks and appetisers.

Podcasts 17 Love in the digital age

Music 22 Beyonce and Adele in a Grammy showdown Literary Lives 23 - 25 ‘Gigi’ novelist Colette was a woman of passion Forgotten Facts 25 Life and times on McPherson Street Animals

27 The end of the line for circuses

Gardening 28 Jack Hardy on fighting pests Cover | Terrel W Carey

Saturday • ‘I Love My Body’ Red Run/Walk Time: 6.45am Venue: Club One Fitness Encourage someone you love to embrace the healthy style by running, walking, cycling, dancing or skipping in the Red Run. The route is approximately three miles.

• Da Market Time: 8am - 1pm Venue: BNT Retreat, Village Road

Generali Worldwide Insurance is partnering with the BNT to host an event that offers locally grown produce, including salad greens, fresh pork and mutton, fresh chicken and eggs, fresh baked bread, pastries, freshly squeezed juices and much more.

The first 50 Generali Worldwide members who show up and register at the desk with their ID card will receive a bag filled with goodies, including a little something to promote healthy eating habits.

• ‘Renewed Ways of Seeing’ art workshop Time: 10am - 1pm Venue: National Art Gallery NE8 participating artist Jeffrey Meris presents a workshop inviting the public to reimagine the everyday.

We’ve been conditioned to see art as art and everyday objects as ordinary but what happens when

it even when I’m feeling I have no reason to.”

Q: Weekend away, where would you go and why?

“I’d get on a boat, stock it with my favourite drinks and just coast the Berry Islands. I’ve never been, but I’ve heard such great things about them that I just have to experience it for myself. I want to explore the breath-taking waters, do some fishing and definitely do some diving too. I enjoy travelling, so it would certainly be amiss of me not to explore my beautiful country as well.”

art and the every day meet? Join Jeffrey to investigate found and repurposed objects through processes of manipulation, assemblage, and reproduction.

• Tru Tru Bahamian Festival Time: 11am - 8pm Venue: John Watling’s Distillery, Buena Vista Estate Vendors from all over the country come will together to showcase ‘tru tru’ Bahamian culture. There will be food, arts and crafts, games, competitions, entertainment, a Junkanoo rush-out and more.

Sunday • Noveltease Passion Party Time: 5pm Venue: Noveltease, The Courtyard, Shirley Street Reignite the passion for Valentine’s Day with a sexy shopping experience.

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Friday, February 10, 2017

interview The tale of a young slave girl who went on to become the matriarch of the Bosfield family is the topic of Anita BosfieldDillet’s new book. The author tells Cara Hunt about her passion for history and why it is important to stay connected to the past.

Anita Bosfield-Dillet

A

nita BosfieldDillet’s new book, “Tulip’s Story, Our Story”, tells the story of her fifth great-grandmother who started life as a slave and later became the matriarch of the Bosfield family in the Bahamas.

The book originally started as a way to tell members of the family about their ancestor, Tulip Roker, but Mrs Bosfield-Dillet soon realised that such fascinating history deserved to be preserved in a narrative style that could be enjoyed by audiences of varying ages.

“I originally wrote the story in a historical style context,” she told Tribune Weekend, “but after I finished I thought no one will read it like this, so instead I decided to write it as a first person account as if I were Tulip telling you the story.”

“Tulip Roker’s story unravels over a period of years with its twists and turns failures and victories,” she explained.

Tulip was born in 1797, and as the tale unfolds it is revealed that at the age of 10 she was raped by her slave master and became pregnant with her first son, Henry. The book also examines some of the ordeals slaves had to endure, such as the constant fear of rape, families being separated, and the physical abuse by slave owners Eventually, Tulip was granted her freedom, while her son was sold to another slave owner.

After Emancipation in 1834, the pair were reunited and started a

“The ancestors speak to us across the years and we decide whether or not to take heed.”

Photo/Terrel W Carey

new life – she as a domestic maid and Henry as a dock worker.

It was while she was working as a maid that Tulip met and became pregnant for Joseph Bosfield, an Englishman she cleaned for. Their son was named Courtney. And although Joseph never married Tulip, he “looked after them”, moving them into a house and giving her the funds to open a small store which was able to expand and support her family.

Courtney Bosfield went on to have many children, the descendants of whom make up the Bosfield line today. Tulip died in 1867.

Mrs Bosfield-Dillet said she began to research Tulip Roker’s life in earnest in 2014 after the name of Courtney’s mother came up in a family conversation.

“This book is an attempt to put flesh to oral traditions and written records found of a human being who lived and worked during a tumultuous period in our country’s history until this present time,” she said.

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Friday, February 10, 2017

“It is hoped that whoever reads this short but interesting narrative will be inspired to tell their story, even if they think no one will read it. They will be surprised.”

Mrs Bosfield-Dillet said she wants to encourage every Bahamian to research their family history.

“The ancestors speak to us across the years and we decide whether or not to take heed,” she said.

To research Tulip’s story, Mrs Bosfield-Dillet visited the National Archives to look at old records and newspapers.

“It was very eye-opening to see what was going on doing that time.

You would see the advertisements in the paper and it would be someone selling goats or furniture, or slaves. You would see the ads for the auction of a ‘good male slave’ or a young female slave at Vendue House, and it was just so amazing to actually see the ads in black and white and to realise that was something that was just a normal part of the day for them,” she said.

She also searched the archives and online sites for wills and birth, baptism, marriage and death registries to help paint a picture of her family’s history.

Now retired, Mrs Bosfield-Dillet has found a passion in researching Bahamian families, and she is just about done with a new book, this time about her mother’s side of the family.

“It can be tedious for sure and there can be a lot to go through, but I feel its rewarding,” she said.

Mrs Bosfield-Dillet is equally as passionate about ensuring that the current family members stay connected and keep their legacy alive.

She has been instrumental in organising two successful family reunions for her family.

The first was held in Nassau in 2014. It included a bus tour of Nassau, a day at Blue Lagoon and other special events.

The reunion was such a success that the Bosfield family staged another reunion, this time in Boston, Massachusetts, last summer.

“We chose Boston because one of our ancestors, Samuel Joseph Bosfield, had relocated to Boston and raised his family there,” she explained.

“We were able to participate in a church service in the (St Bartholomew) Episcopal Church,

Members of the Bosfield family who attended a service held at the St Bartholomew Episcopal Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that Samuel and Elizabeth Bosfield helped to establish in 1908.

Mr and Mrs Samuel Bosfield and their children, some of whom were born in Nassau before they left for the United States in 1890. which our ancestors had helped to build. We also did a Tauck tour of the city and Boston Harbour, and we did a tour of Cambridge and Harvard University, as well as some side tours of other points of interest. To end the reunion we had a gala banquet. It was a typical Boston sea food evening with lobster and crab legs. We had about 30 persons from the Bahamas who went and then persons from all over the United States, and we had a great time.”

Mrs Bosfield-Dillet said that having a reunion is an excellent way for families to stay connected.

“We have decided that we will do reunions every two years, which gives people time to get their finances together and plan their vacations,” she said.

They are already looking to next year when they plan is to go on a family cruise.

“You also need to have one or two ‘pushy’ members of the family who are

willing to keep people connected. We have a family directory with contacts and e-mails, so we do can regular updates to let people know what is going on and we can check with everyone.

For example, when we had Hurricane Matthew we were able to send e-mails out to check on everyone. If you are planning a trip, it’s good to send out as much information as soon as you can so that people know what is going on and can plan,” she said.

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Friday, February 10, 2017

food

Welcome to the Year of the Rooster

W

ok N Roll on West Bay Street celebrated an exclusive Chinese New Year’s celebration on Sunday, January 29, bringing in the Year of the Rooster in style.

The night began with a glass of Pink Moscato bubbly and hors d’oeuvres, which included chicken skewers with satay sauce, prawn crackers, and homemade spring rolls and crab rangoon.

Guests were then seated and served a five-course meal starting with velvet corn chicken soup, followed by sweet and sour fish, lobster Cantonese​, and Szechuan beef​, topped off with Wok N Roll’s signature dessert of ‘Luscious Lychees’ with icecream​.​ Owner Lana Lee-Brogdon educated guests on the Chinese celebration of the New Year known as the Spring Festival which lasts for two whole weeks.

Persons born in the years 1933, 1945, 1957,1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 ​and ​2017​​ are “Roosters” in Chinese astrology ​and ​are​ describe​d as resilient, brave, loyal, hard working, astute, fashionable dressers, charming and witty​.

Guests wished each other a “Happy New Year” in Cantonese by saying “Gung Hei Fat Choy”, and prizes were presented for best-dressed in Asian attire. Wok N Roll is in its fifth year and hosts many other events to celebrate both eastern and western holidays.

Their next event, “Sip N Sample”, is scheduled for Thursday, February 23, and will feature a four-course sampler menu for only $25 per person.

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 10, 2017

food

GB’s Flying Fish scores high with international restaurant guides

Flying fish restaurant

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

L

isted as the 58th best restaurant in the world, Grand Bahama’s Flying Fish soars high above the competition with it’s modern and eclectic take on the classics.

The restaurant, which sits on a premier waterfront location in Lucaya, opened in March 2012.

Owners Chef Tim Tibbits, and his wife, Rebecca, said they wanted to provide people with “a world-class dining experience and destination that the Bahamas was lacking at the time.”

“The menu is ever-changing, with menus printed every day in order to offer the best product at the best time,” said Mrs Tibbits.

The Flying Fish serves local seafood only when its in season and the menu items reflect the couple’s culinary

“We wanted that Freeportmeets-New York City feel with warm, island hospitality... we are proof that worldclass dining is available with a truly Bahamian staff.”

Chef Tim and Rebecca Tibbits, owners of the Flying Fish experiences from their travels around the world.

“We continue to be inspired by both our location and our travels to keep the menus exciting and relevant,” Mrs Tibbits said.

The restaurant has been met with great success, according to the Tibbits, having been named one of the best restaurants in the world for 2017 by La Liste, an acclaimed algorithm-based ag-

gregator of food guides and reviews.

The Daily Meal, one the world’s leading restaurant guides, also named the Flying Fish as one of the top 100 restaurants in the western hemisphere, and the Caribbean Journal has placed it in their Top 10 for the Caribbean for three years in a row. Meanwhile, the AAA has designated the Flying Fish as a four-diamond award winner for four years in a row, a feat never before ac-

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Friday, February 10, 2017

complished by a Grand Bahama restaurant.

When Hurricane Matthew devastated the island last October, the restaurant suffered significant damage, and the Tibbits are currently doing repair work to the best of their abilities while still remaining open for business.

Mrs Tibbits said business has been especially quiet since the hurricane due to limited hotel rooms and with major cleanups and repairs still underway all over the island.

“Disposable income is not as available for dining out, but we are very appreciative of all of supporters and guests who have been a part of our journey up until now,” she said. Prior to Hurricane Matthew, the restaurant recorded a growth in business in each of the five years it has been open.

Chef Tibbits, a born Grand Bahamian, along with his wife and childhood friend, returned from Canada to settle in Freeport in 2007.

“We came to open a restaurant for a friend of a friend, from there we started our own catering company, and from the catering company Flying Fish was born,” the couple recalled.

The restaurant has a seating capacity of 128 - 170 outside and 58 inside. It has a modern, elegant décor that is warm and welcoming.

“Tim designed the concept to feel different than anything else, especially around here,” said Mrs Tibbits.

“We wanted that Freeport-meets-New York City feel with warm, island hospitality. We travelled across many cities while conceptualising Flying Fish, and tried to (incorporate) part of what we loved from restaurants we love into our own. We want people to enjoy a fine dining experience like you could in any major city such as London, New York, Paris, but with a very Bahamian feel and with an efficient but warm, hospitable service style.”

The Flying Fish’s signature dish is the grilled calamari with brown butter powder, spherical olives (they call them “sneaky olives” on their menu), capers, tomatoes and confit garlic. The dish has a Mediterranean heritage, but the Tibbits have changed a few elements to delight the Bahamian palate.

While the restaurant is called Flying Fish, it also offers several non-seafood items, like the popular beef short rib cooked sous-vide (in vacuum-sealed bags) for 72 hours. It is served with potato gnocchi, balsamic “caviar”, pickled shallots, blue cheese and fresh tomato and celery.

Mrs Tibbits said the Flying Fish is a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

“Visitors that find us within their first few days often return for another meal. The ones that don’t find us often la-

ment that they wish they found us earlier in their time here. Lots of our local supporters always say how happy they are that we are here in Freeport,” she said.

The restaurant has become known for being the place to celebrate special occasions. And on Sunday nights they do things a little differently, hosting “Casual Sunday” out on the patio. Chef Tibbits leaves his kitchen to set up outside on their floating dock to play music.

Mrs Tibbits said: “In his past career he was a professional musician in Canada, so his musical talent has become known as something to not miss on Sundays. Locals come by boat, too, when the weather allows as we have a floating dock to tie up to.”

Chef Tibbits attended George Brown College in Toronto, Canada, as part of his first apprenticeship. He worked in restaurants in the greater Toronto area before moving back to Freeport.

The couple spends most of their free time expanding on their knowledge about the trade: reading, practising and watching TV shows and documentaries about cooking.

“We try to ‘travel for work’ as often as we can to further enhance our knowledge and experience. We have collaborated with chefs across the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the US and Canada,” said Mrs Tibbits.

“In fact, every time we go somewhere else in the world to dine we try to learn something to bring back to Flying Fish to improve it even more. We’re always learning and growing, and as a whole we encourage our staff to do the same.”

The Tibbits are proud of what their team has accomplished at the Flying Fish. They employ an all-Bahamian staff.

“We have no work permits at the restaurant and we are proof that world-class dining is available with a truly Bahamian staff. Every time we receive an accolade we are very appreciative for the support and recognition, if not a little shocked,” she said.

When La Liste gave them the 58th highest score for restaurants in the entire world, they were most definitely shocked.

“Even now some of our staff do not understand how important and humbling that is. When we received the phone call in 2014 for our first AAA four-diamond award we went online to see the criteria and started crying with pride and joy for being able to fulfil what they asked without even knowing the criteria. We do what we do because we love it, and that turned heads and gained recognition, and we could not be more proud,” said Mrs Tibbits.

“This keeps us motivated every day to try our best and uphold the standards we created for ourselves.”

Serrano ham wrapped wahoo, smoked tomato broth and squid ink risotto

Stone crab salad with lemon and mustard dill dressing

Garden salad with pickled and fresh vegetables, spinach cream, crispy yolk, olive and tempura mushrooms

Tarragon and truffled chicken tortellini, with crisp potatoes, braised leeks

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Friday, February 10, 2017

entertainment Photos/KMS Productions

Happy Foods promises ‘best season yet’

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

H

appy Foods 242 is back in full effect with 10 new episodes featuring Nassau’s hottest new spots, food festivals and more.

The sixth season premiered last Saturday and will continue to air every Saturday at 7.30pm on Cable 12, with a re-broadcast on Wednesdays at 9pm.

The episodes are also available on YouTube.

The Happy Foods team promised Tribune Weekend that this is the best season yet, and viewers will be given a first-hand look at the talents of private and pastry chefs, as well as access to various restaurants and bars around town.

“We call it the happiest show on television. Good food is one of few things that I experience genuine happiness from,” said Sasha Lightbourne, Happy Foods’ founder, host and CEO. “Season six will be better than the rest. We have a lot of new places that we have never visited before. We also have a reunion show that we did with the Gourmet Grill. We featured them in season two but that was when we were only on YouTube. We also did two very popular festivals that happen in Nassau every year, one of which has become a staple for us – Festival Rum Bahamas. So there’s a lot in this season.”

For fans that have been supporting the show from the beginning, Sasha said Happy Foods is still the same show they know and love, filled with laughter and a lot of fun.

“I try not to let too much out of the bag because I want people to watch. There’s sweet, there’s savoury, there’s Bahamian flavour, there’s some

healthy stuff in there that was surprisingly very, very good. This season is jam-packed. It has something for everyone, young and old,” said Sasha.

“We have also worked on improving the product from a production standpoint. JKL Media is responsible for the production of the show and they have some new toys that have definitely improved the quality of the show.”

Sasha recalled the very first episode they filmed and reflected on how far they have come since then. Their first ever show featured Da Glass Kitchen on Hawkins Hill, where she was welcomed by the friendly staff.

“We shot that show in two parts.

We did breakfast in the morning and then we came back once they had closed to do the lunch part. It was such a long day and I was so tired when we were don,e but it was so worth it. I still watch that show on our YouTube channel every now and again just to see how far we have come. It still gives me goosebumps and the food there is so good, still good. That show for sure is still up there in my top 10 and now we are over 60 plus shows in,” said Sasha.

She believes patience has been the key to Happy Foods’ success, as with most ventures there are good and bad days. Sasha said she also learned that despite the positivity the show attempts to spread, people are still going to criticise.

“I have learned more than ever with this show that everyone is different, some people are just awful and some people are really wonderful. I have been fortunate enough to have a great team who have, with the exception of two people, been with me since day one and that in and of itself is the greatest lesson for me. Treat people good so they won’t ever have a reason to leave. Loyalty is priceless,” said Sasha.

Happy Foods host Sasha Lightbourne with Luke Bethel, executive chef at The Pier

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Friday, February 10, 2017

shopping

Lighting the way to love

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

M

ORE than just a source of lighting during yet another power cut, candles are increasingly being enjoyed by Bahamians for their scents, for comfort and even for meditation.

And of course, candles are also perfect for romantic settings, particularly on Valentine’s Day. Latesia Smith, owner of Wicks & Wax 242, is aiming to make her customers’ Valentine’s Day extra special this year with her unique candles.

For example, the limited edition “Love Box” for both men and women consists of a personalised engraved wooden box with a 4oz candle of choice, a coconut/ oatmeal, milk and honey sugar scrub, a nourishing beard balm for men, exhilarating bath bomb for women, an incense stick of choice and incense holder, tea light candles, and wine or cider to top it all off.

“Our sense of smell can create a positive or negative impact on our mental state, emotions, and even the physical body. Candles create the perfect setting for Valentine’s Day, evoking a feeling of comfort and calmness,” said Latesia.

“From our sage and chamomile with dried herbs, to our popular ‘Love Spell’ scent, we’re sure to have something to suit your needs for that special day.”

Whether it be for religious, cultural or personal use, Latesia said candles have been “lighting the way” for centuries, which is why what started out as an experiment for her has now blossomed into a successful business.

“Trying to set the mood?

Light a candle. What do you do when you’re in a bad mood and need to meditate? Light a candle. Setting the mood for romance can always be a tricky one. Nothing beats stimulating

Latesia Smith turned her candle-making hobby into a lucrative business venture

Wicks and Wax offers special Valen 242 tin Day packages featu e’s rin their signature cand g les

warm, glowing candles,” she said.

When it comes to burning aromatherapy candles, Latesia believes the benefits can be felt as soon as the wick is lit.

For example, lemongrass or eucalyptus candles, she explained, affect the olfactory nerves leading from the nose to the brain almost instantly.

Her favourite scent, Latesia said, would have to be lavender, as it invokes a deep sense of calm in her and allows her to relax.

“I bought a candle-making kit as a present to myself a year ago, and in all honesty the kit sat in my home for months until one day in the summer I decided to utilise it and make candles. I plan to continue building my brand and business with customer service being the foundation of my company. In the beginning I was so nervous and skeptical about starting a business, a candle business at that. I would always ask customers, ‘How did it burn?’

‘How does it smell?’ ‘What can I do to change it?’ I took it in, made adjustments and exceeded their expectations. I welcome all feedback, whether it be positive or negative. All feedback is good feedback,” said Latesia.

Wicks and Wax 242 offers 100 per cent soy wax candles, incense sticks, and natural sugar scrubs with all natural essential oils. The company is currently operating as a pick-up and delivery service once communication is made through the Wicks&Wax242 Facebook and Instagram pages or by telephone.

Latesia’s plans for the future include selling her candles in all of the islands in the Bahamas as well as on the global market.

“We will be working on a website and other social media platforms to keep customers and potential customers up to date on what we are offering. We also have PayPal set up for international customers who would like to receive items globally at this time,” said Latesia.

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culture Entertainment, including Greek dances and music, as well as food favourites like lamb gyros, moussaka and baklava will be on offer.

Going Greek Biennial festival offers food, music and history

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

T

HE biennial Greek Festival will be back next weekend with more of everything – more food, more culture and more fun for attendees

to take in.

As is tradition, the festival will be held on the Greek Orthodox Church grounds on West Street, beginning at 12 noon, February 18 -19.

The two-day event will feature everything from Greek food and live music and dancing, to historical talks, a look at Greek life, storytelling and more.

Having the opportunity to sample genuine Greek cuisine is a major attraction for festival-goers.

Dishes that will be available this time around include typical mezedes (Greek

for appetizers) like calamari and octopus, as well as the Greek version of street food like lamb and chicken gyros (pronounced euros), and spinach and cheese pies. There will also “good oldfashioned home cooking” in the form of moussaka, stuffed grape leaves and meatballs in tomato sauce.

“We have expanded our vegetarian and vegan options this year with dishes using eggplant, pumpkin, peppers, cabbage, chickpeas, string beans, rice and more,” said Leah Klonaris, festival committee chairperson.

“For the sweet tooth in every family, we have an enormous range of Greek pastries that made the nut and honey combination so popular today. There will also be a grocery store to purchase ingredients that give Greek cooking its unique flair. We have imported a variety of Greek beer as well as the famous – or infamous – ouzo, a Greek liqueur that is flavoured with anise. A second popular liqueur to be offered is mastiha, a sweet digestif made from the resin of a Mediterranean tree. Try our Mastiha-inspired cocktails while you are at our Beer Garden,” she told Tribune Weekend.

As far as the entertainment is concerned, there will be live Greek music playing all day, along with a DJ in the evening. The music, Ms Klonaris, said is for dancing, so festival guests are encouraged to jump in and learn the steps.

There will be a few groups of dancers performing to give guests a sample of the Greek culture.

“For the ever-curious and inspired patron, we are hosting two talks that will be alternated throughout the day and taking place in our church. Pericles Maillis, historian and preserver of our heritage, will discuss a variety of topics that paint scenes from the days of our forefathers in Greece and of the brave souls that ventured to the Bahamas leaving everything behind to start a little community of Greeks in Nassau. Our Father Irenaeus will give perspective and insight into the Orthodox faith that forms the bedrock of our

community here,” said Ms Klonaris.

While the festival offers a fun-filled experience, she said it is also designed to bring people together in a “meaningful way.”

“We like to highlight important aspects of Greek culture, cuisine, faith and community at our festival. This brings us together in a very meaningful way as we present to our home country what our heritage is and how important it is to carry on to our future generations. We enjoy sharing this with our fellow Bahamians and take real pleasure seeing how much everyone looks forward to this weekend,” she said.

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Friday, February 10, 2017

art

Art lovers come out to ‘ParticiPAINT’

B

oth those who create and those who simply enjoy art came together at The Art Room last Saturday to celebrate the second instalment of ‘ParticiPAINT’.

The paint, sip and party event, which was first introduced to the Bahamas last November, was organised and hosted by three noted local artists: Stefan L Davis, Allan

Pachino Wallace and Jamaal Rolle, known as together as “3rilogy”.

With their distinct styles and considerable success in their chosen fields, the three artists had no problem attracting a large crowd.

Stefan, owner of Airbrush Junkies, has been running a successful business in the Mall at Marathon for more than 25 years. Allan is an awardwinning artist whose work has

been featured on international news stations and blogs. His murals are also prominently featured throughout the country, notably at the Lukka Kari restaurant on Woodes Rogers Wharf.

Meanwhile, Jamaal – “The Celebrity Artist” and Tribune cartoonist – has painted and presented portraits to worldfamous figures such as Pope Francis, President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

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Friday, February 10, 2017

celebrity With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

SPLIT

SPLIT

FAIL

FAIL

HIT

Dakota Johnson plays Anastasia Steele

Rita Ora plays Mia Grey

Tameka “Tiny” Cottle-Harris singer/songwriter

Halsey soundtrack singer

Ashleigh LaThrop plays Hannah

Karin says: “Talk about being extra...There was just no need for this aggressive ‘I’m desperate to show how sexy I am’ approach. It just looks too try-hard and the opposite of sexy. I hate everything about this ensemble.”

Cara says: “I don’t like it.

Again, enough of the bare chest to make yourself seem edgy. And the stockings just scream ‘hooker’, although given the movie we’re talking about maybe trashy was what she was going for.”

Karin says: “Finally, a breath of fresh air! The colour is stunning on her. And I love the unusual neckline of this classic strapless gown. This is only Ashleigh’s third major film, so let’s hope she has many more chances to show off her sense of style on the red carpet.”

Cara says: “First, this plum colour is just to die for. She looks really classy and elegant.

I love the neckline; that cut is way cute. It’s just really a lovely dress and she looks great.”

Karin says: “Yes, it’s basically a big, pale pink tent, but it’s sooo dramatic. I love it! It’s sexy due to the deep plunge, but somehow also classy and elegant. Let’s just hope the double-sided tape held up all night.”

Cara says: “There is really not much to this outfit, except that it’s cut way too low in the front and back. Not overly in love with it, but I don’t hate it. I just feel as the star she should have brought a bit more to the party.”

Karin says: “Rita is always so extra, needing to be the centre of attention. So this dress is perfect for her. It’s a bit flamenco dancer-esque, but it’s pretty enough. I’m just not a huge fan of that many ruffles.”

Cara says: “I like it. The print is subtle enough that it’s not overwhelming, especially when you consider there is so much of it. High-low gowns can be hit or miss, but this one was is not that bad.”

Karin says: “Tiny should be serving us revenge awesomeness following her split from T I, but this might have him rethinking his bid to win her back. The hair, the ‘sexy top’, the latex skirt and those shoes...hideous and tacky from head to toe.”

Cara says: “Do I have to even say anything? It’s fifty shades of wrong. Someone should have handcuffed her to her closet so she didn’t have to be seen in public in this dress.”

ap photos

The Weekend Fashion Report Fifty Shades Darker premiere

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, February 10, 2017

podcasts

Romance in the digital age becomes a problem in relationships.

Shakespeare’s maxim of how drink “provokes the desire, but takes away the performance” is right here in the debate.

The host is straightforward, and strongly pushes a message of “Yes means yes, everything else means no”.

It’s a simple rule, and the presenters discuss clear ways of having difficult conversations to make sure there is clear communication. It’s the kind of show that gives clarity, and that’s a very good thing. It offers advice on safety – such as agreeing with friends to make sure they don’t let you do something you might regret beforehand.

Again, this is a show with adult content – so bear that in mind when hitting play.

Website: http://www.stitcher.com/ podcast/digital-romance-radio

By Stephen Hunt shunt@tribunemedia.net

V

alentine’s Day is almost upon us, and for podcast listeners there are a host of shows about love and relationships. So pop on some headphones and enjoy some intimate advice.

• Great Love Debate with Brian Howie Let’s start with some fun – and this show is definitely that. Get a bunch of single people into a live audience and put dating enthusiast Brian Howie and guests in front of them and you get a combination of stand-up comedy show and solid tips for those wanting to be less single.

There’s comedy about dating across the political divides – no one apparently wants to date a Ted Cruz – and there’s banter about what people expect from their potential partners.

The discussions are adult only – but that’s only because people are being forthright about what they want in their date, in their partner and in their bedroom.

The balance is really good, the opening part of the show very much loosens the audience up with jokes and then later working in the tips for more successful relationships, such as throwing away your checklist for what you want in a partner – because if you’re single, clearly that checklist hasn’t been working for you.

Now I don’t agree with all the advice given, and there’s a few stereotypes thrown around – but hey, who agrees with every piece of advice? Sure, it’s a room full of single people discussing how to end up married, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t wisdom to be found here. So if you’re single on Valentine’s Day and want that to change, pop the headphones on and listen to tips on how to be seen on the scene.

Website: https://www.greatlovedebate.com/

• Digital Romance Radio Digital Romance is a relationship advice show with Michael Fiore, a vibrant

• I Do Podcast

host. The show covers a whole host of subjects in its more than 180 episodes – the latest being advice about being safe about drinking when it comes to relationships.

It’s good advice, covering such things

as clearly ensuring consent if either party has had a drink, performance problems that might have been a result of drinking too much, and exploring the boundaries between loosening inhibitions in a fun way and when drinking

So what if you are taking your relationship to the next stage? The I Do Podcast explores some of those issues.

Hosted by Chase and Sarah Kosterlitz, it aims to give young couples advice on how to have happy relationships.

It’s a well-established podcast, and so it branches out into the singles scene too. In the latest episode, episode 83, features relationship expert Kristen Craren talking about finding ways to stop picking the wrong partner. You know how it goes – either you or a friend always finds themselves dating the wrong type of person for them and you don’t know how to break out of the cycle.

This show quietly and patiently discusses the problem, and ways of breaking out of your pattern of behaviour.

For those concerned for friends repeating that same cycle, they urge an approach of not judging but offering instead questions you can ask those friends such as what they find fulfilling about their relationship, what they aspire to in a relationship... are they happy? These are the same kinds of questions they suggest asking yourself too if the description comes a little too close to home.

It’s a thoughtful show – less in-yourface than the Great Love Debate, but more relaxed and thoughtful.

Website; http://www.idopodcast.com

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 10, 2017

film

review

‘John Wick 2’ is an extravagantly violent good time John Wick 2 running time: 122 mins

B

efore you buy a ticket to see “John Wick: Chapter 2 ,” the improbably fun sequel to the implausibly good “John Wick,” you might want to ask yourself how much tolerance you have for gun shots to the head, because there are a lot of those in “John Wick: Chapter 2.” More than you might think possible in a single movie. Is it gratuitous? Yes. Do all those people deserve to die? Probably not. But for our bearded boogeyman, who one character calls a priest and the devil in a single sentence, a shot to the head and one to the chest gets the job done quickly and efficiently. Why make things overly complicated?

The same goes for the movie, about the storied hitman who was driven out of retirement and back into the game after some mobsters stole his 1969 Mustang and killed his puppy. Stuntmanturned-director Chad Stahelski’s sequel is straightforward, fast-paced and gets the job done entertainment-wise.

True to its name, “Chapter 2” literally picks up where the first left off. In a skull-crushingly loud sequence involving multiple men getting tossed off car hoods, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) retrieves his Mustang from the crooks holding it hostage (allowing for some knowingly extreme exposition about just how scary this guy is). It’s like a bonus “final scene” from the first film that gives closure to John’s revenge mission and reminds us of his folk hero legend status. It also pushes reboot on the whole thing, allowing John to finally return to his modernist castle in the

Keanu Reeves returns as hitman John Wick

Laurence Fishburne stars as the Bowery King woods, bury his weapons once more in concrete, reminisce about his dead love and play with his dog (yep, there’s a new one).

But soon enough, Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) is knocking at his door asking John to repay the debt he owes. In this elaborate criminal underworld, there are only two rules: No blood is to be spilled at The Continental (the hitman hotel), and “markers” must always be honoured.

Santino helped John get out of the game, and into his multimillion dollar home, and now he wants to cash in the favour.

The film is jam-packed with amaz-

ing cameos and supporting players, from Franco Nero as the manager of the Rome branch of The Continental and Common as a fellow assassin with a grudge, to Laurence Fishburne as the Bowery King. Ruby Rose is an amusing standout, too, as a sultry, mute bodyguard who communicates in sign language. There are also some returning players, like Lance Reddick as the Continental’s concierge and Ian McShane as the New York Continental manager as well as a handful of others.

And Reeves is in top form as the perpetually unruffled John Wick. It’s a role that is tailor-made for his low-key intensity and one that will fit him for

years to come.

Both “John Wick” films are sendups of the tasteless excess of B-action pics and all-out celebrations of their vulgarity. “Chapter 2” is the best one could hope for in an action sequel, and it doesn’t even have the “killed the puppy” gimmick on its side. The only real question is when we’ll get the gift of a “Chapter 3.”

LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer

The Tribune | Weekend | 19

Friday, February 10, 2017

film

Fans excited for ‘Fifty Shades Darker’

T

he reviews are in for “Fifty Shades Darker” and they are not pretty, but that is not stopping fans from flocking to see the second instalment of the erotic drama trilogy at the cinema this weekend.

In the first film, Anastasia “Ana” Steele (Dakota Johnson), an English literature major, fell for the controlling millionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). The two entered into a BDSM-tinged relationship, complete with a non-disclosure agreement.

However, by the end of movie, Ana becomes disgusted with the level of Christian’s sadism and leaves him.

The sequel starts off where 2015’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” left off.

Ana tries to move on from the intense relationship. A wounded Christian convinces her to resume their romance under Ana’s “more vanilla” conditions. As the couple begins their normal relationship, Christian’s past threatens to tear the couple apart.

While critics have called the film everything from “ridiculous” to “plotless” and “bland”, fans of the of book series are still excited to see the story continue on the big screen.

“I’m eager to see it, because first of all, having read all of the books I’m invested in the series.

But I also feel, if possible, that

this has more plot than the first one. I am hoping for a bit more substance, even though at the end of the day it’s really a guilty pleasure,” said Bahamian fan Michelle.

“I’m not expecting much, but I still expect to enjoy it. I just loved reading the books so much, so I have to see this,” said another Fifty Shades aficionado.

Meanwhile, Monique said she and her girlfriends are planning to make the cinema trip a group outing.

“It’s perfect for a girls’ night out. You can’t take men to this kind of movie. We’re going to go and enjoy the cheesiness and the romance and the naughtiness of it all,” she said.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan return as Ana Steele and Christian Grey.

review Warner Bros. Pictures via AP

Irreverence, affection click nicely in ‘Lego Batman’ lego batman running time: 104 mins

Turns out, Batman can take a joke. Hundreds, actually.

It’s not the simplest thing to take a character as embedded in our culture as Batman and make wickedly irreverent fun of him while simultaneously paying tribute to his storied past and keeping him likable for the next round.

If a kids movie can do all that AND get in a perfectly placed clip from “Jerry Maguire” — and you know which one we’re talking about — well, then, you had us at hello, “The Lego Batman Movie.”

Will Arnett voices Batman The laughs at the Dark Knight’s expense start early in director Chris McKay’s manic romp of a movie — in the first seconds, actually, with a very husky Christian Bale-like voice opining on the importance of starting a superhero movie with a black screen.

That gruff voice again belongs to Will Arnett, expanding on a supporting role in the popular 2014 “Lego Movie”.

Arnett’s Batman is not a happy guy, weighted down as he is by a limitless sense of self-grandeur. Since nobody can do what he does, he has to do everything alone.

And one, as the soundtrack tells

us, is the loneliest number. Sure, the bat cave is amazing — but what’s a superhero to do after a long day saving Gotham? He comes home to a few trivial pieces of mail — one of them a coupon for Bed, Bath and Beyond. His only companion is his computer voice (voiced by Siri, of course!) His loyal butler, Alfred (a silken-toned Ralph Fiennes) has left some Lobster Thermidor to heat up in the microwave. Alone in his cavernous abode, he munches on his crustaceans, plays a little solo guitar, and watches one of his favourite chick flicks, er, movies — yup, “Jerry Maguire.”

Batman is being challenged on several fronts. First, old nemesis Joker (Zach Galifianakis, delightful), is up to his usual destructive mischief. But there’s something else Joker craves, even more than flattening Gotham: recognition. He wants to be Batman’s ONLY bad guy. Thing is, Batman’s just not that into him. “I don’t do ‘ships” — meaning relationships — he says. “I like to fight around.”

Then there’s Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson), Gotham’s new police commissioner. She’s highly qualified — heck, she graduated from “Harvard for Police” — and has sensible ideas about fighting crime. Batman does NOT like this idea.

Meanwhile, two key people are trying to soften Batman up, in a personal sense. One is Alfred, attempting to bring out the emotions he knows are there somewhere. And young orphan Dick Grayson (the future Robin, voiced by Michael Cera) manages to get Batman to adopt him — inadvertently.

The essential struggle of the movie is Batman’s struggle with his own loneliness, and his thorny path toward accepting the help — and companionship, and maybe even love — of others.

Will he get there? Perhaps that’s obvious. But the fun comes in seeing how it all clicks together.

JOCELYN NOVECK Associated Press

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 10, 2017

society Photos/Shawn Hanna

Wine lovers get a taste of history

T

he 700 Wines & Spirits store in Harbour Bay had a special treat up its sleeves this week for the latest instalment of its ‘Wine Lovers Tasting’.

One Tuesday evening, the store invited its customers to not only enjoy the world-class Santa Margherita wines, but to also meet the grandson of Count Gaetano Marzotto, a pioneer in his day and founder of the brand.

Wines featured at the event included Santa Margherita’s Prosecco, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio And Chianti.

Giacomo Marzotto, of the Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo, was on hand to provide guests with tips on how best to pair the featured wines with various dishes.

The event also featured entertainment by the Fusion Band.

Santa Margherita is considered one of the leading ambassadors of Italian excellence around the world when it comes to wine. Founded in 1935, the company came into being at time when there was a tangible change in the taste and food habits of Italians who were looking for very pleasant, less structured wines, which could be paired with a style of cooking that was becoming increasingly lighter and healthier.

To give the Italian people what they wanted, Count Marzotto led the revitalisation of an abandoned portion of the Venetian countryside. There, he created muchneeded farmlands and restored traditional wine-making in what had been a region of fine vineyards since the time of the Roman Empire. Employing new agricultural science, Marzotto gave this labour of love the name of his wife, Margherita, and the first piece in the mosaic of Santa Margherita was set.

700 Wines & Spirits will host its next “Wine Lovers Tasting” next month.

Giacomo Marzotto, grandson of the legendary Santa Margherita founder, takes part in a meet and greet at the 700 Wines & Spirits store in Harbour Bay.

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

Friday, February 10, 2017

society

‘Tapas and Jazz’ for a charitable cause

T

Photos/Shawn Hanna

he Zonta Club of New Providence last Saturday celebrated the first of what it hopes will be an annual ‘Tapas and Jazz’ fundraiser.

The event was hosted at Sapodilla restaurant and attracted more than 150 guests.

The non-profit organisation partnered with the Ranfurly Home for Children to raise money towards a transition home for children who have aged-out of the home.

Grand Bahamian artist Steffon Grant held a master class with the children at the Ranfurly Home to create art on canvas. About two dozen works of art created by the children were later sold at the Tapas and Jazz event along with a live piece that was painted onsite by Mr Grant.

Proceeds from the event will also go towards scholarships for the Zonta Club of New Providence’s Workforce Readiness initiative – a three-week training programme for unemployed women.

odilla.

s perform at ‘Tapas and Jazz’ at Sap

Adrian D’Aguilar and The Jazz Cat

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 10, 2017

music

Beyonce or Adele? Who will win the great Grammy showdown?

T

hough dozens are nominated at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, we all know the real showdown is between Beyonce and Adele.

Both are nominated for the top three prizes — album, song and record of the year. Adele won all three honours with “21” and “Rolling In the Deep” in 2012, while Beyonce earned song of the year in 2010 for “Single Ladies.” (Bey has earned multiple album and record of the year nominations, though.)

Putting their thinking caps on, while trying to put their personal feelings to the side, Associated Press music writers Mesfin Fekadu and Nekesa Mumbi Moody predict who will win big at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on music’s biggest night.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “25,” Adele; “Lemonade,” Beyonce; “Purpose,” Justin Bieber; “Views,” Drake; “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth,” Sturgill Simpson.

FEKADU: Sturgill, enjoy it while it lasts; Drake, congrats, but this will not be the first rap album to win album of the year since Outkast did in 2004; and Bieber, um, keep on beliebing. Now that that’s out the way, let’s talk A and B. I could write a thesis, and happily, too, about why Beyonce’s tasty “Lemonade” deserves this prize. But unfortunately, she won’t win. Academy voters are always happy to give Beyonce R&B awards, but they haven’t given her artistic heft enough credit when she’s put in categories with her rock, pop and country music peers. And when one of those peers is Adele — who saved the music industry with sales of her “25” album — it’s hard to argue against her success.

MOODY: If success is what we’re measuring here, Adele clearly gets this win. Artistry? As perfect as Adele sounds, “25” was a very conservative album, musically speaking. Not saying that there’s anything wrong with putting out beautiful ballads, but “Lemonade” is a true art piece that engaged on a

because he doesn’t have a huge hit or recognizable song, I think he’s going to have a hard time winning here. Maren Morris, on the other hand, became a critical darling for her country hit, “My Church,” and her album was praised for its sound and direct lyrics. Plus, Chance and Anderson will split the hip-hop/ R&B vote. But wait, will Maren and Kelsea split the country vote and then give the win to The Chainsmokers?

Voters, don’t let me down!

Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

political and emotional level and with each listen revealed another layer. No other album in this category pushed our buttons or made us ponder the meaning of the world like “Lemonade.”

It deserves to win — but then again, I said that when Eminem’s albums were nominated, and they went trophy-less in this category. So gotta agree here: Adele takes home her second trophy for album of the year.

RECORD OF THE YEAR: “Hello,” Adele; “Formation,” Beyonce; “7 Years,” Lukas Graham; “Work,” Rihanna featuring Drake; “Stressed Out,” twenty one pilots.

MOODY: I’m “Stressed Out” trying to determine who’s going to win this category. “Formation’s” seismic funk and R&B was a revelation and really should win here, but will Grammy voters really appreciate a song that references “Jackson Five nostrils” and “Red Lobster”? Moreover, do they really appreciate Beyonce? She only won in a top category one time, and that was for the massively successful “Single Ladies,” and that was for song of the year. Most other times, while she gets the nod, she doesn’t get the win. Adele, on the other hand, had a comeback song that resonated with just about all groups — including the Academy.

Adele for the win (again).

FEKADU: OK, this is when I think voters will get in formation and give Beyonce the win.

Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP

SONG OF THE YEAR (songwriter’s award): “Formation,” Beyonce, Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan and Michael L. Williams II; “Hello,” Adele and Greg Kurstin; “I Took a Pill in Ibiza,” Mike Posner; “Love Yourself,” Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco; “7 Years,” Lukas Forchhammer, Stefan Forrest, Morten Pilegaard and Morten Ristorp.

FEKADU: “Hello” wins here.

MOODY: Adele all the way.

BEST NEW ARTIST: Kelsea Ballerini; The Chainsmokers; Chance the Rapper; Maren Morris; Anderson .Paak.

MOODY: As omnipresent as The Chainsmokers have been over the past year on the charts, Chance the Rapper has that “it” factor that has made him a critic’s darling. Even if Grammy voters don’t know his raps, they know he’s rubbed arms with former President Barack Obama, made a big splash with his own independent record on iTunes, is changing the way artists connect with the record industry and hey — he’s also got a candy commercial! Add that he’s what Kanye West was 13 years ago but happy and humble and he’s a lock for this one, despite the charms and talent of Maren Morris and the funk of Anderson .Paak.

FEKADU: Chance has a really strong chance in this category, but

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE: “Turnin’ Me Up,” BJ the Chicago Kid; “Permission,” Ro James; “I Do,” Musiq Soulchild; “Needed Me,” Rihanna; “Cranes in the Sky,” Solange.

FEKADU: Finally, Solange is nominated for a Grammy! And with all the attention she’s received in the last few months, I think she’ll actually best Rihanna in this category. Good thing big sister Bey isn’t competing here.

MOODY: No one messes with Solange — even in this tough category. The critical darling wins.

BEST RAP ALBUM: “Colouring Book,” Chance the Rapper; “And the Anonymous Nobody,” De La Soul; “Major Key,” DJ Khaled; “Views,” Drake; “Blank Face LP,” ScHoolboy Q; “The Life of Pablo,” Kanye West.

MOODY: De La Soul have continued to innovate in rap some two decades after their debut. But do Grammy voters care about legacy? Not in the rap category, where hitmakers and hot new talent rule. That puts Chance the Rapper and Drake on a collision course, and I’m guessing Chance will upset Drake for a win here.

FEKADU: Drake is walking home with his second Grammy in this category.

MESFIN FEKADU AP Music Writers NEKESA MUMBI MOODY AP Music Writers

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, February 10, 2017

literary lives colette

A woman of passion The life of the French novelist best known for ‘Gigi’ was complicated, Sir Christopher Ondaatje finds

S

idonie-Gabrielle Colette was born in the French village of Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye in Burgundy on January 28, 1873.

Bad financial management had reduced her family’s income and the young Colette was forced to leave school early. She was totally unprepared for what was to follow.

In 1893 she married the much older Henry “Willy” Gauthier-Villars - a licentious libertine who introduced his young wife into intellectual Parisian circles and discovered that she had an ability to write and a craving to do so.

He locked her in a room and forced her to create stories - the first four of which were her “Claudine” novels: ‘Claudine à l’école’ (1900), ‘Claudine à Paris’ (1901), ‘Claudine en menage’ (1902), and ‘Claudine s’en va: Journal d’Annie’ (1903). All were about a young ingénue and her almost autobiographical experiences as a young woman married to a libertine husband.

However, the books were published under his name, not hers.

She never saw any of her earnings,

Continued on page 24

“At one performance, when Colette kissed the Marquise de Belbeuf on stage, she caused such an uproar that it disallowed them living openly together”

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Continued from page 23 even though her slightly salacious novels had huge popular appeal. Gauthier-Villars also encouraged Colette’s lesbian relationships while engaging in his own heterosexual affairs.

He wanted to give intimate details of her liaisons in her books. Later she admitted that if it had not been for GauthierVillars she would not have embarked on a literary career.

Colette left her husband in 1906, although they were not divorced until four years later. She had no money, being unable to get any part of the revenue from her books, because her husband owned the copyrights. To survive she performed in music halls across France, barely earning enough to eat. She wrote about this period in ‘La Vagabonde’ (1910) having entered into a string of relationships with other women, an enduring theme in her life. One of these relationships was with the Marquise de Belbeuf, an independently wealthy lesbian with whom she sometimes shared the stage. At one performance, when she kissed the Marquise on stage, she caused such an uproar that it disallowed them living openly together.

Nevertheless the relationship continued for five years.

In 1912 she married Henry de Jouvenel, the editor of Le Matin. In 1913, her daughter Colette de Jouvenel, nicknamed Bel-Gazou, was born.

Marriage gave her time to write and she contributed theatrical reviews and short stories for the newspaper.

Colette’s famous novel ‘Cheri’ about a young man and a much older woman, a wealthy courtesan, was published in 1920. This was followed by ‘Le Blé en herbe’ (The Ripening Seed) in 1923; and ‘Le Fin de Cheri’ (The Last of Cheri) in 1926. These were Colette’s best years, writing about a somewhat depraved younger generation, and also looking back to the countryside of her childhood ‘La Maison de Claudine’ (My Mother’s House) in 1922.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Colette divorced de Jouvenel in 1924, not just because of his many infidelities, but also because she herself was having an affair with her 16-year-old stepson Bertrand de Jouvenel. The next year she met and married the writer Maurice Goudeket which finally brought her much happiness. The marriage was to last until she died. She was now an established writer, much praised and revered, despite the autobiographical content of her books. ‘La Naissance du Jour’ (1928) was Colette’s explicit criticism of the conventional lives of women, expressed in a meditation on age and the renunciation of love.

She was a prolific writer covering a number of topics. In ‘Ces Plaisirs’ (1922) she examined aspects of female sexuality, while ‘La Chatte’ (1923) and ‘Duo’ (1934) are treatments of jealousy.

When France fell to Germany in 1940 Colette was 67.

Her husband, who was Jewish, was arrested by the Nazis, but later released after the intervention of the German Ambassador’s wife, who was French. Nevertheless it was a trying time for the ageing author who feared a second arrest. Colette continued to write, remaining in Paris during the Occupation in her apartment at the Palais Royal.

Two volumes of her memoirs ‘Journal à rebours’ (1941) and ‘De ma fenêtre’ (1942) - were published, later translated and published in English as ‘Looking Backwards’ in 1975. In 1944, she published one of her most popular works ‘Gigi’, a charming story about a young teenage girl Gilberte “Gigi” Alvar who has been trained as a courtesan by two elderly sisters in order to capture a wealthy lover. However, she breaks with tradition and marries him instead. A French film starring Danièle Delorme and Gaby Morlay appeared in 1949, and was adapted for the stage in 1951 with the littleknown Audrey Hepburn in the title role. The enormously popular Hollywood musical, starring Leslie Caron and

Colette in the show ‘Rêve d’Égypte’ in 1907.

During the pantomime she caused a near-riot when she kissed the Marquise de Belbeuf on stage.

“Gigi and The Cat” was perhaps Colette’s most famous novel, which in 1958 was made into a Hollywood musical starring FrancoAmerican actress Leslie Caron (right).

The Tribune | Weekend | 25

Friday, February 10, 2017

Forgotten facts Paul C Aranha

Life and times on McPherson Street

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Colette in circa 1909

Louis Jourdan, appeared in 1958. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Although crippled by arthritis, Colette, now a famous public figure, continued to work in Paris and brought out ‘Oeuvres completes’ (1948-1950), her collected works, compiled and edited by her husband. ‘L’Etoile vesper’ (1944) and ‘Le fanal bleu’ (1949) were published during these years too in which she reflected on the problems of an author whose writings had been primarily autobiographical.

Colette died on August 3, 1954 aged 81 but was refused a Catholic funeral by the Church because of her divorces. Instead she was given a state funeral, the first French author to have been granted this honour. She had earlier been elected to the Belgian Royal Academy in 1935, the Académie Goncourt in 1945, and a Grand Officer of the Legion d’honneur in 1953. She is interred in Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is an adventurer and writer resident in the Bahamas. A Sri Lankan-born Canadian-Englishman, he is the author of several books, including “The Last Colonial”

amuel Conrad McPherson’s home was the only house on a narrow lane, running some 150 yards eastward from Market Street when, in 1974, it was officially given the name McPherson Street.

For a while, it was often referred to as Bethell’s Addition, because the Bethell brothers built a block of rental houses at the northeast end of the street.

But ‘McPherson Street’ is also a very enjoyable book by Mackey Williams, one of the folks who lived there. The author makes the world of Over-the-Hill come alive, with his captivating description of how that street, and its neighbourhood, evolved.

He writes about Austin Destoup and his family, who lived on the north corner of McPherson and Market Streets, in a house with a white picket fence, around a garden of roses. The Destoups’ water supply came from a well, with a hand pump. Mr Destoup, a policeman, was the organist at St

Agnes Church.

The McCartney family lived next door to the Destoups. They had moved from Mason’s Addition and owned a car. Tim is one of their well-known children.

Next door to the McCartneys was a white family, named Brace, with two daughters. Mackey Williams could not remember ever having seen a man pass through the high gate in the high wall that surrounded the property.

For a short while, the Richardsons lived next to the Braces and when that family moved out, the Swabys moved in. They were followed by Ellison Thompson, who made many improvements.

Among his offspring are daughters, Dawn, Jeanne Heather and Sherry.

Next door to the Thompsons, Timothy Gibson, composer of our National Anthem, was another resident of McPherson Street. The Gibsons rented from Fr Collingwood Cooper.

I enjoyed his description of his time at Mrs Wright’s Kindergar-

ten School that once stood on the northern side of Delancey Street, opposite what is now the John Watling’s Distillery, where he rubbed shoulders with Francis and Paul Adderley, Barbara Grant, Dorothy North, Curtis McMillan and Carolyn Williams. Another student was a boy, named Orville, who was so small that Francis Adderley gave him the nickname ‘Tiny’, and undertook to protect him from bullying. Long after these youngsters moved on to higher education, my sisters and I followed in their footsteps.

Mrs Wright was more than a teacher. She was an educator who produced three children of her own, Myrtle, Horace and Shirley, all of who made names for themselves in the teaching profession.

If space allowed, there is so much more to be told - but why not find a copy of ‘McPherson Street and the folks who lived there’. It’s very good reading.

Comments and responses to • islandairman@gmail.com

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PLAY MORE CROSSW

The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, February 10, 2017

animals Animal matters Kim Aranha

The end of the line for circuses

pet of the week

Puppy power

By The Bahamas Humane Society

Patricia Vazquez

C

ome along children, gather up your things, the circus is coming to town.

This was something I heard year in and year out in my youth when I was at school in Switzerland. The Cirque Knie was a world famous and very popular travelling circus. It would travel all over the small mountainous country, stopping for one or two nights in impossibly small villages, spreading delight and excitement throughout the neighbourhood. The traditional “elephant’s swim” when they stopped in Lausanne, or any other towns or cities with appropriate lakes, brought stars to kids’ eyes.

The Knie family was like Swiss royalty crossed with superstars. Fredy Knie, who died in 2003, was as famous in Switzerland as any pop singer. The family circus continues to thrive today under new generations of Knie family members.

The Knie Circus’ signature is the amount of horses they have in the show and the apparent bond between horse and rider. As far as I have always heard, these horses are well cared for, magnificent to look at and their performances are reminiscent of the spectacular routines put on by the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.

The Knies retired their elephants last year to their farm in Rapperswil, a magnificent medieval town on Lake Zurich in St Gallen. I frequently wonder how the exotic animals, including the retired elephants, cope with the climate and the snow there.

Even though the elephants are no longer in the circus, the other animals are. When I was young I never gave a thought to what the life of a travelling circus animal must be like. Even if treated with kindness and not subjected to painful and torturous training techniques, what must it be like to be in and out of cages, trains, truck convoys, the lights, the yelling, and the hustle and bustle? These animals normally live in the wild with acres and

P

Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Pre looks forward to shaking your paw!

re is a very friendly, outgoing pup about four months old. Like her mother, Pre has two different coloured eyes, so she definitely stands out in a crowd.

As a potcake, she’s intelligent and will be very loyal to whichever family adopts her. She won’t even mind having other dogs or pups to socialise and play with.

Can you use the power of a puppy in your home? If so, come to the Bahamas Humane Society to meet Pre and the other pups available for adoption, or call 323-5138 for more information. Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm,

• The BHS Thrift Shop jewellery sale will be held on Saturday, February 11, from 10am to 2pm, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Come find something lovely for your sweetheart or yourself. All proceeds go to the BHS. Then, after you’ve done your shopping, come check out the BHS table at the Tru Tru Bahamian Festival at John Watling’s from 10am to 5pm (the festival continues until 8pm).

acres of jungle or savannah to run in.

How do they cope?

All of this makes me wonder why and how the circuses with wild animals are able to continue at all. Certainly we are about to see the demise of the Ringling Brothers Circus in May.

Perhaps Knie with their large number of horses and a score of trapeze, jugglers, clowns, and other mind-boggling human acts, just might be able to make the transition if they retire their “exotic animals”.

When you look at the unmitigated

success of the Cirque de Soleil, an all-human, no-animals circus that was born in Canada in 1984 and how far it has come, the enormity of its popularity today, it is amazing that other established circuses have not followed suit.

Ringling Brothers are whining that ever since they retired their elephants sales have gone down, so they are going out of business. I would put it to them that the reason their sales have gone down is that they persist in keeping all the other animals in their show and that today’s consumer is educated in animal rights and does not wish to support the exploitation, and frequently the suffering of animals who deserve to be free in their natural habitat.

Had the Ringling Brothers administration considered phasing out the animal acts, beefing up the amazing human acts that are out there and available, performed by consenting humans, I think their ticket sales would have actually increased. Animal activists would have made a point of supporting and showcasing a very conscious move.

When Cirque de Soleil was formed by two very forward-thinking performers in Montreal, Canada, there was no guarantee they would succeed. They currently have 20 troupes performing shows all over the world.

Some are stationary (Orlando, New York and seven shows in Las Vegas) and nine are touring. People stand in line and pay high prices to see these performances. Surely the success of Cirque de Soleil should send a message to these other circus groups that transition is both inevitable and preferable before bankruptcy?

There is no doubt that in my days of innocence and ignorance I loved going to see the circus; the big threering tent, the noise, smells, food and excitement remain good and vivid childhood memories. but I ask myself, at what price?

How many animals suffered and died a miserable, lonely and confused death to provide me with those memories? The radiant memories could never justify the dark side hidden from us in those years before the truth came out.

Today, I apologise to those poor performing animals for my squeals of delight, my pointing fingers, my thoughtlessness, and above all my inane stupidity in believing that they were happy living the life of circus animals.

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 10, 2017

gardening

Pests Not only weather and soil conditions can affect your crops detrimentally.

Jack Hardy advises on which bugs and insects to be on the look-out for to protect your garden.

Y

ou have probably seen mockingbirds and thrashers in your yard jumping and then cocking their heads to listen. If they hear movement they dig into the soil with their beak and daintily remove a delicious morsel of insect larva. In the process they are helping gardeners keep insects under control; problem is, they exact payment by eating our bird peppers and pecking holes into our ripening tomatoes. Such is nature.

We have several varieties of sphinx moth in the Bahamas that feed voraciously on our plants as caterpillars then pupate underground. The most notice-

The giant tomato hornworm can be a menace to tomato plants. able of these is the giant tomato hornworm, a real menace to our tomatoes.

Green with a menacing tail spike, they are most active during the early months of the year. The tail spike is harmless and the caterpillar can be picked off a tomato plant and disposed of.

You are more likely to first notice the damage caused by the giant tomato hornworm than the caterpillar itself.

Stalks stripped of leaves are the general indicator, along with fruits that have been severely excavated. The hornworm is well camouflaged and you sometimes have to look hard to find the culprit, then later discover there were two on the plant and you only picked off one. If you are squeamish about handling the caterpillar you can apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Dipel, Thuricide)to your tomato plants once the fruits develop and that will deal with the problem.

Scale insects attach themselves to the bark of shrubs and trees and feed from the sap underneath the bark. They do not move, just suck and excrete what is euphemistically called honeydew. The honeydew drops onto the top surface of leaves and turns black when oxidised – sooty mold – which is an indicator of the presence of scale insects.

Scale insect attacks on ornamental plants are easily dealt with using a systemic spray or drench. Fruiting shrubs or trees cannot be treated with a systemic and the usual approach is an application of dormant oil. The problem with oil is that it is a cooking medium and if you apply it in hot sunny weather you will cook your shrub or tree.

I generally look after the scale insect problem affecting my carambola and grumichama shrubs during January, but

this January was so warm I had to leave the job until February. It is best to begin with a severe pruning of the branches then a spray application of dormant oil, mixed to the strength indicated on the bottle. The process should be repeated three weeks later.

Perhaps the most irritating pest we have in our gardens is the microscopic nematode. There are bigger forms of nematode exemplified by the pin worms that affect children and heartworms that affect dogs. Root knot nematodes gravitate towards the roots of our vegetables and congregate in such numbers in the root tissue that they block their ability to provide the plants with water and nutrients. Nematodes can attack most of the vegetables we grow with the usual exceptions of sweet corn, peppers, strawberries, cabbage and cauliflower.

We can divide our garden produce into four categories: tomatoes and their relatives; cabbages and their relatives; cucumbers and their relatives; and the rest. Nematodes are plant group specific. Those that attack tomatoes will not, for instance, attack cucumbers. If we plant crops of any of these categories in the same area for successive seasons we are almost certain to have a nematode problem.

Tomatoes usually get close to full size and have medium-sized fruits when the effects of nematodes are seen. The vines sag and no amount of watering will resuscitate them. When pulled, the roots show ugly wart-like distensions.

Farmers hundreds of years ago realised the problem even though they knew nothing about nematodes.

They established a cop rotation system whereby different crops could be grown in three of four areas with the fourth

one left fallow or with edible ground cover to feed manure-producing livestock. With modern fertilizers available we can use all four areas in a rotation system.

In cooler climates nematode infestations are killed off by severe frosts but are replenished in spring from eggs that survive the freeze. Our subtropical conditions keep nematodes active all year round. The best way to control nematodes is to cover growing areas with clear plastic in the hottest months of the year for as long as possible. This is called solarisation and is handy because here in The Bahamas we can grow very few summer vegetables. By clearing our gardens of weeds and covering with plastic we prevent new weed growth at the busiest time of the year for weeds.

Solarisation is not perfect but gives us a chance to grow tomatoes in the same area as the previous year. If the tomato vines are well-developed before being transplanted they can usually produce a good crop before the nematodes arrive in destructive numbers.

Talk about numbers: those pertaining to nematodes are very large. There are over 6 billion people in the world but that is a very small number when we consider all the animals, all the birds, all the fish, insects, reptiles, and so on. Add them and their total is exceeded by nematodes by a factor of four. Were the Earth to turn invisible it position could still be seen from space through the delineation of continents by nematode masses. That’s how big our nematode problem is.

• For questions and comments e-mail j.hardy@coralwave.com.