Friday, March 8, 2019
art books film fashion music fitness gardening puzzles food history
Weekend
GET FIT WITH REGINA Pages 14 & 15
Leading the charge
Local blogger is dedicated to the truth pages 4 & 5
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Friday, March 8, 2019
entertainment
OPA!
PHOTOS/T GLINTON PHOTOGRAPHY
It’s all Greek this weekend By LEANDRA ROLLE
T
he highly anticipated bi-annual Greek Fest returns this weekend with more authentically Greek food, culture and entertainment. Established in 2003, Greek Fest is the brainchild of Festival Rum Bahamas founder and Greek-Bahamian Alexandra Maillis- Lynch, who wanted to unite the Greek community in Nassau and also give Bahamians insight into their lifestyle. “Greek Fest was initially born to help our church to fund-raise, so that’s how it began, although not how it ended up. But it was supposed to be a really fun community idea. We also wanted to do outreach to the community to open doors on the Greek community to other people, because the idea was that
people think we’re a closed community. This festival was a way of saying ‘This is who we are’,” she told Tribune Weekend. Alexandra explained that while she is the creator of the festival, she is not the only one who has made significant contributions to the cultural event over the years. She credits the late Norman Lynch (her deceased husband), Leah Klonaris and many others for helping to make the festival what it is today. The small but spirited Greek community consists of teachers, doctors, restaurant owners, and are a part of everyday Bahamian life. Alexandra’s hope is that Bahamians will attend the festival to learn more about their Greek heritage and come to appreciate it.
Every two years, Greek Fest draws a crowd of thousands over two days. “To be Greek, it’s a mindset grounds of the Annunciation and not just a bloodline. The Greek Orthodox Church and Greek community is a very along West Street. Festivalviable and important part of goers can expect storytelling, our country. We have a culture live dancing and much more. that we have brought and Greek Fest Chairman added to Bahamian culture,” Jeanette Mosko told Tribune she said. Weekend that the festival has The two-day event starts evolved tremendously over this Saturday at 11am on the the years and that she is very
proud to be a part of this year’s event. The last Greek Fest, held in 2017, drew a crowd of over 7,000 patrons, and the festival committee is expecting even more this year. She said festival-goers can expect the famous all-lamb (arnaki) booth and look forward to special performances from Athen’s Trio Live Band and DJ George. These are just few of the many entertaining activities lined up for this weekend. Vendors include the Aegean Taverna and Yiayia’s Kitchen. There will also be the usual book store and jewellery booths. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids aged six to 13 (under five are free).
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Inside Weekend Interview 4-5 Blogger Rogan Smith vows to always tell the truth Style 7 Jewel Smith’s chic lifestyle brand is inspired by Harbour Island Food 8 - 9 New company offers both locals and tourists a tour of Nassau, one dish at a time Romance 10 Three Canadian grooms-to-be stage romantic proposals in the Bahamas Music 11 Gospel reggae artist Mr J uses to new song to send prayers to Haiti Community 12 The third annual Bahamian Exchange offers participants one-on-one talks with role models Leisure 12 The first shopping experience of the Spring season Fitness 14 - 15 Sculpt your obliques with Regina Tonia Smith Film 17 Captain Marvel gets her cinematic introduction, plus BIFF opens its 2019 poster competition Gardening 19 Making adjustments for a late Easter Literary Lives 20 - 23 Opera’s divine diva Forgotten Facts 25 Paul C Aranha remembers the first Out Island air service Puzzles 26 Animals 27 Of rats and men, plus Pet of the Week
Cover photo | T Glinton Photography.
My perfect Bahamian Kendea Smith Host of ‘Tourism Today’
to with my family.”
Q: What is the one thing that you can’t live without? “I can’t live without my family; my kids bring me a lot of joy.”
Q: Weekend away, where would you go?
“My perfect weekend getaway would be in Exuma. There’s not one thing in this magical cluster of cays that I do not love. There’s 365 cays in Exuma alone and the waters are just a different kind of blue. I could swim with the pigs, sharks and stingrays. I could go on Staniel Cay to enjoy amazing food and drinks. I can enjoy running in Great Exuma, or my ultimate favourite: going down to my favourite restaurant in the country, Santana’s, and enjoy heaven on a plate lobster.”
Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday brunch?
“Sunday brunch definitely. I love breakfast more than anything. Favourite meal of the day!”
Q: Wine, rum, cocktail or Kalik?
“Cocktail, and that could be anything. I always tell people to surprise me because I love trying new things.”
Q: Beach or sofa?
“I love the beach! I have a ‘private’ beach I love to go
Things 2 Do this weekend Friday
• Third Annual Bahamian Exchange Time: 6pm, 7.45pm Venue: Queen’s College Auditorium SEE PAGE 12 • Sip & Play 242 Time: 6.30pm Venue: Little Prodigies Music & Arts School, Dewgard Plaza, Palmdale On every Friday in March evenings, learn to play the piano with your special someone, but before you do, enjoy cocktails and dessert while sipping fine wine or cider. Be entertained by one of Bahamas’ top vocalist. Then enter the classroom to learn the piano and how to play a song together. • A Season at Fiona’s Theatre presents ‘Riddim n Tingum’ Time: 8pm - 11pm Venue: National Art Gallery ‘Riddim n Tingum’ by Saucy Expressions promises to be a dynamic night of music, poetry and art, celebrating the themes in the National Exhibition 9, “The Fruit and the Seed”. Finding inspiration in spirituality, sexuality, psychology and current social issues, artists Martysta
Turnquest, Ivanna Gaitor, Yasmin Glinton, Ian Taylor, Tanicia Pratt, Pryia Russell-Ellis, Bey Chaino, Kacey Ferguson, Cherese Pratt, Jason Evans, Colene Clarke, Qpid and Bodine will perform. The evening’s mood will be set with a live animation by Jason Evans and caricature drawings by Renbert Mortimer. • Indie-folk artist Matthew Pinder live Time: 9pm - 11pm Venue: Pirate Republic Matthew Pinder and the band will be playing an assortment of classic covers and Pinder’s originals, including his new single, “Golden Hour”.
Saturday
• Greek Fest Time: 11am (Sunday at 12noon) Venue: West Street SEE PAGE 2 • Art Walk Time: 2pm - 10pm Venue: Marina Village, Paradise Island Enjoy art, crafts, and music by Bahamian artisans. Sample locally-grown and made products.
• Splash Soaker Day Fete Time: 3pm - 1am Venue: Fort Charlotte After Trinidad Carnival, revellers are “wettin’ it up” at the Splash Soaker Day Fete by Prime Time Lounge & Restaurant. Music by Domestic and International DJs plus games, drink specials and live performances. • Movies in the Square Time: 6pm Venue: Pompey Square Pupstar Entertainment is showing “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”, starring Chris Pratt. The movie is free and concessions are provided by @ vellmonkeyfoot. Security and surveillance by the Tourism Police. • Party in Paradise Time: 10pm - 4am Venue: AURA Nightclub, Atlantis Party with DJ Caroline, who made history with her headline run at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino by becoming the first female DJ to hold a residency in Las Vegas. For reservations, call (242) 363-2000 ext 65734, 65700 or e-mail: auratables@ atlantisparadise.com.
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Friday, March 8, 2019
Rogan
As part of the crop of new Bahamian blog writers, she doesn’t shy away from telling the truth and showing vulnerability. Now, after being nominated for an award, she tells Cara Hunt how bloggers are the new celebrities and one day soon a Bahamian will reach A-list status in this business.
I
n her former job as a journalist, Rogan Smith was used to telling the stories of others. But since starting her own blog, the Elevation Award-nominated ‘This Bahamian Gyal’, she is allowing her own voice to be heard loud and
clear. “I started (my blog) in March 2018 really as an avenue to share my creative writing. Most people knew me as a journalist and media personality, but they had no idea that there was a different, more creative side to me. I really wanted to showcase that,” she told Tribune Weekend. While making the decision to start the blog (a truncation of “weblog”; often diary-style texts) was easy, finding a name for it was another story. “It took me months to settle on one. I remember thinking I’ll call my blog ‘The Bohemian Bahamian’. At the time it sounded so good to me and evoked thoughts of me running
Smith interview
across a field of lilies wearing floppy hats and peasant dresses. But when I looked in my closet all I had was a baseball cap and a bunch of old jeans. The more I thought about it, it just sounded so pretentious; so not me. It was only when I sat down with my niece, Ashlee, that I said, ‘Look, I’m just a Bahamian gyal who wants to keep it real and make people laugh.’ That was it. The name just stuck,” she explained. Rogan calls the blog a mix of “creative jambalaya”, inspired by life and her interactions with friends and family. “I come from a family of straight talkers. We don’t sugar-coat anything. So sometimes we get into heavy, controversial topics and I often find myself taking a different viewpoint. That usually is the catalyst for me to write. Even if I disagree, I welcome a different perspective. We talk about everything and we don’t always agree, particularly when it comes to controversial topics,” she said.
While the blog is very colourful, Rogan said it tells the truth, mixed with humour. “I consider myself a professional truth-teller and I’m not afraid to say what’s on my mind. But, because Nassau is so small, many people are timid about sharing their personal feelings on the internet,” she noted. Rogan hopes her blog can inspire those reading it whether it be someone rebounding from failure or loss, to those who want a “Love & Hip Hop” update or just an escape from a crappy day. She has found that it has also been her own form of therapy. “I love blogging because it’s incredibly therapeutic. I like that I have something to say and God has blessed me with this wonderful gift of expression. So, when I sit down in front of my computer, it makes me happy to see my thoughts on screen. I also love when people from far away reach out to me to say that they enjoy my work or think I’m talented. A lot of people get my sense of humour
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Friday, March 8, 2019
“(Bloggers) shape opinions, earn A-list salaries and sign with major global brands.”
PHOTOS/T GLINTON PHOTOGRAPHY
“...because Nassau is so small, many people are t imid about sharing their personal feelings on the internet.” or tell me that they can relate to what I’ve gone through. I love being able to shape opinion. It’s an awesome responsibility, which is why I’m so careful with it,” she said. Rogan is also not afraid to be vulnerable on her blog. “When I go through difficult moments, I also blog about it. I recently lost one of my jobs and a lot of people had a lot to say. People who don’t even know me felt empowered to speak on my situation. It would have been easy for me to lash out, but that’s not me. So I blogged about staying
positive and letting haters do what they do, hate. My life is the springboard for a lot of the content,” she said. Rogan also works with The Punch, so the blog features her column from that publication, “This Thing Go With Sense”. She was also recently nominated for the Elevation Awards, an annual televised awards show established by the Elevation Media Group to celebrate Bahamians and other minorities in music, sports, community-building and
various fields of entertainment over the past year. It’s an honour she is extremely excited about. “I was actually invited to the nomination party and screamed when they called my blog’s name. Keep in mind that I have only been at this for a year. So that was very humbling. The competition is stiff because there are a lot of talented people nominated in my category. I don’t usually look to awards for validation, but it feels good to
know that there are people out there who appreciate what I’m doing and think it’s worthy of being considered for an award,” she said. She also hopes that events like the Elevation Awards help to bring validation to her field. “Blogging is still relatively new for Bahamians, so there’s a great deal of explaining that you have to do. Also, there are some ignorant attitudes that persist outside of the creative circle. If I were to walk into a room and introduce myself as a doctor, that would garner a certain level of respect. But if I walked into that same room and said I’m a blogger, people think, ‘Oh, it’s just a hobby’ or ‘You’re just a writer.’ So, it’s easy to be dismissed. What they don’t know is that bloggers are the new celebrities. They shape opinions, earn A-list salaries and sign with major global brands. This new crop of Bahamian bloggers is fearless and they’re hungry, and it’s only a matter of time before a few of us are on the world stage. Sometimes you have to go out to come in. So as soon as one of us makes it to the big time in the States, then Bahamians will claim us and have a greater appreciation for what we do,” she said. In the meantime, Rogan is on the hunt for the next story she will tell as a Bahamian gyal. “My blog is shaped by my life, my surroundings and world events. I love being a lifestyle blogger, because anything goes. I can weigh in on impactful world issues and in the next blog post talk about my favourite reality star. So my life will dictate what I write next. Keep reading.” • Find Rogan’s blog at www.thisbahamiangyal.com. Readers can also follow her on Instagram at @thisbahamiangyal. The Elevation Awards will be on Saturday, April 6, at the British Colonial Hilton.
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Friday, March 8, 2019
style
A ‘Jewel’ of the islands By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
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each By Jewel aims to be more than a lifestyle brand; it seeks to be the perfect union of art and fashion. The chic brand, founded by designer Jewel Smith and inspired by Harbour Island, is the product of eight long years of the of hard work, research, trial and error. Today, Jewel believes she has found the right rhythm to make everything work. “Being on Harbour Island, everything is a little quieter and the pace is a bit slower; you are able to take in so much more. A swim and resort wear kind of chic island life, perfect for my brand – Beach By Jewel,” she told Tribune Weekend.
“This island has inspired so much creativity in me. I’ve now returned to painting abstract pieces – my favourite style of painting – for the first time since college, and I’m thoroughly enjoying this process. I’ve just completed my first collection, ‘Painting Free’, all done on recycled materials.” The paintings predominantly inspire the fashion items featured in the luxury swim and resort wear line. “It has always been my desire to create my own custom prints for my swim and resort wear brand, and I have always considered fashion to be wearable pieces of art. I have created a collection of five custom prints, one of which features my first painting, ‘Dancing Hibiscus’,” said Jewel.
The first line of products are custom printed pashminas and sarongs, which can double as scarves. Jewel also hopes to incorporate home goods to capture the island lifestyle with throw pillows that she said is perfect for life on Harbour Island. “The pashminas, sarongs and throw pillows are just the beginning. I have an entire portfolio of designs which I am constantly adding to the collection. I will continue to expand on this luxury lifestyle brand and expand the collection with swimwear and resort wear, beach accessories and other home goods, and of course, more custom prints. I am so excited and grateful to be able to create such works on an international level,” she said.
There is no official debut date for the line as yet, so Jewel is plugging along. She said she is also open to having investors come in. “I have been building Beach by Jewel for the past eight years. (It has) been a baptism by fire, but truly a labour of love, as I’ve had to learn many aspects of the fashion business from research. There have been many failures and successes along the way with sourcing the best materials and manufacturers that will work with a boutique brand such as mine. It has been very important for me to source top materials as my goal is to produce nothing but the best quality products,” she said.
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Friday, March 8, 2019
food
Touring Nassau one dish at a time By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net
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AT Bahamas is one of the newest culinary tours to hit Nassau, aimed at converting locals into foodies and providing visitors with a unique, authentically Bahamian adventure. After signing up via the eatbahamastours.com website, guests meet their tour guide in Rawson Square where they are given a brief history of the area before being whisked away to the first stop. The food tour is approximately 3.5 hours long and includes not only tasty bites but an immersion into Bahamian culture as well. With each stop, guests get to learn about one of the islands of the Bahamas, the participating restaurant’s story, and of course enjoy the food and sights. The tour guides and drivers point out key historic sites and fun facts along the way. There are six tasting stops where foodies can savour quintessential Bahamian dishes such as Bamboo Shack’s “chicken in the bag”, the Poop Deck’s conchy conch fritters, Mortimer’s candies, Tasty Tea’s bush tea and Flo’s Fruit Stand’s native fruits. Owner Andrica Smith-Munroe, also known as “Dre” in the culinary field, believes the island tour allows locals to indulge in a feeling of nostalgia, because while some of the vendors on the route may be new to them, others may be forgotten favourites from years past.
For visitors from abroad, she said, it’s the adventure they appreciate, to not only see more than just Downtown Nassau, but to experience it with delicious authentic Bahamian cuisine. They get to eat what and where the locals eat. “We saw the need for an engaging activity for tourists and locals. As epicureans and self-proclaimed foodies, it only made sense to create a company that introduces others to the food we love, perfectly packaged as a tour,” said Dre. “Our goal is to curate a gastronomic experience that encourages locals and tourists alike to explore the Bahamian culinary landscape.” Dre is also the host of the foodfocused series “A Mouth Full”. “One would think I would have been a chef, but my passion for food took me in another direction, which is media. As the host of the Bahamian food show ‘A Mouth Full’, viewers would often stop me in the most random places to ask me, ‘Where should I go to get the best...’ and my opinions on restaurants. It is from those experiences with the audience coupled with my own food tour journeys that EAT Bahamas was born. I want others to enjoy a perfectly curated culinary adventure that speaks to all sense. Hence our tagline ‘Eat, Adventure, Tour’, “she said. Dre believes food is a way of sharing love, traditions and culture. From a
“OUR GOAL IS TO CURATE A GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE THAT ENCOURAGES LOCALS AND TOURISTS ALIKE TO EXPLORE THE BAHAMIAN CULINARY LANDSCAPE.”
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Friday, March 8, 2019
PHOTOS BY ALESHA CADET & IANTHIA FERGUSON
technical standpoint, Dre is intrigued by the melding of flavours and spices to create something mind-blowing, and plating a dish in a way that gives it a narrative. Her hope is to see EAT Bahamas have a positive impact on the local tourism industry by providing an outstanding product comparable to others internationally. She would also like to expand to other islands, and maybe even one day collaborate with local counterparts to create a joint experience. As the year progresses,
Dre said they will be developing more tours to speak to multiple markets. The aim is to not only cater to tourists, as the focus is on creating adventures for Bahamians as well. “Our focus is getting our name out there. We want everyone to know of EAT Bahamas and participate in the adventure. We haven’t had negative feedback yet and we attribute that to our team and vendors,” said Dre. For more information on EAT Bahamas, call (242) 477-3287, or e-mail eatbahamas@gmail.com.
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Friday, March 8, 2019
romance
Canadians say ‘yes’
in the Bahamas TORONTO, Canada – The month of February was certainly the month of love for three lucky couples from Canada, who won an opportunity to propose to their beloved ones in the Bahamas. The romantic opportunity was a result of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation’s social media contest, “Say Yes in the Bahamas” engagement proposal. The contest, which was open to bachelors who resided in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta and attracted hundreds of applicants, closed in December. Victorious were Gordon White, Jimmy Ly and Robert Jewell, who each planned their unique, intimate and memorable engagement proposals with Paparazzi Proposals, the romance partner for the Ministry of Tourism.
Video and still photography captured the romantic proposals in some of the Bahamas’ most exotic and tranquil locations including the Cloisters at the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort on Paradise Island; Valentines Resort & Marina on Harbour Island, Eleuthera; Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach All-Inclusive Resort on Grand Bahama Island and the British Colonial Hilton Hotel in Nassau. Fiancées for the three prospective groomsmen all said “yes” to the inspired proposals. In an intimate, poolside dinner setting, decked out with candles and bougainvillea flowers overlooking the pristine waters of Eleuthera, Gordon, on bended knee, asked Siobhain, who is pregnant with the couple’s twins, to marry him. A jubilant but nervous
Bank manager Jimmy Ly proposes to Nurse Uyen Cung in Grand Bahama.
Gordon White proposes to Siobhan on Harbour Island. The couple are expecting twins. PHOTOS/PAPARAZZI PROPOSALS
Siobhain could hardly contain herself when Gordon proposed at the Valentine’s Resort and Marina on Harbour Island. Bank Manager Jimmy Ly said he could not pass up on the opportunity to propose to his love of three years, nurse Uyen Cung. The magical moment took place under a palm and hibiscus embellished arch along the white sand beach at the Viva
Wyndham Fortuna Beach All-Inclusive Resort on Grand Bahama. Meanwhile, Chef Robert Jewell and full-time student Maddison Desrosiers got engaged on Paradise Island. After travelling to some 15 countries, 12 islands, four continents, and countless cities together, they were now ready to settle. Popping the magical question in the Bahamas, in the gardens of the Cloisters, was a dream come true, said a thrilled Robert.
Chef Robert Jewell proposes to Maddison Desrosiers at the Cloisters, Paradise Island.
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Friday, March 8, 2019
music
Mr J prays for Haiti with new single
Gospel reggae artist plans to help business owners in the island nation
By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
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chorus, they are praying to God to help Haiti,” he told Tribune Weekend. “The song will place people in a mood of reflection, empathy and in one accord in the desire for Haiti to be delivered from the many struggles.” The song dropped early this week and is currently running rotation on various on the local airwaves. He hope people are inspired to remember the country during their time of devotions. “A video is in the making. Myself, along with Monty Sweat and Macky Love, who is our featured guest on the song, are making plans as we speak to travel to Haiti to shoot the video. We want the message to be as home-based as possible,” said Mr J. Besides working on plans for the video shoot, the artist and
ospel reggae artist Gesner “Mr J” Dalmond is saying a prayer for Haiti with his newly released
single. Titled “Bondieu Ede Ayiti”, which is Creole for “God Help Haiti”, the song encourages listeners to uplift the trouble Caribbean nation by praying for its people. Mr J said he was inspired to produce the song as a result of an invitation he received from Pastor Carlos Reid regarding a benefit concert. Pastor Reid, along with his daughter, hosted the concert to aid Haiti after protests broke out in Port-au-Prince, the capital, last November. The benefit event was held at the Hope Centre Church. “I love the title of the song. Besides being the title, it is the chorus of the song. Whenever anyone repeats the title or sings the
Dolly-loving Yola explores fusion of country and soul NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — When singer-songwriter Yola was growing up in Bristol, England, her mother’s vinyl records were just about the only form of amusement the family could afford. “We didn’t have like toys or anything so everything that I focused on was musical,” said Yola, whose given name is Yolanda Quartey but now just goes by Yola. “And I got into Aretha and Dolly in this way.” Being a black British girl who loved Dolly Parton and classic American country and soul music did make her stand out a bit though.
“I just think in the UK it’s a bit of a dirty word,” 35-year-old Yola said. “You have to come out of the closet as a country lover. So yeah, it did make me somewhat of an oddity to be a weird four-year-old singing ‘9 To 5’.” Yola’s new album, “Walk Through Fire,” is a return to her first musical inspirations and an exploration of the intersection of soul, country and pop combined with her background in songwriting. Since about 19, she’s been a songwriter and vocalist who has been mainly working in electronic and dance music genres.
YOLA CARTER (AP PHOTO/ MARK HUMPHREY)
But she broke out in the Americana scene a couple of years ago as a solo artist with an incredibly versatile and powerful voice and she started making trips to Nashville to play festivals and shows. A video of one of her performances made its way to Black Keys
his team are currently drafting a campaign to raise funds to directly assist people in Haiti. “We are making plans to approach the Haitian Embassy and corporate citizens in assisting us realise this effort,” he said. “An initiative of providing seed money to select aspiring entrepreneurs in a select area in Haiti is also a part of the campaign work. We will also be working to provide capital to select struggling small business owners. Locally, we are in collaboration with Pastor Francois Wilson of the Alliance Church of Union and Deliverance, and with contacts on the ground in Haiti to lift this initiative off the ground. It’s a small start.” The general public can assist in Mr J’s efforts by downloading the song. They can also e-mail him at mrjreggae@gmail.com.
singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach, who co-wrote and produced Yola’s album, released last month, through his Nashville-based record label Easy Eye Sound. With many of the collaborators having a background in ‘60s and ‘70s era of country and soul music, the music of the album feels like a mixture of Dusty Springfield vocals with elements of Laurel Canyon dreamy folk and some British Invasion pop and rock accents. “That’s what fascinates me specifically about the ‘60 and ‘70s music, and the proximity of all these forms of music,” Yola said. “That gives us freedom, a freedom to explore, to move between genres.” KRISTIN M HALL The Associated Press
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Friday, March 8, 2019
community
An exchange of ideas and inspiration ASK COMMUNITY LEADERS ANY QUESTION YOU WANT
By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Reporter | acadet@tribunemedia.net
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ver wanted to have a seat at a table with your role model, someone you admire, or a community leader to share your goals and aspirations with? If so, now is your chance to do so. The third annual Bahamian Exchange, under the theme “Meet The People, Hear Their Stories,” is scheduled for two sessions this evening; the first one from 6pm to 7.30pm, and the second one from 7.45pm to 9.15pm. The sessions are being held at the Queen’s College’s Geoffrey Brown Auditorium. The event allows individuals from different backgrounds and experiences to come together in one space to share life from their view. It kind of follows the speed dating model, but with a focus on specific, community-building topics. And instead of facilitating successful romantic outcomes, organisatons are aiming for an exchange of ideas and inspiration. At tonight’s event, participants will have the opportunity to sit down in groups of no more than four to ask community leaders anything they want in 15-minute intervals. Guests for this year’s event represent politics, business, education, religion, history, sports, culture and more. They include Ramon Miller, representing the sports industry; humanitarian Lady Camille Barnett; Minister Felicia Archer from the religious sector; Sir Arthur Foulkes addressing history; artist Renbert Mortimer; former Cabinet Minister Alfred Sears and Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson representing politics and community; Nancy Kelly speaking on business; Arlene Nash Ferguson addressing culture; Dr Desiree Cox on education,
Scenes from last year’s Bahamian Exchange.
and Director of Youth Darron Turnquest on youth development. The Bahamian Exchange is being hosted by both Queen’s College and KBII Communication. Katherine Beneby II is connected to both organisations and The Bahamian Exchange was her vision. She explained that a committee of diverse individuals who understands this vision comes together to select each year’s guest speakers. As part of the organisation’s decision-making process they also put out surveys and engage in public forums to identify community leaders who people would be interested in hearing from. Ms Beneby said each year the event gets bigger and better. She believes because the concept was new to the Bahamas at first, it took a while for people to actually understand it, but now in its third year, The Bahamian Exchange is an event that people are embracing. “Events such as this are important, as people are not taking time to meet and connect with new people. Face-toface interaction allows (guest speakers) to have a personal touch rather than being a guest speaker or on a panel. Also, this event will assist in bridging the gap between generations. The setup of this event sets the foundation for trust, and ultimately can lead to fostered connections, opportunities and mentorship. We are grateful to Generali, Bahamas First and Sun Oil Ltd for partnering with us once again to make this event a reality,” said Katherine. She said the overall goal is to create a space for people to converse, connect and learn from each other, and The Bahamian Exchange has already attracted the interest of various schools, churches and organisations, so she is looking forward to seeing them utilise the concept to further build connections, share knowledge and experiences. “I am all about leaving my mark. This event gives me an opportunity to do that. Last year we had some students from Government High School attend, and to hear them speak about how the experience impacted them, it really left a lasting mark on me and gives me fuel to keep going,” said Ms Beneby. For those interested, admission is $20. To register, call 677-7639, 5443854 or e-mail cfe@qchenceforth.com. A special offer is being provided for groups and organisations.
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leisure
Spring shopping By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Reporter | acadet@tribunemedia.net
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very season brings with it new trends, and the team at Pulse Marketing sought to showcase some of the most popular trends during their Spring Shop and Sip event last weekend. Pulse founder Nikolette Elden said the event offered small businesses an opportunity to show off their products and services. Vendors for last Sunday’s shopping event included Anji’s Delightful Teas, Bella Mente Spa, Bentonite Beauty Clay and Wildcrafted Base, Hot Pepper Sauce, Comeback Kitty, Digital Kafe and Shotz Photo Booth,
Island Cooler, Klassi Party Essentials, Lashan’s Cheesecakes and Baked Goods, Sam-O Boutique, Six n’ Four, Sugar Plum Studio, and The Pink Ribbon Boutique. “I was new to being an entrepreneur, so planning and organising this event created the opportunity for me to network. It has introduced me to so many entrepreneurs who are incredibly passionate about their craft. The energy and enthusiasm is infectious. Bahamians can expect to see this and other events from Pulse Marketing at least quarterly, so stay tuned,” said Ms Elden.
The first 100 people in attendance were entered to win a free facial courtesy of the Bella Mente Spa; chair massages by Bella Mente Spa, an interactive photo shoot by Digital Kafe, treats by the Six n’ Four restaurant, drinks by Island Cooler, and entertainment by the event’s host, Dion Johnson. “I’m looking forward to the vendors asking me how soon are we doing this again,” said Ms Elden. “This has actually sparked such interest that I’ve had to turn vendors down for fear of outgrowing the event. They are now waiting to hear me announce the next event date so they can participate.”
Speaking about her favourite Spring fashion trends, Ms Elden predicted neutrals will be very popular. She also believes fishnet stockings and polka dots will make a comeback in 2019. “For those who grew up in the 80s and 90s, there’s news for you. Neons will be hot this Spring, however, in direct contrast, pale blue will be a very popular. Biker shorts will also make a comeback, but the hottest trend will be metallic plaid,” she said. Pulse Marketing is looking forward to hosting an evening of music, art and “flowetry” later this month and its Shop and Sip event in June.
PHOTOS/SHAWN HANNA
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Friday, March 8, 2019
celebrity
Captain Marvel World Premiere
With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt
HIT
FAIL
SPLIT
SPLIT
HIT
Brie Larson (”Captain Marvel”)
Lashana Lynch (”Bulletproof”)
Halsey singer
Aisha Tyler ”Criminal Minds”
Karin says: “Now, this is actually from the London premiere last week, but I think it’s absolutely stunning. The bright blue and gold is very in keeping with the Captain Marvel theme, and it’s gorgeous on her. And I love the unusual cut; it’s really unique.” Cara says: “I am here for all of Brie ‘s drama in this gorgeous gown. That colour is divine. I love the cut-out on the sides, the off-the-shoulder look... and that cape is, dare I say, ‘super’? Brava all around!”
Karin says: “This is all right, but nowhere near as stunning as her fuchsia gown for the London premiere (Google it!). This is the kinda sheer dress we’ve seen a hundred times, but I suppose it’s serviceable, just nothing to make her stand out. She played it too safe.” Cara says: “This dress would be a hit if someone older was wearing it. With the exception of the back (which is cut low to the waist) and the attempt at sexy with the sheer parts, this dress is just too old ladyish for me; it’s a miss.”
Karin says: “This is awful, just awful. The jacket looks too big, the shorts too small, and together they make her look top heavy, and not in a good way. I guess she wanted the shorts to be so short to show off her stick figure tattoos. It doesn’t look badass, just ugly and cheap.” Cara says: “I like the outfit. It’s cute and fun and she looks great in it. However, this is one of the most anticipated movies of the year and she just needed to bring a bit more to the table than she does here.”
Karin says: “I kinda get this. I think it was meant to look like those giant sweatshirts that are so on-trend right now. But it doesn’t quite adhere to the baggy concept because it’s slightly cinched below the bust. She either needed to go full-on potato sack baggy or it needed to be more fitted. This is a mishmash of two styles.” Cara says: “There is nothing not to like about this outfit, but I guess after Brie’s blue gown everyone else looks a tad bit underwhelming. So while she looks fab in the dress, it lacks Brie’s ‘wow’ factor.”
Gemma Chan ”Mary Queen of Scots”
Karin says: “This looks like a mermaid’s vision of the perfect 80s inspired party outfit. It’s certainly different. And while it is a weird looking jumpsuit, it does grow on you. We know she has a dramatic fashion sense, so this fits the bill.” Cara says: “My initial reaction was this looks like a Junkanoo fringe or confetti. I like that it’s fun and unique. Although I have to admit, it took a few looks before I decided that I liked it. Kudos for Gemma for being fashion-forward.”
AP PHOTOS
The Weekend Fashion Report
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Friday, March 8, 2019
film
Review: ‘Captain Marvel’ gets her introduction CAPTAIN MARVEL RUNNING TIME: 124MINS
I
f there is one thing that’s true of most of the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s that they have life and spirit to spare. It’s a kind of an intoxicating joy that dares even the most comic book-apathetic to get onboard and delight in the spectacle, and it usually comes down to the characters. You might not care about whatever Earth-threatening foe is at large this time, but you care about Captain America, Black Panther and Black Widow and enjoy spending a few hours with them. I spent over two hours with Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers and I still have no idea what her personality is. Sure, there’s a lot more going on in “Captain Marvel”, but it’s a pretty egregious failing considering that the creative bigwigs at Marvel had 10 years and 20 films to work it out. It’s hard
BIFF CALLS ON ARTISTS FOR 2019 POSTER COMPETITION
T
he Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is now accepting submissions for the 16th Annual Bahamas International Film Festival 2019 Poster Competition. Bahamians and residents of the Bahamas can apply. Content must be relative to cinema, and BIFF will have full ownership of the poster.
to say whether that’s a flaw in Brie Larson’s performance or a failure of the script, but I came out of the film not caring all that much about her beyond what her dazzling powers might mean for the next Avengers film, which is perhaps the lamest way of all to experience these movies. The story drops you in the middle of things and gives Carol Danvers a convenient case of amnesia as she tries to piece together her past by dreaming of Annette Bening while training to be a soldier with Jude Law on the planet of Kree. She is told at least 10 times in the first 10 minutes of the film that she needs to control her emotions, mostly by Law. This is a charged thing to say to a woman, but also confusing because “emotional” is the last word I would use to describe the character as she’s presented. She’s more impulsive and bullheaded than anything else. Emotions and heart don’t seem to have anything to do with her decisions. At times it even seems like she’s channelling the Terminator. But this is also a script that has Larson delivering eye-rolling lines like “enough of your mind games” with a straight face. She’s a great actress, but that’s a tall order for the best of them. The film is meant to be disorienting, especially at the beginning. She’s confused and so the audience must be too, I guess? But things start to come together when she crashlands on Earth in the middle of a Los Angeles Blockbuster Video somewhere around Prizes for the winning artist include two all-access passes to BIFF 2019, as well as exposure at the festival and its official social media. The deadline for submissions is March 22. Please submit finished work to leslie@bintlfilmfest.com. The Bahamas International Film Festival is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing the local community and International visitors with
1995, which you know because there’s a “Babe” poster and a cardboard display for “True Lies.” The filmmakers have fun with all their mid-’90s references from computers to musical cues (if you like angry ‘90s girl pop anthems you’re in luck), but I wish someone would have been paying that much attention to the continuity of Larson’s curls, which change even in the middle of scenes. In LA, she comes across a young Nick Fury, played by a digitally de-aged Samuel L Jackson, whose infectious liveliness is a godsend. Together they try to both track down shapeshifting alien invaders called the Skrulls (led by Ben Mendelsohn) and also get answers about her past, which honestly sounds a lot more interesting than her present. But this is the origin story they went with and it does not include Bening teaching Larson how to fly a fighter plane. There are some twists and turns and a scene-stealing orange cat that would be difficult to discuss here without spoiling everything. All-in-all it’s fine, but nothing to get too excited about. And it could have and should have been so much better: The cast was there, the cool directing talents, the budget and the “brand” goodwill. The first female-led movie of the MCU deserved more. LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer
a diverse presentation of films from around the world. In addition to offering films that might not otherwise be released theatrically in the Bahamas, BIFF aims to provide a unique cultural experience, educational programmes and forums for exploring the future of cinema. BIFF also seeks to raise the level of film debate, participation and education in the country.
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Friday, March 8, 2019
books
Review: Takedown of Paul LeRoux is gripping true-crime tale
A
master criminal and the step-bystep methods used to stop him permeate this gripping account that is both well-written and exhaustively researched by Elaine Shannon. Paul LeRoux was a ruthless killer who took the traditional methods of organized crime and mixed them with modern technology. His team of mercenaries were ex-military men who murdered his enemies without hesitation or remorse. With so many layers to his enterprise, LeRoux was able to stay hidden in the shadows while he raked
in the money and others did his dirty work. A few elite Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents saw a pattern, and uncovered the truth. They realised that with all of LeRoux’s worldwide resources in technology, drugs, weapons and people, it would not be easy to take him out. These agents worked for a division called the 960 Group, essentially the elite of the elite. They hatched a bold plan to infiltrate LeRoux’s operation by using the same methods that had given their target so much success: a combination of modern technology and men willing to risk their lives undercover.
What follows is a gripping true-crime tale that is both unbelievable while yet being realistic. Investigative journalist Shannon takes the reader beyond the flyon-the-wall and puts them right into the heart of every action and situation. One can practically see and smell everything as these brave agents provide a minute-byminute account of the takedown of a master criminal. (LeRoux was arrested in 2012.) The level of research and detail — including exclusive interviews with the people involved — makes this a one-of-a-kind true crime tale. JEFF AYERS Associated Press WILLIAM MORROW VIA AP
Posthumous Dr Seuss book coming this September NEW YORK (AP) — There is no muse like Dr Seuss. An unfinished manuscript by the late children’s author is the basis for “Dr Seuss’s Horse Museum,” coming September 3. Random House Children’s Books announced Thursday that illustrator
Andrew Joyner completed the text, which has a look “both subtly Seussian and wholly his own.” The book features horse artwork by Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock among others and will include cameos from such Seuss favorites as the Grinch and the Cat in the Hat.
Dr Seuss, whose real name was Theodore Geisel, died in 1991. A posthumous release in 2015, “What Pet Should I Get,” was a best-seller. Joyner’s previous credits include “Too Many Elephants in This House” and “The Swap.”
RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS VIA AP
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Friday, March 8, 2019
gardening
Adjustments
for a late
Easter March is here and there are many seeds to be planted, says Jack Hardy
O
ur gardening year has several milestones along the way. The winter solstice (or Christmas) is the first, a time when we can reap from our vegetable beds while sowing more seeds for the coming months. Easter is the next, the time when there is renewed growth but also a distinct reminder that summer is coming and we have to give up on certain crops and sow new. The third is usually in June. We stand in our yard with the sun beating down, review our struggling plants, and say to ourselves: Enough! This year there is a blip in the growing season. Easter is very late, with Good Friday falling on April 19, so it behoves us to treat the latter weeks of March as the traditional Easter, the time to prepare for warmer conditions. It will be at about this time that most lettuces will become bitter. There are some tropical varieties that can be sown now to give a respite but in general the salad season is reaching its end. Greens tend to last longer and spinach will be serviceable for a month or two more but will be trying to run to seed. Malabar spinach is a
Pussley (purslane) is both tasty and crunchy. good substitute for warmer weather, but have a look around your garden for pussley (purslane). This ever-present plant is a nuisance weed if you consider it so. Transplant it, water and fertilize it, and it will become a gourmet green for both salads and soups. It is both tasty and crunchy. For what it is worth, it was Mohandas (Mahatma) Ghandi’s favourite vegetable. Were you to plant a tomato seed now it would start to flower by the beginning of May. Tomatoes only set fruit when the temperature is 68 degrees or lower and by May the nights tend to be warm. Your tomatoes could produce but you would have to rely on good fortune and a couple of cold snaps. Cherry tomatoes tend to fruit at a higher temperature and grow faster than beefsteaks and salad tomatoes. Large-fruited cherry tomatoes can replace these at a pinch. Some people do not care for cherry tomatoes because most of them are juicy and seedy. Try growing grape or pear-shaped cherry tomatoes. These are generally mealy in texture and low in seeds. There will be no edible tomatoes during the summer months with the exception of Mexican cherries. These small and seedy offering grow in bunches from vigorous plants with small sharp-pointed leaves. They are the only tomatoes I know that will fruit successfully throughout the summer and autumn months. That said, they are hardly gourmet items but they do have real tomato taste and can be added to salads whole. Collect a bowlful, cook
and strain the seeds, and you will have the base for a tomato sauce or a tomato water Bloody Mary, much tastier than canned tomato juice. Strictly summer crops include long beans (also known as snake, asparagus or yard-long beans), okra, collards, corn, and beans such as black-eye peas, cow peas, and limas. Whether these crops are exciting enough to get you to work in your garden in 95 degree temperature and humidity only you can say. March is the optimum month for planting seeds of heat resistant summer annuals. Zinnias come in a myriad of colours, shapes and sizes and are very reliable. Cosmos can take the heat but larger plants can become leggy, so it is the bushier and more stable varieties we need to sow. Mexican sunflowers can grow to five or six feet tall so need to be planted as temporary shrubs and allowed plenty of space. Vinca (periwinkle) provides low-lying colour and is also a good candidate for pot culture. Gaillardia is a perennial but blooms in its first year. Also known as Blanket Flower, it grows and re-seeds freely. Shaded areas can be brightened with sowings of New Guinea impatiens. These often come with variegated leaves that add to their cheerfulness. Perennials that grow from bulbs or rhizomes reappear every year. If you have a site where gloriosa lily can be supported in its vine-like growth then you will have one of the true beauties of a tropical garden. Our mango trees are flowering now and setting fruit. Anthracnose is
a problem that commercial growers have to contend with, a disease that mottles the ripe fruit with black spots that spread and invade the flesh. Yardgrown mangoes tend to be eaten at early ripeness and therefore anthracnose is less of a problem for home growers. Do not forget your seasonal feeding and spraying of fruit and citrus trees. Fertilizer spikes are the handiest form of feeding. Add to this a drench of Sequestrene 138 around the base of each tree and a spray of minor nutrients. Do not forget your flowering shrubs. These are the sturdiest denizens of tropical gardens and are often overlooked when it comes to feeding time. Hibiscus, oleander, chenille, bougainvillea and such all benefit from at least a seasonal side dressing of 6-6-6 granular fertilizer. If you have a compost pile you can put some in a lidded 5-gallon container and fill with water. After a week or so you can dip compost tea to nurture your potted flowers and pineapples. Keep adding compost and water when needed to maintain a regular supply of nutrient rich sustenance. Good news! As the weather warms your grass will exhibit renewed growth and the promise of beautiful lawns. Bad news! A beautiful lawn means adding nitrogen-rich fertilizer evenly and mowing every week.  • For queries and comments e-mail jacktribune242@gmail.com
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Friday, March 8, 2019
literary lives – maria callas
Opera’s divine diva – Part I Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about the Americanborn Greek soprano who was one of the greatest operatic voices of the 20th century. Her extensive singing range, bel canto technique and dramatic skill revitalised opera and increased its appeal.
M
aria Callas was born on December 3, 1923 only four months after her parents arrived in New York. She was christened Maria Anna Sofia Kalogeropoulos. Soon after her father shortened the family name to Callas to make the difficult Greek name more manageable. Her parents, George and Evangelia (Litsa) Kalogeropoulos, were an ill-matched couple, and she and her sister grew up enmeshed
Famed soprano Maria Callas (1923 - 1977) in bitter sibling rivalries. Her sister Yakinthi “Jackie” (older by five years) was tall and skinny and everybody’s favourite, while Maria was plump and with bad eyesight. “My sister was slim and beautiful and friendly, and my mother always preferred her. I was the ugly duckling, fat and clumsy and unpopular. It is a cruel thing to make a child feel ugly and unwanted.”
The situation was not helped by the relationship between her parents. Her father was unambitious and a philanderer. Her mother on the other hand was socially aspiring and craved a life in the arts for herself. When Maria was three her mother discovered that her younger daughter had a voice. She was made to sing and hated it. Her father had opened his own pharmacy on 192nd Street in Washington Heights where the young Callas grew up. The marriage of her
parents continued to deteriorate until 1937, when she was 14 years old. Her mother, fed up with her husband’s absences and infidelities, left him and returned to Athens with her two daughters. Callas’s mother’s hateful treatment of her during the occupation of Greece during World War II led to more resentment and dislike. Her mother, who did not work, forced the young Callas to go out with Italian and German soldiers to bring back money
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Callas, nicknamed ‘La Divina’ – the divine, as Violetta, 1958 and food. Whether or not Callas remained untouched is debatable, but there is no doubt that a kind of prostitution was forced on her by her mother who had also adopted a questionable lifestyle. In Athens, Callas’s mother tried hard to enrol Maria in the Athens Conservatoire, but her untrained voice failed to impress the conservatory’s director. Instead, her mother took her to Maria Trivella at the Greek National Conservatoire and asked her to take Maria as a fee-paying student. Twenty years later Trivella remembers Callas as being a very fat young girl wearing large glasses for her myopia. However, the tone of her voice was warm, lyrical, intense. “It swirled and flared like a flame and filled the air with melodious reverberations like a carillon (or set of bells). It was by any standard an amazing phenomenon, or rather it was a great talent
Callas with her mother and older sister, Yakinthi Callas with her parents, Evangelia Dimitriadou and “Jackie”, who was considered the ‘pretty one’ by George Kalogeropoulos the family. (Athens, 1940)
that needed control, technical training and strict discipline in order to shine with all its brilliance.” Trivella took on Callas, refusing to take any tuition fees, and almost immediately recognised that Callas was not a contralto, as she had been informed, but a gifted soprano. Thus, student and coach began raising the tessitura (or most acceptable range) of her voice and to lighten its timbre. Trivella recalls that Callas was a model student – absolutely dedicated, fanatical, uncompromising, dedicated to her studies. She made phenomenal progress working six hours a day. “Within six months she was singing the most difficult arias in the international opera repertoire with the utmost musicality.” The next year, 1938, in her public debut, Callas ended the recital of
Trivella’s class at the Parnassos Music Hall with a duet from Tosca. “(Trivella) had a French method, which was placing the voice in the nose ... I had a problem of not having low chest tones, which is essential in bel canto ... And that’s where I learned my chest tones.” However, this may not be accurate. Others say that Callas developed her chest voice, which was extraordinary, not with Trivella, but with Elvira de Hidalgo, the Spanish coloratura soprano who was her next teacher. After two years with Trivella, her mother took her a second time to the Athens Conservatoire and Callas auditioned with “Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster” from Weber’s Oberon. Hidalgo recalled hearing: “... tempestuous, extravagant cascades of sound as yet uncontrolled but full of drama and emotion.”
Hidalgo agreed to take Maria as a pupil but Callas’s mother delayed her start with Hidalgo for a year until she graduated from the National Conservatoire. On April 2, 1939, Callas took the part of Santuzzo in the student production of Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” at the Greek National Opera at the Olympia Theatre. She started her training with Elvira de Hidalgo at the end of 1939. “De Hidalgo had the real great training ... I learned the secrets, the ways of this bel canto ... It is a very hard training. It is not just beautiful singing ... De Hidalgo had one method, which was the real bel canto way, where no matter how heavy a voice, it should always be kept light, it should always be worked on in a flexible way, never to weigh it down ... pushing the instrument into a certain zone where it might not be too large in sound, but penetrating ... which is a whole vast language on its own.”
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Bel Canto is Italian for “beautiful song” and refers to the Italian vocal style that prevailed throughout most of Europe during the 18th and early 19th centuries. It involved matching the register and tonal quality of the voice to the emotional content of the words. The emphasis was on beauty of sound rather than dramatic expression. The Bel Canto term remains vague and ambiguous – and is often used to evoke a lost singing tradition. De Hidalgo recalled Callas as a phenomenon: “She would listen to all my students, sopranos, mezzos, tenors ... She could do it all.” Callas would go to the Conservatoire at ten in the morning and leave with the last pupil. She said that even with the least talented pupil she could learn something that the most talented might not be able to do. De Hidalgo helped in getting secondary roles for Callas while she was a student, for which she earned small amounts of money. This helped during the impecunious war years. She made her professional debut in February 1941 as Beatrice in Franz von Suppé’s Boccaccio, but she had an uncomfortable time. It was obvious that she was something extraordinary and had a unique performing ability. But jealousy prevailed. It was reported that established sopranos Nafsike Galanou and Anna Remmoundou would stand in the wings when she was singing, talk loudly, laugh, and point fingers at her. They, and others, tried to find ways of preventing her from appearing. Yet she survived. She was strong. She knew there was hostility but she continued and made her debut in August 1942 as Tosca, going on to sing Marta in d’Alberts Tiefland at the Olympia Theatre where she received enthusiastic reviews. After these performances even her most vicious critics began to take notice. At a rehearsal of Beethoven’s Fidelio her rival soprano Anna Remmoundou asked: “Could it be that there is something divine and we haven’t realised it?” Callas sang Santuzza in Cavelleria Rusticana, and then O Protomastoras in the Herodes Atticus theatre at the foot of the Acropolis; followed by Leonore again in Fidelio in the Herodes Atticus theatre. The German critic Friedrich Herzog stated: “When Maria Kalogeropoulou’s Leonore let her soprano soar out radiantly in the untrammelled
Friday, March 8, 2019
Callas with her husband, Italian industrialist Giovanni Battista Meneghini in 1959.
The first recordings of Maria Callas, 1949
A young Maria Callas reading La Scala Magazine.
jubilation of the duet, she rose to the most sublime heights...” Against de Hidalgo’s advice, Callas, after giving concerts in Greece, returned to America determined to make a name for herself on her own terms. De Hidalgo had urged her to establish herself in Italy. She left Greece in September 1945 when she was almost 22 years old. She had given 56 performances in seven operas and has appeared in 20 recitals. This initial Greek career was the foundation of her musical and dramatic upbringing. The two years that Callas struggled in the United States were met with rejection and failure. She was reunited with her father and auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera, but despite encouragement they could not come to an agreement. An engagement in Chicago as Turandot failed because the producing company folded. However, the basso Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, who was also engaged in Chicago and disappointed in the cancellation, knew that the Italian conductor Tullio Serafin was looking for a dramatic soprano to sing the part of La Gioconda at the
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The villa in Sirmione where Callas lived with Giovanni Battista Meneghini between 1950 and 1959. Arena in Verona. He was certain that Maria’s courage and great voice would fill the large outdoor Verona theatre. She made her Italian debut on August 3, 1947. Although she received minimal acclaim, Tullio Serafin had enormous confidence in her. He became her mentor. She went on to perform Tristan and Isolde, and Turandot in Venice. “I was really lucky. (Serafin) taught me that there must be an expression; that there must be a justification. He taught me the depth of music, the justification of music. That’s where I really drank all I could from this man.” In Verona, Callas met Giovanni Battista Meneghini, a much older wealthy Italian industrialist, 30 years her senior, who began courting her. They fell in love and were married on April 21, 1949. The couple lived mostly
in Verona and Meneghini devoted his life to managing her career – which he did until 1959 when the marriage ended. It was Meneghini’s devotion to Callas’s young career that gave her the security and confidence to establish her name in Italy where she performed under the name of Maria Meneghini Callas. It was during these years that she was in her prime and at the peak of her career. This is important, because after she met Aristotle Onassis in 1957, although she was now a famous operatic diva, her career was plagued with scandal and she almost certainly suffered from some voice decline. Curiously, it was a pivotal accident in Venice in 1949 that brought Maria Callas to prominence. Engaged to sing Brünnhilde in Wagner’s “Die Walküre” at the Teatro la Fenice, Margherita Carisio, who was to sing Elvira in “I puritani”, also in Teatro la Fenice, fell ill. Tullio Serafin was not able to find
anyone to replace her and instructed Callas that she would have to sing Elvira in six days’ time. Panic-stricken, Callas informed Serafin that this was impossible, as she not only had performances of Brünnhilde to sing, but also she did not know the part. Serafin insisted and Callas managed to perform both operas, alternating between the two works despite the divergent vocal demands. It was a miracle that Callas accomplished. Using her limpid poised voice she introduced a warm interpretation to the character of Elvira. Franco Zefferelli remembers her performance: “What she did in Venice was really incredible. You need to be familiar with opera to realise the size of her achievement. It was as if someone asked Birgit Nilsson, who is famous for the great Wagnerian voice, to substitute overnight for Beverly
Sills, who is one of the great coloratura sopranos of our time.” It is certain that Callas’s handling of these two roles had an enormous positive effect on the course of her career, and led to other important roles and reawakening interest in the almost neglected operas of Cherubini, Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini. She opened new doors for all the singers in the world. NEXT WEEK: Maria Callas’ fall from grace. • Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of “The Last Colonial”. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; “My Wife, Maria Callas” by Giovanni Battista Meneghini (1982), and from “Maria Callas, the Woman Behind the Legend” by Arianna Stassinopoulos (1981).
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history
How smallpox devastated the Aztecs – and helped Spain conquer an American civilisation 500 years ago (THE CONVERSATION) – Recent outbreaks in the US and the Bahamas have drawn attention to the dangers of measles. The Democratic Republic of Congo is fighting a deadly outbreak of Ebola that has killed hundreds. Epidemics are nothing new, of course. And some widespread infectious diseases have profoundly changed the course of human history. Five hundred years ago, in February of 1519, the Spaniard Hernán Cortés set sail from Cuba to explore and colonise Aztec civilisation in the Mexican interior. Within just two years, Aztec ruler Montezuma was dead, the capital city of Tenochtitlan was captured and Cortés had claimed the Aztec empire for Spain. Spanish weaponry and tactics played a role, but most of the destruction was wrought by epidemics of European diseases.
Conquest of the Aztec empire
After helping conquer Cuba for the Spanish, Cortés was commissioned to lead an expedition to the mainland. When his small fleet landed, he ordered his ships scuttled, eliminating any possibility of retreat and conveying the depth of his resolve. Cortés with his 500 men then headed into the Mexican interior. This region was home to the Aztec civilization, an empire of an estimated 16 million people at this time. Through a system of conquest and tribute, the Aztecs had established the great island city of Tenochtitlan in Lake Texcoco that ruled over an area of about 80,000 square miles. Discovering widespread resentment toward the capital city and its ruler, Cortés formed alliances with many locals. Though vastly outnumbered, he
and a small force marched on Tenochtitlan, where Montezuma received them with honour. In turn, Cortés took Montezuma prisoner. It took Cortés two years, but he finally conquered the Aztec capital in August 1521. His ally in this fight was the European germs he and his men unwittingly brought with them.
Cortés’s microscopic secret weapon
Although Cortés was a skilled leader, he and his force of perhaps a thousand Spaniards and indigenous allies would not have been able to overcome a city of 200,000 without help. He got it in the form of a smallpox epidemic that gradually spread inward from the coast of Mexico and decimated the densely populated city of Tenochtitlan in 1520, reducing its population by 40 percent in a single year. Smallpox is caused by an inhaled virus, which causes fever, vomiting and a rash, soon covering the body with fluid-filled blisters. These turn into scabs which leave scars. Fatal in approximately one-third of cases, another third of those afflicted with the disease typically develop blindness. Smallpox existed in ancient times in Egyptian, Indian and Chinese cultures. It remained endemic in human populations for millennia, coming to Europe during the 11th century’s Crusades. When Europeans began to explore and colonise other parts of the world, smallpox travelled with them. The native people of the Americas, including the Aztecs, were especially vulnerable to smallpox because they’d never been exposed to the virus and thus possessed no natural immunity.
A 16-century description of Aztec smallpox victims. No effective anti-viral therapies were available. Recalling the epidemic, one victim reported: “The plague lasted for 70 days, striking everywhere in the city and killing a vast number of our people. Sores erupted on our faces, our breasts, our bellies; we were covered with agonising sores from head to foot.” A Franciscan monk who accompanied Cortés provided this description: “As the Indians did not know the remedy of the disease, they died in heaps, like bedbugs. In many places it happened that everyone in a house died, and as it was impossible to bury the great number of dead, they pulled down the houses over them, so that their homes became their tombs.” Smallpox took its toll on the Aztecs in several ways. First, it killed many of its victims outright, particularly infants and young children. Many other adults were incapacitated by the disease – because they were either sick themselves, caring for sick relatives and neighbours, or simply lost the will to resist the Spaniards as they saw disease ravage those around them. Finally, people could no longer tend to their crops, leading to widespread famine, further weakening the immune systems of survivors of the epidemic.
Disease can drive human history
Of course, the Aztecs were not the only indigenous people to suffer from the introduction of European diseases. In addition to North America’s Native American populations, the Mayan and Incan civilisations were also nearly wiped out by smallpox. And other European diseases, such as measles and mumps, also took substantial tolls – altogether reducing some indigenous populations in the new world by 90 percent or more. Recent investigations have suggested that other infectious
agents, such as Salmonella – known for causing contemporary outbreaks among pet owners – may have caused additional epidemics. The ability of smallpox to incapacitate and decimate populations made it an attractive agent for biological warfare. In the 18th century, the British tried to infect Native American populations. One commander wrote, “We gave them two blankets and a handkerchief out of the smallpox hospital. I hope it will have the desired effect.” During World War II, British, American, Japanese and Soviet teams all investigated the possibility of producing a smallpox biological weapon. Happily, worldwide vaccination efforts have been successful, and the last naturally occurring case of the disease was diagnosed in 1977. The final case occurred in 1978, when a photographer died of the disease, prompting the scientist whose research she was covering to take his own life. Many great encounters in world history, including Cortés’s clash with the Aztec empire, had less to do with weaponry, tactics and strategy than with the ravages of disease. Nations that suppose they can secure themselves strictly through investments in military spending should study history – time and time again the course of events has been definitively altered by disease outbreaks. Microbes too small to be seen by the naked eye can render ineffectual even the mightiest machinery of war. • This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article at http://theconversation.com. Richard Gunderman Indiana University
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history
The first air service to the Out Islands Forgotten facts | Paul C Aranha
A
s I wrote in my book about Bahamas Airways: In the 1930s it was rare to find local news on the front page of a Nassau newspaper, so when readers picked up the November 13, 1936 edition of the Nassau Guardian, the announcement of “Air Service to the Out Islands” became the talk of the town. Charlie Collar had left the island in June, saying he would be back “in about two months” (Guardian, June 25, 1936) and residents had come to think it may have been an idle promise. Charlie was very late, but these few lines had convinced Bahamians that Captain Collar was on his way. In Nassau, the Sabbath was a day to keep holy, a day for relaxing, for church, for family. But Sunday, November 22, 1936 was like no previous Sunday, and even church-goers were excited, because the first plane, for the first Bahamian airline, was expected to make its first landing in the waters of Nassau’s Harbour that very afternoon. Spectators gathered at the Eastern Parade, across from the waterfront, and milled around, waiting to witness the arrival of the twin-engine, amphibious Douglas Dolphin that Harold Christie had bought from the fabulously rich Alfred Vanderbilt II (1912-1999). The plane, piloted by the well-known, well-liked Captain Charlie Collar, was on its way from West Palm Beach, with Christie and two houseguests, Ross and David McCullough, on board. My father was not about to miss out on such an historic event, taking place a mere quarter of a mile from our home, so he walked his family down Lovers Lane, across Dowdeswell Street, the Eastern Parade and Mathew Avenue (a stretch of East Bay Street, re-named for Governor George B Mathew, 1844-49), to get to the Pan American Airport. Extending into the waters of Nassau Harbour was a long dock,
1934 – An architect’s rendition of Pan American Airways proposed Marine Airport on Matthew Avenue. (Image from the collection of Betty Cole)
(Image from the collection of Mr and Mrs Anders Wiberg) with a floating platform at its northern extremity. This platform provided easy mooring for seaplanes and amphibians, and to the west of this dock was a ramp, up which amphibians could be taxied out of the water. This was more than three years before the colony got its first airstrip, so Bahamas Airways set up operation
Bahamas Airways’ first plane, a Douglas Dolphin (Photo/Ivan Sislik Collection) at the PAA ramp. In those days the abbreviation for Pan American Airways was ‘PAA’ It was much later that the name ‘Pan Am’ came into use. Three quarters of a century later, what’s left of PAA’s old headquarters building, looking unloved and neglected, still stands, about one hundred yards west of the Sir Sidney
Poitier Bridge to Paradise Island. What used to be the seaplane ramp, where generations of neighbourhood children played on its slippery surface, is now the headquarters of the Bahamas AirSea Rescue Association (BASRA). • For questions and comments, e-mail islandairman@gmail.com
26 | The Tribune | Weekend
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The Tribune | Weekend |27
Friday, March 8, 2019
Of rats and men
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he last few weeks have been very dramatic for the animal world in the Bahamas. Cruelty abounds and there is a blatant disregard for all things environmental. It is simply heartbreaking to measure the lack of regard the average person appears to have for the creatures that we share our planet with. The dearth of empathy for those who cannot speak for themselves and the shortfall of respect for the fragility of nature never fails to astound. The Tribune has been very conscious of the tragic and wanton police shootings of private citizen’s dogs, in some cases tied and defenceless, in other cases within a walled yard doing their job protecting private property, which is the very reason they were there in the first place. We boast about the sun, sea and sand to keep tourists coming back, but the tourist of 2019 is a far more educated and mindful consumer that the tourist of the 1980s or earlier. They are looking for a unique destination that not only suits their needs but also echoes their standards of how a country manages its resources, and if that country lives up to the discerning tourist’s expectations. Environmentalists and animal advocates are demanding and not afraid to voice their displeasure publicly if a country does not meet with their expectations. Social media has made it so much easier for people all over the world to know what is occurring thousands of miles away at the touch of button. You can be sitting in Geneva, Padova, London, or Brussels with total access to press stories that, in days gone by, could be swept underneath the rug and kept hidden away.
picturesque town only some 35 miles from Frankfurt airport at the edge of the Odenwald Mountains. We can learn so much from listening and watching others; our country could sparkle as an environmentally conscious country, with emphasis on conservation and kindness. Travelling with a purpose is becoming the order of the day for many millennials. I spent some time online reading different websites that offer trips with purpose all over the world. The destinations are varied and the purposes are endless: helping children or the elderly, building, educating, women’s rights, and yes, preserving the environment and helping out in animal shelters. This is an area where the Bahamas could become very popular, as it is not too far from the United States by an easy, often inexpensive flight. My mind wanders to the myriad problems that would probably occur at the immigration desk upon arrival of our first tourists “travelling with a purpose”. Oh my, would they be made to feel welcome, or would their first experience taint the rest of their visit because the real nature of their visit would be so far from our mindset that they would be treated as illegals coming in to work without permits? We sit here in paradise with all the necessary tools to be perfectly wonderful. We are in a position to be a world example of consciousness, conservation and compassion, yet we never fail to allow the base instincts of greed, anger and disregard to win the race.
Increasing numbers of tourists, like these women in Thailand, are looking to ‘travel with a purpose’ – taking care of animals, people and the environment.
A chubby rat was rescued by the residents of a small German town after getting stuck in a manhole cover.
The fact that there has been little or or forwards. Instead of killing the rat, no official comment on the shootings a group of people worked together to of the dogs a couple of weeks ago indifree him. The rat stopped, looked at cates that there is no effort to address his rescuers, before disappearing back the problem; turning a blind eye is into the sewer he calls home. Some say frequently the order of the day. his backward glance was in appreciaIndian freedom fighter Mahatma tion of being saved, and why not? Gandhi once said: “The greatness of The positive publicity that can be a nation and its moral progress can be gained by any country from posijudged by the way in which its animals tive, feel-good stories of this nature are treated.” is immeasurable. The rural town of What was he really trying to say Bensheim in the Hesse region now has with this hugely quoted statement? I people like me looking them up on believe that the message here is that if Google and admiring their extremely a nation is unable to respect or care for the most fragile and vulnerable amongst The friendliest in the land us with compassion and By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY empathy, how can we ever ull of fun. Loves life. Unlimited expect the strong leadloving. First with a tail wag. ers to have any regard Friendly and sociable. That’s for those of us who are Fluffy, your new best friend! less vulnerable, but still Fluffy is a year and a bit old and she’s been deserve consideration, like at the BHS for several months now. you and me? She’s waiting for that perfect In the worldwide home. Are you it? media there was a film Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday clip last week of a town to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday, in Germany where more or you can call 323-5138 for more that a dozen people were information. Come and meet Fluffy today! involved in a rescue of a chubby rat who was stuck • The BHS will be at the BKC Dog Show, in a tight opening of a March 16 and 17, with fun classes like manhole cover. The rat ‘Waggiest Tail’ and ‘Fastest Retrieve’. was healthy, just overBring your dog to Collins House, 9am weight, and got jammed, to 2pm, and have a woofing good time! unable to go backwards
PET OF THE WEEK
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PHOTO/PATRICIA VAZQUEZ
Animal matters | KIM ARANHA
animals
28 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, March 8, 2019