V living- Maxwell heads for St Lucia

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APRIL 3 - 9, 2014 THE VOICE | 19

Everything you need plus more

Maxwell

heads for St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival TRAVEL * ASHLEY THEOPHANE ON VEGAS, PEDICURES & FINDING HIS PROSTATE * MORE FASCINATING FACTS

20 | THE VOICE APRIL 3 - 9, 2014

Intrepid Traveller

MAXWELL HEADS STAR LINE UP AT ST LUCIA JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL

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n  all-­star  cast  of  acclaimed  musicians  poised  to  deliver  the  best  rhythmic  performances  alongside  artistic  portrayals  from  accomplished  artisans,  are  just  some  of  the  excitement  that  awaits  patrons  to  the  2014  Saint  Lucia  Jazz  &  Arts  Festival  later  this  month.

the  quaint  and  rustic  village  settings  of  Rudy  John  Beach  Park  in  the  southwest  village  of  Laborie,  to  indoor  concerts  at  popular  bays,  VKRSSLQJ PDOOV ÂżQH GLQLQJ restaurants  and  pubs  in  the  north;Íž  to  the  amphitheatre  setting  of  the  Fond  d’Or  Heritage  Park  in  Dennery,  the  entire  island  is  expected  to  come  alive  with  the  sights  and  sounds  of  the  festival. Â

The  highly  anticipated  23rd  annual  staging  edition  of  the  iconic  festival  was  launched  at  a  gala  ceremony  in  February  at  the  Sandals  Halcyon  Beach  Resort.  The  12-­day  festival  from  April  30  to  May  11  will  attract  thousands  to  the  historic  Pigeon  Island  National  Landmark,  where  main  stage  events  will  unfold.

Artistic  activities  will  incorporate  Drama  and  Dance,  Steel  Pan,  Spoken  Word,  Fashion  Shows  and  other  cultural  extravaganzas  at  key  venues  stretching  from  the  northern  town  of  Gros-­Islet  to  Vieux  Fort  in  the  South. Â

Tourism,  Heritage  and  Creative  Industries  Minister  Lorne  Theophilus  speaking  at  the  launch  said:  “This  year’s  event  is  building  on  a  resurgence  of  fresh  artistic  direction  infused  into  the  festival  in  2013,  thus  providing  the  perfect  opportunity  for  scores  of  local  artisans,  entertainers  and  cultural  enthusiasts  to  command  world  attention  at  scenic  vistas  across  the  island.â€?  0DQ\ ÂżUPO\ HVWDEOLVKHG community-­oriented  events  will  form  an  integral  part  of  the  two-­week  event.  From Â

Director  of  Tourism  Louis  Lewis  said:  “The  2014  line-­ up  is  an  exhilarating  mix  of  musical  genres  that  would  again  allow  the  festival  to  deliver  the  world  class  experience  for  which  it  has  become  renowned.â€?   Performances  at  the  Gaiety  on  Rodney  Bay  on  May  8  will  feature  Cuban  composer,  pianist,  bandleader  and  Grammy  nominee  Omar  Sosa  Quintet  and  three-­time  Grammy  award  winning  American  jazz  singer  -­songwriter,  as  well  as  Tony-­ Award  winning  stage  actress  Dee  Dee  Bridgewater.  Main  stage  activities  at  the  Pigeon  Island  National Â

soul  band  of  Motown  fame,  The  Commodores.  The  group  is  best  known  for  their  ballads,  such  as  “Easyâ€?  and  “Three  Times  a  Ladyâ€?,  but  has  recorded  funky,  driven  GDQFH Ă€RRU KLWV ZKLFK include  “Brick  Houseâ€?,  “The  Bumpâ€?,  “Fancy  Dancerâ€?,  and  “Too  Hot  ta  Trotâ€?.

Also  on  the  cards  for  Sunday  May  11  is  Jamaican  reggae  fusion  recording  artist  Tessanne  Chin,  best  known  for  winning  Season  5  of  the  American  reality  TV  singing  competition,  The  Voice. Â

STAR  MAN:  American  singer-­songwriter,  Maxwell,  leads  the  star-­studded  line  up  at  St  Lucia  Jazz  &  Arts  Festival  2014.  Landmark  will  sound  off  on  Friday,  May  9  with  the  aptly  themed  ‘Caribbean  night’.  Taking  to  the  stage  will  be  Trinidadian  string  band  Alternative  Quartet,  local  heartthrob  Teddyson  John  featuring  Alison  Hinds  and  Jamaican  reggae  and  dancehall  legend  Barrington  Levy.  On  Saturday  May  10  the  line  up  will  include  American  R&B  soul  singer,  songwriter  and  producer  Kem,  American-­born  Puerto  Rican  Grammy  and  Latin  Grammy  Award  winning  Merengue Â

singer  Elvis  Crespo.  His  smash  hit  ‘Suavemente’  has  become  an  anthem  for  Latin  music.  “Personally�  sealing  off  the  Saturday  line-­up  is  Nigerian  R&B  duo  P-­Square.   Headlining  the  Saint  Lucia  Jazz  and  Arts  Festival  is  American  singer-­songwriter,  record  producer  and  multi-­ instrumentalist  Maxwell.  Boasting  several  chart  toppers,  the  Grammy  award-­winning  artiste  music  spans  R&B,  Funk,  Jazz  and  Soul.   Festival  patrons  will  dance  and  sing  along  to  legendary  American  funk/

Other  musical  virtuosos  forming  the  2014  line  up  include  Jamaican  pianist  Monty  Alexander,  St.  Lucian  Expo  that  features  the  up  and  coming  emerging  talents  of  Michael  Robinson  and  Anesha  Antoine,  and  funky Â

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jazz  &  blues  band  Blue  Mango  featuring  Emiline  Michel  &  James  Germain.  The  Opening  of  Saint  Lucia  Jazz  &  Arts  Festival,  April  30,   is  carded  for  the  ‘people  auditorium,’  the  Mindoo  Phillip  Park  on  30  April.  The  line-­up  for  that  show  will  be  announced  later.   The  festival  is  presented  by  the  Saint  Lucia  Tourist  Board  and  has  a  range  of  sponsors  including  telecom  giants  Digicel.  Over  its  two-­decade  history  the  festival  has  attracted  some  of  the  most  recognisable  and  sought  after  names  in  the  music  business.

For  more  information  on  the  Saint  Lucia  Jazz  &  Arts  Festival  2014  along  with  show  dates,  and  venues  visit   www.stluciajazz.org. Â

FASCINATING FAST FACTS

Saint  Lucia  is  an  island  that  lifts  all  your  senses.  It  has  some  of  the  most  stunning  scenery  in  the  Caribbean  from  the  unspoilt  rainforests,  idyllic  bays  and  beautiful  palm-­ fringed  beaches  to  the  magical  Piton  Mountains.  Â

Visitors  can  relax  in  one  of  the  many  spas  on  the  island  and  be  enveloped  by  the  smell  of  essential  oils.  They  can  taste  the  delicious  food  at  the  Friday  night  barbecues  at  Anse  La  Raye  or  VDPSOH WKH )UHQFK DQG &UHROH LQÀXHQFHG FXLVLQH LQ WKH ¿QH GLQLQJ UHVWDXUDQWV DFURVV WKH LVODQG

Saint  Lucia  offers  a  wide  array  of  award  winning,  diverse  accommodation  from  boutique  hotels  and  all-­inclusive  resorts  through  to  spacious  villas  and  luxury  retreats.  Visitors  can  be  as  relaxed  or  as  active  as  they  want  with  an  abundance  of  activities  to  choose  from  including  zip-­lining  adventures,  bird-­spotting,  horse-­riding,  snorkelling,  a  Segway  tour,  and  whale  and  dolphin  watching. Â

There  is  something  for  everyone  whether  you  are  travelling  in  a  group,  as  a  family  or  a  couple. Â

FLASH  BACK:  Dancers  bring  rhythmic  delight  to  the  St  Lucia  Jazz  &  Arts  Festival  main  stage  last  year.

V Living

LONDON TO LAS VEGAS 8LISTLERI SR LMW PSZI JSV XLI VMRK TIHMGYVIW ERH SR à RHMRK LMW TVSWXEXI Words  and  photoshoot  by  Jacqueline  Asafu-­Adjaye Sponsored  Features  Editor

making  history  of  the  sport  of  boxing.  He  declared  himself  the  ‘Baddest  man  on  the  planet.’  He  also  won  the  crown  in  Las  Vegas  at  the  Hilton  Hotel.â€? Â

Ashley  Theophane Â

is  a  man  that  has  just  grown  and  grown,  talking  to  him  from  his  hotel  suite  in  Las  Vegas  -­  it’s  a  world  away  -­  from  the  grit  and  the  steely  sweat  of  Paddington’s,  cherished  All  Stars  boxing  ring.  After  some  jabbing  he  admits  he  is  still  a  bachelor  and  that  the  future  Mrs  Theophane  will  probably  arrive  when  he  is  ‘done’  with  the  game.  Surprisingly  Theophane  says  he  is  not  that  armoured  by  the  showgirls  in  Las  Vegas.  “You  want  me  to  talk  about  love?  Lets  talk  about  it  –  ZKHQ , ÂżUVW IHOO KHDG RYHU heels?â€?

I’m  all  ears,  Ashely  has  that  way  of  drawing  you  in,  although  it  soon  becomes  apparent  that  the  only  ring  he  is  engaging  is  the  one  that  takes  centre  stage  in  Vegas  next  month. Âł%R[LQJ LV P\ ÂżUVW ORYH , fell  in  love  with  the  game  on  Saturday  22nd  November  1986.  When  an  extremely  \RXQJ DQG GHÂżDQW ÂżJKWHU called  Mike  Tyson,  became  the  youngest  heavyweight  champion  of  the  world  -­ Â

When  asked  how  important  boxing  clubs  are  in  creating  champions  like  himself,  his  tone  changes:

Ashley  recalls  being  spellbound  at  only  six  years  old,  as  he  watched  Mike  Tyson  explosively  knock  out  Trevor  Berbick.

“I  came  from  a  humble  background,  my  mum  and  dad  weren’t  rich,  the  area  ,ÂśP IURP LWV FULPH ÂżOOHG ZLWK drug  dealers.

28  years  later  ‘Treasure’  Theophane  is  about  to  KDYH KLV VHFRQG ÂżJKW LQ /DV Vegas,  on  the  undercard  of  the  Floyd  Mayweather  vs  Marcos  Maidana  extravaganza  at  the  MGM  Grand  Hotel.

“All  Stars  Boxing  club  will  DOZD\V EH P\ ÂżUVW KRPH , was  there  at  the  start  of  the  year,  for  a  few  weeks,  the  owner  is  still  there.  They  have  helped  thousands  of  kids,  and  they’ve  helped  kids  who  have  had  hard  issues  to  deal  with.   I  think  that  David  Cameron  needs  to  back  them,  as  they  have  helped  kids  who  have  no  hope  and  who  have  no  positive  role  models  around  them.

“I’m  living  my  dream.  Many  scientists,  politicians,  lawyers  and  doctors  have  all  experienced  setbacks  on  their  path  to  achieving  their  ultimate  goal.  Boxing  is  no  different.  It  takes  time,  focus  and  a  good  few  years  to  achieve  ‘The  Dream’. “Amir  Khan  against  Lou  Collazo  is  the  recently  announced  chief  support  to  )OR\GÂśV ÂżJKW ,ÂśYH VSDUUHG Collazo  a  couple  times,  and  I’m  on  very  good  terms  with  his  team  as  they  tried  to  sign  me  last  June.  I  graciously  turned  down  their  offer,  as  the  number  one  boxer  and  highest  paid  sportsman  in  the  world,  Floyd  Mayweather  had  SURPLVHG PH WKH ÂżJKWV ,

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“It  just  proves  that  if  you  keep  focused,  and  you  keep  going  after  opportunities  and  you  take  them,  that  anything  can  happen  for  you.�

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crave  against  the  world’s  best.�

Ashely,  pauses  for  a  hot  second,  his  passion  for  the  sport  powers  through.  Undoubtedly  Vegas  has  been  good  to  him.

Adrien  Broner  is  billed  along  with  J’Leon  Love  opening  the  PPV  telecast.

Boxing  critics  are  anticipating  a  great  weekend  for  boxing  in  Las  Vegas  with  ,VKH 6PLWK ¿JKWLQJ DJDLQVW Lara  for  the  WBA  Junior  Middleweight  championship  at  the  Hard  Rock  Hotel  and  Casino.

Life  in  Vegas  for  Ashley  is  all  about  a  gruelling  training  regime  that  averages  out  at  around  24  hours  a  week.  In  response  to  what  his  typical  week  looks  like  he  says: “It  has  been  another  week  of  hard  work  and  dedication  LQ /DV 9HJDV 7KHUH DUH ÂżYH WRXJK ZHHNV OHIW XQWLO , ÂżJKW at  the  MGM  Grand  again.  Week  in,  week  out,  the  aim  is  to  be  better  than  the Â

week  before,  and  in  better  shape  and  closer  to  my  ¿JKW ZHLJKW 0RXQWDLQ UXQV track  work,  boxing  drills  and  strength  conditioning.â€? “I  can  see  why  very  few  ¿JKWHUV JHW WR WKLV OHYHO It  is  easier  said  than  done,  especially  given  the  VDFULÂżFHV \RX KDYH WR PDNH the  torture  you  have  to  put  your  body  through  and  the  mental  focus  you  need.  It  is  not  at  all  easy.â€? “I’m  training  with  the  No  1  boxer  in  the  world  Floyd  Mayweather,  in  Vegas  -­  he  signed  me  onto  his  promotional  team,  he  lines  XS WKH ÂżJKWV LWV JUHDW EHLQJ part  of  this  team  especially  as  when  I  was  a  lad  I  used  to  watch  them  on  the  big  stage  in  Vegas  and  now  like  I’m  part  of  it  -­  part  of  their  team.  They  are  like  my  friends  and  its  amazing  to  be  here  -­  every  day  I  wake  up  and  I’m  happy  to  be  here.   I  feel  blessed  that  I’m  here,  it  wasn’t  by  luck  it  was  by  sheer  hard  work  and  discipline.â€?

“Back  in  the  day  there  used  to  be  lots  of  boxing  clubs,  now  a  lot  of  the  kids  are  left  to  wonder  the  streets  and  if  they  are  left  they  are  bound  to  get  into  trouble.  “If  its  youth  clubs  or  boxing  clubs  the  government  should  be  getting  behind  them  -­  you  make  friends  and  meet  folk  from  all  walks  of  life  -­  from  Africa,  Asia,  race  doesn’t Â

matter  -­  boxing  clubs  bring  people  together  they  are  great  places.â€? “In  1988  I  walked  into  All  Stars  boxing  gym.  I  was  HLJKW \HDUV ROG , KDG P\ ÂżUVW DPDWHXU ÂżJKW DW \HDUV old,  I  was  training  for  many  \HDUV EHIRUH P\ ÂżUVW ÂżJKW just  perfecting  my  craft.   True  fans,  will  know  boxing  not  a  thugs  game,  it’s  a  physical  game  that  exacts  a   high  amount  of  mental  endurance  and  agility.  “I  one  hundred  per  cent  agree.   Floyd  says  every  day  its  all  about  being  smart  in  the  ring,   he  says  anyone  can  be  tough  but  it  is  the  smart  ones  that  go  far  -­  you  can’t  just  be  tough  he  says  being  smart  is  what  wins  world  championships. “That’s  coming  from  the  number  one  boxer  in  the  world  so  I  believe  him.

We’ve   had  Muhammad  Ali,  Sugar  Ray,  Mayweather  all  very  intelligent.�

THEOPHANE  TAKES  THE  CHALLENGE JAA:  7KDWœV ¿JKWLQJ WDON Ashley,  so  I  guess  you  are  ready  to  take  on  the  Men  United  challenge?

AT:  “Give  me  your  best  left  hook.�

PROSTATE FAST FACTS

One  in  four  Black  men  will  be  diagnosed  with  prostate  cancer  at  some  point  in  their  lifetime.  That  is  double  the  overall  1-­in-­8  risk  faced  by  all  men  in  the  UK.

Why  is  not  yet  clear  -­  but  may  be  due  to  genetic  changes  passed  down  through  generations.  Lifestyle  factors  like  diet  may  also  SOD\ D UROH EXW WKLV KDV QRW EHHQ FRQ¿UPHG 7KHUH is  a  great  need  for  more  research  in  this  area.

Other  factors  that  increase  your  risk  include  being  over  40  if  you’re  black  -­   and  having  a  close  relative  who  has  been  diagnosed  with  the  disease.

V Living Shares

ROUND 1 & 2: IT’S A KNOCK OUT Ashley Theophane takes Prostate Cancer UK challenge approximate size of the prostate?

AT: I think it’s a size of a pool ball.

JAA: You’re wrong, but at least they were not asking the size of something else – as I know you’re not going to tell me the truth on that one!

AT: Er umm yeah ...

JAA: Really?

JAA: Doesn’t sound like you are really a football man, but anyway…

AT: Yeah -­ so once a month I need to look after myself, my feet especially and my face gets punched a lot.

JAA: What’s your team?

AT: Tottenham Hotspur.

JAA: That’s a good team.

JAA: Ok another question, so which stadium could hold the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year, Villa Park (43,000), The Den (20,000) or Fir Hill (11,000) ?

AT: I think it’s the size of Villa Park, Aston Villa’s

Ashley Theophane won the British light welterweight champion from Lenny Daws February 2011, today he is in the ring for Men United Promotions as he agrees to take on the Prostate Cancer UK challenge: JAA: 1 in 4 black men in this country will get prostate cancer -­ what’s your reaction to that? Do you know where your prostate is?

AT: I know it’s in my bum or somewhere like that -­ am I correct?

JAA: Well, er…

AT: Am I correct?

AT: No way! Where is it?

Tell me! Tell me!

JAA: I can’t tell you! We are in the middle of the Men United v Prostate Cancer UK test -­ This is one of the most important areas of your body as a man. So take a second guess? You should know where your prostate is – come on!

AT: Wait, wait -­ I’m going to go onto Google right now to check.

JAA: Don’t be cheating -­ just take another shot.

AT: It’s not cheating I want

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ROUND 2 JAA: What’s your reaction to the statistic that 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer?

AT: Well it’s sad to hear this. I know that one of my family members is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. As a result prostate cancer hit my radar about six months ago and has been on my mind.

You just don’t want to lose your loved ones over this.

I’m eager to take the rest of the test out of sheer curiosity.

JAA: Okay, what’s the

JAA: Do you generally take care of yourself?

JAA: Are you a football man Ashley?

AT: (Laughing) -­ I’m not a football man but I do support my team.

JAA: I can say your prostate is certainly not in your bottom.

JAA: <HV LW¶V \RXU ¿UVW correct answer! You’re right, 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year.

AT: I try to get my facials now and then my manis (manicures), my pedi’s (pedicures). It’s kind of chillin…

AT: (Laughing …)

Interview continued from page 21

stadium – 43 000

I have to do these things.

It’s not just for women it’s for men as well. It’s just as important for us to take care of our bodies and our skin. So I get my weekly massages, and then once a month I get my manis and my facials as I said.

So I try to look after myself.

JAA: Right returning to the Men United quiz, how many black men do you think will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives?

AT: I know it’s 1 in 4. You

mentioned that statistic earlier. So I have been listening!

JAA: Yes you’re right -­ you just don’t want to be the one in four later in life.

JAA: The very last question, which football player could you buy with the amount invested in prostate cancer research in 2012? Alvaro Negredo, who cost £20 million;; Mesut Ozil, who cost £42 million or Gareth Bale, who cost £86 million?

AT: I think it’s Alvaro Negredo? £20 million.

JAA: You are correct! £21 million was invested in prostate cancer research last year, compared to £41 million spent on breast cancer research.

So you really didn’t do too badly -­ the only question you majorly got wrong was WKH RQH RQ ¿QGLQJ \RXU prostate. But next time we meet you are going to show me where it is -­ right?

AT: Lol yes!

For information on prostate cancer see page 11