Friday, May 22, 2020
Weekend
art books entertainment film fashion travel history puzzles animals FORMAL FACE MASKS Page 7
Adjust your focus
Photojournalist brings beauty of nature to the forefront
pg 28
02 | The Tribune | Weekend
photography
A Rose-Coloured Lens In full silhouette
B
EAUTY is all around us in the Bahamas, on land and in the sea. But many of us are too busy with everyday life to pause and really see and enjoy the astonishing sights that surround us. Veteran photographer ROLAND ROSE captures both the ordinary and extraordinary and puts it in frame for us so we can see our environment in a new light. In the late 1940s and early ‘50s, the Development Board used the ‘Isles of June’ slogan to restart tourism in the Bahamas; designed to take advantage of the flowering of the hundreds of Poinciana trees on New Providence and all the Out Islands during this month. (From top left clockwise) From top left clockwise: Harbour Bay; Lyford Cay; mini tree at Lake Cunningham; Tedder Close, Palmdale; Poinciana Beach; public dock, Harbour Island.
Friday, May 22, 2020
The Tribune | Weekend | 03
Friday, May 22, 2020
Inside Weekend
MY PERFECT BAHAMIAN QUARANTINE ANTONIA HEPBURN Executive assistant Q: What items are in your quarantine shopping cart?
2 Photograph
The beauty of The Bahamas
4-5 Interview
Style maker Demetria Cox Moss
7 Fashion
Face masks with flair
8-9 Music
Soca singer ready for big time
10 Gardening
Keep a productive summer garden
11 Travel
Time for a staycation
“Chicken breasts, ground turkey, tuna and the entire produce section. Quarantine helped my diet for the better.”
Q: What shows or movies will you be binge-watching? “I am currently binge-watching ‘Glee’.”
Q: If you could choose to be quarantined with a celebrity, who would it be? “I would want to be quarantined with the Queen Bee – Beyoncé! I’m sure there is never a dull moment in her life and there would be lots to do while in her house.”
12 Music
Q: What do you miss most having to practice social distancing?
13 Crafts
“I miss being able to go out for dinner and drinks with my family and friends, and oh gosh, going to Zumba class.”
Rolle hopes show will go on Mothers and daughters bond over crafts
14-15 Photography 16 Art
Q: If you had to be stuck somewhere other than your house, where would it be?
17 Film
“If I had to be quarantined anywhere else other than home I would definitely be in Atlanta, Georgia.”
Serving up lockdown looks Hurricane survivor finds digital inspiration A night gone very wrong in The Lovebirds
18 Entertainment Awards to continue
19 Entertainment
Top 10 on Netflix in The Bahamas
20 Books
New releases this week
21 Books
New Hunger Games novel debuts online
22 Books
Science fiction good for young readers
23 History
Ted Pyfrom’s ‘shooters’
24-25 Literary Lives Nat King Cole
26 Puzzles 27 Animals
Meet Bella the diva
28 Photography
Inspiration in quiet of lockdown
THIS WEEKEND IN HISTORY May 22
•In 1761, the first American life insurance policy was issued in Philadelphia to a Rev Francis Allison, whose premium was six pounds per year. • In 1813, composer Richard Wagner (“Ride of the Valkyries”) was born in Leipzig, Germany. • In 1960, an earthquake of magnitude 9.5, the strongest ever measured, struck southern Chile, claiming some 1,655 lives. Today’s birthdays: Model Naomi Campbell is 50. Actress Ginnifer Goodwin is 42.
Actress Maggie Q is 41. Tennis player Novak Djokovic is 33.
May 23
• In 1934, bank robbers Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were shot to death in a police ambush in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. • In 1945, Nazi official Heinrich Himmler committed suicide by biting into a cyanide capsule while in British custody in Luneburg, Germany. • In 1984, the now classic “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” starring Harrison Ford, was released by Paramount Pictures. Today’s birthdays: Actress Joan Collins is 87. Actorcomedian-game show host Drew Carey is 62. Singer Jewel is 46. Game show champion
Ken Jennings is 46.
May 24
• In 1941, the German battleship Bismarck sank the British battle cruiser HMS Hood in the North Atlantic, killing all but three of the 1,418 men on board. • In 1961, a group of Freedom Riders was arrested after arriving at a bus terminal in Jackson, Mississippi, charged with breaching the peace for entering white-designated areas. (They ended up serving 60 days in jail.) • In 1976, Britain and France opened trans-Atlantic Concorde supersonic transport service to Washington. - The Associated Press
04 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
interview
Demetria Cox Moss She has created flower arrangements for basketball star Shaquille O’Neal and had work featured in international magazines. Now, she tells Cara Hunt how she wants to help Bahamians beautify their homes while they’re stuck indoors during the current pandemic.
W
ITH the country’s mandatory curfews still in full effect, people are spending more time than ever in their homes. And many are using that time to do some DIY home improvement projects to make confinement a little easier. This week, Tribune Weekend spoke with Demetria Cox Moss, a style maker and owner of Pineapples and PowerTools, to discuss how surrounding yourself with beauty can really make a difference in making your house a home. “I’d say stay true to your own personal style and likes. I don’t think there is any right or wrong when it comes to putting your personal touch on your own space. Try to think outside of the box when creating that vibe. “Flowers provide a cheerful ambiance for a space, and now more than ever we need more of that surrounding us, considering what is going on in the world with this pandemic and the fact that this is the most time we have all ever been inside of our homes. So why not make a beautiful space?” Demetria launched her design career during another period of life when she found herself with extra time. “I first got interested in design when I became a stay-at-home mom and started having free time to craft. As a lover of all things pretty, I wanted my home to be well styled without needing a high-end budget. So I took to Pinterest and began experimenting with making my own items,” she said. The realisation that this could become a source of income and a career came when her friends started asking her to help them plan and create their décor for events. “They actually wanted to pay me,” she said. “I started in events first and through planning I started appreciating the role of flowers in transforming a space. I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. I think what pushed me forward was having a crisis happen at an event where the florist nearly gave me a heart attack when it wasn’t what the client wanted. At that time I wasn’t equipped to fix the situation and that pushed me into wanting to learn a little so I would be prepared for any future crisis that would arise. I remember begging to work in a particular floral
store for free just to be able to learn. I’ve since fallen in love with designing.” Her career has since taken off, not just locally, but she is also now beginning to make a name for herself internationally as well. Her first “wow, I made it moments” came when she designed an arrangement for basketball star Shaquille O’Neil and the first time her work was featured in an international magazine and website. Demetria has been nicknamed “the Bahamian Martha Stewart” because of her varied design interests as an event planner, florist and crafter. She is a huge fan of the American style guru, and when asked which celebrity she would most love to design a gift for, Martha Stewart is the first person on her list. “The first person that pops in mind is Martha Stewart. She isn’t a floral designer, but she definitely has an eye for the creative process and she is such an all-around person who continues to reinvent herself, and I love that because I kinda think of myself as a ‘Jill of all trades’ as well, so it would be an honour to create an arrangement for her.” Demetria recently rebranded her company to Pineapples and PowerTools. “I absolutely love the Pineapples image; the vibrant and striking shape that always screams tropical to me and the symbolism
The Tribune | Weekend | 05
Friday, May 22, 2020
“Flowers provide a cheerful ambiance for a space, and now more than ever we need more of that surrounding us...”
behind it that represents welcome, good cheer, warmth and friendship. “In regard to the PowerTools, my dad is a carpenter and in recent years I’ve developed a longing for wanting to build and create...I hope to one day be bomb at using all power tools and being able to build whatever I want,” she said. And she also finds inspiration in a variety of different sources. “Outside of being inspired by the top in the industry and keeping up with trends...I’m inspired by the vessel I’m creating in and the shapes and movements of the flowers I’m using, and that pretty much guides me into creating my designs,” she explained.
“I actually don’t have a favourite flower yet. I love them all and I’ve still yet to work with so many other types of flowers, so I’m still searching for my all-time fave.” Looking ahead, Demetria wants to expand her services and do her part to make life as beautiful as it can be for her clients. “I think P & P will always be everevolving, because as a creative I like to explore different avenues to express my creativity. I have a lot of new things coming up that will take Pineapples and Powertools into some exciting directions,; stay tuned,” she said.
06 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
The Tribune | Weekend | 07
Friday, May 22, 2020
fashion
Face masks get fancy
(Photos/Shawn Hanna) Designs by Remilda Rose
By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
I
t’s a fact that face masks are here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. And for creative fashionistas they have now become a staple in their everyday street style. With this being the new reality that Bahamians are living, local designer Gillian Curry-Williams has decided to launch a new collection of face masks under her Remilda Rose brand. What makes these masks different from all the other colourful masks with fun prints that designers are making, is that these are designed to be worn with formal wear. Mrs Curry-Williams, who has been a designer for 40 years, believes in keeping her brand on-trend and staying on the cutting edge of fashion, and that means embracing face masks as well. Even though the country has not yet been fully reopened, she knows the time is coming when people will need fancy masks for special occasions. “We are putting this under ‘The Queen Esther’ collection. Queen Esther was a queen from the Bible, and she had to prepare
herself (to meet the king),’ she said. Mrs Curry-Williams said the new face masks differ greatly from the first set launched by the Remilda Rose brand back in April which were shipped oversees to aid medical professionals at several US hospitals. These new designs, she said, are for Bahamians who don’t just want a mask, but a fashion accessory for formal occasions like attending church. “Our new creationsare sleeker and more sophisticated. It is foldable mask, and when people see it they will wonder if it can fit on your face, but it can. It can fit in the palm of your hand. And there are so many fabrics you can make it out of. We are adding embellishments to it like a big flower or rhinestones and crystals. And the mask just has the look of sophistication or dapperness for men,” the designer said. “Remilda Rose has always been about class and sophistication, whether for men or women. We want to translate that to these face masks. They, too, will be done with simplicity and elegance. It
will be a statement piece on its own.” Some of the first designs which will be released, she said, are masks that a bride can wear and ones that take everyday fashion up several notches. “It has a clean look about it. A lot of people are wearing masks with logos on it, but I personally do not like the idea of wearing a mask with a logo on it,” she said. The designer said the brand has taken things a step further by making blouses and dresses to match the face masks. “We don’t know how long this will (go on); we know it will be here for some time,” she said. And Mrs Curry-Williams said she loves pairing masks with a matching blouse. “I went out the other day and I had on a top with that matched the mask. The mask was a cotton one, but my look just had this subtle elegance about it. And people have complimented me and said how they really liked it. As a designer I must wear my items and sell them,” she said.
08 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
music
Bahamian soca singer prepares for the big time
A
S A TRUE lover of soca music, it was only right for singer-songwriter Jayme C to make her debut with a bold ‘fetetastic’ song called “Right There”. Known to Bahamians as the voice (and songwriter) behind Aliv’s ‘Believe in Best’ jingle, the singer is now also working with big names in the industry, including soca megastar Mr Killa, and hopes to have the work from that collaboration released soon. In the meantime, however, she is taking the Bahamas by storm with her new solo track. “In a lot of soca songs we hear men talking about wanting to wine with women and pursuing them, but come on it’s 2020, and women are just as confident and bold as men,” the singer told Tribune Weekend. “ ‘Right There’ is the story of a woman who has one dance with a guy at a fete but wanting more of him afterwards. It’s pretty intense. I fete a lot and I love everything it makes me feel. I wanted that feeling to translate into song and it did, perfectly.” From the first time she heard the beat to ‘Right There’ in a New York City recording studio, Jayme knew she had something special on her hands. “I wanted it to be, of course, from a woman’s perspective, but a confident and bold Bahamian woman’s perspective. I wanted to make sure you could hear my dialect and I made sure to use Bahamian slang and things we can reference, like ‘tingum and the Shell Saxon Superstars and a bit more you have to listen to pick up on. I worked with some pretty talented writers on this piece - Julien Believe and Drew Harmony. We didn’t know if we wanted to name the song ‘Wine on Me’ or ‘Right There’ after we were done with it, but
Jayme C goes from feeling ‘Aliv’ to writing for the genre’s megastars By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net
I guess eventually I chose ‘Right There’. It made the most sense at the time,” she said. And although this is her solo debut single, Jayme is no stranger to music. Both her father and late grandmother had the gift of song. Jayme said her grandmother sang in at least four choirs, and she considers her dad one of the best rappers she has ever heard. “My musical journey began in 2013 when I started working with a few artists including Travie Bowe,
“I really want people to hear my music and feel it...When I hear certain music, I feel everything that the artist was feeling. There are certain songs where I go, ‘Wow, I wish I wrote this’, and I want people to feel the same way.” Twindem, Foots and Miguel Davis and producers like Tevin Wilkinson and Rashad ‘Shaddy Einstein’ McPhee. At that time, I was known as J’me and was doing predominantly R&B, neo soul and features on rap. Some people know me from ‘Baby Boy’ featuring Twindem and ‘Future Bae’, where I featured again with Twindem - my best friends. In 2018, I wrote and sang Aliv’s jingle ‘Believe in Best’, which you hear at the end of most Aliv commercials and when you’re put on hold. I have been working on some other things recently with some big names
The Tribune | Weekend |09
Friday, May 22, 2020 and I cannot wait to roll those out. Last year, I was able to secure writing credits for Machel Montano, Skinny Fabulous, Alison Hinds and a few others through the song ‘I Believe in You’ by Julien Believe,” the singer said. Most recently, Jayme was honoured to be chosen as the writer for soca megastar Mr Killa. Impressed with her song portfolio, the Grenadian artist flew her over to Atlanta last November, just a few days after meeting her here in New Providence for a hurricane relief concert. “They heard me sing and saw what I had written and brought me down to work on some music that will be released soon. I wrote as well as sang, so I’m so excited for those to come out. It was literally a breathtaking experience, and truth be told, it is one of the doors that opened for me that inspired me to take music seriously again after years of only focusing on my career,” said Jayme. For the release of ‘Right There’, Jayme said her friends and supporters did not let her down. They downloaded the song, shared it, and took videos of themselves dancing to the track. “It was all incredible. I cried the night of my release. If you’ve been on social media for the last few days, you’ll have seen ‘Right There’ has been a movement and I am honestly so grateful to the Most High for blessing me with these beautiful people and allowing them to show me love on this,” she said. “Everyone seems to love it and I’m so happy to share my work with the world. I’ve had two thumbs downs on YouTube, but that doesn’t compare to the 293 thumbs up, right?”
Jayme knew 2020 was going to be the year she took her music career to the next level, but then the COVID-19 outbreak happened. “It took me some time to just come to grips that it was obviously for a reason, but I didn’t stop pushing and my team kept pushing me as well, especially my manager. So right now, I’m still pushing people to download and stream the song and I have a few Instagram live performances coming up. So while I can’t do what my team had planned this carnival season, we are still working it out,” she said. “Maybe all of this time of social distancing was to give us time to perfect our craft. My advice is to take advantage, collaborate, and not be afraid to seek advice and take it one day at a time.” A music video for ‘Right There’ is also in the works, and Jayme said fans can expect it to be fun, playful, and of course as Bahamian as it gets. “I really want people to hear my music and feel it; that’s it. When I hear certain music, I feel everything that the artist was feeling. There are certain songs where I go, ‘Wow, I wish I wrote this’, and I want people to feel the same way. I want them to feel inspired. I want them to feel the music, and of course I want them to feel some sort of Bahamian pride. I also have another song I also recorded in New York that I plan to release,” she said. Jayme’s new song can be found on all streaming platforms under “Jayme C”, including Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Google Play Music and YouTube.
10 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
gardening
It is possible to keep a productive Summer garden
I
By Adam Boorman
T IS VERY impressive to me to see the massive push towards backyard farming and gardening. That it has taken a global pandemic to spurn it on is another topic, but it is refreshing to see nonetheless. Now that we have arrived at this point many folks have invested lots of time, effort, and resources to create, rectify, or increase their stock of edible plants, vegetables and fruit trees. The timing of the entire event has left us here in the Bahamas smack bam on Summer’s doorstep though, and that is going to be the cause of
OKINAWA spinach
30 SALE %
OFF
THIRSTY FOR SAVINGS?
Use Promo Code
‘SAVE30’ * Limited time offer.
at tampico242.com
some failures and disappointments. Broccoli and cauliflower are going to bolt very quickly, lettuce will get tough and bitter in too much sun (find a cool spot!), and many tomatos and cucumbers will not react kindly to the warmer evenings and the increased humidity. During any typical year at our nursery, we are finished with most leafy edibles by now as many of them become a handful to deal with at the growing and retail level, let alone the finishing stages. Do not despair! There are options. Enter longevity spinach and it’s cousin Okinawa spinach. Botanically these two are not related to spinach as we know it from the grocery store, and in their binomial, botanical name they are known as Gynura procumbens and Gynura crepioides, respectively. Both are native to Indonesia and South East Asia and they happily tolerate the heat and humidity that our weather throws at us. These two edibles are tough as nails. Gynura is well adapted as a landscape plant that keeps on giving, all year round. They grow well in sandy, rocky soils, and they’ll easily thrive in any amended or improved garden with minimal care and attention. At home, we use both of these garden gems in fresh green salads mixed along with arugula, mesclun, leaf lettuce, et cetera. It is also used wonderful in stews, soups, sauteed, or (gently) steamed. The older leaves
are better cooked than the new leaves, as the new leaf can get a bit mucilaginous when cooked. Each of us have our own preferences, and my personal preference is to eat it raw in salads. It bulks up salad mixes and provides an array of nutritional benefits to boot. As far as health benefits are concerned, both of these plants are purported to offer benefits to blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. G. procumbens has been studied and shown to have a direct positive result in the treatment of diabetes, as it has a hypoglycemic effect. It’s been studied to have positive results on infertility, cancer tumor treatments and liver function. It’s been proven to be anti-microbial, it shows antioxidant properties, it’s had positive results to protect against organ damage, it’s anti-inflammatory, and so many other health benefits. I am not a doctor and can make no claims to any of this information regarding health benefits, links are provided below, and as with any information, it is important to verify and cross-reference any purported medical benefits and to consult with a professional healthcare practitioner. If you’re looking for a year-round edible plant that not only tastes great, but also offers health benefits far above and beyond the typical produce section at the grocer’s, then I would highly suggest getting to know longevity and Okinawa spinach. They’re perennial, tolerate our harsh summer conditions, and it’s good for the body. Sounds good to me. Happy gardening! Links for tips: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC4791373/ http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ manateeco/2019/05/21/summerspinaches-take-the-heat/ • Adam Boorman is the nursery manager at the Fox Hill Nursery. For questions and comments, e-mail foxhillnursery@gmail.com.
The Tribune | Weekend | 11
Friday, May 22, 2020
travel
Vacationing at home By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
O
verseas travel prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was already stressful, what with the long lines at TSA in the US and then the frustration of dealing with Customs when you return home. Surely, it will become even more trying and hectic when the borders are reopened and we are all undoubtedly subjected to even stricter security measures at airports. The thought of this new reality of travel abroad has made some Bahamians reconsider how they will spend their vacation time in the months, and even years, to come. Some say exploring our own beautiful islands, indulging in local fun and culture, is looking more appealing by the minute. Miriam Bridgewater said she takes her family to the US every year for a vacation, but given the coronavirus outbreak, she has been rethinking things. “What is happening worldwide has made me not want to travel
oversees, to be honest. I prefer exploring the islands that we have right here at home and having a sweet escape right here,” she told Tribune Weekend. “I know my kids may not enjoy it so much because they look forward to taking trips to the theme parks and other attractions in the US, but it’s not looking like that will be happening for us no time soon.” The government announced it is looking to begin inter-island travel by July 1, depending on its control and containment of the outbreak, and many Bahamians are considering taking advantage of this during the later Summer months. “I probably will not travel to the Family Islands right away; maybe later down in the year,” said Mrs Bridgewater. As for Crystal Mackey, she cancelled her plans to travel internationally early on, just weeks after hearing about the outbreak in China. “I told my sister to cancel
because I knew there was going to be a lot of hassle when it comes to travelling,” she said. “Travelling in and of itself is already not fun for me; you have to go through all the checkpoints and then wait for hours. I was not interested in what I believe would be a chaotic time. But to my surprise things turned out much worse than I expected: the borders are closed and flights are not happening. So now the only next thing would be to travel domestically. I am up for the exploration of our islands and cays.” One of the things on Ashley Roberts’ bucket list is attending more local regattas and island home-coming festivals. “That probably won’t be any time until next year, because I am sure there will not be any major events happening until next year. But I will make it my business to participate in every and all, especially the big ones - Andros, Exuma and Eleuthera,” she said.
Alexander Johnson said home is much more appealing to him right now, and after all, there is still so more to discover. “While I love going to different places, I feel better and safer being at home. Even when the borders open back up and flights are back and forth, I do not know if I will be one of those be hopping on a plane to the US. It might make a stab at it after 2021. But in the meantime he said there are a lot of things he would love to right here in the Bahamas. “Maybe I will do an island hop, dive in a blue hole, swim with the pigs in Exuma, or go on a boat excursion. There are so many places in our country that we can hop on a plane to and vacation at,” he said.
12 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
music
Four-time gospel nominee hopes the show will go on By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer
| cbrennen@tribunemedia.net
ntonio Rolle remains hopeful that gospel artists from around the United States, Canada and the Bahamas will be able to participate in the 12th annual Rhythm of Gospel Awards despite the current coronavirus pandemic. The show, which usually attracts around 5,000 industry professionals, was scheduled to be held the weekend of June 24-27 in Birmingham, Alabama. It now looks like organisers may move the event to November due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Antonio, who is nominated for four awards and scheduled to be a performer at the live show, hopes he can still take part in some form or other. But he also understands if the winners have to be announced during a virtual event, he told Tribune Weekend. “I feel I would be missing a great experience not being able to be there in person to see what it would feel like to take part in a major award show,” he said. “But I would still be grateful and thankful that I have been recognised for the gift that is in me, and that I can compete against international artists and to rank with such artists...I’m grateful,” the singer said.
“If it happens that my songs were to win, that would be a major break for the Bahamian people that we can rep with the best and succeed in it. But if they didn’t have the awards live I’d be disappointed to know I would have not the experience.” The Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards are a televised award show that recognises outstanding churches, pastors, choirs and independent gospel music artists of all genres for their contributions towards the betterment and advancement of their communities. The event is hosted by the National and Independent Gospel Music Association (NIGMA). Antonio has been nominated for Urban Contemporary Song of the Year, for his song “Another Level”. He has also been nominated for International Gospel Artist of the Year, Best Performance by a Male Artist and Special Event Instrumental of the Year.
A
(l-r) TheDream, Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion (AP Photo)
A songwriting savage: The-Dream on penning BeyoncéMegan hit By GARY GERARD HAMILTON | Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — TheDream has won Grammys for his songwriting skills, but the performer doesn’t plan to break down the formula for his latest hit, the Megan Thee Stallion “Savage” remix co-starring Beyoncé. The viral song, which has reached the No 2 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, has nine songwriters listed
on the track, including TheDream, Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion. “It’s not about revealing the magic of how things happen and how they come about. And it’s not for me to say the breakdown of how a thing is done,” the fourtime Grammy winner said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I mean, everybody knows what I do so I’m definitely not
in the part of my career where I have to say, ‘Yeah, I did so and so and then I did this part.’” The-Dream has steadily penned hits for nearly 15 years for megastar artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber, while also vocally assisting hip-hop heavyweights such as Jay-Z and Kanye West. The 42-year-old, who has also written hit songs for
himself, said he felt a strong connection to Megan Thee Stallion on a personal level since they both lost their mothers. “It’s just one of those things where you gravitate toward artists that we feel like ... (you) have something to say. And it was the mother thing that kind of got me with her — that was the connection,” he said. “I lost my mom when I was 15. And so I understood what that was, you know, kind of reading and getting a read of just her life.”
The Tribune | Weekend | 13
Friday, May 22, 2020
crafts
Mothers and daughters bond over wine, painting and jewellery-making By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer
F
OR local jewellery designer Allia M Dean, being stuck indoors with only a computer screen to communicate with people has not deterred her from reaching out to her clientele in a meaningful and creative way. She recently hosted the “The Mom + Me” online experience. This included a sip and paint wine glass edition which invited participants to transform their favourite glassware into keepsakes over some good conversation and beverage of choice. The online sessions also featured a build-your-ownjewellery demonstration where participants had the opportunity to choose a two-piece set for Allia to create on the sport. Necessity, it is said, is the mother of invention. And it’s definitely been for Allia. Inspired by the limitations placed on Mother’s Day this year, the designer came up with an alternative way to celebrate the occasion. “I thought to myself, aside from the tangible gifts usually received during our traditional Mother’s Day, it is really the memories we hold that make such precious moments priceless. Given the nature of COVID-19, where the elderly are at high risk, I sought to establish a way you can give mom an outing that both of you will treasure forever. Hence, I also decided it was time for me to display my painting skills. I am a primitive artist and so our designs are very easy for persons with or without painting experience. It was powered by Zoom, just like your trendy sip and paint experience, but now with your favourite wine glass or coffee mug,” she told Tribune Weekend. The paint and sip wine glass session, she said, is designed to promote resourcefulness by encouraging participants to use materials
| acadet@tribunemedia.net
around their homes, glasses and mugs,to then paint their favourite Bahamian characters on. They got the opportunity to choose from creating a sea turtle, flamingo, palm trees and/ or Junkanoo rhythm themed painting styles. “At the end of the experience, mothers and their children completed a beautiful keepsake with beautiful memories and laughter attached,” said Allia.
Meanwhile, the build-your-ownjewellery demonstration emphasised personal sense of style and glamour. “Both mother and child got to hand-select what type, shape and colour beading and materials they would like in their one-of-a-kind handmade jewellery piece. Coupled with great conversation and knowledge of materials used comes a beautiful wearable Bahamian jewellery piece sure to start any conversation. The completed pieces were shipped to the participants,” she said. “Both sessions have been receiving great interest and have successfully created wonderful memories during such uncertain times.” Even before the current pandemic, she had hosted a number of jewellerymaking classes, two of which were also for mothers and their daughters. The results were so beautiful, Allia said she was immediately inspired to continue this type of class, albeit online for the time being. “The brighter side of the ongoing quarantine is that it has surely provided families an opportunity to bond and reconnect, and also entrepreneurs to create and recreate their offerings. The Mom + Me virtual experience has brought great joy to my heart and it has been worth my while to see how loving and precious this memory is for families. Those that participated thus far have given me great insight into how precious a mother’s bond is with her children,” she said. People in the Family Islands are now also inquiring about taking part in future ventures hosted by the entrepreneur. Allia has also been busy making customised face masks which feature humorous Bahamian sayings. The Mom + Me virtual experiences will be expanded to include fathers and their kids,and willrun from June 1 to June 22. For more information about Always By Allia M Dean, check out the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
16 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
art
Hurricane survivor finds new inspiration in digital art By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer
L
ike most parents who are now at home with their kids 24/7, Kayleigh Sands is busy with keeping up with the day-to-day projects and activities that go with being a mom of two. But when the “tablet runs out of juice”, as she describes it, Kayleigh finds a few hours a day to further develop her digital art. “I don’t have any training, I am just trying to teach myself, but I’m learning a lot already and I have a project or two I’m working on for book illustrations. In quarantine, I’ve been doing portraits of my family and a few to express myself and relieve my mind,” said the Abaco native and Hurricane Dorian survivor. While she may be new to digital art, Kayleigh has been artistic her entire life; often getting in trouble during high school for doodling in class. When she was in grade 11, her art teacher, Lori Thompson, helped cement her love of painting. “I went on to attend a painting workshop by Walter Bartman in Maryland, USA. There, I learned a lot about colour and attended his course each year for two years,” she said. Kayleigh’s acrylic paintings are usually brightly coloured - “I love colour” – and they are usually on wood framed, stretched canvases. And now she has started to move beyond the canvas and on to an electronic tablet, opening up a whole slew of different options for her to express herself. “I have started doing portraits and illustrations with my tablet and I am loving it, so I’m excited about the possibilities there. Now a mother of two, I’ve survived Dorian and have relocated back to Abaco with very little art supplies, so it works out well that I’ve recently been interested in practicing and teaching myself digital artwork and illustration,” she said. “I started exploring the Procreate app on my phone screen, with my finger for a pen. It wasn’t perfect, but I can tell I like it already. The amount of different brush and paint styles gives me more to work with than I ever have access to in real life. It also allows me to work with my kids around since it’s hard to do with real paint.” Kayleigh is a firm believer in art being a stress-reliever which gives voice to your inner most thoughts and feelings. “Similar to music in a way, we speak through our art and you never know when a piece of your art will speak to someone the same way it spoke for you. A lot of my
| acadet@tribunemedia.net
work that’s been sold at resorts here in Abaco and places like that have gone to some second home owners and tourists. We are living in some very scary times. You feel a sense of community when you see that you aren’t the only one feeling these feelings. And our artwork can speak for our communities if we let it as well,” she said. “Recently, I made a digital piece one night I called ‘How many days left til hurricane season?’; just sitting in the dark thinking, worrying and sketching by flash light after a thunderstorm blew the flaps of ice and water shields on the unfinished roof back and forth, scaring my daughter and making her literally cry because she felt like it was Dorian again,” she said. Kayleigh mostly gets her inspiration from her surroundings. “I also did another piece called ‘Kemp Road Yard Chicken’. I’m not entirely sure I’m finished with it yet, since I’m indecisive and digital art lets me add things to my heart’s content. But that one came from me remembering my evenings at my brother-in-law’s home in Kemp Road while I was living in Nassau for six months after Dorian. We would stop by every evening after work to let the kids run around and play with their cousins and I would sit for hours and watch the chickens, at least a dozen of them along with the babies, run up and down the yard all day causing drama and rooster fights. I also made a portrait of my cat that died after the storm. I got her when I was about four months pregnant with my last child, and I raised her from a little palm-sized feisty furry ball into a feisty little sweetheart.” The mother-of-two said she is lucky to live on one of the Abaco cays that has power generators. But even in the aftermath of destruction, Kayleigh said she is surrounded by beauty. “The building we are in isn’t hooked up to power yet so we are running on generator for only part of the day. Morning and evening I work on what I can while I have power. There’s no shortage of inspiration and I’m grateful to be spending my quarantine here, learning and spending time with my family,” she said.
The Tribune | Weekend | 17
Friday, May 22, 2020
film
Review: A night gone very wrong in ‘The Lovebirds’ By LINDSEY BAHR
| AP Film Writer
the lovebirds | 86 minutes
“The Lovebirds ” stars Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani are two of the most exciting voices working in film and television today, as actors, writers and creators. Rae’s “Insecure” and Nanjiani’s “The Big Sick” are both vibrant, stimulating and fresh and rooted deeply in the diversity of their own experiences. So it’s at least notable that this film, a dark, night-goeswrong comedy that seems very much in each of their wheelhouses, was not created or written by either. And at times, you kind of wish it had been. As it is, “The Lovebirds” feels a little too familiar and a little too safe, like all the edges have been smoothed out. Perhaps that’s because it was originally a studio film that was supposed to open in theaters nationwide. But the shutdown changed the course of things and now all you need is a Netflix account to see it opening day. And it’s a fine movie to spend 86 minutes watching from the comfort of your own home. There are some amusing twists, turns and wardrobe changes as the night gets weirder and more dangerous for this ordinary couple who thought they were just headed to a dinner party. Directed by Michael Showalter (who also was behind the camera for “The Big Sick”), “The Lovebirds” starts out like a rom-com — a one night stand turns into an all-day hang for Jibran (Nanjiani) and Leilani (Issa Rae) as they futilely try to resist the connection. But cut to four years later and all the lovey-dovey excitement of that first day has turned into bickering and resentment. The way this particular fight spirals out of control, from light jabbing to full-on insults, is almost uncomfortably relatable and precise for a comedy this broad. It’s no wonder they break up on the drive to their friend’s party. But that turns out to be the least of their problems when a collision with a biker (who dies, but not because of them) sets off a series of increasingly odd events. They flee the scene after a pair of obnoxious hipsters starts assuming things about why they’re standing over the body of a dead man and continue making poor decisions (including Leilani keeping her sky-high stilettos on for almost half the movie). In an attempt to clear their names, they accidentally get wrapped up in a bizarre New Orleans underworld of murderous henchmen, a sadistic politician’s wife and some unlucky frat guys. It’s a little bit “After Hours” meets “Game Night” with a dash of “Eyes Wide Shut” — but that might be overselling it. Their hijinks are all a bit too random to fully get on board with the journey, and if you stop for a moment to actually think about what is happening and why, the whole thing might just unravel before you. Rae and Nanjiani make the ride fun enough with their easy chemistry and silly, wide-eyed panic at everything they’re witnessing. Still, “The Lovebirds” lacks the singularity of its stars’ other noteworthy roles. You could do a lot worse for a Friday night watch, though and will surely get a few chuckles out of it. And don’t worry, Leilani does find a pair of sneakers eventually. “The Lovebirds” debuts on Netflix today.
18 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
entertainment
BET Awards continue with annual show
NEW YORK (BUSINESS WIRE) BET has announced plans to move forward with the BET Awards 2020,
which will celebrate the brightest stars across music, television, film, sports, and philanthropy on Sunday, June 28, at 8pm ET. Using an array of innovative techniques and artist-generated content, the show will continue, allowing the
Daytime Emmys back on TV, but with socially distanced show LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Daytime Emmy Awards are skipping a theatre ceremony because of the coronavirus but the honors will be presented on a TV broadcast. CBS’ decision to air the awards on June 26 is a bright spot for the daytime honours, which had
been consigned to an online presentation in recent years as viewer interest dwindled. Nominations for the 47th annual Daytime Emmys are to be announced Thursday on CBS’ “The Talk,” with categories including best drama series,
NEW YORK (AP) — For several years, the slogan “Release the Snyder cut” has reverberated online as a rallying cry both genuine and ironic — a “Vive la revolution” for comic book movie fans. On Wednesday, they finally got their wish. Warner Bros Pictures announced that a director’s cut of Zack Snyder’s 2017’s DC Comics film “Justice League” will next year debut on the streaming service HBO Max. Snyder first announced the news himself in a live video conference commentary for his Superman film “Man of Steel.” The so-called #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement began around the release of “Justice League,” a movie that Snyder directed but was replaced in post-production by Joss Whedon. The “Avengers” director, who was credited as cowriter, oversaw extensive reshoots, editing and visual effects. By then, Snyder’s stewardship of
Fabled ‘Snyder Cut’ of ‘Justice League’ to be released the DC Comics films had drawn much criticism; his previous film “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” rated 28 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. But some fans remained loyal, even as Warner Bros. reshuffled their approach to DC films. At the time of his departure, Warner Bros said Snyder was stepping away to be with his family following the death of his 20-year-old daughter. Snyder remained the sole credited director of “Justice League” and it was likewise
audience to join in a celebration of Black love, joy, pride, and power with an all-star lineup taking to TV’s biggest stage. 2020 marks both the 20th anniversary of the awards and BET’s 40th anniversary. “The BET Awards are a
seminal event - the biggest celebration of Black culture, Black accomplishment, Black excellence, and Black potential,” said Scott Mills, president of BET. “Our community, and the many millions who love Black culture, look to the BET Awards for signature moments of enrichment, entertainment and empowerment. Recognising the unique role the BET Awards plays for so many, and the challenging times we find ourselves in, we know it was more important than ever to deliver the BET Awards in 2020.” The official nominations for the awards will be announced on a later date.
talk show and game show. The New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which organizes the daytime awards, had previously announced it wouldn’t hold the traditional theatre ceremony out of pandemic safety concerns. Awards will be presented on the CBS broadcast in leading categories, with winners and “other special guests appearing from home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the network and academy said
in a joint announcement. Winners in other categories will be announced on Twitter during the two-hour telecast, with more awards to be presented in a July ceremony, the academy said. CBS is “thrilled to welcome back the Daytime Emmy Awards,” said Jack Sussman, the network’s executive vice president in charge of specials and live events. The network is the home of daytime shows including soap operas “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
panned by critics (40 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and considered a disappointment by most fans. But some have maintained that Snyder’s vision of the film would have been better. In November, even the film’s stars Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot added to the chorus on Twitter. “Since I got here 14 months ago, the chant to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut has been a daily drumbeat in our offices and inboxes. Well, the fans have asked, and we are thrilled to finally deliver,” said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of Warner Media
Entertainment, in a statement. It’s unclear if another “Snyder cut” ever existed before the director’s departure. Speaking to fans during the “Man of Steel” watch party, Snyder said he still had work to do on it. “I want to thank HBO Max and Warner Brothers for this brave gesture of supporting artists and allowing their true visions to be realised,” Snyder said in a statement. “Also a special thank you to all of those involved in the SnyderCut movement for making this a reality.”
The Tribune | Weekend | 19
Friday, May 22, 2020
entertainment PARASYTE The Maxim
8. Fist Fight (film; 1h 31m) Top 10 . White Lines (series; 10 Netflix . Going in Style (film; 1h 5 episodes) 2 36m) movies and shows . Rough Night (film; 1h 9 41m) in the . The 100 (series; six 6seasons) Bahamas Sweet Magnolias 3.(series; 10 episodes) Parasyte: The Maxim 10.(series; 24 episodes) Dynasty (series; 10 7.episodes) . The Wrong Missy (film; 4 1h 30m) . The Last Dance (series; 1ten episodes) career and the 1990’s Chicago Bulls, packed with unaired footage from the 1997-98 season.
Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, three lifelong pals risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money. Starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Ann-Margret.
With Bahamians practicing social distancing, working from home, and the kiddies stuck in the house, it’s time to turn to Netflix for some entertainment. Here are the top 10 movies and shows Bahamians are watching this week:
A docuseries that gives a definitive account of Michael Jordan’s
Three South Carolina women, best friends since high school, shepherd each other through the complexities of romance, career, and family.
Tim thinks he’s invited the woman of his dreams on a work retreat to Hawaii, realising too late he mistakenly texted someone
from a nightmare blind date. Starring David Spade.
A woman tries to solve the mysterious death of her brother, a famous DJ who disappeared from Ibiza many years ago.
Set 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilisation, when a spaceship housing humanity’s lone survivors sends one hundred juvenile delinquents back to Earth, in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet.
This reboot of the popular 1980’s show follows two of America’s wealthiest families as they feud for control over their fortune and their children.
When one school teacher unwittingly causes another teacher’s dismissal, he is challenged to an after-school fight. Starring Ice Cube, Charlie Day and Tracy Morgan.
Things go terribly wrong for a group of girlfriends who hire a male stripper for a bachelorette party in Miami in this dark comedy. Starring Kate McKinnon, Zoë Kravitz and Scarlett Johansson.
In this Japanese anime, 17-yearold Shinichi Izumi is partially infected by a Parasyte; monsters that butcher and consume humans. He must learn to co-exist with the creature if he is to survive both the life of a Parasyte and human, as part monster, part person.
20 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
books
New page-turners this week • The Silence by Susan Allott (mystery/thriller) It is 1997, and in a basement flat in Hackney, Isla Green is awakened by a call in the middle of the night: her father phoning from Sydney. Thirty years ago, in the suffocating heat of summer 1967, the Greens’ nextdoor neighbour Mandy disappeared. At the time, it was thought she had fled a broken marriage and gone to start a new life; but now Mandy’s family is trying to reconnect, and there is no trace of her. Isla’s father Joe was allegedly the last person to see her alive, and now he’s under suspicion of murder. Isla unwillingly plans to go back to Australia for the first time in a decade to support her father. The return to Sydney will plunge Isla deep into the past, to a quiet street by the sea where two couples live side by side. Isla’s parents, Louisa and Joe, have recently emigrated from England—a move that has left Louisa miserably homesick while Joe embraces this new life. Next door, Steve and Mandy are equally troubled. Mandy doesn’t want a baby, even though Steve—a cop trying to hold it together under the pressures of the job—is desperate to become a father. The more Isla asks about the past, the more she learns: about both young couples and the secrets each marriage bore. Could
her father be capable of doing something terrible? How much does her mother know? What will happen to their family if Isla’s worst fears are realised? And is there another secret in this community, one which goes deeper into Australia’s colonial past, which has held them in a conspiracy of silence? • Beach Read by Emily Henry (romance) January is a hopeless romantic who narrates her life like she’s the lead in a blockbuster movie. Gus is a serious literary type who thinks true love is a fairy-tale. But January and Gus have more in common than you’d think: They’re both broke. They’ve got crippling writer’s block. And they need to write bestsellers before summer ends. The result? A bet to swap genres see who gets published first. The risk? In telling each other’s stories, their worlds might be changed entirely... • Pale by Edward A Farmer (literary fiction) “Some things just don’t keep well inside this house …” The summer of 1966 burned hot across America but nowhere hotter than the
cotton fields of Mississippi. Finding herself in a precarious position as a black woman living alone, Bernice accepts her brother Floyd’s invitation to join him as a servant for a white family and she enters the web of hostility and deception that is the Kern plantation household. The secrets of the house are plentiful yet the silence that has encompassed it for so many years suddenly breaks with the arrival of the harvest and the appearance of Jesse and Fletcher to the plantation as cotton pickers. These two brothers, the sons of the house servant Silva, awaken a vengeful seed within the Missus of the house as she plots to punish not only her husband but Silva’s family as well. When the Missus starts flirting with Jesse, she sets into motion a dangerous game that could get Jesse killed and destroy the lives of the rest of the servants. Bernice walks the fine line between emissary and accomplice, as she tries her best to draw secrets from the Missus’s heart, while using their closeness to protect the lives of the people around her. Once the Missus’s plans are complete, families will be severed, loyalties will be shattered, and no one will come out unscathed.
The Tribune | Weekend | 21
Friday, May 22, 2020
books
New “Hunger Games” novel gets virtual debut By HILLEL ITALIE | AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — When Suzanne Collins’ “Mockingjay” was published a decade ago, Books of Wonder owner Peter Glassman put on a show: a late-night celebration for hundreds at his Manhattan store, with jugglers, costumes, a trivia wheel, cupcakes with the “Mockingjay” logo and a rare public reading from Collins herself. For her new “Hunger Games” book, the prequel “The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes,” the debut at Books of Wonder and other stores was mostly online. “In normal times, we would have had a big party,” Glassman says. “And we might have tried to get an editor or someone else she works with to come, or tried to have an actor give a dramatic reading. But given the reality, we have to deal with what we’re dealing with.” Collins’ new novel, which comes out next week, is the most high-profile release since the coronavirus shut down most of the country’s bookstores in March. Unlike movies or plays, books can still be enjoyed as their creators
intended them, but promotion now is mostly limited to what the Internet can offer or to the initiatives of booksellers who at best can only have a handful of customers in their stores at a given time. Publishers have been postponing books to the Summer and beyond, and “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” might seem a risk when the world seems a little too close to the horrors of Collins’ fictional Panem. But Scholastic executive vice president Ellie Berger says that after “a lot of discussion about timing,” they stayed with Tuesday’s scheduled release date. Scholastic has announced a first printing of 2.5 million copies for English-language countries worldwide, and the book was in the top 10 on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com well before its release date on May 19. The first three “Hunger Games” books — “The Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire” and “”Mockingjay” — have sold more than 100 million copies. “Ultimately we decided that
Audible best-sellers 1
. The Getaway by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, narrated by Emily Bauer
2
. How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps by Andrew Rowe, narrated by Suzy Jackson and Steve West
3
. Inside Jobs: Tales from a Time of Quarantine
by Ben H Winters, narrated by Scott Aiello, Kevin T Collins and Ellen Archer
4
. Treasure Island: An Audible Original Drama by Robert Louis Stevenson and Marty Ross – adaptation, narrated by Philip Glenister, Daniel Mays, Catherine Tate and Owen Teale
THE COVER image for Suzanne Collins’ (right) “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. (Scholastic via AP, left, Todd Plitt/Scholastic via AP) there was a tremendous amount of excitement for this book, from the teens to the adults, and that we had an opportunity to make this the event of the season,” says Berger, who oversees Scholastic’s trade publishing division. To promote “The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes,” Scholastic posted video trailers, released an excerpt from the book, and prepared a “Virtual Party” kit that includes a glossary, discussion guide, games and trivia. No interviews are currently planned with Collins, who has given few in the past. Glassman and other booksellers praised Scholastic’s efforts while still acknowledging that, because of the pandemic, sales are likely to be lower than expected when
5
. The Flying Flamingo Sisters by Carrie Seim, narrated by the author, Gabriel Vaughan, Bill Andrew Quinn, Jessica Almasy, Kevin Pariseau, Dina Pearlman and Khristine Hvam
6
. Sea Wall / A Life by Simon Stephens and Nick Payne, narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge
7
. Andrea Vernon and the Corporation for UltraHuman Protection by Alexander C
Scholastic stunned the book world last year by announcing that Collins had revived her series. Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt says that awareness is strong for Collins’ novel, which doesn’t rely on the kind of spontaneous discovery that a physical bookstore offers. But he says that “what you will lose is the excitement” from the in-store experience of midnight openings and other gatherings. “Also, a lot of people lose the habit of going to stores because they get used to buying online,” Daunt says, adding that Barnes & Noble would have hosted parties at its hundreds of stores nationwide. “Then they come to the store and discover that actually it’s a pretty cool place. It’s a lot of fun.”
Kane, narrated by Bahni Turpin
8
. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J K Rowling, narrated by Warwick Davis, Noma Dumezweni, Jason Isaacs, Jude Law, Evanna Lynch, Sally Mortemore, Bonnie Wright
9
. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, narrated by Cassandra Campbell
10
. Micromegas by Voltaire, narrated by Prentice Onayemi
22 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
books
Science fiction builds mental resiliency in young readers By Esther Jones | Clark University (THE CONVERSATION) - Young people who are “hooked” on watching fantasy or reading science fiction may be on to something. Contrary to a common misperception that reading this genre is an unworthy practice, reading science fiction and fantasy may help young people cope, especially with the stress and anxiety of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. I am a professor with research interests in the social, ethical and political messages in science fiction. In my book “Medicine and Ethics in Black Women’s Speculative Fiction,” I explore the ways science fiction promotes understanding of human differences and ethical thinking. While many people may not consider science fiction, fantasy or speculative fiction to be “literary,” research shows that all fiction can generate critical thinking skills and emotional intelligence for young readers. Science fiction may have a power all its own. Literature as a moral mirror Historically, parents have considered literature “good” for young people if it provides moral guidance that reflects their own values. This belief has been the catalyst for many movements to censor particular books for nearly as long as books have been published. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” published in 1885, was the first book to be banned in the US. It was thought to corrupt youth by teaching boys to swear, smoke and run away from home. In the latter part of the 20th century, the book has come under fire for the Mark Twain’s prolific use of the N-word. Many people are concerned that the original version of the book normalises an unacceptable racial slur. Who can say the N-word and in what context is an ongoing social and political debate, reflecting wounds in American society that have yet to heal. The question is, how does literature of any genre – whether popularly perceived as “serious literature” or “escapist nonsense” – perform its educational function. This is central to the conflict between parents and educators about what kids should read, especially as it pertains to “escapist” fiction.
Why science fiction gets a bad rap
Historically, those who read science fiction have been stigmatised as geeks who can’t cope with
reality. This perception persists, particularly for those who are unaware of the changes to this genre in the past several decades. A 2016 article in Social and Personality Psychology Compass, a scholarly journal, argues that “connecting to story worlds involves a process of ‘dual empathy,‘ simultaneously engaging in intense personal processing of challenging issues, while ‘feeling through’ characters, both of which produce benefits.” While science fiction has become more mainstream, one study claimed that science fiction makes readers stupid. A subsequent study by the same authors later refuted this claim when the quality of writing was taken into account. This ongoing ambivalence towards the genre contributes to the stereotype that such works are of little value because they presumably don’t engage real human dilemmas. In actuality, they do. Such stereotypes assume that young people can only learn to cope with human dilemmas by engaging in mirror-image reflections of reality including what they read or watch.
The mental health of reading
Reading science fiction and fantasy can help readers make sense of the world. Rather than limiting readers’ capacity to deal with reality, exposure to outside-thebox creative stories may expand their ability to engage reality based on science. A 2015 survey of science fiction and fantasy readers found that these readers were also major consumers of a wide range of other types of books and media. In fact, the study noted a connection between respondents’ consumption of varied literary forms and an ability to understand science. With increasing rates of anxiety, depression and mental health issues for youth in the past two decades, it may be the case that young people, no different from American society generally, are suffering from reality overload. Young people today have unprecedented access to information about which they may have little power to influence or change.
The powerful world of
science fiction
Science fiction and fantasy do not need to provide a mirror image of reality in order to offer compelling stories about serious social and political issues. The fact that the setting or characters are extraordinary may be precisely why they are powerful and where their value lies. My contribution in the forthcoming essay collection “Raced Bodies, Erased Lives: Race in Young Adult Speculative Fiction” discusses how race, gender and mental health for black girls is portrayed in speculative fiction and fantasy. My essay describes how contemporary writers take an aspect of what is familiar and make it “odd” or “strange” enough to give the reader psychic and emotional distance to understand mental health issues with fresh eyes. From the “Harry Potter” and “Hunger Games” series to novels like Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower” and “Parable of the Talents” and Nancy Kress’ “Beggars in Spain,” youths see examples of young people grappling with serious social, economic, and political issues that are timely and relevant, but in settings or times that offer critical distance. This distance gives readers an avenue to grapple with complexity and use their imagination to consider different ways of managing social challenges. What better way to deal with the uncertainty of this time than with forms of fiction that make us comfortable with being uncomfortable, that explore uncertainty and ambiguity, and depict young people as active agents, survivors and shapers of their own destinies? Let them read science fiction. In it, young people can see themselves – coping, surviving and learning lessons – that may enable them to create their own strategies for resilience. In this time of COVID-19 and physical distancing, we may be reluctant for kids to embrace creative forms that seem to separate them psychologically from reality. But the critical thinking and agile habits of mind prompted by this type of literature may actually produce resilience and creativity that everyday life and reality typically do not. • This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here:https://theconversation.com.
The Tribune | Weekend | 23
Friday, May 22, 2020
history
THE UNMISTAKABLE Yellowtails
THE GROUPER comes in many colours and is a favourite with spear fishermen.
Ted Pyfrom’s ‘shooters’ By Paul C Aranha | Forgotten Facts
I
N 21st century Nassau, the word “shooter” has become an unsettling one, but that wasn’t always the case. “Shooter” was the Bahamian word for another of Ted Pyfrom’s inventions – before it became known as the Hawaiian sling. Lynn Holowesko, Ted Pyfrom’s daughter, helped her father manufacture spears by holding and turning the metal rod while her father sharpened the tip. Ted needed some kind of handheld sling to propel the metal spear into the unsuspecting fish. A piece of tubing, a length of rubber, and some strong twine provided the solution. With these, her father created a “shooter” and it, as much as the goggles and spear, became an essential part of anyone’s spearfishing gear. If you had a pair of Ted Pyfrom’s goggles and one or more of his spears, you needed a Ted Pyfrom’s “shooter”. With a “shooter” you learned to accurately aim at your prey and bring home reef delicacies like the crawfish, groupers, yellowtails, to name just a few, to feed a needy family. In the 15th century, Bahamian Arawaks were so adept in freediving that the Spaniards used them to dive for pearls in waters too deep for a European to reach
bottom. In the mid-20th century, new generations of Bahamians depended on the sea to provide fresh food for feeding the family. In those days conch, long a staple, could be picked up while walking in shallow water without getting one’s knees wet, but sadly that is no longer the case. Many Bahamian families existed on an unvaried diet of sea food – boiled fish being on top of the list. For poorer inhabitants of Nassau, however, there was no list and the very poor, of which there were many, ate boiled fish every day, for breakfast, lunch and supper, with no rice, no vegetables, no spices, just fish. If they used salt, it came from the sea. Barefooted children would come home from school and go diving in Nassau Harbour, where it was easy to find and catch fish. Once they had caught what was needed, they walked with it all the way home for Mamma to cook. Throughout the years, Bahamians, including the very rich, have dined on “boil fish”, full of spices and special flavours, a true-true delicacy. Although it may have been speared with a Hawaiian sling, it would be just as mouth-watering had the fisherman used Ted’s “shooter”.
CRAWFISH or Spiny Lobster
Photos/Scott C. Aranha
24 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
literary lives | Nat King Cole The story of an
unforgettable crooner Sir Christopher Ondaatje discusses the singer and jazz pianist who was the first African American to host a US television series.
N
athaniel Adams Coles (Nat King Cole) was born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 17, 1919. He had three brothers who all pursued careers in music) and a half-sister Joyce. When Nat was four years old the family moved to Chicago, Illinois where his father, Edward Coles, became a Baptist minister. His mother, Perlina Coles, was the church organist, and she taught the young Nat King Cole to play the organ. He accompanied himself on his first song “Yes! We Have No Bananas”. He began to take piano lessons when he was 12 and learned jazz, gospel and classical music. He had a natural talent for music and would sneak into local clubs to hear Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines and Jimmie Noone. When his eldest brother Eddie, a bass player, formed a sextet, Nat dropped out of school to join the group who called themselves Eddie Cole’s Swingsters. They performed in the revival of a musical Shuffle Along and made two recording singles for Decca Records. In 1937, Nat Cole married Nadine Robinson, a member of the cast. When the show ended in Los Angeles Cole and Nadine settled there and looked for piece-meal work in nightclubs. When one club owner asked him to form a band he hired Wesley Prince, a bass player, and a guitarist Oscar Moore. They took their name from an old nursery rhyme and called themselves the King Cole Trio – performing in clubs and making recordings for small record labels. He called himself Nat King Cole. According to legend, while his trio performed in a Los Angeles night club, a drunken bar patron demanded that he sing a certain song. Not knowing the song, Cole instead sang “Sweet
Nat King Cole married his second wife, Maria Hawkins, in 1948, the same year he divorced his first wife.
The Tribune | Weekend | 25
Friday, May 22, 2020
The King Cole Trio in the 1940s
Lorraine”. A heavy smoker, his breathless husky voice was immediately attractive to the intimate night club audience, and a perfect fit with his jazz trio. He recorded “Sweet Lorraine” in 1940, and it became his first big hit. After that he was always expected to sing.
“I started out to become a jazz pianist; in the meantime I started singing and I sang the way I felt and that’s just the way it came out.” - Nat King Cole In 1941, the King Cole Trio recorded “That Ain’t Right” for Decca Records, and in 1942 “All for You” for Excelsior Records. He appeared in the first Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts in 1944, and recorded with Illinois Jacquet and Lester Young with Capitol Records. In 1946, the trio broadcast King Cole Trio Time – the first radio programme sponsored by a black musician. Between 1946 and 1948 the trio recorded radio transcriptions for Capitol Records, as well as performing on radio programmes Swing Soiree, Old Gold, The Chesterfield Supper Club and Kraft Music Hall. With his increasing popularity, Nat King Cole began performing and recording backed by a string orchestra. His stature as a musical star was cemented by hits such as “All for You” (1943), “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” (1946); “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons” (1946), “The Christmas Song” (1947), “There I’ve Said It Again” (!947), “Nature Boy” (1948), “Frosty The Snowman” (1950), “Mona Lisa” (1950), “Orange Coloured Sky” (1950), and “Too Young” (1951). When Nat King Cole’s first marriage ended in divorce in 1948, he married the singer Maria Hawkins Ellington the same year. They had five children, including Natalie Cole (1950-2015), who
Nat King Cole with his daughter Natalie, who went on to become a successful singer herself.
Entertainment icons Frank Sinatra,
also had a very Nat King Cole and Dean Martin. successful career as a singer. “Ramblin’ Rose” (1962), “Dear Lonely Hearts”, and “Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer”. He On November also appeared in many short films: St Louis Blues 5, 1956 The 1958), The Nat King Cole Story, China Gate, and Nat King Cole The Blue Gardenia. He made his final television Show debuted on appearance in The Jack Benny Program in 1964, NBC. The variety and sang “When I Fall in Love”. Cat Ballou (1965), his programme was final film, was released a few months after he died. one of the first hosted by an African American. The popular 15-minute programme was increased to 30 minutes in In September 1964 Nat King Cole began to lose July 1957 but the show never managed to attract weight and collapsed at the Sands Hotel in Las a national sponsor, despite efforts by NBC and Vegas. In December, working in San Francisco, other black performers Harry Belafonte, Ella he was urged by friends to seek medical help Fitzgerald and Eartha Kitt. The last episode ran and a malignant tumour was discovered on his on December 17, 1957. On the show’s demise left lung in a chest X-ray. Cole, who had always Nat Cole said “Madison Avenue is afraid of the been a heavy smoker, had lung cancer and dark”. Tony Bennett, Frankie Lane, and Peggy was given only a few months to live. Against Lee were other white singers who voiced their doctor’s orders he made two final recordings, on disappointment with the cancellation of the show. December 1 and 3 December 1964. The album, L-O-V-E, was released shortly before he died. Throughout the 1950s Nat Cole recorded hits that sold millions throughout the Nat King Cole entered St John’s Hospital world, among them: “Smile”, “Pretend”, in Santa Monica, California on December 7, “A Blossom Fell”, and “If I May”. 1964. His left lung was surgically removed. He He recorded with Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra, as well as Gordon Jenkins, and Ralph Carmichael. Nelson Riddle arranged many of Cole’s 1950s albums, including “Darling. Je Vous Aime Beaucoup” (1955) and “Love Is the Thing” (1957). His best-selling record however (arranged by Nelson Riddle) was “Unforgettable” - a song written by Irving Gordon and produced by Lee Gillette - which was originally titled “Uncomparable”. The song was re-recorded in 1991 as a duet with his daughter Natalie, and won three Grammy Awards in 1992 at the 34th Annual GrammyAwards. In the 1960s, the introduction of rock and roll changed music tastes for young listeners in the 1960s and, like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Tony Bennett, he found that the music pop charts had been taken over by youth-oriented acts. Nevertheless, Cole continued to have some hits during the 1960s with “Let There Be Love” (1961),
left hospital but had to return in early January 1965. Before he died he had given a substantial amount of money to a chorus girl, Gunilla Hutton, with whom he had been romantically involved since early 1964. Hutton telephoned Maria – Cole’s wife – imploring her to divorce him. However, Maria confronted her husband who broke off the relationship with Hutton. Cole died at the hospital early in the morning of February 15, 1965. He was only 45 years old. NEXT WEEK: A book editor best remembered for discovering authors F Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe. •Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; Nat King Cole by Marianne Ruuth (Holloway House Publishing, 1992); and The Black Music History of Los Angeles. Its roots: 50 Years in Black Music by Tom Reed (1992).
down: 1 Attempt;
an airhead (5) 2 Rupture; 3 Charge;
26 New university students amounting to nothing (4) 27 Make attractive outer garment, darling, first (5-4)
26 | The Tribune | Weekend
J r t oAE ME t
Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday
● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)
HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? in making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. no plurals or verb forms ending in “s”. TODAY’S TARGET Good 17; very good 25; excellent 33 (or more). Solution tomorrow
Yesterday’s call 0907 181 2585 Sudoku forAnswer today’s target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.
bATTLESHIPS CRYPTIC PUZZLE Across 1 A fan that’s in use after a fashion (10) 6 Soup stirring as a work of art (4) 10 Crown jewels? (5) 11 Tell niece about the customers (9) 12 Having paid, he recovers (8) 13 Baffling question for a model (5) 15 Maintains there’s some body in the beers (7) 17 Use it and presumably all’s well (7) 19 It’s disturbing having the wrong spirit in work (7) 21 Renege on promise to move a car from the garage? (4,3) 22 Measure a small lion with it (5) 24 The daring kind that makes the headlines (4,4) 27 It’s a recurring theme in Wagner (9) 28 Truss becomes corroded (5) 29 Army row grows coarse (4) 30 They’re widely grown for eating (5,5)
1
2
3
4
Down 1 Consumes a set recipe (4) 2 He is not still in business (9) 3 Practice gives us time (5) 4 Revenues from company involved in various mines (7) 5 It’s important to one’s standing as a rider (7) 7 Iron clasp (5) 8 What disposing of a good pair of nylons would be? (5,5) 9 Pain I can suffer when frightened (2,1,5) 14 Special item (10) 16 Suitable moment for some fun (4,4) 18 Widespread irregularity in the main? (6,3) 20 A pot may be used to catch and cook it (7) 21 Bachelor married to a girl in South America (7) 23 Scatterbrain child (5) 25 Feverish activity in temples? (5) 26 Goddess of double existence (4)
5
6
7
8
9 10
11
12
13
14 15
16
17
19
22
20
23
24
18
21
25 26
27
29
28
30
Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Cover-up, 5 Agree, 8 Automatic, 9 Bag, 10 Lawn, 12 Suspense, 14 Reason, 15 Unload, 17 Petulant, 18 Odds, 21 Era, 22 Derringer, 24 Empty, 25 Expound. Down: 1 Crawl, 2 Vet, 3 Romp, 4 Put out, 5 Al Capone, 6 Robin Hood, 7 Egghead, 11 Wyatt Earp, 13 Holliday, 14 Replete, 16 Untrue, 19 Shred, 20 Lisp, 23 Gnu.
Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Wryneck, 5 Cover, 8 Taken down, 9 Roc, 10 Hack, 12 Migraine, 14 Chides, 15 Across, 17 Unfetter, 18 Tsar, 21 Sea, 22 Greenland, 24 Linen, 25 Scholar. Down: 1 Watch, 2 Yak, 3 Erne, 4 Kaolin, 5 Contract, 6 Verminous, 7 Rackets, 11 Chieftain, 13 Pentagon, 14 Counsel, 16 Sewers, 19 Rider, 20 Inch, 23 Awl.
EASY PUZZLE
Across 1 Go ahead as guide (4,3,3) 6 Something owed (4) 10 Additional (5) 11 Reckless criminal (9) 12 Majesty (8) 13 Absolute (5) 15 Unity of opinion (7) 17 Cease to act as unit (7) 19 Background (7) 21 To challenge (7) 22 Formulate (5) 24 Favourable opinion (8) 27 Inherent characteristic (9) 28 Large sea-duck (5) 29 Apiece (4) 30 Unlucky (3-7)
Down 1 Physical appearance (4) 2 Repugnant (9) 3 Italian city (5) 4 Infinite (7) 5 Self-confident (7) 7 Demand and get (5) 8 Cave-dweller (10) 9 Throw overboard (8) 14 Humiliation (4,2,4) 16 Widespread outbreak (8) 18 . . . the Great, died 323BC (9) 20 Progressing by degrees (7) 21 A coniferous tree (7) 23 Room under roof (5) 25 Last of a series (5) 26 Incite to action (4)
FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off. Solution tomorrow 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
A
3
B
1
C
3
D
1
E
1
F
2
G
3
H
2
I
0
J
4 2
2
4
1
1
2
1
C U J R B O G I
N Y Y F I I O H
M N 27 A M A C I A G I C B L Z H U
THE ALPHAbEATE
TARGET 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.
O N A A N A C N T X F I R P B W U P R U D P M O N Y S B C U D K
26
5 Incident; 6 Tyrant; N O T Q W I 7 Uneven;Friday, 13 Inundate;May 22, 2020 A C Z O H W 14 Faraway; 15 Lecture; M O F Z M T 16 Rebuke; 17 Patent; O W E F J A 19 Immune.
4
1
1 x Battleship
3 x Destroyer
2 x cruiser
4 x submarine
targEt alphapu cAn you crack the Alphabeater?thE Each grid Ex across: archaNgEl Saviour, Blow, T number represents a letter – or black square. 09 Funereal, Happen, Seque alga algae angel angle angler As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet (Ded Steady, Bedazzle, Jade, canalhave carnaltoclan isARCHANGEL used. But you complete the grid too! eachG Laconic. clang clanger clean clear cleg use letters and black squares below Brewer, O down: Asthma, earlthe elangiven gala galah gale galena Profane, Coffin, Guzzle, D the gridglare to start. glance glean the glen grid gnarlis ‘rotationally 09 Baroque, Jinx, Ho hale haler harl– heal lace lager symmetrical’ in other words, itSketch, looks the *Calls (clue), Deduce. lance iflancer lane larch large upside down. you same you turn the page ne leach lean learn lech raglan rale Solution real regal tomorrow regnal renal A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
20
35
39
13
31
40
9
18
35
31
6
2
17
28
11
25
13
2
12
15
13
33
3
2
14
23
3
34
17
4
30
27
13
4
23
22
17
9
5
11
38
8
26
6
39
39
6
24
10
31
32
28
11
25
29
33
31
22
25
9
34
13 21 39 6 Yesterday’s
36
6
19
20
31
28 Kakuro 2 17 Answer 32 15
8
34
15
23
8
38
16
35
3
13
38
13
6
24
35
37
19
31
28
32
19
26
5
27
22
23
36
6
15
34
16
35
18
40
25
39
33
23
5
24
22
31
11
8
32
29
13
30
1
23
17
4
35
20
38
1
2
3
21
22
23
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
24
25
26
27
28
29
30 31
32
33
34 35
■■
B
■
J
15
● Alternatively, for six Extra Letter clues to yo text DXbEAT to 84901. Texts cost £1 plus your usu
KEIjO 3 2
3
2
1
1
4
4
1
2
4
1
2
3
2
3
4
The Tribune | Weekend | 27
Friday, May 22, 2020
animals
PET OF THE WEEK
Bella (the diva) Animal Matters | KIM ARANHA
S
HE has the face of a little angel but is a hell-cat in canine clothing… with a rather fetching combination of black and white uneven spots, or perhaps splodges? But then, no, she is too much of lady for splodges. She sits regally with paws crossed but can start a fight faster than two street dogs with a bone. When she fights, she wins; refusing to let go, ever. After a fight she frequently becomes so emotional that she has a mild seizure! We have finally learned that we have to keep her and her “brother” separated 24 hours a day. He is too stupid to ignore her like the bigger dogs do. If they fight he ends up in intensive care - the joys of being Bella’s human parents. Yet she is enchanting and ladylike. She has herding instincts and leads me around the house either by gently nipping at my ankles (never draws blood but pinches) or takes my hand in her mouth. She knows where we are going even if I don’t, but it is usually the cookie jar! She is black and white, and considers herself a diva worthy of the movie ‘101 Dalmatians’ though I am no Cruella De Vil - she pushes that canine envelope to the edge every single day of her doggie life and has been doing so for nine wonderful, uncertain and unreliable years. Bella was an aggressive little puppy who lived on the edge of a steep slope of Love Beach. We think, with her father, she would chase cars growling and barking; she was approximately eight inches tall. My son Scott would see her and pull over to try and catch her. No way, she would retreat growling and looking over her dappled shoulder. We had to enlist help and finally sardines in a humane trap won the day and she landed at the Bahamas Humane Society. Two days after being trapped, her father was found dead on the same stretch of the road where Bella chased her dreams. Scott felt responsible for her as he had started the chase, so we adopted her. Oh my, this puppy did not enjoy domesticity. We had plucked her from her beloved street life, foraging for scraps, chasing, baring her teeth and just being ornery and difficult – she did not like us, nor did she appreciate our attempts to introduce domesticity. We couldn’t let her out in the garden alone because if we did she would crawl deep into the bougainvillea hedge and stay baring her teeth and snapping wildly, refusing to move. Inside the house she would hang out under every piece of low furniture that she could squeeze under. Thank goodness she grew quickly! She had “safe places” she turned into her own; safe from things she only knew, as we gave her all the time, love and patience she could have ever needed or wanted.
Raven with BHS staff member Linda GillAranha (Photo/Patricia Vazquez)
A stately Raven Over the many years Bella has lived up to her name of beauty and her personality has blossomed. She is a powerhouse of opinions that cannot be challenged. If she moves a cushion somewhere she means it to be there. She bosses Garmin around and then he goes at her and loses. Thousands of hours and dollars later we learned to keep them apart. Fortunately, not too difficult in this house! Garmin is a bit of a bad tempered wuss himself. She dominates and the combination is not a good one. Bella is now a nine-year-old lady. She still has a personality that is larger than life, but she loves us. She climbs up on our bed in the morning for a bit of a play. She has totally commandeered Chief’s elegant orthopedic bed, but then Chief never wanted it. She barks, squeaks and squeals at the first sign of anybody in the street. She is fiercely protective and in total command of her kingdom. She is the only girl in a pack of five dogs. Bella is my sole female companion; no other gals in this house. She totally “gets it”. When I read of the little foundlings who fly to the States and have difficulty settling in, I remember that little hellion who was not at ease or happy about joining our family, and now she perches on needlepoint chairs with the elegance of a princess awaiting her subjects. She sports a pink diamante collar, and surveys the lay of the land from halfway up the stairs and comes when you call her...if she wishes to. What a delightful roller coaster ride life with Bella has been and will be. She keeps us on our toes and has proven that you can still be very special when you are so very different.
By The Bahamas Humane Society
A
NY Poe fans out there? Those who know Poe’s poem “The Raven” might appreciate having a Raven in their lives. This Raven is about four months old, full of puppy enthusiasm, and looking forward to finding a home of her own very soon. She’s good with the other pups in the puppy section, and could probably learn to like cats if she had to. Raven hopes she’ll be your pick for the new addition to your home! Adoptions re by appointment so please call 3235138 or 325-6742 for a chance to meet Raven, and never to have to say “nevermore” to a new pup in your life!
•The BHS is Nassau’s oldest charity and as such we are feeling the pinch from the national shutdown. While we are an essential service, our fundraisers and Thrift Shop are on hold until further notice, so we need your help more than ever. To make a donation, please contact Donna at b_humane@hotmail.com. Thank you in advance from the bottom of our hearts and warm fuzzy paws!
28 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, May 22, 2020
photography
Photojournalist finds inspiration in the quiet of lockdown By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net
W
HILE it may seem that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused life as we know it to come almost to complete stop, photojournalist Eric Rose says the national lockdown has provided him the opportunity to bring the quiet beauty of nature to the fore. The absence of organised events has meant he can spend more time indulging in his passion for nature photography. “Being in lockdown has made me appreciate taking my time to capture an image. You need patience and to slow things down in order to get that special macro photograph. Right now, I am photographing what others might consider mundane; but if you get a little closer and pay a little more attention, you can see how beautiful they truly are,” he told Tribune Weekend. Eric is using his downtime to finally utilise some of his specialised equipment to capture images that are easy to miss when looking with the naked eye. “I also can use my macro lens and equipment a lot more. Many of the captures I am making with my camera are of ‘models’ who just happen to be less than two inches long. Imagine capturing an ant on a noni fruit or a butterfly on the head of a shepherd’s needle, with a flash in one hand and a camera in the other, with the wind blowing everything around. That takes patience and taking literally hundreds of shots, just to get a few that you could use.Getting those hard to capture images is a bit easier with the quietness a lockdown brings,” he said. “As far as urban nature photography, the quietness of the lockdown does help. There is less traffic scaring the insects, less people asking about what you are doing and why you are shooting them bees, and a number of the weeds are thriving and blooming that would have been trampled or cut long before now. Even trees and sunsets hit different when it is quieter.” Additionally, he said the quiet has allowed him to delve into the world of abstract macro photography, using the small to relate a broad, universal theme, such as isolation or tender love. “Sometimes you have to be quiet to hear what your art is saying to you,” he said. Eric feels this is indeed an amazing time in history. All over the world, photojournalists have captured surreal shots of the world’s busiest landmarks and streets eerily quiet, as well as the masked faces of people trying to go about their lives during this pandemic. “The people who are are out and about do not want to be photographed, and I understand that. You run out of your home, not looking ‘camera ready’ and more concerned about getting what you left home for and staying safe. I do agree, however, that there should be photographers out there chronicling this time in history. I have utmost respect for all essential and front line workers who are risking it all to do their jobs. In this instance, I especially want to highlight the photojournalists out there. Stay safe and thank you all,” he said.
ERIC Rose experiments with macro photography