Friday, July 28, 2017
art books film fashion entertainment lifestyle gardening
Weekend
BELLES OF THE BALL Pages 14&15
Facing off Reality show seeks top model Entertainment, pages 8 9 &
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Friday, July 28, 2017
art
Artists shine in the dark By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net
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he successful Art After Dark event series, touted as a platform where established and aspiring artists can socialise and inspire one another, returns this Saturday with a new edition. Art After Dark was created by Tristan “Triz” Douglas and Theo McClain with the intent of being a safe haven for creatives to help move culture in the Bahamas forward. It was also designed as a space where talented artists can network, exhibit and party with “forward-thinking minds”. The latest instalment of Art After Dark takes place at the Underground Bistro beginning at 9pm. This gathering of visual artists, trendy vendors, DJs and others performers, aims to offer guests a diverse social experience. Organisers said the event will feel like a concert, as it will be a fusion of various performances with elements of an art gallery. Featured artists and performers include Triz, the headliner of DJ set; guest DJs JVSE and Jason Marlin, photographer and illustrator Theo McClain, singer-songwriter Sketch Carey, as well as everyone who attends and wants to take the stage. “The magic behind Art After Dark are the talented Millennials that show up for the fun. Many that come pick up a paint brush for our live painting element or lighten the room with their energy. They add to the vibrations just as much as any of the featured creatives,” said Triz. Since its launch, there have been four successful instalments of Art After Dark, with anticipation in the art community building with each new event. “We have received tons of positive feedback from past guests who voiced their memorable experiences to us as well as others. Those that really enjoyed the event have taken on a sort of ambassador role within the whole operation,” said Triz. What organisers are constantly
Art After Dark has successfully attracted young artists with its three previous events.
being told by guests is that Art After Dark helps to fill a void in the Bahamian nightlife scene. “In terms of sound, the abstract DJ sets guests hear at Art After Dark are not typically found at venues throughout the Bahamas. The sound consists of seamless blends of house, hip hop, future beats, originals and remixes from all corners of
the world,” said Triz. He said the series can be best described as a creative playground for Millennials to network, exhibit, connect and play. “A unique aspect of Art After Dark is the energy in the room. An aspiring artist can pick up a paint brush and paint alongside Bahamian greats like Allan Wallace in a
fun and welcoming environment. A music producer or songwriter may have the opportunity to discover an aspiring artist capable of being the next big Billboard chart-topping artist. A marketing executive may be introduced to the next face of their brand,” he said. As for future plans, Triz said he hopes they can take Art After Dark on the road, travelling to cities around the world. “A platform like Art After Dark welcomes international creatives to be featured here in Nassau alongside the local creatives. Inviting international artists allows grander connections to be made for established or aspiring local artists to reach beyond our shores,” he said. The first international edition will be held later this year in Toronto, Canada, which will followed by another event during Art Basel at Miami Beach in December. “This presents a travelling platform that local artists can be attached to, which offers the opportunity to connect with influencers of the community in other regions of the world,” said Triz.
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Inside Weekend
My perfect Bahamian weekend Jamie Bruce Celebrity photographer Q: Beach or sofa?
Interview 4 - 5 From the Mudd to modelling – McDonald Jean-Louis tells Danielle Barnes about his remarkable journey to success Entertainment 7 - 9 ‘Laughfest’ celebrates 10th annual show; Dr Ian Strachan’s ‘Honourable Member’ returns to the stage, and ‘The Next Face’ reality TV model contest kicks off season three. Charity 11 Hands for Hunger promises best yet Paradise Plates Lifestyle 12 - 13 Top fashion blogger connects with her Bahamian roots Belles of the Ball 14 - 15 Dr Myles and Ruth Munroe honoured at gala ball Fashion Report 16 The hits and misses of summer movie red carpets Film 17 “Atomic Blonde” heats up the Cold War Books 18 Latest releases reviewed Gardening 19 Jack Hardy enjoys mango madness
Pageants 20 - 21
Miss World Bahamas contestants show their national pride Literary Lives 22 - 24 Alexander von Humboldt, the father of modern geography Forgotten Facts 25 From a ‘Bahama boy’ to the 1st Baron Gambier Animals 27 Kim Aranha on keeping your pets hydrated this summer, plus Pet of the Week Cover | Delton Barnett
“If it’s a clear, sunny day I will definitely go with the beach. Get some sand in between my toes and get a natural skin treatment from the ocean’s salt water. If it’s rainy I’ll go with the sofa and Netflix. Don’t forget the snacks!” Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday lunch? “Sunday lunch for sure. There is something about a Sunday that is very chill and tranquil. Monday is approaching quickly, so rest while you can.”
Q: Rum, wine, cocktail or Kalik? “Cocktail! A mixed drink definitely gets me in the mood... for anything.” Q: What is the one thing that you can’t live without? “I can’t do without my iPhone. It’s basically one of my best friends. Don’t leave home or anywhere without her. It’s certainly a ‘wybe’ if she dies.” Q: Weekend away, where would you go and why? “Since it’s just a weekend, I would say Miami (typical Bahamian, right?). It’s like my second home. Secondly, it’s right there! I surely know how to turn up and find low key South Beach shops.”
Things 2 Do this weekend Friday
Saturday
• Heineken ‘Live Your Music’ DJ Clash Time: 5pm Venue: Best Deal - Kirki’s Bar Listen to Nassau’s best DJs as they compete in this Heineken challenge. This week, the DJ Clash comes to Bain Town. The grand prize is $1,000. • Honourable Member – A Political Play Time: 8pm (with an encore on Saturday) Venue: Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts Back by popular demand, Dr Ian Strachan presents ‘Honourable Member’. SEE PAGE 7 • The Indigo Experience Time: 8pm - 1.30am Venue: Pirate Republic Performers include Judah Tha Lion, Sherwood Rahming, Adria, Black Sheep, Foreign Sound, and more. Admission is $10 before 10.30pm and $15 after.
• Home & Auto Fair Time: 10am - 4pm Venue: Southwest Plaza Presented by RBC and CBS Bahamas, the fair will off sales prices on care and household items. • ‘Dogs Days of Summer’ jewellery sale Time: 10am - 2pm Venue: Bahamas Humane Society The Thrift Shop sale offers a large selection for every budget. All proceeds go to the BHS. • A Dunking for Polio Time: 12noon - 6pm Venue: Arawak Cay Sponsored by the Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Club of New Providence, the event is in aid of Rotary’s global campaign to eradicate polio once and for all. Hamburgers, hot dogs and various refreshments will be on sale. • Summer Fling 2017 Time: 2pm Venue: New Light Ministries, Faith Avenue Summer Fling is a shopping party
geared towards the entire family. This year it’s all about the kiddies. Along with each minimal purchase, children will be gifted a back-to-school packet. • Junkanoo Summer Festival 2017 Time: 4pm - midnight Venue: Arawak Cay Enjoy the competition between the A and B category groups of Junkanoo, games, more than 30 food vendors, and military performances. • Lyrical Gymnastics Book Release Concert Time: 7.30pm Venue: Pirate Republic Tyockin Bethell celebrates the launch of his book, “Lyrical Gymnastics” with a concert featuring entertainment by Arthur Seymour, Miff Armstrong, Judah Tha Lion, Ivaneccia, De’Angel Whymes, Solo, and more. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. • Mdeez Live Time: 10pm - 11pm Venue: Margaritaville, Paradise Island Enjoy a live performance by the reggae/hip hop artist known for hits like “Love Is” and “Heetah”.
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interview He was born into extreme poverty in one of the country’s largest shanty towns, but McDonald Jean-Louis rose above his humble beginnings to find academic success and attract international attention. The Haitian-Bahamian student and model tells Danielle Barnes about how he refused to let discrimination and prejudice stop him on his remarkable journey to the top, which may just include a future career in Hollywood.
McDonald Jean-Louis B
PHOTO/COURTESY OF ESSENCE
orn in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, and raised in the shanty town settlements of Pigeon Pea and the Mudd, McDonald Jean-Louis could have never imagined that he would one day make it on to the pages of one of the US’ top magazines. But that is exactly what happened when he was recently named Essence Magazine’s “Man Crush Monday” (MCM) – the segment where they pick the hottest, most stylish and swoon-worthy black men. Additionally, McDonald has also just landed his first role in the upcoming Adam Sandler movie for Netflix, “The Week Of”, starring Chris Rock. The 23-year-old’s start in life, however, was decidedly less glamorous than his current path. Before finding success, McDonald struggled to make it out of the grim environment he grew up in. His parents migrated from Haiti to Abaco in the early 1990s, where he was born a short time after they settled. When he was just three months old, his father left his mother. Without the necessary legal papers, she struggled to find a stable job, resulting in the two of them moving from house to house in their shanty town community, which to this day has no proper water or sewerage system, and which
still relies on gas lamps for light. McDonald said this stage in his life was one of toughest times he had to endure during his childhood. With his Haitian background, he and his mother were often discriminated against. “Even though I was born in the Bahamas and all I know is the Bahamas, I was always considered this little Haitian boy,” he said. “Growing up in
“Even though I was born in the Bahamas and all I know is the Bahamas, I was always considered this little Haitian boy. Growing up in Abaco was tough; it was hard for my mom to take care of me.” Abaco was tough; it was hard for my mom to take care of me.” McDonald described days in which he would go to school hungry. He would watch his classmates eat their lunch while he sat quietly with empty hands and an empty stomach. “I would wait for the kids to throw away their unfinished lunches, and while they weren’t looking I would
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PHOTO/COURTESY OF ESSENCE
“I would wait for the kids to throw away their unfinished lunches, and while they weren’t looking I would take it out of the trash to eat.”
take it out of the trash to eat,” he recalled. At the age of 10, he decided to get a job packing bags at the local food store, and after leaving there he would visit various resorts on the island to help incoming tourists with their luggage in exchange for tips. Even though he was just a little boy struggling to survive in the shanty towns of Abaco, he never lost hope of a brighter future. He remained optimistic and set his sights on creating a better life for him and his mom. He focused on school and did not allow his challenging circumstances to get in the way of his dreams. McDonald’s journey out of poverty began with his interest in basketball. He joined the Youth in Action programme, with which he travelled throughout the Bahamas to play in tournaments. His talent was soon recognised and three years later he was given the opportunity to attend Sunland Baptist Academy in Freeport. He packed his bags, left home and moved to Grand Bahama, where he worked hard to become a star athlete and student. The move to Freeport opened new doors for McDonald, and the potential of a brighter future became more real when he was awarded a scholarship to play basketball in the United States. He enrolled at St Thomas University in Miami and transferred a year later to Webber International University, where he is currently in his final year majoring in Marketing. His recent modelling career unfolded in the most unexpected way. “What’s so funny was that I was bored in school one day and one of my friends, this guy from Vietnam, had a camera and wanted to experiment with shooting,” McDonald said. “I figured that it wouldn’t be that hard to be a model for the day.” The pictures were posted online and gained recognition from an American photographer. “I didn’t expect this to happen to me,” he said. “The pictures were nice, but I’m not a professional model so this surprised me.” McDonald contacted the photographer with hopes of landing a test shoot. Just days later, he found himself in front of the camera, pos-
ing for pictures that would soon be recognised by Essence Magazine, a monthly magazine which focuses on an audience of black women and reaches millions with both its print edition and website. When McDonald saw his photos on the Essence site and plastered all over social media, he said he experienced a moment of utter disbelief. He said people do not understand how much it means to him, with his background, to be recognised on this level. “This is Essence! They get millions of people visiting their website every day, and for them to feature me, a boy from Marsh Harbour, it’s an amazing feeling.” Although modelling was not originally on his long list of goals he wants to achieve in the next few years, it is now one of the four career moves he plans on making.
His mind is also set on acting, writing and motivational speaking. At just 23, McDonald has already made major strides towards accomplishing his goals. Along with his feature in Essence, he has also published a book, “Faith... Purpose…Love”. In it, he talks about how his faith in God saved him. He also offers life lessons, and challenges his readers to become complete individuals. McDonald said it is important for him to remain humble. He uses his past as the force behind his motivation to succeed. He said that he would not have made it out of the shanty towns of Abaco without the love and support he received from the people who never stopped believing in him. He considers his recent accomplishments just the beginning of his journey to fully achieving his dreams.
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section
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entertainment Celebrity comedians help celebrate 10th annual Laughfest
‘L
augh Now, Cry Late’ is the theme of the 10th annual Laughfest to be held at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort
tonight. The celebrity headliner for this milestone show is American comedian Affion Crockett from the hit TV show Wild ‘n Out. Mr Crockett, who as also appeared in movies like “Fifty Shades of Black”, joins an all-star list of past Laughfest headliners, including Tony Wood, Pierre Edwards, Tony Rock, Aires Spears, Joe Claire, Leslie Jones, Gary Owens, Lil Duval, and Talent Harris. Mr Crockett is known as a master impersonator and has wowed audiences with impersonations of stars like Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Barrack Obama, Donald Trump, Russell Simmons and Tiger Woods, to name a few. “Crockett’s energy is infectious and his talent undeniable. He’s definitely
a must-see. He’s a crowd-pleaser who leaves audiences in stitches,” said host Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya, known as the ‘Bahamian King of Comedy’. Damien Lemon, from MTV’s “Guy Code” and “Celebrity Hollywood Squares”, is the featured comedian for the night, with Kevin Jordan, who also appeared on the original Laughfest, and Jay Stevens joining him on stage. The annual comedy event is presented by WizeGuy Entertainment and the BEAM Agency, and in association with the Meliá and Radiohouse. Tonight’s show takes place almost 10 years to the day of the first Laughfest, which was held on July 29, 2008. Tickets are $35 in advance and will be more at the door. They can be purchased from Fine Threads in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza and on Thompson Boulevard; at both locations of John’s Shoes, and at Radiohouse on Shirley Street. Doors open at 7pm for happy hour
‘Honourable Member’ returns to the stage By CARA HUNT cbrennen@tribunemedia.net DR IAN Strachan’s hit political play “Honourable Member” is back at the Dundas Centre Stage for an encore presentation this weekend after wowing audiences earlier this summer. Taking advantage of the lingering buzz following the May 10 general election, the play paints a portrait of a Caribbean prime minister called Winston ‘Fergie’ Ferguson, played by Dion Johnson. Fergie is a master communicator and a wily veteran when it comes to outmanoeuvring his rivals. This is the fourth play that noted
Dr Ian Strachan playwright Dr Strachan has set in the fictional nation of ‘I-Land’. And he acknowledges that he has incorporated a few of his own personal heroes into the script. He said he has taken care to write characters, who though flawed, are still likeable. In fact, he said Fergie
Affion Crockett
Damien Lemon
with DJ Baby D. Showtime is at 9pm sharp. Sponsors of this years Laughfest include Aliv, Cash n Go, Fine Threads, John’s Shoes, KFC Nassau, KEMIS. net, Tropical Gyros and Rock The Vote 242. “We most certainly couldn’t have done it for 10 strong years without their (sponsors) support and that of
the comedy fans in the Bahamas,” said Naughty, who is also the president of WizeGuy Entertainment. “Also we must thank all the radio stations over the years that have worked with us building the brand, More94FM in the early stages, Hot91.7, and especially my Radiohouse family who have really taken us up another notch with their dynamic promotion of Laughfest.”
is one of his favourite characters of all time. “After a performance of ‘Gun Boys Rhapsody’ an audience member said, ‘You should do a play about politics’. And I thought, ‘Hey, election comin’; great idea.’ But you know, as I have had the opportunity to become a leader in a public institution my perspective on power has changed; it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. There are a lot of things that are too big for any one leader to fix. I wanted to open the eyes of my people to what politics really is; to educate them on how many politicians see themselves and see the system. Of course, many of us won’t be surprised at all by Fergie’s ‘Ten Rule of Politics’. Our people don’t trust politicians but still refuse to watch them closely; it’s a little nuts,” he told Tribune Weekend. “I generally have been unkind to politicians in my work, but I wanted to make this guy someone you could like and at the same time dislike or disapprove of. He is a liar and a cheat, but he is our liar and cheat. He is using all his gifts to stay on top, mostly because he doesn’t know what else to do. So in
a sense he is tragic fool, even as he is an admired leader.” Dr Strachan said he was blown away Dion Johnson’s performance in ‘Sizwe Bansi is Dead’, a play by Athol Fugard, and that he was more than prepared for the demanding role of Fergie. “(There) are so many wonderful subtle touches to his performance,” he said of his lead actor. Dion is joined on stage by a veteran cast of Bahamian actors, including Chigozie Ijeoma, Leslie Ellis-Tynes. Matthew Wildgoose and Greg Deane. Dr Strachan noted that he hopes the audience comes away from the play with a new awareness of their own responsibility to become better citizens. “If we want better governance we must become better citizens. Politicians tell you what you want to hear but unless you demand they perform up to a certain standard they will always take the easy way out of most tough situations ...just like us.” “Honourable Member – A Political Play” will be staged tonight and tomorrow at 8pm at the Dundas Centre For the Performing Arts.
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entertainment ‘The Next Face’ founder Shawn Hanna (left) views photos taken during a weekly challenge.
Searching for ‘The Next Face’ of the Bahamas
Reality TV model contest returns for season three By CARA HUNT cbrennen@tribunemedia.net
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rofessional modelling contracts, an international brand ambassadorship and more are up for grabs when the Bahamas’ only reality TV model contest returns next week. Bahamians will be taken along for the ride as 14 local beauties compete in a different challenge every week during their transformative journey to become ‘The Next Face’. The brainchild of Tribune staff photographer Shawn Hanna, the third season of ‘The Next Face’ debuts on YouTube next Thursday. “Our inspiration came from two top TV modelling shows – ‘America’s Next Top Model’ with Tyra Banks and ‘The Face’ on Oxygen with Nigel Barker and Naomi Campbell. I wanted to bring that idea to the Bahamas
and showcase the beauty that is here,” said Shawn. The first season was filmed in 2015 with nine models competing for the top prize. “It was pretty much a beta season,” he explained. “I wanted to test out the concept to see how people would react to it, and they reacted really well. “ However, looking back, Shawn admits that the first season was not as strong as it could have been. “I think because it was a beta season and we really didn’t know what to expect.” For season two in 2015, Shawn decided to mix things up a little bit. “We went with a mixed group of girls and guys; we had five girls and five boys who were competing for the male and female face,” he said. After season two, Shawn said he felt the need to regroup. “We didn’t do anything in 2016, but we came back in 2017. I wanted to revamp the show to make it more international for my Bahamian audience and to show the Bahamas a bit more to my international friends,” he said. “This year, we started out with 14 girls and at the end of the elimination process we have three girls who have made it to the finale.” He also changed up the
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“ ...’The Next Face’, it is a girl you see, but don’t see...that mystery girl. This is not a personality contest, it is about that girl who just just shines when she is in front of the camera.” shooting and airing schedule for the new season. “We pre-filmed the contest. With the other two seasons we would shoot one episode and then release it as soon as we filmed it, but this season we shot the entire in one go before we have our season premiere,” he said. “We would meet every Friday and Sunday to film at one of our primary sponsors’ venues, The Art House. Usually the show would begin with that week’s elimination, an introduction and then we tell everyone the week’s challenge. The models would do hair and makeup and then head off to the challenge location.” Shawn explained that each week the girls had take on a different, unique challenge for which they could win prizes. “For example, one week, we went to our sponsor Ardastra Gardens and the challenge was to take pictures with birds and snakes. The girls have 10 to 15 minutes for their photo shoot with the photographer to try and get that perfect shot; that’s it. Each day we also have a guest of the day, someone who is in the fashion industry like a designer or a photographer or speaker. We have had some really good guests this season,” he said. Special guests have included famed fashion blogger Claire Sulmers of the Fashion Bomb Daily, designers David Rolle and Theodore Elliot, photographer Leo Creary, and designer Keywonah Beneby. Shawn explained that the elimination process has helped really showcase the strengths and weaknesses of the contestants. “As the show continues you can
begin to see who the winner might be. There were girls who in earlier rounds we thought they may not be what we are looking for, but as the challenges progressed they are now looking strong; or a girl you thought might be the one, who you realise just isn’t. So that’s the thing about ‘The Next Face’, it is a girl you see, but don’t see...that mystery girl. This is not a personality contest, it is about that girl who just just shines when she is in front of the camera,” he explained. The new season premieres next
Thursday at 8pm on ‘The Next Face’ YouTube channel. There are 10 episodes and new ones will be uploaded at the same time each week. The finale is scheduled to be filmed next weekend with a small audience of 70 invited guests who have all been asked to keep the results a secret. The winner will be branded as ‘The Next Face of Shawn T Photography’ and become the brand ambassador for the Perfec-Tone cosmetics brand, participate in Bahamas Fashion Week and in Exuma Fashion Week, receive
a gift bag from Revon Cosmetics and modelling contracts from the TOCU and PTG agencies. They will also be featured in a spread in Brutha magazine. Sponsors for ‘The Next Face’ include The Art Room, Ardastra Gardens, the Bahamas National Trust, Lit Studios, and Bahrezy, the official transportation service for the show. Videography was provided by 3 Amigos Media, Play Back Media, Church Boy Photography, Sagini Inc, and Unseen Media.
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Commonwealth Youth Games section
PHOTOS TERREL W. CAREY/TRIBUNE STAFF
Team Bahamas entrance with athletes and officials at the opening ceremony for Commonwealth Youth Games.
ATHLETES SHINE AT COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES
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HE Commonwealth Youth Games 2017 closed out with 10 medals for the Bahamas, a spirit of patriotism among the athletes, and with this year’s title sponsor, BTC, satisfied with having helped make the country’s biggest international sporting event possible. Earlier this month, the telecommunications company announced its contribution of a $250,000 investment in the sixth edition of the Commonwealth Youth. “Hosting an event of that magnitude is a great financial undertaking. So our contribution was small compared to what it actually cost to house athletes and manage the Games,” said Carol Barnett, BTC senior manager of events and sponsorships. This year’s Games broke a record by offering more competition than ever.
Seventy countries came together to compete while showcasing true sportsmanship and passion for their respective sport. The last international competition in Samoa consisted of only 64 Commonwealth nations. “For the sports enthusiasts, they got to see who will be the next stars on the track and in the different sporting events,” said Ms Barnett. “What is another great thing about the Commonwealth Youth Games is that our Bahamian athletes got the opportunity to socialise, develop social skills, and compete in a friendly way. It was also such a great joy to see the international athletes enjoy the culture when they gathered around Julien Believe during the opening ceremony. They danced and had fun, which was good to see.” BTC also offered a live broadcast of the event on its television network. The Games were not only aired in the Bahamas, but also in Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, the
Members of the Bahamas’ gold-medal winning 4x200m mixed relay team: Shaquiel Higgs, Denvaughn Whymns, Kayvon Stubbs and Tylar Lightbourne Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos. BTC’s Interim CEO Dexter Cartwright said: “We at BTC have a long tradition of supporting sports, youth, community and culture. This partnership once again underscores our corporate commitment to nation-building through the support and advancement of all Bahamians. We remain committed to building a better Bahamas and creating opportunities for Bahamians, especially young people, and in this case, young athletes. We believe in the limitless potential of our youth, and we continue to demonstrate that once they have a dream, we will support them as they seek to unleash their potential for a bright future.
Commonwealth Youth Games
Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Michael Pintard said that the Games and other events of this nature are a great way to attract people to the Bahamas and allow the world to see the country in a different light. One member of Team Bahamas was Breanna Major, who competed in Judo. She started training a year ago after being introduced to the sport at school. Breanna said she and a friend took advantage of the opportunity because training was free, and through the course of learning Judo skills she fell in love with the sport. Her first regional competition was at CARIFTA, where she took home two gold medals. “I want to compete in the Olympics in the future, that’s my goal,” she said. Judo bronze medallist Karra Hanna said that she and her teammates spent days continuously practicing from morning to evening. She said that the training was tiresome, but in this sport discipline is mandatory. Going from the dojo to the track, Team Bahamas sprinted into action, collecting the most medals for the country. Kayvon Stubbs was on the winning team in the 4x200m mixed relay this year. She recalls starting track and field practices at age nine. After winning the race, Ms Stubbs said: “It feels so great. I feel like I’m dreaming, but I’m proud, I’m excited; it hasn’t sunk in yet and I’m so proud of my teammates.” The gold medallist encouraged young Bahamians interested in sports to pursue their dreams of one day competing on the professional level. She said: “I would tell others to be consistent and to have fun no matter what. We had to make some changes at the last minute, but we were still able to hold it all together.” Meanwhile, the aquatics team managed to secure two silver medals in the 50m breaststroke. BTC said it remains committed to the development of youth in the country while placing them in positions to be recognised on the international stage. The company looks forward to supporting and investing more in the future of the Bahamas.
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charity Paradise Plates aims to exceed expectations Tickets for ninth annual fundraiser on sale August 1
O
ne of Nassau’s most highly-anticipated charity events, Paradise Plates – a night of culinary compassion hosted by Hands For Hunger – will return for its ninth year on September 30 at the Grand
Ballroom, Atlantis. Each year, the event draws hundreds of foodies and supporters of good causes alike. Hands For Hunger organisers and its culinary partners strive to put on a memorable evening, taking guests’ taste buds on a tour of the rich and diverse culinary and mixology scene with sample dishes and beverages, while enjoying live entertainment, music and more. Paradise Plates 2017 is expected to surpass the aspirations of previous years with first-time and returning culinary partners showcasing a lavish array of gourmet food prepared by top local chefs from Nassau’s premier restaurants, along with leading vintners, brewers and beverage purveyors who will create signature cocktails for event guests to enjoy. Featured this year are more
Hands For Hunger’s Executive Director Zeleka Knowles (second from right) poses with volunteers at last year’s event. than 30 local and family island restaurants and beverage purveyors, which include first-time culinary partners: Atlantis’ Sun & Ice, Biggity Bistro & Boutique, The Bearded Clam, Café Madeleine, Pink Octopus, Philosophy Smokehouse, Pulpy Artisan Style Frozen Desserts, Wild Thyme, and 3 Tides. “Hands For Hunger is extremely proud to host the ninth annual Paradise Plates event with some of the most incredible chefs and beverage purveyors in the Bahamas,” said Zeleka Knowles, executive director of Hands For Hunger. “Paradise Plates is a prime example of what can be achieved when the community, culinary and corporate partners come together to make a difference for a great cause.” This year, organisers are looking forward to first-time culinary partners and also those returning. “Without the support of all our partners we are unable to pull off such an amazing event and can’t thank them enough for supporting our organisation’s quest to eliminate unnecessary hunger and food waste in the Bahamas,” said Ms Knowles. In addition to first-time vendors, guests of Paradise Plates 2017 once again get to enjoy signature fare prepared by returning esteemed chefs and beverage purveyors from: Atlantis’ fine dining restaurants, Nobu and Olives; Dunkin’ Donuts; Le Petit Gourmet; Pirate Republic; Cassava
Grille; Louis & Steen’s New Orleans Coffeehouse; Graycliff Chocolatier; Old Fort Bay; Young’s Fine Wine; Luciano’s of Chicago; Drifter’s at the Fish Fry; Black Angus; 1648 Bar & Grille; John Watling’s; Pop Stop; The Island House’s Mahogany House, Shima and Coffee Bar . This year, Paradise Plates is presented by ALIV, the Island Luck Foundation and JetBlue. Chief ALIV Officer Damian Blackburn said he believes in being a good corporate citizen, stating: “ALIV is a Bahamian company and so it’s only fitting that we do our part to enrich the communities where we live and operate.” The Island Luck Cares Foundation is also pleased to return as a presenting sponsor for Paradise Plates. “The IL Cares Foundation was established to provide assistance to the less fortunate and those in need. We truly believe that giving back through such organisations, we all contribute to the development of a Better Bahamas ,” said a statement by the foundation. Paradise Plates tickets are available for purchase starting August 1 and can be purchased online at www.handsforhunger.org or in person at the Hands For Hunger’s office in the New Providence Community Centre and at the Bahamas Vision Centre in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza. Tickets are $175. All proceeds from this event benefit Hands For Hunger.
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lifestyle
Top fashion blogger connects with Bahamian roots By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net
A
S the creator of one of the top fashion blogs in the world geared towards black women, it is no surprise that Claire Sulmer is a busy little bee. She travels often, sometimes on back to back trips, does a photo shoot almost every day, attends shows and conducts numerous interviews – some of which feature celebrities like Karrueche Tran and LeToya Luckett – all for the sake of
making the Fashion Bomb Daily a blog that “multicultural fashionistas” will appreciate. But there comes a point when even the most driven, goal-oriented and “hustling” girl bosses need a momentary break to unplug and recharge. That point for the Brooklyn-based fashion writer and editor came last week during her recent trip to the Bahamas, where she inhaled the fresh sea air, connected with family and enjoyed the local cuisine. “More than a tropical travel destina-
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Friday, July 28, 2017
PHOTOS/SHAWN HANNA
tion, Nassau is like another home for me, as my mother’s family is from there, and we have family who still lives there. When I go, it’s to relax, yes, but also to reconnect with my cousins, aunts and uncles,” she said in her “The Bomb Life Nassau, Bahamas Travel Guide” post. Claire still has a photo of her younger self while at the wharf and surrounded by crabs. It serves as a reminder to her that no how far she travels, the Bahamas is still a second home. During her interview with Tribune Weekend fresh off her flight, Claire said she was looking forward to eating all things conch – “Fresh conch salad, conch fritters, stew conch and cracked conch.” And based on a blog entry she posted featuring a plate of cracked conch with a side of peas n’ rice, it seems she got her wish. Claire is not hesitant about sharing these moments of her life on her blog, because it is what her followers have come to expect and appreciate. The blog features the latest fashion trends, hair and beauty tips, celebrity styles, and a special page dedicated to “Claire’s Life”. “Fashion Bomb Daily started in 2006 to a response of what I thought was not enough beautiful images of black women in fashion, beauty and media. So I started a magazine for women who look just like me,” she said. This was relatively easy for Claire, given that she worked in journalism and was a research reporter for a magazine. “I couldn’t get a job at a fashion magazine and I couldn’t get in the fashion department at my job, so I just made it a hobby and took it online. “Then I had this niche audience of black women. I had my journalism background, my research skills, and I found out what people were wearing it really caught on and the stars aligned,” she said. Having a “routine” day is almost unheard of for Claire, a fact which makes her job so much fun. “I travel constantly. I was just in LA for a few weeks, doing photo shoots and interviews, where we spoke with Karrueche Tran, LeToya Luckett and Tank. Then I went back to New York and had to fly out to Indianapolis to be on a panel for a fashion entrepreneurship. Then I had to host a party and book a signing with LL Cool J’s wife. I think that is the most interesting part of my job, because no day is ever the same. You just really never know what opportunities will arise,” she said. The Fashion Bomb Daily is a site for what Claire describes as “multicultural fashionistas”. From celebrity styles to fashion news, trend reports to street style, the blog delivers fresh, engaging content
‘Fashion Bomb Daily’ blogger Claire Sulmer takes in the sights and sounds of Nassau during her photo shoot in the Bahamian capital. from an informed point of view. Well respected in the industry, the Fashion Bomb Daily has been referenced in New York Magazine, featured in Glamour, and quoted in Time. However, the “glow up” for Claire did not come easy. It took persistence, consistency and hard work. “There is a phrase that says ‘riches in niches’. I believe I found my niche with African-American celebrity fashion,” she said. And what advice does she have for aspiring Bahamian bloggers? “For anyone in the Bahamas wanting to be a successful blogger...they need to make themselves the expert on everything going on in the Bahamas; every event, anything that is going on, report on it and just be consistent. A lot of bloggers give up early because they may not see people commenting or they might not be making money. It took me four years before I started making money and it took several more years before we got the millions of followers, and I have been doing it now for over 10 years,” she said. At the end of the day, a right step for local bloggers who want to be successful would be “figuring out what you can be an expert in,” she added. “You don’t have to create the next Fashion Bomb Daily. I know there are events here, parties and what not, so you can post about street style and create that one definitive website for Bahamian entertainment or fashion. Simply figuring out what people want to read online and building up on that is a good step.”
16 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, July 28, 2017
celebrity With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt
HIT
SPLIT
FAIL
SPLIT
Rihanna “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”
Cara Delevingne “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”
Charlize Theron ”Atomic Blonde”
Aisha Tyler ”Atomic Blonde”
Karin says: “I love the concept of the dress, the style (shapeless as it is), but she could have still shown off the girls without squeezing them to death. Otherwise, this is exactly how you should show up at a premiere. And the red colour is stunning on her!” Cara says: “She nailed it! She looks gorgeous...the red, the shape of the dress, the pulled-back elegant hair, the fabulous rose clutch. I think this is one of her best outfits; it’s stunning. And lawd, those boobies are hanging in there strong.”
Karin says: “I love this. She’s styled from top to bottom. The neck piece with the matching killer sandals make the sleek black pant suit into something special. And of course it all goes perfectly with her platinum blonde pixie. Awesome look!” Cara says: “Now this is a fabulous statement necklace. I absolutely love it. I wish she would give it to me. And her shoes match, how awesome is that? The only thing is I am not 100 per cent sold on is the black tuxedo look. Yes, the necklace makes the outfit, but I think it needed a better backdrop. And the headband seems a little too casual.”
Karin says: “Eh, this looks so dated. We’ve seen all the elements before. The sheer top with the black bra (even if it’s Dior) is just blah. And that fringe skirt is awful. I also don’t like the whole silhouette that the top, skirt and half boots create together.” Cara says: “This is an edgy look, I guess, but I find it a bit boring for a premiere from an actress of her calibre and reputation. It just isn’t saying much. I do kinda like everything about it, but really, it is a look we have seen a thousand times before.”
Karin says: “This is a cute and different dress. I’m just not sure if it’s right for the occasion. I think I like that bird’s wing that is plastered across her middle, and the navy blue with coral accents is nice. But maybe this would be better suited to a tea party.” Cara says: “This dress just missed the mark, sorry. I do like the beaded detail, but I find the dress a bit shapeless. I also feel that the shoes are a big eyesore. They just look so off to me. And I hate her ugly clutch. Overall this outfit just fails for me.”
AP PHOTOS
The Weekend Fashion Report Summer movie premieres
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Friday, July 28, 2017
film
McAvoy), in recovering a missing list with the names of every British asset — something the Russians are rather keen to obtain. So far, that might sound somewhat le Carre-like. But it’s not minutes after being picked up from the airport that Lorraine finds herself jabbing an assailant with her heel, pushing him out of a moving car, and forcing the driver into flipping the car over. Leitch is a veteran stuntman who co-directed the action hit “John Wick,” in which Keanu Reeves wrecks endless vengeance on those who killed his dog. The backdrop is more lavish in “Atomic Blonde,” but the hand-to-hand combat is no less primary. Whereas another spy thriller might gradually go deeper into its complex networks of
allegiances, “Atomic Blonde,” based on Antony Johnston’s graphic novel “The Coldest City,” stays on the surface, keeps the body count increasing and the ‘80s score blaring. “Atomic Blonde” is largely a vacant, hyper-stylistic romp that trades on the thick Cold War atmosphere of far better films (not to mention “The Americans”). It’s all dagger, no cloak. But it has two things going for it. One is Leitch’s facility with an action scene. The film, technically speaking, gets off to a rough start when a body is sent flying by a ramming car in the kind of blatantly unrealistic CGI fling that ruins movies. But he later goes for a much more bravura scene in a seemingly uncut sequence in which Broughton takes on a number of assailants on a stairwell in a fight that eventually spills out into the streets. But the other asset of “Atomic Blonde” is altogether more formidable. Theron doesn’t so much as dominate “Atomic Blonde” as steadily subjugate every other soul in the film — and those in the audience — into her complete command. Like her more timid le Carre forebearers, there’s no pleasure in her victories. There’s only ruthless survival in a grim game. She is most definitely atomic, but I’d try to do better than calling her a blonde. JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer
Freeman’s Everett. Set in an elegant, Japanese-inspired casino, the deal goes haywire and T’Challa and his security detail (Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira) jump to action in their evening gowns to retrieve the precious goods. The clip was followed by the trailer for the film from “Creed” director Ryan Coogler and the 6,500 souls in the audience erupted into deafening cheers at the sight of T’Challa morphing into the Black Panther suit. The film finds T’Challa returning to his home of Wakanda after the death of his father, the king. “He’s still mourning his father’s death. It’s a transition period that gets interrupted, and he’s struggling with the type of king he
wants to be,” said Boseman. Coogler, Boseman, Nyong’o, Gurira, Serkis and more of the cast were on hand in San Diego to talk about the film, out February, 16, 2019. Coogler said he’d always had a fondness for comic books, and found “Black Panther” at a pivotal moment. “I grew up as black kid in the Bay Area and grew up with comic books and it didn’t matter what color the superheroes were. I read X-Men, I read Spider-Man,” Coogler said. Then he started looking for a character that looked like him and he stumbled on Black Panther. LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer
review
In ‘Atomic Blonde,’ Theron heats up the Cold War ATOMIC BLONDE RUNNING TIME: 144 MINS
P
eople don’t usually move very fast in Cold War thrillers. Mostly, the only time anyone runs is right before they get shot in the back. Most of the “action” happens in a film cabinet, down a back alley or with a silencer. This is not quite so in “Atomic Blonde,” a post-war thriller set in the final moments of the Cold War (1989 Berlin) starring Charlize Theron as the MI6 spy Lorraine Broughton. She’s not your traditional European operator. Let’s just say that if Theron’s Broughton turned up in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” the
Charlize Theron plays MI6 spy Lorraine Broughton in Cold War era Berlin. old boys would’ve soiled their trench coats. Broughton is black and blue at the opening of David Leitch’s “Atomic Blonde,” and the first thought is that Theron must be licking her wounds from playing Furiosa in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” If that film didn’t prove that Theron is today’s most badass action star, “Atomic Blonde” — while not anywhere near the kinetic explosion of “Fury Road” — will certainly make it official. The bruises turn out to be from the story she soon relates. Broughton spends the movie in a testy interrogation with her MI6 boss (Toby Jones) and a CIA chief (John Goodman). The mission she recounts is her dispatching to West Berlin to assist the station chief there, David Percival (a zany James
Comic-Con goes wild for ‘Black Panther’ “BLACK Panther” stole the show last Saturday night at Marvel Studios’ Comic-Con presentation, outshining the Ant-Man, Thor and even the ultimate Avengers teamup, “Infinity War.” Fans went wild for the exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming superhero pic, featuring star Chadwick
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa Boseman’s T’Challa intercepting a sketchy vibranium trade between Andy Serkis’ Klaw and Martin
18 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, July 28, 2017
books review
MJ Rose takes readers on a journey to 1925
and sketch someone, but what she draws is also that person’s deepest hidden secret. Duplessi can see these scandalous visions easily, and she knows that her family history has given her this gift of insight. One evening Duplessi draws a woman at a party and the finished piece has her subject in a sexual encounter with a man who is not her husband. It’s
M
J Rose takes readers on a journey to 1925, where a postwar environment invokes a sense of heightened passion and new opportunities in “The Library of Light and Shadow.” Delphine Duplessi has left Paris and the man she loves due to a vision she cannot shake. She spends time doing parlour tricks for people, but her ability is actually quite powerful and frighteningly real. She can blindfold herself
JEFF AYERS Associated Press
The top 10 books on Apple’s iBooks-US
George RR Martin working on next ‘Song of Ice and Fire MARTIN says the next “Song of Ice and Fire” book has a real chance of coming out in 2018. But don’t count on it yet. In a weekend posting on his website, Martin wrote that he’s working hard on “The Winds of Winter,” the long-awaited sixth volume in the series adapted into the HBO hit “Game of Thrones.” He added that he has “good days and bad days” and is still months
actually her brother-in-law. The chaos that occurs after the finished art is seen results in the death of a man, and she vows to never use her talents of drawing these “shadow portraits” again. Duplessi soon watches her fiance leave her, and with nothing left in New York City, she reluctantly agrees to go back to Paris with her brother. Soon she will confront a past she had been hoping to avoid, and the man she loved whom she can never see again. Rose’s writing conveys both passion and emotional artistry in this story. She transports the reader into the past better than a time machine could accomplish. A simple brushstroke or color invokes so many emotions that it is as if one is admiring a painting rather than devouring prose. The history mixed with the multilayers of the narrative will captivate readers.
This cover image released by Atria shows “The Library of Light and Shadow,” a novel by M.J. Rose. (Atria via AP)
By The Associated Press 1.
away from finishing. Meanwhile, he thinks it’s “likely” that he’ll have his first “Fire and Blood” book out by late 2018 or early 2019. The new
book is a history of House Targaryen, which has the motto “Fire and Blood.” His conclusion: one, maybe two Westeros books
in 2018. “A boy can dream,” he wrote. NEW YORK Associated Press
The Late Show by Michael Connelly 2. House of Spies by Daniel Silva 3. The Girl Before by J P Delaney 4. Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland 5. Camino Island by John Grisham 6. Use of Force by Brad Thor 7. A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin 8. World Without End by Ken Follett 9. Hold Tight by Harlan Coben 10. Checkmate: This Is Love by Kennedy Fox
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Friday, July 28, 2017
gardening
Mango madness
Nam Doc Mai mangoes were introduced to Florida from Thailand in 1973.
Jack Hardy challenges mango lovers to look beyond the ‘all American’ version of the fruit and consider different, tastier varieties.
I
t was decided over a century ago that an American mango would be red, the redder the better. That led to Indian mangoes swamping the market to the almost total exclusion of Eastern Asian mangoes that are a boring canary yellow and have a funny shape. It all started with a variety called Haden that was yellow-skinned with lots of red, and tasted magnificent. Haden became the mango standard before the First World War and is still held in high esteem more than 100 years later. But there were problems with Haden. It was susceptible to disease, produced low yields, and had the irritating habit of taking a year or two off from production. In the 1940s there was a surge in mango variety development to find a mango to replace the Haden. Wanted was an Indian mango that featured large red fruit, was disease resistant, and a heavy bearer. There are now many varieties that fit the bill, but they do not taste like Haden. We Bahamians have our own word to describe the perfect American/Indian mango: mangola. The largest selling mango in America and the world right now is Tommy Atkins. It ripens from yellow to red and sometimes the skin of the fruit is completely red. It is a heavy producer
and is very disease resistant. Perfect, but it does not taste as good as Haden. In fact, it is one of the most boring of mangoes, but apparently it is what the public wants. Irwin is a mango quite like Tommy Atkins but the flesh is sweeter, but still of unexceptional flavour. It is a good choice for a Bahamian garden. A much better choice for flavour is Glenn, which is rich and sweet but has an orange skin rather than red. Better still is Kent, probably the best tasting of all commercial mangoes. The fruit is yellow and ripens to a red blush but the distinguishing feature is the yellow dots on the skin. I have had several of these this summer and if I found room in my garden to add another variety of mango it would definitely be a Kent. Or maybe a Valencia Pride. This is a fruit that looks different from all the others I have mentioned so far because it is long and slender, yellow with a red blush when ripening. The flesh is very sweet but not of a complex flavour. Valencia Pride tends to ripen late in the season and this is an important factor. Out of all the 1940s cultivars that are still in commercial production perhaps the most exciting of the lot is Keitt (named for a woman, by the way). In many ways the fruit of Keitt is all
wrong. It takes a long time to ripen and is generally eaten in September and October. The size (up to 40 ozs) is too large for a public used to mangoes half of that weight. The colour is predominantly green with sometimes a pink blush as the fruit ripens. This is not the all-American mango by any means. But consider this: The trees are small and can fit into any yard; they bear heavily and reliably, and the taste is great. Of all the mango cultivars I have mentioned so far Keitt is the must-have one. Getting away from US cultivars, one Jamaican mango tree I have is Julie and it bears fruits that people always comment on when they taste it for the first time. There is an off-taste that some people hate. To me it seems that the flavour of the skin has seeped into the flesh because the deeper flesh is sweet and normal. The mangoes are quite small and ripen to orange with pink blush. Many small mangoes have fibre in the flesh but Julie is completely fibre free. My favourite mango is one that is completely different from all those I have have named so far. It is a cultivar from Thailand called Nam Doc Mai and produces canary yellow fruits that are long and sigmoid. Completely fibre free, Nam Doc Mai fruit has more edible flesh to enjoy than may appear from the outside because the seedcase is long but very thin. The flesh has distinct citrus tones and early fruits that drop while green are distinctly citric. I understand that in Thailand the fruits are rarely eaten ripe because unripe fruits are widely used to make relishes – and are enjoyed out of hand at the pre-ripened stage. The tree is small and is a moderate bearer, the fruits often hanging in threes. To have a true named cultivar you must buy a grafted tree. No matter what the mango, if you plant a seed you will eventually get a tree that bears small very fibrous fruits. The taste is often more intense than that of named cultivars. If you plant seeds of Eastern Asian mangoes such as Nam Doc Mai you will eventually get fruit that is fairly close to the original. I have been told that if you find a polyembryonic specimen – a seedcase containing two or more seeds – then it will grow true. I regret to say I have never been able to verify that assertion. • For questions and comments e-mail j.hardy@coralwave.com.
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Friday, July 28, 2017
pageants
An explosion of culture
TWRIGHT PHOTOS/TARIQ CAR
Miss World contestants show national pride ahead of finale
A
head of this weekend’s grand finale, the nine contestants of the Miss World Bahamas 2017 pageant got to celebrate the unique culture of the Bahamas and show off their national pride last Saturday. Held in the rooftop lounge at The Pointe, the National Costume segment was the last preliminary competition leading up to the finale, during which viewers will be able to cast votes for their favourites. Before arriving at The Rooftop, the contestants got to meet members of the public as they travelled through the streets of Nassau as part of a motorcade, starting at Arawak Cay and ending at The Pointe. After making the walk down the runway set up on the rooftop, the contestants had a maximum of two minutes to describe their costume and were allowed to incorporate performing arts as part of their presentation. The national costumes were judged on the following criteria: originality, creativity, craftsmanship and presentation. The three contestants that came out on top were Miss World University of the Bahamas Nyisha Tilus depicting ‘Lady Mingo’; Miss World Paradise Island Whitney Isaacs putting the ‘Jewels of the Sea’ on display, and Miss World Long Island Geena Thompson celebrating ‘The Royal Poinciana’. The nine beauties are now gearing up for the moment they have been waiting for since they entered the competition – the pageant finale at Baha Mar tomorrow night, starting at 8pm. “This weekend is going to provide a spectacular showcase of Bahamian
Miss World Abaco Sharonique Russell – ‘Amphitriti Sea Goddess’
ma Miss World Grand Baha ca’ ati Jerrel Strachan – ‘Aqu
Miss World Bimini Tanisha Jones – ‘Bahamian Junkanoo Queen’
Miss World Cat Island Rotalya Williams – ‘Bahamian Straw Goddess’
Miss World Exuma October Johnson – ‘Exuma Sea Queen’
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Friday, July 28, 2017
culture and world-class pageantry. The Baha Mar Convention centre will provide the perfect backdrop for this pageant,” said Jerome Sawyer, vice president of the Miss Bahamas Organisation. “But the most exciting feature is the opportunity for the public to help choose the winner. The Miss Bahamas app, now available in iOS and Google Play, will allow the audience to vote in real time for their favourite contestant. By downloading the app and subscribing to the Miss Bahamas Membership Club, audiences will get to participate as judge number six.” At the end of the night, Mr Sawyer said they expect to crown the next and best beauty ambassador for the Bahamas as Miss World Bahamas. “She will immediately begin her preparations for the Miss World Competition in China. Over the weekend, the president of The Pointe, Daniel Liu, announced The Pointe will help to sponsor the winner on her journey to competing for the international title,” he added. The new queen will also immediately begin a very hectic schedule of local appearances. Tickets for the finale are now available at airbrush Junkies Mall at the Mall of Marathon and at the door. General admission is $75, VIP is $125. High school, University of the Bahamas and BTVI students get a discount and have to pay only $60 for general admission when they present their student ID. This offer is available at the door only. Mr Sawyer and former beauty queen Leslia Miller-Brice are back as hosts. They will be joined by social media commentators, popular radio talk show host Shenique Miller and youth activist and motivational speaker K Darron Turnquest. Also joining the show as a backstage correspondent is international pageant host and blogger Hector Joaquin ColónGonzález. Award-winning musical artists Patrice Murrell, Val “Shugar” Richards and Chase Fernander will perform. For the first time ever, the finale will also be broadcast live to a worldwide audience. CaribVision and ComeSeeTV will provide live streaming services for the event. Pageant fans that do not have access to either of those networks will also be able to watch the finale live on the new MBO TV Channel on the pageant’s website www.missbahamas. net.
Miss World Long Island Geena a’ Thompson – ‘The Royal Poincian
Miss World Paradise Island ’ Whitney Isaacs – ‘Jewels of the Sea
Miss World New Providence Galy Joseph – ‘The Beauty of the Bahamian Sea’
Miss World University of the Bahamas Nyisha Tilus – ‘Lady Mingo’
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Friday, July 28, 2017
literary lives alexander von humboldt
Rediscovering the father of modern geography
Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about two revealing books that have recently been published on the 19th century German scientific explorer.
L
Alexander von Humboldt (by Friedrich Georg Weitsch, 1806)
ast year, a biography written by Andrea Wulf, “The Invention of Nature”, won the coveted £25,000 Royal Society prize in England and was acclaimed as being the best science book of the year. There is no doubt that in “The Invention of Nature” Andrea Wulf has given English speaking readers the best biography to date of the intrepid German scientist Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859). Nevertheless, she has devoted only a page or two to Humboldt’s year-long Mexican adventures – but an entire chapter to his interactions with Thomas Jefferson. This was a little disappointing. However, Myron Echenberg has produced an insightful book with “Humboldt’s Mexico” this year which is a completely different book, a historical and cultural travelogue and guide to Humboldt’s travels in Mexico in 1803 and 1804. Thus, although Wulf’s excellent biography is a thrilling study about a polymath who has more things named after him than anyone who has ever lived, including an ocean current, a six-foot squid, and a breed of penguin, her book does not concentrate, as Echenberg’s does, on the lifetime of scientific studies that Humboldt packed into a single daunting year in Mexico. More than that, Echenberg’s treatise involved travel-
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Friday, July 28, 2017
“He was the first to see the continuity of pre-Columbian history to include the governmental systems of the Aztecs and Incas, not as exotic entities, but as significant contributors to the cultural past.” Vegetation zonation in th e Andes, from Humboldt’s “Berghaus-A tlas”, a supple ment to his “Kosmos”.
Humboldt’s Latin American expedition ling in Humboldt’s footsteps – in itself a daunting experience. Andrea Wulf, in “The Invention of Nature”, explains that Humboldt was a German naturalist and explorer who became a major figure in the classical period of physical geography and biography – areas of science now included in earth sciences and ecology. With his book “Kosmos” he made a valuable contribution to the popularisation of science. The Humboldt Current off the west coast of South America (now called the Peru Current) was originally named after him. A sickly child and poor student, he was the less promising younger brother of the dazzlingly brilliant Wilhelm von Humboldt. Alexander followed futile studies in economics at the University of Frankfurt with a little engineering training in Berlin. Restless and uneasy, he suddenly became passionately interested in botany and began to collect specimens in the surroundings of Berlin. He learned to classify them, but soon dreamed of journeys to more exotic lands. A year at the University of Göttingen introduced science to him and he became particularly interested in mineralogy and geology. He joined the School of Mines in Freiberg after two years and, without any degree, joined the Mining Department of the Prussian government who sent him to the remote Fichtel Mountains. Here,
Humboldt came into his own, supervising mining activities and establishing with his own funds a school for young miners. While there the conviction grew in Humboldt that his real aim was scientific exploration. He resigned his post in 1797 and with single-minded determination acquired a thorough knowledge of geodetic, meteorological and geomagnetic measurements. The upheavals caused by the Napoleonic War prevented him being sent on scientific expeditions, but refusing to be deterred he finally obtained permission from the Spanish government to visit the Spanish Colonies in Central and South America. These colonies were then only accessible to Spanish officials and the Roman Catholic Mission – and were therefore completely shut off from the outside world. Humboldt, his social standing and his access to the Spanish Prime Minister, got him the royal permit from the King that he needed. The considerable estate that he inherited from his mother also helped as he financed his entire expedition out of his own pocket. In the summer of 1799, Humboldt and the French botanist Aimé Bonpland left Marseille and were to spend the next five years, from 1799 to 1804, in Central and South America covering more than 6,000 miles (9,650 kilometres) on foot, horseback and in canoes. It was to be a time of great
physical exertion and serious deprivation. They travelled from Caracas, through tributaries of the Orinoco River and proved that the Casiquiare River formed a connection between the vast river systems of the Orinoco and the Amazon. For months Humboldt and Bonpland endured intense humid heat, trudging through dense tropical jungle tormented by swarms of mosquitoes. Insects and rain destroyed their meagre provisions, and they were reduced to surviving on cacao beans and river water. Nevertheless, they survived the resulting fevers, buoyed by their discoveries, observations, and collections of unknown plants. After a short stay in Cuba they returned to explore the Andes, Peru, and the volcanic peaks of Ecuador without oxygen or mountaineering equipment. Humboldt was the first to attribute mountain sickness, which they suffered, to lack of oxygen. They also studied the ocean current named after him on the West coast of South America. Not surprisingly, on arriving in Quito after their travels they were enthusiastically received by the Viceroy of Spain. In early 1803, Humboldt and Bonpland teamed up with the Ecuadorian adventurer Charles Montúfar and sailed from Guayaquil in Ecuador to Mexico in what was to be a long and harrowing voyage. They arrived in Acapulco on March 23, 1803, and did
not leave Veracruz until March 7, 1804. They spent 350 days in Mexico and it is this last year of Humboldt’s five-year adventure that is the subject of Myron Echenberg’s book – part history, part travelogue, and always highly readable and informative. Myron Echenberg is Professor Emeritus in the Department of History and Classical Studies at McGill University, and he has used his considerable scholastic skills to fill the gap in Andrea Wulf’s 2016 biography. Echenberg’s Humboldt’s Mexico is divided into three parts, with odd-numbered chapters describing the cities and regions Humboldt visited, beginning with a first chapter on Acapulco and ending with Chapter 21 on Veracruz. The even numbered chapters cover Diego Rivera’s imagery (a hundred years later) and ending with Chapter 22 on the impact of smallpox and yellow fever on Mexico – important parallel chapters reflecting on aspects of Humboldt’s passage and meditating on his journey within the broader context of Mexican history
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and culture. It describes his arrival in Acapulco - The Place of Broken Reeds - on March 23, his gruelling journey to Mexico City climbing through the rugged Sierra Madre Mountains, through Chilpancingo and the heart of Guerrero, to the silver mining towns of Taxco and Guanajuato, and on to the fertile Cuernavaca valley before finally reaching Mexico City – the City of Palaces – where after struggling with changing temperatures, high altitude and difficult roads, he stayed for seven months making brief excursions to the surrounding towns. The snow-capped volcanoes Popocetépetl and Iztaccihuatl provided majestic vistas. While in Mexico City he dedicated long hours to the study of pre-Hispanic art and culture and, although not a historian, he was the first to see the continuity of pre-Columbian history to include the governmental systems of the Aztecs and Incas, not as exotic entities but as significant contributors to the cultural past. Humboldt, although being careful to endorse the Spanish crown as his sponsor, was critical that centuries of Spanish colonial rule had victimised descendants of the Aztecs and mismanaged a potentially glorious “New Spain”. Given access to colonial archives Humboldt was able to release hitherto confidential economic and geographic data in his later writings. Mining, being a particular area of Humboldt’s expertise and training, was one of the main reasons he was granted a licence to visit Mexico, and he dutifully visited and reported all his findings. He visited Pachuca and Real de Monte, North of Mexico, stayed a month in Guanajuato, and visited the fabulously wealthy Valenciana Mine. The importance of these natural resources to the economy of New Spain would occupy a great deal of Humboldt’s “Political Essay”. It drew attention to the immense natural resources of Mexico, so much so that eventually it caused wild speculation and an investment bubble that burst in 1830, ruining many and bringing some unjustified discredit to Humboldt’s reputation. Mines and mountains were Humboldt’s passion and he climbed the snow-capped Nevado de Toluca – 15,500 feet above sea level. Interested in terrestrial magnetism, he contributed significantly to the progress of this science, and was a pioneer in the fields of climatology, meteorology and isoline cartography. He invented weather
Friday, July 28, 2017
maps showing isotherms and isobars. He was also the first to observe reverse polarity and to discover a decrease in the planet’s magnetic force from the poles to the Equator. Clearly obsessed with the achievements of Humboldt in Mexico, Echenberg has produced a detailed historical account of his journey and his extraordinarily visionary accomplishments. Humboldt’s influence on the scholars of his time was immense although some – a minority – have subsequently sought to denigrate his achievements. Echenberg quotes Mary Louise Pratt (New York University) as saying in “Imperial Eyes: Travel writing and Transculturation” (1992) that “Humboldt imposed a Western rationalist model on indigenous American peoples and cultures that deprived them of their originality and autonomy”. José Iturriaga de la Fuente has stated boldly, “Humboldt’s loyalties lay with opponents of Mexican liberalism and progress.” On the other hand, Juan A Ortega y Medina in his “Humboldt desde México” (1960) has concluded that, “Humboldt paved the way for expansionists in the United States who coveted Mexican land and resources.” But Humboldt’s admirers are legion, and he inspired many – including Simon Bolivar who was as much influenced by Humboldt’s mysticism as his science, as well as the great Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Márquez who in “One Hundred Years of Solitude” has the dying Melquiades say, “Equinox, equinox, equinox”, and the name of Alexander von Humboldt, suggesting that, “He is there at the dawn of modern history when a new collective theory begins.” Humboldt was only 34 years old when he returned to Paris. He had indeed accomplished more than can have been imagined and his writings were a revelation to thousands of readers, and his influence expanded with successive publications. Echenberg also tactfully explains the issues of privacy and sexuality as they related to Humboldt as well as his openly promiscuous but happily married brother Wilhelm, who achieved equal fame – but as a liberal politician and philosopher. The brothers remained close throughout their lives, and Alexander went to extreme lengths to hide any details of their personal lives. While his brother Wilhelm enjoyed what today we would call an “open marriage”, Alexander
on the other hand showed a clear preference for the company of males and never married. The British critic and translator Jason Wilson explained: “Science was a male world: it was natural for Humboldt to surround himself with other male scientists in austere working conditions.” There is much to learn from both Andrea Wulf’s biography “The Invention of Nature”, as well as “Humboldt’s Mexico” by Myron Echenberg on Alexander von Humboldt’s adventures and achievements, and the incalculable influence that the brilliant Prussian scientist had on biology, botany, geology and meteorology.
A celebrity on his return, Humboldt lived in Paris from 1804 to 1827. Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia had appointed him Royal Chamberlain in 1805, and he did visit the court in Berlin periodically and accompanied the King to diplomatic congresses. But Alexander, unlike his brother Wilhelm who had become Minister of Education, was reluctant to exchange the glitter of Paris for the dull life of provincial Berlin, and he did not settle there until 1827 when diminishing funds obliged him to acquiesce to royal pleadings to return. As a prominent figure in the Parisian scientific world he spent most of his time writing, editing and publishing at his own expense the voluminous record of his travels and discoveries. However, although he lived modestly in the Latin Quarter, his funds were steadily depleted by his publications and his generosity to young scientists. From 1827 until his death, Humboldt lived in the Prussian capital of Berlin. He served the monarchy as Chamberlain and Councillor of State and maintained the same duties for Frederick Wilhelm IV when he ascended to the throne in 1840. He continued to travel frequently, visiting Vesuvius in Italy and making annual pilgrimages to Paris to maintain his scientific and personal friendships. He had hoped to return to Latin America but this never happened. Nevertheless, one more journey beckoned, and in 1829, at the age of 60, Humboldt embarked on an eight-month expedition to the Urals and Siberia, publishing his account in French in 1843. His expedition was funded by the Tsarist government. In 1834, Humboldt began his most ambitious project, a comprehensive survey of creation which he called “Cosmos” (”Kosmos” in the original German). The fifth and final volume appeared posthumously in 1862, three years after his death, and was translated into almost every European language. He is buried beside his brother Wilhelm in the family vault of the Tegel estate in Germany, and is revered as one of the great scientific travellers of the 19th century. NEXT WEEK: Nobel Prize–winning novelist William Faulkner • Sir Christopher Ondaatje is an adventurer and writer resident in the Bahamas. A Sri Lankan-born Canadian-Englishman, he is the author of several books, including “The Last Colonial”.
The Tribune | Weekend | 25
Friday, July 28, 2017
history
From a ‘Bahama boy’ to the 1st Baron Gambier Forgotten facts Paul C Aranha
W
hat were you doing at age 11? One seldom hears a Bahamian use the once common expression “my navel string is buried here”. But the navel string of James Gambier, after whom the settlement of Gambier on the northern shore of New Providence is named, was buried on this island on October 13, 1756, when his father was Lieutenant Governor of the Bahamas. As for his mother, Deborah Gambier, who was from Bermuda, her grave is in the Centre Burial Ground on Dowdeswell Street. In 1767, at the tender age of 11, this son-of-the-Bahamian soil joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman on the HMS Yarmouth, a guard ship in the Medway (Kent, England), to start a career that lasted until his death in 1833, at the age of 76. He is buried in Iver, Buckinghamshire, England. The year 1769 saw him on the 60gun, HMS Salisbury, serving in the North American Station, and three years later, on the 50-gun, HMS Chatham, in the Leeward Islands. This was followed by postings on the HMS Spy and HMS Royal Oak, a 74-gun guard ship at Spithead (between the Isle of Wight and
Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier, 1st Baron Gambier (1756 - 1833) Gosport). Before his 21st birthday he was commissioned lieutenant and served on the sloop HMS Shark, then on the HMS Hind, a 24-gun frigate, the HMS Sultan and HMS Ardent. In 1778, as a newly-promoted commander, his first posting was to the bomb ship HMS Thunder, a specialised wooden sailing vessel equipped with mortars, rather than cannons, designed for bombarding fixed positions on land. The Thunder was dismasted by French guns and Gambier became a prisoner-of-war for a short time, until he was exchanged. His next promotion, also in 1778, was to ‘post captain’ of the 32gun HMS Raleigh, which saw action
at the capture of Charleston during the American War of Independence, after which he became commander of the HMS Endymion. The French Revolutionary Wars saw James Gambier in command of the 74-gun HMS Defence, taking part in the Battle of the Glorious First of June in 1794, the largest fleet action of that conflict. In 1795, this ‘boy from the Bahamas’ became a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty Board and was promoted to the rank of rear admiral. Four years later, he was a vice admiral. He left the Admiralty in 1801 to take over the 98-gun HMS Neptune, as third-in-command of the Royal
Navy’s Channel Fleet, under Admiral William Cornwallis (brother of more famous Charles Cornwallis, British commander at the Siege of Yorktown). Gambier changed hats and served as governor and commander-in-chief of Newfoundland – a post that was both a British Government and Royal Navy appointment – from 1802 through 1803 – in which capacity he gave local people property rights over arable land, allowing them to raise cattle and sheep, and ensured that vacant properties along the shore could be leased to the locals. After that, he returned to the Admiralty as a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty Board and was promoted to the rank of full admiral on November 9, 1805. In May 1807, during the Napoleonic Wars, Gambier volunteered to command the British naval forces in the campaign against Copenhagen and his HMS Prince of Wales bombarded that city for three days, until the Danes capitulated, surrendering 18 ships-of-the line, 21 frigates and brigs, 25 gunboats and a large quantity of naval stores. For this, he received official thanks from parliament and, on the November 3, 1807, was rewarded with a peerage as the first Baron Gambier of Iver. As commander of the Channel Fleet, in 1808 Lord Gambier’s ships defeated the French in the Battle of Basque Roads, and in 1814 he was a part of the British team that negotiated the Treaty of Ghent that ended the war of 1812 between Britain and the United States of America. James Gambier GCB, Admiral of the Fleet and 1st Baron Gambier of Iver, is a man whose name lives on around the world. In Australia there is Mount Gambier; in Canada, Gambier Island; in the United States, Gambier Hill, Ohio, and of course our own Gambier Village. He even appears as a minor character in C S Forester’s 1938 novel “Horatio Hornblower”. I know of only one other Bahamian admiral, James McQueen Forsyth (1842-1915), who was born in Great Harbour (now Clarence Town), Long Island, emigrated to America and served in the United States Navy. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. • E-mail comments and responses to islandairman@gmail.com
26 | The Tribune | Weekend
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The Tribune | Weekend | 27
Friday, July 28, 2017
animals
The importance of hydration for all
N
ow, in the height of summer, we see more and more animals suffering from the intense heat. Some have no shelter available to them, and if they do have a bowl of water, it is probably hot from being in this summer sun. It does not take long for a bowl, or bucket, of water, to get extremely hot very fast. A couple of days ago I saw a surrey horse clearly in distress, head down, and having difficulties finishing the “city circuit”. There were two tourists in the back seemingly oblivious of the struggle in front of them, as was the driver. The horse looked so uncomfortable that I pulled over on Shirley Street and watched it come alongside me so I could get a clear view of the horse and the number of the surrey. The animal look exhausted and his gate was irregular. It was just short of 1pm so he was still legally on the road, but clearly not a happy horse. I reported the incident and am pleased that the animal was taken off the road and sent home. I hope that he will receive the medical treatment that he should receive from vets and from his owner. Heat exhaustion is a very real danger and animals are at high risk because they usually have to depend on humans to provide them with the necessary hydration. When animals are in the wild they know how to stay in the shade and drink plenty of water. The humans who care for animals frequently either do not care or do not possess the knowledge to do the right thing. Potcakes are famous for digging holes in the garden, nice deep, cool, holes directly under your (invariably) favourite bush or tree. Have you ever wondered why they dig these holes? They dig holes because that is what nature tells them to do, instinct to
PET OF THE WEEK
Affable Timmy By The Bahamas Humane Society
T
immy is a one-year-old male fluffy potcake awaiting adoption at the Bahamas Humane Society. This young lad is very social and extremely well-behaved. He’s good with other dogs and enjoys sharing space with fellow adoptee Michael. But what he’d really like is a home of his own. Timmy would love to have a family that could teach him some new tricks, take him for walks, and love him for who he is. He thinks he could probably even make friends with a cat if he’s introduced nicely. Have you a place in your heart for Timmy? If so, please come into the BHS to meet him or call 323-5138 for more information. Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Timmy looks forward to meeting you! • Tomorrow is the day of the BHS Thrift Shop ‘Dogs Days of Summer’ (and cats, too) jewellery sale, from 10am to 2pm. There is a large selection and you’re bound to find something to suit your budget. All proceeds go to the Bahamas Humane Society. Also, mark your calendars for
PHOTO/PATRICIA VAZQUEZ
Animal matters Kim Aranha
Bingo Night on August 22 at 7 pm at the Green Parrot Bar & Grill. Join us for an evening of fun and help support the animals.
Make sure your pets have access to cool water at all times.
survive our extreme heat. Potcakes do what comes naturally and we scream blue murder because he lies happily covered in dirt under the hibiscus bush. My darling Chief, 11 years a pampered pooch, the epitome of the Bahamian potcake, still loves to dig himself a cosy hole under the jasmine bush whenever possible. He never gets yelled at, or for that matter, stopped. I have allowed him to choose one spot for his potcake hole and he knows that is where digging is permitted. Just to show how inbred this digging is, I will add that Chief has access to an air-conditioned house, cool tiles and sofas galore, but nothing beats a nice freshly dug hole in the humid earth. The transport of animals in the summer months must be very carefully monitored. Recently, the beloved pet pig of a former BHS inspector passed away from heat exhaustion after a long mail boat trip to the Exumas. Obviously there must have been little or no access to shade or coolness or water to drink. Trevor was alive when he arrived in the Exumas, but passed away a few hours later. It is a great tragedy and his owner was devastated to lose such a great friend. One thing that people tend to forget, especially with their dogs, is that the ground can become very hot, especially dark coloured tiles or asphalt. I recommend that before you put your dog’s food bowl down, take off your shoe and check if the ground feels hot on your bare foot. If the ground feels hot to you, it will feel hot on the dog’s pads. It’s not rocket science and saves great pain and distress for your hungry dog, who may burn his feet in order to eat. Hydration is so essential for every animal, including humans, though I may offend some by reminding them that we, too, are animals. You need to remember to drink lots of water yourself. Remember that if you wait until you are thirsty to drink it is already too late. Dehydration has a devastating effect on all bodies and can ultimately cause death, as we saw with the sad and recent story of Trevor. We can decide for ourselves and have copious quantities of water, but our pets depend on us to provide the water and shelter they need so much. The only responsible thing to do is make sure to provide that which they need. So in closing, the message to take away today is simple and very straightforward: Provide adequate shelter and water for every living creature that depends on you.
28 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, July 28, 2017
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