03032017 weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

art theatre film fashion entertainment music culture food

Weekend

movies on the beach Page 11

Fashion fabulous Capturing New York’s most stylish

Photography, pages 8&9

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

life through a lens

Glitz meets home glamour at Oasis Collection grand opening

W 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

Photos/Shawn Hanna

hat began as a light bulb moment more than two years ago and took a young Bahamian on a journey of more than 5,000 miles has turned into a dream made manifest in the form of store called Oasis Collection in Sandyport.

The store celebrated its opening last weekend with a standing room only crowd.

“The turn-out was amazing. I believe we invited 120 and lost count at 130,” said Brooke Phillips, a director of Oasis Bahamas and proprietor of its newest iteration, Oasis Collection.

The Collection, located below Club One on West Bay Street, is a collaboration between Ms Phillips and woodcraft artisan and designer Morgan McKinney whose eye-popping original pieces carved from native trees and materials are featured in the shop.

Like Mr McKinney’s work, most of the home furnishings and accessories have an organic feel. Coffee tables, chairs, sofas, dining sets, one-of-a-kind hanging light fixtures, even hand-made sinks are created from bamboo, hard woods, natural stone, bronze, copper and metal with cushions, throws and pillows of fine cottons and natural fiber fabrics.

Ms Phillips and partner, Matthew Pyfrom, spent months refurbishing pallets for walls and display counters to add to the natural, environmental feel.

Ms Phillips had been toying with the idea of opening an indoor furniture store for more than two years, since she attempted to furnish her first home and was not able to find pieces she liked locally.

“Despite the tropical climate, local inventory felt heavy, as if it were manufactured for somewhere else,” said the 31-year-old who had been managing Oasis Outdoor Furniture, a subsidiary of Phillips Sailmakers, for several years.

For the next year, she sourced furniture and accessories from around the world.

From the fine wood craft shops of High Point, North Carolina, to the hard woods harvested in Canada to remote villages in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, she selected individual pieces that merged natural material with local culture for the new store.

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Friday, March 3, 2017

Inside Weekend Interview 4 - 5 Natario McKenzie talks to Donavon Powell about his new revolutionary job search website for the Bahamian market Food 7 First Menchie’s location in Nassau serves up frozen treats in endless combinations Photography 8 - 9 Tribune photographer Shawn Hanna experiences New York Fashion Week

Film 10 -11 Hugh Jackman says goodbye to Wolverine in “Logan”, plus BIFF hosts movies on the beach for Spring Break

Entertainment 12 Enjoy the Red Cross Fair and the Wine and Art Experience this weekend

Fashion 14 - 15 June K Woods label shows funky sophistication Theatre 17 “It Takes Two!” takes a comedic approach to the different facets of love

Culture 18 - 19 Festival Rum Bahamas lives up to the hype

Art 20 - 21 Keisha Oliver captures the ‘porch experience’ with her photos, plus Conception Ink encourages festival-goers to pick up the paintbrush

Literary Lives 22 - 24 Henry James – A portrait of a culturalist Forgotten Facts 25 Paul Aranha talks dillies, berries and cocoplums Puzzles

26

Animals

27 Kim Aranha marvels at the wonders of Facebook

Gardening 28 Jack Hardy on the effect of warmer winters

My perfect Bahamian weekend Chemere Mackey Nail technician Q: Saturday Breakfast or Sunday lunch?

“Sunday lunch. I am not a big cook, but on Sundays I always want to eat something nice and have a good time and relax.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“The sofa, because I am a pretty laid-back person and I really don’t have time for the beach.”

Q: Wine, rum, cocktail or Kalik?

“I do not drink, but I do like Sands’ Radlers. I like that I can drink them and you don’t get drunk, you just get a little buzz.”

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

“I couldn’t live without money, because the cost of living is so expensive.”

Q: Weekend away, where would you go?

“I really want to go to Colorado to go skiing. I have never seen snow, so I think it would be a great experience.”

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday • Da Bahamian Ting Semi-Finalists Announcement Time: 4pm - 7pm Venue: Pompey Square Join the Ministry of Tourism for a happy hour cocktail reception announcing the semi-finalists of Da Bahamian Ting music competition.

• ‘Bugs, Blessings and Barriers’ art exhibit Time: 6pm -9pm Venue: The Central Bank of The Bahamas Art Gallery, Mackey Street Don’t miss the opening reception the art show featuring the work of Jordanna Kelly. Following the opening, viewing hours for the exhibition are 9am - 5pm on weekdays.

• St Andrew’s PTA Fundraising Cocktail Party Time: 6.30pm Venue: St Andrew’s School Parents, alumni and friends are invited to attend the event. There will be hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and live music.

Come and meet new parents or see

old school friends and reminisce about your school years.

Tickets are $40 and are available at St Andrew’s School office and Custom Computers at all three locations.

• Christ Gang’s ‘Family Matters’ mix-tape launch party Time: 7pm Venue: Potential Church, John F Kennedy Drive Hosted by Bertrum Oh Bubbla, the event will feature artists MOG, Lyrically Blessed, TAG, Mr Blaxx and Najie Dun, as well as a lyric recitation challenge and a dance competition.

• Hush First Friday Time: 8pm Venue: Island Spice, Village Road The headphone party will feature R&B, soca, reggae and rap tunes.

Admission is $15 and includes a set of headphones.

Saturday • Red Cross Fair Time: 12noon Venue: Government House

grounds SEE PAGE 12 • Festival of Colours J’ouvert 2017 Time: 6.30pm Venue: The Botanical Gardens Voted the number one j’ouvert party (for Carnival season) in Nassau, the Festival of Colours brings out the foam, powder and paint. All you have to do is add water.

• Cinema Under the Stars Time: 6.30pm Venue: The Retreat, Village Road Bring the family for a great movieviewing experience under the stars.

Gates open at 6.30pm; movie starts at 7.30pm. The film is to be announced.

Admission is $40 for general seating and $60 for reserved lounge seating. Ticket prices includes a gourmet wine basket.

Sunday • The Wine & Art Experience Time: 2pm - 4pm Venue: Harbourfront Coffee + Lounge SEE PAGE 12

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

interview Following the example of popular American job search sites like Monster.com, Donavon Powell has created a website tailored to the Bahamian market. He tells Natario McKenzie about how he particularly wants to connect Bahamians studying abroad with employers at home, and how he hopes to do his part in bringing the local job market into the 21st century.

Donavon Powell

A

young entrepreneur is hoping to help more Bahamians find employment by connecting job seekers with local employers through a new interactive and user-friendly job search website designed specifically for the Bahamas.

The website is 242jobs.com and was founded by Donavon Powell last October. Users can set up a profile, create and upload a resume, search and apply for jobs.

The site, together with the accompanying app, has a feature which allows users to sign up for job alerts. They are then notified of new job posts and those that match their preferences.

Mr Powell told Tribune Weekend that it was his own post-graduate experience that helped him come up with the idea to have an internet-based tool which persons can use as a virtual job centre.

After attending St Bede’s Primary School and graduating from Aquinas College, he followed in his brother’s footsteps and went to Tiffon University in Ohio.

He said he found the experience to be very different from life in the Bahamas.

“It was a completely different atmosphere; it was very racist. And instead of

“Nothing is more discouraging than when your parents have spent a hundred thousand dollars on your college degree and you are unable to find work.”

the beach, you just had miles and miles of cornfields. I ran track in college and I double majored in International Business and Hospitality Management and Tourism, and later pursued my MBA,” he said.

“As a Bahamian, I went off to school, got my education, but I couldn’t come back home because I didn’t know who was hiring and I couldn’t find a job.”

Instead, Mr Powell decided that he would take advantage of the opportunities available in the United States.

“I moved to Columbus, Ohio, where I worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank and later moved to work at Morgan Stanley. At both companies I

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Friday, March 3, 2017

was a standout and received various awards and implemented policy changes within the company. In addition, I have a Series 7 (general securities registered representative) licence as well as Series 63 (enabling the holder to solicit orders for any type of security in a particular state) licence and am registered in the United States,” he explained.

However, even though he has found success in the US, he still remains committed to the Bahamas and wants to do his part in helping his fellow Bahamians find employment as well.

“I wanted to do something that would not only help Bahamians find jobs at home, but especially students who want to come back home after college so that they may have some ideas and interviews lined up before they even return home. Because nothing is more discouraging than when your parents have spent a hundred thousand dollars on your college degree and you are unable to find work. It can just steal your confidence,” he said.

“I came to the understanding that there are a lot of jobs in the Bahamas, but the problem is there is a big disconnect because job seekers do not know that those jobs exist.”

“I came to the understanding that there are a lot of jobs in the Bahamas, but the problem is there is a big disconnect because job seekers do not know that those jobs exist, because employers are not reaching out to the job seekers. In the United States, most individuals find jobs using job

bots. That’s how employers are able to reach out directly to persons looking for jobs. No one is going to a job site every single day looking for a job.

A lot of the companies in the Bahamas don’t have an online presence, so their job posting capabilities are very limited.

I wanted to build something much more advanced to keep up with the times, and as a young Bahamian I decided to lead by example.”

So far, the response to his website has been “phenomenal”.

“The site is very interactive, user-friendly and has a lot of different features. We have an app in the app store. I have been just calling companies up in the phone book, letting them know about the site. Once they start positing their job openings on the site they tend to love it. We get thousands of hits a month,” he said.

He added: “It saves them time and a lot of money. I just wanted to try and help more Bahamians find jobs in the Bahamas without having to go to

so many websites or go doorto-door to businesses. A lot of times people get discouraged when they find out a company isn’t hiring, but when the company does begin hiring the person doesn’t even know.”

And Mr Powell emphasised that unfit employees can be detrimental to a business.

“You need to hire the right employees that can help your business grow,” he said.

As for the future, Mr Powell said he is looking forward to returning home and working at 242jobs as a full-time business venture. Also, he said that given his securities licences he can trade anywhere in the world, which makes it easier to continue with his career.

He also wants to continue helping the Bahamian youth find employment success.

“I have a prominent business and investment plans for the future and my goal is to have my conglomerate company listed on the Bahamas stock market in the next 10 years, and I will be encouraging youths about investing. I have

a passion for helping others and through 242jobs I started an initiative called ‘242 We Can’, which will provide free resume preparation, practice interviews, job search classes, and work wardrobe tips for those who need it,” he said.

“The late Myles Munroe once stated the youths need to pursue ideas and become persons of value with intellect. I understand his message and my overall goal is to build a stronger Bahamas. I want to give special thanks to my mother, Patsy Powell, and all my family and friends that supported me through the years.”

Mr Powell’s philosophy is that “a steady job is the single most important step in a person’s transition out of poverty and onto a pathway to long-term self-sufficiency – offering a hand up, rather than a hand-out.”

• You can read more stories like this at JustBiz242.com. A blog that focuses on promoting small businesses in the Bahamas.)

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

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Friday, March 3, 2017

food Photos Shawn Hanna

Frozen treats in endless combinations

By Cara Hunt cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

J

ohn and Simone Wilson, the new franchise holders of Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt here in the Bahamas, hope to bring a smile to the faces of their customers with unique frozen treats.

The colourful, family-friendly restaurant, located in the Top of the Hill Plaza on Mackey Street, held its grand opening this week and received an overwhelming response from new patrons, Mr Wilson told Tribune Weekend.

Menchie’s is the largest self-serve frozen yogurt franchise in the world.

The company is based in California and the name derives from the nickname founder Adam Caldwell gave his wife Donna.

It took the Wilsons two years to go from the initial idea of bringing the franchise to the Bahamas, to finding and refurbishing the retail space, hiring and training staff and stocking the store, but the couple said that after just a week in operation all the work has already been worth it.

The concept behind the experience is simple – customers come in and decide if they want their yogurt in a regular cup or a waffle cone. They then head to the counter where they can select their preferred yogurt flavour, or even a combination of flavours. Then comes the choice of a vast array of toppings and syrups. The customer’s self-made creation is then weighed, which determines the price.

“We have over 100 different rotating flavours and 75 different toppings, so there are literally hundreds of combinations you can create. Every time you come in you will have a different experience,” said Mr Wilson.

Yogurt flavours include chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, strawberry, New

York cheesecake, as well as sorbet options like pink lemonade. Toppings are as varied as nuts, fresh fruit, candy, different types of sprinkles, marshmallows, and different syrups “We want everyone to come in to be able to have the Menchie experience,” Mrs Wilson added.

“Menchie’s is all about creating smiles and that is why we have products that can accommodate every dietary requirement, including nonfat, low carb, no sugar added, dairy-free sorbets, gluttonfree, vegan and kosher.

Additionally, nut -based products and their serving utensils are stored in a separate area so there is no chance for cross contamination for persons with nut allergies.

She also noted that Menchie’s prides itself on using milk from “smiley” California cows who have not been treated with any artificial growth hormones, and the fact that their yogurt has been endorsed by the National Yogurt Association of the United States.

In addition to their food products, Menchie’s has special brand-themed merchandise. The store can also provide special ‘froyo’ celebration cakes for persons, celebrating birthdays and other special events.

The store is open seven days a week from 10.30am to 8.30pm on Sunday through Thursday, and from 10.30am to 9pm on Friday and Saturday.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogu

rt Grand Opening.

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

photography

A lens for fashion

By Cara Hunt cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

T

ribune photographer Shawn Hanna recently had the experience of a lifetime when he travelled to New York to participate in the city’s renowned Fashion Week.

The special week of events is held twice a year in the Big Apple – in February and September – and features a series of fashion shows and other events at which international fashion collections are shown to buyers, the press and the general public.

It is one of four major Fashion Weeks around the world, along with Paris, London and Milan. Collectively they are known as the “Big 4”.

Last month, attendees were shown the collections for the Fall/Winter 2017 season. Each fashion week is named for the season it is previewing, not for the month the shows are held.

Shawn told Tribune Weekend that for fashion enthusiasts like himself and industry professionals it is the place to be.

“Everyone wants to go to Fashion Week. It is the best place to be for fashion photography. In my case, I really wanted to go, because it is a great way to network and connect to other persons in the industry, and sometimes even celebrities or those who work with them, so that maybe you can work with them in the future,” he said.

Shawn got the opportunity to attend some of the Fashion Week events through a collaboration with FAULT magazine, which works with the world’s leading artists in film, fashion, art and music.

“I went with a team of persons, and basically you got a schedule of events and then the organisers would confirm your attendance. When you arrive you give them your credentials; it was a very easy process,” he said.

Shawn was able to attend three big parties – the party for PAPER magazine, which is now famous for having the naked “break the internet” photo of Kim Kardashian on its cover; the party for luxury Italian fashion house Fendi, and the Converse party.

“Everyone wants to go to Fashion Week. It is the best place to be for fashion photography.

Shawn Hanna caused quite the stir posing with models on the streets of New York City.

Shawn Hanna with a famed albino model Shaun Ross (centre)

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Friday, March 3, 2017

Photographers aim their cameras at the fabulous and fashionable ones.

Photos Shawn Hanna

“I also attended several shows – the New York Jeremy Scott Show and the B Michael Show. The B Michael Show was pretty interesting; it was not your typical runway show.

I loved the presentation aspect of it where the models stood still and a bunch of different people connected with them,” he said.

If there was a negative side to the week’s events, Shawn said it was his first-hand experience in learning just how cut-throat the industry can be.

Although he travelled with a team of six, he and three others were left out of several events after the other two members separated themselves from the group and decided to “hog up the shows”.

“We had previously decided that we would share the events and split the events, but when we would arrive at a venue we were told that a representative from our group was already there, which was not the way we had agreed to it. So that was one of the lessons I learned from Fashion Week, that you get to see the true nature of people,” he said.

However, Shawn said he refused to let the actions of a few spoil what proved to be an amazing opportunity.

“We were there because we wanted to work and learn,” he said.

“And we decided that we would just enjoy the experience and being in New York. We spent a lot of time exploring the city and finding our own models to do photoshoots with.”

He said he and two models caused quite the stir when they walked the streets wearing big faux fur coats.

“We went to Skylight Clarkson Square, located in West SoHo, where people would go to hang out during Fashion Week to be seen and take photos,” he said.

“We decided to go and take our own photos and maybe look for a show, but then we got the idea to dress up and see if people would take pictures of us. And they did!

Tons of people took photos of us. I think they thought we were celebrities. It was my best day in New York.”

Overall, Shawn said, it was a wonderful experience and he would love to go back some day.

“I met so many people that week; it was a true learning experience and I think that will prepare me for Shawn Hanna shoots street models. next time,” he said.

LaMarrital runway show

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Friday, March 3, 2017

film Ben Rothstein/Twentieth Century Fox via AP

review

‘Logan’ a satisfying end for Jackman’s Wolverine logan running time: 141 mins

“L

ogan “ is not for the faint of heart — not just because of its brutal violence, but because it packs an emotional wallop you don’t typically expect from a comic-book movie.

Featuring Hugh Jackman’s final turn as Wolverine, “Logan” isn’t a shiny, colourful, superhero-style film, either.

It’s gritty, dark, and a deeply satisfying conclusion for fans who’ve followed the clawed character through Jackman’s past eight movie outings with the X-Men and alone as Wolverine.

Writer-director James Mangold, who also directed 2013’s “The Wolverine,” clearly loves the character as much as Jackman does, and both seem liberated by this film’s R rating. “Logan” is not a kids’ movie. It’s viscerally violent — lots of claws-through-the-face shots — and emotionally profound as it explores the relationship between Logan and Professor X (Patrick Stewart).

Viewers would need some basic familiarity with these characters to fully appreciate the story told in “Logan.”

If you don’t know anything about the relationship between the title mutant and Charles Xavier (Stewart), the arc they experience in this film would be far less impactful.

(The quick version: Professor X is the de-facto leader of mutants, who most appreciates them and their powers. Logan has resented the immortality that comes with his mutant-ness, and has a lot softer heart than his claws would indicate.)

It’s the near future, and Logan is a hard-drinking limo-driver for hire. As one of the few remaining mutants, he keeps a low profile while caring for an aging and ill Professor X, who’s hidden in a secret silo just south of the Mexican border.

Half the time he babbles nonsense, but the professor tells him there’s a young mutant coming their way, and soon they’re

ABOVE: Hugh Jackman and Dafne Keen in a scene from “Logan.”

BELOW: Patrick Stewart as Professor X and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

charged with Laura, a little girl who doesn’t speak but has deadly claws like Wolverine.

A slick-looking villain with a “Terminator” hand (a perfectly smarmy Boyd Holbrook) is interested in this young mutant as well. She was part of a pseudo-military genetic research project led by the evil Dr Rice (Richard E Grant, even smarmier).

Laura (entrancing newcomer Dafne Keen) is planning to meet the other kids Dr Rice experimented on in Eden, a place they read about in an X-Men comic book. So meta.

Thus the story becomes a road movie, with Logan, Laura and Xavier comprising an endearing and offbeat family on their way to Eden as they try to outrun Dr Rice and his goons.

Logan is reluctant and disinterested, Xavier is kind and a little kooky, and Laura is mute and also a killer badass.

And Jackman doubly delivers as Wolverine. You’ll see what I mean when you watch the film. He is in top form as both an action star and an actor, bringing heart to his dramatic scenes and wielding unmatched admantium power in the action sequences.

“Logan” is a family drama, an action thriller and an epic superhero story. If this is indeed Jackman’s last Wolverine film, he’s going out in heartfelt, highclass style.

SANDY COHEN AP Entertainment Writer

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Friday, March 3, 2017

film

Movies on the beach

Movies to be shown during BIFF’s first Spring Break Film Series

T

his Spring break, the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) organisation is hoping to offer both locals and visitors alike a new movie-going experience.

Starting March 8, BIFF will be hosting its Spring Break Film Series at Junkanoo Beach every Wednesday and Saturday until April 1.

All of the featured films were either

shot in the Bahamas, made by Bahamians, or otherwise have a connection to the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

Kicking off the series next Wednesday will be the “The Rum Diary” starring Johnny Depp and “After the Sunset”, which stars Pierce Brosnan and Woody Harrelson and was filmed on location in the Bahamas in 2004.

Other highlights of the series include Bahamian filmmaker Maria Govan’s

Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ scares up big $30.5 million debut Great reviews and buzz propelled comedian Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, the micro-budget thriller “Get Out,” to a chart-topping opening weekend with $30.5 million according to studio estimates last Sunday.

The Blumhouse-produced and Universal Pictures-distributed film cost an estimated $4.5 million to make. While it was expected to perform well against its budget, few people foresaw a debut this big — especially with a relatively unknown star in Daniel Kaluuya leading the film.

Part of the reason is positive reviews.

“Get Out” has a 100 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is extremely rare for a thriller and only added to the excitement going into the weekend, said Universal President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution Nick Carpou.

“Jordan Peele is an absolute talent,” he said. “As we got closer and closer to opening, it’s amazing how many people were rooting for it.”

Peele, who most audiences know for his sketch comedy work on the series “Key & Peele,” wrote and directed the film about a black man who travels upstate to meet his white girlfriend’s family.

Even without Peele in the film, audiences turned out in droves to experience the high concept horror pic. According to exit polls, African Americans comprised an estimated 39 percent of the opening weekend audiences, while Caucasians made up 36 percent, and a whopping

critically acclaimed “Rain”, “Casino Royale”, “Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest” and the awardwinning “Live Cargo”.

The fun kicks off at 6.30pm and the first movie of the night starts at 7pm.

Drink specials and food will be on sale at the Seagulls Bar & Grill. Premovie entertainment and games will be provided by Insight Stage, Club One, Hushh Silent Events, and complimen-

tary parking is being offered by FML Group of Companies from 6pm to 10.30pm. Police officers will be in attendance to ensure guests’ safety.

The event series is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and serves as a fundraiser for BIFF. Tickets are $10 online; $15 at the gate. For more information and the full movie schedule, visit Bintlfilmfest.com or BIFF’s Facebook page.

Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP

Jordan Peele celebrates his directorial debut with “Get Out,” a taut psychological thriller which offers searing social commentary about racism in the modern era.

49 percent were under the age of 25.

ComScore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian predicts the film will also have staying power in the marketplace. “Social media is going to keep this movie front and center,” Dergarabedian said.

“Get Out” effectively pushed “The Lego Batman Movie” into second place. The animated family picture added $19 million this weekend and is now up to $133 million after only three weeks in theaters.

“John Wick: Chapter Two” took third place with $9 million, while the Matt Damonstarrer “The Great Wall” took fourth with $8.7 million — down 53 percent from its opening last week.

“Fifty Shades Darker” rounded out the top five with $7.7 million, pushing the erotic drama over the $100 million mark in its third weekend.

LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

entertainment

Fun at the fair

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

C

elebrating 76 years of entertaining the young and the young at heart to raise money for a good cause, the Red Cross Society invites persons from all walks of life to come out an enjoy their annual fair this Saturday.

The Government House grounds will be filled with exciting activities for the entire family. There will be performances by the Royal Bahamas Police Pop Band, food stands, a petting zoo, haunted house, kiddie corner, a zip-lining attraction, beer garden, Play House deejays, and more. It all kicks off at 12noon. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children.

Caroline Turnquest, director at the

Red Cross Society, said the fair is one the organisation’s largest fundraisers of the year following the Red Cross Ball in January.

“The fair covers operational expenses and ensures that our programmes that we have in place such as Meals on Wheels, first aid and CPR training are funded properly. The idea is to have some fun and raise money at the same time,” said Mrs Turnquest.

Calling the event “the fair of the

year”, she said Bahamians always turn out in great numbers.

In addition to fun and games, Mrs Turnquest said it is also a great avenue for Bahamians to donate to those in need of help.

“We have people that walk in on a daily basis for assistance and they are in need of help, especially since Hurricane Matthew. Hundreds of persons come here and we have to find that money from somewhere for these persons to

Calling all wine and art lovers...

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net LOVERS of wine and art will have a reason to rejoice when the two come together in one event this weekend.

The Wine & Art Experience will be held at the Harbourfront Coffee + Lounge this Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.

Located just minutes away from Paradise Island, Harbourfront is a casual, yet elegant restaurant, which exudes old Bahamian charm.

Its kitchen turns out breakfast, lunch, handmade pastas and thin-crust pizzas, while its bar boasts a large selection of specialty cocktails and boutique

Jamaal Rolle (right) and Toby Lunn are among the artists taking part in the Wine & Art Experience. wines.

“We will be doing a wine tasting with some of our favourite boutique wines that Harbourfront Coffee + Lounge

carries. We will have whites and reds featured from California, Australia and France, as well as bottomless mimosas,” said Lindsay Mullock, a representative

be able to walk in and receive food, bedding, cleaning supplies and more.

So in order for us to help those persons, this is one of the ways we do so. People continue to need help and we are known for the assistance we give. We have to do this every year. We are what we call an auxiliary to government and it is very important for society that an organisation such as the Red Cross is present to assist persons who cannot assist themselves,” she said.

of Harbourfront.

During the event, five artists will showcase their work and engage in ‘live action’ painting. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Epic Forealz.

Artists to be featured at the event include Toby Lunn, Trevor Tucker, Jamaal Rolle, Stefan Davis, and Always Jewelry by Alia M Dean.

“We are bringing together our love of delicious food and wine with the creativity of our local artisans and featuring them in our gorgeous waterfront location,” said Ms Mullock. “Wine and art makes for the perfect combination as attendees will have an opportunity to partake of both simultaneously during the event.”

Harbourfront has also teamed up with Pupstar Entertainment to host some monthly events, including the Shake Rattle & Roll happy hour with Bacardi and DJ Furze on March 9, and Movies on the Harbour to be held on March 15.

Entry for this Saturday’s event is $20 and includes the wine tasting.

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Friday, March 3, 2017

fashion

pART

1

The Weekend Fashion Report 89th Academy Awards

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

HIT

HIT

FAIL

SPLIT

Emma Stone in Givenchy “La La Land”

Taraji P Henson in Alberta Ferretti “Hidden Figures”

Jessica Biel in Kaufmanfranco “Shock and Awe”

Karin says: “Talking about Old Hollywood, this was pure Golden Age glamour. This midnight blue (yes, it’s not black) velvet gown is stunning. This is how you do the plunging neckline and high-slit. And that diamond necklace was a sure attention-grabber.”

Cara says: “Compared to some of her other red carpet looks this is pretty tame for Taraji. But she jazzed it up with a killer necklace and flawless hair. She just looked so relaxed and comfortable (and maybe a lil tipsy), killing it all those cookies and Junior Mints falling from the ceiling during the ceremony.”

Karin says: “A decaying. flaking Oscar statue, that is what she looks like. Even though it’s gold, I just think the distressed look doesn’t work for the Oscars’ red carpet. I don’t mind the high neck, but her and Justin did not deserve to be named best dressed couple by Vogue. She took a bold chance, but it didn’t pay off.”

Cara says: “I have to say I preferred the dress she wore to the Vanity Fair after party to her red carpet dress.

This gold dress is something we have seen too often and she just looks like an Oscar statue with dark hair.”

Janelle Monáe in Elie Saab “Hidden Figures”, “Moonlight”

Karin says: “I know we were all hoping she would go big and dramatic, but that’s just not her style. So yes, it’s maybe a bit subdued, but it’s also the height of Old Hollywood elegance (love the hair!) And no nominee wearing Givenchy has won since Audrey Hepburn in 1954. So it definitely brought her luck.”

Cara says: “Emma almost looks like she is channelling a 1920s Hollywood vixen in this gown. It’s a sentimental choice for the ‘La La Land’ star. I really liked her hair, it was so pretty and had that shampoo commercial vibe. The beading on the dress was also exquisite. Really, my only complaint is that the colour may have been a bit bland for her skin tone.”

Karin says: “Two words: TOO MUCH! I love that it’s almost an 21st century take on something outrageous Marie Antoinette would have worn, but there is so much going on that it’s a bit of a mishmash mess.

I could almost love the dress itself, but the bejewelled neckpiece (just why?) and the headband are just too overwhelming. But I do love the drama of it.”

Cara says: “So this was probably one of the most talked about dresses of the evening. I think people were either in the ‘loved’ it or ‘hated it’ category. I am definitely not in the ‘loved it’ category”. It had a lot going on, maybe too much. I found it distracting. I want to love it because it is definitely a gown with a capital G,

• See PAGE 16 for Weekend Fashion Report Part II

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

fashion

pART

The Weekend Fashion Report 89th Academy Awards

ii

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

HIT

FAIL

HIT

SPLIT

Octavia Spencer in Marchesa “Hidden Figures”

Dakota Johnson in Gucci “Fifty Shades Darker”

Viola Davis in Armani Privé “Fences”

Ruth Negga in Valentino “Loving”

Karin says: “First of all, I love Octavia’s new sleek bob. I also love the dress. She was rocking the trendy offthe-shoulder look and dared to go big with a huge feathery skirt. I really like the silver grey on her as well. Kudos to Octavia for once again proving that sophisticated style comes in all sizes.”

Cara says: “Octavia always wears all her clothes on the red carpet. She wears Tadashi Shoji quite a bit, but I am glad she decided to switch it up this year, because the folks at Marchesa had her back (and front). It is a gorgeous colour that was especially hand-dyed to suit her. This dress has just the right amount of everything – bling, a flattering neckline, and somehow the detail on the skirt was just enough and not too much.”

Karin says: “OK, here we have another ‘there is no chance I will walk away with an Oscar so I will just dress like one’ approach. I absolutely hate this look – the padded shoulders, the plissé front and the cascading bow at the waist. This is straight up 1980s Joan Collins (the evil version). And I absolutely hate the limp, dead looking hair.”

Cara says: “I find it amusing that after showing the world everything God gave her in ‘Fifty Shades Darker’, Dakota came covered up from head to toe like a Victorian virgin headed to the marriage bed. She looks awful; awful hair, awful dress colour and awful bow. Its was just plain ugly all around.”

Karin says: “Viola meant business on Sunday night. The awesome new hair cut complemented the style of her red silk gown perfectly. There were two main trends on the night – long sleeves (yay!) and off-the-shoulder, the latter of which Viola pulled off to a T...with a little halter neck twist thrown in. A sure winner.”

Cara says: “What I liked so much about this dress is how different it was from all the other gowns, or even the ones Viola has worn this awards season. The bold colour to the unique draping in the back, it all worked and Miss Viola came though in something that we really have not seen before. I loved the dress and I love that my girl is now an Academy Award winner.”

Karin says: “This is a custom-made gown what should have never left the designer’s sketch book. I looks like some Gothic nightgown dyed in blood. The lace neck is hideous, not to mention it looks slightly too big on her. It’s unique, yes, and it definitely got her a lot of attention, so maybe it fulfilled its purpose.”

Cara says: “This dress got a lot of positive buzz on social media, and I have to say it’s a pretty dress. It was not my favourite of the night, but there is a lot about it that I like. I love anything combining lace with sheerness. It is demure in a sexy, elegant way. And how stunning is her train and headband? However, I have to admit, it was a lot of fabric.”

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Friday, March 3, 2017

theatre

‘It Takes Two’ to tango

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

R

omantic love in all its forms was the topic of the comedic play “It Takes Two!” which was staged with great success at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts last weekend. Presented by the Real Laughs Network, the play was written by Rakel Dean.

The hilarious but sobering play tells the story of four couples who experience and express love in different ways.

For the characters of Jackie and Trevor love means attending church every day of the week, and Jackie reads her husband the Bible as a token of her affection.

With Kim and Chris, their world revolves around a family of eight. Kim takes catering to her man’s needs to another level, to the point where he does not allow her to do anything without his approval.

In Lexi and D’Angelo’s relationship, Lexi wears the pants. Meanwhile in Mosquito and Adrianna’s case, Adrianna is smitten with her African prince. As the play progresses, we also find out that she is somewhat of a fool for love.

Executive producer Nikolette Elden played role of Adrianna. In an interview with Tribune Weekend, she explained that the four women are portrayed as best friends.

“Lexi is quick to remind Adrianna that she is not married. Liz (Adrianna’s mom) on the other hand is bitter and does not approve of her daughter dating this African prince,” she said.

Ms Elden said she was on trip with playwright Rakel Dean when the inspiration for “It Takes Two!” hit.

On this trip they discussed

Cast members of “It Takes Two!”

real life scenarios and how women compare their relationships to others, as well as put unnecessary pressure on their significant others in an attempt to ‘keep up with the Joneses’.

Together with director Antoinette Knowles, they brought his vision to the stage.

Ms Dean played the role of Lexi, and the team gathered the other cast members: Lemorn Miller as Mosquito the African prince; Nikolette as Adrianna; Osbourne Lockhart as D’Angelo; Michaela Rolle as Kim; Dangelo Brown as Chris; Leah Duncombe as Jackie; Fylden Russell as Trevor; Camille Dorsett as Liz; Jaquay Adderley as Mr Hunk; Kenneth Knowles Jr as Sergeant Bain; Valicia Rolle as Dr Rachel; Sophie Smith as Willamae and Xavier Knowles as Jenson, among others.

“As you can appreciate by the size of the cast, coordinating schedules was not very easy, especially when everyone has a job. The cast got along very well and have made this experience for the director and producers an easy one,” said Ms Elden.

“It’s been a blast working with all of these for various reasons. You get an opportunity to work with different people and appreciate their perspective on things as well.”

She hopes the play offered a fun outlet for the actors.

“For some it’s an outlet to be free and express themselves, and live a totally different character; sometimes escape reality. It’s also a joy to be around people of like mind. The overall goal is to make our audience laugh and laugh and laugh again,” said Ms Elden.

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

culture

‘All day we drinking’ Patrons enjoy the ‘hype’ at Festival Rum Bahamas

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

T

here was not a dry passageway in sight at this year’s Festival Rum Bahamas, as thousands flooded the Fort Charlotte grounds over a period of three exciting and entertaining days.

News of the festival has definitely spread over the years, drawing more locals and tourists alike to the event.

One patron, Anne B, remembered the first year, 2014, when it was possible to drive directly into the fort’s parking lot and find a space immediately.

But that certainly was not the case last weekend.

“I nearly parked downtown, that is how it feels because it was a bit far.

But that is not an issue, because I came last night as well. I just wanted to get here. I like to call this one of the more sophisticated beer festivals where I feel comfortable in a fun and safe environment. I am also happy to see the festival catching on and bringing in new faces,” she said.

Another festival-goer, Michelle Wright, said once again the festival has lived up to her expectations and delivered just like it promised.

“There is so much to experience and take in, to the point where you can’t do it all in just one day. I think that is the reason why I am here for the third day straight. And also I think that is the reason why the festival takes place over the course of three days. At every (part) of the fort there is something for attendees to do and experience – from the great dishes to the unusual but tasty drink offerings, and of course the entertainment,” said Michelle.

“I am enjoying the live performances as well as the deejays are keeping the

Emanji street performers

Xavia Rolle with her POW (pancakes, omelettes and waffles) food truck

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Friday, March 3, 2017

Photos/Shawn Hanna

street party hype and going all night. I will definitely be here again next time around.”

Patrons Demetrius and Toya found their spot at the Margaritaville booth, which both agreed was the most exciting spot as it was close to the main stage.

As DJ Pencil instructed the crowd to “move to the left, move to the right” while playing the popular soca song “Palance”, the couple didn’t hesitate to jump in line and participate.

Taking a moment to speak to Tribune Weekend, Toya said it was the most fun she has had in a long time.

“Can you tell, I am ready.

I love that there is no sight of altercation on the scene and everyone is doing exactly what I planned to come out and do, which is to have a great time,” she said.

Apart from a slew of exotic rum and various food options available, highlights included performances by Visage, Geno D, Bodine, Rhythm Band, Veronica Bishop, Ancient Man, Ira Storr and The Spank Band, Stilitto, Tebby, Funky D, Leroy The Limbo Man, Action Jackson, Emanji circus street performers, as well as the new Jamaican Village, art displays, Junkanoo performances, and more.

Paula Rollins at the Wrapped in Elegance booth offered Bahamian-made seashell products, straw bags, portfolios, clutches, hand-cut wine glasses made from beer bottles, candle holders and jewellery items.

“I have frames, mirrors and lamps covered in pink sand and decorated with shells. This is my second year at the festival and the good thing about it is we are able to come out and show what we Bahamians are capable of producing. It is also good for networking and interacting with other vendors here,” said Paula.

Not too far away from Paula’s booth was Xavia Rolle’s POW (pancakes, omelettes and waffles) food truck. Festival-goers stopped to enjoy Xavia’s cracked chicken, cracked conch and cracked lobster – all served with waffles.

“I am a brunch lover and so I knew I loved to cook omelettes.

I expanded it to POW and it

Paula Rollins at her Wrapped in Elegance booth

went from there. I know brunch is something that is now trending and a lot of people are taking it on, especially the modernday youth; we love to do it. My mother’s booth is called the Guava Duff Factory and we are a sister company. She also specialises in treats such as banana and potato bread, pineapple and coconut tarts – the good stuff.

I just want to see the people embrace this new trend in the Bahamas and we are looking forward to taking it all over the country,” said Xavia.

Meanwhile, guests were entertained by the Emanji street performers. In character, Papadois called himself the ‘Protector of the Forrest’ (festival grounds).

“If I see any hunters that come and try to hurt any of my animals I will turn into a deer and ward them off,” he said.

“Playing this character at the Rum Fest is a really good experience and I am excited about scaring people.”

Mama Bridgette played the character of “The Death Lower” to keep all the “drunkards” in check. Playing the character for the second year, Mama Bridgette said it is a beautiful feeling.

“I love this character and the festival is nice for all of the guests who are coming in to have a look at the beautiful venue that is Fort Charlotte. You will see the artefacts, food and rum all over the place,” she said.

Walking around with a custom-made hat stand featuring his Jovial Festival and Party Hats was Dion Simms.

“One of the hats was actually a painting I had that I was going to throw away. I placed it onto a FedEx envelope and made the hat. The process is to find the cardboard, line up the pieces for my pattern, cut them out and glue them together. I have done stuff that displays Aqua Pure, fruit drinks, rum and more. This is the first time we really put a stand out. Last year we did it for only one day,” said Dion.

Catherine Chisnall, festival organsier, is hoping the continued success of the event sparks the beginning of a movement of festivals throughout the Bahamas.

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

art

Artist Keisha Oliver

Photography exhibit captures the Bahamian ‘porch experience’

T

he art installation “Porch Conversations” currently on display at Hillside House Gallery creates a dialogue series between artist Keisha Oliver and residents of inner-city communities in New Providence on their front porches.

Concerned with oral history, human interaction and materiality, the photos aim to reclaim the art of spontaneous conversation.

Presented as a photographic and sound installation, the pieces explore the artist’s porch experiences at more than 40 homes.

As a stranger to these spaces, Ms Oliver documented the physicality of the porch and the stories of its owners.

She said the front porch has often been mistaken as a mere extension of the home, but historically in the Caribbean it has existed as the heart of the residential community. Providing a path to the street and a bridge to one’s neighbour, it was once embraced as an outdoor gathering place. Be it a time for solace or recreation, memories both personal and communal were made along the way.

Today, she said, the values and senti-

ments associated with this space as a social and cultural symbol are desperately pale.

“This project was inspired by a curious moment for me in the Spring of 2014. One afternoon in April, taking my daily drive home through the Englerston community of Key West Street, I noticed the men who played dominoes every afternoon like clockwork. I was intrigued by their routine gathering, which took place on the front porch of a bright blue clapboard house. They sat there over years and shared moments and stories through a communal space.

A rarity in the social sphere and reality of the Bahamian cultural landscape. I parked my car and asked them if it was OK to photograph them, which they welcomed. As they played, we spoke and laughed, and for a moment I felt a sense of belonging,” she said.

“I captured this moment (not knowing that) two days later the house would no longer be there...fast-forward two and a half years later and the empty lot with overgrown weeds still remains.

What happened? Where were the men?

Where would they now play dominoes?

How would I find them? These questions lead me to wonder why I had been

such a stranger to this community. As a member of Nassau Fellowship Centre, a church through Miami Street, I’ve frequented Englerston for the best part of 20 years and yet never have I made a connection like this with its residents.

This realisation inspired me to use my photography as a way to capture moments, places and people that are disappearing daily.”

As her interest in the situation grew, Ms Oliver found herself in an ongoing investigation and research project concerned with the architectural and societal history of Bahamian front porches.

“I wanted to challenge social stereotypes associated with what many perceive as Nassau ghettos and embark on a journey that placed me as a stranger seeking to be embraced and engaged by these communities,” she said.

“I’ve been taking photos for the past two years as a way of surveying the landscape, but it wasn’t until last summer in response to the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas’ Eighth National Exhibition (NE) call for artwork that I felt it was time to develop my concept formally as a way of sharing it with a wider audience. Once accepted

to participate I used the NE platform to exhibit the first phase of the project that focused on my experiences and findings of over 40 homes in the Grove, Big Pond, and Englerston communities,” she said.

The exhibition was held as part of NAGB’s NE OFFsite and remains on display until tomorrow at Hillside House Gallery. The close of the exhibition will not be an end for the project, however, as Ms Oliver intends to expand the work to include research of other communities in Nassau and the Family Islands.

“I am also interested in developing the concept to be translated in other forms of media like interactive experiences and a publication,” she said.

Ms Oliver is a Bahamian visual artist, designer and art educator. Her multidisciplinary art practice currently uses discarded objects and the environment to explore themes of social heritage and cultural fragmentation. Much of her recent work uses photography to document the social and physical Bahamian landscape and cultural experiences while challenging notions of beauty and value.

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Friday, March 3, 2017

art

Experiencing the artful touch

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

A

COCKTAIL of history, culture, comfort food, entertainment, and of course rum, was served up at the highly anticipated Festival Rum Bahamas last weekend.

But in addition to the drinks and eats, there was one other aspect of the festival that patrons enjoyed – art.

Festival-goers had the opportunity to try their hand at creating art themselves, courtesy of Conception Ink. Conception Ink is a Bahamianowned visual arts company currently based in Grand Bahama. They offer graphic design services, photography and installations. But helping businesses, organisations and products with their branding through conceptual art is one of the main focuses of the company.

Artist and owner of Conception Ink Steffon Grant shared his expertise with patrons who were not too bashful to pick up a paintbrush and show off whatever skills they had.

I was one of those attendees who in spite of not having any artistic talent took a jab at painting for the first time.

The end result was three stick figures against a black backdrop representing myself and two friends who accompanied me to the festival. I was proud.

Steffon, though not overly impressed by my artistic rendering, applauded my bravery. He said having this open approach to art is one of the most important things for beginners – a message he sought to drive home during his teaching sessions over the course of the three-day festival.

“During the sessions the first thing I highlight is art appreciation. A lot of people are intimidated by art and think, ‘I can’t draw’, or ‘I can’t do this’.

So I try to break the ice by letting them know it is just a paintbrush and not glorify it so much. I just tell them to have fun. So the highlight for them when they are finished is the fact that they

“There is a lot of ignorance around what art is, and especially what Bahamian art is. Bahamian art, to a lot of people, is conch shells, poinciana trees...If you are Bahamian and you do art, that is Bahamian art.” actually created something,” he said.

Each day of the festival, Steffon put out 10 small canvases, inviting people to step on up and learn some expert techniques. And in keeping with theme of the event, he suggested participants paint anything rum related – a pirate, a rum bottle, a bottle cap, a cup or anything that did not “intimidate the new artist”. The event was open to kids and adults.

“I want people to appreciate that art is a skill and not everyone is a natural born artist, whatever that is. Art is a

Artwork by festival-goers on display

Steffon Grant, artist and owner of Conception Ink, at Festival Rum Bahamas. skill that can be taught. And once you realise that it is a skill, you can further appreciate it and develop in art,” he told Tribune Weekend.

Festival Rum Bahamas is the first local festival at which Steffon volunteered his time to paint and teach. He said he enjoyed the experience and being able to show people a different side of art.

“There is a lot of ignorance around what art is, and especially what Bahamian art is. Bahamian art, to a lot of

The Tribune’s Jeffarah Gibson displays her artwork people, is conch shells, poinciana trees... although that may be one facet of it.

What I hope to do at the end of the day or at the end of my life is to promote an overall appreciation for fine art and not pigeonhole it. Art is life. If you are Bahamian and you do art, that is Bahamian art. That is the kind of message I want to send,” he said.

He hopes Festival Rum Bahamas is only the first of many other events he will participate in.

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

literary lives henry james “Juxtaposing the beautiful feudal Old World civilisation that he loved so much with the brash New World American society to which he belonged, James explored the resulting clash of personalities.”

Portrait of a culturalist Sir Christopher Ondaatje on the Americanborn British writer regarded as one of the key figures of 19th century literary realism.

T

he brilliant Spanish writer and essayist Javier Marias has said of Henry James “that he was made both miserable and happy by the same thing, namely, that he was a mere spectator who barely participated in life, or, at least, not in its most striking and exciting aspects. On the other hand, he led, for many years, the most intense and demanding of social lives, so much so that in one season alone, 1878-1879, he received (and accepted) precisely one hundred and forty dinner invitations. This was the era when no first night or party was blighted by his absence.”

James later admitted that some of his best story ideas came from gossip at dinner tables.

He is best known for his novels about

“Portrait of Henry James”, oil painting by John Singer Sargent (1913) Americans in Europe dealing with Europeans. He lived both in America and Europe for the first 20 years of his life, eventually settling in England and becoming a British subject.

He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916 but never won the coveted prize.

The first phase of James’s career concluded with his novel ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ (1881), a psychological story

exploring the differences between Europeans and Americans – the old and new worlds. The second phase featured the less popular ‘The Princess Casamassina’ (1885) and ‘The Bostonians’ (1886), as well as the celebrated novellas ‘Daisy Miller’ (1878), and ‘The Turn of the Screw’ (1898).

The third, and final, period of James’s career saw his novels ‘The Wings of the Dove’ (1902), ‘The Am-

bassadors’ (1903), and ‘The Golden Bowl’ (1904). He also wrote plays, a number of short stories and many theatrical criticisms.

Henry James was born at No 2 Washington Place in New York City on April 15, 1843. His father was a lecturer and philosopher who had inherited considerable wealth from his banking family. His mother, too, came from a wealthy New York family. He had three brothers and a younger sister.

The James family first lived in Albany but then moved to Fourteenth Street in New York. James’ education was described as haphazard and promiscuous and exposed to many influences – mainly scientific and philosophical. The family travelled widely to London, Paris, Geneva, Boulogne and retreated to Newport, Rhode Island,

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Friday, March 3, 2017

“James’s novel ‘Guy Domville’ was not a success, causing him depression and thoughts of suicide. Thus in the late 1880s and 1890s James adopted new dramatic techniques into his novel forms.”

Henry James, age 57, in 1900

Henry James, age 11, with his father, Henry James Sr – 1854 daguerreotype by Mathew Brady

when finances were low.

In 1864 they moved again to Boston and James attended Harvard Law School but he soon realised he was not interested in law.

Instead he wrote short fiction and non-fiction pieces for ‘The Nation’ and ‘Atlantic Monthly’. His first short story, ‘A Tragedy of Error’ was published in 1864, and his first novel, ‘Watch and Ward’, in 1870.

During a 14-month stay in Europe James met Ruskin, Dickens, Matthew Arnold, William Morris and George Eliot. Impressed with Rome, he wrote to his brother saying, “At last - for the first time - I live!” Thereafter, he totally concentrated his time and ambition on writing. He briefly worked as a foreign correspondent for the ‘New-York Tribune’, but then returned to New York and published ‘Transatlantic Sketches’ (1874 and 1875), ‘A Passionate Pilgrim’ and ‘Roderick Hudson’.

In 1869, James settled in London, establishing relationships with Macmillan and

other publishers. He lived in rented rooms and joined both The Travellers and Reform Clubs.

In 1875, he moved to Paris after which, apart from two trips to America, he remained in Europe for the next three decades, returning to London in 1876. By now his writing was prolific.

‘The American’ (1877), ‘The Europeans’ (1878), ‘Watch and Ward’ (1878), ‘French Poets and Novelists’ (1878) and ‘Hawthorne’ (1879) were published together with other shorter works of fiction. ‘Daisy Miller’, about a woman whose erratic and unconventional behaviour raised eyebrows in Europe, brought him some particular attention, and he started work on his first masterpiece ‘The Portrait of a Lady’.

The three years from 1879 to 1882 also saw the publication of ‘The Europeans’, ‘Washington Square’ and ‘Confidence’. He visited America in 1881 to 1883.

After America, Henry James again travelled to Paris where he met Zola, Daudet

and Goncourt. The publication of ‘The Bostonians’ and ‘Princess Casamassina’ were both influenced by the French writers. Later, he was friendly with Robert Louis Stevenson, John Singer Sargent (who painted his portrait), Edmund Grosse and George du Maurier. ‘The Tragic Muse’ was published in 1890.

James’s novel ‘Guy Domville’ was not a success, causing him depression and thoughts of suicide. Thus in the late 1880s and 1890s James adopted new dramatic techniques into his novel forms. ‘The Aspen Papers’ and ‘The Reverberation’ were published in 1897 and 1898, after which he moved permanently to Rye in Sussex, England, where he wrote ‘The Awkward Age’ and ‘The Sacred Fount’. His dark Gothic romantic drama, ‘The Turn of the Screw’ was influenced by the gloomy fish ponds behind Wenlock Abbey in Shropshire.

James continued writing well into his 80s. During

Continued on page 24

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Friday, March 3, 2017

Continued from page 23 1902 to 1904 he wrote ‘The Ambassadors’, ‘The Wings of the Dove’ and ‘The Golden Bowl’. In the four years to 1910 he published ‘The American Scene’ and edited the ‘New York Edition’ – a 24-volume collection of his works. His two autobiographies, ‘A Small Boy and Others’ and ‘Notes of a Son and Brother’, were written in 1913.

In 1915, Henry James became a British subject, and the following year was awarded the Order of Merit. He died on February 28, 1916, in Chelsea, London, but is buried in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He never married.

Henry James is one of the major figures in trans-Atlantic literature. Juxtaposing the beautiful feudal Old World civilisation that he loved so much with the brash New World American society to which he belonged, James explored the resulting clash of personalities. Theadora Bosanquet, his secretary, tried to explain this in her memoir, ‘Henry James at Work’.

“When he walked out of the refuge of his study and into the world and looked around him, he saw a place of torment, where creatures of prey perpetually thrust their claws into the quivering flesh of the doomed, defenceless children of light ... His novels are a repeated exposure of this wickedness, a reiterated and passionate plea for the fullest freedom of development, unimperiled by reckless and barbarous stupidity.”

Virginia Woolf not only read James’s novels, she wrote essays about them. Edith Wharton was an admirer and friend but admitted that some of his writings were incomprehensible.

H G Wells cruelly described him as a “hippopotamus laboriously attempting to pick up a pea ... in his cage.” He was parodied by Max Beerbohm in ‘The Mote in the Middle Distance’. However James’ stories are fascinating psychological literary experiments which, although they expose his provincial origins, they also disclose an ambition to gain acceptance in the rather more aristocratic European arena.

One must also not forget that James started out writing short stories and plays, and he openly admitted being influenced by his own personal ambiguous experiences, and by the genius of other writers.

‘The Jolly Corner’, one of James’ best ghost stories, described something that happened to Spencer Brydon when he returned to New York after spending 33 years in Europe. Visiting the buildings – one his boyhood home, the other a larger planned structure to be an apartment

Henry James with his friend, fellow acclaimed author Edith Wharton (“The Age of Innocence”)

Henry James’ best known novel, “The Portrait of a Lady” (1880)

“The Turn of the Screw” was written in Sussex in 1898.

building – he finds he has an aptitude for directing the new renovations. Wondering what life would have been like had he stayed in New York, he wanders the house at night and confronts his alter ego – the ghost of the man he might have been.

There follows a harrowing night of pursuit where the ghost finally overpowers him.

It is a brilliantly complex story of conflicting personality, causing us to remember how we might have wrestled with a similar enigma.

Similarly, he “borrowed” Guy de Maupassant’s famous 1884 short story ‘The Necklace’ to write his own story ‘Paste’, which first appeared in Frank Leslie’s ‘Popular Monthly’ in December, 1899, and then was reprinted in a collection of stories, ‘The Soft Side’, in 1900. Curiously, de Maupassant’s ‘The Necklace’, Somerset Maugham’s ‘A String of Beads’ and James’ Paste all tell the same story with different style and treatment.

Everything except the necklace itself is different in each of the stories.

In de Maupassant’s ‘The Necklace’, Mathilde Loisel is pretentious and petulant,

aspiring to be among the rich and fashionable. We are not sympathetic to her character.

She borrows a necklace from her wealthy friend, but loses it, ruining her husband’s and her life forever. Miss Robinson, in Maugham’s story, is a well-liked governess who luckily inherits a valuable necklace – hiding an unsavoury family secret. Charlotte, in James’s story ‘Paste’, is given some cheap costume jewellery by her late aunt but among them is a string of pearls that seem far too beautiful to be just “paste”.

She is advised to keep the pearls, but chooses instead to return the valuable gift, not wanting to repay generosity by deceit.

We all learn something from these master story tellers who reveal that not all of us have the same scruples.

NEXT WEEK: the tragic life of American photographer and writer Diane Arbus.

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

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Friday, March 3, 2017

forgotten facts

Dillies, berries and cocoplums

By Paul C Aranha

P

lanes landing on Nassau’s main runway cross the coastline directly above the roof of Nirvana and continue over a swampy area, where cocoplums grow, right between Gambier and the airport, before crossing the boundary fence.

Looking down, from my cockpit, I often saw Bahamians out picking plums on the shoulders of Windsor Road.

Picking cocoplums is an enduring pastime, but many young Bahamians have no idea about the great variety of fruit that used to be so plentiful, on New Providence, when there were still a lot of green spaces.

The late, great, Dr Cleveland Eneas shared my taste for the yellow mammee sapotas that he and I picked and ate, while playing golf at Lyford Cay, and that self-proclaimed ‘son of Bain Town’, proud of his Yoruba ancestry, loved to talk about his origins and devotes a chapter of his 1976 book, ‘Bain Town’, to trees.

We tend to lump Bain Town together Author Cleveland W Eneas with Grants Town, but it is an entirely separate community, south of Grants Town, west of West Street and east of Nassau Street/Base Road. Cleve called Avenue).

Meadow Street the “main drag” and In full fruit, a hog plum tree is laden said Bain Town “was as much a concept with clusters of ripe juicy, bright yellow as it is a place”. plums, and Cleve “never knew anybody His Bain Town people were, mostly, who didn’t like hog plums”, but my perof the Yoruba tribe and nearly evesonal favourite was the ‘dilly’, despite rybody had a large, sprawling guinep my father’s insistence that his children tree, covered with delicate green leaves, call them sapodillas. producing myriads of fruits in grapeAll trees were for climbing and for like bunches. Coloured and shaped playing in, but fruit trees were for ‘raidsomewhat like a lime, guineps could be ing’ and property-owners would resort as sweet as sugar, or as sour as limes. to ‘Obeah’ to protect their crops from There were almonds, avocados, praedial larceny. Bottles, filled with breadfruit, coconuts, guavas, Jamaica grave-earth and God-knows-what-else, apples, ‘jujus’, loquat, mammee sapohanging from a tree, was a sure sign tas, sapodillas (dillies), soursops, star that an Obeah man had been brought apples, sugar apples, tamarinds, but in from Fox Hill to ‘fix’ that tree so no hog plums held a special appeal to the one would dare ‘tief’ its fruit. children of Bain Town, just as they did Large trees made for shade and for my neighbourhood kids in Abaco shade meant coolness, even at the hotVillage, Sears Addition, Buen Retiro test time of day. The star apple tree that and Aranha Lane (now Shirley Park stood in Joe Brown’s yard served as

The cover of this 1976 book illustrates the bountiful fruits of New Providence.

“We tend to lump Bain Town together with Grants Town, but it is an entirely separate community.”

the “seat” of the Council and many a community problem was solved “neath its spreading branches”. Bain Town seldom had need for the police.

To Cleve’s list of ‘raidable’ plants, I would add akees, cherries, Surinam cherries, gooseberries, kumquats, big brown mammees, mulberries, pigeon plums, scarlet plums, seagrapes, stoppers. Anyone who attended Sacred Heart School can attest to the sweetness of Mr Aranha’s cherries on the tree that grew right next to the fence - with no hanging bottles.

• Comments and responses to islandairman@gmail.com

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26 | The Tribune | Weekend

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The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, March 3, 2017

animals

The wonderful world of Facebook

I

often hear people say that they dislike Facebook and will never use it, and how they do not want the world knowing their personal business.

This always amuses me, because to start with, you and you alone post what you wish people to see on your page; so if you do not wish the world to know something, you quite simply refrain from posting it.

You can be on Facebook for years and post nothing, but enjoy reading other people’s news. However, this is not an article to promote the personal use of social media, but rather to highlight the great tool Facebook is to the Bahamas Humane Society and other animal and rescue groups here and around the world.

Here in the Bahamas we use social media to get the word out quickly, efficiently and correctly. If somebody has lost a pet, in the past they would call the shelter, and maybe (if they had the funds) put a photo and a few words in the newspaper. Today, within a few hours that photo and write-up can be seen by thousands of like-minded persons. It will pop up on office and home computers and people’s phones, iPads and laptops. Along with the very useful feature of “Share”, you can receive a post from somebody and you in turn can share that post or information with other friends of yours. I figure one simple message with a few shares can reach thousands of people in an hour.

On many a occasion somebody will see a dog or cat, pick it up and take it home. They will snap a photo and post it on their page, frequently tagging those friends that they know to be animal lovers or involved with a rescue or animal organisation.

In no time at all we have all been notified and that photo has gone out everywhere because of the dozens of

pet of the week

Three legs won’t slow me down!

By The Bahamas Humane Society

F

our-month-old Crissy had a rough start to life on the streets. She was hit by a car at a very young age and was brought to the Bahamas Humane Society where it was diagnosed that she had severe nerve damage.

Thankfully, a smooth amputation by BHS veterinarian Dr Solomon gave Crissy a new lease on life. Now up and about and playing with the other adoption puppies, Crissy is ready to find that one true spot where she belongs.

She’s playful and outgoing, ready for a tussle with a favourite toy or a play fight with another canine companion.

Do you have a place for Crissy in your heart? If so come to the BHS to meet her or call 323-5138 for more

information. Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Crissy looks forward to meeting you!

• Come and see the BHS booth at the BKC Dog Show on Saturday. March 18, and Sunday, March 19, and join us for the BHS mini fun day on the Sunday. Waggiest Tail, Best Kisser and more will be awarded. The Dog Show will be held at Clifford Park, 8am to 3pm on both days.

Also, pull out those hippy outfits! The BHS Flower Power Party is back on Saturday, March 25, at the Nassau Yacht Club. The fun starts at 7pm. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Tickets are $75 and are available at the shelter.

shares, and probably has been seen by several thousand people.

Not that long ago a young German shepherd was found out West. The rescuer photographed him and we all worked our magic. I had added my phone number. Within a very short time, somebody contacted us and said that they thought they recognised this fellow. The owner was away, the dog had squeezed under the fence and the rest is history. The owners were delighted to get their companion back, and the dog is safe.

We did take the opportunity to recommend that if you have a dog prone to wandering it is best to get them fixed, especially with male dogs. A fixed male dog is more faithful to home and does not feel the need to go chasing after the girls. I hope the owners will pay attention to the advice given to them in good faith.

What is really sad are some of the

silly and nasty responses we get to some of the posts that people put up when they have lost their pets. In the last few weeks I have seen some of the unkind and unfeeling comments made on Facebook groups when people are asking for help in finding their pet. It is neither kind nor funny to suggest that your dog may have been eaten in a Chinese restaurant, or killed, or that you will never find them again. I think it is pathetic that people find satisfaction in hurting others,and show how little empathy they are able to show.

But then, why am I surprised? How little empathy do we ever show each other anymore in the Bahamas? We no longer bring up kids to care and nurture each other or their pets. We are rapidly going down a road to our own personal hell – no love, no consideration, no empathy for anything or body.

Rambo is the name of the game.

In spite of the desensitisation of

Photo/Linda Gill-Aranha

Animal matters Kim Aranha

the world and the Bahamas, there are still plenty of people around who are happy to help find a lost pet, and home found dogs/cats, rescue and care for animals who need help.

Social media, especially Facebook, is the most remarkable tool – copy and paste and share are the most important actions when it comes to rescue and social media. We simply could not do without the help.

Be sure to check out the Bahamas Humane Society Facebook page.

We have photos of all the dogs and cats looking for home; we update it daily. The hours of operation are easy to find, as is information about the Thrift Shop special sales. All fundraising events are listed as well. If you need to know something, just visit our Facebook page. If the information you want is not there, message us and we will answer you very rapidly.

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 3, 2017

The garden in March Jack Hardy laments the absence of Bahamian winters and advises on potentially moving your planting schedule up due to earlier, warmer temperatures.

W

here have our winters gone? Many times during January and February this year I had to give up toiling in the garden because it was just too warm. A few cool days, yes, but in general temperatures more resembled what we expect in April. I won’t get into global warming because that has become a political battlefield.

If you are liberal in your politics, global warming is the most pressing event on the calendar. If you are a rightwing conservative it does not exist.

Last summer I bought my wife a peach tree and planted it in the yard.

The tree needs a certain number of cool days and nights before it can produce fruit. During traditional Bahamian

If temperatures do not change drastically, rose bushes can be pruned now instead of waiting until April. winters the tree would have enough cool weather to be productive, but not this year I fear.

I perennially advise gardeners to seriously prune their rose bushes in April and October, the theory being that new growth would adapt easily to the rise or fall of the ambient temperature.

Unless conditions change drastically you may as well prune your rose trees now. Remove about one-third of the total foliage by shortening the thick branches and cutting away spindly branches flush to the main stem. No need to fertilize until at least a month has passed but you may take the opportunity to use pruning time as the time you also apply a systemic insecticidal spray or drench.

March is the last month we can plant certain vegetable seeds and get a harvest before conditions become too hot and humid. It is already past the time for tomatoes, though you may be lucky.

Tomatoes need a clear four months from seed to ripe fruit and would need unseasonably low temperatures during May in order to set fruit. So if you want another crop of tomatoes it might be best to obtain tomato seedlings from your local nursery to keep you within the comfortable growing range.

Peppers are heat lovers and those that are bearing now are likely to continue throughout summer. Any pepper seeds you sow now would be best planted in containers so you could move them into dappled shade during the summer months. Although peppers like heat they do not like direct strong sunshine. Fruits exposed to the sun are

likely to be scalded and made inedible.

Eggplants are also heat lovers and now is a good time to either plant seeds or buy a seedling or two from your nursery. Do not bother to plant any more lettuce in the open ground for it will certainly produce bitter leaves. Better would be to plant salad greens that can take heat without becoming bitter.

Watermelons and corn planted now will ripen in early summer when you will most appreciate them. It is the dry season so watering will be a chore for the next few months. When watermelons are filling out and ears are plumping is the time to stop watering to ensure full sweetness. That, of course, will be when the rainy season starts.

I am toying with the idea of planting my snake beans before the end of March. I usually sow them in May because they are truly tropical. Also called asparagus beans, a new strain has been developed that produces harvests during the cooler months of the year. I must try to get hold of these because I much prefer snake beans to snap beans.

Malabar spinach is a great addition to any garden. The small leaves can be used in salads and the larger leaves shredded and steamed as for regular leaf spinach. Because it grows like a weed some gardeners do not give it the attention it craves. To get the most out of your Malabar spinach plant it in good soil and keep it well watered and fertilized. Also provide something for it to climb on such as a trellis, fence or netting. The seeds are contained in black fruits about a third of an inch in diameter. You can plant the whole fruit

or open it up and remove the seed and plant it singly. Allow two feet between the Malabar spinach vines. I doubt if your nursery sells Malabar spinach seeds on a regular basis but I am sure the staff will be able to procure seeds for you.

You will probably need another sowing of carrots, beets and chard to see the season through. Winter squash takes warm conditions better than summer squash and butternut is a reliable performer. You may have problems with pollination when both male and female flowers appear. In that case do your own pollinating using a cotton swab to dab pollen from the male flower onto the receptors of the female flower. Female flowers have a miniature squash at their base. Pollination should be done in the morning when a female flower opens and is best in dry conditions when night dew has evaporated.

If the female flower is not fully open it will probably not be receptive. In that case, hope a bee was there before you.

I have left the most important task to last. We already have spring conditions and spring is a time of new and rapid growth. Prepare your whole garden for this surge by fertilizing not only your vegetables but your fruit trees, your palms, your ornamental shrubs, your heliconias – everything. Your lawn should be sprayed with a high nitrogen fertilizer so that when the growth starts it will be green and lush. • For questions and comments e-mail j.hardy@coralwave.com.