By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer |
Miss Bahamas Universe top 5 delegate wins international pageant
ONE thing Bahamian beauty queen Alexandria Pinder wanted to do while representing on the world stage, was share her empowering testimony of learning how to walk again after a life altering accident and encourage those with whom she had an audience that “therapy heals”. Alexandria did much more than that, as she captured the crown and Ms International World 2024 title.
Hosted on board Margaritaville The Islander Cruise, Alexandria shared her beauty, brains and empowering platform which propelled her to success on the global stage.
Alexandria competed against 20 other delegates around the world.
Being named winner of the pageant was a truly momentous occasion. For the past few years, Alexandria had been recovering from a motorcycle accident that left her unable to walk. Reaching this pinnacle in her pageantry career reflected her faith and will to preserve.
She decided to enter the Miss Bahamas Universe pageant placing in the top five of the competition. This meant Alexandria had to represent The Bahamas in a global pageant event.
“From the start, I knew I had a purpose, message and testimony to share with the world. I entered this pageant with confidence, humility, my faith and platform...Thereapy Heals,” she said. Her platform is focused on inspiring people to seek therapy to heal them in all all areas of life: physically, mentally, emotionally and physically.
“I had a point to prove,” Alexandria told Tribune Weekend.
Before the accident, Alexandria, an on air radio personality at a local station, was named Top Model Worldwide International in 2022.
And one year later the beauty queen who was used to strutting runways could no longer walk let alone wear high-heeled shoes.
“I was determined to walk and wear high-heeled shoes again.”
The doctors told Alexandria being able to walk would have been a two-year process. She was walking within three months.
“This was nothing short of a miracle. It had to be.
“I taught myself how to walk again and it was not an easy process at all. I had days where I felt loss and I had days where I was a sunlight. It was a challenge but I knew I wanted to walk again and walk in heels again,” she said.
Once Alexandria’s mobility returned, so did her desire to accomplish various goals.
Alexandria has a very productive schedule that enhances her characteristics throughout life. She’s a qualified media personality with an associate’s degree from The Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institution, a fashion model, digital creator and an on-air personality. She is locally recognised as “ACE” - one of the top radio hosts and upcoming red-carpet hosts at 103.5FM The Beat. Over her career, she has interviewed students, political leaders, CEOs, creatives, celebrities and many more.
Alexandria is passionate about chasing her dreams to become a motivational speaker - she has also launched several businesses including Ace Point Promotions, Ace PRO Visuals, Moti-Vacation with ACE, Travel with ACE and Natural Rootz. She is also the official organiser of the Great Bahamas Shootout Pool Tournament, which hosts safe, fun and competitive sporting events in The Bahamas.
Lighting the FUZE art
By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net
WITH a vibrant blend of Caribbean artistry and Bahamian culinary prowess, the Bahamas Culinary and Arts Festival hosted at the Baha Mar resort last week, proving that Bahamian culture is ready to dazzle audiences worldwide.
For five unforgettable days, Bahamians and international visitors wandered through breathtaking art installations at the Fuze Caribbean Art Fair, marvelled at mouthwatering creations at the Culinary Expo, and mingled with local artists and chefs sharing their talent on an elevated platform.
In a setting that exceeded all expectations, FUZE unfolded under a state-of-the-art tent. With natural skylighting and full air-conditioning, the structure itself became a metaphor for Caribbean art, traditional, yet transformed.
Featuring over 40 regional artists and galleries from 14 countries, FUZE set the stage for conversations between Bahamian and Caribbean art and a diverse audience eager to experience new perspectives. Just next door, the Bahamian Culinary Expo at the Baha Mar Convention Centre enticed festivalgoers with live music, food and drink tastings, and a showcase of local culinary vendors eager to serve their signature flavours.
As a reporter on the scene, I was able to speak with several participants, each bringing their own unique touch to the festival. Jordanna Kelly, assistant director of the Current Art Gallery at Baha Mar, shared insight into her own piece at FUZE - a suspended masterpiece made from 10,000 coloured plexiglass discs, mirror acrylic, and translucent layers, rising 15 feet above and capturing light in a dazzling array of colors.
“It’s been a massive undertaking. I still can’t feel my hands and feet, just the amount of times being up on the ladder. I was like sleeping probably
four hours each day to get it done.
I had a team to help; my mom, my sister and a friend. It’s a complete family thing,” Jordanna told Tribune Weekend, as her installation casted a rainbow glow that drew audiences throughout the weekend.
She said persons are already hoping the piece, which is called “The place where light and colour dance”, ends up in an airport or boutique hotel where it is sure to be viewed often.
As part of the FUZE team, Jordanna said the entire turnout was amazing. Speaking to her three days in, at the same she said there were about 500 people coming in and out of the space just on the first day alone.
“Everything’s been so well received. We have we’ve expanded so much from last year. It’s not just Bahamian artwork. It’s artwork from across the region. We have people from Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, Cuba, Martinique, Canada. There’s so
many people coming from abroad and it’s just like has such a big spotlight. It’s it’s unbelievable. I feel so grateful and honoured to have my work in the show. Like this is worldclass this is a like next-level,” said Jordanna.
Over at the Central Bank Art Gallery’s booth, Ivanna Gaitor, Assistant Curator, presented the work of the late John Beadle, one of the Bahamas’ iconic artists.
“We’re so honoured to be able to participate in Fuze this year. All of the pieces that you see on display are works from the Central Bank’s Art Collection that the Bank has acquired over the course of John Beadle’s creative career,” Ivanna shared, as attendees admired the vibrant pieces on display.
It was clear that John Beadle’s spirit and vision still resonate deeply within the community, adding a profound layer to the festival’s artistic offerings.
“Fuze has been awesome and it’ll
only get better from here. When I attended last year as just an attendee spectator, I had a really great time, and now this year participating as an exhibitor is awesome just to be able to meet other exhibitors, other artists, other curators and other art professionals from all over the region,” said Ivanna.
For Daniela Bosco, at the OCAD booth, it was a complete joy to be exhibiting with works all the way from Toronto Canada.
“I get to be here to work with Ilene Sova, who runs a programme with Antonius Roberts. They’re both of Bahamian descent, as you know. And they run a programme around the topic of sacred space. And so we have students from OCAD come here and learn about Antonius’s way of community working and really listening to your artistic voice and executing that,” said Daniela.
She said FUZE was a beautiful show, calling it an elevation of art work.
JODI Minnis speaks at the Fuze ‘Artist Talk’.
“ We’re really happy to be here. It’s nice and busy. And people are nice. The feedback is great. That’s another thing. Like in North America, often with art fairs, people don’t engage. They look, they don’t come up to you, they’re snooty. But here people engage. Like they want, they want to know, they have questions, they want to tell you what they like, you know, it’s just beautiful. Like if I could just work here, I would. I mean, all my friends back home are jealous. This is where I’m working for the week,” said Daniela.
As attendees explored FUZE, they were treated not only to mesmerising art installations but also to insightful programming and artist talks that ran throughout the weekend.
One such discussion, titled Commercial Galleries in the Caribbean Context, shed light on the unique hurdles Caribbean galleries face.
Bahamian artist Jodi Minnis took the stage to discuss her experiences
at TERN, a gallery she has been deeply involved with since its opening in 2020.
Jodi explained, “When you’re trying to work with others in the region, there are so many restrictions around shipping.”
She highlighted how shipping costs play a significant role in determining who the gallery collaborates with and how they navigate those partnerships, even affecting their participation in international art fairs.
“Even when we decide to do international art fairs, shipping work out of the country as well, it also imposes a challenge. So, we say globally in the gallery that it’s easier for people to travel than art, so we have to be a little bit more strategic when it comes to that,” said Jodi.
This conversation offered attendees a glimpse into the challenges Caribbean artists face as they strive to reach broader audiences. It was a powerful reminder that events
like FUZE do more than showcase art, they create spaces where artists can share their journeys, sparking meaningful dialogue and fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s artistic landscape.
In the Culinary Expo, Bahamian vendors took centre stage, offering tastings that celebrated the Bahamas’ culinary and art heritage. Shauna Ferguson of Bahamadise showcased her popular Sky Juice, a festival favorite. As she served up glasses of the refreshing drink, she remarked, “I got to meet so many people and connect with a lot of persons to get them to try my brand. There is so much positive feedback.”
For dessert, Taja Monroe of Mudda Freeze proudly introduced visitors to the brand’s Sea Grape Vanilla Cherry ice cream, a clear winner among festivalgoers.
“ I think that this is a great opportunity for Bahamians to try and experience new and different things.
A lot of people are smaller businesses, and they don’t have a lot of financial help to put their brands in bigger spaces like this. So this space that was created for us all is important,” said Taja.
Adding a touch of spice to the event was Manjit Pawar of Taj Mahal, whose Tarka Dal drew enthusiastic feedback.
“The truth of the matter is, me personally, my business is on Bay Street. So, this gives me the platform to come out here and mingle with the people who stay out west. And that’s really one of the reasons that I did it, to get the audience out here.
“I get to teach them about dishes like this, which is a yellow lentil soup with no meat. It’s filled with ginger, garlic and turmeric,” Manjit shared, noting that the festival offered her a rare opportunity to share her creations with an international crowd.
Walking through the festival, it was evident that FUZE and the Culinary Expo offered more than just entertainment, they were a testament to the Bahamas’ cultural vibrancy and the global appeal of its artists and chefs.
One festivalgoer I spoke with shared: “I’ve been here for three days straight, and each time I find something new to admire. This event is a game-changer for our local creators.”
In showcasing Bahamian art and cuisine on a world-class stage, the Bahamas Culinary and Arts Festival at Baha Mar demonstrated just how much the country has to offer. As the event closed, many attendees expressed hope that this celebration would inspire more such initiatives, paving the way for Bahamian artists, artisans, and chefs to continue sharing their stories with the world.
• See centre spread for more on the festival
IVANNA Gaitor speaks to Fuze patrons at the Central Bank booth.
JORDANNA Kelly’s “The place where light and colour dance”.
DANIELA Bosco speaking to Fuze patrons.
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.
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
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.
THE ALPHABEATER
CAN you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid number represents a letter – or black square. As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet is used. But you have to complete the grid too! Use the given letters and black squares below the grid to start. The grid is ‘rotationally symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the same if you turn the page upside down. Solution tomorrow
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
across: Stiletto, Brutal, Shallot, Buy, Tile, Roach, Nation, Darkness. down: Marzipan, Exactly, Vend, Berserk, Quality, Entrench.
The garden community
Good day, gardeners. What are you growing this season for eating? Are you trying your hand at something different or new to you?
As gardeners and farmers very well know, growing the same crops year after year can present its own set of challenges, ones that can vary year to year.
Often, it is as if we decide, yeah, I have enough challenges already, why bother growing something else to compound those challenges?
Scale insects, aphids, whiteflies and mealybugs, borers and beetles, caterpillars, and stink bugs, and so on, or one that is exceedingly difficult to contend with: nematodes. Who needs more of a challenge than that?!
I’ve attempted my hand at so many different types of edible plants that I’m having a hard time finding others that will survive in our climate. One of the most consistent methods of deciding what to grow is through using a list of companion plants.
Companion planting is the practice of growing one plant to help another as part of a community. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are noticeably more resilient and productive when each member supports the next.
The benefits can be one-way, such as when nectar-rich flowers planted around fruiting crops like tomatoes improve insect pollination, or reciprocal, such as when the famous Three Sisters of corn, pole beans, and squash are grown together for mutual benefit.
By growing communities of plants that are known to support each other, you can save a lot of time and potential heartache. This is nature’s way of minimising pest damage, boosting soil fertility, reducing weed competition, and, ultimately, increasing yields.
Productive gardens cultivated with companion planting in mind also tend to look better, too! Knowing which plants grow well together is helpful. This is a tried-and-tested way to reduce pests, attract pollinators, and boost growth!
Here are common examples: Tomatoes and basil are natural companions in the kitchen and garden.
DILL is not just a great plant to grow to add to your kitchen stocks - it is also a great way to attract lady bugs, and keep aphid and mealy bug numbers down.
Basil repels certain insect pests, such as thrips, and also disorients moths that lay tomato hornworms. Aphids severely crimp your crop! But aphids can’t stand garlic. With this in mind, garlic planted as a barrier makes crops less vulnerable to pest attack.
For example, grow potatoes between rows of garlic — it serves as a pungent bodyguard. Garlic has never performed all that well for me, but it will grow well enough for this purpose.
Potatoes are a bit of a novelty and do not successfully produce in our climate but it can be fun to harvest some small fresh potatoes. Nasturtium flowers grown close to kale, cabbage, broccoli, and any brassica plants will lure hungry caterpillars away from eating your crops.
One of my favorites to plant as a pest control is dill. Dill attracts
ladybugs which are voracious predators of aphids as well as immature stages of soft scaled insects such as mealy bug. Lady bugs are a gardeners best friend. Be sure to know what immature lady bugs look like so that they can be promoted instead of destroyed.
I can’t get enough of basil this season, it is my favorite for the moment.
I’m curious, with the potential for thrips on citrus that transmit the bacterial Huanglongbing disease which is lethal, if planting basil all around may deter them.
It may be worth a go. But that’s
what it’s all about, trying new things, planting in combinations that are novel and thinking out of the box. It takes that sometimes to learn new methods or to improve on old proven methods.
Whether you’re bold enough to attempt new combinations and methods, or conservative enough to stick with the plan of tried and true, any time not gardening is time that’s being given away!
Get out there and get your hands dirty, it’s not only good for your health, it can help provide healthier foods for your family and friends.
As always, I wish you happy (companion) gardening.
A taste of culture
By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Reporter| acadet@tribunemedia.net
ACROSS four days, festival-goers at this year’s Bahamas Culinary and Arts Festival at the Baha Mar Resort were swept into an immersive world of Bahamian and international artistry, from interactive craft workshops to celebrity chef meet-and-greets, each experience designed to inspire and engage.
On the scenes as a Tribune Weekend reporter, I had the chance to dive deeply into the festival’s offerings, leaving with not only unforgettable memories, but also hands-on skills in crafts and culinary arts.
One of the highlights of my journey was a straw craft workshop that brought me closer to Bahamian culture through hands-on artistry. Led by local artist Carolyn Wright, the workshop welcomed participants to craft their own bookmarks from natural straw materials.
With Carolyn’s guidance, and a little help from her husband and daughter, our group learned the intricate process of weaving, knotting, and adding a tassel to complete our personalised designs. In a quick interview before the class, Carolyn shared that this was her first time leading such a workshop and that she was initially nervous. Yet, her love for promoting Bahamian straw craft fuelled her enthusiasm, and she was thrilled to bring this experience to the festival. As I etched my name onto my bookmark, I felt a personal connection to this unique piece of Bahamian heritage.
hands-on session allowed
us to explore the art of model printing, using natural leaves as our creative base. I bonded with a fellow attendee, and together, we laughed over our mutual lack of experience while experimenting with colours and textures.
My piece featured shades of gold and black, while my new friend created a vibrant mix of her favourite colours. Our “masterpieces out of a mess” became a testament to the spirit of exploration and creativity that defined the weekend. She shared that taking an intimate class amidst the busy festival weekend was a welcome, grounding experience, giving her something uniquely crafted to bring home.
“I hope participants will use the skills they learned today moving forward. There’s so many different things that we can make with straw. I do table mats, I do dolls, I do baskets and hats. I make the hats as well from scratch,” said Carolyn.
Another unforgettable experience was a talent meet-and-greet dinner, where some of the festival’s headlining chefs, including Marcus Samuelson, Geoffrey Zakarian, Carla Hall and more gathered with attendees. The room buzzed with excitement as guests mingled with culinary stars, each chef bringing their own charisma and passion for food to the evening. Geoffrey Zakarian, whose wit and energy matched the vibrance of Saturday Night Live, shared his joy at returning to the festival, excited to perform a cooking demo alongside fellow chef Scott Conant. Their infectious excitement set a high tone for the days ahead, and the anticipation for the festival’s culinary showcase was palpable.
“This is the third time. I’ve been here every time.
I’m very lucky they invited me. I don’t know why - but they keep inviting me back. I love it here. It’s like spectacular. I just took a video of live flamingos drinking champagne. Where does that happen? Nowhere. Except Baha Mar,” said Geoffrey.
That evening, the festival kicked into high gear with a beach party hosted by SLS Baha Mar, where guests indulged in live chef stations, inventive cocktails, and a stunning beachfront view. The night reached its crescendo with a performance by none other than Grammy Awardwinning rock legend Sir Rod Stewart. At 79, Stewart captivated the crowd, bringing energy and charisma that surely contradicted his years. Midway through his performance, he surprised the audience with outfit changes - one of them featur ing blue and yellow, which I felt echoed the colours of the Bahamian flag in a nod to the country. Before Stewart took the stage, Bahamian singer Stazzi opened the show with her powerful presence, proving herself a worthy warm-up for the legend himself.
Later that night, festival-goers enjoyed an intimate late-night experience filled with good food and lively company at “Marcus After Dark” - an event at Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House.
The following day, I explored another side of the festival at “Tacos and Tequila”, held at Costa. Here, chef Alfredo Villanueva shared his approach to using ingredients from different cultures, infusing Bahamian ingredients into his dishes. As we chatted, he expressed his excitement about the chance to work with a talented Bahamian team, emphasising that the collaboration helped bring a unique twist to his recipes.
seeds and fry local oysters,” said Chef Alfredo. Nearby, a Bahamian attendee, Farrah Isaacs, shared with me her appreciation for the festival’s range, saying each event offered something fresh, from tacos to a more refined afternoon tea she’d attended earlier in the week.
“ My girlfriend, she’s a banker, and I own Shell Gas Station. And in the middle of the day, we said, you know what? We are going to do afternoon tea. So we got all dressed up, all cutesy, all demure, very thoughtful in our attire. And we went and had afternoon tea. It was lovely. They had all the trumpets and the pastries and the little chocolates and all sorts of teas and champagne. It was lovely. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Persons were well -dressed, tastefully, for high noon tea. It was perfect. We had an amazing time,” said Farrah.
One of the standout events of the festival was the Signature Chef Dinners happening all across the resort.
The dinner I attended was a unique collaboration between Bahamian chef Simeon Hall Jr and Indian chef Maneet Chauhan. Together, they crafted a fusion dining experience that guided guests through an exploration of Indian and Caribbean flavors, showcasing the similarities and contrasts between the two cuisines.
The chefs engaged the guests in a narrative of spices and techniques, creating dishes that paid homage to both Bahamian and Indian culinary traditions.
The dinner was a sensory journey, each course rich with bold flavors and thoughtful presentations that sparked conversation and connection among attendees.
Chef Simeon shared that the dinner was a meaningful opportunity to merge cultures through food, a sentiment echoed by Chef Maneet, who expressed her joy in creating this cross-cultural feast.
“Baha Mar embraces Bahamian food culture like nowhere else, no other major resort, I believe.
So, I’m super excited to be a part of it, and it feeds me. I come here because of the people that participate, I feed off of them, and it kind of energies me for another year, “ said Chef Simeon.
He said with the dishes created by himself and Chef Maneet, they both wanted to let people see that that style of cooking is so broad and can be so different.
For me, the festival concluded with The Art of Brunch in the lush Rose wood Gardens, where celebrated chefs Carla Hall, Amanda Freitag, and Amanda McCrossin took centre stage to create a vibrant culinary finale.
With the joyful energy that had become her hallmark throughout the weekend, Carla Hall led festivalgoers in a lively brunch experience, filled with food, music, and laughter. The chefs poured their hearts into each dish, cooking with love and dancing as The Essence Band performed live. Carla especially embraced the spirit of togetherness, expressing her vision for a brunch that brought women together - a celebratory space for connection and community.
The following day, I joined a botanical leaf printing workshop held in the New Providence Ballroom. This
“The Bahamian team is great because everyone wants to learn, and everyone is curious for the different flavours. I love it and here in this restaurant, there are three Mexican super talented chefs. Today we have tortillas with ceviche. We made a fish stew to make your own taco. We made vegetarian tacos with avocado
“We got super excited about this because you know - West Indian curry versus Indian curry - that’s a huge collaboration. And as you can tell we didn’t do the traditional curry with a stew down. I fed off of her and she fed off of me, we came together to hash out the menu and I think it worked out pretty well. Everybody so far has been enjoying it. When you cook Indian food or curries and stuff like that it’s right up my alley because it can be delicious. I don’t like to do nothing that’s bland. So being able to use all of the spices and ingredients that we did tonight, was amazing,” said Chef Simeon.
“One of the things that I love about this festival is that it celebrates the Bahamian art and Bahamian artists, and not just Bahamas, but also other artists in the Caribbean. Today we brought in some Bahamian flavor to the brunch with the yellow grits, and then I had the braised greens. Then we also did a blackened tuna, so that was inspiration for the menu today. I used to work in the Exumas and so one of the favorite meals was blackened fish, plantain and all this here. I brought a little bit of my southern heritage as well, so I did the cheddar biscuits, the pepper jam and a jammy egg. I think we just wanted to celebrate some of the things that were already here too, and sort of marrying with Amanda Freitag - our backgrounds, because she’s Italian - so we brought out the prosciutto and the burrata and the plums as well,” said Carla. The Art of Brunch ended the weekend on a high note, filled with joy and camaraderie.
SIR Rod Stewart performing at the Culinary and Arts Festival at Baha Mar.
film Film festival back with a feast
THE Bahamas International Film Festival returns this month with a host of films on show from both overseas and close to home.
The opening night movie puts the focus squarely on a Bahamian legend.
They Call Me Peanuts will get its world premiere at the festival.
Harbour Island: Wisdom Keepers captures the stories of three elders who embody a vanishing generation on Harbour Island - Mamma Jacqueline, Prince and Carl Higgs.
As they reflect on the island’s transformation from a fishing village to a luxury tourism spot, the film reveals the challenges in keeping heritage and land amid rising property values and shifting ownership to foreign investors.
Elsewhere, City of Mermaids tells the story of the Femminielli, an ancient non-binary Neapolitan figure, amid a fight for survival against the globalising tides of modernity.
The documentary, by Kevin Taylor, chronicles the life of the legendary Bahamian percussionist, band leader and nightclub owner John Berkley “Peanuts” Taylor. It will be screened on several nights, including opening night on November 13, at 8.30pm.
Through interviews and personal reflections, the film celebrates Peanuts’ instrumental role in shaping the Bahamian music scen and his lasting legacy as a cultural pioneer.
BIFF’s founder, Leslie Vanderpool, spoke to Tribune Weekend about the festival - and some of the particular highlights she was looking forward to, such as a new film from Bahamian Lavado Stubbs, Tingum, about a young Bahamian female mixed-race vampire on the sundrenched island of Eleuthera, trying to save her vampire parents’ crumbling marriage.
There is also a film focusing on Harbour Island from fiilmmaker Amancay Tapia.
Another Kevin Taylor documentary tells the story Bahamian artist - painter, musician and cartoonist - Eddie Minnis and his contributions to Bahamian culture.
The festival includes screenings in Nassau from November 13-17, Rock Sound from November 18-19 and Harbour Island from November 20-22.
The festival also includes a number of workshops and forums.
Special guests include the likes of Scott Budnick, Julie Corman, Eddie Mensore, Dave Davis, and more.
Leslie Vanderpool particularly thanked Baha Mar for its sponsorship and support as a venue.
For more information about the festival, visit www. bintlfilmfest.com.
THEY Call Me Peanuts tells the story of the life of famous Bahamian percussionist, band leader and nightclub owner Peanuts Taylor.
What to stream this week entertainment
THE body horror film “The Substance” and an album by Tyler, the Creator are some of the new television, films, and music headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: “Despicable Me 4” arrives on Peacock, the political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday and the concert film “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour” on Tuesday.
NEW MOVIES
• Coralie Fargeat’s provocative body horror “The Substance” is streaming on MUBI on Halloween. The film stars Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle, a faded Hollywood star who is fired from her aerobic television show on her 50th birthday. In a moment of distress she decides to take a black market injectable called The Substance which promises to take her back to her younger self (Margaret Qualley). In her AP review, Krysta Fauria wrote that “what begins as a dread-inducing but still relatively palatable sci-fi flick spirals deeper into absurdism and violence, eventually erupting — quite literally — into a full-blown monster movie.”
• Two new documentaries focused on familiar names are coming soon. First up, Netflix has the Martha Stewart film “Martha” streaming on Wednesday, October 30. The film from R.J. Cutler promises to recontextualise the life of the teen model turned lifestyle mogul. Then, on Friday, November 1, Disney+ premieres “Music by John Williams,” about the life of the composer behind so many iconic film scores. It seems everyone in Hollywood turned out to speak about the fivetime Oscar winner, now 92, including Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
• Playwright Annie Baker makes her directorial debut with the quiet and finely observed “Janet Planet,” coming to MAX on Friday, November 1. The film follows a mother (Julianne Nicholson) and her 11-year-old daughter (Zoe Ziegler) one languid summer in rural Western Massachusetts in 1991. It’s the kind of film that transports you back to the wonder, boredom and agita of an endless summer break, before smart phones and social media.
• And for the kids looking for some Minion madness, “Despicable Me 4” finds its way to Peacock on Oct. 31. AP Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote that it’s “a silly and breezy installment from Illumination Entertainment that passes by with about as much to remember it as a Saturday morning cartoon.”
— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
NEW MUSIC
• On Friday, Willie Nelson will release “Last Leaf On the Tree.” It’s his first album produced by his son Micah, but the firsts stop there: This marks his 76th solo studio album and 153rd album overall, according to Texas Monthly’s in-depth taxonomy of his work. The release includes covers of Tom Waits’ “Last Leaf,” Nina Simone’s “Come Ye,” Neil Young’s “Are You Ready For The Country,” Beck’s “Lost Cause,” the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” and more. One element of Nelson’s magic musicianship has always been his ability to completely transform a cover song, making it his own and simultaneously, everyone’s. The wizardry continues here, his second full-length album this year.
• Few contemporary artists have managed to create the kind of mythology that surrounds Tyler, the Creator – a multihyphenate talent that has maintained an air of unpredictability, danger and prescience since his debut studio album, 2011’s “Goblin,” rewired the creative brains of a few musical generations. On Monday, he releases his seventh album, “Chromakopia.” Little is known about the release — but expectations of transgressive
hip-hop are in the right place, as made clear in the claustrophobic “NOID” and its inventive sample of a 1977 track by the Zambian rock band Ngozi Family.
• On Halloween, Amazon Prime Video releases “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words,” a documentary film on the fiery MC with the unmistakable flows and larger-than-life Hot Girl Summer purveyor. Across her career, Megan Thee Stallion’s pop persona has been one of empowerment and self-belief — appearing impenetrable in an unforgiving and unkind industry. Of course, it is never so simple — and who could forget the onslaught of criticism she received during Tory Lanez’s assault trial, what experts described as a clear example of misogynoir, a specific type of misogyny experienced by Black women. In this doc, Megan Thee Stallion tells her story – and reminds her audience of Megan Pete, the woman behind the career.
• First, there was Taylor Swift’s blockbuster concert film “The Eras Tour.” Then there was Beyoncé’s concert film, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” And on Tuesday, there will be “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour,” the concert film, available to stream on Netflix. Bring the arena home, scream along to big-throated pop-punk kiss-offs and open-hearted piano ballads, and never forget the message of Rodrigo’s pop: that there are few forces more potent than a young creative woman’s dissatisfaction.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
NEW SHOWS
• Just in time for Halloween, the
long-awaited “Wizards of Waverly Place” sequel debuted its first two episodes Tuesday on Disney Channel. The first eight episodes will also begin streaming on Wednesday on Disney+. “Wizards of Waverly Place” was Selena Gomez’s breakout role as Alex Russo, a teen in a family of witches, herself included. “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” centers on Alex’s older brother Justin (played again by David Henrie), who strives to live a magicfree life until Alex brings him a young wizard in need of training. Gomez will guest star on the series.
• The political series “The Diplomat” starring Keri Russell and Rupert Sewell, drops its second season on Thursday on Netflix — picking right up where the first season ended. Russell plays Kate, a new US diplomat to Britain and Sewell is her husband, Hal, who is also a diplomat but who is now without a post. Their marriage is rocky but in the new season, Kate begins to believe Hal is the only person she can trust. Allison Janney joins the cast as the Vice President.
• Ten men compete in a reality competition show for a leading role in a Hallmark holiday movie in “Finding Mr Christmas” for Hallmark+. “Mean Girls” actor Jonathan Bennett is both the show’s host and a co-judge alongside Melissa Peterman. There are also a number of guest judges throughout. The contestants take part in challenges like pulling Santa’s sleigh and an ugly Christmas sweater fashion show. The winner will star opposite Jessica Lowndes (“90210”) in the new original “Happy Howlidays” premiering in December on Hallmark Channel. The competition begins Thursday on the streamer.
• A new Spanish-language series for HBO adapts the novel “Like Water for Chocolate.” It follows a forbidden love story between Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andrés Baida) against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. Tita and Pedro long to be together but cannot because of a family custom that forbids Tita from marrying. Salma Hayek Pinault is an executive producer. It premieres Sunday, November 3, on Max. — Alicia Rancilio
ALLISON Janney as Grace Penn in a scene from “The Diplomat.”
Puppy Bowl 2024
DOGS took parth in the first ever Puppy International Football Antics (PIFA) Puppy Bowl on October 26 at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.
The Puppy Bowl, inspired by the NFL Super Bowl, was a charitable event in which puppies played football - of varying sizes - for an audience.
Hope Sealey, spokesperson for the games’ organiser and title sponsor, Pet Food Institute (PFI Caribbean), said that the puppies would be playing “what most of the world considers real football”.
The event sought to highlight the number of pets in need at the Bahamas Humane Society (BHS).
Nikia Charlton
Net proceeds and any other donations will go to the Bahamas Humane Society.
Photos:
PET OF THE WEEK
PUMPKINS everywhere at the private animal sanctuary Finca Nati on Sunday last week.
By The Bahamas Humane Society
STEPHEN is a favourite of the adoption staff and the walkers. He arrived at the Bahamas Humane Society seriously underweight and is doing well at the shelter but he would really like to find that special home of his own. Stephen is about five years old and was found in Fox HIll, brought to the BHS by a Good Samaritan. Stephen would prefer to be an only dog but loves his food and loves his humans. Maybe he’s the match for you! Come into the BHS to meet him or call 323-5138 for more information. Stephen looks forward to meeting you!
Lots of things are coming up for the BHS! November 9 - the 100th Anniversary Ball. November 12 - the Thrift Shop’s Pop-Up Sale at the Nassau Yacht Club. November 16Let’s Glow Crazy Dance Party at the Nassau Yacht Club. November 22-24 - BHS table at the Jollification. November 30 - the Thrift Shop’s Christmas Jewellery Sale. December 3 - the Cole’s of Nassau Fashion Show for the BHS. Raffle tickets will be available at all!
Animal matters
Kim Aranha
A visit to the pumpkin patch
WHAT a wonderful Sunday last week! My family and I had the very best of days at the delightful private animal sanctuary Finca Nati in the western part of New Providence. This same amazing farm is home to the new and innovative art gallery CAB.
I guess when you are a graduate of SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), a successful art gallery owner and a Mum, as Nati Vazquez Pyfrom is, it is not too surprising that you can pull together the most wonderful event for little kids and raise money for the Bahamas Humane Society at the same time. What an epic morning the kids had! And so did their parents and grandparents!
Visually it was perfectly beautiful - my photos cannot show the entire cadre but there were pumpkins absolutely everywhere, the bright orange dotted around the emerald green of the grass and trees was so vibrant and attractive. Chairs and tables strategically placed to give grandparents a spot to sit it out and watch the excitement. It was so nice and happy to see entire families out together and all the wonderful hands-on Dads that exist today.
The animals roamed freely and the kids interacted - just the best environment for children to get to know, appreciate and love nature and the animals we are blessed with.
Nati Vazquez Pyfrom and her mother Trish Vazquez put their creative heads together and as the leader of the pack CAB gallery director and owner Nati Pyfrom created a Halloween wonderland. There was a family entry fee, a raffle of a large screen TV, face painting, snacks and simple down home fun which the kids clearly appreciated.
The pictures I have included say the entire story.
For those of you who wish to visit Nati’s wonderful gallery, it is on the South Ocean Blvd. Open Monday through Sunday 10am–5pm and the phone number is 604-0304.
It was just a wonderful way to celebrate a kind and gentle Halloween and also help the animals in need.
A big shoutout to Nati Vazquez Pyfrom and her family.
Das Quay encore
By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net
DAS Quay, local comedian who has been steadily building his comic empire, is only several seats away from another sold out show with an encore presentation of “Work Wit Me”.
The encore showcase will be held on November 17 at Atlantis Paradise Island.
The event once again promises to be a night of laughter and entertainment.
Some friends of Das Quay will also join him on stage including local comedian Basil Armbrister, Stephan Lightbourn (Mullerz International) and Kess Ramsey from Trinidad & Tobago.
In a message to followers Das Quay expressed is gratitude to everyone for supporting the event and giving him a platform to showcase his talents.
As of recent the comedian said he has been working on unique creative content and initiatives that inspire, spread joy and helps him in growing as a creative and entertainer. He has also been dabbling in theatre, television, movie sets, stand up comedy and a little bit of online gaming as well, just to put in some self-recreational time.
When asked what inspired the “Work Wit Me” live comedy recording, Das Quay told Tribune Weekend aid during his time on the movie set of The Pages of My Heart II, the Producer Deon Gibson asked him if he has ever done stand-up comedy. After explaining to him that he has done it scarcely, the producer offered to fly over and produce show for him should he ever make up his mind.
His dream is for his comedy shows to be one day picked up by global streaming network.