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Friday, November 5, 2021

fashion interview gardening history art puzzles animals

Weekend

Scrub up in style Page 02

Dynamic duo Cocoplum’s team promotes culinary worldliness

pgs 08 +09

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, November 5, 2021

fashion

Scrub up with style

Young physician launches medical wear line By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

s a junior physician working in the department of Paediatrics at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Emerald Nathan’s uniform mostly consists of a set of scrubs. After spending years in scrubs, Emerald knows exactly what she requires from her medical wear, but she hasn’t always been lucky finding what she wants locally or from international manufacturers. So she decided to create her own brand of medical uniforms to allow her fellow healthcare workers and other professionals to feel comfortable and look professional at the same time. Emerald, a wife and mother to a little boy, officially launched her line of scrub wear called GRIT last week. “I’ve been a physician since 2017 and most recently have found this passion in being an entrepreneur,” she said. “I remember speaking with a good friend randomly about various business ideas I had, which started out as a creative outlet. I was fascinated by career women that were wives, mothers and also entrepreneurs and their compelling stories.” After giving birth to her son, Emerald started looking for scrubs for when she went back to work. It wasn’t an easy task finding what she wanted, especially on the limited local market. “I wanted certain fabrics that would be soft on my skin, fabrics that weren’t prone to easy wrinkling. I wanted fabrics that were also stylish. I wanted to always look well put together, even if I didn’t feel as if I was. After working at the hospital 24 hours and counting, I still wanted to look professional and kept when I saw my patients. I didn’t have to look like I had a rough night or that I was at work for a prolonged period of time. I wanted to give my patients that courtesy of presenting my best self, not only in my patient-doctor interactions and thoroughness, but also in the way I showed my level of self-worth by the way I carried myself, something that my parents taught me,” she told Tribune Weekend. Emerald decided to take things into her own hands and create a line of scrubs that measured up to her standards. “Can you imagine spending money, shipping fees included, expecting one thing and then once you open your package it doesn’t fit or it’s not what you’ve expected? Now you’re stuck with those items. That has happened countless times to me and I thought if the items were available locally that would alleviate the problem,” she said. “It is important to note that GRIT is not only for healthcare workers, it’s also for persons in the beauty and spa industry who work long hours as well and desire style but not at the expense of comfort.”

EMERALD Nathan (centre) has launched her own line of scrubs

GRIT, she said, currently offers comfortable scrubs ranging in size from small to 2XL, and can be purchased from he brand’s social media pages. “There are so many brands, not just scrub wear brands, that inspire me. I’m inspired by a brand’s professionalism, a brand’s mission, identity, how they market, their Instagram content and more. I am inspired by stories about women that persevered, that had a dream and went after it. Looking at those big brands isn’t intimidating, it gives me a goal and something I can aspire to, as they started

off just like me: with a dream, research, and drive,” said Emerald. Speaking about scrub trends, Emerald said she knows women love the classic V-neck and straight leg, but new joggers and the Mandarin collar are very popular now as they look young and sporty. Popular colours are wine/burgundy, emerald green, royal blue, mélange grey and mélange blue. Personally, her favourite scrubs to work in are ones that are flexible, comfortable, soft on the skin, and have vibrant colours. She loves scrubs that fit well and are flattering, so her focus while at work can be on the task at hand and not on fixing her attire. “I’m looking forward to watching a dream not only come to life but also grow. I’m looking forward to the self-growth that will come from being an entrepreneur and all of the amazing, determined, passionate like-minded individuals that I will meet along the way. I’ve got big dreams and plans for GRIT and I am looking forward to what is to come through God’s guidance,” said Emerald. For the remainder of the year, GRIT will also be looking at expanding to more styles and sizes and adding men’s styles.

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

Friday, November 5, 2021

Weekend Inside

My Perfect Bahamian Weekend Novia Pierre

Singer/songwriter

Interview 4 – 5

Pianist and educator Dion Cunningham runs, swims and cycles for Ironman 70.3 to raise awareness of the arts.

Puzzles 6 Art 7

‘Evolution of the Arc’ exhibition at NAGB explores post-Dorian and pandemic environment

Food 8 – 9

Cocoplum’s dynamic duo seek to promote ‘culinary worldliness’ with Mediterranean menu

Gardening 10

A showstopper for your yard, if you have the space that is

Q: What will you be binge-watching this weekend? “The holiday baking shows.”

Music 11

Local rapper Vless hopes to reengerise Bahamians with new “Junkanoo” song.

Literary Lives 12 – 13

Q: Beach or sofa? “The beach; I need the exercise.”

A majestic diva of opera

Forgotten Facts 14

Life in South Andros in the past

Animals 15

The Bahamas in the spotlight at COP26, plus Pet of the Week

SUPERSTAR DOJA CAT TO PERFORM AT ATLANTIS FOR NEW YEAR’S One of music’s hottest stars, Doja Cat, will be welcomed at Atlantis for a special New Year’s Day concert. The exclusive outdoor event will take place on the resort’s Royal Deck overlooking Paradise Lagoon. The performance is part of the acclaimed entertainment series Atlantis LIVE. Tickets start at $149 and are on sale Thursday, November 4 at www.atlantisdojacat.com or by calling 363-2000. The “Say So” singer should feel right at home at the Paradise Island resort, as just last month she celebrated her 26th birthday with a star-studded bash where she dressed up as Princess

Q: Rum, wine, a cocktail or a Kalik? “Cocktail for sure. I am still celebrating 50.”

Q: If you had to be quarantined with a celebrity who would it be and why? “Matthew McConaughey. How many times do I have to say it!?” Q: If you could take a COVID- 19-free trip, where would you go? “Italy…to a vineyard with wonderful food and music.”

Kida from Disney’s animated film “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”. The Grammy-nominated American rapper, singer and songwriter, whose real name is Amalaratna “Amala” Zandile Dlamini, started her career as a teenager by posting her music to SoundCloud. Her song “So High” garnered the then 18-year-old a record deal with RCA. Doja has social media to thank for much of her fame. She first went viral in 2019 with the song “Mooo!” and its accompanying video, which she said she specifically made to become a meme. And she achieved her goal. The video, in which she was dressed in a “sexy cow print costume” while dancing in front of laughable animations, became a viral sensation on YouTube with more than 67 million views. But it wasn’t until the Generation Z app TikTok made her song “Say So” a global hit with a dance that went viral that she became a superstar. A remix of the song featuring Nicki Minaj helped the song shoot up to No 1 on the Billboard charts last May.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, November 5, 2021

interview

Dion Cunningham A staunch advocate for the arts in the Bahamas, this passionate pianist ran, swam and biked a total of 70.3 miles during a recent Ironman event to raise money and awareness for a community project to bring the joy of various art forms to the people. He tells Jeffarah Gibson why this race was so important to him and his efforts.

ION Cunningham is passionate about bringing the arts to people. He feels his fellow Bahamians, especially, can benefit from the positive impact various art forms can have on everyday life. To promote the arts and raise money and awareness for his community outreach efforts in this area, he participated in this year’s Ironman 70.3 North Carolina triathlon. An artist and musician, Dion sought to flex his muscles in a different and physically more thrilling way by participating in the triathlon which consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. A serious amateur athlete in his own right, Dion encouraged the general public to support

each mile of this 70.3-mile race with a suggested donation of $100 for a mile or $50 for a half mile. He was able to raise $1,000 that will support his outreach work, Adventures in the Arts, in 2021/22. The pianist said it was an absolute honour to be able to participate in the event. “I was also grateful to bring awareness to my arts outreach work. I wore a shirt with the Adventures in the Arts logo during the run portion and received attention for that,” he told Tribune Weekend. “The triathlon was an incredible experience; one of the greatest thrills I’ve ever had. First of all, it was my first triathlon, so to start with an Ironman 70.3 and to complete it was an accomplishment. I participated in a field of well over

2,000 athletes. The last four miles of the run portion (mile 66 in the overall race) were really tough. Athletically, it totally surpassed my expectations. Though I’d been training for it for many months, you just never know. I saw people dropping out during various portions. So I was grateful to finish. “In terms of the goal and attention to Adventures, it also surpassed my expectations. Though the financial goal wasn’t achieved, a lot more people know of the work. And for that I’m really thankful. We hope that we garner more support on the resources front though.” Adventures in the Arts started as a community initiative in 2016 while Dion was studying for his doctorate of Musical Arts.

The Tribune | Weekend | 05

Friday, November 5, 2021

“As an instrumentalist, (I know) the Bahamian community doesn’t really have a strong appetite for art music genres. I was giving traditional piano recitals and noticed the attendance wasn’t great despite the immense preparation and marketing. So I needed a way to create a larger audience to not only to highlight my burgeoning career as a classical pianist, but also as a way to raise funds to continue my education,” he said. “I created the first Adventures Edutainment (education and entertainment) Experience in January of that year where I hoped not only to share how awesome this music is, but to connect it to both other art forms and to our everyday lives. It included not only traditional classical music but also 20th century genres, video game music and film music. It was originally designed for children and youth only. But with the last three productions we have opened it to the general public. The concept of the production has expanded to include other local and international performing and visual artists intertwined with film and drama.” Since that time, Adventures in Art has been growing with a mission to foster a greater appreciation of the arts, developing the arts and growing a crop of passionate individuals. “I felt that in our community art doesn’t go further than mere entertainment. There is nothing wrong with that, but arts can be used for so much more. It can literally change the trajectory of individuals’ lives, communities and nations if used with intention. It is my life’s mission to use the arts to achieve such ends,” he said. To date, the initiative has reached over 1,000 students in the community through field trip experiences as well as over 500 people from the general public. “Audiences have said that they left the show having had numerous new artistic experiences, for example baroque dance, live painting, video game construction, dramatic improvisation, and a new appreciation for those art forms. They are also more aware of their presence in their everyday experience,” he said. Up next. Adventures in the Arts is producing its first ever Christmas edition and its fifth Edutainment Experience in five years on December 17-18 at the Christ Community Church. Children and youth from local children’s homes will be admitted free of charge. Dion said he feels privileged to be able to give back to his country and to share the wealth of his knowledge. He has the distinction of being the first Bahamian to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He achieved this in 2019 at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dion now aims to broaden the artistic landscape locally and internationally through his academic work, professional engagements and community outreach efforts. A true son of the soil, Dion graduated from Thelma Gibson Primary and St Augustine’s College in Nassau. During those years, he studied piano and music theory with Dawn Sands. Later on, he attended Macalester College and the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins where he studied with Don Betts and Marian Hahn. For his outstanding musical achievements, he won the prestigious Lila Bell Acheson and Frances Turner

“

I felt that in our community art doesn’t go further than mere entertainment. There is nothing wrong with that, but art can be used for so much more. It can literally change the trajectory of individuals’ lives, communities and nations if used with intention.”

Prizes in Music. While at the University of Maryland, competition prizes afforded him the opportunity to make his Carnegie Hall debut in New York. Additionally, his dissertation, “The Science of Artistic Expression”, led to collaborations between the School of Music and the Neuromechanics Research Core. Having had 10 years experience as a K-12 educator in the Bahamas and US, and having achieved his diplomas and masters of Music Education during those years, Dion is currently on faculty at the University of the Bahamas in Music and Education. His research work continues to explore intersections between the arts and sciences. As a performer and presenter, his career has taken him to many places around the world, including Italy, Hungary, Greece, the United Kingdom, as well as the US and Canada. His most recent engagement was an eight-day tour of recitals and master classes in the US in September with colleague and trumpeter Dr Josh Gangeer.

27 Important person, relative to river (7) 28 Understanding English, my way inside (7)

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

22 If you don’t X T C R J T N down:mind, 2 Ire; 3remove Eerie; 4 Excite;(5) 5 Trivial; I N O E H P E first contract 6 Confederate;is clean (5) T U V S T X R 24 Sooty companion Friday, November 5, 2021 7 Recollect; 10 Singularity; 11 Perpetual; 14 Erector; 16 Hamlet; 19 Trial; 21 Net.

OA E RGD NDW

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. Verb forms ending in S permitted. TODAY’S TARGET Good 29; very good 43; excellent 57 (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 Where one first saw the light (10) 6 Brought up food, we hear (4) 10 Whole lot at assembly (5) 11 Call to mind (2,7) 12 Penitent shortly continued with a ceremony (8) 13 What one is not well out of? (5) 15 It’s surprising a parent has the energy (7) 17 A set preliminary (7) 19 Not a miserly poet (7) 21 The star is upset by apparent dangers (7) 22 A lot to collect (5) 24 Study an island made of sand and cement (8) 27 Hasty article written about severe defeat (9) 28 Swear an oath (5) 29 How to bring in a small river fish? (4) 30 They step on many feet (10)

Down 1 Barrel and stock of gun (4) 2 Limit the drink; it makes good sense (9) 3 Number in the crowd to see the composer (5) 4 Serving a highball (7) 5 Catches performing seals (7) 7 Turn for information - up or down (5) 8 Accommodation for a model family (5,5) 9 Invigorating new tune? (5,3) 14 Create fuss that won’t leave people unmoved (5,1,4) 16 Neglected, but is found in fresh undies (2,6) 18 Rendered drunk (9) 20 Admit that you take in stolen goods? (7) 21 Thing to put out at the end of today (7) 23 Unusually eager to come to terms (5) 25 Short summary about capital investment (5) 26 Authors make pounds (4)

9 10

14 15

25 26

Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Reflect, 5 Swing, 8 Sore point, 9 Tie, 10 Yawn, 12 Daybreak, 14 Roll up, 15 Turn in, 17 Supposed, 18 Twig, 21 Raw, 22 Open-ended, 24 Early, 25 Mastery. Down: 1 Risky, 2 Far, 3 Espy, 4 Taiwan, 5 Set about, 6 In the know, 7 Gherkin, 11 Willpower, 13 Autonomy, 14 Reserve, 16 Redeem, 19 Godly, 20 News, 23 Doe.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Poppies, 5 Pupil, 8 Priceless, 9 Lot, 10 Eddy, 12 Reporter, 14 Simple, 15 Gambol, 17 Cannabis, 18 Beta, 21 Eli, 22 Upper hand, 24 Dunce, 25 Emended. Down: 1 Pupae, 2 Psi, 3 Idea, 4 Scenes, 5 Pastoral, 6 Palatable, 7 Literal, 11 Dimension, 13 Pleasure, 14 Succeed, 16 Dimple, 19 Aided, 20 Free, 23 Add.

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Behaving as expected (4,2,4) 6 Surfeit (4) 10 A firearm (5) 11 Compliance with orders (9) 12 Appropriate (8) 13 Measure round a body (5) 15 Capable of being heard (7) 17 Melodious (7) 19 Open to question (2,5) 21 Acute vexation (7) 22 Give as prize (5) 24 Rapid disastrous collapse (8) 27 Low voice (9) 28 Repair badly (5) 29 Comfortable (4) 30 Churlish (3-7)

Down 1 Sharp in taste (4) 2 Baseless (9) 3 Apply medical care to (5) 4 Inconvenience (7) 5 Rule of conduct (7) 7 Of the moon (5) 8 Conform to general rule (3,3,4) 9 One of the original American states (8) 14 Ludicrous distortion (10) 16 Line marking a limit (8) 18 Strong alcoholic liquor (9) 20 Silly (7) 21 Irish girl (7) 23 South American mountains (5) 25 Charge against an account (5) 26 To cast off (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

9 10

2 5

O C N E C B

E R S B H V

B O I R A R

P E E U N C

B V X K C E

O I Z P E K

B N O J C O S P O

U O N C R U T O P

A T V T E O R N S

N I P J P R B E L

THE ALPHABEAT

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.

L O C A T E

M G C O E J V U K

1 x Battleship

3 x Destroyer

2 x Cruiser

4 x Submarine

targEt thE Each alphapuzz CAN you crack the Alphabeater? grid NotoriEty Protégé, Jail, Most number represents a letter across: – or black square. entity inert inter into intro iron (clue), Oiliness, Frigid, Happ As innitre Alphapuzzle, every letter of Carpet, the alphabet irony nitty NOTORIETY Fusion, Blizzard, Tap e orient rein But riot rite tine to tintcomplete Quay, Breaker. is used. youtierhave the grid too! tiny tire tiro titre trine trio down: Uproar, Umlaut, Dolt Use the given letters and black squares below triton tritone yeti Grizzly, Devoid, Nearby, Wea the grid to start. The grid isCudgel, ‘rotationally Juniper, Toke, Tissu Expiry. symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the * same if you turn the page upside down. Solution tomorrow 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

29 Yesterday’s 1 29 8

Kakuro Answer 34 36 23 17 29

■■

● Alternatively, for six Extra Letter clues to text DXBEAT to 64343. Texts cost £1 plus your

KEIJO 1

The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, November 5, 2021

art

(l-r) “Cat Island Green Tomato” by Sofia Whitehead; “Imperfect Growth” tryptic by Andros-based artist Elkino Dames; “Common-well-th” and “Junkanoo Aesthetic,” (centre) by Shaquille Coleby

New NAGB exhibit explores postDorian and pandemic environment

here has been much written about the importance of art during a time of crisis. Art helps to process difficult emotions. It brings us joy and provides hope. Art presents an opportunity to voice our ideas and share them with others. It has the potential to bring us together. At a new exhibition at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) titled ‘Evolution of the Arc,’ art is being used to explore the impact and vulnerabilities laid bare by the twin-crises faced by this country over the past two years – Hurricane Dorian and the ongoing pandemic. ‘Evolution of the Arc’ features work by 10 artists. The work emphasises the challenges and possible solutions related to issues such as sustainability, climate change, the need for economic diversity and food security in a post-Hurricane Dorian and pandemic environment. “We see artists in this show contemplating how we come together as a nation after (Hurricane) Dorian and now in the midst of a pandemic, and how we can move forward as a nation,” said the show’s curator Deime Ubani. The show was originally conceptualised with a particular focus on the impact of Hurricane Dorian and the problems it exposed. It was planned for 2020, and then the pandemic hit. Ms Ubani said it seemed only natural that the ongoing impact of the pandemic be incorporated. After all, many of the vulnerabilities exposed in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian have been exacerbated by COVID-19. Another important element of the exhibition for Ms Ubani was to create an opportunity to bring together the wider artistic and creative community. Ms Ubani is known for her work with ‘The Salus Project,’ which brings together local artists “focused on the combined values of art and wellness to raise awareness and bring about positive changes in the community.”

It was in the spirt of partnership between ‘The Salus Project’ and the NAGB that ‘Evolution of the Arc’ was created, according to NAGB curator Natalie Willis. The shared goal was to welcome the wider artistic community into the museum for “conversation and exchange.” “Evolution of the Arc” succeeds in bringing together the wider artistic community. Of the 10 artists selected to be in the show, six are from the Family Islands and one is from the Caribbean region. Featured artists include Arielle Rahming; Caroline Anderson; Dorlan Curtis and Allan Jones; Elkino Dames; Errol Brewster; Dr. Ian Bethell-Bennett; Leanne Russell; Shaquille Coleby; and Sofia Whitehead. The selected works range from the traditional to the conceptual. They include mixed media on canvas and paper, digital and text projections, large-scale installations, paper on ink, photography and digital prints. In some cases, the selected works are exhibited alongside pieces from the gallery’s National Collection. While all of the works selected for the exhibition “seek to inspire, critique, uplift and offer space for contemplation and representation,” here we hear are four creators whose works focus on solutions, awareness and hope for the future” “Disposable Income” Dorlan Curtis Jr and Allan Jones Eleuthera Offering one possible solution to the perennial challenge of solid waste is “Disposable Income” by Eleutherabased artists Allan Jones and Dorlan Curtis Jr. The installation focuses on solid waste and economic stagnation. It asks the viewer to contemplate how raw packaging could be given another life and how that has the potential to benefit the local economy.

The artists upcycle cardboard to create perfectly functionable – and attractive – dinner plates. The piece also includes architectural panelling that serves a practical purpose as a divider in the gallery’s exhibition space, and a digital projection of burning piles of garbage. “ ‘Disposable Income’ combines material-driven design as the guiding principle to raise awareness of upcycling and carboard waste, not only as an input for our highest cultural expression, Junkanoo, but as a valuable and untapped resource to create sustainable food ware,” the artists explained.

from reclaimed Abaco pine beams salvaged from historic homes that had to be demolished following Hurricane Dorian. The Passage is a nautical landmark for boats travelling between the ultraluxurious Bakers Bay community and the communities of northern Abaco that are still rebuilding from 2019’s Hurricane Dorian. “Multi-million-dollar boats pass Treasure Cay and ‘The Farm’ on this route daily, oblivious to the living conditions,” said Ms Russell. A time-lapse video records the movements of passersby. And for anyone who is curious, a QR code strategically placed on a mock “For Sale” sign provides an explanation of the life-sized abacus, which stands over seven feet and has fully functional counting beads. For the second component of the installation, the time-lapse video is projected in the second-floor stairway of the NAGB, where smaller replicas of the abacus are displayed in nearby alcoves. The video also incorporates spoken word performances by artists with ties to Abaco. “Common-well-th” “Junkanoo Aesthetic” Shaquille Coleby New Providence

For Abaco artist Leanne Russell, the “Evolution of the Arc” presented an opportunity to expose the “sociological traumas” laid bare by Hurricane Dorian. Ms Russell and her entire family lost their homes on Green Turtle Cay when the category five Hurricane Dorian touched down in the Abacos on September 1, 2019, destroying virtually everything in its path. While she acknowledges that Green Turtle Cay is among the first Abaco communities on its way to a full recovery, many residents on the mainland are finding it difficult to bounce back. Ms Russell uses an abacus (a calculating tool) to highlight what she describes as the discrepancy in aid and assistance distributed to storm-ravaged communities following Hurricane Dorian. She argues that while “tourist playgrounds” received the majority of aid immediately following the storm, many locals are still “struggling to rebuild and afford the elevated cost of living.”

If Ms Russell is seeking to give viewers a reality check, artist Shaquille Coleby is inviting them to escape from reality to a surreal world that represents his high hopes and dreams for rhe Bahamas. Mr Coleby’s hyper-realistic digital collages reveal a fantasy world filled with mermaids, coral reefs, chicharnies, lush plants, succulent fruit, and high ideals. “It’s my version of the Bahamas where we have unlimited possibilities of what a small island nation can be,” he explained. “It has all of the wishes that we hope for our country.” “Junkanoo Aesthetic” is inspired by a Junkanoo headpiece and is used to express Mr Coleby’s cultural aspirations for the Bahamas. He uses the images of indigenous shells, fruit and leaves to emphasise that we already have what we need to “stand out on the world stage.” In his piece “Common-well-th”, rich images of indigenous flora and fauna, pollinating honeybees and towering trees heavy with ripe fruit surround what Mr Coleby refers to as a “conch well”. The literal well represents the people of the Bahamas, all of whom are invited to “approach and partake” in this magical world, said Mr Coleby.

The installation unfolds in two locations: A large-scale abacus is installed on Don’t Rock Passage, and is constructed

• ‘Evolution of the Arc’ is open now and runs until January, 23, 2022 at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. For more information, visit nagb.org.bs

“Abaco Abacus: A Recounting of Our Sins” Leanne Russell Abaco

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, November 5, 2021

gardening

A flowering showstopper – the floss silk tree Good day, gardeners! A tree that deserves mention every year at this time is the Ceiba speciosa (formerly known as Chorisia speciosa), commonly called the floss silk tree or silk floss. This tree gives the most spectacular show in late October into the middle of November. It is native to the tropical and subtropical forests of South America, but it does very well in our climate, is non-invasive, and is a treat for the bees and pollinators. The Ceiba is propagated from seed and while they are related to the naturalised silk cotton tree, it is a bit slower growing than the silk cotton and doesn’t get to the massive size of silk cotton trees. There is one

planted on our property that is at around 40 feet in height and width, it is almost 50 years old. In some regions the tree will flower while there are leaves on the tree, but here in the Bahamas the leaves drop before the flowers emerge and then regrow after flowering. The floss silk tree requires ample space. I would recommend placing them at least 50 feet from a building, or even twice that. They are not well suited to a small property due to their reaching habit similar to that of the silk cotton tree. If there is enough space on a property, then these trees are a surefire hit for showiness and specimen planting. The bright pink flowers can be seen

from a great distance as the crown of the tree gets completely covered in flowers. One drawback of the tree is that it is messy when the leaves and flowers drop, but the flowers don’t last long on the ground as they tend to rot quickly, and if there is a natural area underneath the tree, the flowers can be left to add organic matter to the soil or lawn grass underneath. They create a pink carpet of fallen flowers. If these trees are planted near walkways or driveways it is recommended to clean the fallen leaves and fallen flowers regularly as they can be slippery when walked on or driven on. Bussin’ ya hip after slipping on them is never fun, trust me on that one. Despite the relative messiness of these trees, they are a showstopper and a standout when it comes to specimen flowering trees. The care requirements are slim, and they tend to thrive in the mineral content that is available in our soils, generally, without any supplemental nutrients or any particular cultural requirements other than a watering now and again in the dry season when they are establishing. Once established, the only maintenance becomes a few days over several weeks to clean the debris. The debris, if collected, can be mixed into a compost heap or compost bin, or let to rot down (they give off no odour) to add organic material to the ground.

Onto the edibles…. The season for growing a veggie garden is in full swing now that it is November and remember; even if you reside in an efficiency unit you can still grow some food! Container gardening is an efficient and relatively simple way to reap the rewards of the garden from your own windowsill or doorstep. Tomato, cucumber, eggplant, carrots, and on and on, herbs, onions, lettuce, kale, et al, can all be successfully grown in a container with minimal care requirements. Start with a potting mix designed for the size pots that you would like to use, for best results. When gardening in containers, adequate drainage, airspace, nutrient and water holding capacity all become that much more important. Mulch on top of the soil in containers will help to preserve existing moisture content and help to reduce the maintenance needs, i.e., time and effort. Keep your eyes open for a floss silk tree flowering, and if none are to be found, if you’ve got the space for one, go on out and get one in (to the ground, that is…). 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. at gardening242@gmail.com.

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, November 5, 2021

music

Rapper Vless wants to remind Bahamians who they are with kinetic By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer | cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

ocal rapper Alexander Laroda, known by his stage name “Vless”, is hopeful that his newest single will help reenergise the country and get people’s blood pumping in these difficult times. The song is simply called “Junkanoo”, and Vless hopes it will remind Bahamians who they are at heart. “I got the idea for the song last year during lockdown, when everyone was stuck inside and wishing that they were outside. I think there was a disconnect with who we are, because people had no way to connect with our culture. We had no rush-outs, no Junkanoo. It was like the pulse of the Bahamas had flatlined and I wanted to capture that feeling of our culture through this song in the hopes of helping to bring the pulse of it back,” he told Tribune Weekend. The new song, which also has some traces of the classic rape n’ scrape sound, will be released today on SoundCloud. Vless said the people who had the opportunity to hear the song in advance have given him such good feedback that he is excited to soon share it with a larger audience. Vless has been singing all his life since. When he was younger, he and his brothers formed a band called Nuvera and performed in their grandparents’ church. Back then, he said, he was more than content to stay behind the scenes acting as a manager and director, but as the years passed and the brothers started pursuing their own interests, the group eventually parted ways. It was then that he decided he wanted to start his own solo career and followed his passion for rap music. That was about two years ago, and he has been loving the journey since then. “I write my own songs. I like to just find a bit of solitude to sit and get it out, and I usually base these on my experiences and the experiences of persons around me,” he said. Vless’ advice to aspiring musicians is to nurture their passion, whatever shape it takes, because that is where their true purpose in life lies. “We were not put on this earth to work; we were put here to be creative,” he said. “Work is just something that you do to pay the bills, but the thing that you live for and invest yourself and your time in, that is your passion.” The rapper also encourages people to ensure they surround themselves with the right tools and people to help bring their passion to life.

ALEXANDER LARODA, aka Vless Vless explained that his stage name is a play on the Bahamian use of the word “bless”. “When I was in school, my friends and I used to go around and answer everyone with the word bless and you know how Bahamians like to add a ‘v’ to words, so that is how I came up with the name Vless,” he said. It is a name which he hopes will be well-known in future. He sees himself touring, while promoting his brand and the Bahamas to the world within the next few years.

Tupac Shakur’s life, legacy to be subject of massive exhibit By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tupac Shakur’s handwritten lyrics from classic songs such as “California Love” and “Dear Mama” along with galleries that pay homage to his upbringing and late mother are among the features in a massive touring museum exhibit. The Shakur Estate announced Tuesday that the “ Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free ” will open January 21 in Los Angeles. The exhibit is described as a fully immersive, thought-provoking museum experience that explores the life and legacy of the late rapper. Shakur, one of the most prolific figures in hip-hop, died in 1996 from gunshot wounds. He was 25. The exhibit is expected to spend six months in Los Angeles with the hopes of touring other cities. “There are thousands of pieces of paper, handwritten pieces of paper – which is everything from his lyrics to all of the songs and poetry that you know down to a grocery list for a birthday party,” said Arron Saxe, president of Kinfolk Management + Media, who is working with Shakur’s estate. “The whole point of this exhibit was to not only show the kaleidoscopic nature of Tupac, but also show how he is relatable,” Saxe continued. “There are incredible pieces of clothing. This exhibit is also a mix of contemporary art and technology too. Many of the artifacts have never been seen before.” The 20,000-square foot exhibit will showcase Shakur’s music, poetry, wardrobe, activism journey and other items in galleries. One of the galleries will be dedicated to the rapper’s late mother, Afeni Shakur, the former Black Panther who inspired the work of her son. She died in 2016. “Tupac Shakur was my Malcolm; he was my Martin, and to build an experience that honours such a prolific man, cannot be summed up in words,” said Jeremy Hodges, whose firm, Project Art Collective, is working with The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the creative portion of the exhibit.

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Literary lives - Jessye Norman

A majestic diva of opera PART I Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about the American opera singer and recitalist who was able to perform dramatic soprano roles – but refused to be limited only to that voice type. “A person has the right, and I think the responsibility, to develop all of their talents.” - Jessye Norman Jessye Norman was born on September 15, 1945 in Augusta, Georgia to Silas Norman, an insurance salesman, and Janie King-Norman – a schoolteacher. She was one of five children. Her mother and grandmother were both pianists, and her father sang in the local choir. Norman went to Charles T Walker Elementary School, and sang gospel songs at Mount Calvary Baptist Church was she was four years old. She entered her first vocal competition at the age of seven, forgetting her words in “God Will Take Care of You” and placed seventh. Later in her career she said: “I guess He has taken care of me.” It was her last memory slip in public. When Norman was nine she was given a radio for her birthday and discovered the world of opera, listening to the weekly broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera. Both Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price were enormous inspirational influences in her career. She received voice coaching at AR Johnson Junior High School and then studied at the Interlochen Centre for the Arts in Northern Michigan. When she was sixteen, she entered the Marian Anderson Vocal Competition in Philadelphia and, although she did not win, she was offered a full scholarship at Howard University in Washington, DC. She sang in the university chorus, and as a soloist at the Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ. She became a member of the Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority. In 1965, Norman, with thirty-three other female students and four female faculty, became founding members of Delta Nu – a chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity. In 1966, she won the National Society of Arts and Letters singing competition. She graduated in 1967 with a degree in music, and began graduate studies at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, and later at the Michigan School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she earned her Master’s Degree. After graduating, Norman, like many young American musicians at the time, moved to Europe to establish herself. In 1968, she won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, and the next year she began a

three-year contract with the Deutsche Oper Berlin where she first appeared as Elizabeth in Wagner’s Tannhäuser. She had a surprisingly wide vocal range from contralto to dramatic soprano. She performed as a guest artist with both German and Italian opera companies with her flexible and powerful voice. “I think that, certainly, most of my operatic roles are in German. It think it helped because, of course, I was lucky in that I was invited to sing, first of all, my operatic debut in Berlin at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, which was West Berlin at the time.” - Jessye Norman In 1970, she appeared in Florence in the title role in Handel’s Deborah, and then in 1971 she sang at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in the role of Sélika in Meyerbeer’s L’Africaine. The same year she also portrayed Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro at the Berlin Festival, and recorded the role with the BBC Orchestra conducted by Colin Davis. Although she did not win, the recording was a finalist for the Montreux International Record Award Competition. “One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and vocation.” - Jessye Norman In 1972, Norman made her first appearance at La Scala, Milan, singing the title role in Verdi’s Aida, and at the Royal Opera at Convent Garden, London where she appeared as Cassandra in Les Troyens by Berlioz. Norman was Aida again in a concert version that same year in her first well-publicised American performance at the Hollywood Bowl for the venue’s 50th anniversary celebration. This was followed by an all Wagner concert at the Tanglewood Music Festival in Lennox, Massachusetts, followed by a recital tour in the U.S., after which she returned to Europe. She returned briefly to the US in 1973 to give her first New York City recital as part of the “Great Performers” series at the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts. “As for my voice, it cannot be categorised – and I like it that way, because I sing things that would be considered in the dramatic, mezzo or spinto range.” - Jessye Norman (Sneak Peek Photography)

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NORMAN sings Wagner’s Tannhäuser in Berlin in 1968. (Photo_Interlochen Centre for the Arts) In 1975, at the age of thirty, Jessye Norman moved to London and disappeared from the opera stage for the next five years. The decision was never fully explained, but it was calculated to save her voice and to focus on her greatest strength – singing with and above a full orchestra. For the next half decade, she developed a healthy schedule as a concert soloist and solo recitalist. Later, a 1983 recording of the Strauss Four Last Songs with Kurt Masur and the Gewandhaus Orchestra sealed her position as perhaps the foremost performer of orchestral Lieder. She returned to the opera stage in 1980 with an insipid performance of Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos in Hamburg and London, that served chiefly to accentuate how uncomfortable she was moving about the stage. A Met debut followed in 1982 in Berlioz’s Les Troyens, but opera gradually faded out of her agenda. At the end of the decade, she returned to live in the US and made the second decision that extended her career – a drop from soprano to mezzo. Given that the top notes were never her forte, this allowed her the freedom to explore the best facets of her remarkable instrument – warmth, deep colours and a lightness that took listeners often by surprise. “I sing in languages that I speak. So when I’m singing a Schubert song, I know precisely what every word means and, you know, when it was composed and who was the poet ... and whether Strauss or Wagner or French Berlioz, Duparc or Debussy or whatever.” - Jessye Norman Norman was careful about her programme and selected her recitals innovatively. She commissioned woman-life-song by composer Judith Weir which premiered at Carnegie Hall together with texts by Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou and Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

A YOUNG Jessye Norman

JESSYE Norman as Ariadne, (Winnie Klotz_Met Opera photo)

“Norman has one of the most opulent voices before the public today, and, as discriminating listeners are aware, her performances are backed by extraordinary preparation, both musical and otherwise.”

performance that was repeated at the Metropolitan Opera that marked the Company’s first single-character production. It was presented in a double-bill with Norman playing Judith in Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle. Also, that same year, she was the featured soloist with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic in the opening concert of its 148th season – telecast live by PBS. She travelled to Hong Kong and performed at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre opening; and gave a recital at the National Theater and Concert Hall in Taipei.

- Allen Hughes The New York Times On January 21, 1985, Norman was invited to sing at the second inauguration of US President Ronald Reagan, performing “Simple Gifts” from Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs. In 1986 she sang God Save the Queen for Queen Elizabeth’s 60th birthday celebration. That same year she was a soloist in Strauss’s Four Last Songs with the Berlin Philharmonic during their tour of the United States. Her interpretation of the Strauss creation was especially acclaimed as the tonal qualities of her voice were ideal for these final works in the great Romantic German Lieder tradition. Over the years, Norman expanded her talent into less familiar areas. She sang Poulenc’s one-act opera La voix humane based on Jean Cocteau’s 1930 play of the same name. Right throughout the 1980s and ‘90s she produced numerous awardwinning recordings. In addition to opera, many of her performances focused on art songs, lieder, oratorios and orchestral works. She performed Arnold Schoenberg’s GurreLieder and his one-woman opera Erwartung – a

She was much in demand, and in July 1989 was invited to sing the French National anthem La Marseillaise to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. She sang at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, in a costume designed by avant-garde designer Jean-Paul Goude. The event was the inspiration that led the South African poet Lawrence Mduduzi Ndlovu to write a poem titled “I Shall Be Heard” dedicated to Jessye Norman. The poem appears in Ndlovu’s book of poems In Quiet Realm. • Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; The Dictionary of World Biography edited by Frank N. Magill (1999); and Stand Up Straight and Sing by Jessye Norman (2014), Houghton Mifflin

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history

Life in South Andros

eith F Otterbein’s 1966 book The Andros Islanders is an amazing and easy read.The first time I read it was in 2004 and a friend, who had close connections to Andros, assured me that the text was accurate, though some of it might be exaggerated. Whatever the case, I am reading it now and find it hard to put down. Otterbein (1936–2015),an American Professor of Anthropology, wrote so many books about warfare that I wonder how he found the time to do two field study trips to Long Bay Cays, Andros – described by him as a district which extends from the south bank of South Bight and runs along the east coast of Andros for eight and a half miles and is composed of seven villages – Driggs Hill, Long Bay, Congo Town, Motion Town, Duncombe Coppice, High Rock and The Bluff. He gives a life-like description of a scene that I witnessed in my youth, in Nassau – how a house is built: “Houses are nearly identical, except for size. They are box-shaped, with white limestone walls and shingle roofs, which give them a structure that can well withstand the impact of late summer hurricanes. Porches, usually of wood, extend across the front of some of these houses. Windows, which seldom have glass panes, are often secured to keep out ‘varmint’ (insects); they are always framed by wooden shutters, usually green, which are closed at night. “The house lot is usually provided by a young man’s father, from land that he owns in the village. Although the father does not have to contribute financially to the building of his son’s house, the community expects him to provide the lot. Sometimes this land is located besides the father’s house, but usually it is elsewhere in the village. If the father has no land, some other relative may provide the lot or, if the youth is already courting a girl, her parents may furnish the land. “After the lot has been selected, the first step in building a house is the preparation of the lime, for the walls. A lime kiln, approximately two feet in height and eight feet in diameter, is built around a tree stump. Sticks are tied upright to

PAUL C ARANHA

FORGOTTEN FACTS

LONG BAY CAYS, Andros the stump, then bundles of brush are laid on the ground, around the stump. Brush is then scattered over the platform built from the bundles, and oölitic limestone rocks, broken into pieces smaller than a man’s fist, are piled evenly on top. When the

wind is calm, the top of the stump is ignited, with kerosene. The next day, the wood has burned away and all that remains is a pile of smoldering limestone, the rocks having become powdered by the heat. After a month

or two of westering, the lime is ready to use. “The next step is to gather the sand and rocks that are used to construct the walls of the house. Houses are approximately 20 feet square, though they may be larger, if the owner can afford the additional expense. “After the corners are marked, one-foot-wide trenches are dug down to bedrock, from corner to corner. Then wooden planks, eight feet long and one foot wide, are laid along both sides of the trenches, perpendicular to the ground. These planks are held in place by crosspieces. “Mortar is made by mixing water, sand and lime, though some men have started adding commercial cement to their lime-sand mixtures. Rocks are placed in the trenches and between the forms and mortar is poured over them. Once the first level of the wall has hardened, the forms are moved up, so that a new layer of rocks and mortar can be laid between the planks. “Space is left for doors, at the front and back of the house and for two windows in each wall. Finished walls are approximately eight feet high. “After the walls are completed, the roof is added and, after the roof is completed, the flooring, a wooden platform, is put in, though the more affluent may prefer a cement floor.” • For questions and comments, please send an e-mail to islandairman@gmail.com

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animals Animal matters Kim Aranha BABYLYNN THE KITTEN (PHOTO/LINDA GILL-ARANHA)

very week I sit in front of a blank piece of paper, or rather a blank “Word” screen on my desktop computer and I think about what I can write about that will please you, my readers. I think about articles I have read, newscasts I have seen, stories that I have heard that could make for interesting “copy” (newspaper jargon!), there are times that the choices are overwhelming and others where, figuratively speaking, the cupboard is bare. I must take this opportunity to thank some people, very dear to me, who send articles that they have seen from all over the world to help inspire me. You know who you are, and I am eternally grateful. There are occasions when nothing of substance has occurred, it is at that time that I know I can always write about one of the thousands of living creatures on this wonderful planet of ours. There is always an article about an insect, bird, marine life, jungle inhabitant, or the sweet world comprised of our furry friends who share our lives with us. Thanks to the internet I have readers all over the world - Sydney, London, Paris, Rome, Padova, Geneva, New York, and so many more places; way too many to mention. It is knowing that you enjoy these articles and look forward to new ones that makes it so much fun to write them. There are days when I sit down and suddenly the entire article pops into my head, ready and waiting to be written so it can be shared. Those are the easy days, others require a little more discipline and thought, but they always provide me with a great feeling of accomplishment when I have finished the writing and push send to submit, knowing that I have a few more days of research and inspiration before starting the next one. The last few days our newly elected Prime Minister has certainly given me food for thought and I am beyond excited to hear his position on climate change. So many people refuse to acknowledge that climate change is a real issue, and they brush it away as if it were an annoying mosquito. Too many very qualified scientists have brought reality into our living rooms for us to refuse to accept what

PET OF THE WEEK

is happening all around the world. There is much to do in the Bahamas environmentally and I am happy that Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is aware of the seriousness of the global situation. I welcome the fact that his speeches have been well received in Europe and around the world, and I hope that this little country can put it’s best foot forward in all things environmental over the next few years. Yes, there is much to be done,

A chance to win big by supporting the BHS By The Bahamas Humane Society “Well, I’m not quite ready to be adopted yet! I’m here at the Bahamas Humane Society with my mother Brenda, and once we’re spayed we’ll be good to go. I’m really here today to ask you to please support the BHS after their recent break-in by buying a raffle ticket or two or a whole book! Tickets are $5, or a book of 21 for $100 (that’s one free ticket!). The grand prize is $10,000 in groceries from Super Value, with some other amazing prizes as well. many wrongs to be righted, and it will take time. Rome most certainly was not built in a day, and nor can we be impatient and expect miracles to occur overnight. As a nation, I assume, there must be a sort of “wish list”, and COVID must reign supremely at the top of that list. As a people we can protect ourselves through vaccines and following the prescribed protocols. By doing that, we will assist our country to return to normal. The sooner we re-

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis arrives for the COP26 summit at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday. (Phil Noble/Pool via AP)

Tickets can be bought at the BHS, at Fox Hill Nursery or from any Board member. I wish you good luck with your ticket and hope you’ll consider filling out an adoption form at the same time. I’m young and playful and just itching to find out about your place. Won’t you please consider adopting me when the time comes? You can call 323-5138 for more information. I look forward to seeing you soon.”

turn to some sort of normal, the more emphasis can be put on other essential matters. The Bahamas is one of the most beautiful places in the world, with the clearest water and some of the cleanest air. We must all strive to keep it that way for our children’s children. It is so easy to say what is wrong and what is not being done. To complain comes very easily, the heroes are those who step up and actually do something to improve the situation, no matter how small. If we all did something to improve the world environmentally, collectively it would make a huge difference. It makes me rejoice how a fiveminute speech beautifully delivered at the COP26 in Glasgow has put the Bahamas in the limelight and attracted so much interest in our country of islands. It is essential that this new wave of interest remain active and constant. To continue to implement change is a challenge because people are set in their ways. People don’t even like being told they need to be vaccinated, tested, or masked. Just imagine the reaction when there are rules and protocols in place to protect our fragile surroundings. Life is full of changes. We must be fluid and adapt to change, we must learn and educate ourselves. The futures of nature, flora and fauna of the Bahamas remains in our hands and the hands of the world. May we all step up and do the right thing today, tomorrow and forever.