09182020 WEEKEND

Friday, September 18, 2020

Weekend

art film culture history animals gardening puzzles photography CARNIVAL: WHEN WILL IT BE FUN TO FETE AGAIN?

Page 7

A new voyage Luxury yacht chef charts a new course amid pandemic

pgs 4-5

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

photography

A Rose-Coloured Lens Sunsets

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.

Splendour of ended day, floating and filling me!

Hour prophetic - hour resuming the past!

Inflating my throat - you divine average!

You, Earth and life, till the last ray gleams.

- Walt Whitman Inspired by the poet, Roland Rose turns his lens on sunsets of The Bahamas this week.

Friday, September 18, 2020

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

Friday, September 18, 2020

Weekend Inside

Interview 4 – 5

Veronica Ellis tells of how her life has been inspired by her faith and her crafts.

Puzzles 6 Carnival 7

COVID-19 has brought Carnival to a halt - so when will it be fun to fete?

Art 8 – 9

Designer Kenny St Mark brings his vision to a better Bahamas.

Film 10

Netflix film Cuties has been the centre of controversy - Cara Hunt reviews the movie and looks at the scandal.

Art 11

Transforming Spaces returns.

Literary Lives 12 – 13

The burlesque star who shot to stardom with her striptease.

Animals 14

Conversation under the bush, plus Pet of the Week

Forgotten Facts 15

Postcards of The Bahamas.

Gardening 16

Learning about seeds

Get blessed by the chef

By ALESHA CADET • Tribune Features Reporter • acadet@tribunemedia.net IN-HOUSE style brunching is taking over your kitchen here in Nassau via the experience known as IChefUEat Bahamas.

Frederick Ural Morrison, owner at IChefUEat Bahamas tells Tribune Weekend the In-house Brunch Experience allows Bahamians to enjoy an array of delicious dishes prepared by himself and his team wherever persons are most comfortable.

“You don’t have to dress up, put on make up or drive your car because we bring brunch to you. There are two options: one where our customers give us their desired menu, or option number two where they decide from one of our precondition menus. Once an option has been selected, we provide you with the charges of that

service and we handle the rest. It’s a four-hour experience you’ll never forget offering three to six different dishes,” said Chef Morrison.

Chef Morrison said there has been a growing trend in healthy eating and healthy living. Therefore he has made it a mission to incorporate this by partnering with farmers to find the finest local produce and eliminate as much preserved ingredients as possible.

“The IChefUEat experience begins way before it reaches your tabletop.

Our team will not only find the best products to prepare your meals, but we also complete the shopping for your breadbasket items which is covered in your service charges. In addition, we provide a complete set up on location. To top it all off, at the end of each brunch our team ensures that there is no work left behind. We handle the cleaning of your kitchen space,” said Chef Morrison.

7

My perfect Bahamian weekend Joe Stubbs Producer, Bahamas Fashion Week Q: What have you been bingewatching?

“I don’t have the attention span to binge-watch anything. 11 minutes into any movie and I’m knocked out.”

Q: What was on your weekend menu?

“Anything fired, but more than likely fried wings and something what his vision was for this country and if else.” we are actually living up to it.”

Q: What activity will help you Q: If you could pass the time?

“Playing with my travel to one six-months-ole Cane place for a coronavirus-free Corse puppy.” weekend getaway, where would it Q: If you could be be and why? in lockdown with “Exuma!

Turn a celebrity, who off my phone and would it be?

“Sir Lynden Pindling! just exist for that I would love to know weekend.”

“When you look at a dish provided

by IChefUEat Bahamas, it’s so beautiful that you don’t even want to eat it. Not only is it beautiful, it’s unique and tastes just as good as it looks. It is our mission to bring the five star out of the four walls of a restaurant and right into the dining room of your home, yacht, condo or wherever you wish to enjoy this unforgettable experience. One of the things I can say is that when I launched my business, like many others, I’d never imagined a time like this would come.

However, since the beginning of the global pandemic, I’ve been blessed to have been able to keep it going.

Nowadays, I like to refer to my business as a ‘Covid Proof Business’.

“As a self-taught and self-trained chef, the experience of IChefUEat Bahamas offers is one that allows me to bring together everything that I’ve learned adding my own unique

touch. An experience that pleasures your taste buds and gives you bragging rights that says ‘ you’ve been blessed by the chef’.”

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

interview

Diann Watson eventually I did decide that this was something that I really wanted to do and so I went ahead and got training.

Initially she worked at the Glass Kitchen restaurant before opening her own takeaway in 2016.

“That was a very big learning experience for me,” she said.

The creative expression she was able to cultivate during that time helped her achieve a long-term dream of being a personal chef, particularly for yachts.

“I have wanted to be on the sea for a long time,” she added.

Last year, she moved to Abaco where she was able to make her Diann Watson misses the open dream a reality - until COVID made sea. Last year, she was living her everything come to a screeching halt. dream job traveling the Abacos as “I had one year to make my a personal chef on luxury yatchs, dreams come true and it was a great only to have her career dashed when year being a chef on these yachts, I COVID-19 reared its head and put a got to meet some amazing people stop to travel around the world. from all over the world. I also really It was a career she didn’t always loved the feeling of being out there dream of as a child, but one that in the vastness of nature. turned out to be her perfect fit.

Additionally, she says that she “I can’t say that I was that person loved the freedom of creating who grew up in the beautiful meals in a kitchen cooking. My ‘The challenge of beautiful setting. aunt was really the “The challenge of cook in the family working on a yacht working on a yacht is and she didn’t let me is that you have that you have to be in the kitchen when to be prepared prepared for whatshe was working, and ever happens. When so my initial intro- for whatever you get provisions, duction was just what happens. When you have to make sure I glimpsed when I you get provisions, that you have enough would pass the kitchen to last at least seven and see her cook- you have to make days or until you are ing,” she told Tribune sure that you have able to get to the next Weekend. port to replenish your enough to last at However, talent did needs. You don’t ever run in her family and least seven days or want to run out of she soon realised as until you are able food out at sea,” she she got older that she to get to the next said. too had a gift and a Another challenge port to replenish passion for cooking. she struggled with was “I started by just your needs. You sea sickness. cooking for my family don’t ever want “It is definitely and friends and they something that I had always told me that to run out of to get used to, when my food was good and food out at sea.’ you are crossing the some even suggested weather can be quite that I open my own restaurant.” rough and you can get really sick.

It took a while for her to be con- The first time I went out, I got really vinced, however, sick.

“I just didn’t think that it was my “Fortunately, one of the guests calling,” she says, was a doctor and he was able to give “But the more I cooked the me dramamine to help me get over more my passion developed and the feeling.”

From sailing the seas as a personal chef on luxury yachts to life in lockdown - it’s been a year of change for Diann Watson.

She tells Cara Hunt how she’s charting a new course because of COVID-19.

Friday, September 18, 2020

The Tribune | Weekend | 05

Friday, September 18 2020 Even when sea sickness is not a factor, galley cooking poses unique challenges for every chef.

“When the weather is rough, you have problems, things can start rolling and falling as you are cooking and so that is something that you have to deal with as well,” she added.

Now that COVID is a factor, Diann has had to take a break from cruising and, like many people, has had to adjust her work so that she can still ‘It is important make a living to remember during the that this virus pandemic. is still out there She has and you never now turned to her love know and so of cookyou have to be ing Jamaican very careful.’ and Caribbean fused food on a take-out/preordered basis.

“It is always important to be hygienic when you are cooking, but during this time you do have to be careful and take extra precautions,” she explained.

“Washing your hands and your utensils often is very important and also wearing your mask when you are interacting with your clients.

One of the things that I am also doing is not having people come at the same time to pick up their food, so I will arrange for them to pick things up at staggered times, just to limit contact. It is important to remember that this virus is still out there and you never know and so you have to be very careful.”

Diann also encourages people to use this time to experiment in the kitchen themselves.

“Restaurants are opening now, but a lot of people are still being affected financially, so it may not be possible to go out and spend a lot if money. Even fast food can be expensive. So I would encourage you to take some time and just start

cooking and experimenting.

“You don’t have to try something that is extremely elaborate for it to be tasty. Simple fresh ingredients will work and you may surprise yourself.”

Diann said that she is also using this season of her life, to listen to the call of the spirit.

“I really miss the sea and I would love to go back, but I also know that there may be other plans for me, so I would say take this time to really listen to the inner voice inside you as we go forward. This is a hard time for a lot of people and many people are depressed and so we really need to support each other now.”

Diann’s new venture is Jamakan Mi Grill - an authentic Jamaican Jerk Pit serving jerk chicken and pork, conch, ache and codfish and a variety of Jamaican sides such as festival, roast corn, rice and peas and plantains.

For further information, you can visit her social media pages at Chef D’Vine or call 535-6853.

Hover, Venture, Military, Weft. down: Jealousy, Sham, Truce, Revival, Stance, Worst, Pickle, Clover, Rebut, Colony, Tadpole, Douse, Axed, Basement.

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

tV croSSword

4

wordS

10 Sonic.

Liver

SuMthiNg

MuddlESoME

3x9=27, 5x4=20, 8x5=40

Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Adjani.

SMall croSSword

8 2 9 6 8 3 1 1 8 4 2 1 5 4 2 3 7 1 1 6

oHr BnK wE c

● The Quick croSSword

Yesterday’s call 0907 181 2585 Sudoku Answer for today’s target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

BATTLESHIPS

1

2

3

4

9

5

6

7

8

18

19

10 11

12

13

14

15

16

17

20 21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Blend, 4 Applaud, 8 Ace, 9 Ill-gotten, 10 Impulse, 11 Ebony, 13 Genius, 15 At rest, 18 Sprig, 19 Pretend, 21 Inside out, 23 Duo, 24 Pie-eyed, 25 Lodge.

Down: 1 Bearing, 2 Eye-opener, 3 Drill, 4 Allied, 5 Project, 6 Act, 7 Dingy, 12 Open-ended, 14 Ungodly, 16 Tadpole, 17 Uphold, 18 Skimp, 20 Extol, 22 See.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Quiet, 4 Aptness, 8 Asp, 9 Consulate, 10 Rosette, 11 Piece, 13 Laurel, 15 Stocks, 18 Wheel, 19 Intrude, 21 Inheritor, 23 Top, 24 Garnets, 25 Lurid.

Down: 1 Quarrel, 2 Imposture, 3 Tacit, 4 Arnhem, 5 Trumpet, 6 Era, 7 Siege, 12 Encounter, 14 Enlarge, 16 Steeped, 17 Hiatus, 18 Wring, 20 Tyrol, 22 Her.

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Capital of Spain (6) 4 Without penalty (4-4) 9 Subtle distinction (6) 10 Extremely lazy (4,4) 12 Supporter in struggle (4) 13 Strong point (5) 14 Sound of thunder (4) 17 Naturally averse (12) 20 To dupe (4,3,1,4) 23 A cereal food (4) 24 Self-assured (5) 25 Brutal ruffian (4) 28 American football field (8) 29 Snub (6) 30 Infer (8) 31 Drive forward (6)

Down 1 Crazy (8) 2 Submissiveness (8) 3 Minute amount (4) 5 Falsify accounts (4,3,5) 6 Be swarming with (4) 7 Puzzling fact (6) 8 Released from a liability (6) 11 So that everyone knows (3,3,6) 15 Horrify (5) 16 Full of life (5) 18 Athletics field event (4,4) 19 Vindictive (8) 21 Calamitous (6) 22 Lawsuit (6) 26 Volition (4) 27 Tolerate (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 3

B

2

C

5

D

1

E

1

F

2

G

1

H

1

I

3

J

1 2

1

2

1 x Battleship 2 x cruiser

2

2

2

2

1

3 x Destroyer 4 x submarine

3

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 1 21

A

3

1

4

2

3

5 9

E

Target across: 6 Phantom; 7 Sewer; 9 Vogue; number rEpugNaNt ague argue –auger represents a letter or black square.

10 Exhibit; 12 Respiration;uses 14 Predecessor; aunt erupt gaunt grunt gunner Asgurn in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet words in 18 Conceal; 19 Eject; 21 Reply; nature peanut prune pungent the main is used. youpunter have to complete 22 Obscene. punnetBut punt pure purge the grid too! down: 1 Throw; 2 Injure; body 3 Box;of4 Depict;use REPUGNANT rune rung runt taupe the given letters and black squares below Chambers 5 Lexicon; 8 Express; 11 Special; true trug tuna tune tuner tung theturn gridunapt to start. the grid is ‘rotationally 13 Crooked; 15 Docile; 1621st Object; unpeg uprate urea urge Century symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the 17 Scent; 20 Ebb. urgent Dictionary same if you turn the page upside down.

(1999 Solution tomorrow edition)

TODAY’S TARGET Good 19; very good 28; excellent 38 (or more). Solution tomorrow

Down 1 Sailor gains a lot of money in prizes (8) 2 Peculiar individual (8) 3 A noble brew of ale that’s about right (4) 5 Having broken a personal record, though on the decline (4,4,4) 6 Ruler said to have played with fire (4) 7 Flower book (6) 8 Is afraid of disturbing adders (6) 11 He has a moving part to play in the theatre (5-7) 15 The poet appears to lie badly (5) 16 A way always short and direct (5) 18 After the burlesque let’s organise a game (8) 19 They break the law and stow away in ships (8) 21 You may have a nap on it (6) 22 Slumbering; please disturb (6) 26 Elizabeth - a superior lady deserted by a sailor (4) 27 Tomorrow’s paper? (4)

3

2

1

targEt cAn you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid

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”.

Across 1 One responsible for laughter in court? (6) 4 He could be in Madrid and Paris at the same time (8) 9 Article in paper is a hoax (6) 10 Sergeant out to part friends (8) 12 His initial character differed before conversion (4) 13 Pick up something exclusive (5) 14 A set of cards four inches high (4) 17 Practically speaking it addresses campers (2,3,7) 20 Demolition worker with criminal intent (12) 23 Further chaos in Laos (4) 24 Where Soviet leader appeared in a fur coat (5) 25 Game speculator (4) 28 Introduces ten changes in newspapers (8) 29 Build new Northern capital (6) 30 Records an attempt to produce interior decoration (8) 31 Fits and starts (6)

2

4 THE ALPHABEATE

TARGET

across: 1 Table lamp, 7 Ella, 8 Sauce, across: 1 Gould, 6 Boot, 8 What We 10 Son, 11 Earned, 13 Scoundrel, Do, 10 Stamp, 11 Greig, 12 Philip, clock-wiSE 14 Gemini, 16 ODI, 18 Pansy, 19 Tree, Tony, 16 Staged, 17 True, 20 Engineers.

Best described as a number crossword, the task in 15 Kakuro hone, nest, stop, opal, also,on Soho a number-placing puzzle based a 9x9 down: grid 1 Telescope, 2 Alpaca, 3 Lawn, 19 Dancing, Marc, 22 is Madge. is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so 21Sudoku with several given numbers.

The object is to place down: 2 Omar, 3 Dwight, 4 Swap, 4the Lay, 5 Austria, 6 Penalises, the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, 5 Hollywood, 6numbers Butcher, 71Top, 8 Scenery, 9 Ironing, 12 Tender, left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number QuiZ of contains thE wEEk and each 3x3 box the same number 9 Anton Peso,column 14 Branning, 15 Mate, 17 RSI. on its top. No number may be used in the same block moredu, 13each only The difficulty of the Conceptis Sudoku Team, 18 Eric, 20once.

Nia. 1 Whitelevel 2 Queen 3 Grandmaster than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis 17 Kakuro croSS douBt increases to Sunday 4 Knight 5 Bishop 6 Peace 7 King increases from Monday to Sunday. tV show: Agatha Raisinfrom Monday 8 Black Sea 9 Hillsborough Castle across: DOUBT 10 Chris Boardman. down: CABIN

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

1

3 7 2 1 3 22 He makes the point, as 1 6 2 1 5 3 4 twenty run (6) 5 9 8 Friday, 2 1September 3 4 218,12020 24 Praise for6 log transported 3 1 by2 railway (5) 2 1

0

(D eac

0

*Ca y

34

27

8

23

5

30

36

11

32

2

37

26

25

13

10

24

2

36

23

2

39

20

19

16

30

29

13

14

33

1

16

2

38

27

15

1

17

22

37

1

30

4

15

33

24

31

30

36

28

2

12

19

14

11

1

26

36

2

28

4

23

36 35 19 22Yesterday’s

3

37

16

30

9

9

Kakuro 15 12 4 33 38 Answer

16

35

12

1

5

37

12

12

37

36

24

2

39

3

30

17

19

27

40

31

9

7

9

3

8

33

3

22

4

30

32

30

36

2

16

25

23

36

14

39

17

36

26

3

20

4

36

15

10

16

19

29

3

2

2

3

4

5

22

23

24

25

■

6

7

8

9

10

11

26

27

28

29

30

31

■

C

G

12

13

14

1

32

33

34

3

■

● Alternatively, for six Extra Letter clues to y text DXBEAT to 84901. Texts cost £1 plus your us

WORD BUILDER Answer the clues so that each word contains the same letters as the previous word, plus or minus one.

Solu

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, September 18, 2020

culture

Will it ever be fun to fete?

By JEFFARAH GIBSON • Tribune Features Reporter • jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THERE IS no telling when the highly anticipated Bahamas Carnival will be hosted again as the very nature of the event involves large groups of masqueraders partying, dancing and celebrating freely unfortunately in close proximity.

The consensus for all carnival lovers is that this type of event especially will not be experienced until the pandemic has been brought under control.

But even when the coronavirus outbreak has been tamed to a certain level and Carnival does return, will revelers who were once inhibited, be fearless enough to return to the fete? Or has the pandemic put a permanent dent in the way people have fun during the Carnival festivities?

Ann Balfour, of Xtasy Carnival Band, said by its very nature Carnival is an event that caters to large numbers of persons in close proximity to each other with little regard for social distancing, a key parameter to avoid the spread of the virus.

“Until a vaccine to combat the COVID virus’ transmission is developed, postponing Carnival could be the only option,” she told Tribune Weekend.

But it’s likely that even with a vaccine, social distancing protocols will be the norm for the long run.

“Social distancing is exceedingly difficult to enforce during a Road March which is essentially a moving party, comprising hundreds of masqueraders, with music, food and primarily alcoholic

beverages. Furthermore, social distancing becomes another challenge with respect to the large crowd of spectators who also come to view the Road March.

Jayde Knowles, also known as the PR Princess and on the frontline of the Carnival culture locally, is part of the organising team.

She said the pandemic will bring about changes to the event, but she is convinced the fete culture will certainly make its comeback.

“The Carnival culture will definitely bounce back. May not be now but it will eventually. Carnival is a livelihood for many persons; the designers, the builders, the sponsors, the groups, the promoters, the artists, the carnival goers. It’s not something you can just put off for life like it meant nothing.

The Carnival community will find a way to dance in the streets and celebrate once again.

Jayde has also participated in the Road March and said she has no concerns whatsoever about jumping back in the line.

“I do not have any inhibitions about participating in any future Carnival activities. Carnival made me the ‘PR Princess’. It allowed an expression of freedom and joy to be shared amongst others in the country and worldwide. It brought clarity to so many who didn’t understand its value. I look forward to the Carnival festivities every year and it will not stop now. I feel the break was needed, but it

will be back, stronger and ever,” she said.

Pia Munroe, who would have been a newcomer to Carnival this year, said she has lost some of her courage about joining a Carnival band.

“From the beginning of the event several years back I wanted to participate in it and join in all the fun. And now that I finally found the courage to participate, this pandemic happens and changes things. I am rethinking my decision.”

Randy, on the other hand, who has participated for three years in a row, said he has not been deterred.

“I am longing for a good fun time at a fete. The moment things change, I will be fully clad in my carnival costume and whoever wants can meet me on road.”

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 16, 2020

film

Cuties causes controversy after Netflix release

By CARA HUNT • Tribune Features Reporter • cbrennen@tribunemedia.net ON the surface, Cuties is your typical coming of age tale. Amy, played by the talented Fathia Youssouf, is decided to watch Cuties with an open an 11-year-old Senegal immigrant mind. I have to admit that based on who lives with her Muslim family in the trailer alone, I wasn’t convinced one of Paris’ poorest neighborhoods. the movie would be the evil it was She struggles with her strict religious being portyed as.

After all, we live in an age of femiupbringing and the fact that her father has hurt her mother by taking nism where women and, yes, young girls are encouraged to embrace their a second wife.

Amy soon becomes fascinated with sexuality and feel confident about a group of girls who have formed a their own bodies. We see girls on the dance group and are auditioning for beach in bikinis and on dance shows a talent show. She joins them and and in competitive sports like gymembarks on a journey of self-discov- nastics, tennis and beach volleyball ery as she teaches herself and the wearing skimpy outfits without batting other girls dances from exotic danc- an eye.

We also live in an era however ers she views online.

The movie has come under fire where sexual trafficking and pedophilia are unfortunately from critics who say it Cast very serious issues that glorifies child pornoghave to be dealt with. raphy and the sexual Fathia Youssouf There is no doubt exploitation of young Médina El director Maïmouna Dougirls in general. While Aidi-Azouni couré wanted her movie there is no nudity, the Esther Gohourou to spark debate about young actresses are Ilanah these issues and to highscantily clad and gyrate Cami-Goursolas light the role social media in sexual dances and Maïmouna Gueye Directed by plays on the esteem of use profanity. young women.

Netflix, which is Maimouna Doucoure “I realise that the streaming the film, people who have started came under attack with #cancelnetflix trending on twitter this controversy haven’t yet seen the and the movie’s director has received film. I’m hoping that these people will watch the movie now that it’s out. death threats.

The National Center on Sexual I’m eager to see their reaction when Exploitation condemned Netflix they realise that we’re both on the for giving a film “that has permitted same side of this fight against young the sexual exploitation of children” children’s hyper sexualisation,” she a platform and called for the com- told the Zora website.

She also pointed out the dance pany to cut the “sexually-exploitative scenes or stop hosting this film at all”. scenes were composite shots rather After reading the controversy, I than taken all at once and she had

THE YOUNG cast of Cuties, which has come under fire since its release. a psychiatrist on set for the young actresses during filming.

“For me, being a feminist means that even if we don’t agree on everything, we should fight for each woman to be free to choose who she wants to be. With this film, I wanted to give these young children a voice while protecting them. I also wanted to create a mirror for adults to look at ourselves and see where we have gone wrong with this problem,” she said.

Cuties is a disturbing movie, and not easy to watch. On a superficial level, there are many gaps in the movie’s plotline where you are left to wonder if you missed a key scene.

But it also feels like something you shouldn’t be watching. Seeing little girls gyrate with the camera panning to their barley covered private parts seems wrong. Even as they act in such adult ways, they also demonstrate just how innocent they are. A scene in the park shows one of them blowing up a discarded condom which she thinks is a ballon.

“How was I supposed to know what it was,” she cries when her friends tell her “its a condom - AIDS people use to have sex”.

As a mother of a daughter, I couldn’t help but wonder how I would feel if this were my child and why the parents of these actress thought these roles were the right ones for their young daughters.

It’s uncomfortable and the dance

scenes seem to glorify the very sexual exploitation that Doucouré says she is trying to expose.

Reviewers at the Sundance Film Festival didn’t find the film exploitive. “The sight of twerking preteen bodies is explicitly designed to shock mature audiences into a contemplation of today’s destruction of innocence,” the film critic Fionnuala Halligan wrote in Screen Daily.

A spokeswoman for Netflix said in a statement that the film was “a social commentary against the sexualisation of young children”.

Fair points, but they could have been made in a few seconds of screen time instead of the extended dance scenes seen consistently throughout the movie.

There are lessons to be learnt from the film - the effects of peer pressure and social media, the suffocation that young girls may feel in deeply religious homes (in this case Muslim), how the decision of one parent can have a profound effect on the entire family and how important it is for young women to come into their own truth about feminism, sexuality and their own self-worth.

However, I fear that like the trees in the forests, those messages are lost in a haze of little girls dancing.

• Cuties is currently streaming on Netflix and was the number one movie streamed in The Bahamas, this week.

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, September 18, 2020

art

NAGB launches tri-fold exhibition

By JEFFARAH GIBSON • Tribune Features Reporter • jgibson@tribunemedia.net

PREPARATIONS underway for the return of Transforming Spaces.

Transforming Spaces is back

By JEFFARAH GIBSON • Tribune Features Reporter • jgibson@tribunemedia.net FOR all the art lovers who have been waiting and anticipating to dive into the creative world, Transforming Spaces Bahamas has this message: “See you in November.”

It was one of the most exciting messages the organisation has been able to share with the general public. Its annual art tour usually held in Spring has been postponed on several occasions due to the dynamic nature of the pandemic. Now with the country’s steady opening Transforming Spaces (TS) is welcoming all to hop on the bus tour for an immersive art experience.

TS returns to offer art enthusiasts, collectors, and visitors alike another unique experience totally immersed in the contemporary Bahamian art scene.

The committee made the announcement, saying: “As The Bahamas prepares for the proposed reopening of its borders on October 15, the Transforming Spaces Committee wishes to advise the art community and our

valued patrons that plans are underway for the annual TS Art Tour to take place at the beginning of November.

“All tickets purchased will be honoured at that time. We also assure you that we are continuing to closely monitor the COVID19 situation, and will keep you informed of any developments or changes. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Although the event’s highlight is the art bus tour weekend, TS will include a series of fringe events. Leading up to the tour weekend, TS galleries will host a curated walking art tour, high tea party, private and public openings, a creative panel discussion, all culminating with a closing event.

This year, the event will highlight the best in contemporary Bahamian art across six sites through eight participating galleries including: D’Aguilar Art Foundation, Doongalik Studios, Project I.C.E, The Current at Baha Mar, The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, University of The Bahamas, Central Bank of The Bahamas Art Gallery, and New Providence Antiques.

AFTER months of hosting virtual events to keep those at home engaged, the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas launched PULSE – a multifold exhibition.

The exhibition is curated by Richardo Barrett, NAGB exhibition and collections care associate, centred on Bahamian public art. This thought-provoking show will be rolled out over several months, and encourages us to pause in our everyday lives.

“The PULSE exhibition reflects on the power of art during the contemporary crisis of COVID-19 and other historical moments,” Mr Barret said.

Themes such as Bahamian identity, local economy, public safety and community togetherness are addressed in the artwork of this show.

The first iteration called living PULSE launched online on September 17 and will include “living participatory” murals by Allan Wallace and Angelika Wallace-Whitfield, streamed on the museum’s website. The artists will be creating live artworks with online intervention from the public, who will be asked to participate by completing them.

Taking things out of the virtual world, the gallery will roll out “naturesPULSE” in October, an outdoor exhibition featuring ten sculptures by artists Antonius Roberts, Wellington Bridgewater, Drew Weech, Katrina Cartwright, Nick Austin, Tyrone Ferguson, John Panza, Alex Timchula, Netica “Nettie” Symonette and David Wynne.

Utilising virtual tours, music playlists and PDF activities, the show is COVID-19 friendly for visitors, as it will all be experienced in NAGB’s re-energised Art Park.

The third and final iteration, onePULSE, is an “inhouse” or “at-home” residency for seven artists: Amaani Hepburn, June Collie, Jodi Minnis, Lemero Wright, Matthew Rahming, Benjamin Ferguson, and Alisa Streather Robinson. Over a three-month period, they will work in the NAGB gallery spaces or at home and will create six murals using local materials.

“These will be on show at the NAGB for one month from November to December and will also be available for viewing online. After this, the murals will be installed in various sites across The Bahamas to offer as many members of the public as possible the chance to share in the experience.

Mr Barrett said “PULSE” is an exhibition that seeks to inspire and uplift during this time. “We are working with artists to bridge the gaps in our communities by addressing topics that aim to give voice to the voiceless.”

NAGB chief curator Dr Daniela Fifi supports Mr Barrett’s vision. She said public art in all of its various forms creates a source for awareness, encouragement, education and self-expression. “During this time, it can serve as a beacon of hope and an anchor for a society riddled with anxiety and uncertainty about the future. As we, in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, move into a new way of living and seeing the world around us, art encourages us to continue to engage with each other and community.

PULSE centres around public art that is freely accessible and allows for a reflective pause amid the everyday, which we think is essential.”

For more information log onto nagb.org.bs.

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 18, 2020

Literary lives

Gypsy Rose Lee 1911-1970

SIR CHRISTOPHER ONDAATJE writes about the American burlesque entertainer famous for her striptease act.

Between her mother, Rose, and her sister, Baby June, who later became known, of course, by the name of June Havoc, the actress, Gypsy Rose Lee, or Louise as she was born, grew up in just about the most famously dysfunctional family of all time.

Karen Abbott Author: American Rose: A Native Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee (2012) GYPSY Rose Lee was born Rose Louise Hovick in Seattle, Washington, on January 8, 1911.

Her sister, the actress June Havoc, was born the following year.

Their mother, Rose Thompson Hovick, forged their birth certificates to evade state child labour laws. She married John Olaf Hovick – an advertising salesman on the GYPSY Seattle Times in 1910 – but divorced him ROSE in 1915. She then married Judson BanLEE nerman in 1916 - but that marriage too was short-lived. Following Bannerman’s divorce, their mother forced her younger daughter to perform in vaudeville and the act was billed as the “Tiniest Toe Dancer in the World”. She was only two-and-a-half years old.

The child supported the family.

When the young June (Havoc) was 13, she eloped with a dancer and went on to pursue a career in marathon dancing – a more profitable vocation than tap dancing.

The elder daughter Louise’s singing and dancing performances were not good enough to sustain the family without her sister June, so she turned to burlesque. When the shoulder strap of her gown broke, her dress fell to the ground despite her efforts to cover herself.

“I wasn’t naked. I was completely covered by a blue spotlight.”

Gypsy Rose Lee Encouraged by the audience’s response she went on to make the accident the focus of her act.

She emphasised the “tease” in “striptease” and brought a sense of humour into her act becoming famous for her wit as well as her stripping style.

She changed her name to Gypsy Rose Lee and became one of the biggest stars of Minsky’s Burlesque – a brand of New York burlesque theatres established in 1912 by four Minsky brothers – but closed in 1939 by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.

She was arrested frequently while performing in the Minsky show – but she was a great attraction continuing to draw large crowds.

“If a thing is worth doing, it’s worth doing slowly – very slowly.”

Gypsy Rose Lee Once she had conquered burlesque, she tried her hand at movies under her real name Louise

Hovick. The studio heads were terrified that her stage name would frighten people away. She made Ali Baba Goes to Town in 1937. She was 26. The film wasn’t much of a success. She made three more films in the 1930s and 1940s – also with little success. She wrote a mystery novel, “The G-String Murders” (1941) which was eventually made into

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, September 18, 2020

GYPSY Rose Lee and her sister “Bay June” - child vaudeville performers. a film Lady of Burlesque (1943) starring Barbara Stanwyck, but she was comfortable and successful being the Queen Mother of burlesque.

She had an affair with the producer Mike Todd and appeared in his musical revue Star and Garter (1942). She was a notoriously big name in show business and was forced to marry Arnold “Bob” Mizzy at the insistence of the film studio to hide her affair and help start her film career.

They divorced in 1941, and she married William Alexander Kirkland - an early Hollywood sound-era actor the following year. That marriage too ended in a 1944 divorce when she gave birth to a son, Erik Lee, fathered by Otto Preminger – the movie producer.

She married a third time in 1948 to Julio de Diego, a Spanishborn visual artist, but that marriage also ended in divorce. She also had to contend with her mother who constantly tried to extort money from her.

Gypsy ... was called the most popular entertainer in the world. She was more popular that Eleanor Roosevelt.

During the 1939/40 World Fair they took a poll and she beat Eleanor Roosevelt.

Karen Abbott Author: American Rose: A Native Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee (2012) With three unhappy marriages behind her she continued to perform and was viewed as a “high class” stripper. She was secretly pleased when HL Mencken, the journalist, essayist, cultural critic, and author of

GYPSY Rose Lee at Minsky’s Burlesque Theatre.

The American Language referred to her and her profession as an “ecdysiast” – a more dignified way of referring to her performance. “‘Ecdysiast’ he calls me. Why the man is an intellectual snob. He has been reading books. Dictionaries.”

Gypsy Rose Lee In 1940, Gypsy Rose Lee purchased a townhouse on East 63rd Street in Manhattan with a private courtyard, twenty-six rooms and seven baths. Her mother continued to demand money from her and her sister, so she rented a ten-room apartment for her – who opened a boarding house for women there.

It was reported that on one occasion her mother shot and killed a guest at the boardinghouse.

According to Erik Lee Preminger, Gypsy’s son, who was the author of several books, the murder victim was her mother’s female lover. The incident was investigated and explained away as a suicide. No one was prosecuted.

Her mother died of colon cancer in 1954.

After the death of her mother, the sisters were now free to write their memoirs. Gypsy: A Memoir was published in 1957 detailing her childhood in vaudeville and her relationship with her mother.

“Men are attracted to my mind.

They’re attracted by what I don’t mind.”

Gypsy Rose Lee Gypsy: A Memoir was an instant bestseller.

Broadway producers

GYPSY Rose Lee as an author and, right, her memoir

noticed this and decided that it would make a great musical. With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, it was an immediate smash hit in 1959. Many think it was the best Broadway musical of all time.

The musical did not focus on Gypsy Rose Lee alone, but rather on her single-minded, hard-driven, and even monstrous stage mother.

The show, and the 1962 movie adaptation, assured Gypsy of a steady income. Her sister June published Early Havoc and More Havoc relating her own vaudeville experiences.

Gypsy Rose Lee was able to enjoy the musical’s success in her last years.

“I have everything I had twenty years ago – except now it’s all lower.”

Gypsy Rose Lee She went on to appear in three films in the 1950s, and three more in the 1960s. She even went on to host her own television talk show Gypsy, on San Francisco KGO-TV. The walls of her Los Angeles home were adorned with pictures by Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, and Max Ernst – all reportedly given to her by the artists themselves.

“God is love – but get it in writing.”

Gypsy Rose Lee Gypsy Rose Lee died of lung cancer in Los Angeles on 26 April 1970. She left an estate valued at over $575,000 – or nearly $4m in today’s money. She is buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. The author acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; Gypsy: A Memoir (1957) by Gypsy Rose Lee; and American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee (2012) by Karen Abbott

14 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, September 18, 2020

animals

Conversation under the bush

By KIM ARANHA THE setting: In the garden on a hot summers afternoon, during one Covid 19 Sunday. Two humans are having lunch on the terrace. Five dogs are lazing around in the heat.

Each dog has one personal spot where they are allowed to dig Buddy does not always stick to the rules; he thinks everybody’s spot is his.

Buddy: Hey Chiefie?

Chief: Yes Buddy (with a rather big yawn) Buddy: Look at me, just look Chief: I’m looking Buddy, Buddy: So what do you see?

Chief: I see you Buddy, my good friend Bud Buddy: Chiefie, look again! I am a potcake!

Chief: No, you’re not a Potcake Buddy, you are a Black Labrador Buddy: No Chiefie, you have got it wrong…look what am I doing?

Chief: Lying in a hole in the dirt Buddy: Exactly, and that, my friend, Chief, makes me a potcake!

Chief: Buddy, lying in the earth doesn’t make you a potcake, Buddy: Oh yes it does, I came under the bush, I dug a hole of my choice and I am lying in it. That is officially Potcake behaviour.

Poor Chiefie looked at his friend and sighed an enormous sigh because he knows that there is no point in arguing with Buddy.

Buddy has always wanted to be

a potcake since he was little and joined the pack.

Buddy: And Chiefie do you know what Wednesday was?

Chief: No Bud, what was Wednesday?

Buddy: International Potcake Day, people all over the world who had adopted Potcakes had their photos up on Facebook showing the world how beautiful the Potcake breed really is.

Chief: I know, Buddy, my photo was up.

Buddy: Yes and so was mine as a honorary Potcake. Admit it Chief I have all the traits. I’m beautiful… smart and hard headed.

Now this entire conversation is taking place in the earth under the

bush, Buddy and Chief put their heads between their paws and do what all Potcakes, all dogs really, do best and that is go fast asleep to the sound of the bees and the birds singing and the humans talking.

Chief wakes up first because he hears a sound far away but as he is self appointed head (Chief) of security he is compelled to shatter the silence with a torrent of woofs in the air, because, to tell the truth, the noise is so far away it is virtually impossible to establish where it is coming from.

Buddy: Shucks Chief, I was sleeping, do you have to be so loud?

Chief: Buddy there was a definite noise and it could be that intruders are on their way.

Pet of the Week: It’s raining cats

By The Bahamas Humane Society

IT’S RAINING! Kittens and cats, that is! The Bahamas Humane Society has many amazing cats and kittens of all ages available for adoption.

They come in a wide range of colours, in many different sizes, and you’re sure to find the one that fits your style.

Need someone playful? Check out the kittens. Need a quieter calmer friend?

Meet our adult cats (some of them are playful, too!). Whatever you’re looking for, the BHS is sure to have it so come meet the kittens and cats today!

As an added bonus, adult cats are free for the rest of the month. How can you go wrong? So call the BHS today at 323-5138 and come and meet your next family member!

The BHS Thrift Shop is now back to its regular days! Wed/Thurs/Fri 11am to 3pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm.

Wear your mask. Bring your bag.

Please leave your children at home!

We are allowed limited numbers inside, so please bear with us if you are asked to wait a bit. We look forward to seeing you! Gently used donations always gratefully accepted.

Buddy: I highly doubt they are intruding in this property with the racket you are making. Look now Boss, Garmin and Bella are all howling, look what you have started.

Chief: Buddy, listen to me. Do you know that truck that comes by three times a weeks and steals the garbage? Well, if I am in the garden when that truck comes, I scare it away each and every time, within a short time those men jump back on and the truck scurries down the road…They still steal the bags though, I haven’t figured how to stop that, but I chase them away.

Buddy: And what about how you are when another dog walks by our gate? I just love barking at them too.

Chief: That’s the best, the only thing is that Mum comes out and calls us back in to the house saying to stop! I hate it when she says “That’s enough” so silly how can she, as a human, possibly know, if we, the canines, have finished giving the dog walking by the gate his marching orders? That’s enough … really, who is she fooling?

Buddy: You know that young guy Sparky; he was adopted from the Bahamas Humane Society.

Cute little fella, he is trying so hard learning manners. I remember bothering to do that years and years ago…Now I just rest my head on her knee and look up at her and she will give me just about anything I ask her for.

Chiefie: But you’re such a good boy Buddy and such a nice guy. Everybody wants to give you what you want which is why, Buddy, I have not asked you to move away from my spot, that actually is my carefully dug hole that you are occupying.

Buddy: Oh sorry Chiefie, it just looked so comfy that I couldn’t resist. I had to adjust it just a little bit, hope you do not mind…

With that Buddy pulls himself out of the hole and shakes most of the dirt off him as he heads to the pool amid shouts from his Mum… Bliss being hard of hearing thinks Buddy as he takes to the water…

The Tribune | Weekend | 15

Friday, September 18, 2020

Forgotten facts

Collecting Bahamian postcards

By PAUL C ARANHA I AM frequently asked about buying and collecting vintage Bahamian postcards and usually end up discussing the history of postcards, so here goes: What is believed to be the world’s first postcard was mailed in England in 1840, but picture postcards first appeared, in 1870.

At that time, the back of the card had to be blank and could be used ONLY for the name and address but, in 1902, the US Post Office approved the addition of a vertical line, to divide the back. The message had to be written on the left side, leaving the right side for the name and address.

It took about five years, however, for the printers to run out of ‘blank back’ paper and, during those years, cards came in both styles.

Before the start of World War, I (1914), the best-quality cards bore the words ‘Made in Germany’, on the back. Sadly, after the war, Germany never regained that distinction.

William Henry Jackson, an American photographer, came to Nassau, to take photographs, on behalf of The Detroit Publishing Company and

CLOCKWISE from above left, Mathew Town, Inaproduced the first postgua, postmarked October cards of the Bahamas, 20, 1907; Ceiba or silk which came on the cotton tree, Nassau, ated market in 1901, They 1901 by William Henry carry the words “COPJackson; and the same YRIGHT, 1901, BY tree printed in the 1924 THE DETROIT PHOTribune Handbook.

TOGRAPHIC CO.” and cover almost anything there was to see. placed on Several local photographers proeither side of the Queen, duced postcards – including Fred RPC, or Real Photo Cards, were Armbrister, JN Chipman, Jacob the non-digital version of Facebook.

Coonley, Ron Lightbourn, Freddie Anyone could take a photo and have Maura, ‘Doc’ Sands, Stanley Too- it printed on special Post Card Paper. good. When Sands introduced a new The Kodak Postmark Camera was series of images, it was big news in fitted with a small flap and, by lifting the local press. that flap, one could write directly on A good example of how scenes the front of the postcard, for a very change are three photographs of personal touch.

Rawson Square/the Public Buildings.

Filing your collection is important.

In 1901 there was no statue of Queen As my collection grew, I became a Victoria. The statue was erected, in regular buyer of the Stanley-Gibbons 1905, to commemorate her Silver Jubi- Post Card Albums. I now have 12 of lee and, by 1921, a cannon had been them. Number 1 is sorted in historical

THIS WEEKEND IN HISTORY

Ben Carson, is 69. Actor Aisha Tyler is 50. Former racing cyclist Lance Armstrong is 49.

Actor Jada Pinkett Smith is 49.

Actor James Marsden is 47.

September 18

• In 1881, James A Garfield, died 2½ months after being shot by Charles Guiteau; Chester Alan Arthur became president.

• In 1783, Jacques Etienne Montgolfier launched a duck, a sheep and a rooster aboard a hot-air balloon at Versailles in France.

• In 1955, President Juan Peron of Argentina was ousted after a revolt by the army and navy.

• In 1985, the Mexico City area was struck by a devastating earthquake that killed at least 9,500 people.

Birthdays: Former NFL running back Larry Brown is 73. Actor Jeremy

• In 1793, President George Washington laid the cornerstone of the US Capitol.

• In 1850, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which created a force of federal commissioners charged with returning escaped slaves to their owners.

• In 1964, “The Addams Family,” inspired by the Charles Addams cartoons, premiered on ABC-TV. • In 1970, rock star Jimi Hendrix died in London at age 27.

Birthdays: US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,

September 19

order, starting with Fort Montagu (1742) through to the old Gaol (1798), which was converted to the Public Library in 1873.

Several albums are devoted to the Out Islands and others to New Providence. Whatever your interests, postcards are a link with our past and a relaxing way of remembering it.

Irons is 72. Actor Twiggy Lawson is 71. Chef Mario Batali is 60. Country singer Trisha Yearwood is 56. News anchor Soledad O’Brien is 54.

September 20

• In 2017, Hurricane Maria, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years.

• In 1519, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew set out from Spain on five ships to find a western passage to the Spice Islands.

• In 1958, Martin Luther King Jr. was seriously wounded during a book signing at a New York City department store when he was stabbed in the chest by Izola Curry.

Birthdays: Actor Sophia Loren is 86. Actor Gary Cole is 64.

Actor Jon Bernthal is 44.

THE CHANGING look of Rawson Square - in 1901 with no statue of Queen Victoria, top, in 1905 with the statue erected, and in 1921 with cannon in place.

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, August 14, 2020

gardening SEEDS have many variations as I began on last week, noting that GMO seeds are not available on the consumer market, hybrids make up much of the vegetable crops as we know them, and hybridisation is deliberately created to breed a desired trait. Other variations of seed availability include open pollination and heirloom.

Open pollination is defined as when pollination occurs by insect, bird, wind, humans, or other natural mechanisms. Because there are no restrictions on the flow of pollen between individuals, open-pollinated plants are more genetically diverse.

This can cause a greater amount of variation within plant populations, which allows plants to slowly adapt to local growing conditions and climate year-to-year. As long as pollen is not shared between different varieties within the same species, then the seed produced will remain trueto-type year after year. This is typical with flowers, trees and shrubs, and vegetables and herbs.

For open pollination to be successful and allow a crop of cabbage or broccoli to create seed that is true to type, considerable distance must be given between crop of similar types.

As I mentioned last week as well, with peppers for example, if two or more varieties are grown within a close proximity of each other, hybridisation is a likely result and the seeds will not be true to type.

An heirloom variety is a plant variety that has a history of being passed down within a family or community, similar to the generational sharing of heirloom jewellery or furniture. An heirloom variety must be open-pollinated, but not all open-pollinated plants are heirlooms. While some companies create heirloom labels based on dates (such as a variety that is more than 50 years old), others identify heirlooms by verifying and documenting the generational history of preserving and passing on the seed.

The month of September is an ideal time to get seeding plants for our prime growing season, and many plants that have a tough time in the heat and long days of summer, tend to start taking on an increased vigour and growth pattern during September. There are some general guidelines available as to what to plant and when, but I find that most everything seeded in the last two weeks of this month usually do quite well. I am still having trouble

Heirloom and open pollinated seeds

Adam Boorman with spinach for example, as it is a bit early for them yet, it doesn’t stop me from trying though!

When purchasing seeds, there is usually information on the preferred temperatures and methods on the labels. It is important to read the seed packet, but keep in mind that none of it is set in stone, and some adaptations to your own growing style and location will still lead to success! Some plants will want to be planted deeper in the starting media than others that prefer to be on the top of the soil and need light to force germination.

Some plants will do best if planted into a seed starting tray with a quality propagation mix, and some prefer to be seeded straight to the ground.

Carrots, beets, some squash, etc., will do better if they are seeded right into the garden row or raised planter.

If you’re saving seeds from earlier crops, don’t be surprised if there is less uniformity than the first go around, due to natural hybridisation that may have occurred. Arugula and lettuce are two plants that reseed quite easily for me if they’re in a suitable spot in the garden. Eggplant is a perennial in our climate

and now is a perfect time to get them in the ground.

It is time to get growing! Cucumber, broccoli, kale, cabbage, lettuce, and many more are thriving in their seed trays for me, as I kept them in a cool spot during the first 2 weeks of September. I have begun moving them into brighter light and they are toughening up and filling their pots with roots so that they are strong enough and will be ready to be transplanted soon. Time flies in the garden, and each day or week of procrastination is another day or week between now and a beautiful healthy crop, so, no procrastination!

Get growing gardeners, share your seeds and produce and as always, I wish you happy gardening!

• Adam Boorman is the nursery manager at the Fox Hill Nursery.

You can contact him with any questions you may have, or topics you would like to see discussed, at gardening242@gmail.com.