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02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, July 15, 2022

food

A chill new hangout spot for Cable Beach By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

new restaurant on the Cable Beach strip is looking to become a new favourite hangout for sports fans and the perfect spot for those looking for casual dining in a laid-back

atmosphere. Palm Tree Delights is located off of West Bay Street, across from Starbucks, and hopes to offer tasty bites, great beers and multiple screens to enjoy the game. The sports bar, grill and bistro that has been attracting new and returning customers looking for a place to unwind and relax. The venue was previously home to an Irish pub, which was known for its mellow ambience. It’s this same atmosphere that Palm Tree strives to duplicate. “Preceding us in this new location was an Irish pub, where some neighbours spent a lot of time, enjoying the chill atmosphere. For them, it’s been nostalgic. For our new patrons, they enjoy the vibes, our engaging staff, indulging in the fingerlicking food, and our comparative pricing,” said Felton Capron of Palm Tree. The reason for the food being such a success, he said, is all to down do the in-house seasoning made from scratch by the restaurant’s chefs. In addition to the sports fans’ faves like beef burgers and wings (which come in several unusual varieties like Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk), Palm Tree Delights is now also offering more options for the health-conscious customer, like for example veggie burgers, grilled shrimp and a deluxe fish sandwich. “We are looking to add exciting and fresh additions to our entrées, incorporating steak and seafood creations along with veggie delights and healthy options. We are also tweaking our craft cocktails. We are in the lab and hope to venture into the brunch space very soon. We are also looking at adding a weekly chef special,” Felton told Tribune Weekend. And it looks like Bahamians are curious about the sports bar and bistro. “We’ve had some people come by just to see if our burgers meet the mark; some have come by to watch the sports games. Truth is, word spreads quickly; good food and service speak for themselves. We’ve seen the growth and continue to think of new ways to keep our customers engaged,” said Felton. Palm Tree Delights first opened in July 2020, however, like many businesses, the pandemic and the resultant emergency orders made operations a challenge. The restaurant closed temporarily and re-opened in November 2021. The operators of the restaurant include businessmen and women, a chef, and a travelling

(Photos/Austin Fernander) foodie. This team is always thinking up new plans for their brand. They hope to create a blueprint that can be replicated across future branches of Palm Tree Delights, which they hope to soon open in New Providence and later in the Family Islands. “We want to set ourselves apart. Truth is, not everyone on this side of town wants the hotel vibe; we cater to a mixed bunch of people and we just want them happy and fed,” said Felton.

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

Friday, July 15, 2022

theatre Celebrating a rich history – Dundas and Ringplay Productions to launch “A Year of Theatre” By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

s it launches efforts to revitalise the theatre, the Dundas Performing Arts Centre along with Ringplay Productions and Shakespeare in Paradise have announced plans to host “A Year of Bahamian Theatre”. The event will celebrate the Bahamas’ upcoming 50th anniversary of independence while also marking 50 years of local plays being produced. The activities will kick off in October when Ringplay Productions usually hosts its Shakespeare in Paradise Theatre Festival. “Many Bahamians are unaware of the proud theatre history that we as Bahamians share; that there was a time, in the 1980s and 1990s, when the Bahamas was considered to be the leader in Caribbean theatre. ‘Sammie Swain’, ‘Our Boys’, ‘You Can Lead A Horse to Water’ – these are unique, inspirational Caribbean works, and they were written, developed and produced right here on this property,” said Dr Nicolette Bethel, who currently sits as chair on the executive board of the Dundas. “To remind Bahamians of our proud theatre legacy, every month from October 2022 to October 2023, we will produce a different play by a different Bahamian author. We will start this whether or not the Winston V Saunders Theatre is functional, as Shakespeare in Paradise produces plays all over the city of Nassau. We hope to end this cycle of 13 plays right here in the newly reopened Winston V Saunders Rheatre.” The Bahamian

FABIENNE Bailey-Brown and Randel Johnson in 2019’s ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’. (Photo/Philip A Burrows)

RIGHT: Backstage with ‘The Legend of Sammie Swain’, 2013. (Photo/Dominic Duncombe)

playwrights to be featured in the “Year of Bahamian Theatre” include E Clement Bethel and Philip Burrows, Dr Bethel, Sam Boodle, James Catalyn, Patrice Francis and J Ben Hepburn, Michael Pintard, Patrick Rahming, Winston V Saunders Dr Ian Strachan, Jeanne Thompson, Telcine Turner-Rolle, Susan J Wallace, and P Anthony White. The Dundas recently made a public appeal to raise $150,000 for much needed repairs that will enable it to reopen after being closed for 18 months. In March 2020, the centre was closed under emergency orders during the pandemic. It was not given permission to open until late summer 2021. During that time, the air-

conditioning system for the 330-seat Winston V Saunders Theatre, its main theatre space, seized up. Installed in the early 1980s, all units died from inactivity. The centre is appealing to members of the public for donations to repair the air-conditioning system so that they re-open the theatre. Although the smaller, 80-seat Philip A Burrows Black Box Theatre is functional and available for rent, it alone cannot cover

the theatre’s operating costs. The team at the Dundas as doing all that it can to help theatre make a comeback in the Bahamas after experiencing a lull. “As we move into the next 50 years, it is the goal of the Dundas to continue to serve the Bahamian theatre community as well as the wider Bahamian community. We are the only community theatre in the nation,” said Dr Bethel. Beyond theatre, the

Dundas is also striving to become a community hub. “We are working on transforming the Dundas grounds into an active green space for this part of the city, bringing back some food vendors and providing spaces to meet, eat, sit, talk and exercise,” she said. “And as the Bahamas begins to focus more and more on the Orange Economy, we are embarking on a project to professionalise the theatre industry. “This will take time, but expect to see the Dundas start to offer workshops and master classes in years to come. “And finally, we will continue our developmental plans for the Dundas property. These plans include the creation of the James J Catalyn Outdoor Theatre, the Betty Knowles box office, and the Stewart-Brown-Pinder multipurpose studio, rehearsal and office building,” she said. Early next year, Shakespeare in Paradise will host an international Shakespeare conference. The Shakespeare Theatre Association will be in Nassau from January 2-8, 2023, holding its annual conference at Atlantis. Most of the conference is closed to the public, but there will be workshops, performances and a day-long symposium in conjunction with the University of the Bahamas which will be accessible. In addition, Shakespeare in Paradise has already begun sourcing funding to offer selected Bahamians the chance to attend the full conference as its representatives.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, July 15, 2022

interview

Allison Mason-Rolle

llison Marette Mason-Rolle grew up playing vinyl records of classic albums of the 20th

century. Listening to those records cemented her love of music and inspired her own singing career. “Growing up it was customary on weekends for my siblings (Marisa, Keith and later Kevin) and me, to spin the vinyl albums of the day on our cherished stereo set. It was the music of James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson, Mario Lanza, Jimmy Swaggart, saxophonist Sil Austin, The Voices of Hope, Frank Sinatra, Andre Crouch, The Cooling Waters, The Redemption Singers, and Joseph Niles, just to name a few,” she told Tribune Weekend. “I must admit that the voice and person that made the greatest impression on me as a child is that of the late great Mahalia (Jackson).” Music played a major part in life, both at school – she attended the Bahamas Academy – and at her church, the Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church where she sang in the choir. She was also a member of the prestigious Bahamas’ National Youth Choir and then joined the choir at her at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) in Alabama. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to sing many genres, but style remains very classic. She is a contra alto/mezzo soprano. “Music is certainly a universal language and I have an appreciation for many genres. I would explain my style as both soulful and classic. I am a gospel artist, however. I have done solos in classical works such as Handel’s Messiah, and other bodies of work with the various choirs I have sung with. I have a love for the spirituals and specialise in the arrangement of hymns, for which I have a great love and passion,” she said.

Today, she is the director of the Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Chorale. She has also recorded several CDs and recently won the 2022 Marlin Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award for Outstanding Traditional Vocal Performance Solo. “I was excited and grateful for my first award in 1996, and now this award is encouraging. The title song of my current project, Abide With Me, which won this year’s award, was arranged and produced as indicated by Antonia Wilson, who did a phenomenal job; Legato Vocal Ensemble did the background vocals,” she explained. Allison said she is very intentional about the songs she chooses to record. “The songs that I sing must first speak to my heart and mind. I study the lyrics very closely and cross check the Word of God in my preparations,” she explained. “Once I am moved by a song, I pray for guidance in my delivery of the message in my singing – I must first be convicted about the songs that I sing. Additionally, some songs have become favourites of many of my supporters and where possible, I have recorded them. “One such song is the hymn My Faith Has Found a Resting Place. There are some songs with messages that are timeless and it is my desire that as I select them for ministry they will bring hope, healing and inspiration to my audiences.” And then there are the songs which speak to her personally and what is going on in her own life. “My Faith – the title song of this album is the hymn. My Faith Has Found a Resting Place, this hymn was an inspiration to me during a difficult time when I was suffering from a terrible allergy that affected my voice at a time when I was about to go into studio. Even during my recording at a studio in Nashville, Tennessee, there was a time when my

The Tribune | Weekend | 05

Friday, July 15, 2022

voice was seriously challenged. I had to hold on to my faith in God and believe for the completion of the assignment. He saw me through it. God Will See Me Through (A Peaceful Way) is for this project and this also spoke to the need for me to trust God to take me through this challenging season in my life, which went on for about a year. Songs for this album were designed to be an encouragement to my listeners. I also included a recording of our country’s national anthem. I thought it was important to include this; it has been in popular demand,” she said. Allison has also written a few songs herself, which are inspired by her personal experiences, an observation of nature, listening to a message, or as a result of studying the Word of God. She feels blessed and humbled to share her talent with her audiences and touch their lives in whatever way she can. “Through the years, my work and recordings have been well received and I have witnessed persons give their lives to the Lord through the ministry, I have also seen interviewers break into tears when listening

this

weekend in history

to my latest single, the hymn Abide With Me. “I am humbled to be stopped frequently by members of the public and encouraged to continue in ministry and to record as much as I can. I am constantly requested for ministry and I say to God be the glory.” Allison already career marked by many milestones. For instance, she had the opportunity to sing at New York’s famous Carnegie Hall and recorded with the renowned gospel singer-songwriter Wintley Phipps while at Oakwood. She has also sung in South Africa and Europe with the National Youth Choir and at the memorial service for Sir Lynden Pindling. Additionally, she has sung at a variety of national services and events, and done numerous charity concerts. And she is still working hard. Currently, she is completing her third CD, scheduled for release in 2023. She also hopes to share more of her music on an international stage and is planning to record some holiday music. Like in any industry, there can be challenges. For example, she said that there is always a need

July 17

Seattle, Washington, shortly after he and US Navy officer Conrad Westervelt developed a singleengine, two-seat seaplane, the B&W. The company started with building “flying boats” for the Navy during WWI. Today, it is the world’s largest and foremost manufacturer of commercial jet transports.

July 15

July 16

• In 1799, the Rosetta Stone is found in the Egyptian village of Rosetta by French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard during Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign. It inscribed with three versions of a decree issued in in 196 BC. The top and middle texts are in Ancient Egyptian using hieroglyphic and Demotic scripts respectively, while the bottom is in Ancient Greek, making the Rosetta Stone key to deciphering the Egyptian scripts.

• In 1661, the first banknotes in Europe are issued in Stockholm, Sweden. They could be used to purchase anything and they were not linked to any deposit. Instead, they were based on the general public’s confidence that the bank would pay the value of the note in coins upon demand. Stockholms Banco’s first notes were a huge success, but ultimately it all ended with a bank failure.

• In 1916, the Boeing Company (originally the Aero Products Company) is formed by American timber merchant William Boeing in

ALLISON with her husband as she wins her Marlin Award 2022

• In 1945, the first atomic bomb is successfully detonated in the New Mexico desert. Known as the Manhattan Project, the test yields explosive results: the mushroom

for funding, a lack of appreciation or understanding of what it takes for artists to meet requests and demands; the costs and sacrifices associated with preparing to provide the best in ministry performance; maintaining and preserving one’s craft, voice, balancing ministry preparation and performance amidst all other responsibilities. She offered this advice to musicians: “My advice would be to know yourself, know your gift, research the items needed to support the gifts that God has given to you. Seek wisdom to execute, invest into the development of your gift. Align with mentors and persons who have experiences that you learn from. Wrap yourself around credible resources vs just picking any person based on popularity.” Finally, she suggests good planning. “Plan your product from start to finish (including production, marketing, advertising, booking, etcetera). You can follow Allison on Facebook and Youtube at AMR Music Ministry.

• In 1814, navigator and cartographer Matthew Flinders publishes A Voyage to Terra Australis, detailing his circumnavigation of Australia (then called New Holland). He is first to name the continent Australia as he said it sounded more pleasing than Terra Australis. He dies a day later, at age 40, of kidney disease.

THE ROSETTA Stone cloud stretches 40,000 feet into the air and generates the destructive power of 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of TNT. US President Harry S Truman orders the new weapon to be dropped over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It is estimated that 70,000 to 135,000 people died both from acute exposure of the blasts and long-term effects of radiation.

• In 1955, after more than 20 years of planning, Disneyland opens in California. The $17 million theme park was built on 160 acres of former orange groves in Anaheim. Opening day is disastrous, with the asphalt on Main Street, USA, melting away, rides not functioning, and the park being overwhelmed with party-crashers. However, most problems were quickly resolved and the park went on to expand several times over the decades. Today, Disneyland hosts more than 18 million visitors a year, who spend close to $3 billion.

SMALL CroSSWorD

shortage (7) 27 Regular payment concerning books (4) 28 Honest Gene somehow became a tourist attraction (10)

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

27 Across: 1 Objective, 7 Forget, Friday, 9 Certain, 10 Used, 12 Due,July 15, 13 Imitate, 14 Ink, 15 Limb, 17 Initial, 19 Defend, 20 Expressed. Down: 1 Occupied, 2 Bees, 3 Jar, 4 Coastline, 5 Tribal, 6 Venue, 8 Trembled, 11 Dinner, 13 Index, 16 Make, 18 Its.

i PD oVA E t E

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

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

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? in making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. no plurals. Verb forms ending in s permitted. TODAY’S TARGET Good 14; very good 21; excellent 27 (or more). Solution on Monday

Yesterday’s call 0907 181 2585 for today’s target solution Sudoku Answer

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

BATTLESHIPS CRYPTIC PUZZLE Across 1 Impressive result of adding hundreds of dollars? (5,5) 6 Article about Kipling poem of unaffected simplicity (4) 10 The most noted of the arts (5) 11 Get a sit-in arranged and use provocation (9) 12 Probe about Caesar’s language is widening (8) 13 Moral discovered in the thick of battle (5) 15 Refreshed as sleep passes away (7) 17 An inch out perhaps but maintaining contact (2,5) 19 A girl after a bit of butter for her kneecap (7) 21 Not a straight musician? (7) 22 Brief report round mid March (5) 24 Sports official may be seen as a poet (8) 27 Confirm it’s a Cartesian translation (9) 28 I care about a growing girl (5) 29 They absorb hearsay and vice-versa (4) 30 Have one nightcap too many? (5,5)

Down 1 Spirited match (4) 2 He attacks with wild Alsatians (9) 3 Some have acquired a chateau as a country home (5) 4 Possibly rising after nothing starts (7) 5 A ship for example with first-rate missile (7) 7 Partly under water for waves caused by a passing vessel (5) 8 Is it instrumental in warning Paris pedestrians? (6,4) 9 Governed having been shown the way (8) 14 Main part of a book taken by travellers (3,7) 16 Only punishment feared by the prisoner? (8) 18 Taking bullets from an old gun I dismantled (9) 20 Not a sunny greeting? (3,4) 21 Can be converted into capital money (7) 23 Hollywood success means nothing to Mark (5) 25 We set out without a trace of bitterness (5) 26 Found on stage (4)

9 10

14 15

25 26

Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Psychic, 5 Vista, 8 Like a lamb, 9 Apt, 10 Trot, 12 Nearness, 14 Rub out, 15 Suborn, 17 Cold fish, 18 Stab, 21 Inn, 22 Guinea pig, 24 Erect, 25 Thought. Down: 1 Pilot, 2 Yak, 3 Heal, 4 Chapel, 5 Viburnum, 6 Scapegoat, 7 Artisan, 11 On balance, 13 Gunfight, 14 Recline, 16 Assist, 19 Bigot, 20 Veto, 23 Peg.

FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off. Solution on Monday 1

9 10

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution

Across: 1 Lancers, 5 Tacit, 8 Matchless, 9 Rue, 10 Sink, 12 Apparent, 14 Struts, 15 Sortie, 17 Drilling, 18 Myth, 21 Bus, 22 Tarantula, 24 Tasks, 25 Extends. Down: 1 Lamps, 2 Nut, 3 Echo, 4 Sleepy, 5 Testator, 6 Carpentry, 7 Theatre, 11 Narcissus, 13 Athletes, 14 Side bet, 16 Untrue, 19 Heats, 20 Inst, 23 Urn.

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Be accepted as adequate (4,6) 6 Horny part of horse’s foot (4) 10 Discoloration (5) 11 About to happen (9) 12 Italian city (8) 13 English composer 1874-1934 (5) 15 Devious (7) 17 Loyal (7) 19 Become airborne (4,3) 21 Dizziness (7) 22 A ballroom dance (5) 24 Honest (8) 27 Weaken insidiously (9) 28 Suffocate by submersion (5) 29 Sacred (4) 30 Manager of opera company (10)

Down 1 An assumed attitude (4) 2 Light conversation (5,4) 3 Comparatively unimportant (5) 4 A branch of knowledge (7) 5 Declare (7) 7 Projecting upperstorey window (5) 8 Avoid (5,3,2) 9 Making a broadcast (2,3,3) 14 Detect true nature of (3,7) 16 Excessive adulation (8) 18 Person living near another (9) 20 Extreme right-wing movement (7) 21 17th Century Dutch painter (7) 23 Exemplary person (5) 25 River of southern Asia (5) 26 Nullify (4)

black squares: 1, 5 28, 30, 34, 38, 40. Across: Glancing, B Pygmy, Bag, Facial, Zoo, Abash, Shed, G Down: Gnat, Avail, B Swag, Blitz, Ninja, O cAn you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid TArgeT Extra let Assessor, Gap, Swum number represents a letter – or black square. 0907 18 PoiNTeDLy As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet three deity deny deploy doily dopey dopy CroSS(Deduct Dou is used.dyne But you complete the grid too! each extra clu doyen idly have ineptlytolenity notedly Across: BALLS use only the given letters black squares full so oily openly peonyand piety piny pity below Down: TABLE plenty POINTEDLY polity poly the gridploy to start. the grid is ‘rotationally 0907 18 pony pylon tepidly tidy words, tiny toyed symmetrical’ – in other it looks theSuMMiT *Calls costuP 80p type typed typo yelp yeti yield yodel your telephon same if you turn the page upside down. 115 and 80 network acc

THE ALPHABEATER

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

A Y O K N E Y

2022 THe ALPHA

1 x Battleship

3 x Destroyer

2 x cruiser

4 x submarine

Solution on Monday 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

34 16 4 4 Yesterday’s

33 Kakuro 25 1 Answer 33 40 23

30 31

34 35

■■

■

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

KEIJO 4 4 2

Place t the g four numbe differ appear and

Solu M

The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, July 15, 2022

food

What’s in a bowl Native Hawaiian dish makes a splash in the Bahamas By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

ast October, Roxan Smith and her partner took a family trip to Miami. As big foodies, it is always important for them to try new foods during their travels. On this particular trip, the couple visited a restaurant that offered authentic poké bowls, and they instantly fell in love with the flavours. So much so that they decided to open a similar business here in the Bahamas called Island Poké (pronounced Po-KEY). Poké is a popular Hawaiian dish; it is believed to have been first prepared by native Polynesians, centuries before Westerners arrived in the Pacific islands. Poké (Hawaiian for “to slice” or “cut crosswise into pieces”) is a simple dish, usually made of chopped seafood, often tuna, marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, and mixed with onions and vegetables. But as poké bowls have become increasingly popular in recent years as a fun, tasty and healthy food option, you can find many variations of it all over the world. For Roxan, it is important to stay true the dish’s Hawaiian roots. To help Bahamians understand what exactly a poké bowl is, she likened it to a “descontructed sushi roll”. Island Poké, of which Roxan is one of the three owners, offers 100 per cent customisable bowls with the freshest meat and seafood. Customers can choose everything from the base to the protein, to the many of toppings offered, right down to the sauce. “It’s honestly the most delicious thing ever. Because our bowls are so customisable, every order is different. Not going to lie, sometimes I look at people’s choices a little sideways. Haha, like really? Raw tuna with ‘that’ sauce? OK. But in all seriousness, our customers come up with the craziest combinations and we love that. Not every bite is the same and that’s what makes our product so unique and yummy,” she said. Roxan said she and her family are very fortunate to be able to travel to different places to experience new and exciting foods and sample various cuisines. “We are fortunate to be able to afford this lifestyle of exploration, particularly after what we experienced during the height of the pandemic. Our goal with Island Poké is to introduce these delicious flavours to Bahamians who may not be able to travel but still want to be exposed to new things,” she said. The idea for Island Poké came about as the pandemic hit and Roxan suddenly became the sole bread winner of the family as a result of it. “We took the risk and invested all of our savings into incorporating the small businesses we

developed together over the past two years. Island Poké is our most recent dream,” she said. Island Poké is a delivery food service in Nassau with plans to expand. It will be appearing at several pop-up events in the near future. “We want to meet all of our amazing patrons and give them an in-person Island Poké experience. We actually have our first scheduled for the end of the month. Those interested can find further details on our social media pages @islandpokebahamas,” said Roxan.

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, July 15, 2022

gardening

How to fertilize a tree

ood day, gardeners. When it comes to fertilizing potted plants, it is easy to see the results as the roots take up a relatively limited space within the pot and fertilizers can easily be adjusted to plant growth rate, pot size, type of plant, etcetera. Some plants require more nutrients than others. Ixora and hibiscus are two plants that have high nutrient demands, whereas ficus or acalypha have relatively low nutrient needs, generally. Without doing a soil test (this remains the only way to actually know what is going on), it is all a bit of a guess and experimentation will be the guide, whether to apply more or less to get the results desired, greening up, increased branching, growth rate et al. If the plant burns up, too much fertilizer has been applied. If the plant doesn’t show visible results within a few weeks (depending upon the types of fertilizer used), then it has likely been under applied. To learn the best rate for a certain type of plant it is always good to take three of them and put say for example, 1/2 a tablespoon, 2/3 a tablespoon, and a full tablespoon, and observe the responses. It is all trial and error until you learn the brand and how much to apply. We can only give recommendations based on works for us. If it is time to prune or if repotting is being done, it is usually best to follow up with a nutrient application. When it comes to trees and palms, there is a general rule of thumb that we use, which is one pound of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter measured 18 inches above the ground. This is by far not an exact science. So, what this means is measure up 18 inches from the ground level, and then measure the diameter of the trunk at that height. If for example the trunk is eight inches in diameter, then eight pounds of fertilizer are to be applied around the tree at the drip line. What is the drip line? The drip line is the outer extent of the branches of the tree. This is where the fertilizer needs to be applied to the ground as this is where the feeding roots typically are. Do not apply fertilizers right up against the

trunk, this is not where the feeding roots are. Apply the recommended rate in a circle around the tree at the drip line. Best practices call for there to be no grass present under the drip line or branches, but if there is lawn grass then it is best to remove a circle of grass several inches wide all the way around the tree to help the nutrients to be used by the tree instead of by the lawn grass. This is for granular fertilizers, not liquids. Liquid fertilizers are best for quick growing soft crops rather than landscape plants, although an occasional application to give a quick boost to landscape plants is fine too. Granular fertilizers can either be low end and immediate release or high end with timed release, or anything in between. The timing for reapplication depends upon the needs of the tree, and the type of fertilizer being used. Of course, both of these things will also be adjusted depending upon time of year more in summer less in winter. Like I said, it is all trial and error until you figure out what works

for you based on recommendations. I have been doing this long enough that I am familiar with the products that I use, and I generally can tell right away whether a heavier or lighter application is needed, or if I ought to apply at the recommended rate based on looking at the leaf colour, size, shape, condition, etcetera. Native trees will require less fertilizers than exotics. All of this is dependent upon the type and quality of the soil. Hard, compacted ground may require higher rates of application as it is more

difficult for the nutrients to penetrate the ground. It is recommended to water the soil before applying fertilizers, and again afterwards to aid the release of the nutrients into the soil. There are formulas of fertilizers for pushing growth, encouraging root development, or for boosting flowering and fruiting. Be sure to use a recommended fertilizer for the specific purpose if the best results are to be achieved. It takes experimentation, trial and error, and sometimes a leap of faith, but best results can be had when all conditions are right for the tree in question. If you have any doubt, consult a professional. Most gardeners are keen to share their experience and knowledge. Trees need food too! As always, I wish you happy gardening. • Adam Boorman is the nursery manager at the Fox Hill Nursery. You can contact him with any questions you may have, or topics you would like to see discussed, at gardening242@gmail.com.

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, July 15, 2022

music

R&B superstars live in concert this weekend

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

he world has definitely gotten back into the swing of things and entertainment is back in full force. Among the extensive lineup of activities and concerts being held this summer is one starstudded event set for this weekend. Tomorrow night, Atlantis Paradise Island will host Grammy Awardwinning, multi-platinum selling singer and songwriter, actress and executive producer Ashanti, and five-time Grammy Award nominated and diamond-selling performer and songwriter Robin Thicke. They will perform at the Music Making Waves outdoor concert series at Casuarina Beach. The double-barrelled performance will feature a mix of Ashanti and Robin Thicke’s biggest hits, including “Foolish,” “Baby,” “Rock Wit U” by Ashanti, and “Blurred Lines,” “Lost Without You,” and “Magic” by Thicke. Performances begin at 9.30 pm. Tickets start at $47 and can be purchased online at atlantismusicmakingwaves.com. Concert proceeds will support the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation’s efforts of saving marine life and their

ASHANTI and Robin Thicke are set to light up the stage at this weekend’s Music Making Waves concert habitats throughout the Bahamas and surrounding Caribbean seas. Jason Spencer, vice president of On Island Marketing and Events at Atlantis , said both international guests and locals are excited about tomorrow night’s concert. “The feedback has been incredible on both sides; local and international guests. I monitor the ticket sales daily and I actually look at the breakdown between local residents and hotel guests. Here in the office,

we have little bets going on because they are both pacing so coherently together that it is amazing how equal the appeal has been. When you get out there you are going to have a great group of local residents having a great time with an equal amount of hotel guests. And it is the exact mix that we want,” he told Tribune Weekend. The Music Making Waves grounds open at 7pm. Guests can enjoy the concert village filled with local food

trucks and pop-up experiences in the Atlantis activity fun zone. The 360-degree beer garden will offer a selection of cold brews, cocktails, wines, and plenty of seating. A complimentary round-trip shuttle service is provided for all concert guests to Atlantis’ hotel towers and parking garages. Next up for Atlantis is Country Week, which will open with a concert by the singer-songwriter and chart topper Jake Owen on August 20, who will be followed by the Grammy Award-winning group Little Big Town on August 27. There will also be events like a country brunch, BBQ and Beers, line dancing and country karaoke. Then, on October 8, the resort will welcome rock, pop and folk singer Sheryl Crow, who was originally scheduled to perform on May 28. Over the lpst years, Atlantis has hosted superstar performers like John Legend, Diana Ross, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Reba McEntire, Jerry Seinfeld, Jordan Sparks and Justin Bieber.

The show goes on for Queen + Adam Lambert The superstar British rock band Queen together with singer Adam Lambert are offering their fans an exclusive concert film this month. The film, “Rhapsody Over London”, will be shot at The O2 Arena in London during their current sold-out European Tour, that will premiere live on July 24 via Kiswe’s global streaming platform. The concert will only be available until July 31 on the platform and accompanied by special VOD packages, where fans will have access to additional concerts and interviews. The acclaimed documentary ‘The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story’ will be available exclusively for ticket holders for a full two days prior to the livestream.

It will also feature a LIVE Q&A with band members Brian May, Roger Taylor and Adam Lambert, speaking backstage from the penultimate show of their European tour. Fans around the world will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase tickets and submit their questions via video by July 19, for the band to see and answer live during the Q&A. Over half a million concert-goers have seen Queen’s 2022 36-date European tour, and “Rhapsody Over London” is set to reach a worldwide audience of millions more. The film will utilise 26 cameras and a crew of over 100 film technicians. The production presents the band’s two and half hour show in its entirety.

QUEEN guitarist Brian May (right) with singer Adam Lambert

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, July 15, 2022

Literary lives – Adelaide Hall (1901 - 1993)

Queen of the Harlem Renaissance

Part I

Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about the American born UK-based jazz singer and entertainer, whose long career spanned more than seventy years from 1921 until her death. She was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance, and released material over eight consecutive decades. “I’m a full-blooded American coloured girl. If the issue is going to be ancestry, I am only writing for a chance when I can put some of these new rich on the witness stand and ask them how their grandfather spelled their names. – Adelaide Hall Adelaide Louise Hall was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Elizabeth and Arthur William Hall on October 20, 1901. Adelaide and her sister Evelyn attended the Pratt Institute, where William Hall taught piano. Evelyn died of influenza in 1918, by which time her father had also died, leaving

Adelaide to support herself and her mother. In 1924, Adelaide married the British sailor Bertram Errol Hicks, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago. Soon after they married Hicks opened a club in Harlem called “The Big Apple” and became Hall’s official business manager. Adelaide Hall had begun her stage career three years earlier, in 1921 on Broadway, in the chorus line of Noble Sissie’s and Eubie Blake’s musical Shuffle Along – which became a huge hit and propelled Hall’s career. She went on to appear in a number of similar black musical shows, including Running Wild on Broadway in 1923, in which she sang James P Johnson’s hit song “Old Fashioned Love”. In 1925, Hall toured Europe with the Chocolate Kiddies revue, which included songs written by Duke Ellington. Hall joined the cast in New York before setting sail for Europe. The tour started in Hamburg, Germany on May 17, 1925 and ended in Paris, France in December 1925. “Paris seems to be all open-air cafés, and it is painful to see how many young men and, alas! women too, sit at the tables drinking the body wrecking, soul destroying absinthe.” – Adelaide Hall The Chocolate Kiddies revue was designed to give Europeans a taste of Black entertainment from New York. In Germany, Hall sang at Berlin’s infamous transvestite club the Eldorado Café – immortalised in Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 novel Goodbye to Berlin and in the 1972 film Cabaret. Returning to New York in 1926, Hall appeared in the short-lived Broadway musical My Magnolia before appearing in Tan Town Topics with songs written by Fats Waller and Spencer Williams. The show opened at Harlem’s Lafayette Theatre, followed by a road tour that

included Baltimore, Chicago and Philadelphia. In July 1926, Hall appeared with Lottie Gee and the South Syncopated Orchestra at Small’s Paradise, New York, and again in October at “Handy Night”, a special venue to honour W C Handy and the release of his newly published book Blues: An Anthology – Complete Words and Music of 53 Great Songs. Hall, together with Lottie Gee, Maude White and Chic Collins sang a selection of jazz and blues numbers. That October Hall toured America for almost a year in the highly praised Desires of 1927 produced by impresario Irvin C. Miller. The Pittsburgh Courier noted: “Adelaide Hall and assistants have some show. Speed, pretty girls, catchy music, a touch of art, which touches the border line of nudity ...” Billed as the star “soubrette” of the show, Hall’s performance included several songs (mostly “Sweet Virginia Bliss”), flat-foot dancing and accompanying herself on the ukulele while singing.

In New York in October 1927, Hall recorded her wordless vocals on “Creole Love Call” and “The Blues I Love to Sing” with Duke Ellington and his Orchestra and the following month “Chicago Stomp Down” also with Duke Ellington. “Creole Love Call” became a worldwide hit and catapulted both Hall’s and Ellington’s careers into the mainstream. “I was standing in the wings behind the piano when Duke first played ‘Creole Love Call’. I started humming along with the band. He stopped the number and came over to me and said, ‘That’s just what I was looking for. Can you do it again?’ I said, ‘I can’t, because I don’t know what I was doing. He begged me to try. Anyway I did, and sang the counter melody, and he was delighted, and said ‘Addie, you’re going to record this with the band’. A couple of day later I did.” – Adelaide Hall And so a jazz standard was created. On December 4, 1927, Ellington and his Orchestra started their residency at Harlem’s Cotton

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, July 15, 2022 Club in a revue called Rhythmania. The show featured Hall singing “Creole Love Call”. In 1928, “Creole Love Call” entered the Billboard song charts at No. 29 (USA). In 1928, Adelaide Hall starred on Broadway with Bill “Bojangles” Robinson in Blackbirds of 1928. The show became the most successful allblack show ever staged on Broadway and made Hall and “Bojangles” Robinson into household names. Blackbirds of 1928 was planned by impresario Lew Leslie who intended to build the show around Florence Mills in New York after her success in the London show Blackbirds. However, Mills died of pneumonia in 1929 before rehearsals started, and Hall was chosen to replace her. The revue opened at Les Ambassadeurs Club in New York in January 1928 under the name of Blackbird Revue, but it was renamed Blackbirds of 1928 and in May 1928 transferred to Broadway’s Liberty Theatre, where it ran for 518 performances. The show became the hit of the season, and Hall’s performance of “Diga Diga Do” became the sensation. However, her mother was so incensed by the luridly suggestive dancing by her daughter that she tried to stop the show during Hall’s performance, and then banned her from appearing in any future performances. Luckily her ban remained for only one performance and Hall returned triumphantly to her role the following day. Press coverage of the incident did much to promote the show and the promoter Lew Leslie took out a great deal of insurance to cover the cast fearing race riots. All this publicity secured Hall’s success in the USA, and also in Europe when the show was taken to Paris where it ran for four month at the Moulin Rouge. Enormous crowds greeted her when Hall arrived in Paris at the Gare Saint-Lazare, said to be even larger than those who greeted Charlie Chaplin two years earlier. Several dramatic posters, one entitled “Le Tumulte Noir – Dancer in Magenta” by the French artist Paul Colin, captured Adelaide Hall’s dramatic performance. Hall rivalled Josephine Baker for popularity on the European stage The Blackbirds music score, written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, included the songs “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, Baby”, “Diga Diga Do”, “Bandanna Babies”, and “I Must Love That Man” that made them into household hits which continued to be audience favourites throughout he long career.

opening at the Adelphi Theatre in Chicago on 26 November. In December of 1929, Hall unexpectedly, and with no reason, left the popular Blackbirds and went home to New York. Speculation that Hall would be teamed up again with Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was rife amongst theatrical circles’ and in newspaper gossip columns.

HARLEM’s premier nightclub in the 1920s and 1930s, The Cotton Club

True to the speculation, Adelaide Hall and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson starred together twice at New York’s Palace Theatre on Broadway in February and August 1930. Both appearances were for a week’s engagement. During her first ever appearance in February at the Palace Theatre, despite every possible attempt to prevent her appearing at any event by Lew Leslie without his consent – because she left Blackbirds in 1929 – Hall appeared as scheduled. Leslie did, however, manage to put a temporary restraint on her using any songs from Blackbirds in her show. So successful was Hall’s collaboration with Robinson that in October 1930 the pair were teamed up again by Marty Forkins (Robinson’s manager) to star in the Broadway musical Brown Buddies. The musical opened on Broadway, at the Liberty Theatre, where it ran for four months before starting a tour of the States. The show was dubbed by the press as a “musical comedy in sepia”, most of the music being composed by Millard Thomas and featuring songs by a host of songwriters. It opened on October 7, and ran for one hundred and eleven performances until January 10 1931. In 1931, Hall embarked on a world concert tour in America and Europe where she sang and danced for more than a million people. She appeared four times at the Palace Theatre in New York, accompanied by two white grand pianos, one played by the blind pianist Art Tatum – who she had discovered and used on her recording of “Strange as It Seems”, “I’ll Never Be the Same”, and “You Gave Me Everything but Love”.

ADELAIDE Hall and Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson in Brown Buddies, on Broadway, 1930 At the end of Blackbirds’ successful run at the Moulin Rouge, the producer Lew Leslie threw a large party in the Paris suburb of Authie to which several cultural figures including Man Ray, Ira Gershwin, James Joyce, Kurt Weill, the Americans William Grant Still and Clarence Robinson, and the French music-hall star Mistinguett attended. Hall was certainly the toast of Paris and left Paris for the US in 1929 and almost immediately commenced a road tour of the States,

HALL in ‘Blackbirds of 1928’

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; and from Underneath a Harlem Moon: The Harlem to Paris years of Adelaide Hall (2003) by Iain Cameron Williams.

14 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, July 15, 2022

history

The real Hellfire Club By Esmé Louise James Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Melbourne (THE CONVERSATION) – In the new season of the immensely popular Netflix show “Stranger Things” (currently streaming), we were introduced to “the Hellfire Club”. In the show, it’s the Dungeons and Dragons club of Hawkins high school, but it’s a far cry from the debauched 18th century club of the same name. Phillip, Duke of Wharton, founded the first official Hellfire Club in 1718. The club was primarily a parodic take on the popular trend of gentleman clubs across London at the time – admission was open to both men and women. However, rather than meeting to discuss poetry and politics, the main aim of the Hellfire Club was to mock religion and its inherent hypocrisies – the club leader was called “The Devil” and members were encouraged to come dressed as biblical characters. As well as partaking in satirical religious ceremonies, the club would enjoy festive meals of Holy Ghost Pie, Breast of Venus, and Devil’s Loin.

The notorious Hellfire Club While Wharton’s club was reluctantly disbanded in 1721, it would go on to be replaced by the most notorious Hellfire Club in history. Indeed, the Hellfire Club is often synonymous with Sir Francis Dashwood’s club. This club was originally named the Order of the Friars of St Francis of Wycombe, and the members known as “the monks” - however, that it not the name that history would remember it by. Dashwood was himself a scandalous figure, known as a man with a true “genius for obscenity.” His love for promiscuity was matched with his flair for the dramatic. In 1751, Dashwood leased the remarkable Medmenham Abbey and had this medieval ruin entirely renovated in Gothic style for the purpose of this club. Written into a stained-glass window on the doorway was the club’s motto, “Fais ce que tu voudras” — Do what thou wilt. Club members consisted of some of the most influential figures of the time: including Thomas Potter, John Wilkes, John Montagu, William Hogarth, George Dodington, Benjamin Bates II, and many more. Even Benjamin Franklin is thought to have been a member, as he is recorded to have stayed at Medmenham Abbey at the time a meeting was taking place – a privilege only allowed to Hellfire members.

What happened at the Hellfire Club? The club met only twice a year, with an AGM which lasted more than a week in September or June. Each member encouraged to bring female guests of “a cheerful, lively disposition.”

MEDMENHAM ABBEY, home of the Hellfire Club. The mansion was built in 1595 on the site of a Cistercian abbey

As written in Nocturnal Revels (1779), a book which claimed to have been authored by one of these “monk[s] of the Order of St Francis,” no vows of celibacy were required either by the ladies or the monks, the former considering themselves as the lawful wives of the brethren during their stay within the monastic walls, every monk being religiously scrupulous not to infringe upon the nuptial alliance of any other brother. Under the cover of darkness, adorned in masks and cloaks, the club members would make their way across the river Thames in gondolas to the Abbey. They were greeted with a concoction made of brandy and brimstone and would drink to the Gods of Darkness. The group kept the same parodic religious rituals which had been performed by Wharton’s group. As Horace Walpole, an English writer of the time, describes, the members’ practice was rigorously pagan: Bacchus and Venus were the deities to whom they almost publicly sacrificed; and the nymphs and the hogsheads that were laid in against the festivals of this new church, sufficiently informed the neighborhood of the complexion of those hermits. Throughout the night, they would gradually make their way through the Abbey – and the activities reportedly became more and more obscene. One reported (if unconfirmed) story goes that a baboon dressed as a devil was once in attendance, and gave John Wilkes such a fright when it was released from a chest that he begged

the devil to spare him and proclaimed he was “but half a sinner”.

Notoriety and the underground In 1760, a publication appeared (Chrysal, or the Adventures of a Guinea) which made the Hellfire Club’s activities known to the general public – identifying Medmenham Abbey and even making reference to this infamous baboon story. Rumours had spread about the activities of the club, and while few had access particulars, the general perception was that it was a blasphemous and bawdy club that partook in sinful, libertine behaviour. It is believed the tourists would flock around the island to try and catch a glimpse of this notorious club, made up of such prominent members. It was around this time that Dashwood moved the club activities underground (literally) into a series of elaborate caves and tunnels built under Dashwood’s garden at West Wycombe. The club was finally abandoned in 1766. Records and reports of membership to this Hellfire Club were used to bring about the political ruin of many of its members — a witch-hunt which bears reflection within “Stranger Things” own Hellfire Club. • This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here: https:// theconversation.com

The Tribune | Weekend |15

Friday, July 15, 2022

animals

Four tips to help your pets stay lean and healthy By ANNE CARTER Senior Lecturer in Animal Biology, Nottingham Trent University Jacqueline Boyd Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University (THE CONVERSATION) – Do you love giving your cat or dog an extra treat to nibble on? As much as they seem to enjoy it, it isn’t always the healthiest move. Just like humans, pets can suffer from weight issues. And it’s becoming a growing problem, with more chubby companion animals around than ever before. In a recent survey of veterinarians, 73 percent said that obesity was “one of the most prevalent conditions” they see, with as many as half of pet dogs and 44 percent of cats carrying excess bodyweight. It’s a worrying trend. Although we can sometimes think that a chunky pet is cute, the reality is that even a little extra bodyweight can cause significant health issues for your pet – from diabetes to cardiorespiratory problems (such as trouble breathing when asleep) and even an increased chance of suffering from heatstroke. Obesity – which is diagnosed when a pet is carrying 15 percent to 20 percent more than their ideal bodyweight – is also associated with an increased incidence in conditions such as osteoarthritis and some forms of cancer. It goes without saying that we all want our pets to live as long as possible. So here are some ways to keep your dog or cat in great shape.

1. Keep them active

Many dogs aren’t regularly exercised – sometimes because of poor weather, or perhaps because of behav-

ioural concerns, such as anxiety when they encounter other dogs or people. And while outdoor cats generally keep themselves fit and active, indoor cats can have a level of body fat that is at least five percent higher than outdoor cats, and are far more prone to obesity. Exercise is key to maintaining a healthy body weight, and to weight loss too. Try to exercise your dog at least once a day, and ideally more. Take care to ensure the length and type of exercise is appropriate for their age and ability, and increase any exercise slowly. Dogs love “scentwork” or “trick training” which can be done in your living room. And there are numerous cat toys to encourage your indoor feline companion to burn off some calories while engaging in play. You could also make mealtimes more active by scatter feeding – where you scatter your dog’s food on the ground (after ensuring it’s clean and safe) – or puzzle feeders, which encourage your dog to work for food and treats. Hydrotherapy, which involves getting your dog to swim or walk in a pool or water treadmill, can be a great option for gentle or non-weight-bearing exercise. This is especially true for older dogs or those recovering from injury. Even cats can be trained to go for a walk on a lead. But if your feline friend simply won’t cooperate – or you don’t feel like braving the weather with your dog – you can try indoor or garden games to keep the activity levels up.

2. Watch their diet

Some pets simply enjoy their food so much that they can get a bit chubby whatever their age. Or, just like people, “middle age spread” can occur in pets who may naturally slow down as they get older. Either way, their diet may need to change to maintain a healthy bodyweight. Weight loss should be a gradual process, so always use recommended feeding guidelines on food packaging – or online calorie calculators – as a starting point for how much to feed your pet. Try to keep a food diary every day. And, don’t forget to weigh out your pet’s food accurately using a scale. Scoops are hugely inaccurate and make overfeeding much more likely. If their weight is far too high – or even approaching obese proportions – it may be best to begin your pet’s weight-loss journey with a trip to the vet for a full health check and body condition assessment.

Many dogs love carrot or cucumber, especially when chopped up as a training treat. Cats love a bit of tuna or chicken, both of which are high in protein but low in calories. Don’t forget to look at other ways of treating your pet too – exercise, play and simply spending time with them will benefit both animal and human alike. • This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com

PET OF THE WEEK

3. Be aware of other risks

Sometimes it’s just in the genes. Some Labrador retrievers, for example, have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to increased “foodie” behaviour and weight gain. And neutered pets can have reduced daily calorie needs, so if their diet isn’t altered accordingly they can inadvertently gain weight. So it’s important to recognise what a healthy bodyweight and shape is for your cat or dog – and the factors that could affect it. Obesity in cats can cause a range of health issues, and even shorten their lifespan. Andriy Blokhin

4. Ditch high-calorie treats

High-fat food and treats provide lots of calories in small amounts, so it can be easy to overfeed your pet without realising. And fattening “human” food, such as leftovers, can also contribute to them piling on the pounds, alongside an increased risk of pancreatitis – and potentially even worse if toxic foods, including onions and some artificial sweeteners are ingested. But managing your pet’s weight doesn’t mean you can’t treat them. Take a trip to your local pet shop to look for healthy lowcalorie alternatives. Or take a look in your fridge.

(Photo/Linda Gill-Aranha)

Tremendous Tiri By The Bahamas Humane Society If you’ve been thinking of adopting but don’t want the exuberance of a puppy to deal with, why not consider adopting an older dog? Tiri might be your perfect match. She’s about eight years old and looking for a quiet home in which to settle her paws and lay her head. She’ll be fine with other dogs if they’re as calm as she, and even a non-reactive cat would be a welcome companion. Tiri’s very sociable, always checking to see who’s coming and going at the shelter, but she’d love to have a home of her own. If you’re looking for an already trained dog, come and meet Tiri or call 323-5138 for more information. Tiri looks forward to meeting you!

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, July 15, 2022

music

Song of the summer

Pandemic-penned jam hits all the right notes By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

f you find yourself at a party, regatta or homecoming this summer, you are almost guaranteed to hear the season’s hottest jam, “Loose Me” by Anishka “Nishie LS” Lewis. While it’s just now properly taking off, Nishie said she penned and initially released the song near the beginning of the pandemic during lockdown, when all large gatherings were banned. She put the song out there with the mind set of “whatever happens, happens”, as there was no way to tell when she would be able to perform the song in front of a live crowd. “The inspiration behind ‘Loose Me’ was pretty much my intention to paint a picture of my personal experience during the lockdowns and the ups and downs of missing life on the outside. It clearly was an experience many related to as the song became a crowd favourite very quickly,” she said. The chorus she wrote for the song goes: “Loose me, let me go. I don’t want be inside no more. Loose me, let me go, this is killing me, that’s for sure. So let me out, let me out, yeah let me out, yeah.” Nishie said the name of the song came from a phrase her father used when things didn’t go his way. “There is a lyric video that I’ve posted on my YouTube page. A lot of persons have been asking for an official one so I intend to work on that project real soon. The feedback has been phenomenal. It has been two years since I’ve released the song and to this day I receive videos from persons who are either playing the song as they drive or at a family gathering. Persons are dancing to it at events of all sizes, using it in their TikTok videos, children are dancing to it, and not to mention, when I perform it live…it’s an amazing feeling to watch and listen to the crowd sing your music,” she said. To see how popular the song has become has truly humbled her, and Nishie said she is eternally grateful to everyone who has welcomed it with open arms.

SINGER and new songwriter Nishie LS “This was also a means of me releasing some pent up musical frustration and dabble in an arena I wasn’t familiar with, which was songwriting and arranging,” she said. “I’ve released a few singles since ‘Loose Me’, including ’Gimme De

Music’, which is a rake n’ scrape and soca fusion track; ‘Reflections’, which is a reggae track, and a soca track entitled ‘I Don’t Care’, which made the finals of the 2020 Bahamas Carnival Music Masters Competition

but was cancelled due to the pandemic,” she. Nishie is a musical chameleon of sorts, flexing her vocal abilities across genres – from R&B, soul and jazz to soca, reggae, gospel and rake n’ scrape, and even in some country, and rock. She has been performing since the age of 17, getting her start singing gospel songs in church, at conferences and concerts, and was a member of numerous gospel groups and choirs. Since then, she has built a foundation by working with various popular local bands and by providing vocals on a plethora of studio projects for Bahamian artists and entertainers. Nishie is currently working on a few projects that are to be released soon. Her plan is to not limit herself when it comes to genre because she believes in being versatile. Her music can be found on iTunes, Spotify, Audiomack, TikTok, Tidal, Amazon Music, Pandora, Deezer, Napster, Instagram and Facebook. Her YouTube channel is Nishie LS Official.