12112020 WEEKEND

Friday, December 11, 2020

Weekend

photography jewellery food gardening history interview puzzles animals BLUE LAGOON IS BACK Page 16

Asian adventure Chef inspired to offer authentic cuisine

pgs 08+09

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

photography

A Rose-Coloured Lens Remember Speed Weeks?

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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.

From 1954 to 1966, Speed Weeks offered two weeks of excitement. Loved by Bahamians and visiting competitors alike, from the ill-fated Marquis de Portago, to Stirling Moss, Roger Penske and Phil Hill, the event was a very popular spectacle.

Most of the world’s famous drivers of that era came to the Bahamas to race.

Friday, December 11, 2020

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

Friday, December 11, 2020

Weekend Inside

My perfect Bahamian Christmas Malia Delancy

Model, entrepreneur

Interview 4 – 5

Gospel music’s Landlord wins big with two international awards

Puzzles 6 Jewellery 7

Crafting with a side of spirituality

Food 8 – 9

Multi-Asian cuisines hit Nassau’s streets

Q: Real Christmas tree or an artificial one?

“Definitely a real tree, I love the smell.”

Gardening 10

Many options for seasonal highlights

Music 11

Q: Fruit cake or rum cake?

“Rum cake. I am not a drinker, so I get my buzz from the cake.”

Literary Lives 12 – 13

Q: If you could have Christmas dinner with a celebrity family, which one would it be?

“Ciara and Russell Wilson.

They look fun and I need Ciara to give me the prayer! Everyone who follows her knows what that means.”

Japan-based Bahamian artist spreads Christmas cheer, plus the top 10 songs of 2020 A night with a sassy songstress

Forgotten Facts 14

Rewriting history is easy, changing it is not

10

Animals 15

Saying goodbye to a very special little dog, plus Pet of the Week

A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR ‘SOLOPRENEURS’ AND GIRL BOSSES

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net Three years ago, media creative Ianthia Smith discovered one downfall to working for herself: there were no office holiday parties to get dressed up and look forward to.

Not one to be discouraged, she quickly partnered with several other entrepreneurs to celebrate the season at her first ever, “I Work For My D*mn Self Holiday Party.”

For 2020, a very unusual year in every respect, she is returning with an even bigger virtual version of the event.

“As a freelance media specialist and blogger, one lonely day in December 2017 I was working from home and took a social media break to scan my

various platforms. It was about four days before Christmas and I was bombarded by photos and videos of office parties, Christmas luncheons, co-workers heading out on the town to get drinks and holiday inspired foods. I was immediately saddened and missed the company of my former co-workers,” she told Tribune Weekend. “…I hopped on my Instagram stories to complain, but brilliantly ended up planning a Christmas luncheon for Bahamian creatives and entrepreneurs.

I literally just chose a date, time and a location and told all other entrepreneurs who felt the same way to meet me there.”

The party was a success, with

about a dozen “solopreneurs” joining her for Christmas carols, good food and Yuletide cheer.

“Following the success of this inaugural event, the 2018 get-together was even bigger and better. With a new location as the backdrop, more vendors on board and more entrepreneurs attending, the second Christmas party was super successful,” said Ianthia.

“In 2019 I took some time off to tend to personal and family matters, but with 2020 delivering such a blow to everyone, I plan on reigniting the spirit of unity, togetherness, bringing ‘co-workers’ together to celebrate with some holiday joy and cheer, even if we have to do it virtually.”

This year’s “I Work For My D*mn Self Holiday Party” will take place via Zoom.

“It will incorporate fun, dynamic cameos from entrepreneurs who are killing it in their fields, even in the midst of a pandemic. The ‘co-workers’ will hear from local and international powerhouses like Bahamian content creator and influencer TAP, local TV Personality Euwrabena Appiah; founder of one of the biggest travel communities in the world, Black Girls Travel Too,

Q: What will you miss the most this Christmas due to COVID-19?

“I am going to miss large family gatherings for Christmas dinner, Christmas parties, and travelling.”

Q: Other than home, where would you most like to spend Christmas?

“Under normal circumstances, New York City…the lights, the Christmas music, the aromas and the sights, the shopping and the snow.”

Danny Rivers-Mitchell, and founder of Her Hub Tori Kayla. These are girl bosses who have learned to pivot during the pandemic and who will offer businesses advice, tips to win the year ahead and drop gems on maximising your digital space,” said Ianthia.

Participants will be allowed to ask questions and engage in conversations with the special guests.

“The idea is to bring entrepreneurs together to share stories, hear stories, party a bit, have some fun and walk away inspired to begin the new year. But with so many more people now working from home, everyone is invited,” she added.

The first 50 guests will receive a gift box with specially curated items from vendors like Kalik, BahLeaf, Bakehouse and many others.

Using the expertise of The Movi Group, to ensure a smooth, professional TV quality production, the event starts at 5.30pm on Thursday, December 17 Tickets are $50 and are now on sale on Eventbrite.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 11, 2020

interview

Landlord

Years of hard work have paid for this gospel artist, who has won two historymaking international awards. Now, he tells Cara Hunt, he wants to use his platform to help other Bahamian musicians get global attention.

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ospel artist Landlord recently made history by becoming one of two Bahamians to win a Rhythm of Gospel Award.

And now he is hopeful that the international recognition that comes with the award will help him in his quest to turn the spotlight on more independent Bahamian gospel artists, who need international exposure as well.

Landlord was given two awards for his Positive TV Bahamas show, which won him the Internet Radio/ Media Outlet of the Year award as well as Gospel TV Radio Show of the Year.

“I wasn’t expecting to win really, because I had been nominated several times before,” he told Tribune Weekend.

The award show, which is hosted by the National and Independent Gospel Music Association (NIGMA), is one of the largest industry awards shows and showcases the achievement of church and independent gospel artists from all over the US, Canada, the Bahamas and honours them for their outstanding contributions toward the betterment and advancement of their communities.

Landlord was born Orlando Francis in Nassau and grew up in extreme poverty. He was given his nickname, now also stage name, because he could execute street gymnastics without shoes on, thus earning him the moniker Lord of the Landlord.

He is known for his hit songs such as “Father Forgive them”, “It was Only You”, “Eagles Wings and “We Need Peace.”

He thinks it was just his time and season to win.

“I think the CEO of the Rhythm of Gospel Awards has just been watching me over time and seen my hard work and decided that this was the season to recognise me. My show has been steadily growing and expanding,” he said.

“Now it reaches 60 radio stations around the world and so they can see the impact that the show has had.”

Landlord said he was in complete shock and delighted when he got the initial call that he had won.

“I was on the road when I got the call and it was so exciting.’

The singer had intended to travel to Birmingham, Alabama to attend the show in person. In fact, he had been asked to conduct red carpet arrival interviews, but had to cancel those plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They still had a physical event, but even though I was not able to be there in person it still feels great,” he said.

Landlord said that such recognition benefits not just him, but also puts the country’s gospel music industry on the map.

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Friday, December 11, 2020

“

One of the things that I am most passionate about, that I really want to do, is to create a platform specifically for Bahamian independent artists; a way that they can get exposure and network with different media platforms around the world.”

“One of the things that I am most passionate about, that I really want to do, is to create a platform specifically for Bahamian independent artists; a way that they can get exposure and network with different media platforms around the world.

“You see it happening with gospel arts in the Caribbean who get exposure, because in a sense they can network as a group, but I want to see it happen with our Bahamian independent artists as well,” he explained.

He said many artists have a hard time getting that exposure which can help their careers to take off and lead them to a wider fan base and then more international opportunities.

Two networking opportunities he is hoping he can secure are a partnership with the Grammy Award board and with Black Entertainment Television.

Landlord said this year has definitely proven how important an international and virtual network can be.

“These past few months have had a major impact on the gospel music industry,” he said.

Landlord explained that gospel music is an industry where artists often rely on in-person praise and worship events to help them connect with their audiences.

“And so, in a lot of cases, you may find that people would prefer not to pay for a virtual concert when they can listen to the CD or album instead.”

Obviously, many of those events along with inperson services have not been able to happen.

“I think the lockdowns have had an effect on some persons’ faith ,” said Landlord. “But I think that when one door closes you have to look and find another door that can open. Those persons who would not have had an online presence would certainly have suffered.

“I was fortunate that I was able to still interview guests and produce my show virtually, but even with being able to do that I still had rough periods this year. Those periods have definitely caused me to get closer to God and I am ready to continue to do His work in 2021.” One area he is eager to resume is his youth work at Bahamas Faith Ministries International, which has been affected by the prolonged lockdown periods.

And as the year comes to an end, Landlord encourages his fellow gospel musicians to expand their ministries by writing those books they always wanted to write, to expand their networks and grow closer to God.

22 Local fellow 9 Eventually; 12 Desolate; accommodates 14Friday, Concern; 16 Castle; December youngster 19 (4) Adopt; 20 Data.

23 Mark’s out of mascara (4)

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

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

lAn AmE t P E

● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? in making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. no plurals or verb forms ending in “s”.

TODAY’S TARGET Good 20; very good 30; excellent 41 (or more). Solution tomorrow

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 CRYPTIC PUZZLE Down 1 A touch of exaltation (8) 2 Victory or defeat (8) 3 Service tax (4) 5 An original Christmas gift (12) 6 Sound sense of position (4) 7 One is prone to use this example of inflation (3,3) 8 Rarely seen part of the French president’s residence (6) 11 Meaningful reference books (12) 15 Subject of a Canaletto picture (5) 16 Cuttlefish product very good in salt water (5) 18 One who originates most of the catalogue (8) 19 One forced to share his time with another (8) 21 Republic is setting up a king (6) 22 The academic field (6) 26 Fit source of water for consumption (4) 27 Sacking worn on the foot (4)

Across 1 Agree to take the throne (6) 4 Geoff sat out in the wings (8) 9 King who settled his aunt in church (6) 10 Set off in good time towards dawn (8) 12 A number of us scowl (4) 13 They join greens and fairways (5) 14 Present part of the repertoire (4) 17 Ceased giving deductions in a new fashion (12) 20 Bedside I once disarranged, breaking rules (12) 23 Strike but buddies go back (4) 24 A reason why some people fight (5) 25 Make hale? (4) 28 Order a dessert (5,3) 29 Barmaid argued about a pound (6) 30 Too bored to have an inclination? (8) 31 Lack bite! (6)

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Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Sum up, 4 Prophet, 8 Ask, 9 At the helm, 10 Mow down, 11 Risky, 13 Reveal, 15 Unwind, 18 Miser, 19 Riposte, 21 Sea change, 23 Aim, 24 Cheaply, 25 Sheer.

Down: 1 Stammer, 2 Make waves, 3 Plato, 4 Patent, 5 Overrun, 6 Hue, 7 Tommy, 12 Shipshape, 14 Airship, 16 Dreamer, 17 Frenzy, 18 Music, 20 Press, 22 Age.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Cheek, 4 Heckler, 8 Via, 9 Credulous, 10 Look-see, 11 Sifts, 13 Yearly, 15 Asleep, 18 Steam, 19 Heathen, 21 Capitally, 23 Ida, 24 Strides, 25 Sides.

Down: 1 Cavalry, 2 Elaborate, 3 Kicks, 4 Heeled, 5 Courses, 6 Leo, 7 Risks, 12 Fresh wind, 14 Limited, 16 Punkahs, 17 Chills, 18 Sacks, 20 Abyss, 22 Par.

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Of one’s own accord (6) 4 Unrestricted admission (4,4) 9 Revenue (6) 10 Vigorous (8) 12 Narrow woven fabric (4) 13 Female fox (5) 14 Flee (4) 17 Improbable traditional belief (3,5,4) 20 Undistinguished (3-2-3-4) 23 As soon as (4) 24 A fortune-telling card (5) 25 Resist openly (4) 28 Out of the mainstream (8) 29 Capital of the Philippines (6) 30 Timetable (8) 31 Illusory (6)

Down 1 Mutual animosity (8) 2 Mischievous adventure (8) 3 Unconvincing (4) 5 Solemn declaration (12) 6 Pleasant (4) 7 Walking (2,4) 8 Narrate (6) 11 Court disaster (4,3,1,4) 15 A misunderstanding (3-2) 16 Young eel (5) 18 Similarly (8) 19 Cooperate (4,4) 21 The universe (6) 22 Burn superficially (6) 26 Gentle in nature (4) 27 Daybreak (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.

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THE ALPHABEATE

TARGET 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

M L A E A F N W 11, 2020 H Z R O Y Y N O L T R A H S Q K

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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

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The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, December 11, 2020

jewellery

A spiritual discovery

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

L

ocal visual artist Jalan Harris is best known for her outstanding mixed media pieces.

But she is treading a slightly different path at this point in her life - one guided as much by necessity as by her newfound spiritually.

Jalan allowed the solitude of the past few months to lead her into launching Irie Cowrie - a shell and jewellery business that offers loc and braid jewels, earrings, rings, and bracelets made from organic materials such as the cowrie shells, with wire work incorporated.

She hopes to soon also make necklaces and provide eleke (meaningful

beaded necklaces in some African cultures) repairs.

“It all began sometime in August, months after losing my job. I was pushed to still create, despite having limited resources. I simply invested in the shells and started working with what I had. I guess one would think of a more practical product during that time, but I realised people will spend money on vanity regardless of the circumstances,” she told Tribune Weekend.

But creating jewellery wasn’t just about creating a new revenue stream for her, it was also inspired by her new spiritual practice.

“Cowrie shells are one of the many tools used in this practice. So I am honouring that while creating these

pieces. Also, Xan Xi, a fellow jewellery artist, helped me strengthen my wire work,” said Jalan.

She said her mind is always churning out new ideas, and outside influences or lack of income didn’t deter her in the least. She just knew by honouring her spiritual beliefs, the blessings would come eventually.

“Solitude is necessary for me to create, so the social distancing is fine for me. I realise everything is for a season, good and bad. It’s important to have other means of income as well. This isn’t my only way to make money, but it’s one of those ‘jobs’ that keep me inspired. Scared money don’t make no money, you just have to trust your gut and move through life fearlessly,” said Jalan.

For the creation process, Jalan said sometimes drills holes in the shells.

For the wire work, she normally uses dowel-like objects to keep a consistent spiral. Her wire designs are free-styled and are perfected through practice.

“It’s like the jewels complement the spirit. I recently ordered Palo Santo beads, which means holy wood, and I will be incorporating them in my works soon. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s the birth of a new practice. I am hoping to be busy making jewellery for future clients,” said Jalan.

Readers can visit @irie.cowrie on Instagram to keep abreast of new creations by Jalan.

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 11, 2020

gardening

Seasonal highlights

G

ood day to you all you gardeners out there.

Christmas is rapidly approaching, and Euphorbia (poinsettia) are not the only plants showing off at this time of year. December is a wonderful month in the garden. Seasonal colour abounds, and this is the time of year when plants that are not so tolerant of high humidity and intense heat are a great option for bringing colour and joy to the garden, patio, or interior living or working space. Reds, whites, and greens are the traditional Christmas colours, but for the next few months there is a riot of colour available! Kalanchoe is one of the first that comes to mind for me, as they are available in a wide spectrum of colours, from white to yellow, pink, purple, and red, with many shades in between. Chrysanthemum (mums for short) is a great option for livening things up, and they blast colour in white, yellow, oranges, purples, and reds, with many shades in between. As with the poinsettia, both kalanchoe and chrysanthemum can be planted into the garden or transplanted into larger pots for year-round growing after their time is up indoors or as colourful patio displays for the season.

When I lived in North Carolina for a spell, I was working for a landscaper as an installer (read cheap under the table student labour) and I would get great satisfaction out of planting out a few hundred or thousand bedding plants into patterns and swirls of colour. It is not such a common practice here to plant out masses of seasonal colour, I miss it. I encourage homeowners and landscapers to utilize seasonal colour at this time of year to bring happiness and brightness to their homes and neighbourhoods. I enjoy going north and seeing maximised seasonal colour. “If” I had more time for landscaping rather than

KALANCHOE growing, I would certainly be using more seasonal colour than I typically see around, in mass plantings! The effect is a firecracker display. We can use geraniums (Pelargonium), impatiens (remember, impatiens are shade loving plants!), kalanchoe, chrysanthemums, petunias, dianthus, angelonia, torenia, vinca, purslane, and so many others.

Veg is entering primetime. Some gardeners are seeing flushes of broccoli flowers and tomato harvests, cabbages are growing heads, and peppers are being picked. I am

dealing with my first major pest issue of the season on cabbages with aphids, and their seemingly endless ability to propagate faster than I can get rid of them. Spacing is key.

Cabbage that is planted or spaced too closely invites pest issues. Proper spacing will allow for airflow, light, and sprays to penetrate in-between plants. Now is a great time to transplant spinach, lettuces are very tender now.

Raised bed gardening is a revived trend along with the upswing in home gardening, due to much of the world being forced to stay home

this year. Raised garden beds and planters allow for easier access to the plants. A great Christmas gift to someone who needs a wheelchair, is a raised garden bed or planter. They can allow access for the occupant to easily garden at any height needed, and they can be moveable. The therapeutic value of gardening is immeasurable. Sunshine (vitamin D), scented plants, edible plants, plants that attract butterflies, the sound of birds chirping (provided we stop so freely spraying poisons and killing them all along with their food sources) are all benefits of spending time in the garden. Getting someone outside who is unable to move about often may be a challenge but using a raised garden planter brings gardening to them! Everybody can garden. Colours, scents, sounds, and textures (particularly useful for the visually impaired) are all stimulants that can help the young, the old, the active, the immobile or impaired, let alone the office worker or apartment dweller.

In the garden now, cucurbits (squash, melon, pumpkin, cucumber) are a buffet for Lepidoptera, i.e., “worms” and caterpillars, as a friend in Abaco (and so many others) found out this week. They can seem to invade overnight, but in fact they have been hanging around. By the time major damage is noticed, it is usually too late. Continue scouting for pests, they do not disappear on their own. Please be conscious when using pest control to avoid applying poisons that kill more than necessary.

There are options that are specifically targeted to many plant pests.

The birds, the bugs, the balance of life, are all being negatively affected by the gross overuse of poisons in the home garden and in industrial farming, amongst so many other things.

Often relatively gentle options are available. Not all “bugs” are bad bugs, some are beneficial (i.e., helpful) that may be negatively affected.

Consult with your favorite garden center if you have questions. Happy gardening!

What is going on in your garden?

I invite you to send me an e-mail (gardening242@gmail.com) and let me know.

• 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.

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, December 11, 2020

film

Japan-based Bahamian artist spreads Christmas cheer with new song

By FELCITY DARVILLE

By MESFIN FEKADU AP Music Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The top 10 songs of the year

by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu:

C

hristmas 2020 may be different from years past, but singer Douglas “Exodus” Burns hopes his new single ,“Isn’t it not Christmas”, will remind everyone to focus on the true reason of the season.

“We may be living in very different times this Christmas, but our hearts and minds must remain superior in what we believe,” he said.

He hopes the song will inspire “Mama to put on her apron and still bake that Johnny cake ‘ cause Christmas comin’.”

“Isn’t it not Christmas” was released two weeks ago and has been playing on radio stations both here and abroad.

“The song is one of encouragement and a belief that magical things can happen at Christmas if we inject a little love and joy,” he added.

Douglas is a well-travelled musician, producer, writer, educator and entertainer who lives in Japan with his wife and family.

Whenever he’s home, he finds the time to connect with fellow artists and like minds to work together on projects.

That’s exactly how he linked up with his colleague David Hoyte to put together a Bahamian Christmas album to help people get in the Christmas spirit. This single is the first song on the album.

While here in Nassau, Douglas also recorded the album “Ends of Gods on Earth”.

He collaborated with David Hoyte, former Miss Bahamas Richa Sands, and her daughter, Maleah Gabrielle.

“I encourage the Bahamian people to take a close listen to this album, to activate the peace that is within all of us,” he said.

“When we came here, we were born with certain

Top 10 songs of the year 1. Keedron Bryant, “I Just Wanna Live”: During times of turmoil and unrest, people respond differently. Some protest. Some cry.

And some sing. Following the gruesome death of George Floyd, Johnnetta Bryant turned to God and asked for a pray — and the lyrics to “I Just Wanna Live” were born. She asked her son, then 12-year-old Keedron Bryant, to sing the song and the rest is for the history books.

2. Chloe x Halle, “Do It”: To the window, to the walls, ‘till the sweat drops down my...

Chloe x Halle took us to the clubs — aka the living room — during a pandemic year when we desperately needed an epic dance tune to help us get through the day.

DOUGLAS “Exodus” Burns attributes, like righteousness, respectfulness, love, and honesty.

“It seems we have traded these virtues in, in order to be part of the society or world which we live in. But we must not forget who we are or where we came from.”

Another recent project of his, produced under his artist title, is the album, “Gospel by Dark 2020” with singles like “I Met a Woman at the Well” and “Victory, Victory”.

He described his style of music as “Junka Dubb” - a mixture of Bahamian Junkanoo music with the Jamaican reggae dub sound. His genre, he says, is gaining popularity in Japan, and he is set to return there in the coming days.

As a writer, Douglas has been busy promoting his project with “Fast” Eddie Dames. It’s a novel called “The Undaunted King Gouddaa of the Arawaks and Caribs”. It can be found on Amazon. The movie version is currently in production.

He also has other books on Amazon under the pen name Yohan Pesant.

Douglas may be most famous for his beloved Bahamian song “Nassau Rock”, which is still played often on radio stations throughout the Bahamas today.

“Nassau Rock” came from inspiraton of his days growing up with other kids on Arawak Avenue off Jerome Avenue.

A quintessential Bahamian artist, Douglas has produced albums like “Too Much Too Soon”, “Children of the Generation”, “The Seed” and “Renegade Black Man.” His lyrics are always written to stimulate the audience to think and consider deeper meaning of life.

Go to Soundcloud to hear “Exodus Burns”, and “Isn’t it Not Christmas “ was released on Tunecore and online music platform. “Ends of Gods on Earth” is currently on Tunecore and Distrokid. You can also follow Douglas on his social media platforms @titian5000.

3. Mickey Guyton, “Black Like Me”: Digging deep to write personal lyrics about her upbringing — and being that rare Black singer on the country music scene — Mickey Guyton birthed a beautiful, touching song that is bound to become a country music classic.

4. Kelly Rowland, “Coffee”: A smooth, sexy number from a R&B goddess.

5. Charlie Wilson featuring Smokey Robinson, “All of My Love”: Uncle Charlie plus Uncle Smokey equals musical bliss. The soul icons joined forces for one of the year’s best collaborations that will surely put a smile on your face.

6. Roddy Ricch, “The Box”: Insert fire emoji here.

7. Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”: With this addictive pop gem and updated dance moves, Dua Lipa is well on her way to world domination.

8. Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth, “I Hope”: Breakthrough country singer Gabby Barrett already had a hit with the original version of “I Hope,” but then Charlie Puth slide into her DMs and asked to add his vocals to the song and update the beat. The result is an undeniable pop smash.

9. Pop Smoke featuring DaBaby and Lil Baby, “For the Night”: Late rapper Pop Smoke clearly had a knack for hip-hop melodies, which explains why most of his songs have exploded on TikTok. “For the Night” is a monster hit that also featured other acts leading the new class of rap.

10. BLACKPINK featuring Selena Gomez, “Ice Cream”: K-pop all-stars BLACKPINK came out swinging with this trap-pop bop that was as sweet and irresistible as ice cream.

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 11, 2020

literary lives - Sarah Vaughan

The sassy songstress who became the ‘Divine One’ PART I Vaughan toured with the Earl Hines band for the rest of 1943 and part of 1944. Because of her age and the American Federation of Musicians’ union she was hired as a musician rather than a singer, but when Cliff Smalls joined the band as a trombonist and pianist she concentrated as a singer only. Billy Eckstine was also in the band, which included trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker on saxophone, and trombonist Bennie Green. Dizzy Gillespie was responsible in the 1940s for introducing bebop into band arrangements, but he left with Eckstine at the end of 1943.

Charlie Parker soon joined them which grew to include Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Gene Ammons, Kenny Dorham, Dexter Gordon and Lucky Thompson. Eckstine invited Vaughan to join the band in 1944, giving her an opportunity to record “I’ll Wait and Pray” for De Luxe. She switched to Continental later that same month and left the band soon afterwards to pursue a solo career. She freelanced on 52nd Street in New York City at the Three Deuces, the Famous Door, The Downbeat and the Onyx Club. She also performed at the Braddock Grill next to the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. She recorded “Lover Man” with a quintet featuring Gillespie, Parker, Al Haig, Curly Russell and Sid Catlett on drums.

Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about the American jazz singer who won four Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“You have to have a little soul in your singing.

The kind of soul that’ll include spiritual material in the sets I do. It’s a part of my life.

- Sarah Vaughan Sarah Vaughan’s father, Asbury “Jake” Vaughan, was a carpenter who played guitar and piano. Her mother was a laundress who sang in the church choir. They lived in Newark, New Jersey, were deeply religious, and active in the New Mount Zion Baptist Church. Vaughan took piano lessons when she was seven, and later sang in the church choir.

“I don’t think I ever modelled myself after a singer. I’ve more or less copied the styles of horntooters right from the start.”

She loved popular music and was addicted to listening to the radio. In her teens she began sneaking into night clubs, and was sometimes asked to play piano and sing at the Piccadilly Club in Newark.

Vaughan attended East Side High School and then Newark Arts High School. When her secret adventures in nightclubs became more popular among local audiences, she dropped out of high school to get party-time “gigs” playing piano and singing.

When she was 18 she and a friend Doris Robinson made trips to New York. In 1942, Robinson competed in the Apollo Theatre Amateur Night Contest, and was accompanied

by Vaughan on the piano. She won second prize.

Later that year Vaughan returned to the Apollo Theatre alone and competed as a singer. She sang “Body and Soul” and won first prize.

“The night I won at the Apollo, I was only doing it for the $10.”

- Sarah Vaughan

- Sarah Vaughan Vaughan recorded “Time and Again” in October 1945, and was offered a recording contract for Musicraft. She also began performing regularly at Café Society Downtown – an integrated club in New York. She made friends with George Treadwell, who became her manager.

SARAH Lois Vaughan (1924 – 1990) The $10 prize also included a promise of a week’s engagement. In November 1942 Vaughan opened for Ella Fitzgerald at the Apollo.

During the week that followed Vaughan was introduced to the band leader and pianist Earl Hines. Billy Eckstine, Hines’ lead singer at the time, claimed to have discovered her, and Vaughan confirms this. He recommended her to Hines who offered her a job, and replaced his female singer with her on April 4, 1943. She was still only 19.

“I said to George, ‘Why don’t you manage me?’

He looked at me, a little surprised. Then he replied, ‘Sure, Sass, I’ll manage you, but it would be better if we managed each other.’ The next morning we got our marriage licence at the court.”

- Sarah Vaughan The couple married on September 16, 1946.

Pianist John Malachi is the person who gave Vaughan the nickname “Sassy”. It was shortened to “Sass” and it stuck. Treadwell made changes to Vaughan’s stage appearance, and she had her teeth capped eliminating a gap between her two front teeth. He also got Vaughan more recordings for Musicraft which included “If You Could See Me Now”, “Don’t Blame Me”, “I’ve Got a Crush

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, December 11, 2020

on You”, “Everything I Have Is Yours” and her favourite “Body and Soul”. She performed at the Cavalcade of Jazz at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles where Woody Hermann also played.

Vaughan was popular, and her recording contract for Musicraft was successful. “Tenderly” was her first big pop hit in 1947, and was followed by “It’s Magic” and “Nature Boy” – released simultaneously with the Nat King Cole version.

Both were big hits.

A Musicians’ Union ban pushed Musicraft to the edge of bankruptcy.

“My dream is to do whatever I want without any interference from the record company.”

- Sarah Vaughan She missed royalty payments and switched to the larger Columbia record label where her chart successes continued with “Black Coffee”, “That Lucky Old Sun”, “Make Believe”, “I’m Crazy to Love You” and “I Love the Guy”. She won Esquire magazine’s New Star Award in 1947 and awards from Down Beat magazine from 1947 to 1952, and from Metronome magazine from 1948 to 1953. Not surprisingly she became incredibly popular in the late 1940s and 1950s, and made a surprise first appearance with the Philadelphia Orchestra in the summer of 1949. A second nickname was given her, “The Divine One”,

by Chicago disc jockey Dave Garroway which followed her throughout her career. She sang “My Funny Valentine” on “Stars on Parade” (1953-1954), and in 1953 Treadwell, her manager, opened an office in Manhattan and hired a road manager to handle Vaughan’s increasing touring schedule. He also began handling other clients – the beginning of a professional rift. He negotiated a new contract with Mercury Records in 1953 and her first big commercial success was with the 1954 hit “Make Yourself Comfortable”. This continued with “How Important Can It Be”, with Count Basie, and “Whatever Lola Wants”.

In 1956, when I first went to Canada, I met Sarah Vaughan in rather extraordinary circumstances. She was booked to sing on a Saturday night at The Colonial Tavern – a great jazz nightclub on Yonge Street in Toronto, which alas is no more. I was friendly with a vocal group called The Grads who were quite popular locally and whose manager had arranged for them to meet her and had wangled a stage-front table for them – as long as they agreed to have dinner. I went along with them, and so there were five of us. We arrived promptly at 6.30pm because we knew the first set would start at 7pm. We ordered drinks and dinner from the limited menu. I asked to have the special “Colonial Hamburger”, French fries and coleslaw, and I can’t remember what the others ordered. But we knew we wouldn’t be served our food until the end of the first set – about 8pm. And then we settled down for the evening.

Now in 1956 Sarah Vaughan was still to record my all-time favourite of her songs, the classic

VAUGHAN with Billy Eckstine, leader of the first bop big-band and then the first romantic African American male vocalist in popular music

VAUGHAN with jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald Errol Gardner – Johnny Burke “Misty”, which she did two years later in Paris. She had already moved to Mercury Records two years earlier.

It was at Mercury that she really hit her stride, recording Bob Merrill’s “Make Yourself Comfortable” and the Jimmy Dorsey – Paul Madeira “I’m Glad There is You”. These were my favourites in 1956, and that night she sang them both. I listened, utterly thrilled, to her contralto reverberating over the clamour of the club, dripping with honey and pouring over the strings. It is the unbelievable lushness of Sarah Vaughan’s voice that seduces you. She can slur a vowel to match her vibrato, and she can radiate warmth through the most subtle love song, basking in the opulence of her incredible vocal gifts. I was awe-struck.

“There are notes between notes, you know.”

- Sarah Vaughan Promptly at 8pm her first set ended. There was great applause, but no encores. After a few words with her band Sarah Vaughan simply tripped

down the steps to our table and said: “Hi boys and girls. That was fun. It’s nice here.” Then, with her ample rear-end, she literally bumped me off part of my chair so she could share it with me, and fairly soon ate her way through all of my welldone hamburger and French fries, washing them down with a couple of very large gin-and-tonics.

She was in great form and stayed with us right through the intermission, chatting about all sorts of personal happenings on the road. Just before the second set at 9pm she asked The Grads if they wanted to do a number with her. Of course they did. They decided on “Little Boy Blue”. “What key do you sing it in?” she asked. “B flat”, they said. “Well, give me a B flat” she demanded and one of The Grads sang a note. “That’s not B flat”, she said. “This is B flat”. Then they sang their song together.

So we had another mesmerising hour of Sarah Vaughan’s consonants ringing with their unique quaver, as she improvised her way through seemingly impossible phrases.She sang two unforgettable encores, including Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life”, which she had just recorded in New York. When the second set ended, she sat with us for a little while, then excused herself because she had to fly to Chicago early the next morning for another concert What an evening! All my life I have secretly waited for someone to ask me: “Have you ever met Sarah Vaughan?” Indeed I have: I’ve had dinner with her. In fact, Sarah Vaughan ate my dinner!

NEXT WEEK: Sarah Vaughan switches it up and goes beyond jazz.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. The author acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; Visions of Jazz (2000) by Gary Giddins; and Sassy: The Life of Sarah Vaughan (2009) by Leslie Gourse.

14 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 11, 2020

history

Rewriting history is easy

By Paul C Aranha | Forgotten facts

P

eter Young’s article In the November 24th issue of The Tribune discussed the attempts to “rewrite history, because the way we look at the world has changed”.

Fortunately, although it is easy to rewrite history, history cannot be changed, regardless of who wants to change the narrative. Let’s learn to live with it.

I was reminded of an article in the August 14th Tribune, reporting that 5,000 people had signed a petition to have the so-called Torii Gate, described as a well-known Freeport landmark, removed from the International Bazaar.

According to a group called Ignite Grand Bahama Association , “The Torii Gate must come down! Grand Bahama’s spiritual and economic survival depends on it.” They would have us believe that it is “against the Bahamas’ religious belief – Christianity” and they go on to claim that “we know that this gate does not represent who

we are.” Why should an unblessed representation of a ‘Shinto gate’ not be acceptable?

There is no legal document that defines us as a ‘Christian nation’.

A ‘church-going nation’ would be more appropriate, and we accept the mosque on Carmichael Road. Since the days of being a colony, we have enjoyed freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and look how far we have come. Can one gate in Freeport change that?

There are people who blame Christopher Columbus for all that has been wrong since 1492, so they would like to tear down his statue from its place of prominence at Government House. That would change the landscape, but it cannot change the past. Columbus would remain the cornerstone of the New World, even if the inhabitants of the first islands that he discovered try to deny it.

Christianity came to the Bahamas in 1648, with the arrival of British colonists from Bermuda. It has survived for more than 300 years, despite a

host of unchristian events. Surely the foundation of Christianity is Jesus Christ, the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments.

How often do we, myself included, “take God’s name in vain”? How often do we fail to observe the Sabbath, on which day the Bible says “not do any work”.

When I was a kid, few people got murdered, but today we are plagued with killings and other violent crimes and our prison is full. As for adultery…

If we are not afraid of our own failings, why would Christianity be threatened by a Shinto gate?

Thousands upon thousands have walked through that Torii Gate, to shop or look around. Instead of tearing down another piece of history, wouldn’t it be better to rebuild the Bazaar so shoppers would have somewhere clean and attractive to go?

• For questions and comments, e-mail islandairman@gmail.com

The Tribune | Weekend | 15

Friday, December 11, 2020

animals

A tribute to the charming Scruffy

By KIM ARANHA Animal Matters

T

here is no doubt that when dogs were created they were not given long enough to live. They come into our lives, totally captivate us, frequently become the centre of the family and they leave all too soon.

This week I had to say goodbye to my grand-dog, Scruffy. He belonged to my son and his wife.

Scruffy was the most endearing little man you could have ever hoped to meet. He always had a kind wag for everyone. I never saw an aggressive bone in his body after he moved into his forever home.

Scruffy lived in Adelaide, getting food and attention from here and there. He liked to hang out at the bar, but the barman said if he came back to the bar he would kill him… all he wanted was to be friends, he was a lonely little guy.

But Operation Potcake turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to this sweet little dog.

During Operation Potcake we had a clinic set up at Adelaide and Scruffy was picked up and fixed.

He was scruffy, patchy fur here and there, scrawny, and not totally friendly.

One evening I heard Sam Duncombe cleaning his cage and he was growling at her. I heard Sam say: ”You know if you want to get adopted, you are going to have to change this behaviour. Nobody is going to give you a home if you keep this up. “ He was growling and snarling at her.

My goodness, it was as if he had heard Sam. The next morning he popped out of the cage, charm itself and never looked back (who says dogs don’t understand).

While she was cleaning his cage he climbed into the OP truck and settled himself in the passenger seat as if to say, “OK take, me home.” My daughter-in-law saw his photo that afternoon, and Scruffy was spoken for. A delightful bundle of curls, he must have met with an accident or some brutal person, because he sometime ran on three legs,

especially when he wanted attention or to be petted and cuddled.

When my husband had his first open heart surgery in Orlando , my son brought Scruffy up to Orlando to be a “therapy dog” and encourage my husband to walk. It worked, and Scruffy would lie beside him between walks giving him love and endorphins…and knew not to be too rambunctious He was just a very special boy.

He loved his two humans and moved several times from home to home with them; whereever they were was his home.

He posed for millions of dazzling photos that belong on the cover of magazines and allowed his mum to put hats and sunglasses on him with infinite patience.

Very much ‘Mr Social’, he glowed when receiving attention and was the fist in the car to go the Island House or Louis & Steins for coffee or a glass of wine, wearing a trendy bandana and sitting adoringly besides his favourite lady, Bianca.

We always enjoyed time with Scruffy whenever we went over to have dinner. He would greet you at the door and lead you to the sofa and when you sat down he would sit waiting for his prerequisite strokes and hugs. What a charmer!

THE LATE and beloved Scruffy He was a very cool dog. He had a sense of humour and was a true gentleman.

In cases like this, there is no doubt in my mind that the old adage: “It’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.”

Scruffy filled his family’s life with joy; he was cheerful and positive and was even wagging up to the day he left us to go to a better place.

Sometimes a person or a dog (or a cat) shine brighter and louder than others in the crowd of life. There is no reason why and there is no telling who that pet or person will be, but in Sir Scruffy’s case it was apparent very early on that he was a very special dog and I personally consider

pet of the week

She’s past those kitten antics and would welcome a settled home with maybe one or two other cats. Do you have that perfect place for Chelsea? If so, come to the BHS to meet her or call 323-5138 for more information.

Chelsea looks forward to chatting with you!

CHILL WITH CHELSEA

By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY

L

ovely Chelsea doesn’t really mind sharing space at the Bahamas Humane Society cattery, but she’s really hoping that during this festive season she might be blessed to find a home of her own, one with a loving human to cuddle up next to, converse about the weather and just spend time with. OK, maybe not converse, but Chelsea does like to be vocal so you know she’s there with you.

myself very fortunate to have been part of his entourage.

We no longer have him in our daily lives but he will forever be in out hearts. We have all known the loss of a special pet and this article helps serve to remember the passing of them all, be it Scruffy, Nimba, Maddie, Jumbo, Bruno, Snowy and others. It never gets any easier, but the memories are the glue that hold us together in these tough times..

Fly high little Scruffy, you earned your angel wings on earth by being the sweetest little person any of us could have ever wished for. You will ever be loved and remembered.

I am sure all our former dogs were lined up to greet you when you arrived at the Rainbow Bridge.

PHOTO/Linda Gill-Aranha)

• BHS Raffle tickets are now available! The grand prize is $10,000 worth of groceries from Super Value, and the other prizes are useful coupons, too. Tickets are $5 each or a book of 21 for $100. Pick yours up today at the BHS or at Fox Hill Nursery. The drawing is on December 29.

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 11, 2020

leisure

The animals of Blue Lagoon welcome guests back

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

A

fter spending the better part of the year stuck inside, it’s a great time to grab the family and enjoy some of the beauty that this country is known for.

And while it’s been as hard on us humans, for the animals on Blue Lagoon Island, it has been an especially lonely time without the interaction they normally enjoy with the guests.

Now that restrictions have been lifted, the island is able to offer locals and visitors alike a funfilled beach day in a socially distanced and safe environment.

“The past nine months of closure were rough for all of our team - including the animals. While we have had a dedicated team of zoological staff going to the island every single day since we closed in March to care for our dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, sharks, raccoons and Kit the cat, the animals definitely missed having lots of guests around,” said Jessica Robertson, the public relations manager on the island said.

‘Since we reopened November 13, like our human team, our dolphins and sea lions have really enjoyed interacting with guests and seeing and hearing the excitement they have when they get the opportunity to meet these amazing animals up close.”

With the reopening, visitors can enjoy many of the animal encounters that are offered, including

dolphin and sea lion encounters, or they can simply relax on the hammocks, beach chairs or take a swim in the lagoon or dive in the water park.

And with the island being so large, social distancing is not a problem. Family groups will have more than enough space to feel like they are visiting their own private beach oasis.

Blue Lagoon has taken steps to ensure that guests feel safe from the moment they enter the check-in area with temperature checks and hand sanitiser stations, to the boat ride and beach lounge areas which have been spaced to ensure social distance.

One of the biggest ways that the island is working to ensure this is by a drastically reduced capacity.

In this first phase of reopening, the island will accommodate just around 100 guests each Saturday, a vast deduction from the thousand plus visitors it can welcome on a typical busy day.

“We know that everyone is ready to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and the beach after being cooped up for all this time, but it’s critical that we provide a safe environment for our guests and our team. Of course, we have in place all the necessary measures like reduced capacity on our ferries and on the island, social distancing markers throughout the property, mask requirement everywhere except on the beach, temperature

checks for guests and staff, hand sanitiser is available and use is required, and increased cleaning and sanitisation,” Jessica said.

She added that they have also worked with staff to ensure their safety as well.

“Our entire team has undergone overall and departmental protocol training, we held mandatory PPE training led by Dr Christine Chin, we have added an ICU trained nurse to the team and everyone scheduled to work is required to have a routine rapid antigen test that is provided by the company,” she said.

Eleven-year-old Dylan Bethel, who visited the island last weekend, told Tribune Weekend that it was a great day out.

“I missed going to the beach all summer and so I was so excited to get on the boat and go to Blue Lagoon and spend the whole day at the beach.

I even got to meet Bonnie the sea lion and take pictures with her and that was one of the best things ever.”

His stepdad Stephen added that the entire family had a wonderful day.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to get the kids out of the house and give them some fresh air. Our little one was able to run around to her heart’s content and we felt comfortable with the safety measures Blue Lagoon have implemented,” he said.