CELEBRITY PUZZLES GARDENING MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY INTERVIEW
Weekend
Friday, October 13, 2023
Soul music UP-AND-COMING GOSPEL ARTIST DEBUTS HEARTFELT ANTHEM PG 03
PARIS FASHIONS PGS 08 +09
02 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, October 13, 2023
music
Bringing jazz back for the young and old By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net
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ADRIAN D’Aguilar
THE ENCORE Band
ringing back the grandeur of old school entertainment but performed by new talent, the upcoming Jazz In the Garden event seeks to fill a void on the Bahamian social calendar. 1er Cru on Gladstone Road, opposite Fusion Superplex, will play host to the first edition of Jazz in the Garden this Sunday, October 15, from 6pm to 10 pm. It will feature artists Adrian D’Aguilar and The Jazz Cats, trumpeter Giveton Gelin, saxophonist Kellie Mackey, The Central Drive Collective, The Encore Band, Akia Knowles, Mark “ The Performer” Knowles, Lamont Gibson, and pianist John Gray. Roscoe Dames, who has produced major jazz festivals in the Bahamas, will be hosting the event. “We wanted to do a throwback event for those persons that enjoy live music; the more seasoned and 60s’ and 70s’ babies that were used to having live bands and music,” said Georgette Dahl, producer of the event. She hopes Jazz in the Gardens can successfully expand on the limited entertainment offerings for a particular crowd the event is expected to attract. “In this country, we do have some wonderful up-and-coming jazz musicians that have actually bloomed. We will be featuring such a great artist who has put us on the stage for jazz, and that is Adrian D’Aguilar; our key feature,” said Georgette. “We want to do something very similar to Jazz in the Gardens that happens in Miami, but the difference for this one, it is our first one and we didn’t want to over-saturate with too many people. We have three bands that are playing, and depending on how this turns out, we are hoping to host on a bigger scale as a day event where we can have multiple bands,” she said.
THE CENTRAL Drive Collective
Jazz in the Garden, said Georgette, will offer a big band atmosphere, similar to what you could find in the popular clubs of yesterday like The Cat and Fiddle and The Drumbeat Club. “We want everyone to know, locally and internationally, that the Bahamas has great talent,” she said. ‘We are going to be starting from classical jazz to contemporary jazz, going straight into how jazz fuses in with pop. We are actually going to end with a dance to show you the whole history of jazz. We are also featuring our legends of music in the Bahamas and their influence on this type of genre as well. We are featuring persons like Ronnie Butler, Tony McKay, Blind Blake, Freddie Munnings, Paul Hanna, and more. All of them that would have contributed to the young folk’s music that is coming up.” Georgette said young Bahamians can also enjoy this event. “I have a 25-year-old daughter and she is excited about this…I am a jazz fanatic and she would always ask me to stop playing it. We had an event this past May that featured jazz and she actually said it was great. She developed an appreciation for it. jazz goes through so many genres and has an influence on every type of music. In jazz, there is something called scatting where a person’s voice immolates an instrument, which is almost like rapping,” she explained. Georgette said she hopes to foster a love of jazz in newcomers to the genre. “If we get one or two young persons that say they want more of this, then we would feel as we’ve been successful,” she said. Jay Jay Percentie, the event’s planner and producer, said Jazz in the Garden will be an elegant event. “It is definitely going to be one where we are expecting people to wear their best because it is that type of evening,” he said. He added that it will be interactive experience which social media influencers can enjoy as well. “We have a backdrop which is 8x16 of the jazz legends that will also have a red carpet, just to create that ambience. We have a celebrity chef, and he is going to be doing everything from lobster rolls to the tuna tartars,” he said. Tickets are $50, which includes a glass of wine.
The Tribune | Weekend | 03
Friday, October 13, 2023
music
Music student and gospel artist releases new anthem for the soul By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
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ahamian gospel artist AmberLayne Miller is releasing her debut single which she hopes will become a heartfelt anthem for believers everywhere. “My Soul Will Sing” is the name of the new single which carries message that his close to the singer’s heart. “The song carries a profound message of unwavering faith and trust in God. It reflects the many trials and tribulations faced and conquered with the help of faith,” she told Tribune Weekend. Amber-Layne writes all her music with the belief that gospel music’s power comes from its ability to change hearts and minds. This is always at the forefront of her songwriting process. The creative process behind this latest single, she said, was a “deeply personal one.” Amber-Layne said she experienced a moment of doubt and confusion that led her to question her purpose here on this earth. However, in the midst of her struggle, she heard a melody in her head rushed to record it, which ultimately became the chorus of “My Soul Will Sing”. With the guidance of producer Sherwin Gardner, the song came to life in just two recording sessions.
Ultimately, Amber-Layne hopes her debut single will inspire listeners to worship God “through life’s storms and trials, even when things seem uncertain. “ Influenced by gospel artists like Todd Dulaney and inspired by worship leader Chandler Moore, Amber-Layne said she strives her sound to be a refreshing blend of melody and honesty. Amber-Layne is currently a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but her musical journey began much earlier. She was only six years old when she first stepped onto a stage. Her deep passion for music, coupled with her faith, has guided her throughout her life. When asked about the inspiration behind her debut single, she explained: “I was inspired to release this song because I knew that this song wasn’t mine to keep. I know that this song is meant to remind people all over the world of how amazing God is and to encourage them to truly know Him for all that He is.” Her new single represents a departure from her previous work, showcasing her versatility as an artist. She hopes “My Soul Will Sing” will make a powerful impact on the gospel music scene.
Two weeks to Tarrus Riley live in concert With only two weeks remaining, the excitement is building for the Tarrus Riley concert set to be hosted at the New Nassau Port Amphitheatre. The show is being hosted in celebration of 100 Jamz’s 30th anniversary. Tarrus Riley’s music is beloved globally. He has fans everywhere and a following of over 2.3 million on Facebook and 900,000 on YouTube listeners. His songs “Stay With You” and “Gimmie Likkle One Drop” are relatable - regardless of your age, and appeal to new and faithful fans. Powered by the Secret Promotions and Foreign Currency Promotional Companies, the concert also seeks to further showcase the beauty, ingenuity
and creativity that the Bahamas is known for. According to Fernerin Hanna, CEO of Signature Productions, the management company for the event, the idea is to ensure everyone will have a safe and memorable experience they will never forget. Tickets can be bought online at www. signatureproduction.net or at the box office located in Radio House on Shirley Street. They can also be purchased at Aliv stores located in Harbour Bay and Cable Beach, as well as in Abaco and Grand Bahama. For more information, WhatsApp (242) 805-0390 or email info@ signatureproduction.net or subscribe on www.signatureproduction.net.
04 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, October 13, 2023
interview
Straw Market Authority is on a fact-finding mission to help revive the country’s most traditional industry Straw work is the Bahamas’ most enduring craft, but one which may soon be lost if certain measures are not taken to ensure the continuation of this tradition. Cara Hunt speaks to an executive from the Straw Market Authority to find out how the age-old skill of straw weaving and plaiting is being preserved and promoted.
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he tradition of straw work, or plaiting, has been practiced in the Bahamas for centuries. The weaving of straw for utilitarian purposes, to make baskets for carrying fruit and other vessels, came to the Bahamas via the enslaved African people who came with their Loyalist owners from the Carolinas in the United States. Today, there has been a decline in both those who collect the necessary raw materials and the vendors who sell straw work and souvenirs. To stem and even turn this tide, the Straw Market Authority is hard at work to revive the country’s straw industry by identifying Bahamians from all over the country who are skilled in the craft. The fact-finding mission under the theme “Bridging the Islands Through the Straw Industry” came after New Providence vendors stated that they had noticed a decrease in the availability of straw for their stalls. The Downtown Straw Market falls under the portfolio of the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs. The Authority governs all government-owned straw markets throughout the country. Its function is to ensure that all straw markets are operating within their guidelines. It is also assists with promoting straw markets on New Providence and throughout the Family Islands. Barrington Carter, the executive chairman of the Straw Market Authority, said his office recently conducted a survey with the vendors. “The results showed that the majority of their raw materials came from other islands such as Grand Bahama, Exuma, Andros, Eleuthera, Cat Island and Long Island, so it was decided to conduct a fact-finding mission and tour these islands,” he told Tribune Weekend. To date, the Board has visited Grand Bahama and Exuma and is scheduled to visit Andros in mid-October. “Our visit to the Grand Bahama Port Market was a great experience. There were approximately 50 well-organised booths that sold a variety of souvenirs. However, there were only about five stalls with straw as a part of their inventory,” said Mr Carter.
BOARD members of the Straw Market Authority pose with local straw vendors in Exuma
The Tribune | Weekend | 05
Friday, October 13, 2023
“The stall with the most straw was an 80-year-old woman who advised us that she cannot make the straw products quickly enough before they are sold. She added that her children and grandchildren were not interested. “Another visit to (the Freeport area) revealed that while there were 12 vendors, there was one vendor who had a limited straw inventory. The Board observed that due to the lack of raw materials on that island, that vendor was unable to increase her straw inventory,” he said. The Board’s second trip was to the Exuma. Mr Carter said this was the island that produced and specialised in silver top plaits, straw baskets and the designer straw bags. “The trip was a rewarding one. However, the Board was surprised that there were less than 12 persons plaiting straw. When asked what the issue was that resulted in this fact, everyone we spoke with stated that many of the younger persons had left the island to reside mainly in Nassau for a better way of life. As a result, the older persons were unable to go into the field to secure the necessary materials such as the silver palm. They had to wait until someone was able to supply them with top, as it is called,” he explained. “A few older persons were found with plaits, two in Barraterre, two the way headed to Williams Town and a 97-year-old woman named Miss Jolly, her son and daughter in Williams Town, who the Board made contact with.” Mr Carter said the visits show that there are enough straw workers on the Family Islands who can supply straw to New Providence, particularly since
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He said one of the benefits of the visits is that they can identify vendors who can then supply product to New Providence. “What we are hoping is that this will be a beneficial exercise for everyone. The vendors in Nassau will be able to secure what they need by purchasing it from the vendors on the Family Islands and that will provide a source of income for those vendors, which is lacking since the tourists aren’t coming in as much as they would have liked. Additionally, what we also want to do is arrange to have some of the Family Island vendors be able to sell some of their products in Nassau as well on a rotating basis,” he said.
STRAW Market Authority Board members speak with 97-year-old straw vendor Miss Jolly in Exuma some of their own islands do not have the level of tourist traffic they would like. While there are a significant number of older vendors who can supply straw, there will eventually come a time when they will not be able to continue to do the work. Mr Carter noted that this is why another essential component of the trips is to speak with young residents, their parents and officials to find ways to encourage them to learn the skill.
STRAW Market Authority Executive Chairman Barrington Carter with Minister of Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey
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06 | The Tribune | Weekend
Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.
20 Troubles years getting 26 27 Down:blurred 1 Statement, memory initially (6) H B K M A A D K D 2 Operation, 4 Bait, 23 Loud demand includes large Friday, OctoberE13, 2023 T F G U U Q E X bottle (5) 5 Extra, 6 Stolid, 7 Oral, N S R Q D G V D X 9 Felon, 11 Revue, I A W N N E L H C 12 Diffident, 13 Heartless, M E A U L O X U TA Y 17 Lilac, 19 Nettle, 22 Valet, 23 Tomb, T N L C C O N P R E 32 24 Silo. L S K E G N E S S
THE ALPHABEATER
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Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday
● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)
HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in S permitted’. TODAY’S TARGET Good 13; very good 19; excellent 25 (or more). Solution tomorrow
Call 0907 181 2585 Yesterday’s for today’s Target solution
*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone Sudoku Answer company’s network access charge.
BATTLESHIPS CRYPTIC PUZZLE Across 1 The colour of a Dutch house (6) 4 Begins hunting like a seawolf (8) 9 A tenant as the French understand (6) 10 One ordered to be silent (8) 12 Craft articles of little or no value (4) 13 Army group threshing crops (5) 14 Pass for a mere youngster (4) 17 Worn by a scholar - a pioneer in education? (6,6) 20 Equestrian costumes or customs (6,6) 23 A lonely one lacking a supporter (4) 24 Extra quarter to trim off (5) 25 Long story about a very enjoyable occasion (4) 28 Dust it and French polish half of two-man show (8) 29 Denial involving one among beasts (6) 30 Follower lacking in discipline (8) 31 Corrects a conclusion in writing (6)
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Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Crawl, 4 Stammer, 8 Boo, 9 Cacophony, 10 Absolve, 11 Angle, 13 Evince, 15 Seance, 18 Basis, 19 Remnant, 21 Ostracism, 23 Own, 24 Mockery, 25 Crypt. Down: 1 Cabbage, 2 Acoustics, 3 Local, 4 Sucker, 5 Appease, 6 Moo, 7 Rhyme, 12 Genealogy, 14 Cascade, 16 Extinct, 17 Brainy, 18 Bloom, 20 Mimic, 22 Tic.
Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Uncle, 4 Eyewash, 8 Ult, 9 Architect, 10 Present, 11 Ivory, 13 Drills, 15 Inlets, 18 Arena, 19 Thimble, 21 Good habit, 23 Asp, 24 Endorse, 25 Ridge. Down: 1 Usurped, 2 Catherine, 3 Erase, 4 Excite, 5 Edition, 6 Awe, 7 Hotly, 12 Overboard, 14 Leather, 16 Steeple, 17 Stable, 18 Angle, 20 Inter, 22 Odd.
EASY PUZZLE
Across 1 Kind of summerhouse (6) 4 Signal that danger has passed (3,5) 9 Affix (6) 10 Pretentious (8) 12 Votes cast against motion (4) 13 Passive form of protest (3-2) 14 Cultivate (4) 17 Opportune corrective measure (6,2,4) 20 Comparative trivialities (12) 23 Stringed musical instrument (4) 24 In weak health (5) 25 Forbid authoritatively (4) 28 Flower of genus Narcissus (8) 29 To experiment with (3,3) 30 Traveller on foot (8) 31 Frank (6)
Down 1 Pleasure (8) 2 German airship designer (8) 3 Adhesive quality (4) 5 Remaining undecided (4,2,3,3) 6 Ship’s complement (4) 7 Necessitate (6) 8 Make many holes in (6) 11 Staff in national administration (5,7) 15 Barely sufficient (5) 16 Friendship (5) 18 Carry out successfully (4,4) 19 Various (8) 21 Secretly follow and observe (6) 22 Cunning (6) 26 Spanish painter (4) 27 Surface measure (4)
FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off. Solution tomorrow 1
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The Tribune | Weekend | 07
Friday, October 13, 2023
entertainment
A musical festival for ‘nontraditional’ Bahamian artists gets international support By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
W
hat started out as a small concert event to give Bahamian artists outside of the rake n’ scrape genre a platform to perform has now morphed into a successful series which will host a new musical festival with an international partner next weekend. “The Pyromania III” event returns on October 20 and will be held at Kamalame Place, Soldier Road, starting at 7pm. Bahamian artist Zaafira, in collaboration Soundwaves Original, teamed up with the French company “3615BEBOP” to launch the music festival. Various music acts will take to the stage, addition to DJ Suze & L.CTRL all the way from Paris, France, to close out the show with a “set from out of this world.” The lineup also boasts local artists like Zaafira, Chase Fernander, It’s Dia, Judah Tha Lion and others. Pyromania was started by Zaafira in conjunction with Tim Daniels, founder of the Soundwaves Group. She started the event in 2021 as a way to not only showcase her own talents, but to create a stage for other Bahamian artists to perform and build a following. Xavier Moga, founder of the French company that is partnering with Pyromania organisers, expressed his excitement for being a part of the event. “3615BEBOP is very excited to collaborate with Zaafira on such an endeavour in the Bahamas. We hold ourselves to a high standard of production in France and look forward to providing the same level of entertainment for our first event in Nassau,” he said. Over the years, Pyromania has become a safe haven for artists who Zaafira said are “typically not regarded as Bahamian artists because they do not create rake n’ scrape or calypso music.”
“However, these very same artists create music that can rival many international artists on the world stage. They’ve become a fastgrowing community of individuals
Things to do this weekend Œ 5HORYHG %DKDPDV 3RS 8S 6KRS Reloved Bahamas is inviting all looking for fabulous finds at hosting its pop-up shop on Saturday, October14. The event will be held at the Cocoplum Bistro near Lyford Cay from 10am to 2pm. “Giving your favourites a second chance” is the motto of this
that dare to stand out from the crowd,” she told Tribune Weekend. “By mixing sounds that are familiar with international influences, the goal is to introduce a
unique style of event to the Bahamas.” Zaafira is a singer-songwriter who has worked behind the scenes in the industry since 2013. She has deep roots in the Bahamian music industry, coming from a long line of musicians, starting with her distant cousin, world-renowned Bahamian musician Joseph Spence. She has co-written songs made famous by artists like Julien Believe and Dyson Knight. After making the decision to go mainstream, she has graced many stages both here at home and abroad. Attendees at this year’s concert will get a first-hand experience of the energy Zaafira and the other artists will bring to the stage. “In travelling the world over the past year, I’ve been exposed to many ways in which we as a nation can grow creatively, inspiring me to make Pyromania III, the first of many music festivals. The goal is to make this event a creative tourism hotspot, encouraging festival lovers the world over to visit us for a chance to experience what Bahamian creatives have to offer,” she said.
online consignment business which sells gently used highend fashion via Instagram and pop-up sales. Proceeds from the event benefit the Cancer Society of the Bahamas. Visit @ reloved_bahamas on Instagram. Œ )XVLRQ 9, ň 5HJJDH YV 6RFD Concepts & Nemiroff Vodaks presents “Fusion Reggae vs Soca” tonight at Fort Charlotte from 8pm to 2am. The event will feature Selecto Ty, Ovadose, Selector 3D. Concepts is a company that takes pride in its history of celebrating the rich tapestry and power of reggae music through
its iconic One Blood series. For Fusion VI, attendees can expect the best of reggae and soca from the ‘80s, ’90s and 2000s.
10 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, October 13, 2023
gardening
Seasonal gardening and companion planting
G
ood day, gardeners! It’s still hot out but by now you really ought to get going if you want to get a jump on the vegetable season. I’m in the process of finishing a raised bed project for a customer, and we are at the point now of selecting which plants go where in the raised bed. It is important to look over a companion plant list, there are herbs and vegetables that grow well together, and there are herbs and vegetables that do not grow well together. Here are some examples of plants that complement each other: Tomatoes go well with basil, asparagus, carrots, anything in the onion family, lettuce, parsley, and spinach. Peppers go well with basil, onions, spinach, and tomatoes. Green beans go well with corn, marigolds, nasturtiums, rosemary, broccoli, anything in the cabbage family, cucumbers, peas, and radish. Lettuce goes well with mint, chives, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots,
corn, peas, radish, and marigolds. Some examples of plants that do not do well together: corn and tomatoes, pepper and cabbage, sage and cucumber, potatoes and zucchini, beans and onions, asparagus and broccoli. There’s a ton of info available as to the benefits or negatives in companion planting for the greatest success, I recommend that you look into it before planting. Be sure when planting a fresh garden bed for vegetables are herbs that the soil is not compacted it ought to be able to crumble in your hands and break up easily. If you do have compacted soil, you could simply add a bag of a loose or coarse soil mix, and mix that in to the existing soil. Many vegetables will not use much more than 8 to 12 inches of root space but ideally the depth of the garden bed will be twice that depth at least. Another thing to consider is the crop length of the plants that you intend to grow. Consider the amount of light that is received in the area that you plan to plant. Tomatoes
BASIL makes a great planting companion for tomatoes.
really prefer full sun as do cucumbers, cabbage and peppers. Crops such as kale, cilantro and many of the other herbs, and most certainly lettuce all prefer some amount of shade, especially in the mid day hours between noon and 3Ppm. Also, be aware of the amount of water that crops are going to need. It is not recommended to plant some thing like thyme, or rosemary, both of which prefer it on the dryer side, next to something like lettuce or tomatoes really that prefer a lot more water when it comes to watering be sure to be regular. Remember that cracked tomatoes and tomato blossom end rot are both exasperated by inconsistent watering patterns. It’s also time to think about flowering annuals and perennials. Of
course, some make good companion plants for vegetables and herbs, such as marigolds and nasturtiums. Others are simply aesthetic and serve to beautify the garden, the landscape or the yard. By having flowering annuals and perennials planted nearby vegetable and herb crops, it helps to attract a greater number of pollinators, which can help to increase the yield of vegetables. A good principle from permaculture to consider is to place the herb and vegetable garden as close to the kitchen as possible. The concept is to use as little energy as possible to source the materials that are used in the kitchen from the garden. Do you have pesky pets that may disturb the vegetable garden? You may consider placing a boundary around it, chicken wire, or some form of boundary to prevent dogs and cats from getting in and taking away from the work that you’ve done on the garden. Rats and raccoons both also can be problematic and birds pose problems for some as well. There is not that much that can be done regarding the birds other than possibly to put chicken wire or nothing around plants. That may be a target for them. Outside of the vegetable garden, it is a good time to apply fertilizer, it is a good time to prune or thin out trees, and it is a good time to cut back hedges, shrubs, or specimen plants. Whatever it is, that you choose to grow the season, I do wish you all the best, and remember, that gardeners enjoy sharing knowledge and tips or tricks of the trade. Joining a gardening club, or visiting a reputable garden center and asking questions may yield positive results, I wish you well in your objectives for this growing season and as always, I wish you happy gardening. UÊ `> Ê À > Ê ÃÊÌ iÊ ÕÀÃiÀÞÊ > >}iÀÊ>ÌÊ ÝÊ Ê ÕÀÃiÀÞÊ Ê iÀ >À`Ê, >`°Ê9 ÕÊV> ÊV Ì>VÌÊ ÊÜ Ì Ê> ÞʵÕiÃÌ ÃÊÞ ÕÊ >ÞÊ >Ûi]Ê ÀÊÌ « VÃÊÞ ÕÊÜ Õ `Ê iÊÌ ÊÃiiÊ ` ÃVÕÃÃi`]Ê>ÌÊ}>À`i }Ó{ÓJ} > ° V °
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Friday, October 13, 2023
film
Movie Review: In the elated ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,’ every seat is the best seat in the house By MARIA SHERMAN AP Music Writer TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR RUNNING TIME: 168 MINS
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t opens with a clock counting down until show time — the dropped stomach, rollercoaster slowly encroaching its apex sensation — and then, a gentle fake out. Taylor Swift is heard before she is seen. “It’s been a long time...” her voice carries. Then the drop hits: an abridged performance of “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” into “Cruel Summer,” a track that TikTok breathed new life into four years after its initial release on her 2019 album “Lover.” This is the moment it should become clear: “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” film is a near exact replica of her blockbuster concert performance, which recaps all 10 of her studio albums across 17 years of recorded work. There will be no narrative breaks, no behindthe-scenes footage, no additional ornamentation of the monolithic set (with the exception of a few CGI effects and album title cards to introduce each epoch.) The film delivers on the promise of its title: this is the Eras Tour in full — conveniently viewable at a local cinema. For those who’ve managed to snag tickets to the Eras Tour concert, it is the ability to relive the experience, likely with loved ones who weren’t as lucky. For those who didn’t attend, it’s a chance to test expectations versus reality. But for everyone, it is the opportunity to have every seat in the house transform into the best seat in the house. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” is all up close and personal footage from every vantage point, courtesy of Sam Wrench, who shot and directed it. Where else but in this film can you be placed inches from Swift’s mosscovered “evermore” album -era piano as she introduces “Champagne
TAYLOR Swift arrives at the world premiere of the concert film "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" on Wednesday at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Problems” — so close as to examine phalanges as they press down on the final notes of the song’s coda? And where else does it sound this good, highlighting sonic details that might’ve been missed in the stadium setting? Like guitars placed high in the mix on “Look What You Made Me Do,” differing slightly from the recording, or emphasis placed on moments fans have transformed into opportunities from insider participation, like when everyone shouts, “1, 2, 3, 4, let’s go, bitch!” in “Delicate,” as inspired by a viral video? Edits to the three-and-a-halfhour concert production are few on screen. Costume changes are cut down. Some songs are snipped, like “The Archer,” “Cardigan,” “Wildest Dreams,” and “no body no crime.” The “Speak Now” section is just one song long: “Enchanted,” with “Long Live” soundtracking the end credits alongside images of “Eras Tour”
bloopers and an endless exchange of friendship bracelets. On stage banter, too, is limited, mostly reserved for humor and exposition. As previously reported, the concert film, compiled from several Swift shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles, is expected to launch with $100 million, or possibly more. Advance ticket sales worldwide have already surpassed $100 million. AMC announced that the concert film broke its record for highest ticket sales revenue in a single day. The theatre chain Cinemark reported domestic pre-sale records are more than “10 times higher pre-sales than any other cinema engagement event.” It’s too early to tell, but all signs point to her usurping 2011’s “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” as the biggest concert film, ever. And for the premiere Wednesday night in Los Angeles, Swift shut down
The Grove, a bustling mall just south of Hollywood, and watched her performance in an auditorium alongside a star-studded audience of Beyoncé, Adam Sandler, Mariska Hargitay, actor Julia Garner, “Queer Eye” co-host Karamo Brown, country star Maren Morris, singer Hayley Kiyoko and Bachelor Nation’s Becca Tilley. It is massive, but nothing could exactly recreate the decibelbursting exhilaration of a live music performance, particularly one at this scale. But in this format, Swift gets as close as possible — and for her, being an exception to the rule is par for the course. In a fractured, algorithmic music industry, Swift is a final exemplar of monoculture, a figure recognisable by most. And because of that fact, she’s able to fully communicate her power in a concert film with little to no dialogue.
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Friday, October 13, 2023
literary lives – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
From child prodigy to musical legend – Part II moved to an expensive apartment, and bought a fine fortepiano and a billiard table. They sent their son Karl Thomas to an expensive boarding school and kept servants. The saved very little of this income. He became a Freemason, which played a significant role in the remainder of his life.
Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about the prolific Austrian composer who, despite his short life, produced over eight-hundred works acknowledged to be pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic and choral repertoire.
Mozart produced only two unfinished operatic works between 1786 and 1787, concentrating instead on his career as a piano soloist and writer of concertos. He moved away from keyboard writing and began his famous operatic collaboration with the librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte. 1786 saw the successful premiere of The Marriage of Figaro in Vienna. Its warm reception in Vienna and later in Prague led to a second collaboration with Da Ponte: the opera Don Giovanni which premiered in Prague in 1787, and in Vienna in 1788. The two operas are among Mozart’s most famous works and are mainstays of operatic repertoire today, despite their musical complexity.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s career in Vienna started well. He performed as a pianist before the Emperor and soon established himself as “the finest keyboard player in Vienna”. In 1782, he completed the opera Die Entf hrung aus dem Sereil which premiered on July 16, 1782, and established Mozart’s reputation as a composer. Rejected by Aloysia Weber, Mozart now turned his amorous interests to Constanze Weber, the third daughter of the family. It was a challenging task as he had to get his father’s permission for the marriage. After a brief separation, they were finally married in St Stephen’s Cathedral on August 4, 1782. His father’s consenting letter arrived a day after the wedding. The couple had six children, of whom only two survived infancy. In 1782 and 1783, Mozart became intimately acquainted with the work of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. This was possible because Mozart was able to get and peruse manuscripts of the great masters owned by Gottfried van Swieten. Study of these scores inspired compositions in Baroque style and later influenced his musical language, as for example in fugal passages in Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and the final Symphony No 41. In 1783, Mozart and Constanze visited his family in Salzburg. The visit prompted one of Mozart’s great liturgical pieces, the Mass in C Minor. Though not completed, it premiered in Salzburg with Constanze singing a solo part. Mozart met Joseph Haydn in Vienna in 1784 and they became friends. They sometimes played together in an impromptu string quartet. Mozart’s
Mozart’s father died on May 28, 1787.
MOZART wearing the badge of the Order of the Golden Spur which he received in 1770 from Pope Clement XIV in Rome six quartets dedicated to Haydn (K.387, K.421, K.428, K.458, K.464, and K.465) date from 1782 to 1785 and were a response to Haydn’s Opus 33 set from 1781. “Posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years. I tell you before God, and as an honest man, your son is the greatest composer known to me by person and repute. He has taste and what is more the greatest skill in composition.” – Joseph Haydn Letter to Leopold Mozart, 1785 Mozart held sacred concerts between 1782 and 1785 featuring himself as a soloist, and presenting three or four new piano concertos in each season. The concerts were popular and developed a harmonious connection between the composer and his audience. With better financial returns the Mozarts adopted a more luxurious lifestyle. They
In December 1787, Emperor Joseph II appointed Mozart as his “chamber composer”. It was a part-time appointment, paying just 800 florins a year, and required Mozart to compose dances for annual balls in the Redoutensaal. This modest income became important to Mozart in hard times, and prevented him from leaving Vienna in pursuit of better paying prospects. In 1787, the young Ludwig van Beethoven arrived in Vienna hoping to study with Mozart. There is no record of them ever having met. Towards the end of the 1780s the AustroTurkish war had a marked effect on the economy of Austria. The Viennese aristocracy no longer had the means to support music, and Mozart’s circumstances worsened. He suffered a sixty-six percent decline in his income and did not appear in public concerts. He was forced to move from central Vienna to the suburbs in Alsergrund. He began to borrow money, mostly from his fellow mason Michael von Puchberg. Mozart suffered serious depression and a pitiful sequence of letters pleading for loans survives. His musical output slowed. He made journeys to Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin and Frankfurt, hoping to improve his fortunes in 1790. Major works
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Friday, October 13, 2023
He was interred in a common grave (not a pauper’s grave) according to Viennese custom. The causes of Mozart’s death are not certain but seem to include rheumatic fever, streptococcal infection, mercury poisoning, and a kidney ailment. Despite his modest funeral, memorial services in Vienna and Prague were well attended. In fact, his reputation rose considerably. Biographies were written by Schlichtegroll, Niemetschek and Nissen, and publishers competed to produce complete editions of his work. *
CONSTANZE Weber-Mozart in 1802. She became her husband’s biographer and was instrumental in securing his legacy
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*
Mozart was not above criticism. Glenn Gould, the renowned Canadian pianist, wrote a highly controversial article How Mozart Became a Bad Composer, originally broadcast on Public Broadcast Library in 1968. His unpopular opinion was not solely reserved for the music of Mozart, but also an explanation for his performance of Brahms First Piano Concert in 1962, which was so extraordinary that Leonard Bernstein, his conductor, felt it necessary to warn the audience beforehand. He wished to invest his analysis with his appreciation of Mozart’s artistry in the midst of tonal, choral and modulatory imperfection. He analysed a few passages in Mozart’s C minor piano concerto, drawing a conclusion that Mozart had become a caretaker of old techniques, rather than an original composer. Gould’s argument was that Mozart’s earlier works were to him more interesting as youthful experimentation for
expressive purposes, compared to his later mature works, which were unworthy of the puffery that uncritical adulation heaped upon them. Criticism aside, it is difficult to overstate the importance of Mozart in the history of music. Many later composers have been influenced by his work: Beethoven, Wagner, Mahler and Richard Strauss among others. His music, like Haydn’s, stands as an archetype of the Classical style. When Mozart began composing, European music was dominated by the style gallant, a reaction against the highly evolved intricacy of the Baroque. He was a versatile composer and he wrote in every major genre, including symphony, opera, solo concerto, and chamber music. “It is through recognising the violence and sensuality at the centre of Mozart’s work that we can make a start towards the comprehension of his structures and an insight into his magnificence. In a paradoxical way, Schumann’s superficial characterization of the G minor Symphony can help us to see Mozart’s daemon more steadily. In all of Mozart’s supreme expressions of suffering and terror, there is something shockingly voluptuous. – Charles Rosen American pianist and author The Classic Style Mozart also had a gift for absorbing valuable features in others’ music. As a child he met Bach and heard his music. In Italy he encountered Italian overtures. In London he was influenced by the “Galant Style” – simple light music, with a mania for cadencing. As he matured, he progressively incorporated more features adapted from the Baroque. He often substituted his focus between operas and instrumental music. The operas he created in each of the prevailing styles: The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi fan tutte, and Die Zauberflöte are the most famous by any composer.
during this perilous time included the last three symphonies (Nos. 39, 40 and 41) in 1788, and the last of the three Da Ponte operas, Cosi fan tutte, which premiered in 1790. In 1791, Mozart’s final year, was one of high productivity. He composed a great deal including the opera The Magic Flute; the final piano concerto (K.595 in B flat; the Clarinet Concerto K.622; the last in his series of string quartets (K.614 in E flat); the motet Ave verum corpus K.618; and the unfinished Requiem K.626. His situation seemed to improve and some of his wealthy patrons in Hungary and Amsterdam pledged annuities in return for occasional compositions. He began to pay off his debts. The public success of some of his last works gave him considerable satisfaction.
His advances in sophisticated use of the orchestra in the symphonies and concertos influenced his operatic orchestration to great psychological effect, and was reflected in his later non-operatic compositions.
While in Prague for the premiere of his opera La clemenza di Tito, Mozart fell ill, although he continued to conduct the premiere of The Magic Flute on 30 September 1791. His health deteriorated however, and on 20 November he was bedridden suffering with swellings, pain and vomiting.
The first edition of the complete catalogue of Mozart’s works was published in 1862 by Ludwig von Köchel, and has since been repeatedly updated as scholarly research has improved knowledge of the dates and authenticity of individual works.
He tried to finish his Requiem, but died in his home on December 5, 1791. He was thirty-five years old.
DETAIL of portrait of Mozart by his brother-in-law Joseph Lange
UÊ- ÀÊ À ÃÌ « iÀÊ" `>>Ì iÊ ÃÊÌ iÊ>ÕÌ ÀÊ vÊ The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has µÕ Ìi`Ê LiÀ> ÞÊvÀ Ê7 «i` >°
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Friday, October 13, 2023
history
The Masonic Temple – Bay Street’s most classical building
I
n a booklet entitled “Royal Victoria Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons No 443”, T A Thompson gave the following pre-construction report about the building on the southern side of Bay Street, between Charlotte and Parliament Streets: “The contract [for £4,255, to build the temple] was signed on March 1, 1892, between Joseph Elias Dupuch, architect of the one part and Alexander James Thompson, Francis Jessamy Aranha and Aaron Thurston (who had been elected in place of E J Dupuch) Trustees on the other part. Brother Aranha, the Superintendent of the construction, has given his views on the matter. His letter in which he repeated these views is quoted in full: UÊÓä°Ê££°ÊnÓÊ Ê/ ÊÌ iÊ/ÀÕÃÌiiÃÊ vÊ the Masonic Building Funds Sir & Bro. In reply to the communication addressed to me on the 8th Nov/81, requesting information with regard to the Erection of the Masonic Temple and asking my opinion, I wrote in answer as you will see in the accompanying - I now beg to state that, I still hold to my opinion therein expressed - viz. That the Building was not adapted nor is in any way calculated for a Dome. The large spread of the building, 55’ x 45’, and the thickness of the walls of the upper Storey, 18”, render it not sufficiently strong to support the Roof with the addition of a Dome of such dimensions and of such height. Besides, I cannot see, nor find out for what purpose, or use is this Dome, unless it be to display our Pride, ignorance, and folly, and to make us the laughingstock of the community, after a Gale of Wind Let us not forgot the Hurricane of 1866, in which Trinity Chapel was blown down, in consequence of the enormous height of its roof. Then let us consider that if this Building were to meet with like fate what could be the damage done by its downfall to the neighbouring buildings and for which we may become responsible. I doubt not, even now, that Mr Weech on the Eastern and Mr Hilton
PAUL C ARANHA
FORGOTTEN FACTS
NASSAU’s Masonic Lodge
on the Western side will enter a protest against the erection of this Ornamental Dome. And further, even supposing that it would stand a few years without damage, would it be wise that we should take the monies that will accrue from the rents of the building to pay workmen, every two or three years, to put up scaffolds, and hang ropes to repair, paint and keep in good order this Ginger-Bread work of a Dome, merely to please and gratify our Pride and the Eyes of the Public? I am sure this was never the intention of the Masons who so nobly and freely contributed for this work - No matter how strong may be the framing and putting together of this Dome, that very strength will render it too powerful for the 18”-walls and the 15”-gables and will prove to be like putting new cloth into old garments. Everything looks very pretty on paper but it will be like the Dandy’s watch and Chain, more for ornament than for use. No one seems to consider for one moment what the height of this
building will be with this dome on it. It looks, as I said before, very pretty, on paper, and it pleases the eyes. But what of its strength; what of its durability; what of its safety; what of its usefulness? No one thinks of, no one cares for that. No one will deny that I (although one of the Trustees and having some knowledge of Mechanic) never was on any single instance consulted on the Drawings or any opinion asked on any part of this work. The question ought to be, will it pay; will it bring in an income sufficient for the increased salary of the Tyler, or its Keeper, or who will attend to this Dome, Keep the glasses clean from dust; or shall he be paid from the funds of the Lodge or from the rents of the building? Had I not been appointed to Inspect the works, I never would have said a word more than I did, on my reply to the Delegates on the 11th Nov/51. But now my interest and reputation are at stake, and I do now testify that I have no part in the adoption of the Dome, and though I may stand alone, it will be with a clear conscience and clean hands.”
– (Signed) F J Aranha NOTE: The Trust Fund originated in 1844. Brother Aranha was Worshipful Grand Master Ê£nÇÓ]Ê£nÇÎ]Ê£nÇnÊ> `Ê£nnä°Ê Ê 1882, F J Aranha was appointed Superintendent of the Work, with a V «i Ã>Ì Ê vÊË£xäÊ«iÀÊ> Õ °Ê The Civil Engineer of the Colony, who designed the dome, reconsidered the matter and came to consider the dome unsafe and, in March 1883 the Masons decided to dispense with the dome. The contractor deducted £216 from the contract price. The shops on the ground floor were ready to rent early in 1884. On April 1, 1884, the eastern shop was leased to H E W Kemp for £66.1.4 per annum and the western to Brown & Musgrove for £85 per annum. UÊ ÀʵÕiÃÌ ÃÊ> `ÊV i ÌÃ]Ê « i>ÃiÊÃi `Ê> Êi > ÊÌ Ê Ã > `> À > J} > °V
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Friday, October 13, 2023
history Animal matters Kim Aranha
A letter from the Rainbow Bridge Hi, Mum! Wow, it’s been so long since I have written to you, but don’t worry, I have been watching you every day, and everybody else in the family who has been travelling around the place. Looking down at the world from up here is so much fun. We have this cool thing called a “human-tracker”; we just code in our humans from our nose recognition talents and suddenly we can see where you all are. You know, our super cool sniffing ability didn’t ever leave us; it comes up here with us. The cool thing is I cannot only see where you are, but at the touch of a button I can transpose myself down to where you are. Hee-hee; you don’t know it, but I am right next to you quite often. Remember the day you were flipping through photos and you thought you saw a photo of me? Yes, well, I wanted to be visible to you for a moment. You were so surprised. Ha! I can just see it now, flip, flip, flip…stop… and you looked at that photo several times muttering how much it looked like me, Chiefie, and it was me. I thought I looked pretty wonderful in it, didn’t you? It’s fun that we can do so many things up here like that. We call them “miracle moments”. It was so nice to see you smile, Mum, I remember how you used to put your arms around me and give me the best hugs and I would lick your face.. remember, Mum? You really loved me a whole lot. (Buddy and Boss have just come up and are looking over my shoulder while I write this, and they say you loved them a whole lot too, which is true).
PET OF THE WEEK
Bimini and Bailey By The Bahamas Humane Society Bimini and her pups were left at Animal Control but brought to the Bahamas Humane Society, as Bimini was a good candidate for adoption, a very friendly, outgoing dog who cared a lot for her pups. Sadly, Bailey was the only pup to survive, but she’s as outgoing as her mother. Bimini’s around two years old and Bailey is three months. Both are looking for a home of their own, not necessarily together. Bimini is friendly with other dogs, not so much with cats, and loves humans. She’d be great in a home where she’d be going for walks. Bailey is young and smart and trainable so would suit pretty much any home. If you’ve been seeking a companion, come to the BHS and meet them or call 325-6742 for more information. Bimini and Bailey look forward to meeting you! UÊ iÊ> `ÊÃiiÊà iÊ vÊÌ iÊ -Ê >` «Ì Ê> > ÃÊ>ÌÊ-Õ«iÀÊ6> ÕiÊ `i Ê >ÌiÃÊÌ ÃÊ->ÌÕÀ`>Þ]Ê"VÌ LiÀÊ £{ ÊvÀ Ê££> ÊÌ ÊΫ °
(PHOTO/LINDA GILL-ARANHA)
A 2009 oil painting of the “Rainbow Bridge,” by artist Stella Violano Hey, Mum, the last time I wrote I think Roger had just arrived and joined security and Roxy had just arrived, too. What a pair they are;
reorganising everything. The funniest was that Roger just couldn’t get over the chew stick trees and the treat bushes. Roxy ate
so much at the beginning; she could barely get up. We laughed so hard. You know she runs and plays like the wind, that girl! Nimba’s plans for her to help with special needs new arrivals is working out very well indeed. She takes those who need to get reacquainted with having no handicaps. It takes a while, like getting my own leg back. She knows all about being disabled, so she can relate to their stories of before. Oh man, Roger and his wings! He wanted a spotted pair. Well, up here they are all gossamer white with a sparkle on them. There was a bit of a discussion with St Peter, Nimba, Gabby, and even Buddy the peacemaker chimed in. Finally, Gabby persuaded Roger that he looked very dashing with gossamer wings that sparkled. He is flying quite well now; has just started doing loops, crashed the first few times, but he’s got it now. He says he was a boat dog when he was on earth, so all this sky stuff is new to him. He is so proud to be the face of OP’24 (I was a bit jealous, to tell the truth, but he explained that he was rescued during Operation Potcake in 2013, so I understood). I see you bought some new plants for the garden; I like the variegated leaves; they add a bit of a pop to the back. I was down for a few minutes to have a word with Garmin. Mum, do you have to go out every time he and Bella go in the garden? He says you have become a helicopter parent and it is driving him mad. He says he only picked up that baby bird because he knew it needed help and he will absolutely not pick up a cane toad if there were ever one on our garden. He says you have to stop fussing. It’s funny; the little band of my best friends up here all say that their families fussed over them. I get it, we are so special to you and you are special to us. We never left because we wanted to, but we are doing really well in the Rainbow Bridge and love watching over you all. Oops, I have to go. I forgot I promised I would help Nimba with the new arrivals programme. Heck, just had to duck as Roger flew over low…crazy place here. ÛiÊÞ Õ]Ê Õ t qÊ iwiÊÝ Ý
16 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, October 13, 2023
entertainment
Wine & Art Festival kicks off holiday festivities By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net
K
icking off the holiday season 2023, the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is gearing up to host the 31st annual Wine & Art Festival this weekend at The Retreat Garden on Village Road. The members-only event will be held tonight and then the festival opens to the general public on Saturday and Sunday, from 12pm to 7pm, with an after party from 7pm to 10pm. The Wine & Art Festival is a celebration of the Bahamas’ natural and cultural heritage and an important fundraiser for the BNT. All proceeds directly support the management of the national parks, of which there are currently 33, covering more than two million acres of land and sea. The festival will offer three unique experiences, so organisers are encouraging people to go for an “all access” pass to get the most out of the event. The main Wine & Art Festival provides unlimited tasting of a hand-picked collection of more than 60 wines from all over the world. The Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge serves chilled glasses of luxury champagne and unlimited champagne cocktails. Meanwhile, the Heineken Beer Garden After Party offers unlimited Heineken and other beers. “No matter what experience you go with, you’ll have the chance to explore the creative crafts of diverse artists, enjoy live entertainment, indulge in culinary delights, and, of course, try lots and lots of wine,” said Leah Carr, BNT Communications Officer. Looking back at the origins of the festival and its tremendous growth over the last three decades, Leah told Tribune Weekend: “Wine & Art was one of the first festivals to pair wine and art in the Bahamas. We started with about 20 displaying artists and now we’re proud to have over 40 artists and vendors who will be participating this year and showcasing their
unique artwork and products. We’ve also grown from being a one-day event to a full weekend event, and every year we bring on new sponsors, partners and experiences. We have our amazing title sponsor, Commonwealth Brewery Limited, generous partners, sponsors, BNT members, and patrons to thank for their hand in this growth.” Leah said the event “exists to celebrate Bahamian culture and talent.” “It provides a platform for local artists and businesses and exposes the diversity of local cuisine and
international wines and spirits,” she said. “What I’m most excited about this year is 700 Wines and Spirits will have a retail store on-site offering a 20 percent discount on wines and champagnes featured at the event. After the event, we always send a post-event survey to all attendees. We look forward to hearing what our patrons felt and experienced at the festival,” said Leah. She said the festival attracts a diverse audience of residents and visitors; “it appeals to anyone with a passion or interest in art, culture,
wine, culinary exploration, or the environment. Because at the end of the day, that’s what the event is about.” The Bahamas’ national parks, Leah said, aren’t just scenic landscapes; they’re vital ecosystems that protect the country’s unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. They safeguard endangered species, connect people with nature, enhance local communities, and bolster the economy. “The funds raised at the event enable our work of managing these parks, protecting endangered wildlife, providing visitor facilities, and conducting essential monitoring and research,” she said. “Every art piece admired and every glass of wine savoured at Wine & Art directly contributes to our mission. Additionally, (the festival) provides artists and small businesses with a platform to showcase their talent and generate income, helping to sustain and encourage the development of local industries, particularly art and entertainment,” she said. To learn more about the Wine & Art Festival 2023 and for ticket information, visit the official event website at bntevents.com. To find out more about the role the BNT plays in managing terrestrial and marine national parks, conserving wildlife and informing environmental policy, visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow/ subscribe to its various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.