03082024 WEEKEND

Weekend Explorations in the abstract

Local artist Matthew David Rahming has work exhibited by renowned art collector

Bahamian dish hailed as “best” at international food festival

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

Anative dish by Bahamian chefs at an international culinary event was hailed as the “best” by festival-goers.

A team of chefs led by Chef Simeon Hall Jr recently showcased their culinary talents at the South Beach Miami Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF), renowned as the largest food festival in the state of Florida, and arguably, North America.

The team included some of the brightest and most skilled chefs and culinary experts in the country, including Chef George Roberts Jr, Chef Tyla T Collymore, and Eldoray Ferguson, a trained butler who contributed his hospitality expertise to the event.

The signature menu item that received the rave reviews, and will soon be offered at Chef Hall’s new restaurant, Preacher’s Kid at the Nassau Cruise Port, was the “Hamwich”.

This dish is a gourmet reinterpretation of the classic “Slam Bam”, featuring succulent rotisserie ham, quick pickles, and beer mustard, all nestled within a pillowy island brioche bun.

Chef Hall said that this dish and the Bahamas’ presence at the festival’s Goya Grand Tasting Event were “well-received, with numerous festival-goers marking the native sandwich as their favorite from the entire event.”

“We had a lot of festival guests who raved about our sandwich, even informally voting it as their favourite dish of the event. This ‘Hamwich’ stands as one of our signature menu items at my new restaurant, ‘Preacher’s Kid,’ and we’ve spent nearly a year refining and perfecting it. It was immensely gratifying to receive the stamp of approval from the festival guests; we even had someone who doesn’t like ham try the dish and fall in love with it,” said the restaurateur.

Even with the Bahamas being in such close proximity to Florida, Chef Hall was ecstatic to learn that many of people he came into contact with at the festival had just visited the islands or were planning on doing so soon.

Now they have even more reasons to come to experience the local flavours and perhaps even the “Hamwich”.

The team’s presence at the festival helped promote the country and its food offerings.

“Literally, dozens of guests shared how they’ve just returned from or are planning a trip to the Bahamas. It was awesome to be able to invite them to ‘Preacher’s Kid’ at the Nassau Cruise Port, especially knowing many of them would be arriving on a cruise ship,” said Chef Hall.

Following their team’s successful participation in the festival, Chef Hall and his team were also honoured to receive an immediate invitation to

SOBEWFF 2025. They are determined to enhance the Bahamas’ presence at the festival in future.

“I keep telling everyone that the Bahamas is under a culinary magnifying glass. Eyes are on us, as there is a global appetite for Bahamian cuisine, and festivals like SOBEWFF want to give our beloved country an opportunity to shine,” said Chef Hall.

He added: “My team is incredibly grateful to our sponsors like Sysco Bahamas, Preacher’s Kid, and especially our lead sponsor, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, for their financial backing as it is what enables us to represent our country at these international events.

“For the past decade or so, my team and I have been covering the thousands of dollars in expenses for participating in events like these ourselves. However, with the support of corporate sponsors we can now rest easy. This not only enables us to enhance our offerings, but also ensures thorough preparation by arriving ahead of time.”

Chef Hall and his culinary team are also scheduled to participate in the Charleston Wine + Food Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, later this month.

CHEF SIMEON HALL, Jr, and his team

Martha Stewart and acclaimed chefs help celebrate second annual Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival

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

The second annual Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival will kick off next weekend with an all-star lineup of culinary talent.

The five-day event welcomes celebrities like Martha Stewart, Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert Irvine, plus the return of acclaimed chefs and personalities such as Tony Abou-Ganim, Duff Goldman, JJ Johnson, Alon Shaya, Michael White and Andrew Zimmern to Paradise Island from on Wednesday, March 13, to Sunday, March 17.

At a recent welcome brunch, Lee Brian Schrager, known for his work with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and New York City Wine & Food Festival, told Tribune Weekend he is happy to return to the Bahamas for yet another production, as last year’s inaugural event blew his expectations out of the water.

“I love coming back to this property. I live in Miami and we never go to the beach. So coming down here is kind of, not like work, it’s kind of like a vacation for me. It’s just so soothing. And I love the people on this island. It’s just so welcoming. So it feels like coming home,” said Mr Schrager, who is one of America’s preeminent event planners.

“I have to say, for our first-year event last year, it went really well. I think there are lots of things we want to do differently, but I think for our first year, it went really well. We want to continue to grow it and be more inclusive of everyone on the island. But all in all, I think it really reached my expectations, which were pretty high.”

The Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival aims to not only showcase world-renowned top chefs, but also master sommeliers, mixologists, and celebrated TV personalities with walk-around tasting events, lively culinary demonstrations and classes, as well as intimate chef-led happy hours, lunches and dinners.

When asked what he is looking forward to most at this year’s festival, Mr Schrager said there are such great culinary talents to be found in the Bahamas and he loves the fact that there is so much support from the local community, which is so important in building an event such as like this.

“I’m thrilled to have Martha Stewart come down, and people like Andrew Zimmern...For Martha to come down, I think is really a great endorsement for us. So I’m excited. Out of all the events and the dinners, everyone wants to know if I have a favourite, but I don’t,” he said.

“I want to make sure that the locals who are participating feel like they’re part of the festival.

I think it’s really important to get their buy-in

and for them to enjoy these celebrity chefs that they don’t always get to see, and even if it’s Jose Andreas or Nobu who’s here - they’re not always in the restaurant, so this is a weekend when they will all be in their restaurants so I’m excited for that myself.”

Mr Schrager said the Atlantis Paradise Island property and its team are all so excited to put on the event, and they are committed to not just making it about them, but the community at large.

In developing programming and production for the Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival, the Atlantis team was also joined by Randy Fisher, founder of CREaM (Culinary Related Entertainment and Marketing).

The complete lineup of festival events and tickets are available now at npiwff.org and atlantisbahamas.com. Follow @NPIWFF and @ AtlantisBahamas for the most up-to-date festival details.

FAMOUS businesswoman and TV personality Martha Stewart is coming to the Nassau Food & Wine Festival

ENGLISH celebrity chef and talk show host Robert Irvine

Devlyn Stubbs (Yah Doctrine)

Concerned about the current societal ills in the Bahamas, this singer-songwriter was inspired to craft a new record to spark conversations about the positives and negatives that coexist in the country. He talks to Cara Hunt about the responsibility he believes every artist has to help shape the future.

Devlyn Stubbs, better known by his stage name Yah Doctrine, hopes his music sparks conversations about pertinent issues and emotions among his listeners.

His recent EP is a collaboration with Solo Toda Googal called “432 Dreams Come True” and is an expression of his thoughts on what is currently happening in the country.

The artist said he sees a dichotomy between the progress and productivity that is happening at the moment and the feelings of pain and trauma that Bahamians are experiencing. He said he felt moved to explore this chasm in his music.

The six songs on the track are called “Ancient Ones (Responsibilities)”, “African Woman”, “Love Strong”, “Need Mentors”, “Dreams Come True” and “One People”.

“This particular project took about a year and half to complete because a lot went into the production. We used live bands and it ended up like a movie,” he told Tribune Weekend.

Devlyn said he was very particular about this new project because he wanted to be sure to create a sound that was heartfelt and organic.

“I didn’t want the music to feel forced,” he explained, “And I am very happy that every lyric is placed exactly where I want it to be.”

The singer-songwriter embarked on his music career when he was a student at the then College of the Bahamas.

“Back then I was a part about of a group called Doctrine. We did a lot of free type music during that time. But I have to say I wasn’t really that into be spreading conscious messages, it was just about expressing creativity

and being a bit unfiltered and expressing bravado; it was less about spreading message,” he admitted.

After graduation, the band members all went their separate ways, but he retained the name Doctrine, adding Yah to it, to express his individuality.

Since that time, Devlyn’s music has evolved and he says that he wants his message to have an impact in whatever it can.

“I have kids and they don’t live with me, and so I don’t get to be with them all the time, but I want them to be able to have my music as a way to know who their dad is and what he thinks,” he said.

He believes that artists have a responsibility to help promote social change with their music.

“I had a friend ask me how much social responsibility do I actually have, and I feel that you do have a responsibility because the state of the world in 100 years will depend on what we do today.”

When people listen to his songs, Devlyn hopes it encourages them to look inside themselves and find whatever they need to be successful.

He is also passionate about advancing Bahamian music around the world.

The Bahamas, he said, has a very small music industry and so it only makes sense for Bahamians also take advantage of all and any opportunities to advance their brands abroad.

Devlyn is part of a partnership of artists who are working to explore these opportunities.

The 242 Artist Network was formed in 2018 on WhatsApp and Facebook and the blog 242artistnetwork.blogspot.com.

The network is a space for creatives dedicated to the promotion of Bahamian artists and their

this weekend in history

March 8

global collaborations; uniting to form live and digital platforms, working diligently to build the local entertainment sector in order to enhance economic growth.

They are currently planning a trip to Ghana.

Devlyn also encourages artists to embrace the opportunities that can come from touring and playing at musical festivals and tours around the world.

The EP “432 Dreams Come True” is available on most streaming sites.

Sawfly, Third, Exodus, Acid, Aggrieve. Down: Expert, Sciatica, Ova, Reef, Inward, Shocking, Tsar, Opus, Mystique, Furrow, Daze, Ego, Oblivion, Judder.

THE ALPHAPUZZLE

Across: Efusive, Afair, Jigsaw, Bedevil, Craze, Lode, Wry, Sit, Gory, Naïve, Yashmak, Opaque, Thesis, Expedite. Down: Catalyst, Friar, Whisker, Stately, Apse (clue), Bedrock, Ease, Synapse, Harvest, Vaunt, Relative.

Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.

TV CROSSWORD

Rea, Glow, Ali, Drill, Cut, Glen, Aware, Aid, Led. Down (left to right): Tara, Mane, Boldly, Sweetest, Rib, Ore, Gemma, Teri, Edwina, Intense, Taye, Iain, Ana, Lima, Salad, Melt, Gas, Aled, Electrical, Game, Toe, Ure, Die, Sam, Parted.

Shaded letters: Taggart

WORDS

GRASP

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

Across: 1 Ducky, 6 Biff, 8 Victoria, 10 Billy, 11 Knott, 12 Angels, 15 Elsa, 16 Rising, 17 Iwan, 19 Skinner, 21 Lisa, 22 Angel.

Down: 2 Upon, 3 Yvette, 4 Lola, 5 Dares Wins, 6 Boiling, 7 Fay, 9 Calista, 13 Sara, 14 Roseanne, 17 Idol, 18 Nina, 20 Ian.

TV show: Frasier

MUDDLESOME

It Was a Very Good Year Love and Marriage All the Way

CLOCK-WISE

Myra, Raid, Idle, Lets, Tsar, Army

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

1 Two, 2 One Direction, 3 Fifty, 4 Nineteen Eighty-Four, 5 Seventeen Going Under, 6 Eight, 7 Thirteen, 8 Three, 9 Slaughterhouse-Five, 10 Twenty-one.

Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, 6 32 Points on a Compass Rose.

TRIVIA WORDSEARCH

1 Britt Ekland, 2 Mitosis, 3 Colin, 4 Seleucid, 5 Patty, 6 Hamlet, 7 Genesis, 8 Leclanché, 9 Mrs Warren, 10 Sulawesi

SUMTHING

8x4=32, 3x5=15, 5x9=45

SMALL CROSSWORD

Woman’s command resulting in confusion (8)

letters shown here?

Calls cost £1.50 plus your telephone company’s

9 Unblemished female with disorderly following (8)

14 One politician allowed, it’s understood (8)

16 Variable rig a ruler damaged (9)

17 Tape swallowed by Monica’s setter (8)

19 Drool when playing football? (7)

SMALL CROSSWORD

Across: 1 Aluminium, 7 Tone, 8 Tangy, 10 Gas, 11 Reader,

Down: 1 Attracted, 2 Lonely, 3 Mend,

CROSS DOUBT

Across: PEONY

Down: NYLON

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

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Across 1 The lager to change to on the whole

6 Disputes in banks (4)

10 Don’t argue (5)

11 Out to make one uneasy? (3,2,4)

12 When Chile’s capital is in alliance to Paraguay’s (8)

13 Well salted (5)

15 Hot evening? (7)

17 The head cleaner (7)

19 No gentleman loses his life on the golf course (7)

21 I am uppermost in his thoughts (7)

22 Nick’s not at church (5)

24 Refinements of elegant neckwear (8)

27 Not impressed (9)

28 Money one may charge in Africa (5)

29 Such a fuss getting to the party (2-2)

30 An armed timing device? (10)

Down

1 Whaler’s cry of surprise touches sailor (4)

2 A carry-over of marriage ritual (9)

3 It’s for putting on colour (5)

4 Punishment for lying in the sun? (7)

5 Nurse in bizarre sex case holds out (7)

7 Do come up with our bouquet (5)

8 Fast transport to be passed with difficulty (10)

9 Brief notes jazz fans sent up to the censor (8)

14 Give the players the wrong time? (10)

16 Whiskey starts machine operator in lively dance (5,3)

18 Bill is brought to heel by what things cost (5,4)

20 US politician who could resort to treason (7)

21 Creates a secret passage (7)

23 Largely drank up a store of supplies (5)

25 It’s worth having a change so have a fling (5)

26 His vessel had a full complement of mates (4)

SMALL CROSSWORD

SMALL CROSSWORD

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here?

ACROSS

1 Surmount (8)

6 Feeble (4)

8 Streets (5)

Yesterday’s Easy Solution

SMALL CROSSWORD

Across: 1 Aimless, 5 Drill, 8 Go begging, 9 Tab, 10 Root, 12 Manifest, 14 Botany, 15 Repair, 17 Informal, 18 Skim, 21 Dot, 22 In a big way, 24 Puppy, 25 Defence.

Down: 1 Augur, 2 Mob, 3 Edge, 4 Spiral, 5 Dog-tired, 6 In the dark, 7 Lobster, 11 Out of step, 13 Enormity, 14 Build up, 16 Canard, 19 Maybe, 20 Biff, 23 Wan.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution

Across: 1 Rooster, 5 Troop, 8 Checkmate, 9 Eye, 10 Sobs, 12 Measures, 14 Caters, 15 Errand, 17 Exertion, 18 Thus, 21 Tic, 22 Embroider, 24 Hopes, 25 Take off.

Down: 1 Races, 2 Ore, 3 Take, 4 Reaper, 5 Treasure, 6 Overreach, 7 Pressed, 11 Buttercup, 13 Fritters, 14 Cheetah, 16 Combat, 19 Serif, 20 Rook, 23 Duo.

EASY PUZZLE

NAME ADDRESS

In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in “s” permitted.

24 District containing new venue (5)

25 Argument involving fruit, hot, appearing on time (5)

Weekly Crusader Crossword 22-28 October: P Dawson, Please allow 30 days for

TODAY’S TARGET

21 Military unit also included in scheme (7)

ACROSS

22 Well-built royal seen in workroom (6)

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here?

1 Surmount (8)

CROSSWORD

6 Feeble (4)

Good 25; very good 37; excellent 49 (or more). Solution next Saturday.

LAST SATURDAY’S

24 District containing new venue (5)

8 Streets (5)

11 Screenplay (6)

Across: 6 Heathen, 7 Beast, 9 Cry, 10 Apportion, 12 Ups-and-downs, 15 Yellow fever, 17 Occupying, 19 Hew, 21 Refer, 22 Awkward.

12 Reflection of sound (4)

In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in “s” permitted.

LAST SATURDAY’S

25 Argument involving fruit, hot, appearing on time (5)

Down: 1 Weary, 2 Sty, 3 Deep, 4 Destroyer, 5 Astound, 8 Fondle, 11 Applauded, 13 Always, 14 Teacher, 16 Merry, 18 News, 20 Owl.

14 Sitcom, _ Foot In The Grave (3)

15 Rotates (5)

16 Secret agent (3)

17 Narrow opening (4)

CAN you crack the Alphabeater? It’s a tough your mental muscles to the limit. Each grid in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet the given letters and the given black squares To add to the fiendish fun, Alphabeater same if you turn the page upside down.

ACROSS 1 Hawthorn, 5 Ground, 10 At the 13 Tungsten, 15 Drake, 18 Actor, 20 Talented, 26 Burn one’s fingers, 27 Easily, DOWN 1 Hearth, 2 Water butt, 3 Heeding, 8 Detested, 9 Optional, 14 Tattered, 16 Amendment, 21 Nominee, 22 Classy, 24 Sires, 25 Rifle.

WESTWARDS awed dare dart date dear drat draw dress drew rased rated read sard sated sawed stared stead steward sward trad trade tread wade wader ward wasted westward

WESTWARDS

So, for example if there is a six-letter a corresponding six-letter word Across which Every black square has a symmetrical number. This can help identify other black corresponding ‘twin’. Solution next Saturday.

TODAY’S TARGET

19 Clans (6)

20 Concepts (5)

21 Information (4)

22 Linen art (anag.) (8)

Good 25; very good 37; excellent 49 (or more). Solution next Saturday.

SOLUTION aphid apish aspic carp chap chip chirp chop copra corps crisp crop dorp drip drop harp hasp opah paid pair parch pard parish parodic pica picador pish poach pochard porch posh proa prod prosaic rapid rasp

CAN you crack the Alphabeater? It’s a tough twist on our popular Alphapuzzle, your mental muscles to the limit. Each grid number below represents a in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet is used. But now you have the given letters and the given black squares below the main grid to start.

Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer

11 Screenplay (6)

12 Reflection of sound (4)

In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in “s” permitted.

TODAY’S TARGET

Good 25; very good 37; excellent 49 (or more). Solution next Saturday.

LAST SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

aphid apish aspic carp chap chip chirp chop copra corps crisp crop dorp drip drop harp hasp opah paid pair parch pard parish parodic pica picador pish poach pochard porch posh proa prod prosaic rapid rasp RHAPSODIC sapid sapor scaphoid scarp scrap scrip sharp ship shop soap spar spica sporadic

DOWN

Yesterday’s

To add to the fiendish fun, Alphabeater is ‘rotationally symmetrical’. same if you turn the page upside down.

1 Possession (9)

LAST SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

2 Per person (4)

Kakuro Answer

RHAPSODIC sapid sapor scaphoid scarp scrap scrip sharp ship shop soap spar spica sporadic

So, for example if there is a six-letter word Across which starts in the a corresponding six-letter word Across which ends in the bottom right

3 Denigrate (9)

4 Floor covering (3)

aphid apish aspic carp chap chip chirp chop copra corps crisp crop dorp drip drop harp hasp opah paid pair parch pard parish parodic pica picador pish poach pochard porch posh proa prod prosaic rapid rasp RHAPSODIC sapid sapor scaphoid scarp scrap scrip sharp ship shop soap spar spica sporadic

Every black square has a symmetrical ‘twin’ but the ‘twin’ may not always number. This can help identify other black squares. Of course if the centre corresponding ‘twin’. Solution next Saturday.

5 Absolutely necessary (9)

7 Got away (7)

9 Unwraps (5)

10 Tooth expert (7)

13 Musical drama (5)

18 Without fat (4)

19 Decimal base (3)

Target

art

Emerging local artist to be featured in exhibit hosted by gallery of renowned art collector

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

Themes of self-reflection and power structure will be explored through the abstract art of Matthew David Rahming in a new exhibit which marks the first event of the year for Mestre Projects.

The gallery will be show drawings and print work by the interdisciplinary artist on March 22.

Mestre Projects is a contemporary privately owned art gallery at Albany that represents select international artists, with a specific interest in representing Bahamian and Caribbean creatives.

The gallery has exhibited works by well-known artists like Pablo Picasso, Francesco Clemente, Tavares Strachan and Stan Burnside, to name a few.

As of recent, the gallery added to its roster of represented artists emerging Bahamian artists like Matthew David Rahming, Amaani Hepburn and Keith Thompson.

For the first quarter of 2024 the gallery will exhibit Matthew David Rahming in March and Amaani Hepburn in May.

Jose Mestre is the founder and CEO of Mestre Projects. He is a highly regarded art collector and dealer who began his career showcasing artists’ work in pop-up shows around the world. He later settled in the Bahamas and integrated into the vibrant art community of the island nation.

“Jose Mestre has a keen eye for identifying strong artists who show a lot of potential and he believes in the artistic practice of Matthew David Rahming. This is a new body of work and that makes it special,” said Christina Wong, the gallery’s director.

The gallery has been exhibiting since 2017.

Mestre Projects’ mission has been to work with and support Bahamian, Caribbean and international artists by giving them the opportunity to

expand their practices beyond their personal limits.

“We aim to interconnect with the already vibrant community that transcends geographical boundaries, by providing our artists professional developmental resources and mentorship via avenues like art fairs, biennials and culture exchange programs. We strive to empower artists and amplify their creations on a global stage, as well as give the local creative community access to international artists,” said Christina.

The gallery, she added, has two major goals for the year.

“The first is to showcase all the newly represented artists, like international artists Jorge Pombo (Spain) and José Gabriel Capaz (Cuba), and our three Bahamian emerging artists, Matthew David Rahming, Amaani Hepburn and Keith Thompson. The second goal is to continue developing

the partnership with the University of the Bahamas’ School of Communication and Creative Arts,” she said. Members of the public encouraged to visit the gallery They can also join the gallery’s mailing list to get notifications about events and visit its website, www. mestreprojects.com.

ARTIST Matthew David Rahming

‘I Am Leaving’

‘A Snake Smell A New Baby’

MDR

fashion

Fringe frenzy

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

When it comes to fashion, there is nothing new under the sun; it’s all cyclical.

This year is no exception, with designers borrowing from a well-known trend of the past: the fringe.

This year’s Spring/Summer fashion runways were filled with the edgy trimming, which to be fair, has always pushed its way into the closets of fashionistas thorough out the decades.

In an attempt to keep it fresh for 2024, designers are taking a more formal approach in the look rather than the usual boho or Western

inspired styles we have seen in the past.

One of the ways they are achieving this is by making thefringe strips thinner, which works better in dressier clothing. Tiny fringes are lining pants and giving silk blouses a more flirty, airy feel.

Designers are also taking classic denim and kicking things up a notch by adding a fringe around pockets and hemlines. Who hasn’t had a denim jacket with fringe detail? (I remember my sister and I buying fringe from the fabric store to give our jackets makeovers ‘back in the day’.)

A jacket is a great addition to your wardrobe if you want a fringed outfit

but feel the trend may be too much across the board.

And of course nothing beats a comfy, flowy warm weather dress with a fringed hemline to go with a straw clutch, oversized shades and cute sandals.

Or perhaps you want to carry your fringe instead. And again the design choices can suit any style - whether it be an elegant, formal clutch with a jewelled fringe or a casual large Saturday run-around errand bag.

Tribune Woman reader Tanja said: “I am excited for this trend. I feel like it fits my personality really well. I can’t wait to wear some fringe shorts and some really long braids; I feel that’s a Spring vibe.”

Jamila added that she saw some fringe items during her recent trip to Florida.

“Yes, I definitely want a denim jacket. I have a lot of solid-colour rompers and maxi dresses and I think having a jacket with some interesting fringe would really add a lil’ something to the look; make it look a lot less boring. I also really want like a big brown fringe bag,” she said.

LEVI’s 90s Fringe Trucker Denim Jacket

CRYSTAL embellished-fridge leather bag by KARA

HTNBO Women’s Tassel Jean Shorts

TRENDYOL fringed evening dress

What to stream this week: Ariana Grande, ‘Wonka,’ Garth Brooks, and ‘Queens’ of nature

By The Associated Press

NEW MOVIES TO STREAM

— While he’s off wrestling sand worms in “Dune: Part 2,” in theatres, Timothée Chalamet’s last box-office hit, “Wonka,” is arriving Friday, March 8, on Max. Fashioned as a musical prequel to the Roald Dahlscripted 1971 original, Paul King’s film stars Chalamet as a young, wideeyed Wonka setting out to establish his candy empire. Though the film benefits greatly from Chalamet’s charisma and King’s “Paddington”-like designs, in my review I wrote that the film “is lively but too neutered to do Dahl justice.”

— In “Ricky Stanicky,” a trio of friends have long relied on a madeup pal named Ricky Stanicky for excuses to keep them out of trouble with their spouses. When their families get suspicious, the three friends (Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, Andrew Santino) hire a struggling actor known as “Rock Hard” Rod (John Cena) to impersonate the fictional Stanicky. The film, directed by Peter Farrelly, debuts on Prime Video.

— AP Film Writer Jake Coyle

NEW MUSIC TO STREAM

— Four years ago, Ariana Grande was switching up “Positions.” Five years ago, she changed the language around breakups with “Thank U, Next.” Then there were the earlier albums: “Sweetener,” “Dangerous Woman,” “My Everything,” and “Yours Truly.” And now, there is “eternal sunshine.” Grande has returned to her rightful place atop pop music’s throne with a new fulllength release. Of course, absence makes the heart grow fonder: her lead single “Yes, And?” brought her into new sonic territory — house-informed pop music — and immediately shot up to No 1. The only thing that could make it better?

kingdom. Narrated by Oscar-winner Angela Bassett, the seven-episode series was filmed over four years in 12 countries by a female-led production team. Animal queendoms filmed include insects, orcas, hyenas and lions. The seventh episode focuses on those women who dedicate their lives to documenting wildlife and contributing to conservation efforts, as natural history is typically a male-dominated field. “Queens” premiered Monday on National Geographic and streams on Disney+.

— “Friends in Low Places” is arguably Garth Brooks’ best song, as it never fails to get people to smile, sing along and have a great time. That’s the vibe Brooks is hoping for when he opens the Friends in Low Places Bar and Honky-Tonk on Thursday in Nashville. That same day, a “Friends in Low Places” docuseries about the making of the bar premieres on Prime Video. Cameras rolled as Brooks, his wife, Tricia Yearwood (who has hosted a popular Food Network show and knows a thing or two about hospitality), and their team created this new business.

— A critically acclaimed BBC dramedy called “Boarders” is coming to the US via Tubi. The show is about five Black teens from the inner city who receive scholarships to St Gilberts, one of the oldest and most posh boarding schools in Britain. Adjusting to change is never easy and adjusting to St. Gilbert’s is even harder. All six episodes drop on Tubi March 8.

— Alicia Rancilio

NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

NEW SHOWS TO STREAM

— All hail the queens. A new docuseries on National Geographic follows female leaders of the animal

— Theo James stars in Guy Ritchie’s new TV series “The Gentlemen,” a spin-off of the 2019 film of the same name. James plays Eddie, whose late father has bequeathed him the title of Duke, along with a run-down country estate that he views as a money pit and a major burden. Eddie is thrown for a loop when he discovers his homestead has also operated a marijuana-growing business for years, and he’s inherited that, too. “The Gentlemen” is on Netflix.

— Atlus’ Unicorn Overlord is the early front-runner for title of the year. The protagonist is an exiled prince named Alain who’s fighting to reclaim his empire from the backstabbing General Valmore. Alain may have lost his throne, but he does have a magical ring that helps him recruit allies — humans and elves, angels and beasts — across a sprawling fantasy world called Fevrith. Unicorn Overload comes from Japan’s Vanillaware, the developer of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, and fans of that cult favorite will recognize the studio’s blend of colorful storytelling and real-time tactical battles. Saddle up Friday, March 8 on PlayStation 5/4, Xbox X/S or Nintendo Switch.

— Lou Kesten

A Mariah Carey remix, which quickly followed.

— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman

GARTH Brooks’ ‘Friends in Low Places’ docuseries

CALAH LANE, left, and Timothee Chalamet in a scene from “Wonka.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

From outlaw to country icon – Part II

Sir Christopher Ondaatje continues to write about the iconic American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. After being released from San Quentin State Prison in 1960 he launched a successful country music career and gained popularity with his songs about the working class. Between the 1960s and 1980s he had thirty-eight number one hits on the US country charts.

Towards the end of the 1960s, Merle Haggard composed several number one hits, including “Mama Tried”, “The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde”, “Hungry Eyes”, and “Sing Me Back Home”.

“My second wife Bonnie Owens and I worked together. We divorced after a period of twenty years. And I stayed friends with another wife. And then there’s one that I don’t mess with. Everybody’s got one of those.”

- Merle Haggard

In the 1969 Rolling Stone review for Haggard and the Strangers album Mama Tried Andy Wickham wrote, “His songs romanticise the hardships and tragedies of America’s transient population and his success due to his inherent ability to relate to his audience his commonplace experience with precisely the right emotional pitch. Merle Haggard looks the part, and he sounds the part because he is the part.”

In 1969, Haggard and the Strangers released “Okie From Muskogee”, ostensibly reflecting the singer’s pride in being from Middle America, where people don’t smoke marijuana, don’t take LSD, don’t protest by burning draft cards, or otherwise challenge authority.

“I was driving on Interstate 40 and I saw a sign that said 19 miles to Muskogee. My whole childhood flashed through my eyes. And I wondered what my Dad would think of all the uprisings. And I wondered if Muskogee had a college, and it did, and they hadn’t had any trouble – no racial problems. I did one line after another and got the whole thing done in twenty minutes.”

- Merle Haggard

Haggard began performing the song in 1969 and was astounded at the reaction it received. The song topped the country charts in 1969 and remained there for a month. It also hit number 41 on the Billboard all-genre chart, becoming Haggard’s biggest hit up to that time.

“Okie from Muskogee” is now generally described as Haggard’s signature song.

“The Fightin’ Side of Me” was released by his record company in 1970, together with “I Wonder

If They Think of Me” (1973). His songs were hailed as a patriotic trend in American country music. Richard Nixon liked the song, and invited Haggard to the White House.

Haggard’s 1970 LP A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World is dedicated to Bob Wills, and helped spark a revival for western swing. By this time Haggard was one of the most famous country singers in the world. He had enjoyed an immensely successful artistic and

commercial run with Capitol Records, accumulating 24 number one country singles since 1966.

The 1973 recession anthem “If We Make It Through December” furthered Haggard’s status as a champion of the working class. He appeared on the cover of Time magazine on 6 May 1974. Between 1973 and 1976 he and the Strangers scored nine consecutive number one country hits. He scored twelve more country hits between 1981 and 1985. In 1983, Haggard and his third wife divorced after five stormy years of marriage.

Despite all his success he was plagued with financial worries well into the 1990s as newer country singers like George Strait and Randy Travis arrived on the scene.

Haggard said he started smoking marijuana in 1978 when he was forty-one years old. He admitted that in 1983 he bought $2,000 worth of cocaine and partied for five months afterwards. When he realised his addiction he quit for good. He stopped smoking cigarettes in 1991 and stopped smoking marijuana in 1995.

Haggard underwent angioplasty in 1995 to unblock clogged arteries. On November 9, 2000 it was announced that he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He underwent surgery and part of his lung was removed. Less than two months after surgery he was back on the road singing at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, and continued to tour.

Haggard was married five times, first to Leona Hobbs from 1956 to 1964. They had four children. Shortly after divorcing Hobbs, he married singer Bonnie Owens, the former wife of Buck Owens. Owens divorced Haggard in 1978 but remained close friends, and was maid of honour for Haggard’s third marriage to Leona Williams in 1978. They divorced in 1983 and Haggard married his fourth wife Debbie Parret in 1985. After divorcing her he married his fifth wife Theresa Ann Lane on September 11, 1993 with whom he had two children.

In March 2016, Haggard was once again hospitalised with double pneumonia. On the morning of April 6, 2016, his birthday, he died of complications from pneumonia at his home in Palo Cedro, Shasta County, California. He was buried in a private funeral on his ranch on April 9, 2016.

During his long career Haggard received numerous awards from the Academy of Country Music. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977, the Country and Western Music Hall of Fame in 1994, and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2006 he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and accepted a Kennedy Center Honor on December 4, 2010 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to American culture.

HAGGARD with his fifth and last wife, Theresa Ann Lane

GARTH Brook serenades Haggard for his 77th birthday as he was presented with the Crystal Milestone Award at the at the 49th annual Academy

history

Dick Turpin: five myths about the 18th-century highwayman debunked

By Julie Gammon | Senior Lecturer in History in the School of Humanities, University of Southampton

(THE CONVERSATION) As the title of the new Apple TV+ series makes abundantly clear, it is offering viewers the Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, and we are not supposed to consider Noel Fielding’s depiction of a charming but hapless villain as authentic. Dick Turpin was one of the many robbers on horseback in 18th-century England who stalked the roads and held up travellers with the command: “Stand and deliver!”

For a time, he was the most wanted criminal in the country and was eventually executed in York in 1739, aged 33. The latest retelling of the Dick Turpin story is just one in a long line of fictionalised accounts. All of these portrayals don’t truly reflect the real Dick Turpin.

Fielding’s new portrayal of Turpin is far removed from the Victorian romanticisation of the swashbuckling highwayman and instead turns the central character into a comedic figure. While this is a different take, it is still guilty of presenting the violent and treacherous robber and murderer as a romantic and appealing figure.

Here are five myths about him from popular culture.

1

. He was a knight of the road

The characterisation of Turpin as an honourable “knight of the road” behaving chivalrously was the invention of Victorian authors and artists (like William Harrison Ainsworth). At this time highway robberies were no longer a constant threat and these authors and artists recast these criminals as romantic heroes akin to Robin Hood. In Ainsworth’s Rookwood (1734), the character of Dick Turpin is a likeable figure living a glamorous and exciting life as a member of a criminal gang.

Eighteenth-century criminal biographies, however, portray the real Richard Turpin as a violent poacher, robber, murderer and horse thief who stole from rich and the poor. In the 1735 Earlsbury Farm Robbery,

the Gregory Gang, including Turpin, tortured their elderly male victim, forcing him to sit, bare-buttocked on a lit fire while Samuel Gregory raped the female servant.

2

. He was handsome

Far from being a handsome highwayman popular with ladies, contemporary accounts of Turpin from 1737 described him as “about five feet nine inches high, brown complexion, very much mark’d with the small pox, his cheek-bones broad, his face thinner towards the Bottom, his visage short, pretty upright, and broad about the Shoulders”.

The violent, pockmarked thug of the 1730s was nothing like the modern images of an attractive rogue embodied by actors and pop stars like Adam Ant in his song “Stand and Deliver”.

3

. He was captured for his crimes as a high- way robber

Dick Turpin was living in York under the alias John Palmer when he was eventually captured – but not for highway robbing. He had got into a petty quarrel that resulted in him

killing his neighbour’s rooster and threatening to shoot the neighbour.

While being held at Beverley House of Correction magistrates, he was investigated further and Palmer was charged with three counts of horse theft.

Turpin hoped to escape justice by securing a false alibi from his brother-in-law in Essex but, unlucky for him, his former school tutor recognised the handwriting on the letter he sent and then travelled to York to reveal that Palmer and Turpin were the same person and to claim a £200 reward.

4

. He had a noble steed Accounts from Victorian authors and artists that Turpin rode a loyal mare, Black Bess, between Essex and York overnight to escape capture are both fictitious and impossible (and highly sentimentalised). Ainsworth in Rookwood invented the journey to create a dramatic escape for Turpin, despite this having little relevance to the novel’s plot. And he ignores the fact that Turpin had been living as Palmer in York for over a year before his capture.

5 . He was a celebrity Richard Turpin was not a “celebrity” in the 18th century. Attention focused on his and the Gregory Gang’s crimes while he was at large due to the offer of rewards, but he was soon forgotten following his capture. Contemporary accounts demonstrate that he paid for mourners to be present at his execution to ensure an audience and the survival of only a couple of criminal biographies indicate that there was little public interest beyond the norm for violent criminals.

Without Harrison Ainsworth having written the largely fictional figure of Dick Turpin into his novel “Rookwood” and spurring the creation of a myth, the executed criminal Richard Turpin would have been overlooked other than by historians of crime.

NOEL Fielding as Dick Turpin

Animal matters

Kim

Aranha An overdue letter

Hi Mum, it’s me, Garmin. I know it’s been quite a long time since I left you to go to Rainbow Bridge. Quite honestly Mum, it was a bit your fault. I didn’t think that you would be able to handle a letter from me (you do get quite emotional, you know).

Funny actually, I have noticed, Mum, that you tear up more for dogs than you do for humans. How does that work? Chiefie tells me that is because he thinks you like dogs best. Is that true?

I have been up here for about 10 weeks, and I have to admit it is really pretty cool. I mean, I do have a lot of friends and they were all waiting for me to arrive. St Francis had the gate open, and Nimba was right there at the gate. The first thing you do is check in and tell them all the humans who will miss you and be sad.

It was evening when I left you so we had to make a very small hole in the clouds to see you. We couldn’t let the splendid gold light that surrounded me shine on you or you would have been frightened. But actually, Mum, I do not think you would have been afraid; you have always said that dogs are essentially good, and that’s why we do not have to stay on earth for as long as humans because we have already perfected love and forgiveness. Humans have a way to go, and if we are honest, we tell you if we love you. Humans? Not so much.

It was pretty cool experience; I was on the grass in my favourite part of the garden and I just stopped. To be truthful, I was so tired of trying. I did for as long as I could for you, but finally I felt that the time had come. Bella knew; we had chats for the last few weeks and she and I had figured out how to be friends. She was such a good fighter, that one. She promised that she would watch over you and keep you happy. She said that she really didn’t want you to get another dog too soon.

PET OF THE WEEK

She wanted to be absolute queen for a while. When I fly down to check on you all, I see that she has stuck to her word and is very much in charge.

I love how she sleeps in all the beds now, a total of five, and I know that in her opinion they are hers. She knows when we come down to check on you I tiptoe into the bedroom to be sure you are sleeping; I have to remember to turn off my glow. Nimba gave me a

A little one to love

By The Bahamas Humane Society

This little one is no “bad hat” but a very shy fve-month-old potcake who’s just looking for love and someone calm to bring out his glowing personality.

Pepito gets along well with other dogs but will need lots of patience and treats to bring him out of his shell. Do you have the calm, loving personality just right for Pepito? If so, come to

super powerful glow because she said I deserved it because I lived a whole year longer than anybody said I would. But, Mum, to tell the truth, when you told me I would never hear the word ‘no’ again, and I would never be on a medical table again, I thought, ‘time to beat the odds’. So, I stayed another year and that ‘never say no again’ policy was terrific fun; I totally recommend it.

the Bahamas Humane Society to meet him or call 323-5138 for more information. Pepito looks forward to meeting you.

• The dog walks continue! Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9.30am. It’s a great way to socialise the dogs and get some fresh air. Come and join us!

Oh yes, the Rainbow Bridge; a super fun place. I am young and full of energy. Remember how I used to do the zoomies? Well, back to them again. I am driving Chiefie crazy. Remember Chief was always the mature and sensible one in the house. What a surprise to see him with all four legs again. Even if he doesn’t admit it, I think he is happy to see me. He brought over Rascal and Star to meet me and then Spats the Disney dog (what a character that one is). There is a sweet golden who (I think) has a crush on Chiefie. Her name is Gabby; she is such an interesting dog. She says she really didn’t like the company of dogs when she was on earth. Now that she has met Chief they have long conversations under the bush while they watch Buddy and Star swim in the pond together.

It is really kind of a pity that you can’t see us all together and being such friends, Well, you could, but I know you don’t want that to happen anytime soon. Anyway, we make a merry crew when we all fly down to check on our families. Sometimes you hear us. I know you do. I hear you say you thought you heard my collar jingle. We all sneak around whispering and go back up to the greenest of grass, cool fresh pools, and a huge number of friends.

I know you still miss me; you haven’t got rid of anything that was mine. I love you Mum and I want you to know that saving me all those years ago was one of the best things you have ever done.

PEPITO WITH SHELTER STAFF MEMBER FIONA FRASER (PHOTO BY LINDA GILL-ARANHA)

Grammy Awardwinning superstar to headline Gospel Brunch

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

Offering a soul-stirring alternative to the traditional church service, the Gospel Brunch at the famous Café Martinique in Atlantis’ Marina Village has made quite a name for itself.

Since its inception last November, every Sunday, from 11am to 1pm, the extravagant all-inclusive brunch event has featured the best in gospel music.

Guests have enjoyed the talents of international gospel stars like Bebe Winnans and Donnie McClurkinn, as well as local greats such as Shaback, Denzcil Rolle and Friends, and Ignited.

And now, as part of the Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival, the Gospel Brunch welcomes Grammy Award-winning gospel superstar Hezekiah Walker on Sunday, March 17, at 11am and 2pm.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Walker has won Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Album By Choir Or Chorus twice: once for Live in Atlanta at Morehouse College (1994) with The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, and once for Love Is Live! (2001) with The LFT Church Choir.

Jason Spencer, vice-president of On Island Marketing and Events Atlantis Paradise Island, said it was an easy decision to go after the one and only Hezekiah Walker for this special Gospel Brunch.

“In terms of gospel artists, Hezekiah Walker is undeniably one of the most influential and premier acts. He is a multi-Grammy Award winner and has inspired millions around the world. We look forward to having him in the Bahamas and performing at Atlantis,” he said.

Hezekiah Walker is best known for hits like “God Favoured Me”, “Grateful” and “Every Praise”.

Mr Spencer said Hezekiah’s team is very excited to be a part of the event, and really look forward to performing in such an intimate venue for a small audience.

“As you can imagine, it is not often that they get the opportunity to perform and interact so closely with their audience. Our Gospel Brunch at Café Martinique seats 100 people, which is a real treat for those in attendance,” he said.

Mr Spencer said organisers of the event series are extremely excited about how well the Gospel Brunch has been received by the community and resort guests alike. Since launching three months ago, attendance has grown significantly.

“We have actually sold out our last five Gospel Brunches and are on pace to sell out the entire month of March. Demand has been so great that we are now adding a second seating on March 17 to accommodate everyone,” he said.

The brunch not only includes a wide array buffet selections, but also main courses served family style at each table.

“The feedback has been incredible. Guests have been in awe of the amazing and uplifting live performances and the over-the-top food offerings at the brunch,” said Mr Spencer. “There have been numerous social media reviews on the positive experience and wonderful venue setting.”

Bahamian fashion designer Gillian Curry-Williams said of the series: “This truly lifted my spirit and raised the roof.”

Another delighted guest, Mandel Miller, said for her, the brunch was a breathtaking experience.

“The Word and great food is the best combination ever. Finally somewhere Christ-centred for believers and those who don’t go to church regularly,” she said.

The upcoming Gospel Brunch will feature an appetiser and dessert buffet alongside a seafood bar. Additionally, chef-inspired main courses, including meat and seafood options will be served family style alongside unlimited mimosas and Bloody Marys.

GOSPEL star Hezekiah Walker