WHAT’S INSIDE JUNE 2015
features
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regulars Spa Experience ........................ 4, 5, 9 Dining.................... 4, 14, 29, 32-33, 50 Water Activities .. 7, 19, 25, 34-35, 37 Family Fun Page ............................. 36 Fitness……………………....... 37, 41, 44-45 Services..................................... 41, 45 Happenings ............................... 42-43 Events Guide................................... 46 Social Scene.............................. 47- 49 Entertainment............................... 50
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Father’s Day Gift Ideas .................. 12 TCI’s Dance Culture ....................... 16 Island Musician Lovey Forbes..... 20 Kalooki’s Island Recipe ….............. 28 Casablanca Casino ....................... 30
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Cover Photo captures one of the Turks and Caicos Island’s leading local musicians -Lovey Forbes
DESIGN • PRINT • PUBLISH
The Turks And Caicos Island Guide Is Produced By Coral Visions Ltd. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Telephone: (649) 347-9047. Email: TCIIslandGuide@gmail.com Web: TCIIslandGuide.com
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BY DAVID BOWEN As a country in the Atlantic Ocean that is zoned as part of the Caribbean and where there was a strong connection to the slave trade, it is quite natural that our local folk dance has its birth in the rhythms and movements of Africa. Our dance culture is peppered with Afro Caribbean dance steps and sounds that developed through the fusion of African movement and rhythms along with European folk music and dance steps.
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hay Shay is the name we call our local dance. Although the origin of the word is obscure, there is some evidence that it’s a corruption of the North American Square Dance term, ‘Sa-shay’, which means, ‘to walk in an ostentatious yet casual manner, typically with exaggerated movements of the hips and shoulders’. Shay Shay for a long time was never done openly. It took place behind closed doors, away from the eyes of children. It was only for grown folks. Its moves were centred around the rhythm and music of the Ripsaw band, also known as Rake & Scrape. Rhythms that inspired the moves came from instruments like the accordion, the acoustic or box guitar, the grever or the grater, the shakers or maracas, the harmonica or the comb and the goat and cow skin drums. The main instrument in the band is the carpenters saw. This saw is scraped with a piece of metal, usually a knife, to produce the unique music that is knows as Turks & Caicos Ripsaw. When the saw is scraped, bent and struck by a master saw player like Earl ‘Diamond’ Forbes, it is said to make the dancers hips ‘loose like the neck of a goose’. The use of the hip in dancing is a common African tradition where the pelvis is celebrated as the centre of the body. This is where life springs from. It is sacred. However in the
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Caribbean, this has evolved into the not so sacred and popular ‘wining’ that involves serious gyrations of the pelvis with lots of emphasis of the hips and buttocks and is sometimes seen as overtly sexual and suggestive. In 1991, the popular Soca song, Dollar Wine by Colin Lucas, brought wining to the main stream tourism market. It became a tourist anthem that was sung and performed in hotels, clubs and native shows right across the Caribbean region.
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aypole dance was also quite popular throughout the Turks and Caicos islands especially in Salt Cay. Since the 80’s, it was in decline but have started to make a comeback from 2001 due to the work by the Department of Culture which spare headed Maypole dance workshops in schools in Grand Turk and Providenciales. Cultural dance troupes and performing groups like Barbara Johnson’s, Turks and Caicos Folklore Explores and the Breezy Beach Dancers headed by talented Blue Hills resident, Sivil Dean-Morgan, have been showcasing Maypole dance at hotels and local festivals. Exciting performances and exhibitions by The Breezy Beach Dancers at the weekly Thursday Night Fish Fry has also been a huge hit, keeping the dance culture going. Other Turks & Caicos dance steps are the Shati, which is popular in the island of Salt Cay, the Conch Style of Middle and North Caicos and the Heel & Toe and Mash da Roach steps native to Grand Turk and South Caicos. Merengue, pronounced locally as ‘Maranga’ or ‘Marengi’, is also a fairly popular dance style that comes to us from the neighbouring Dominican Republic. All in all, Shay Shay, and dancing in general, is about expressing yourself and having fun. So the next time you hear the rhythm of a Ripsaw Band be sure to ‘shake your leg’, ‘yuk up ya body, ‘wine ya hips’ and ‘work up a sweat’ as you Shay Shay the night away. ISLAND GUIDE JUNE 2015 17
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Lovey ‘L Mozomdee’ Forbes
Spirited Island Musician
His love for music runs deep and his love for the Turks and Caicos Islands even deeper By Kandi Hariraj
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t almost 65 years old Lovey Forbes is an accomplished musician whose positive impact on local music and dedication to his homeland has earned him great respect and affection throughout the islands and beyond. His smooth island style sets listeners into a blissfully carefree mood with lyrics that leave a smile or chuckle, and sometimes even a pleasantly nostalgic feeling. His rhythms are aurally delightful, and uses a combination of sounds like TCI’s ripsaw with bits of calypso, reggae, jazz, blues, rock ‘n’ roll and other music genres. He even has an officially recognised name for his musical style since 1981 called Combina music. Lovey said that his style is a result of his love of different types of music. This way, he combines whatever sounds he wants “and just add a Turks and Caicos story to it,” he grinned. “I love country because when I was a little boy growing up the first radio we got played only a country station.”
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I was born into music… my Mother was a music teacher who taught vocal music and my Daddy was a sailor who would bring me back instruments from his travels. – Lovey ‘L Mozomdee’ Forbes
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Lovey said that his style is a result of his love of different types of music. This way, he combines whatever sounds he wants “and just add a Turks and Caicos story to it,” he grinned.
“I play reggae because that’s the thing now, calypso I love because I grew up partly in the Bahamas and it does something to my body.” With six albums recorded and a seventh on the way Lovey is still into his passion now as he always was. “And there’s plenty more that’s not even recorded,” he smiled. His songs about the islands has led to some of his most recognised musical accomplishments. He even received an award from the Queen of England. Lovey said, “I’ve received a badge of honour in March 2000 from her son Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, for singing about the Turks and Caicos.” Earlier this year he also received a medal for a Festorama culture award. Back in the ‘70s he was solicited by the first Chief Minister, JAGS McCartney to travel to Canada and lure vacationers to the islands with his contagious island rhythms and likeable lyrics. “In those days we were barely known by the British and Americans and no Canadians were here,” he said, but “from then the Canadians started coming.”
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is musical career is also one of giving back. Not regretting that he could have been more ‘out there’ he acknowledges that staying here in the TCI and having a direct role in the lives of young musicians is very satisfying. Music is his first love and can be traced all the way back to Whitby in North Caicos where the sounds of his mother’s singing and the country music station streaming from a small radio was as common as fishing for dinner. “I was born into music… my Mother was a music teacher who taught vocal music and my Daddy was a sailor who would bring me back instruments from his travels.” Lovey sang and learned to play the organ with his mother until his early teenage years when he started high school in Grand Turk (the capital) and got his first formal music training from a then leading local musician, Natheniel Selver. The budding musician even joined his first band – The Junior Brass and Reed Band - blowing the baritone horn. It was in Grand Turk that he really got to understand the musical sounds and started experimenting with
different instruments. Playing to him came easily and his love for the art increased. At age 15 he visited the Bahamas and saw for the first time someone playing set drums. Upon his return to the TCI he seized the opportunity to play when he saw it as part of the band. His skill increased and so did his confidence.
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hortly after, he joined his family in The Bahamas and went to music school. Mastering the organ, he joined a gospel band call the Cooling Waters and soon after got involved
with more popular bands. As one of the few organ players in Freeport in the 1960s Lovey was quickly recognised by big time musician Smokey 007. “I didn’t want to play with Smokey because to me at the time they were so advanced,” he reminisced. But fears aside, he not only joined Smokey 007 but often stole the spotlight with his enticing entertainment techniques and soon made a name for himself. “I had a lil show thing in me…I was an active young musician and that’s when I became famous,” Lovey said with a grin. “My spirit was so high I started playing the keyboard with my foot at a show in Bimny.” Soon the news spread and people were coming from all around to see him. “Once, in the Sugar Mills pub I played the keyboard with my whole body.” he said. His musical career was on the rise - writing, playing and recording. But something was missing. “I used to be writing songs about the Bahamas and these islands (Turks and Caicos) had no one writing about.” Nostalgia kicked in and in 1976 Lovey returned to the island of North Caicos and wrote his first song about his home called Whitby Paradise. “I came home to the Turks and Caicos and formed a band called Lovey and the Lively Stones.” “I used to have big shows and people would come out.” Lovey also started training locals to play musical instruments and to perform with them. He wants them to be become “leading and great Continued on page 26
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My spirit was so high I started playing the keyboard with my foot at a show in Bimny. entertainers to serve the Turks and Caicos Islands and the whole world.” Currently, Lovey can be found right back where he grew up - by the picturesque Hollywood Beach in Whitby, North Caicos. Apart from actively tending to his Hollywood Beach Suites property, Lovey’s creativity continues. He often still writes and plays music and has created an 18 holes circle putt golf game which he happily plays with visitors. He credits his creativity to a connection with a higher being and believes that he is being guided. “My inspiration comes from many different angles at any time but I usually pray because I want every song to come through God’s love and power,” Lovey said. Lovey can be found playing solo from November to April at Ms B’s Restaurant, with a band every other Saturday evening on Parrot Cay and occasionally in Providenciales. Other than that he can be found in one of his signature straw hats at his ‘Whitby Paradise’ home in the beautiful island of North Caicos. 26 ISLAND GUIDE JUNE 2015
Whitby Paradise
Written 1976 By: Lovey Forbes
Sitting in my doorway, catchin g the cool breeze Looking at the ocean, through the cedar trees. Playing on my guitar, to my heart’s content My mind goes so far, until the day is already spent. Chorus: Say, I’m gonna stay right her e, feeling so nice, Cause I know this place, to me, this is paradise I Say this is paradise, o o o yes, this is paradise. I’m talking about W-H-I-T-BY, Whitby Paradise W-H-I-T-B-Y, stands for Wh itby, on the island of North Caicos. Cleaning out my house now , cause I feel alright today, Looking for someone, to com e along the way. They’re coming on the plan e now, and the plane is here today. Now I want to get my house clean, so when they reach, the y’ll want to stay. Looking down the road now , I see a car driving in Someone is hailing me, and the face is full of grin So I’m going out to meet the m, and see who they maybe. oh wow, They look like my frie nds now, looking so happy.
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fter eight years of officially opening its doors in June 2007, the Casablanca Casino is still buzzing with excitement and is one of the few places on island still opened until 4am. With a selection of fun games, a well-stocked bar, late night nibbles, exotic themed events, birthday perks and month-end parties, the casino offers great entertainment in TCI’s not so lavish nightlife industry. Whether you prefer the thrill of slot machines or the excitement of table games, the 6,000sq ft space – located in the gorgeous Grace Bay – offers 12 gaming tables and 85 slot machines. You can play the latest and most exciting casino games including roulette, blackjack, dice, three card poker, texas holdem poker and more. With complimentary drinks while you play, free shuttle service for tourists and even locals, themed and party nights, you are in for an unforgettable experience. There’s even an ongoing treat for those celebrating their special day. As a part of Casablanca’s birthday promotion, when guests buy his or her age in play it is doubled. Also, a bottle of champagne and cake is on the house! This month the casino celebrates with an African theme and as part of their anniversary festivity on June 19, they even plan on having African dancers and food. Every month guests can look forward to a special surprise theme and if there’s a holiday you can bet there’s a correlating celebration with food, drinks and 30 ISLAND GUIDE JUNE 2015
even a DJ. Recently the 500,000 player was celebrated with a special prize. There has been a lot of winners lately and during the month daily winners even get entered into an end of the month draw for further winnings. However, the contagious excitement and hype was not always as consistent. Just after the establishment was opened the casino suffered a major setback. When owner, Andy Stephens, agreed to open up and run what was about to be the only casino in Providenciales back in 2006, he didn’t foresee the economic downturn nor the odds he’d soon be facing. About a year after opening the casino the economic
In 2007 the Casablanca Casino was the only casino on Providenciales
crisis hit along with the unstable political situation. It was very difficult to get through those years but since then we’ve been surviving, Andy said. Now, eight years later the casino has continued through the challenges and is going strong.
Welcome! Casablanca Casino is open from 4pm – 4am daily
he team of 25, which began with Andy, some of his crew from Europe and some local staff, has grown to now 52 employees, most of whom are local. Every staff member he said is involved in a big way and most of the employees have been there since they opened. They call themselves the Casablanca family. The casino supports a lot of charities on the island, often partnering with the Wine Cellar to raise money for sports and education. “The biggest tool we have for using this is the poker tournament which is run outside of the casino and is geared towards charities,” Andy
said. We raise tens and tens of thousands of dollars for charities and even support them by buying and wearing their t-shirts to work, he added. Their team is happy to play such a part in the development of the community and is also happy to be a part of the entertainment industry in Providenciales. Once the island picks up again they plan on increasing the size of the property with more entertainment, a nightclub and even a restaurant. But for now, with a range of games wide enough to please the casual or serious player, birthday specials, fun theme nights and parties, this casino is definitely one to visit, have fun and try your luck!
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Family Time! Can you find the 10 differences?
GARFIELD
Jim Davis
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Events
Guide
June 5-6
Rugby Legends Weekend 2015
June 13
Dance with Cinderella Father/Daughter Dance at Brayton Hall. 6:30pm
June 19
Casablanca Casino Anniversary Celebration at Casablanca Casino. 9pm
June 25-28
Summa Jam - Grand Turk
June 26-28
3rd Annual Fishermen’s Tournament - Grand Turk
SPECIAL DATES June 15 Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday June 21 Father’s Day WEEKLY EVENTS WEDNEDAYS Reggae Soca Sunset Cruise with Catch the Wave. Call 941-3047
Chicken and Rib night at Tiki Hut. Call 9415341
THURSDAYS Island Fish Fry at The Bight Park. 5:30 9:30pm
FRIDAYS
Steak Night at Tiki Hut. Call 941-5341 Steak and Shake at Big Als. Call 941-3797 Food and Live Music at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl. Call 941-3863
SATURDAYS Food and Live Music at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl. Call 941-3863
BBQ and live band at Kalookie’s. Call
SUNDAYS
Food and Live Music at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl. Call 941-3863
Send your upcoming events to TCIIslandGuide@gmail.com or call us on 347-9047 to have it listed here. 46 ISLAND GUIDE JUNE 2015
SOCIAL SEEN
Cancer Society F u n d r a i s e r s
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wo fundraisers for the National Cancer Society kicked off the month of May - the annual Walk/Run and Health Fair from Graceway Gourmet in Grace Bay to the International School in Leeward and back, and a golf scramble at the Provo Golf Course held under the tagline ‘Teeing for a Cure’. Both events were sizably supported by community members who came together in aid of raising funds to be donated to local patients.
Walk/Run Photos by NCS Committee Golf Photos by Spotlight Communications
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SOCIAL SEEN
Salt Cay’s
Payback Festival
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usic, food, culture and community pride highlighted the historic island of Salt Cay on May 9 as residents from sister islands stopped by for a day full of fun and giving back. The 2nd annual Payback Festival transformed the tiny isle’s general laidback atmosphere into a bustling day of festivities, and the biggest yearly event of the island. Photos by Anthony Smith (Blue Print Media) and Kier Adams
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SOCIAL SEEN
l Haitian Flag Day Celebrations
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aiti’s red and blue flags flew feverishly in downtown Providenciales on May 18 as the significant Haitian community and some island residents joined in celebrating Haitian Flag Day. Throughout the weekend leading up to the event, the country’s national pride was celebrated with a number of activities to observe the historic day.
Photos by Vivian Tyson, Jay Smith and Charlie MC Charlie
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