PANACHE October 2017

Contents PUBLISHER

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PANACHE Digital Media

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Tricia Williamson |CEO ______________________ Special Thanks To Oneil Banton | ART DIRECTOR Marshelle Haseley| MANAGING EDITOR Craig Harley| PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Kearn Williams | WRITER Rasine Hamilton | LEAD MAKEUP ARTIST CONTRIBUTING PHOTOS & TEXT Kinisha Correia, Neisha Brown, Tamara Harding, Mara Made Designs, Craig Harley, Marshelle Haseley,Tricia Williamson, Grenada Tourism Authority, Kearn Williams, Frame of Reference, Reggae Sumfest, Trisha Williams-Singh, Early Childhood Commission, Story & Myth, Choiselle, MIIEGO, Grenada Dive Fest, Sugar Plum Box, DJ Courtney, Amitabh Sharma , CANEX, Headline Entertainement, Restaurant Week Jamaica, Food & Drink Festival Jamaica, Keanu Gordon (Shot By Deth). ______________________ PANACHE Digital Media Kingston, Jamaica | Baltimore, USA tricia@panachedigital.media M: 1-876-878-3750 _________________________ PANACHE Magazine is powered by Issuu & MagCloud.com Print Edition available On Demand. ____________________ Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this disclaimer, herein, neither the PANACHE Digital Media, PANACHE Magazine, nor any of PANACHE's contractors/agencies give any warranties or guarantees for the contents or any material included in the magazine and shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any kind whether directly or indirectly including any loss of profits or any consequential or inconsequential damages suffered or incurred by the user for whatever reason. The content of this magazine was obtained from several sources and may include; facts, views, opinions, predictions or forecasts and information which may be of use to you generally. The content should, therefore, be used for general information only. While every care is taken, we do not guarantee the accuracy, timely, current and completeness of the information or content on our magazine. The contents are provided “as is� without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement.

We do not share, endorse, warrant, nor accept any responsibility for views, opinions, predictions or forecasts and information provided or displayed in the magazine.

PANACHE magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All intellectual property rights remain with authors and original creators of content. All content appearing in PANACHE magazine may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Publisher.

Keep up with us online at

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CEO's Message Editor's Note Live The Unexplored Luxury of Cancun Trisha Williams-Singh Story & Myth Deep In The WoodWork The Flair X SugarPlum Box Story Choiselle The MIIEGO Review 41 Ways To Change The Way You Think About Money Dive Fest in Grenada Humayun's Tomb Shot by Deth Worthy Causes To Support Frame of Reference Reggae Sumfest Things To Do DJ Courtney Peter Tosh Pioneer Award Richie Spice Kicks off Europe Tour Where To Eat

Behind The Scenes

(From Left to Right) Chantel Bailey, Social Media Manager, PANACHE Digital Media; Cover Girl Trisha Williams-Singh, Chairman, Early Childhood Commission; Tricia Williamson, CEO, PANACHE Digital Media; Rasine Hamilton, Professional Make-Up Artist; and Craig Harley, Managing Director, Creative House Photography.

Ceo's Message

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appy 10th Anniversary, PANACHE! Yes, this past September marked 10 years since our magazine was first published. I still remember reading that Sunday paper in search of some source of inspiration. I had the idea, I knew what I wanted to do and why I was doing it- just needed a name on which to build the brand.

Then there it was... PANACHE. What is panache? A stylish, original, and very confident way of doing things that makes people admire you. To this day, it perfectly embodies who we are as a team and the quality and the goal of the work we do every day!

Recently, we closed the doors on PANACHE Communications and emerge renewed as PANACHE Digital Media. PANACHE is now a full-service creative digital media company specializing in digital media, magazine publishing, and live digital events. Our team has a passion for excellence in crafting beautiful digital experiences and changing the way brands connect and engage with audiences. The PANACHE Magazine will continue and you can find it online at www.panachejamagazine.com or on social media @panachejamag.

Thank you for all your support over the past decade and we look forward to the next 10 years and more!

LOVE, TW

TRICIA WILLIAMSON

CEO

tricia@panachedigital.media

Editor's Note

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efore sitting to write this note, I decided to go for a drive. And just like that, something came to me that was deeply connected to everything that this issue embodies. A podcast being streamed discussed the story of Sequoyah.

Sequoyah (1770- 1843) was a Cherokee man who is said to have singlehandedly created a Cherokee syllabary, which made reading and writing in Cherokee possible.

While creating the written form of what was previously an oral language, Sequoyah was criticized by his family, that his efforts were wasting his time. Many persons in his community suspiciously paid attention to him, assuming his years of developing this written language was some kind of witchcraft. In a world where Native Americans were adopting a lot of the cultural approaches brought over to the New World by Europeans, he was purposeful and relentless in ensuring the language of his forefathers could survive.

Meeting Tamara Harding and Story and Myth add to a body of features that represent an of exploration of new concepts- bringing new elements into the spaces we occupy.

They represent a fusion of material native to our land with ingenuity, art, culture, depth and spirituality- new approaches that did not exist within the Jamaican market five years ago.

Dear readers, wouldn't it be amazing if we could all find that something within us that can help guide us on a path of creating our own little Sequoyah acts- in our lives and the spaces we occupy? I am reminded of a statement by CEO of IDOLOGY, Caroline McHugh that has continued to resonate with me- where she states "...social reformation begins with the individual who manages to find the unique gifts they were given when they incarnated and put them at the service of their goals. So it's no longer about what you do- but how you do it!"

Keep safe, lots of Love & Light, MH

MARSHELLE HASELEY

MANAGING EDITOR

marshelle@panachedigital.media

Contact Us: tricia@panachedigital.media Kingston, Jamaica Baltimore, USA Facebook: @panachejamag Twitter: @panachejamag Instagram: @panachejamag www.panachedigital.media

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Live the Unexplored Lu

PALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP OFFERS THE CHANCE TO “LIVE THE UNEXPLORED LUXURY OF CANCUN” WITH THE LAUNCH OF TWO LUXURY PROPERTIES; ‘GRAND PALLADIUM COSTA MUJERES RESORT & SPA’ AND ‘TRS CORAL HOTEL’

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alladium Hotel Group’s newest addition to its portfolio of luxury fivestar accommodations will introduce a brand new development to the northeast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Set to open in autumn 2018, the project will include a fivestar family-friendly property, the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa, and the adults-only TRS Coral Hotel, accompanied by a ‘Village’ comprising of a variety of restaurants, bars, kids clubs, and amphitheatre.

Located in the almost untouched region, in the most northern point of Cancun, Costa Mujeres distinguishes itself as an idyllic location for travellers to experience “virgin beaches”, crystal clear waters and an abundance of coral reefs and marine species.

While this will be a completely brand new development, Palladium Hotel Group has maintained its ethos of sustainable tourism, executing extensive environmental studies to ensure minimal impact on the land, while maintaining the highest standard of quality at the properties.

Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa will provide 673-rooms, alongside all of the five-star luxury services and facilities found at the other Grand Palladium properties, ideal for the whole family. A unique system of canals will allow guests to access all points of the resort by boat.

Each room will boast a balcony or terrace overlooking the impressive views of the resort and out to sea.

Some rooms will include premium features like direct access ‘swim-up’ pools or hydromassage hot tubs on their private balconies.

Offering a wide range of services, ideal

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for families, couples and groups, as well as state-of-the-art facilities for business trips or incentives, events, conferences and weddings, Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa accommodates the needs of all guests. The property’s facilities feature nine restaurants to suit every taste, four swimming pools, one of them exclusive for children, as well as an impressive 16,000 ft2 convention centre with capacity for 1380 people.

The resort will also offer a varied range of experiences, with activities such as snorkelling, diving, yoga and pilates, live music shows at the openair terraces, special VIP service for families including a Family Selection Area as well as treatment at their world-class 51,020 ft2 Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness centre.

The 473-room TRS Coral Hotel will represent the rebrand of Palladium Hotel Group’s adults-only products, and the introduction of its new allinclusive ideology and service aiming to provide ‘Infinite Indulgence’, with no limits, to all of its guests. The property’s well-lit modern style and architectural design are heightened by a discreet service tunnel network, out of sight of hotel guests, ensuring impeccable aesthetics and serenity.

This innovative construction introduces a new and private hospitality experience, constructed three metres above sea level, to take advantage of the dramatic landscape and system of canals.

TRS Coral Hotel will provide adults with an exclusive and tranquil setting to rejuvenate and escape. Guests have access to the facilities and services offered at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa and the Village, located close by, where they will be

offered unlimited and preferential access.

The resort’s highlights include international culinary experiences at four á la carte restaurants in addition to the nine restaurants at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa and an Ibiza style beach club with an infinity pool and poolside service, creating a glamorous, yet relaxing beachside retreat. Alongside the revitalising, world-class spa and fitness zone, guests can continue to be pampered and relax at the infinity pool with mesmerizing views overlooking the ocean.

Only 18 miles (35 minutes) from Cancun’s International Airport and being just 20 minutes from the city, the resort offers an ideal location, where guests can revel in the surrounding virgin beaches and mangroves, abundant with indigenous flora and fauna. This can be combined with the exuberant nightlife and rich cultural and gastronomic offerings of the nearby city. The region’s unique surroundings, coupled with the luxurious facilities, opens up an exclusive new destination hot spot for the UK market. |P

uxury of Cancun

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My passion is driven by wanting to see a better Jamaica and this I truly believe can only happen through education.

The change that Jamaica requires needs to be driven by youth.

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Photography by Craig Harley

Williams-Singh

INTERVIEWED BY TRICIA WILLIAMSON

Our engaging tete-a-tete with the Early Childhood Commission Chairman as she shares on the importance of early childhood education, the work of the commission, family, life and more....

PANACHE: What is the Early Childhood Commission (ECC)?

Trisha Williams-Singh (TWS): The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) is the regulatory body for the early childhood sector in Jamaica and was created by an Act of Parliament, the ECC Act 2003. The ECC is charged with the responsibility for coordinating all early childhood programmes and services within the early childhood sector. One of the ECC’s major functions is the regulation of all early childhood institutions (ECIs), to ensure the fulfilment of the health, safety and developmental needs of Jamaica’s children. The Commission, therefore, has responsibility for institutions with children within the 0 – 6 years age cohort, and for early childhood policy affecting children in the 6 – 8 age cohort.

PANACHE: What are the goals and objectives of the ECC? TWS: The major goals and objectives of the ECC are to facilitate the development of (a) critically thinking, socially competent, healthy children ready for life, and (b) parents who are informed, educated, involved and supported in meeting children’s early development needs.

This is accomplished through the following legislated functions: a. Advise the Minister on policy matters relating to early childhood care, education and development in Jamaica, including initiatives and actions to achieve national early childhood development goals; b. Assist in the preparation of plans and programmes concerning early childhood development; c. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the plans and programmes and make to the Minister such recommendations as it deems fit; d. Act as coordinating agency to ensure effective streamlining of all activities relating to early childhood development; e. Convene consultations with relevant stakeholders as appropriate; f. Analyse needs and submit recommendations for budgetary allocations for early childhood development; g. Identify alternative financing through negotiation with donor agencies and liaise with such agencies to ensure effective and efficient use of donor funds; h. Supervise and regulate early childhood institutions.

In order to successfully achieve the above mandate, the ECC conducts research on early childhood development.

PANACHE: The Jamaica Observer published in February 2017 that the ECC was seeking to “to certify approximately 300 basic schools by 2019.” What is the latest update on that?

TWS: To date, there are 77 ECIs that have been certified and several others working toward achieving that status.

PANACHE: Why is it important for early childhood institutions to get certified?

TWS: Early Childhood is the most important period in a child’s life, as it’s the period of the most rapid brain development. It is therefore important to guarantee a solid foundation for each child in order to improve performance at the other levels in the education system and into adulthood.

It is therefore important for ECIs to be certified because certification is the standard that assures stakeholders of quality early childhood development. These stakeholders include parents, donors, GOJ and management committees as well as the wider society.

PANACHE: Tell us more about these operational standards that institutions need to adhere to?

TWS: 1. Staffing The staff at early childhood institutions has the training, knowledge, skills and attitude to help children achieve their full potential.

2. Development and Educational Programmes Early childhood institutions have comprehensive programmes designed to meet the language, physical, cognitive, creative, socio-emotional, spiritual, cultural and school readiness needs of children.

3. Interactions and Relationships with Children Early childhood staff has the training, knowledge, skills and attitude to promote positive behaviours in children.

4. Physical Environment Early childhood institutions have physical environments that meet building, health and safety requirements, allow adequate space for children, and facilitate the development of children and staff.

5. Indoor and Outdoor Equipment Early childhood institutions have indoor and outdoor equipment and furnishings that are safe, child-friendly and promote the optimal development of children.

6. Health Early childhood institutions have physical

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facilities, policies, programmes and procedures that promote healthy lifestyles, and protect children and staff from illnesses.

Nutrition Early childhood institutions provide children in their care with nutritious meals and model good nutritional practices for children and families.

Safety Early childhood institutions provide safe indoor and outdoor environments for children, staff, stakeholders and visitors to the institutions.

Child Rights, Child Protection and Equality Early childhood institutions uphold the rights of children, protect them from harm and also ensure that all children have equal access to services.

Parent and Stakeholder Participation The management and staff of early childhood institutions have good relationships with parents, caregivers, family members and the community.

Administration Early childhood institutions have management structures that ensure good administration. There are plans, policies, procedures and programmes that ensure child, family and staff well-being.

Finance Early childhood institutions have financial practices that adhere to standard accounting principles.

PANACHE: Once institutions are certified how do they manage to keep the certification?

TWS: Institutions are required to update legally required documents annually, such as police records, medicals and food handler’s permits. They are also inspected annually to ensure that the 12 Operating Standards are being maintained.

Through its Field Officers the ECC provides continuous monitoring and specialized assistance to ECIs, assisting with identifying opportunities for donor involvement. The ECC also facilitates training workshops and assists early

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Zachary Grant

childhood practitioners in developing appropriate plans and programmes geared towards optimal outcomes for children.

PANACHE: What would you say has been the greatest achievement of the ECC to date?

TWS: The greatest achievement of the Early Childhood Commission has been to effectively create a more cohesive sector that is characterized by intense cross-sectoral collaboration, easily available data and increased efficiency through the increased use of ICT. PANACHE: What major projects are you focused on for the remainder of the year?

TWS: The major projects for the remainder of the year encompass: a.

Certification Fair Region Four: This will allow practitioners to access the service providers they need, documentation and resources in order to be certified. Then to identify funding to create a “Certification Bus” to be able to facilitate the sharing of information regarding the different aspects of ECD. b.

School Leaders Development Seminars: To strengthen school leadership and to build capacity within

ECIs across the six regions. c. Execution of the second stage of the Jamaica School Readiness Assessment, the Ages and Stages Questionnaire – Jamaica (ASQ-J). This is the second level screening for four-year old children that have been assessed by their teachers as needing further intervention.

The first stage was completed in June 2017. d. Greater emphasis on the first 1000 days of a child’s life. Development and implementation of a public education campaign geared towards educating all stakeholders, primarily parents, on the importance of this critical stage of child development. e. The creation of more Infant Schools and Infant Departments to ensure greater access to high-quality early childhood programmes and services.

PANACHE: Where do you see the ECC in 10 years?

TWS: Within ten years the ECC will be coordinating a fully transformed early childhood sector characterized by stronger government ownership and support as well as less variation in the quality of the programs and services being offered across the island. Additionally, at least fifty percent of the ECIs operating

have a Certificate of Registration and the remainder possessing Permits to Operate.

PANACHE: How can people donate and/or support the ECC? TWS: Donations can be made through the ECC or to the National Education Trust (NET). For persons who may wish to donate directly to an ECI, contact can be made with the ECC to request the latest inspection in order to ascertain the exact needs of the institution. Therefore, ensuring the best use of resources.

PANACHE: Where does your passion for youth and education come from?

TWS: My passion is driven by wanting to see a better Jamaica and this I truly believe can only happen through education. The change that Jamaica requires needs to be driven by youth. I love Jamaica, I'm extremely proud to be Jamaican and want to give back to my country that has done so much for me.

PANACHE: What does family mean to you?

TWS: Family means a lot to me. I strongly believe in a solid foundation for any structure and that’s what my family is for me. My family is my go-to for everything and I mean everything.

PANACHE: What life lessons would you like your children to hold on to forever?

TWS: Simple, I want them to be honourable citizens of whatever country they chose to call home and always give back.

(L-R) Carolyn Jackson- Jones (Senior Inspector Region One), Tanisha Miller (Community Relations Manager), David Ellis (Inspector Region One), Shelly-Ann Campbell (Inspector Region one), Trisha Williams-Singh (Chairman, ECC),Kayan Handy (Development Officer Supervisor Region one), Donna Nesbitt (Inspector Region One), Karlene Degrasse- Deslandes (Executive Director)

PANACHE: How do you achieve work life balance?

TWS: I have a simple routine in which family time is number one. I also live by the motto “less is best.” I am driven by results which makes doing both easier.

PANACHE: What quotes do you live by?

TWS: “Do unto others as you would like done unto you.”

PANACHE: If you could meet three people (dead or alive) who would they be and WHY? TWS: I. Marcus Garvey – he epitomized a belief of mine instilled in me by family – “If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the

PANACHE: What’s your favourite thing to eat?

TWS: Ackee and Saltfish :-) I can have that anytime of the day and will eat it every day.

PANACHE: Where is your favourite place to take family and friends?

TWS: Villa Point of View - Portland, Jamaica. I find Portland to be the most relaxing parish for me as I love the beauty of the contrast between the Caribbean Sea and the island's mountains.

Principal of the St. Paul's United Early Childhood Institution Mrs. Harritt CoramJoseph and Staff

race of life.”

II. Rosa Parks – She demonstrated

the courage and strength to effect change and that is something I find very inspiring and powerful.

III. Bill Gates – His innovation and hard work has made him the billionaire he is today and his philanthropic work is truly aligned with my passion for education. So having coffee with him would be an honour.

PANACHE: Any final words?

TWS: Our beautiful country Jamaica needs us all; her true potential can only be realized by a fully educated society.

So I use my last words to plead that we do not politicize education. Education is a right for all our children.|P

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More than just beads...

Story&Myth

BY KINISHA CORREIA

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he pure energy of good vibes, consciousness, whimsy and the unique celebration of stunning earthiness behind each Story & Myth bracelet and necklace has made the brand a steadily-building vortex that has gracefully washed over the locallymade, and undeniably chic fashion scene in Jamaica.

More than just beads, Kristie Stephenson, Story & Myth’s founder, has carefully crafted the line to uplift and empower its wearers. Each bead symbolises inspiration, strength, hope and faith, with the aim to inspire those adorned by them to rise above fears, setbacks and life’s inevitable challenges.

A strong believer in the metaphoric power of a culture’s longstanding stories passed down from generation to generation, Kristie often shares folklore and ancient mythology to illustrate truths around self-empowerment, inner strength and divine protection, as well as calls for a collective push towards a more socially and environmentally conscious community. This belief in the potency of cultural tales is what sparked the creation of the line’s Story & Myth name.

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“The River Maid is a freshwater mermaid and the guardian of Jamaica’s waterways, streams and canals, and all its fish she considers her children,” she shares.

She explains that in parts of rural Jamaica many will tell you they have encountered the River Maid and will even say they’ve seen her visit the church. Kristie says that the story of this mermaid-being can be traced back to African origins, brought to Jamaica through the transatlantic slave trade.

The River Maid is not to be feared, Kristie says. “We have such a beautiful island and some of us don’t really appreciate it. You often see plastic bags and garbage in the rivers, but if we think of the River Maid as a symbol of all that lives in the waterways, maybe we’d be more conscious not to destroy them. The River Maid asks us to take care of our natural resources and environment.”

The mermaid is a figure of female strength, and mermaid stories can be found in almost every culture of the world, Kristie shares. As a Story & Myth bead-wearer, a lover of water and nature who wants to remind herself of her personal power as a woman, may be drawn to select a mermaid charm from the line’s collection.

Kristie uses other popular Jamaican imagery and folklore to explain the significance of many Story & Myth charms, to remind people of their inner strength and the interconnectedness of cultures and people.

“The lion charms are tied to Africa, Ethiopia and Rastafarianism. If you notice, a lot of gate entrances in

Jamaica have lions heads on them.

The lion symbolises strength and authority,” she says. A Story & Myth lion charm bead can be worn by those who want to remind themselves of and embody the traits of authority and strength.

According to Kristie, the crocodile symbol is also another powerful charm, encouraging creativity, balance, the ability to go deep and resurface.

“The crocodile is an ancient creature representing a deep connection to Mother Nature and wisdom.

It represents ultimate power and protection. Its back is like an armour and can deflect bullets, but its underside is vulnerable. This speaks to duality and balance. Being associated with water, they can see clearly into emotional worlds and encourage us to look but not be seen. Having acute senses makes them successful predators, which has been paramount to their continued survival, outlasting some now extinct animals,” Kristie says.

The Patoo or owl charm, another strong symbol in Jamaican culture, is associated with prophecy and divination. The owl is a messenger, able to see in the dark, invoked when one needs to see the truth. The Story & Myth owl charm can be worn to remind us of or bring forth the truth.

Beyond her firm focus on positive intentionality for those who wear Story & Myth, Kristie has also woven goodness into all aspects of her socially and environmentally conscious business model.

Each bead is made by local artisans - many who have physical disabilities - providing much-needed income for the makers and their families. Also, the line’s main bead, Job’s Tears, grows by waterways and are recycled into the eco-friendly, sustainable works of art that are each one of Story & Myth’s beads.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NIESHA BROWN

“We have such a beautiful island and some of us don’t really appreciate it..."

The tale of the River Maid, for example, is what Kristie explains is the Jamaican version of the mermaid myth, which she says reminds us of the importance of preserving our natural resources, while also representing the beauty and strength of feminine energy.

As a profoundly thoughtful, purpose-driven entrepreneur who has built success through dedication to positivity, Kristie is indeed an inspirational, creative woman in business to be celebrated for her desire to have a true impact on the world. |P

“The River Maid is a freshwater mermaid and the guardian of Jamaica’s waterways, streams and canals, and all its fish she considers her children.” www.panachejamagazine.com | 15

Woodwork Deep in the

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with Tamara Harding

rees sprout up from the earth- fed by the soil, maintained by water, and given energy from sunlight.

They expand- extending toward the clouds, stretching branches and digging roots deep and wide.

Development and a myriad of human ventures see many trees being cut.

But isn’t it a wonderful thought that somehow we can keep these trees in our spaces after they are cut? So they can somehow continue to add that powerful earth element to our spaces. Tamara Harding, the creator of Mara Made Designs may have had this thought, resulting in what may be among the most remarkable pieces of functional art in the world. A body of work which emerged in shapes and forms from trees - “Blue Mountains to Mocho."

“The magic begins before the tree is cut,” she said with excitement shining through her eyes.

Walking into her workspace, you’d first see sawdust like snow, huge blocks and trunks of trees. You’d see strong men paying close attention to the instructions coming from a relatively smaller frame assertively guiding the team- clothed in overalls and protective gear. You would then receive the warmest greeting in a cheerful tone, accompanied by a beautiful smile from the leader of the team. That is the duality that is Tamara “Mara” Harding.

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BY MARSHELLE HASELEY

Tamara speaks to us in her living room, opening up about her journey as a dyslexic tomboy with a high IQ. A child who absorbed information a little differently from most- but clearly had the ability to express it in ways that were nothing less than clever, original, and inventive. “Being dyslexic was almost definitive of my nature.

It required me finding other ways to get things done. I had to work around the traditional ways of learning, and creating.” A deep appreciation and exploration of her whole self as an individual was also another defining quality of Harding. She describes herself as the teenager who cared about her nails and ballet, but also thoroughly enjoyed playing competitive water polo. This “ebb and flow” of her nature, as she calls it, is what she flows over into her creations. It was a moment of awe, discovering that “Mara” was not formally trained to do what she now does. She was not trained in woodwork, metalwork or visual arts- yet she creates some of the most stunning pieces to be found in homes, restaurants and boardrooms all around Jamaica.

Deepak Chopra speaks of the fact that “…even when you think you have your life all mapped out, things happen that shape your destiny in ways you might not have imagined.” This is likely to have been the case with Harding.

After being involved in the business of doing home renovations, followed by running a successful advertising agency with her husband, Zachary- she still

experienced what she described as a “feeling of urgency- like time was running out.” The feeling of urgency came along with the feeling of a need for a more holistic and deeply purposeful, passion-filled day to day kind of productivity. In response to these prodigious changes, after five years of operation and tremendous growth- the doors of “Agency 20Seven” were closed to clear the space to find my true calling. The closure of her corporate business operations allowed her the time and silence- which gave way to her spending more time with herself and more time for mindfulness in nature, which allowed a creative awakening.

An inspiration which prompted her to act- gaining momentum, propelling her love for creating to where it has now become a booming business driven by passion and purpose.

Deepak Chopra speaks of the fact that,“Even when you think you have your life all mapped out, things happen that shape your destiny in ways you might not have imagined.”

And like a tree, she is rejuvenated by nature with her feet in the soil, at the beach or rivers, her soul being maintained by water and absorbing energy from the sun’s rays.

She is expanding- extending toward the clouds, stretching and digging roots deep and wide.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARA MADE DESIGNS

The work by Mara Made Designs speaks for itself- when you experience it, you will feel it!|P

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Beauty The FlairXSugarPlumBox Story It all started with the rumours that I sold Sugarplum Box...which I did.

Technically. But the big question that I never answered was ...Why did I do it?

Until now. You see, there comes a time in business when you either "go Big" or "go Home." And while going home isn't such a bad idea and YOU can go big at home...this wasn't the case.

We're approaching our fourth year in business and as most of you know, Sugarplum Box is no longer a hobby or that thing I do after the 9-5 job to keep me sane anymore (because I resigned my job on a whim last year) ...Sugarplum Box is now my FULLTIME BUSINESS. I didn't go "home" to go home... like you really can't do that...

So back to why I started the "rumour".

For one...I wanted to set my intentions for the business with the universe.

Whenever I need the universe to conspire with me in a big way I make a ruckus loud enough that the message is loud and clear (to the universe)

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Two...I've learnt a thing or two along the way. The media always needs a story.

If you have one worth telling, they will. And Three...Something I would have shared before (not sure) but our registered business name is Marvel Distributors and the tagline for that business is..."creating the demand" I registered that business and created the tagline maybe a year before I even heard about subscription boxes and even longer before thinking about starting Sugarplum Box. I am an organic marketer. I have zero training, it's my passion and my purpose. So back to why I sold Sugarplum Box or why I started the rumour?

If you know me you know my obsession with The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

I believe our lives are already "written" and we're all just playing along. I believe in signs and omens and I use them to guide me along the way.

You have no choice but to believe me but I have no books or planners that I wrote anything in. There was no strategy, no meeting, no brainstorming. It started with an idea and a phone call and the rest we say is history. Everything was random but alas, nothing ever is...random. I truly believe every box is a part of a bigger plan that I have no control over. The FlairXSugarlumBox was simply meant to be.

In closing. 2016 Paulo Coelho planner Courage, I resigned my job. 2017 Paulo Coelho planner Friendship, I knew this for me would mean partnerships (a-ha moment) Recently, I found a butterfly on a Summer Box. It's a beautiful omen.

The 2018 Paulo Coelho planner is out and it's called FREEDOM To be continued|P WORDS BY MARSHA MCFARLANE, OWNER, SUGARPLUM BOX

Choiselle

On the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, in the shadows of the Pitons, surrounded by waterfalls and rainforests, there is a place called Choiseul that epitomizes an authentically natural way of life. A place where life simply is natural and not a goal to which people aspire. Where, day-to-day, people are connected to the earth’s bounty and nature’s inherent beauty. This is natural beauty. This is the spirit of CHOISELLE.

FOUNDER’S STORY

As a young model in New York City, Nydia Norville quickly discovered the toll that urban living can take on our skin and spirit.

Seeking a solution to chronically dry and troubled skin, brought on by the frantic pace of city dwelling, she found that the remedies recommended to her featured lengthy lists of synthetic ingredients and chemicals not found in nature and only seemed to exacerbate her concerns. At the other end of the spectrum, the more natural “back to the earth” alternatives left much to be desired, aesthetically speaking, and didn’t appeal to her modern sensibilities and appreciation for understated elegance.

Thus began her journey of discovery into the potent powers of natural botanicals and a passion for formulating naturebased skin-care solutions that were, at once, effective, aesthetically pleasing and elegantly packaged.

THE SKINCARE

“Match the Nature of your skin with Nature.”

Choiselle skin care is deliberately formulated to eliminate the need for harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances that aren’t compatible with our skin’s nature.

At the heart of each formula is a bounty of vitamin and nutrient-rich botanicals, oils and plant butter with intensive reparative, protective and restorative capabilities. Because our skin care is brimming with deeply hydrating, moisturizing and nutrient-rich ingredients, a little goes a long way and provides long-lasting benefits even after bathing and showering.

Water-Free Formulating without water means that we can stabilize and preserve our all natural formulas without the use of harmful parabens.

Organic Ingredients Wherever possible, Choiselle uses certified organic, skin compatible ingredients to assure the highest level of purity and efficacy.

All Natural Fragrances Only pure essential oils are used to fragrance our formulas.

These extraordinary compounds- volatile molecules that are the life force of the plants, have incredible healing powers in addition to balancing emotions and lifting the spirit.|P

"There is a place where nature is, well, natural.” www.panachejamagazine.com | 19

The T

he M1 by MIIEGO is one of the best earphones I have ever experienced.

Sleek and modern in its feel and design, it is the perfect pair of earphones for the stylish modern music lover, who does not necessarily want to fit in by using the typical go- to options for an excellent listening experience. The Premium Isolation Eartips of the M1 has customized fit which holds effortlessly, cancelling external noise completely, thus taking the listening experience to another level. Using it is absolute sonic perfection!

The clear sound quality brings to the fore, every instrument, sound and rhythmic variation- and the powerful bass when listening to Dancehall, House or any other genre of music in the gym prompts me to bust a move

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Review

BY MARSHELLE HASELEY

in the middle of my workouts. The battery is long-lasting and it definitely lives up to expectations, and the battery indicator allows me to keep track of when the M1 needs to be charged.

M1's Bluetooth v.41 wireless technology works like a dream and has had me leaving my phone behind at reasonable distances without disconnection.

Whether going for a run, weight training in the gym or working on my laptop- the M1 by MIIEGO has become a part of the electronic devices I refuse to leave behind on any given day.

MIIEGO has won a new loyal fan! #TEAMMIIEGO. Visit miiego.com for more!|P

Ways To Change The Way You Think About Money

BY THEMUSE.COM

FIRST THINGS FIRST: A FEW FINANCIAL BASICS

1. Create a Financial Calendar If you don’t trust yourself to remember to pay your quarterly taxes, think about setting appointment reminders for these important money to-dos in the same way that you would an annual doctor’s visit or car tune-up.

2. Check Your Interest Rate Which loan should you pay off first?

A: The one with the highest interest rate.

Q: Which savings account should you open? A: The one with the best interest rate.

Q: Why does credit card debt give us such a headache? A: Blame it on the compound interest rate.

Bottom line here: Paying attention to interest rates will help inform which debt or savings commitments you should focus on.

HOW TO BUDGET LIKE A PRO

3. Set a Budget, Period This is the starting point for every other goal in your life.

4. Consider an All-Cash Diet

If you’re consistently overspending, this will break you out of that rut. Don’t believe us? The cash diet changes lives.

5. Take a Daily Money Minute This one comes straight from LearnVest Founder and CEO Alexa von Tobel, who swears by setting aside one minute each day to check on her financial transactions. This 60-second act helps identify problems immediately, keep track of goal progress—and set your spending tone for the rest of the day!

6. Allocate at Least 20% of Your Income Toward Financial Priorities By priorities, we mean building up emergency savings, paying off debt, and padding your retirement nest egg.

7. Budget About 30% of Your Income for Lifestyle Spending This includes movies, restaurants, and happy hours—basically, anything that doesn’t cover basic necessities. By abiding by the 30% rule, you can save and splurge at the same time.

HOW TO GET MONEY MOTIVATED

8. Draft a Financial Vision Board

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You need motivation to start adopting better money habits, and if you craft a vision board, it can help remind you to stay on track with your financial goals.

9. Set Specific Financial Goals Use numbers and dates, not just words, to describe what you want to accomplish with your money. How much debt do you want to pay off— and when? How much do you want saved, and by what date?

10. Adopt a Spending Mantra Pick out a positive phrase that acts like a mini rule of thumb for how you spend. For example, ask yourself, “Is this [fill in purchase here] better than Bali next year?”

11. Love Yourself Sure, it may sound corny, but it works.

Just ask this author, who paid off $20,000 of debt after realizing that taking control of her finances was a way to value herself.

12. Make Bite-Size Money Goals One study showed that the farther away a goal seems, and the less sure we are about when it will happen, the more likely we are to give up. So in addition to focusing on big goals (say, buying a home), aim to also set smaller, short-term goals along the way that will reap quicker results—like saving some money each week in order to take a trip in six months.

13. Banish Toxic Money Thoughts Hello, self-fulfilling prophecy! If you psych yourself out before you even get started (“I’ll never pay off debt!”), then you’re setting yourself up to fail. So don’t be a fatalist, and switch to more positive mantras.

14. Get Your Finances–and Body—in Shape

One study showed that more exercise leads to higher pay because you tend to be more productive after you’ve worked up a sweat. So taking up running may help amp up your financial game. Plus, all the habits and

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discipline associated with, say, running marathons are also associated with managing your money well.

15. Learn How to Savor Savoring means appreciating what you have now, instead of trying to get happy by acquiring more things.

16. Get a Money Buddy According to one study, friends with similar traits can pick up good habits from each other—and it applies to your money too! So try gathering several friends for regular money lunches

HOW TO AMP UP YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

17. When Negotiating a Salary, Get the Company to Name Figures First If you give away your current pay from the get-go, you have no way to know if you’re lowballing or highballing. Getting a potential employer to name the figure first means you can then push them higher.

18. You Can Negotiate More Than Just Your Salary Your work hours, official title, maternity and paternity leave, vacation time, and which projects you’ll work on could all be things that a future employer may be willing to negotiate.

19. Make Salary Discussions at Your Current Job About Your Company’s Needs Your employer doesn’t care whether you want more money for a bigger house—it cares about keeping a good employee. So when negotiating pay or asking for a raise, emphasize the incredible value you bring to the company.

HOW TO KEEP DEBT AT BAY

20. Start With Small Debts to Help You Conquer the Big Ones If you have a mountain of debt, studies show paying off the little debts can give you the confidence to tackle the

larger ones. You know, like paying off a modest balance on a department store card before getting to the card with the bigger balance. Of course, we generally recommend chipping away at the card with the highest interest rate, but sometimes psyching yourself up is worth it.

21. Don’t Ever Cosign a Loan If the borrower—your friend, family member, significant other, whoever— misses payments, your credit score will take a plunge, the lender can come after you for the money, and it will likely destroy your relationship. Plus, if the bank is requiring a cosigner, the bank doesn’t trust the person to make the payments.

22. Always Choose Federal Student Loans Over Private Loans Federal loans have flexible terms of payment if your employment dreams don’t exactly go according to plan after college. Plus, government loans typically have better interest rates.

25. Opt for Mortgage Payments Below 28% of Your Monthly Income That’s a general rule of thumb when you’re trying to figure out how much house you can afford.

HOW TO SHOP SMART

23. Evaluate Purchases by Cost per Use It may seem more financially responsible to buy a trendy $5 shirt than a basic $30 shirt—but only if you ignore the quality factor! When deciding if the latest tech toy, kitchen gadget, or apparel item is worth it, factor in how many times you’ll use it or wear it. For that matter, you can even consider cost per hour for experiences!

24. Spend on Experiences, Not Things Putting your money toward purchases like a concert or a picnic in the park—instead of spending it on pricey material objects—gives you more happiness for your buck. The research says so .

25. Shop Solo Ever have a friend declare, “That’s so cute on you! You have to get it!” for everything you try on? Save your socializing for a walk in the park, instead of a stroll through the mall, and treat shopping with serious attention.

26. Spend on the Real You—Not the Imaginary You It’s easy to fall into the trap of buying for the person you want to be : chef, professional stylist, triathlete.

How to Save Right for Retirement 27. Start Saving ASAP Not next week. Not when you get a raise. Not next year. Today. Because money you put in your retirement fund now will have more time to grow through the power of compound growth.

28. Do Everything Possible Not to Cash Out Your Retirement Account Early Dipping into your retirement funds early will hurt you many times over. For starters, you’re negating all the hard work you’ve done so far saving—and you’re preventing that money from being invested. Second, you’ll be penalized for an early withdrawal, and those penalties are usually pretty hefty.

Finally, you’ll get hit with a tax bill for the money you withdraw. All these factors make cashing out early a very last resort.

29. When You Get a Raise, Raise Your Retirement Savings, Too You know how you’ve always told yourself you would save more when you have more? We’re calling you out on that. Every time you get a bump in pay, the first thing you should do is up your automatic transfer to savings, and increase your retirement contributions.

HOW TO BEST BUILD—AND TRACK—YOUR CREDIT

30. Review Your Credit Report Regularly—and Keep an Eye on Your Credit Score This woman learned the hard way that a less-than-stellar credit score has the potential to cost you thousands. She only checked her credit report, which seemed fine—but didn’t get her actual credit score, which told a different story.

31. Keep Your Credit Use Below 30% of Your Total Available Credit Otherwise known as your credit utilization rate, you calculate it by dividing the total amount on all of your credit cards by your total available credit. And if you’re using more than

30% of your available credit, it can ding your credit score .

32. If You Have Bad Credit, Get a Secured Credit Card A secured card helps build credit like a regular card—but it won’t let you overspend. And you don’t need good credit to get one!

HOW TO PREPARE FOR RAINY (FINANCIAL) DAYS

33. Make Savings Part of Your Monthly Budget If you wait to put money aside for when you consistently have enough of a cash cushion available at the end of the month, you’ll never have money to put aside ! Instead, bake monthly savings into your budget now.

34. Keep Your Savings Out of Your Checking Account

37. Consider Switching to a Credit Union Credit unions aren’t right for everyone, but they could be the place to go for better customer service, kinder loans, and better interest rates on your savings accounts.

38. There Are 5 Types of Financial Emergencies Hint: A wedding isn’t one of them.

Only dip into your emergency savings account if you’ve lost your job, you have a medical emergency, your car breaks down, you have emergency home expenses (like a leaky roof), or you need to travel to a funeral.

Otherwise, if you can’t afford it, just say no.

39. You Can Have Too Much Savings It’s rare, but possible. If you have more than six months’ savings in your emergency account (nine months if you’re self-employed), and you have enough socked away for your shortterm financial goals, then start thinking about investing.

HOW TO APPROACH INVESTING

Here’s a universal truth: If you see you have money in your checking account, you will spend it. Period. The fast track to building up savings starts with opening a separate savings account , so it’s less possible to accidentally spend your vacation money on another latenight online shopping spree.

35. Open a Savings Account at a Different Bank than Where You Have Your Checking Account If you keep both your accounts at the same bank, it’s easy to transfer money from your savings to your checking.

Way too easy. So avoid the problem.

36. Direct Deposit is (Almost) Magic Why, you ask? Because it makes you feel like the money you shuttle to your savings every month appears out of thin air—even though you know full well it comes from your paycheck. If the money you allot toward savings never lands in your checking account, you probably won’t miss it—and may even be pleasantly surprised by how much your account grows over time.

40. Pay Attention to Fees The fees you pay in your funds, also called expense ratios, can eat into your returns. Even something as seemingly low as a 1% fee will cost you in the long run. Our general recommendation is to stick with low-cost index funds.

41. Rebalance Your Portfolio Once a Year We’re not advocates of playing the market, but you need to take a look at your brokerage account every once in a while to make sure that your investment allocations still match your greater investing goals.|P

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Visitors can immerse themselves in the island’s vibrant marine environment during this four-day event Explore beneath the surface of Grenada’s pristine blue waters during the first ever Pure Dive Fest taking place from October 11 –14. From free beach dives and beginner lessons to charity dives and a closing party, this four-day festival appeals to divers, visitors and spectators wishing to support Grenada’s diving industry. In addition to the robust schedule of activities, the event is also designed to increase awareness of the island’s marine environment and sustainable tourism efforts.

The festival commences with the launch of an underwater photography competition at Coconut Beach Restaurant. The competition will run for the duration of the festival and prizes will be distributed for the most creative selfie, best reef picture, best wreck picture, and many more categories at the closing party. The second day of the festival is divided into either a wreck diving day for experienced divers or a local diving day for those who are ready to make the plunge for the first time with professional instructors.

One of the unique events is an Environmental Day with Marine Protected Area Diving on October 13 in collaboration with Project AWARE—a campaign that focuses on global ocean protection and conservation through sustainable, eco-friendly, and conservationconscious dive practices. In the morning, dive centers will participate in community and school outreach sessions in order to share information on scuba diving and freediving in Grenada as well as details on marine biology and conservation. Afternoon activities will include dive centers participating in a “Dive Against Debris” event to collect as much ocean trash as possible.

The festival concludes on Saturday, October 14, also designated “Invasive Caribbean Lionfish Day” with a boat parade and send off at the Morne Rouge Bay/ BBC Beach. In the evening, there will be a final party at Coconut Beach Restaurant, where Lionfish will be served and photos from the underwater photography competition will be on display, along with a few surprises throughout the night.

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For more information about the Pure Dive Fest and to stay updated, visit www.facebook.com/grenadadiving and be sure to follow the Instagram and Twitter pages.|P www.panachejamagazine.com

Dive Fest DIVE RIGHT INTO GRENADA’S ‘PURE DIVE FEST 2017’

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India Chronicles Humayun's Tomb Poetry Etched in Red Stone

H

umayun’s Tomb - Poetry etched in red stone

Tucked behind a façade of thick stone walls, lies Humayun’s Tomb, a magnificent structure in red stone, pathway to which is lined with trees, in the midst sprawling manicured lawns, the structure that unfolds before the eyes is one that a visitor can’t help but see the semblance to India’s most recognizable and iconic landmarks – the Taj Mahal.

A jewel in the crown of India’s capital city of New Delhi, Humayun’s Tomb, built in the 1560’s, is an opulent, imposing and grandiose mausoleum built in the memory Humayun, the second emperor of the Mughal Empire. He ruled over an empire that spanned from modern day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India from 1531–1540 and again from 1555–1556.

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What many might not know is that Humayun’s Tomb, built in 1570, is the Indian sub-continent’s first garden-tomb and major architectural influence for Taj Mahal.

Humayun’s Tomb offers the visitors serenity, tranquillity, and as one walks in, the scramble, hustle bustle, and chaos of this metropolis packed with 14 million people. You walk into a time warp, which draws you in.

Unlike Taj, hordes of tourists seldom overrun the place, which gives it the added dose of tranquillity – one can soak in the richness, solitude and get kissed by the whiff of crisp cool breeze – a far cry from the excitement outside.

The sprawling complex of the Humayun’s Tomb houses other 16th century Mughal garden-tombs and a complex where the craftsmen employed for building Humayun’s Tomb lived.

The gardens are representative of Quranic paradise – Char Bagh (four quadrant garden with the four rivers), the pools joined by channels. These are both aesthetic and helped to keep the place cool in the hot Delhi summers when the temperatures shoot up to 46 degrees Celsius.

The entrance to the tomb is from lofty gateways on the south and from the west with pavilions located in the centre of the eastern and northern walls.

The main building – Humayun’s mausoleum, rises high, sitting on a wide terraced platform with two bay deep vaulted cells on all four sides.

members are buried here.

In the vicinity is the shrine of 14th century Sufi Saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, the air filled with a heady blend of mysticism and spiritual consciousness. It is considered auspicious to be buried near a saint’s grave, and the seven centuries of tomb building has led to the area becoming the densest ensemble of medieval Islamic buildings in India.

The irregular octagon plan with four long sides and chamfered edges are surmounted by a double dome made from marble flanked by pillared domes (chhatris – or umbrellas) and the domes of the central chhatris are adorned with glazed ceramic tiles.

The middle of each side is deeply recessed by large arched vaults with a series of smaller ones set into the facade.

According to historians, Humayun’s garden-tomb is built on a monumental scale, grandeur of design and garden setting with no precedence in the Islamic world for a mausoleum.

The interior house the final resting spots for the emperor, his wife under a large octagonal chamber with vaulted roof compartments, which are interconnected by galleries and corridors.

The structure is clad in red sandstone with white and black inlaid marble borders. Humayun’s Tomb is also referred to as the ‘dormitory of the Mughals’ over 150 Mughal family

Humayun’s Tomb, in essence is the symbol and perhaps the turning point of Indian architecture style, confluence of the Persian into the sub-continent’s style of building.

WORDS & PHOTOS BY AMITABH SHARMA

This outstanding Islamic garden-tomb personifies the Mughal Dynasty, under whose rule; most of the sub-continent was unified.|P

"The structure is clad in red sandstone with white and black inlaid marble borders."

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Shot By Deth Capturing The Jamaican Culture

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o quote words from the most prolific dancehall artist of the 21st century, Vybz Kartel "Dancehall a mi everything�, is a sentiment shared by many both locally and internationally. Within the dancehall sphere, many jobs and opportunities are created, but being able to capture an image of a particular time or occurrence could shift the way we view the dancehall industry or even the Jamaican society itself. This is why photography is considered an

BY KEARN WILLIAMS

art because it literally encapsulates and immortalizes the world in a single shot/ moment. Jamaica, being a breeding ground of art, has its fair share of photographers, but only a few stand out from the very expressive bunch. The “few� are the ones who possess the capability to instantly evoke an emotion that enables the viewer to create a conversation about/around the story they just saw, that and the unique way that the image is taken and edited.

Looking at the artist, dance moves, fashion and just the richness of culture, one is often prompted to ask about the person who is able to put a thousand words into a single image.

Keanu Gordon (Shot By Deth) is a 19-year-old self-taught photographer hailing from the capital city Kingston, who captures the Jamaican dancehall scene through an artistic millennial purview. His excitingly colorful yet often somber pictures usually showcase somewhat of an x-ray into the content of the image. Seemingly candid, the pictures give a youthful take on the ever so evolving dancehall scene which in my opinion gives international viewers a modern take on the Jamaican culture and dancehall industry. Being this creative with a fresh eye and a unique signature, Keanu has most certainly begun to chart his course in photography and the artistic arena.

He is also proof that the memories of particular dancehall happenings will most certainly be preserved. |P

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Frame of Reference COLOUR GRADING TO PERFECTION

(2nd left) Alexis Van Hurkman; and from Frame of Reference Nick(l), Twain and Fonnique Richardson(r).

"Simply put, Colour Grading is the process of altering and enhancing the colour of a motion picture/video."

The Frame of Reference team underwent a two-day colour training with Colourist Alexis Van Hurkman in order to gain a broader knowledge of colour grading as well as to sharpen their skills. Alexis has graded features and shorts that have played at the Telluride and Sundance Film Festivals. He is the author of software documentation for DaVinci Resolve and the author of The Colour Correction Handbook.

What is colour grading?

Simply put, Colour Grading is the process of altering and enhancing the colour of a motion picture/video.

Colour grading encompasses both colour correction and the generation of artistic colour effects. If you aren't applying any colour grading to either your videos, you are potentially missing a vital part of the process of the postproduction process. Colour grading can be one of the most impactful tweaks you can make to your work once it’s been shot. It has the potential to elevate a good image to great, or a great image to outstanding. Colour conveys meaning, it affects a mood

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and feel of a piece, and therefore how we interpret the feature.

So why bring Alexis to Jamaica?

We wanted to learn how to not only be more efficient in how we grade our projects but also how to get more out of DaVinci Resolve and so it was a nobrainer bringing Alexis to Jamaica.

Over the two days, we covered topics like Grade Management Strategies, Different Ways to Build a Grade, Grading Skin Tones and more.

We also had a meet up where we met with other editors and filmmakers so

we could educate them some more about colour grading. All in all, it was a great experience for Alexis and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

With the added training, we are even more confident that we can give our clients the best colour treatment for their projects.

If you have any questions about the process, be sure to contact us on social media @forpostprod or send us an email contact@forpostprod.com, you can also check out some of Alexis work on his website at alexisvanhurkman. com.|P

Reggae Sumfest

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eggae SumFest 2017 felt like the Ultimate Reggae/ Dancehall music festival from start to finish. It was an internationally comparable production, which lived up to being regarded Jamaica’s Premiere Music Festival. From the moment of entry, driving through the gate, to the parking lot, to the entrance, followed by safety checks - to the moment you drive out from the Catherine Hall Festival Grounds after enjoying a powerful, high energy lineup, comprising of some of Reggae and Dancehall’s most powerful acts.

Reggae SumFest 2017 definitely raised the bar for stage shows/ live concerts in Jamaica.

The experience of what felt like SumFest 2.0 was heightened by the refined, über creative booths- many of which were multi-levelled. Red Stripe, Pepsi and Flow, sponsors of the neo -Jamaican cultural entertainment event, brought their creative forces together to make the ambience one of its kind to have graced the spacewhich has been home to the event for the past twenty-five years. We saw Pepsi using the electric event as the perfect platform for rocketing their new product- Pepsi gold. The amazing taste of Pepsi, with a dash of gingerone of Jamaica’s beloved addition to amp up a flavour. The setup by Red Stripe was a warm street vibe with a touch of elegance. It embodied everything that is definitive of Red Strip- chill and cosy bottled by island sophistication. Apart from providing what was regarded “groundbreaking regional live cable and online broadcast” of the biggest Reggae Show on the globe.

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WORDS BY MARSHELLE HASELEY PHOTOS CURATED BY TRICIA WILLIAMSON

A favourite space may have been the SumFest Acoustic Cafe. Notably one of the most explored amenity stations by patrons, was a mixture of urban meets rural aesthetics, in a 2017 setting. Zinc fences tied into dark wooden floors, wooden panels, chandeliers formed by Red Stripe bottles below ceiling ribbons of Red, Green and Gold. The Acoustic Cafe brought the experience of a rustic dinner with keen service and an excellent menu to a stage show.

Performances by Spice, Ding Dong, Harry Toddler and Dexta Daps followed by another night of Sean Paul, Stephen Marley, Beenie Man, JahCure, Sizzla and several other top acts- beneath the most vibrant lights many may have ever seen on a stage in Jamaica were absolutely groundbreaking.

The Festival Grounds, which seemed to have been packed to full capacity allowed patrons to experience a constant, running surge of energy, like a Mexican wave flowing throughout the night, into the morning when sunlight greeted the event. The energy shooting from the performers to the crowd was absolutely electric! |P

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Things To Do

JAMAICA FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL @JAFOODANDADRINK

OCTOBER 21-29, 2017 The Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of great spirits, fine foods, live entertainment, culinary mastery and more in Kingston, Jamaica - the culinary hub of the Caribbean.

The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival is modelled after international Food festivals such as the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and the Aspen Wine and Food Festival. It is the celebration of the great spirits, fine foods, live inclusive gastronomic events that showcase the best Jamaica has to offer.

Jamaica has long had events with global reach that celebrate our music, films and fashion, even our herbs, so we thought, why not showcase our gastronomic ingenuity and boost our tourism product while we’re at it by adding to our ever growing list of Jamaican festivals.. And voila! The Jamaica Food & Drink Festival was born.

RESTAURANT WEEK JAMAICA @JAFOODANDADRINK NOVEMBER 11-19, 2017

Restaurant Week Jamaica promises patrons eight days of culinary exploration, offering special discounts at over 75 participating restaurants across Jamaica. The annual Restaurant Week is in its 11th year and encourages friends and families to dine out with fixed priced menus at participating establishments. The cuisine options range from Morning Bites, Nyam & Scram, Tasty, Savoury, and Delectable to Epicurean.|P

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DJ Courtney THE ONE & ONLY

BY TRICIA WILLIAMSON

I

n everyone's life, there is always that one person who can affect your whole mood or reset your day with just one touch. When DJ Courtney puts his hand to the music he does just that.

Courtney can transform the dullest of spaces and places in minutes with the pulsating selection he plays. Beyond the impressive collection of tracks from the 70s, 80s and 90s genre that pull a more mature audience to places like Ribbiz on their 'Big People Sundays'. DJ Courtney is first a great Dad- NOTHING means more to him than his son.

This devoted father is many things...a realist and lover of the simple things in life. So after years of waiting, we're happy he's decided to share a little more about the man behind the music.

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W

here did your love of

music come from? My mom died when I was four years old and my dad always had music playing in the house, it was always associated with happiness.

What inspired or motivated you to get into this business?

I was an avid collector of Dancehall cassettes & eventually started to go to dances, where I met Selector Webba, who encouraged me to try it based on my knowledge of music.

What events/parties do you do... you have a strong following at Ribbiz's Big People Sundays and several top locales across Jamaica...

When and where can people find you? Yes, I am in the regular rotation at Big People Sundays at Ribbiz and once a month at Pulse for Pepperseed Wednesdays. Other than that I play at various parties, weddings, events across the island. Follow me on IG @ djcourtneyjm for up to date info.

While there are works of a few producers in the industry today that I do enjoy, I typically find the genre too violent, which is why I prefer the oldies.

Outside of DJing/Spinning... you ever thought about producing? I've assisted in music production in the past, but the music business is too much politics in Jamaica, so I decided not to, the less stress the better.

What attracts you most to the genres of music you spin...70s, 80s, 90s...? It's less violent & more fun, simple.

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"Father first, but a realist who appreciates the SimpleThings in Life."

Now back to music- How important is that connection with the crowd when you play? That's the hardest part of playing, every crowd is different, & you have to figure out how to bring the different personalities together through the music, that's called the art of reading the crowd.

What are thoughts on the music industry today? While there are works of a few producers in the industry today that I do enjoy, I typically find the genre too violent, which is why I prefer the oldies.

You're an IT guy... let's touch on that a bit... tell us what are your thoughts on net neutrality and more importantly how has social media helped or hindered you?

Net Neutrality is the best thing to happen, especially in JA, it has made us more accessible globally, as for SM, Twitter & IG are my favourites to showcase my views & promotions.

THE CHEF... #RealMenCook

Three tunes you could not live without? Dennis Brown - Love & Hate; Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come; Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers To Cross If you could have a sound clash with anyone who would it be? Squingy Bass Odyssey (RIP)

DJ Courtney

If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? Dead - Martin Luther King; Alive - Barack Obama Finally, what's been your greatest achievement in life? My Son. |P Contact Info for bookings: DJ Courtney™ Jamaican DJ versatile in all genres #WhoIsHere

"My favourite cuisine is Jamaican, then Chinese, & I actually love to replicate every good cuisine that I've tried. My favourite dish is curried goat." -DJC

Instagram: @djcourtneyjm Twitter: @djcourtneyjm Email: djcourtney@live.com

#WhoIsHere... DJC

Billy Slaughter, STONE LOVE

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Photo From: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20161018/holness-expected-open-tosh-museumtomorrow-public-able-see-exhibits

Peter Tosh

“It's an honour to bestow this award on one of Jamaica’s great icons."

CanEx 2017, before its opening, announced the launch of the “Pioneer Award”. An award created to recognise those who played a pioneering role in establishing and enhancing Jamaica’s reputation as an international cannabis culture capital! The CanEx Jamaica - Business Conference & Expo was held on Friday, September 1, 2017 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The conference, expo and job fair sought to bring together high level cannabis professionals from across the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe & North America and discussed opportunities for investment, medical development and the legal landscape.

Joan Webley, who sits on the CanEx Pioneer Committee shared, "Many have paid a significant

personal and social cost to establish the industry we are exploring today. In recognizing these pioneers, CanEx pays tribute to their efforts and is leading way to destigmatise Jamaica's marijuana history and opportunity.”

Jamaica’s long standing association with marijuana, derives in no small part due to the worldwide regard for Reggae music and Rastafari. As such the CanEx Jamaica organisers awarded Peter Tosh, the inaugural Pioneer Award. His marijuana anthem “Legalize It”, released in 1976, was an early siren call to the government of the then conservative island nation (and indeed the world) to develop cannabis industries which could be promoted by the music industry.

Peter Tosh Pioneer Awardee

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CanEx Jamaica producer, Douglas Gordon said, “It's an honour to be able to bestow this award on one of Jamaica’s great icons. We celebrate all that Peter Tosh’s work and advocacy have done to establish a foundation for understanding about the power of the plant. We also recognize the significant sacrifice he and so many others have paid in promoting something that was once deemed illegal, but is now being recognized for its tremendous benefits.”

Niambe Tosh, daughter of Peter Tosh, shared details on the developments in the Peter Tosh 420 marijuana product line at the conference, now in its second year. Niambe joined Montel Williams, John Salley, Nikki Z, Imani Duncan, Ras Iyah V, Gappy Ranks, Dr. Uma Dhanbalan, Michael Minardi and a number of other public figures and marijuana advocates who also converged on the island for the event. |P

Richie Spice Reggae Singer Richie Spice is currently in Amsterdam, where he kicked off his European tour to a capacity crowd at the Kwaki Festival on August 4.

The tour, dubbed The Healing, continues to Winchester, United Kingdom at the Boomtown Festival on August 13, then on August 19 at the Overjam Festival in Slovenia, and moves to Sound Show in Geneva, Switzerland on August 25 and 26. The healing tour will then move to The Black Music Festival in the United Kingdom on August 27, Sweden on August 30 then back to London, United Kingdom on August 31 and September 2.

The singer will then play in Hamburg, Germany on September 7 and move to Zurich, and St. Gallen in Switzerland on September 8 and 9 respectively, Prague on September 12 and Vienna Austria on September 13. The tour concludes in German cities Stuttgart, Dusseldorf and Berlin on September 15, 16 and 17 respectively.

The Brown Skin singer has been consistent in his delivery of music that resonates with

fans worldwide. He recently released the 15 track mix tape, The Healing much to the delight of his fan base.

Fans continue to crave Richie Spice’s work with the emphasis on quality music that teaches and inspires. “It is a collector’s

item. People can buy it for many reasons. You can buy it for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a birthday. It’s a good product,” said the proud father of his latest baby. “I think it’s time. Time and demand, Fans kept on asking, they were starved for a little while.”

Very aware of this request for his signature sounds, the artiste is excited about his upcoming body of work called The Album, from the Element Music Group. This is Richie Spice’s seventh album and will be available on most digital platforms and features new tracks such as the single Where there’s a Will, that is already the subject of positive feedback. There are also plans to release another single and video for another cut called California.

Richie Spice Kicks off Europe tour to capacity crowd

are a number of other quality cuts from the album that his fans will enjoy. Those include Together We Stand, Sunny Day, and Teach it in the School, a song that he says carries a special message. “The message is all about life, the justice system, the words of Emperor Selassie I, the words or Marcus Garvey. The type of words that people are supposed to be listening to, abiding and living by,” he said.

“We also have songs for the ladies so it’s a whole mixture of different types of music combined and packaged for the album.”

Producers including Clive Hunt, Stephen Stanley and Snow Cone, have added their signature touch to the album on which a number of the tracks were laid by members of Richie’s Spice personal band.

A tour of Africa, where Richie Spice enjoys a strong fan base, is being planned for November.|P

In addition to the aforementioned tracks, Richie Spice reveals that there

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Where to Eat HOUSE OF LOAVES House of Loaves is a streeteaterie that pops up around the city of Kingston. They specialize in fast, gourmet street food.

IG: @houseofloaves

F&B DOWNTOWN The little oasis in Downtown, Jamaica - has made its mark in healthy and freshly prepared meals.

IG: @fnb_downtown

KENNY'S ITALIAN CAFE, NEGRIL Where Italy meets NEGRIL Jamaica. The best Italian food on the island, great music and ambiance. Negril, Jamaica.

Hashtag #italiancafejamaica IG: @italiancafejamaica

REGGAE MILL BAR The Appleton endorsed chill spot is the place to be at Devon House.

Great food, great drinks, great music- Enjoy! |P IG: @reggae_mill

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