03172017 weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

art beauty entertainment film fashion music podcasts animals

Weekend

core fitness Pages 8&9

Feather fiesta All set for the big costume party

Carnival, pages 14&15

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

life through a lens

A celebration of heritage

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undreds of visitors and locals packed Regatta Park in Georgetown, Exuma, for the 13th Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival.

The festival, under the theme “Celebrating Our Bahamian Roots”, brought together the best in Bahamian food, games, music and culture from March 9 -12..

The event is especially important for the island as many tourists from all over the world look forward to participating in the festival.

Britt Almroth, from Cleveland, has been coming to Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival for the past 12 years.

She fell in love with the festival and Exuma and decided to purchase a home there.

Ms Almoth said each year the festival gets better.

“The music festival is my favourite time in Exuma,” she said. “I love rake n’ scrape. I love the music, I love to dance and in Exuma, there is always someone

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

ready to dance with you,” she said. “I will be returning every year.”

Maddie Slovogan from New York also spoke about her love for the festival.

“This has been fantastic.

It’s really alive so it has just been a very exciting festival.

It’s my first time coming but it won’t be my last,” she said.

Each day of the event delivered mouth-watering food, exciting games and informative demonstrations.

At night, the park became a musical hub dedicated to both Bahamian gospel and secular music.

Director of Events Charity Armbrister said the event has been deemed a success.

“I think it went very well this year,” she said. “We went way back and brought Ting Em’ Dem band, which was the first band that performed when the Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival was formed. We also had limbo dances, fire dancers and the Obeah Man. I think that it is important for us to show those kinds of things because we are keeping the Bahamian culture alive.”

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Friday, March 17, 2017

Inside Weekend Interview 4 - 5 National record holder in the 400m hurdles Jeffery Gibson talks to Cara Hunt about his Olympic dream Entertainment 7 Go green for St Patrick’s Day

Health and fitness 8 - 9 Regina Smith gets to the core of TRX training

Art 10 - 11 Artist Keisha Oliver leads photo walk through Nassau, plus Edrin Symonette explores “Residues of a Colonial Past”.

Music 12 Sherwood Rahming gets personal with new album, plus hip hop artist TonAsh releases new track and video Beauty 13

My perfect Bahamian weekend Jordanna Kelly Artist Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday lunch?

“Definitely Saturday breakfast, because who doesn’t love breakfast food? I can usually persuade my little sister to cook me up some fancy pancakes or French toast, bacon and eggs. She loves to cook.”

Q: Wine, Kalik, rum or cocktail?

“Gatta have ma rum, but if that’s not an option, it’s champagne.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“That’s a hard one; they are both so awesome. Both beach days and lazy sofa days are spent with the family. But I would have to say beach for all the good things that go with it – sun, sand and sea.”

Q: What could you not do without?

“My support system, loved ones and the Lord.”

Q: Weekend away: where would you go?

“The places I would love to travel to couldn’t be done in a weekend. So a weekend trip would be hopping on a boat to go sailing any and everywhere.”

Things 2 Do this weekend

Christa Simone is Nassau’s ‘Brow Lady’

Friday

samples and brochures.

Carnival 14 -15

• For all St Patrick’s Day shenanigans SEE PAGE 7

• Project Y Panel Discussion and Voter Registration Drive Time: 6pm Venue: Harry C Moore Library Auditorium, University of The Bahamas.

Join Project Y for a discussion of the Millennial vote.

The party starts with Karisma and their costume launch event

Motivational 17 eNue kicks off Purpose Awareness Month

Film 19 Hollywood star Danny Glover visits Nassau for a special BAM workshop, plus enjoy a ‘tale as old as time’ with the live action version of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Literary Lives

22 - 24 The ‘Saviour of Ceylon’ Leonard Birchall

Forgotten Facts 25 The tortuous journey to build Fort Montagu Puzzles

26

Animals

27 Kim Aranha enjoys Grand Bahama’s dog show, plus Pet of the Week

Gardening 28 Jack Hardy makes his Spring cuttings

• 36th Annual International All Breed Dog Show Time: 9am-2pm (continues Saturday and Sunday) Venue: Clifford Park The Bahamas Kennel Club invites all owners of purebred dogs, mixed breed dogs and potcakes to enter the Annual Bahamas Kennel Club Dog Show.

There are classes for Junior Handlers as well as neutered and spayed dogs.

Organisers promise a fun weekend that celebrates the sport of dogs.

All friendly dogs are welcome. Dogs do not need any special training to enter the show they just have to be able to walk on a lead.

• CBS Bahamas Home and Builders Show Time: 9am (continues on Saturday) Venue: Southwest Plaza Booths will be set up with representatives from major home and building brands like Milwaukee Power Tools, Pratt and Lambert Paint, Kohler Kitchen & Bath and more.

Speak one-on-one with the vendors who will be demonstrating their products as well as giving away

• Rich Nights – A Caribbean Fiesta Time: 6pm Venue: Palm Cay Spice up your Fridays with Rich Nights featuring Veuve Cliquot Rich, live music by the Xtra Band, Salsa lessons and more every Friday in March.

• Karisma’s Wild Out Soca Fest and Costume Launch Party Time: 7pm Venue: Pirates of Nassau SEE PAGES 14&15 • Appleton Fridays Time: 8pm -10pm Venue: Marley Resort and Spa Appleton Fridays feature live music and Appleton drink specials all night long.

Saturday • 1st Annual Leslie Adderley Fun

Run/Walk Time: 6am Start: Jordan Prince Williams Baptist School This event is in honour of the late Leslie Adderley, former vice principal of Jordan Prince Williams Baptist School, and promotes healthy lifestyles and wellness. The $20 registration fee ($15 for kids) includes a T-shirt and water along with paint/ powder.

• Souse in the Falcon’s Camp Time: 8am -11am Venue: Jordan Prince Williams Baptist School, Zion Boulevard A donation of $10 is required.

• Spring Break Film Series Time: 6.30pm Venue: Junkanoo Beach SEE PAGE 19 • The Canvas is My Pulpit Time: 10am-1pm Venue: National Art Gallery Participating NE8 artist Steffon Grant invites person to participate in his process through a workshop, tour and short discussion. The maximum number of participants is 15, so reserve your spot. Tickets are $10 for kids 12 to 17, and $25 for adults.

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Friday, March 17, 2017

interview As the 400 metres hurdles national recorder holder, Jeffery Gibson soars through the air for Team Bahamas. This week, the sprint athlete tells Cara Hunt about life on and off the track, and how despite his age, he has not given up on the Olympic dream.

Jeffery Gibson

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effery Gibson started track and field at the age of 15, and has never looked back.

At the time, he did not know that the sport would introduce him to the thrill of competition and allow him to see the world.

“I made my first CARIFTA team back in 2006 and we travelled to Guadeloupe. It was my first international competition and representing the Bahamas really pushed me to do more.

My mother went with me that summer and I remember thinking how much I wanted to do this every this year – travel somewhere new and exciting to compete; how much fun that would be

for my summer vacation. And from then to now I think I have always gone to a meet in the summer,” he said.

“I think a part of it is that I love competition. I just love that athletes from different parts of the world can come together and compete with one another. I mean, think about it, a boy from the Bahamas can race against someone from Barbados or Bangladesh or Beijing. It just amazes me that we have people of all different backgrounds, but we can connect on the track.”

Jeffery, now 26, said he still clearly remembers competing at the Junior World Championships.

“I got beat from a runner from Botswana and it was just a humbling experience for me. But think about it, a runner from the Bahamas can race against an African in Europe. That is what I love about competition.”

And if he loves competition, he is equally passionate about his signature race – the 400 metre hurdles, a race that he originally did not run.

“I started out as a sprinter, especially the quarter mile like so many of our great Bahamian racers. It was a race that I ran in college, but I also occasionally ran the hurdles,” the Oral Roberts University graduate recalled.

In 2008, his chances of making the

national team were better as a hurdler than as a quarter-miler.

“I found that I was just running better as a hurdler than the 400m, and I had to sit down and make the decision with my coaches and my family that this was the race that I was more likely to do well in and that needed to be my focus,” he explained.

It was a decision that especially paid off in 2013 when he broke the national record running a time of 49.39 during the semi-finals of the 2013 NCAA Championships. He later smashed that record when he ran his personal best of 48.17 in 2015 in Beijing at the World Championships to capture a

Friday, March 17, 2017

bronze medal. (He also beat the record of 48.37 he had set in the semi-finals of that event.)

Jeffery said he truly loves his chosen discipline and revels in skill required to run hurdles.

“It is a very calculating race from start to finish. As you are running you have to also be preparing to jump the hurdle focus on your landings. It can be a gruelling race,” he said.

The most important thing as a professional hurdler, he said, is to just take each hurdle as it comes.

“There are 10 hurdles and the race is not over until you cross the finish line, so even if you stumble on one hurdle you have to put that out of your mind and just concentrate on the rest of the race. I have had races where I have had a bad start and have gone on to have an excellent finish, or there are people who have had bad starts and gone on to have a good 50 meters and finished the race well. You just have to continue to run your race.”

Last year, Jeffery joined the rest of Team Bahamas in Rio for the Olympics.

It was an amazing experience, although he admits that he did not deliver the performance he had dreamed of. Going into the Games, he was suffering from a torn labrum – a tear of the seal that keeps the hip joint in place.

“I went into Rio injured and at first was not sure that I would even be able to compete. I just had to take it one day at a time until the race,” he said.

Although he did not perform as well as he had hoped, he still managed to enjoy the rest of the Games and his experience of being an Olympian.

“I did expect better of myself and I didn’t want to let my country down.

Obviously one of the highlights for me was the 400 meters since that is a race that is dear to me. To see the men’s 400 meter race where Wayde Van Nierkerk of South Africa beat Kirani James of Grenada and Lashwan Merritt of the United States was just amazing. And then of course I was just waiting like everyone to see the matchup between Shaunae (Miller) and Allyson Felix. I was just so loud jumping up and down and yelling during that race,” he said.

“The next day I was on a tour of Rio and saw Allyson and went up to her and congratulated her on her performance, and she said ‘thank you and was gracious and that is another thing that I love about sportsmanship between athletes. It’s how I try to be and

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“I just love that athletes from different parts of the world can come together and compete with one another...a runner from the Bahamas can race against an African in Europe.

That is what I love about competition.”

I appreciate it with other athletes.”

Although his own Olympic dreams were dashed, Jeffery said he is committed to representing the Bahamas in 2020 and 2024.

“If I can take care of myself, I will train and get ready. I know there are other athletes who have performed into their 30s, and if I can beat people at 32 then why not?”

For now, he is taking it one race and one training session at a time and is focused on the 2017 season.

“I have practice Monday to Thursday, usually starting at about 9.30am.

On Mondays, it’s endurance work; Tuesdays it’s speed; Wednesday it’s hurdle work, and then on Thursdays it’s race prep and technical skills,” he explained.

Additionally, he goes to the gym several days of the week and even in his downtime still has to do stretches and maintain his flexibility.

“I really want to focus on running a technical race,” he said. “This season I am striving to make every race better, I want to lead from the front and not have to run from behind, and I want to gradually lower my time and be a better, faster more efficient hurdler.”

As he still feels the strain of the injury he sustained last summer, Jeffery said his main focus will also be ensuring that he allows himself time to properly heal and have physical therapy ahead of the World Championships this August in London.

In his spare time, he said, he is an avid reader and movie-goer, and enjoys just relaxing with friends. “I love to learn,” he added.

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Friday, March 17, 2017

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Friday, March 17, 2017

entertainment

Nassau goes green for St Patrick’s Day Pub crawls, Irish-themed parties and more in store

By Cara Hunt cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

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oday is St Patrick’s Day – otherwise known as a day to wear green, hoist a pint of Guinness and give a toast to the luck of the Irish.

And even if you’ve never been to the Emerald Isle, you can still grab your mates and head out for a night of leprechauns and rainbows, and really good Irish fare right here in Nassau.

St Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration held every year on March 17 – the traditional death date of St Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland.

It was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church.

The day commemorates St Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general.

Although it is often held during Lent, the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day, which encouraged and propagated the holiday’s tradition of alcohol consumption throughout the world.

Locally, there are a number of events all over town which promise an excellent atmosphere to celebrate all things Irish, and as always Tribune Weekend is here with your one-stop guide to St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Sharkeez Caribbean on the Woodes Rodgers Walk is having the ultimate St

Celebrate all the fun and luck of the Irish of St Patrick’s Day with a glass stein of green beer, a large shamrock and leprechaun hat.

Patrick’s Day celebration with happy hour specials from 5pm to 9pm.

Patrons can enjoy free Jello shots all day as well as Guinness beer bucket specials, wings, beef sliders, nachos and conch fritters.

Entertainment will be provided by DJ Ace on the turntables from noon to 5pm and DJ Epic Forealz from 5pm to midnight.

However, if you truly want to drink like the Irish, consider going on the St Patty’s Day Bar Crawl Block Party.

The downtown pub crawl begins at noon at Sharkeez with stops at Señor Frog’s, Lukka Kairi, Via Restaurant and Bar, the Lifestylez Bar and Lounge at Bacardi, and ending at the Hard Rock Café.

The crawl will feature entertainment from Showboyz Entertainment, Unruly Promotions and Playhouse DJs. There will be happy hour specials, prizes and

giveaways.

Meanwhile, The Pirate Republic is offering a Bahamian Skylarkin’ St Patrick’s Day Bash. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy music by the Skylarkin Band from 8pm to 11pm.

The celebration continues out West as well. The Circa 1890 Lounge in Sandyport will have a special party from 4pm to 2am. Circa 1890 has unveiled a special menu for the event, which includes shepherd’s pie, Irish lamb stew with colcannon (a traditional Irish dish of mashed potatoes and cabbage), corned beef and cabbage with buttered potatoes, and a vegetable pot pie. There will also be party favours for the guests as well.

In the mood to paint the town green, join the St Patrick’s Day Pop Up Party.

Join revellers as they party from Goodman’s Bay to Sandals and back for a four-mile party. The event is ‘BYOB’

(bring your own booze) and begins at 6pm on Goodman’s Bay. Back up town, the crew at the Cricket Club will hold a special party from 4pm to 11pm. There will be karaoke from 4pm to 8pm, followed by music by Daddy Long Legs, and Peter Peter and Friends.

At the Green Parrot Bar, you can enjoy $2 green beer drafts, $5 car bombs, delicious food and beer pong, along with live music by the band Subculture.

And finally, take a hop over the bridge and head over to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas. Throughout the evening, enjoy green beer in the blender, $2 draft beers and Irish fire bomb shots. They will also be serving corned beef Reuben sandwiches and a 22oz blender cup for only $35. Dr X will be on the wheels of steel from noon to entertain the crowds.

08| The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

health and fitness

TRX 101 – Core crunch and a time. Lift the body by going back on to your hands. From there, take your right hand off of the floor and place it behind your back. Avoid shifting the hips as you take the hand behind the back. Return the right hand to the floor and repeat with the left hand.

By Regina Smith

D

• TRX side plank

Beginner TRX plank

Intermediate TRX plank

• TRX plank Beginner: TRX plank How it is performed: Place both feet in the TRX cradles. Begin on your forearms and engage the core muscles. Next, lift the body to a hand or forearm position. Ensure that your elbows are aligned with your shoulders. To finish, lower the knees to the ground.

Intermediate: TRX plank Forearm-to-hand transition to balancing on one hand behind the back.

Transition from hands to forearms for 15-30 seconds) How it is performed: Assume the position mentioned about in the TRX plank. Lower the body by placing your forearms on the mat one

Photos Shawn Hanna

eveloping a strong core is essential to the longevity of your training.

Having a strong core can also benefit you in your daily life. We use our core muscles to: lift heavy items, assist us with sitting up in chairs, balancing on one leg, and rotational movements.

A strong core protects the spine, reduces back pain, improves your movement patterns, balance, stability and posture. There are many ways of developing core strength and various pieces of equipment you can use. In this article we will continue exploring the TRX system and the various exercises that can be performed to improve core strength. I’ve also included progressive exercises you can use as your strength capacity increases.

Remember, we have to crawl before we walk. While the TRX plank might seem a little too basic, having a strong foundation is paramount to excelling in your TRX performance training. The ability to execute the TRX plank with proper form will set you up for better headstands, handstands, shoulder stands and other advance TRX abdominal exercises.

The side effects aren’t bad either: stronger core muscles, slimmer waist line and strapping shoulders. Who doesn’t want that?

As you programme your core workouts you want to ensure that you include exercises that strengthen all of parts of the abdominals. These next two exercises target the lateral (side) aspect of the abdominals (also known as the obliques).

Beginner: TRX side plank How it is performed: Lie on your side. Ensure that your forearm and your hand are stacked underneath your shoulder, hips are stacked, and the heel of the top foot is touching the toe of the bottom foot. Lift your body into the air and keep your weight over your forearm and keep your shoulders stacked. On the return lower your hips on to the ground. Hold for 20 seconds on both sides.

Intermediate: TRX side plank How it is performed: Ensure your right foot is in both cradles. Lie on your side (begin on your left side).

Ensure that your forearm and your hand are stacked underneath your shoulder and your hips are stacked.

The left leg will serve as the gesture leg. Bring the left foot to the right knee and hold this one legged plank.

Hold for 20-25 seconds.

• TRX saw

Intermediate TRX side plank

Beginner: TRX saw How it is performed: Assume a plank position on your forearms.

Ensure that your elbows are aligned directly under your shoulder. With the body in a lifted plank position shift the body forward as you engage your core muscles. Continue to hold your plank and shift the body back.

Complete 10-15 repetitions.

Intermediate: TRX saw with a crunch This is sure to give your core a good burn.

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Friday, March 17, 2017

How it is performed: Assume a plank position on your forearms.

Ensure that your elbows are aligned directly under your shoulder. With the body in a lifted plank position shift the body forward as you engage your core muscles. Continue to hold your plank and shift the body back.

Shift the body back far enough that your shoulders are slightly off alignment of your elbows. As you begin to shift the body forward, come up on to your hands and pull your knees in towards your elbows. Extend the legs back, return to your forearms (taking the shoulders off of alignment with the elbows). Complete 10 repetitions.

• TRX crunch Beginner: TRX crunch How it is performed: Begin with both feet in the TRX cradles. Assume an active plank position with the legs straight. Bring the knees in towards the chest. Extend the legs back into a strong plank position.

Complete 10 repetitions.

Intermediate: TRX crunch combined with a pendulum swing How it is performed: Begin with both feet in the TRX cradles. Assume an active plank position with the legs straight. Bring the knees towards one elbow. Extend the legs back into a strong plank position.

Complete 10-15 repetitions.

TRX pike

Beginner TRX crunch

• TRX pike Beginner: TRX pike How it is performed: Begin with both feet in the cradle and assume an active plank position. Actively drive the hips over the head. Slowly return the hips down into a plank position.

Complete 10 repetitions.

Intermediate: TRX pushup with a pike How it is performed: Begin with both feet in the cradle and assume an active plank position. Lower the body down and perform a push up.

Return the body to a lifted plank position by extending the elbows. Move into the pike exercise. Actively drive the hips over the head. Slowly return the hips down into a plank position.

Prepare to perform a pushup. Complete 5-8 repetitions TRX suspension training offers core exercises that are beneficial to professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. For example, the TRX side plank strengthens the

TRX Crunch combined with a pendulum swing obliques which can be helpful a golfer’s follow through swing. TRX pikes can also assist with improving shoulder strength and stability which can assist a yoga practitioner with achieve their achieving their shoulder stand or headstand.

A strong core is the foundation for efficient, strong and powerful movements. As you consistently

perform these exercises you will see an improvement in your alignment, stability and power when performing other challenging exercises. Be sure to include a TRX core exercise into your workout programme at least once or twice this upcoming week.

Get fit, get healthy and stay active, Bahamas!

• Regina Smith is a certified personal trainer by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Paedagogy and Exercise Science. She is also a certified level one TRX trainer, and Total Barre and Pilates instructor. She can be reached for personal training and consultations at regina.tonia.smith@gmail.com. Follow her on instagram: ginag_cpt or her fitness tips and tweets on Twitter @ginagcpt.

You can also find her on Facebook under ‘Regina Smith’.

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

art

From left: (back) Nowé Harris Smith, Cherfelt Wells, Anne Ulentin, Linda Roman, Hiram Carey, Dayna Pratt, Matthew Rahming; (front) Katrina Cartwright, Cordeia Munnings, Olujinmi Loren, Sherice Major, Ava Richardson and Keisha Oliver

Picture perfect Artist Keisha Oliver leads photo walk through Nassau

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group of 11 photography enthusiasts recently took to the streets of Nassau for a guided photo walk with artist, designer and University of the Bahamas Art Professor Keisha Oliver.

‘Picture Nassau’ is a workshop developed by Ms Oliver as an extension of her ‘Porch Conversations’, a photo exhibit which explores front porches of inner-city communities and documents the physicality of these spaces and their owners’ stories.

The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas invited Ms Oliver to develop and facilitate the workshop based on the project which was featured in the NAGB’s NE8 OFFsite exhibition at Hillside House.

‘Picture Nassau’ was a three-hour experience that focused on using photography as a means to navigate through and capture the Bahamian vi-

Anne Ulentin takes a photo of the Greek Orthodox Church. sual and cultural landscape. The group of students, educators, corporate professionals and artists alike were challenged to slow down and appreciate the details of their environment as a street photographer. By developing their skills of observation, they learned to embrace the art of storytelling through pictures.

The morning started off at Hillside House with a tour of the NE8’s OFFsite exhibition, including a viewing of Ms Oliver’s photography and sound installation ‘Porch Conversations’.

The group’s brief introduction to street photography included a presentation on technique, style and etiquette. After that, they took a 90-minute walk through the West Hill and Bay Street communities to explore and appreciate the details of their en-

Participants make their photo portfolios. vironment. The afternoon concluded with a craft session focused on making photo portfolios.

Nowé Harris-Smith, an UB Art Education major, said the workshop was unique opportunity for novice and even professional photographers to learn something new.

“On our walk, each of us captured something unique. The images produced showed each person’s interest and strengths within street photography such as landscapes and people. It also allowed us to navigate our local landscape, traversing the downtown area. This workshop was interesting and great for budding or professional photographers,” she said.

Sherice Major, a Bahamian travel blogger, said: “I spent the better half of my day doing something that I

wouldn’t normally do. I socialised outdoors with people I’ve never met. The older I get, I find I’m less interested in getting to know people, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Life is about making connections and getting out of your comfort zone and that’s what I did. I participated in a photo walk with the artsy Keisha Oliver along with 10 other people. It was an awesome opportunity to walk around Historic Nassau and have a little fun while snapping and networking. We stumbled upon so many beautiful nooks and crannies; I couldn’t believe I was home,” she said.

For more updates and information on photo walks with ‘Picture Nassau’ follow @PictureNassau online via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or e-mail picturenassau@gmail.com.

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Friday, March 17, 2017

art

Exploring the by-products of colonisation

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articipating NE8 artist Edrin Symonette explores the concept of beliefs, tradition and modalities left behind by colonisation in a new installation at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas.

“Residues of a Colonial Past” will be on view at the NAGB from March 23 to April 16, with a preview evening on March 31 to coincide with Transforming Spaces 2017.

The word ‘residue’ can be defined as something left behind after a process – a by-product of that process.

Mr Symonette’s work seeks to simulate and highlight specific practices as they pertain to those living in the Caribbean diaspora, particularly the Bahamas, by examining the method and materials used in the construction process of a house prior to independence.

Before 1973, Bahamian homes were constructed by African slaves based on a process developed by their European masters. This process was known as “quicklime and slacking”. The process saw the construction and use of a lime kiln to burn and deconstruct conch shells and limestone rocks, producing quicklime.

The Bahamas is a group of 700 islands and nearly 2,500 small islets and cays, resting on an immense plateau of tertiary limestone. The sedimentary rock was used to build houses for both master and slave alike. Like many other traditional practices, Bahamian slaves were forced to abandon their own methods of con-

Edrin Symonette’s installation shows the body of an enslaved man, constructed by utilising the same method for producing colonial houses (quicklime and slacking). struction practices, adopting their masters’ in the process.

As a result, this foreign method of construction has been used traditionally, instead of that inherited from the African ancestors – a testament to the residual effects of a colonised state.

Mr Symonette’s installation and accompanying video depicts some of the by-products of this colonisation: the body of the enslaved sprawled out for the world to experience, constructed by utilising the same method for producing colonial houses (quicklime and slacking). The body is imperfect, deteriorated and partially buried. An imperfect deteriorated state signifies a need to constantly re-fabricate images

of ourselves via colonial ideology; physical deterioration is a testament to its frailty.

According to the artist, deconstruction of conch shells serves not only as a signal of Bahamian ingenuity, but what seems to be a need to actively dismantle ourselves in anticipation of reforming a new and more “suitable” image.

“A rope tethers the enslaved to the ideals that brought him here, while a single sunflower signifies a small sliver of hope – hope that one day we can reconcile with our past and actively seek ways to procure our own identity in a postcolonial world,” said the artist.

“These objects serve as precursors to a question, one

I contend with on a daily basis: Who am I? As I have done in past works, I seek to initiate honest dialogue, stimulating the deconstruction of a post-colonial identity in hopes of reconstructing a truly authentic one. Supplementary to the sculptural installation in the Sculpture Garden, a short video of the piece itself, shot from an aerial drone, will be accompanied by the poem “Peeling” by Tanicia Pratt.

The video documents the process and provides a holistic view of the entire installation, garden and surrounding areas.”

Mr Symonette was born on the island of New Providence but grew up on Eleuthera. He returned to Nassau to attend the College of the Bahamas.

The shock of this transition left him struggling to reconcile the realities of urban development and living with the relatively untouched beauty that is peculiar to most of the other islands in the Bahamas. His

sojourn at the college, where he obtained an Associates of Arts in Fine Arts, assisted with this transition and increased his exposure to contemporary art practice and encouraged experimentation in his work.

The technical expertise of master artists from the Renaissance era and established Bahamian artists including Brent Malone, John Beadle, Antonius Roberts, Tyrone Ferguson and John Cox, are a continual source of inspiration for the artist.

Recently, Mr Symonette’s work has moved away from traditional content and implementation and he is now focused on communicating his ideas through process. Solving each unique problem through the exploration of material and concept is of utmost importance. It is through this juxtaposition of natural and unnatural, traditional and nontraditional, that he believes his personal interpretation of beauty in the world is satisfied.

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Friday, March 17, 2017

music

TonAsh wants to know your name

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

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or Bahamian hip hop artist TonAsh even the most mundane tasks can provide the inspiration for new

music.

Take for instance a recent trip to Road Traffic to renew his car licence. Standing in the queue, he became captivated by the beauty of a young lady also in line for service.

TonAsh was eager to get to know the woman, and this experience later inspired his new song, “Wanna Know Your Name”.

“I was there all day and luckily she was next to me on the line so it provided the opportunity to talk to her and get her name. Crazy thing is, I forgot her name after all of that. But anyway, I headed home and was

Hip hop artist TonAsh

Sherwood Rahming gets personal

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net Music artist Sherwood Rahming said he dug deep to find inspiration for his new album and ended up creating an extremely personal piece of work which poses the universal questions that affect us all.

“Sherri” is the name of the new album which represents Sherwood’s The cover art for Sherwood Rahming’s journey towards understanding love new album ‘Sherri’ and figuring out what makes sense to him. so as to explore his creativity and break The artist, producer and engineer – traditional moulds. who dabbles in hip hop, R&B, soul and “In spring 2012, I was a freshman funk – said he pursued a career in music biochemistry major, which was OK be-

just going through some beats and instantly had an idea when I heard the beat. I start off the song saying, ‘Hope you got your licence girl, you drive me crazy’,” he told Tribune Weekend. The song was then recorded, mixed and mastered by producer Vezy.

Mimicking this real life experience, the music video for the song – directed by Cubes Pro at The Pier Lounge – follows a beautiful and mysterious woman (portrayed by former Miss Universe Bahamas Tomii Culmer) whose name TonAsh has to learn before the end of the night.

“To me, the song has that old school vibe – a little bit of disco and a little bit of 80s; something almost similar to what I imagined my parents probably grew up on, so my first thought was that it had to take place at an upscale club. It had to show people having a good time, and it definitely needed some dancers backing me up because I’m not much of dancer and didn’t want to embarrass myself. I picked

cause I like the sciences, but I just didn’t see it fulfilling me. I dabbled in making beats and was always into writing poetry, and I just pushed to developing the skills to produce for myself. That led to me seeing the business in music and how I could use it to always be involved in the process of making it,” he said.

Sherwood began working on his album nearly six months ago. It was officially released three weeks ago.

He said the album is based on his own personal journey and questions he has asked himself about life in general. “ ‘Sherri’ is a smooth and groovy collection that includes elements of spoken word poetry, jazz, neo soul and even reggae. From start straight to finish, it’s a conversation incorporating personal stories from others about their experiences with love that all tie into my personal experience,” he said.

“Though I’m only 22, I observe and I question things often. What does it mean to really love someone? Don’t we all want to be loved unconditionally?

Who’s to say how I should live my life

The Pier because it has that look I had in mind that I knew would translate very well visually,” said TonAsh. The rapper said he also wanted to show his fans that he can “clean up nicely” for the video and therefore chose a velvet tuxedo by local designer Cardell McClam.

TonAsh is known to music lovers from the Bahamas National Trust’s “Conchservation” song and music video, and is a BTC brand ambassador who helped Rik Carey create the now popular “ BTC Country” song.

Beyond his music, TonAsh also has his City 242 Clothing brand which is constantly expanding.

For more information and updates on TonAsh, follow him on social media at KingtTA242 on Instagram and TonAsh on Facebook, YouTube and Soundcloud. His music is available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and Tidal.

when it comes to love and relationships?

“We have all these norms, but when you really take the time to think about some things they make no sense. We repeat cycles of wanting to be loved, wanting people to change so we can be satisfied with them, and wanting a sense of exclusivity, only to almost always be disappointed with the relationship at the end of the day. I think our approach to love is detrimental to our relationships, and ‘Sherri’ is showing love and relationships through my eyes, one perspective in time to now. ‘Sherri’ is special because it’s about the most important thing to us all – love,” he said.

Sherwood believes the album’s standout track is “No Sudgin”, which is currently making the rounds on local radio stations.

“Everyone seems to relate perfectly to the story of being the nice guy and always seeming to lose out on the girl they were always after. And even girls can admit to passing up on the nice guy at least once in their life,” he said.

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, March 17, 2017

beauty

Meet the ‘Brow Lady’

Christa Simone, owner of the Pearla Christa Spa

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

R

esearch has declared that eyebrows are a person’s most important facial feature. Not only do they protect your eyes from dust, dirt and sweat, they also have a strong social significance for “emotional expression as well as facial recognition,” according to Yahoo! Health.

And here to help you make an impact with the perfect eyebrows is Nassau’s ‘Brow Lady’, Christa Simone, who recently opened her own salon.

With her Pearla Christa Spa, Christa said she has found her calling in life and a career that inspires confidence and results in health and happiness.

“Who wouldn’t want that,” she asked as she spoke with Tribune Weekend about her chosen path in life.

“Since I was a young girl I have been attracted to the beauty industry. I always took special interest in taking care of my skin and thought it would bring me much joy and honour to help others do the same. Once I completed my degree in aesthetics, I worked in the spa of a leading hotel in Nassau. I nurtured and perfected my craft, and during my tenure I provided facials to clients and was often the top producer for selling facial products,” she said.

After working at the hotel for six years, Christa got the entrepreneurial itch and ventured off on her own, opening a salon that specialises in waxing, facials and nails.

“Although I loved doing facials, waxing became my true passion. A bonus to this profession is the amazing people I meet every day. I take pride in helping people feel good about themselves. I have built relationships with steady clients which have fuelled the growth of my client base through referrals, Face-

book and Instagram,” said Christa.

As an aesthetician, she also enjoys the advantage of working a flexible schedule. Most of her work is done by appointment, and Christa said this enables her to properly plan for each client and offer them her undivided attention during their treatment, thus achieving the best possible result each and every time.

“It is an emotional reward. You can feel the energy and excitement of clients coming in for a treatment. I feed off that energy to deliver amazing results. I am sharing a transforming experience with them and their happiness becomes my happiness. So far my clients have been very happy with their results and have always provided positive feedback,” she said.

Her plans going forward include remaining up-to-date with trends and enhancing her skills and techniques.

The Pearla Christa Spa is located on Tedder Street, off Maderia Street.

The ‘Brow Lady’ at work

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

celebrity With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

SPLIT

FAIL

SPLIT

FAIL

Brie Larson “Kong: Skull Island”

Chrissy Teigen “Beauty and the Beast”

Kristen Stewart “Personal Shopper”

Rachel Roy “The Shack”

Karin says: “Stunning! This ruby red is gorgeous on her (and was a nice nod to International Women’s Day).

It’s just a simple dress, and somehow ‘blunt’, but also sleek and elegant.

I love the soft hair and understated makeup as well.”

Cara says: “The dress is nice and the colour is pretty, even if it is a bit shiny.

My issue is the length; it’s just awkward. And combined with the strappy shoes just doesn’t work for me. I think it would have looked better at cocktail length.”

Karin says: “This is like an oversized fringed lamp shade. Given that the film features animated furniture it kinda fits. But it’s simply awful. There is just too much fringe. Seriously, was one tier not enough? I also think the lipstick is a bit too dark and ages her.”

Cara says: “I love Chrissy and I’m glad this isn’t on Twitter, because I know she’d come for me, but I think this is the worst dress I have ever seen her wear. The beaded top is fine, but I just don’t like the detail at the bottom.”

Karin says: “Someone said she looks the alien emoji, and I have to agree.

The new ‘do and colour are a radical change, which actually works on her.

I’m not crazy about the high neckline stangling her (and making her look neck-less), but it’s such a cool highfashion look overall that I have to give it a thumbs up.”

Cara says: “I almost didn’t recognise her, and not in a good way. I hate to use this analogy, but she looks like a vampire in need of blood. This dress does nothing for her, especially that collar which looks like a neck brace.”

Karin says: “It’s a bold woman who pairs two different types of stripes. It’s also a foolish woman, because it can hardly ever be pulled of. Case in point.

The alleged ‘Becky with the good hair’ is really failing here. The faux fur jacket is something a gran in the 1970s considered stylish. It could have maybe been saved by a solid black dress, who knows.”

Cara says: “Everything is fine separately, but together the look is just confusing. All the stripes combined

AP Photos

The Weekend Fashion Report Film premieres

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, March 17, 2017

motivational

Walk with purpose Month-long event promotes making a difference

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

T

hrilled with the impact they made on Bahamians last year, organisers of the Purpose Awareness initiative have now extended it from one week to an entire month of activities.

Started by eNue, an organisation whose mission it is to help people reach their divine destiny, Purpose Awareness Month kicks off on April 1 with the “Network Night” at Sapodilla Estate.

The month-long activities also include events such as ‘Purpose in My Congregation’, ‘Kids in Purpose’, ‘Teen Fest’, ‘Couples in Purpose’, ‘Purpose on My Campus’, ‘Paint the World Coral’ (T-shirt day), ‘The Artist’ (stage play), ‘Purpose Fest’, and the release of a magazine and trailer for the first Purpose Awareness movie, “I Am Here”.

The theme for this year’s Purpose Awareness Month is also “I Am Here”, said Antonia Lightbourne, founder of eNue. “It is a bold, powerful declaration that we are here, not just to take up space or to merely exist, but here to make a difference, here to make a change, here to bring the solution to a problem, and here to ultimately fulfill the purpose for which God created us. It is a declaration that we are not insignificant and have a part to play.

There is great significance to our existence.

Our scripture focus for Purpose Awareness is Jeremiah 29:11– ‘For I know the plans I

Young Bahamians participate in eNue’s Purpose Awareness movement have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’.”

When Antonia along with other eNue members came together to launch Purpose Awareness Week last year, it was with the intention to help

people realise that true fulfillment comes from discovering and walking in one’s purpose.

During the 2016 week, participants dedicated themselves to discovering their purpose and committed to living their lives accordingly.

“Every event was absolutely amazing, but I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Purpose on My Campus’, a school tour,” said Antonia.

“Being able to share the message of purpose with so many young people was phenomenal.

The team, which is 100 per cent young people, shared their purpose stories and the young people were motivated and inspired to live purpose-driven lives. The message of purpose really brought hope to many of them. I am looking forward to us reaching much more students this year.

“The goal for 2017 is to continue encouraging and empowering individuals to walk in purpose.

We are looking forward to everything being bigger and better. We are doing much more this year and hope to bring awareness to many more persons.”

The message of purpose will also be shared on a few of the Family Islands this year, including Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and Andros.

The ‘Purpose in My City’ event has been launched and ambassadors will host purpose parties and other initiatives on their islands. Presently, there are eNue representatives in Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Bimini, Bermuda, Atlanta and Miami.

“It is my prayer that Purpose Awareness Month would push persons to be committed to living purpose-driven lives. I want Purpose Awareness Month to push the persons who were afraid to really believe in what God placed in their hearts to do, to go ahead and do it, even if they have to do it afraid. I want this message to reach the seven-year-old and the 70-year-old, and say to them, ‘You’re not too young and you’re not too old’. The message of purpose is for no specific age, and so I pray that every child, every teen, every adult would become intentional about finding and fulfilling their life’s purpose,” said Antonia.

Ten individuals who have been deemed as walking in purpose will be honoured this year. For more information about events and activities, visit www.purposeawareness.com and e-mail purposeawareness@gmail.com.

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

podcasts

Mysteriously missing

By Stephen Hunt shunt@tribunemedia.net

T

HE success of the podcast ‘Serial’ has inspired a raft of shows looking at true crime – and this week we start off by looking at a show that takes the investigative format of ‘Serial’ and applies it to a very different case – ‘Missing Richard Simmons’.

Richard Simmons is one of those celebrities you might be familiar if you watch a lot of talk shows and daytime TV. He was a regular on Letterman, would show up alongside Ellen, guest starred as himself in General Hospital, and more. He was loud, exuberant, enthusiastic and an evangelist for fitness and exercise.

He’s the guy who would tell people to hug themselves at the end of their yoga sessions. And then he went missing.

Simmons had his own gym, Slimmons, in Los Angeles, and would lead sessions for a host of customers. But one day, despite being the kind of guy to ring and check on his customers if they missed a session, he just stopped showing up.

Among the customers using the gym was the host of this podcast, Dan Taberski, and he launched this podcast to find out what had happened to Simmons. There’s no indication of foul play, no hint that Simmons is anywhere other than inside his house, but the show seeks to know why such a gregarious character could suddenly withdraw from the life he seemed to embrace so vividly.

Taberski sets about talking to the people who know Simmons – and building up a picture of a man who would reach out to others for no reason other than because he wanted to. But here’s the thing... it all feels a little like stalking. Simmons isn’t really missing, he’s just missed. In the past week, police officers – spurred by one claim in the show that Simmons might be being held captive – went and knocked on the door, and came away saying he’s just fine, and that “right now he’s doing what he wants to do”.

This podcast has rocketed to the top of the charts on the basis of this investigation of a missing man who isn’t

missing. It’s immaculately produced, expertly researched... but is it really anyone else’s business? And is it helping Simmons, whatever he’s up to, behind the closed doors of his LA home.

Website: https://www.missingrichardsimmons.com/

The Vanished A show looking more squarely at the issue of missing people is ‘The Vanished’ – and it’s a powerful, painful show to listen to. The episode I listened to focused on the case of Mimi Lewis, who was just 14 years old when she disappeared from her home in Kosciusko, Mississippi.

She was later found dead, and those are just the bare facts of a story that touches on a host of issues of law enforcement, child protection – even the language we use – that end up stacked against the young people who find themselves in impossible situations.

The show features a long discussion with Sandye Roberts, of Halos Investigations, a group that aims to help children in danger of going missing.

They talk first of all about how the label of runaway gets too easily applied – as if the missing child is just off on a Huckleberry Finn style adventure instead of at risk from predators, smuggler and more.In the Mimi Lewis case, it appears the police simply didn’t investigate. She was just a runaway. And then she was dead.Roberts highlights the risks that children face – increasingly.

From websites that trade in children’s bodies to smugglers that turn towards trafficking in people rather than drugs because they can sell people’s bodies more than once, it’s a horrific, harrrowing tale – and it’s one that’s all too common, as common as the chat software on the games that children play.Website: www.thevanishedpodcast. com

Generation Why Turning to other crimes, ‘Generation Why’ is a podcast in which hosts Aaron and Justin chat about unsolved murders, conspiracies, true crimes and more.The latest episode focuses on Harold Henthorn, a man who went on a hike with his wife, Toni, in the Rocky Mountains to celebrate their anniver-

The ‘Missing Richard Simmons’ podcast has found success by following the popular ‘Serial’ format and applying it to the world of celebrity. sary – a trip that ended with Toni falling from a cliff to her death.

The show goes over the build-up to the trip, and spends a lengthy amount of time playing the 911 call made by Henthorn as he called for park rangers to come to their aid after Toni’s fall, begging for a helicopter to come and collect them. But it was to no avail, and Toni died there at the bottom of that cliff.

And then the investigation started to put a different story together from the one that Henthorn was telling.

From the phone he claimed had low battery which limited communication but which was used extensively at the time of the death, to the lack of efforts to keep Toni alive noticed by rangers when they arrived, and then the key pieces of evidence – the life insurance policy Henthorn had taken out on Toni.

And the map in his glove compartment marked with an X at the spot where

Toni died.The hosts recount all this before revealing the other evidence that saw Henthorn jailed – the death of his previous wife in another accident, crushed under a car as they tried to change a tyre, and the sizeable life insurance policy that he had on her too.

It’s a grim story, but the way it’s told is mixed – the hosts leave some big holes unexplained, such as saying how friends of Toni thought her husband was controlling but then not offering anything to support that, and saying how Henthorn was a meticulous planner – yet by the end of the same sentence in which they say that ending up pointing out how he couldn’t explain why there was an X on a map showing the scene of the death.Still, they don’t pretend to be professional analysts – and this is a thought-provoking show.

Website: http://thegenerationwhypodcast.com

The Tribune | Weekend | 19

Friday, March 17, 2017

film

Hollywood stars attend Nassau acting workshop

A

ctor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover (“Lethal Weapon”, “The Colour Purple”) will be visiting the Bahamas to participate in a special acting master class for students.

Hosted by the Bahamas Artist Movement (BAM), the Celebrity Master Class Workshop Series will also feature Oscar-nominated actress Margaret Avery (“The Colour Purple”), producer Michele Rashida-Turner, jazz musician Charmaine Neville and Bahamian actor/producer Jeffrey Poitier (“Underground”).

Called ‘The Dream Project’, the workshop will be hosted annually in the Bahamas. This year’s event kicks off on Saturday, with workshop sessions starting on Monday for Nassau students and on Thursday for Eleuthera students.

During the course of one year, more than 100 students, ages 10 and up, will have the life-changing opportunity to

not only be exposed to the top people in some of the most creative industries.

“Thirty ‘Jedi’ will train over 120 ‘Padawan’, if you will,” said Rowena Poitier-Sutherland, CEO of BAM. “Many celebrities from all walks of the industry have expressed their excitement and commitment to our cause.

A vision, strategy and timeline was created. A mandate arose. It became apparent, that with the abundance of talented creativity in the Bahamas, a new generation of technical cadets may very well become fully equipped and ready to enter the industry at the international level. A new generation of filmmakers, writers, directors, producers, stage managers, actors, musicians, singers, dancers and performers with all the tools needed to truly effect positive movement in the film and theatre industry worldwide.”

Three students will be selected for a full scholarship to Relativity School of Performing Arts, Los Angeles.

Art and adventure feature in Spring Break Film Series During this Saturday’s Spring Break Film Series on Junkanoo Beach, viewers will get the chance to explore the lives of some of the Bahamas’ most prominent artists. They will also go on a treasure hunt with Matthew McConaughey and bask in familial love as seen through the lens of an awardwinning Indian filmmaker.

Hosted by the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) organisation, the event 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

“The way we consume media has changed, and that changes what we as consumers consider relevant,” said Mrs Poitier-Sutherland. “Through both the invention of the internet and the (march) of progress, every nation’s tiny world is growing. BAM aims to assist the Bahamas in riding the worldwide explosion of technological advancement in creative industries, by significantly increasing access to creative education and training at a world-class level.

BAM will achieve this by introducing its network of industry professionals to the Bahamas’ future – the youth.”

Mrs Poitier-Sutherland said there is a huge percentage of creative young persons in the Bahamas who will now have the opportunity via BAM to see a tangible viability in doing that which they love as a career.

“Thanks to early exposure to these creative industries, in as soon as 14 months we can look forward to an

Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in “Fool’s Gold”.

provided by Insight Stage, Club One, Hushh Silent Events, and complimentary 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; $12 at the gate.

The Spring Break Film Series will show movies with a Bahamian connec-

tion every Wednesday and Saturday until April 1.

This Saturday’s features include the short film “The Wish” by Vijay Subramanian, the documentary “Artists of The Bahamas” by Karen Arthur, and the adventure-romance “Fool’s Gold”, which was filmed partially in the Bahamas.

“Artists of the Bahamas” is a documentary film that explores the lives and works of Amos Ferguson, Kendal Han-

Hollywood veteran Danny Glover increased number of film and theatre advocates working within the Bahamas, in addition to an increased number of world-class projects executed on Bahamian soil, assisting in the development of an internationally respected film, television, multimedia and theatre industry here in the Bahamas,” she said.

“We are excited about the prospect of this and future events through BAM, and will partner with Jeffrey Poitier of Poitier Productions to realise this vision.”

A workshop in the near future is expected to feature actress Sandra Bullock (“The Blind Side”, “Gravity”). na, Max Taylor, Brent Malone, Dave Smith, Eddie Minnis, Stan Burnside, Jackson Burnside, Antonius Roberts, John Beadle, and John Cox – key visual artists whose talents contributed to the initial art movement in the Bahamas.

Interviews, still photos and archive footage are inter-cut with images of the artists’ works and we learn about the creative process that goes into their paintings, woodcuts, sculptures and installations. The documentary concludes with the vibrant energy of Junkanoo.

“Fool’s Gold” stars Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson as a recently divorced couple who rekindle their romance while searching for a sunken Spanish galleon, the Aurelia, which was lost in Bahamian seas.

On Wednesday, March 22, the films “Island Dreams” by Toby Wosskow, “Into The Blue” starring Jessica Alba and the late Paul Walker, and “Bahamian Son” by Andrew Melby will be screened.

For more information and the full movie schedule, visit Bintlfilmfest.com or BIFF’s Facebook page.

20| The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

film

‘Beauty and the Beast’ aims to enchant a new generation

I

n 1991, Disney struck gold with “Beauty and the Beast.” The film enchanted audiences and critics alike, and raked in several hundred million dollars along the way, but also upended expectations of what an animated film could be.

Not only did the New York Times theater critic controversially call it the best Broadway musical score of the year (spurring an actual Broadway show three years later), it also was the first-ever animated film to be nominated for a best picture Oscar.

Over a quarter century later, the legacy endures but times have changed, and there’s a new “Beauty and the Beast” on the block. Out March 17, the film is a lavish live-action reimagining of the “tale as old as time” with state-of-the-art CG splendor, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s classic songs and score (and a few new tunes with Tim Rice), and a modern social consciousness.

The film stars “Harry Potter’s” Emma Watson as the bookish heroine Belle, who yearns for adventure outside of the confines of her “small provincial town” and “Downton Abbey” alum Dan Stevens as the cursed and cold Beast. Their supporting cast is a coterie of veterans, including Kevin Kline (Maurice), Emma Thompson (Mrs Potts), Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), Audra McDonald (Madame Garderobe), Stanley Tucci (Maestro Cadenza) and Ewan McGregor (Lumiere).

That Disney’s specific vision for “Beauty and the Beast” has lived on is no surprise, and its 13-year run on Broadway helped keep it in the cultural consciousness.

“It’s genuinely romantic, a genuinely beautiful story,” Menken said of its lasting appeal.

And then there’s the nostalgia aspect.

For many (including the cast), this was a seminal childhood film.

Luke Evans (Gaston) saw it when he was 12, Josh Gad (LeFou) when he was 10, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Plumette) when she was 8. Suffice it to say, they all knew the lyrics to the songs before they were cast.

As Beauty and the Beast, Emma Watson and Dan Stevens enjoy a romance ‘as old as time’.

Belle enjoys the Beast’s lavish library.

The remake is also part of the Walt Disney Company’s ongoing strategy to mine their vaults for animated fare worthy of live-action re-creations. “Mulan,” ‘’The Little Mermaid,” ‘’Aladdin” and “The Lion King” are just a few already in the works.

But that doesn’t mean there weren’t worthy updates to be made in “Beauty and the Beast.” Director Bill Condon (“Dreamgirls”) delighted in rooting the story in a specific time and place — 1740 France — and adorning every last corner of the production with Rococo and Baroque details.

Technology advances allowed the production to render household objects that look believable when brought to life. The Beast’s look, meanwhile, was achieved by combining performance

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

Friday, March 17, 2017

Luke Evans as the arrogant hunter Gaston.

Dan Stevens, formerly Cousin Matthew on ‘Downton Abbey’, is transformed into Disney’s Beast.

Kevin Kline plays Belle’s father Maurice, a music box maker.

capture and MOVA, a facial capture system, meaning Stevens throughout production walked on stilts and sported a prosthetic muscle suit with a gray body suit on top. (Yes, he danced in this getup).

The characters are more fleshed out as well. The Beast gets a backstory. As does Belle, whose independence looked refreshingly radical in ‘91 and goes even further here.

“She’s a 21st century Disney princess. She’s not just a pretty girl in a dress,” Evans said. “She’s fearless and needs no one to validate her.”

That the woman behind the character is also the UN women’s goodwill ambassador only adds to its resonance.

“I think Emma’s an incredible role model for young girls, as somebody who has two daughters but also has a young son who I want to grow up with these values instilled,” Stevens said.

And, in a tribute to Ashman, who died of complications relating to AIDS at age 40 before the ‘91 film came out, the production even unearthed forgotten lyrics from his notes, which they’ve added to two songs in the new film — “Gaston” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

While many of the beats, and even lines, remain the same as in ‘91, the world looks more diverse from the very first shots. Faces of all races can be seen both in the grand castle and the country town. “(Condon) wanted to make a film that was resonant for 2017, that represents the world as it is today,” said

Mbatha-Raw. Much has been made, too, of LeFou’s subtle “gay moment,” which put the internet in a tizzy far ahead of anyone actually seeing the film. On one side, GLAAD was applauding, on the other, a Facebook page apparently belonging to the Henagar Drive-In Theatre in Henagar, Alabama, announced that it would not be showing the film.

Many in the production have backed away from the topic entirely.

“To define LeFou as gay ... nobody who sees the movie could define it that way. He’s enthralled with Gaston,” Menken said. “I’m happy that LeFou is getting so much attention. But I pray that this stupid topic goes away because it’s just not relevant with any respect to the story. Even the one moment that’s being discussed is just a silly little wink.

It’s nothing.”

For his part, Gad thinks it’s been “overblown,” too, and that the story is more about “inclusiveness” and not judging a book by its cover.

“It’s a story with a lot of wonderful messages, and, really once you watch the film, anyone who is wondering what it’s all about will understand that it’s a beautiful story, inclusive of everyone.

It’s a legacy that I’m proud to be part of,” Evans added.

“But you can judge Gaston by his cover,” he said with a smirk. “That’s exactly who he is.”

LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

literary lives leonard birchall

The Saviour of Ceylon Sir Christopher Ondaatje salutes the bravery of a Royal Canadian Air Force officer who warned of a Japanese attack in 1942 and changed the course of the war.

A

ir Commodore Leonard Joseph Birchall, OBE, DFC, was born in St Catherines, Ontario, Canada on July 6, 1915.

After serving in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, Birchall enrolled as a cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. He was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Air Force when he graduated in 1937 and was trained as a pilot.

At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Flying Officer Birchall flew convoy and anti-submarine patrols from Nova Scotia. Early in 1942, he joined 413 Squadron, then based in the Shetland Islands, and flew patrols over the North Sea. Following frightening Japanese successes in South East Asia

Birchall died in Kingston, Ontario in 2004 at the age of 89.

the Squadron was sent to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to provide a reconnaissance force.

On April 4, 1942, only two days after his arrival, Birchall, now a Squadron Leader, was instructed to fly a Catalina flying boat to patrol the ocean south of the island. Nine hours into his mission, as the plane was about to return to base, ships were spotted on the horizon.

Investigation revealed that it was a large Japanese fleet, including five aircraft carriers, heading for Ceylon - at that time the base for the Royal Navy’s Eastern Fleet. Birchall’s crew risked almost certain destruction but headed straight for the fleet and managed to

send out a garbled warning radio message to his base in Colombo.

Not surprisingly, the Catalina flying boat was shot down by six A6M2 Zero fighters from the Japanese carrier Hiryu. There followed the now infamous Easter Sunday raid on Ceylon, but Birchall’s warning had put the defenders on alert and allowed the Colombo harbour to be partially cleared before the Japanese attack. It was an act of extraordinary bravery.

One night early in April, 1942, I was woken by my mother in Colombo. I was nine. It must have been sometime after 10 o’clock and I was in a deep sleep.

“Get up quickly”, my mother said.

“Come on to the balcony. This is the most incredible sight you will ever see.”

And so it was. In the dark tropical night over us Japanese planes attacked Colombo and were repelled by Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter planes.

Tracer bullets whizzed above our heads and occasionally flares lit up the whole sky creating some visibility for the defending fighters. It was a ridiculously dangerous situation to which we were impervious, completely seduced by the spectacle above our incredulous heads.

This isolated Japanese night raid on Colombo has seldom been mentioned in Second World War history, but I remember it more clearly today because of an unusual wartime story which I learned about many years later.

The British were reeling from a string of disasters in South East Asia.

Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore, Borneo and much of Burma had fallen, and the Japanese army was approaching India’s eastern border. To stop this seemingly inevitable Japanese advance, whatever reinforcements available were sent to the Far East. Among them was the 413 Squadron, which was ordered to move to Ceylon. The Squadron’s four Catalina flying boats left Europe in mid-March, its ground crews followed by ship.

A new British fleet was assembled in Ceylonese waters and Admiral Sir James Somerville assumed command on March 26, 1942. A makeshift fleet of three aircraft carriers, five battleships,

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, March 17, 2017

A map of the Easter Sunday Raid (or Battle of Ceylon), an air attack by carrier-based aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy against Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1942.

Catalina flying boats based in Singapore patrolling off Malaya, 1941/ early 1942. five light cruisers and 14 destroyers was assembled, but they were old, slow, and short ranged. The two fleet carriers had only 80 aircraft between them.

Admiral Somerville knew he would be outmatched by the more powerful Japanese fleet, commanded by Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, who had led the Japanese fleet sent to Pearl Harbour a

year earlier. They had five aircraft carriers, four battleships, two heavy cruisers, one light cruiser and eight destroyers.

They also had a well-trained and powerful force with more than 300 modern combat aircraft, including the superb Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighter.

It was a dangerous situation.

Somerville estimated that the Japanese

would launch an attack on Colombo on the south-west coast and he ordered his makeshift Eastern fleet to sea on March 30 and rendezvoused 80 miles south of Ceylon. They arrived the following day, desperately needing advance information on the location of the Japanese fleet and its movements.

This responsibility was given to the six Catalina flying boats available from 413 Squadron, which arrived on April 2. As the patrols lasted until sunset, only half of the aircraft would be available each day. This meant that each of the three aircraft had to cover an agreed sector of about 15 degrees. The Royal Canadian Air Force had arrived only just in time.

With only two days’ rest, Squadron Leader Leonard Birchall was ordered into action.

Not locating the Japanese fleet during the nights of March 31 or April 1, Somerville wisely withdrew his fleet out of range. He realised that he could not keep his fleet at sea much longer as his battleships could not produce enough fresh water for their boilers. Thus, he directed the British fleet to Addu Atoll on the Maldive Islands, 600 miles south west of Ceylon.

At 4pm on April 4, Flight Lieutenant Birchall and his crew in their Catalina

flying boat sighted the Japanese fleet 360 miles from Dondra Head, the southernmost point in Ceylon. With little rest, he had not been given any opportunity to familiarise his crew with their new operational area before being ordered to join the search for the Japanese. They were scheduled to return to base after dawn on April 5.

Hour after hour the Catalina flew 150 mile-long east-west lines, spaced 50 miles apart, at an altitude of 2,000 feet over the water. While they were flying the last leg, Birchall’s navigator, Warrant Officer Onyette, the only other Canadian aboard, pointed out that if they flew an extra leg he could confirm the actual position of the Japanese by using the moon, which was then rising.

Since they were required to remain airborne until after dawn the next day, if necessary, Birchall agreed. If the Japanese had been any further to the south, or if the Catalina crew had not flown the extra leg, the Japanese fleet would have escaped detection. What happened next is best described in Birchall’s own words: “As we got close enough to identify the lead ships we knew at once what we were into - but the closer we got the more ships appeared, and so it was necessary to keep going until we could count and identify them all. By the time we did this there was very little chance left.

“All we could do was to put the nose down and go full out, about 150 knots.

We immediately coded a message and started transmission ... we were halfway through our required third transmission when a shell destroyed our wireless equipment and seriously injured the operator; we were now under constant attack. Shells set fire to our internal tanks. We managed to get the fire out and then another started, and the aircraft began to break up. Due to our low altitude it was impossible to bail out, but I got the aircraft down on the water before the tail fell off.”

The one-sided fight lasted only seven minutes. It was an incredible act of endurance and bravery. The Japanese planes strafed and sank Birchall’s Catalina. They killed two wounded survivors floating in their life jackets and the Japanese destroyer Isokase picked up the six surviving crew, including Birchall. The Japanese wanted to know if the Catalina had transmitted any report of its position and administered repeated beatings to get this information. The airmen stuck to their story

Continued on page 24

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

Continued from page 23 that they had no time to use their radio before being shot down. But then the Japanese intercepted a message from Colombo asking the Catalina to resend its report.

More beatings followed but the Japanese position and size had been revealed, and they had lost their element of surprise.

Birchall’s message galvanised the British commanders. The garrison in Colombo and the RAF units were ordered to stand-to and the Colombo harbour was cleared of warships and merchant vessels. Two destroyers, a submarine, an armed merchant cruiser, and 21 merchant ships remained in the harbour.

On April 5, Japanese carriers despatched 127 aircraft to attack Colombo.

Commander Mitsuo Fuchida led the strike force. Colombo was defended by 42 fighter aircraft - Hurricanes from the Ratmalana airport - and also by 18 heavy and 25 light anti-aircraft guns.

Despite Birchall’s warning 16 hours earlier, several valuable ships and aircraft were still on the ground. Admiral Somerville continued his search for Nagumo and the Japanese fleet in vain.

Radar should have helped him, but he must have known that one of Nagumo’s prime objectives was to annihilate the British fleet. He sensibly stayed out of contact.

He realised too that Colombo, Trincomalee and Addu Atoll were not secure bases. Three days later, on April 8, avoiding any conflict, he surprisingly sent his Force B fleet to the east coast of Africa where it could protect the sea route to the Middle East, and his Force A fleet to Bombay. The Eastern fleet did not return to Ceylon until September, 1943.

Eventually Admiral Nagumo, staying beyond Catalina range, swung around to the east coast of Ceylon and attacked Trincomalee on April 9.

However it was a disappointing raid and he returned to Japan. They had lost 17 aircraft, but none of their ships was damaged. One wonders how history might have been different if the Japanese had decided to invade Ceylon instead of just attacking it. At that time the island was extremely vulnerable and its position was crucial in the South Asian war. Eventually the British, realising this importance, sent Lord Louis Mountbatten in October, 1943, to Kandy as Supreme Allied Commander.

It was from there that he carried out strategic operations until 1946, when the war was over.

Squadron Leader Leonard Birchall aboard a Consolidated PBY Catalina before being shot down and captured near Ceylon by the Japanese.

“Birchall was singled out as being the senior officer and beaten by his captors in an effort to find out if any radio message had been sent. He steadfastly denied any such report, and resisted every cruel attempt to extract the information.”

But what happened to Squadron Leader Leonard Birchall?

He had bravely warned Ceylon of the imminent Japanese attack and almost certainly saved the island from Japanese occupation. The claim also that he had prevented a second Pearl Harbour is uncomfortably near the truth, even though Admiral Somerville had chosen to keep his Eastern fleet - the main Japanese target - out of harm’s way at Addu Atoll and not Colombo. Nevertheless, miscalculation and under-estimation had caused the loss of his two heavy cruisers Devonshire and Cornwall, still in Colombo.

One shudders to think what might have happened had there been a serious encounter with the rest of the Eastern fleet.

Birchall’s warning allowed 25 merchant ships to flee Colombo before the attack and also allowed the vulnerable Somerville and his Eastern fleet to leave harbour for Addu Atoll eight hours before Colombo was attacked.

Birchall was rightly dubbed the “Saviour of Ceylon”. Later, in a 1946 statement, Winston Churchill noted that he had “made one of the most

important single contributions to victory”. He deserved all the recognition he received.

After Birchall’s Catalina was shot down and he was rescued by the Japanese destroyer Isokase, he was singled out as being the senior officer and beaten by his captors in an effort to find out if any radio message had been sent. He steadfastly denied any such report, and resisted every cruel attempt to extract the information. The badly injured crew were put into a damp, lock-up room in which only the three worst injured could lie down.

Three days later they were transferred to the carrier Akagi, the flagship of the Japanese commander Nagumo, before being landed at Yokohama.

There they were deposited in the appalling town prison with limited supplies of food for five months. After this they were transferred to a new prisoner-of-war (POW) camp near Yokohama, where 250 Commonwealth prisoners and 75 Americans joined them. Birchall quickly instituted a strict code of discipline, and when a guard tried to force a badly wounded American to join a working party he

struck the guard. Again he was severely beaten and placed in solitary confinement, where he suffered great privation.

Birchall kept detailed diaries of POW camp life, recording deaths and maltreatment by the Japanese. He completed 22 diaries, which, if found, would certainly have led to his execution. In early 1944, Birchall and 24 prisoners were sent to another camp near Mount Fuji. Three men died of malnutrition. There Birchall organised “raiding teams” to steal fresh vegetables from local farms, which staved off hunger and further deaths. Finally, when Birchall was released on August 27, American troops took over the POW camp. Birchall stopped in Manila on his way home, where he left eight of his diaries. He left instructions on how to get the remaining 14, which he had wrapped in oilcloth and buried at one of the camps. On his return to Canada he was awarded an OBE by the British Government for “continually displaying the utmost concern for the welfare of fellow prisoners with complete disregard for his own safety”. His own flight engineer was quoted as saying, “There are many alive today who would not have survived without Birchall.”

After the war, in 1950, President Harry Truman appointed Birchall an Officer of the Legion of Merit saying, “His exploits became legendary throughout Japan and brought renewed faith and strength to many hundreds of ill and disheartened prisoners”. Birchall was a member of the American prosecuting team at the war crimes trials held in Japan. His diaries were used as evidence by the prosecution.

In 1999, Birchall was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. He was one of only two recipients to be granted a fifth clasp to the prized Canadian decoration. The other was the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Air Commodore Leonard Birchall, CM, OBE, DFC, O.Ont., CD, died on September 11, 2004, one of the bravest and least recognised Canadian war heroes.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is an adventurer and writer resident in the Bahamas. A Sri Lankan-born Canadian-Englishman, he is the author of several books, including “The Last Colonial”. He acknowledges quoting liberally from articles that appeared in The Daily Telegraph, Wikipedia and by the Rob Stuart National Defence, Canada, archive.

The Tribune | Weekend | 25

Friday, March 17, 2017

history

The tortuous journey to build Fort Montagu Forgotten facts Paul C Aranha

T

he sign above the entrance to Fort Montagu tells us that it was built by Captain Peter Henry Bruce in 1741, when John Tinker was Governor of the Bahamas. But so much is left unsaid.

Fortunately, Bruce left a written record behind him in his 446-page memoirs, the full title of which paints the picture of an adventurer: MEMOIRS OF PETER HENRY BRUCE, Esq A MILITARY OFFICER, In the SERVICES of PRUSSIA, RUSSIA and GREAT BRITAIN CONTAINING An Account of his Travels in GERMANY, RUSSIA, TARTARY, TURKEY, the WEST INDIES, &c.

AS ALSO Several very interesting private ANECDOTES of the CZAR, PETER I, of RUSSIA LONDON Printed for the AUTHOR’s WIDOW; and sold by T PAYNE, and Son, Mewsgate; and all other Booksellers.

1782 After extensive engineering feats around the Old World, Bruce retired to a small estate in Scotland, inherited from a granduncle, and embarked on a 16-year career as farmer, husband and father of a sizeable family until, on the recommendation of the Duke of Argyll, he was invited, by the Duke of Montagu, Master General of the Ordnance (what a lovely title!), to come to London, to take up a new appointment.

He would be paid 20 shillings a day to go to the Bahamas and fortify (New) Providence against possible Spanish attack.

He left for London on July 8, 1741.

This first stage of what turned out to be a very long trip took eight days. A

modern traveller can do it in a matter of hours. In London, Bruce was introduced to Tinker, the newly-appointed Governor of the Bahamas, with whom he would travel on HMS Rose, a man-of-war, commanded by Thomas Frankland.

Bruce set about procuring the things he would need for the job, but it was not until November 6 that passengers were able to board and, despite bad weather, the Rose, with seven vessels under her convoy (one of which carried supplies and recruits for the Bahamas), sailed the next day.

The Rose moved slowly through the English Channel, making several stops along the way. And on November 15, as they were sailing into Torbay, Devon, a Spanish privateer was spotted boarding an English merchant ship.

Captain Frankland gave chase, eventually capturing the intruder, but not before Tinker had a narrow escape, when one of his own pistols went off, by accident, and the ball went through the Governor’s clothes.

The Rose left Torbay on the 23rd and the next day encountered a “gale of wind and a heavy sea, which broke over the ship and occasioned a great rolling”. The following day, a violent storm forced the ship “to take in our sails, lower our top-masts and drive before

the wind”.

Having taken 20 days to cover a distance of about 250 miles, the Rose entered the Bay of Biscay on November 26 and was tossed about for several days. The crew lost sight of their convoy and, at the same time, were hit by an outbreak of distemper, which caused the death of several sailors and forced a return to England. They sailed into Falmouth on December 5. One month after first weighing anchor, the Rose was still in the English Channel!

The surgeon was among several sent ashore with distemper, but another surgeon and nine merchant seamen were ‘recruited’ and the final goodbye was said on December 17.

Despite uninterrupted bad weather, the Rose arrived at Madeira, about 450 miles off the coast of Africa, on January 5, 1741. They left on the night of January 13 and woke to find that, during that night, the captain’s French cook had jumped overboard and swum back to the island. At this point, 19 men had been lost.

On the westward passage across the Atlantic, the weather worsened and living conditions became intolerable, with burials at sea an almost daily event.

When the Rose found itself becalmed, there were six more deaths.

On February 3, a vessel flying a

Dutch flag was intercepted and boarded, the English being convinced that she was Spanish. A rich prize she would have been, but Tinker talked them out of seizing her. Months later, it became known that that she had arrived safely in Spain. A valuable prize had been allowed to slip away.

Bruce describes a “violent hurricane” on February 18 that carried away “our fore-mast sails ... our main-topmast ... our mizzen-mast”. When the storm abated, using the main-sail and some jury-masts the intrepid voyagers reached Cape Roman, northward of Charleston, South Carolina, on February 26, but it was not until March 2 that the even-further damaged Rose was able to cross the bar.

To cut a long story short, Governor Tinker persuaded the Royal Navy to assign HMS Tartar to take him and his party to the Bahamas. They left on April 10 and, after barely missing running aground on the rocky shore of Abaco, Governor Tinker and Capt Bruce crossed the bar at Nassau, on April 21, 1741.

A voyage of five and a half months to build little Fort Montagu.

• Comments and responses to islandairman@gmail.com

26 | The Tribune | Weekend

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.

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The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, March 17, 2017

animals Animal matters Kim Aranha

March madness

By The Bahamas Humane Society

GB Humane Society does it again!

pet of the week

Mistery

Jill

A

ll adult dog adoptions are $10 for the rest of the month. Get your application in today and adopt one of our lovely adult dogs. Dogs are not only great companions, they offer security in exchange for food, love and a place to sleep.

Here are some of the

‘Best in Show’ winner Jasper with owner Pamela Albury and handler Mike Albury.

Michelle available dogs for adoption. Some of them have been here since last year.

Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. The dogs look forward to meeting you soon!

• Come and see the BHS booth at the BKC

Patricia Vazquez

W

hat a remarkably friendly place Freeport is. My husband and I spent last weekend there as I had been invited by the Humane Society of Grand Bahama to judge their annual dog show.

We flew over on Friday on Bahamasair – wonderful flight – arrived a few minutes early, and as usual, we were met by the ever-smiling executive director of the HSGB, Tip Burrows.

She took us out for a lovely dinner by the sea, where there was a fresh breeze and a lovely atmosphere.

The next morning started quite early with a delicious breakfast at UNEXSO and then we headed to the HSGB Shelter grounds where the dog show is held every year – so well organised and really well attended.

I had 16 classes to judge and enjoyed each one tremendously. The dogs were beautiful and friendly, and their owners were a lovely bunch of people.

My favourite classes are always ‘Potcake’, ‘Senior’ and ‘Best in Show’, but all the dogs were pretty super and there were some wonderful kids showing their fur friends.

I was particularly taken by the determination of Elliot Francolla, whose beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer Blueberry declined to do a few tricks at first, but after they went off and had some quiet time they came back and did very nicely indeed – a great display of determination and understanding of her dog.

Elliot is no stranger to the ring, having won the ‘Best Trick’ class in 2016.

The ‘Senior’ class had four delightful seniors. But Harley, at ten and a half years old, won and was as sprightly and active as a teenager trying to get a hold of the photographer’s squeaky toy.

Harley, owned by Stephanie Jurgens, is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a poodle and this was his second

Dreamgirl Dog Show this weekend, and join us for the BHS Mini Fun Day on the Sunday. Waggiest Tail, Best Kisser and more awards will be handed out. The Dog Show will be held at Clifford Park, 9am to 2pm on both days. Proceeds from the Mini Fun Day and part proceeds of Sunday’s gate fees will go

time in the Senior’s winner circle.

The ‘Potcake’ class has quite a few entries, but was dominated by a very spunky short-haired tricolour potcake called Ginny, owned by Judy and Bed Rose. Ginny was quite the performer, with a keen smile the entire time she paraded around the ring.

Halfway through the show there was an interval where thy served the most delicious Rotary Club hamburgers, and Prosecco was also available.

How very civilised is that?

Their ‘flea market’ (pun intended) was huge and held many treasures that my husband and I have brought home to Nassau with us.

As the day wore on, it got a little hotter and we all got a little more tired. But we were sustained by the promise of the exciting final class: Best in Show.

Now you must keep in mind that the HSGB dog show is a fun show, a dog show that gives all dogs and their owners a chance at a wonderful

to the BHS. Also, pull out those hippy outfits! The BHS Flower Power Party is back on Saturday, April 29, 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.

day with their pet or pets, and some very healthy competition. In judging, many things are taken into consideration, including but not restricted to, the looks of the animal, his connection with the owners, his demeanour, his story and his personality. With 15 fantastic dogs to choose from I was really put to the test.

After much looking, talking and walking around the ring, Jasper, a Mastiff-Labrador mix owned by Pamela Roberts, won. A handsome, gentle and happy dog was he! He accepted his Best in Show (all 140lbs of him) with controlled pleasure bestowing on the judge (me) a huge and sloppy kiss.

It is always sad to say goodbye to Freeport after such a stellar weekend with family and friends. It was a very well-organised, well-attended and successful event, I would say! Happy to put Grand Bahama on notice, if they want me back next year, I’m all theirs.

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, March 17, 2017

Spring cuttings The Bahamas may not have a distinct Spring season which calls for the start of planting, but Jack Hardy says it is still a good time to make cuttings for growing new plants by the Fall.

time to make cuttings of existing plants.

Spring cuttings develop good root systems by the time summer gets really vicious, and by the time cooler weather arrives in October they are fully independent and can take whatever nature throws at them – high category hurricanes excepted, of course.

To appreciate what our cuttings need in the way of encouragement we should consider the plant they come from.

Flowering shrubs are the prime candidates for propagation from cuttings and if you cut a random twig or small branch from a shrub you can examine its features. Look at the cut end and you will see brown bark covering a very thin green layer, then the whitish wood that gives the plant structure. The bark is essentially dead material and is made from spent material in the thin green layer. The woody centre is also dead material. All that is living in the twig is that green layer between the wood and the bark. Actually it is several layers – xylem, phloem and others – and if you stand back and study your shrub that you cut the twig from you will get an idea of how little of the shrub is living material. Then look at a massive tree

S

pring officially begins this coming Monday but has been in the air for quite some time now.

In countries where the seasons are far more clearly delineated than in the Bahamas there is often a single day that declares spring is here: a drone of insect life, masses of butterflies, birds collecting twigs, flowers erupting everywhere, warmth in the sunshine, and a heady feeling of good change.

Spring is the time of renewed life and plants share in the process. Old folks used to say the sap was rising, a sign that plants were waking up after winter and pushing out new shoots.

Our Bahamian microclimate is such that we do not have to sow seeds at the beginning of spring, but it is the best

Plant your cuttings in moist pots.

and ponder.

The twig in your hand may have side branches and you will also see raised bumps along the length of the twig called growth nodes. Any side branch on your twig would have come from a growth node and any future growth will come from the other nodes – or would have done if you had not cut the twig from the shrub. Throw it down; it will die.

Now for a cutting from the shrub that will not die, hopefully. We need to protect that green layer so we select a branch low down that has thick bark.

Make the cut at a 45 degree angle about a quarter inch below a growth node.

Use sharp by-pass shears or pruners or secateurs because anvil type cutters crush and harm the cutting. There is no need for a cutting to be longer than 10 inches so make the next cut flat across about quarter of an inch above a growth node at about the 10 inch mark.

Why does a cigar have a blunt end?

To let you know which end to smoke.

Why does our cutting have a pointed end? Not just to let us know which end goes into the ground but to increase the area of green tissue that will be involved in making our cutting an independent plant. Look at both ends of the cuttings. The length of the oval green loop at the bottom is about twice as long as the circular loop at the top.

The beautiful thing about growth nodes is that those above ground

produce new branches and leaves while those that are below ground produce a root system. Even though we have a sharp end we should resist the temptation to shove it into the ground and again bruise the tissue. Loosen the potting mix in a three-gallon pot and make a hole four inches deep. Put in the cutting and firm the soil around it: four inches buried, six inches above ground. What about rooting hormone?

If you are making cuttings in spring you will not need rooting hormone; your cuttings will take just fine. If you have to make a cutting at a less propitious time of year then rooting hormone may be helpful.

Some gardeners like to leave any growth on the cutting in place, but I prefer to strip the cutting completely.

That lets me know where I am. A side branch with leaves will be affected by the wind and cause the end of the cutting in the soil to move about very slightly. Roots are one of the toughest parts of a plant but new roots are extremely delicate.

Keep your pot evenly moist without making it too wet. A little water frequently is better than a drenching then a drying out, the method we use for many flowering plants in pots. Except for watering we must learn to ignore our cuttings. The rooting takes place underground and will make itself manifest by producing new foliage in time.

We should allow six months from the time we put the cutting into a pot to the time we transplant it into the ground.

Once the days have really warmed up we should transfer our cuttings to a fairly shaded area, one where the pots containing cuttings sit in perpetual dappled shade or are in deep shade during the afternoon. If we baby our cuttings too much they will have to go through a hardening stage before going into the ground and receiving full sun all day long.

Most potting soils contain nutrients sufficient to look after the cuttings’ needs until shoots appear. At this time we can sprinkle the surface of the soil in the pot with a time-release fertilizer such as Osmocote. When it comes to feeding a developing cutting err on the side of too little rather than too much.

Different cuttings take different times to develop. Hibiscus and rose cuttings are fast; bougainvillea seems to take forever. Patience, patience, patience…

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