RG Spring March 2018 by webmx04

SPRING2018

THE RIGHT

TO LOVE

THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF BEING GAY IN BERMUDA

MORE INSIDE

THE ISLANDS BEST

BURGER

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

FITNESS WEAR & FASHION

RGMAGS ON THE SCENE

Casino Night @ The Shed

1 Sophie Grewal, Milton Raposo, Gemma Godfrey 2 Nikki & Joe Nelson 3 Melissa DeSilva, Natacia Smith, Kara Lindo 4 Asha Caisey & Roy Tucker

Off the Wall @ Masterworks

1 Yvette Djani, Irma Moh-Elloh 2 Peter Goodall, Eric West 3 Joanna Stapff 4 Carlos Santanaa Dill 5 Flora Goodall, Jon Legere, April Branco 6 Dejavon Paynter, NealJhay Morris, Carlos Dill 7 Anna Fortuna, Sophia Fortuna, Sandra Guglielmucci

EDITOR’S NOTE

WE’RE MAKING BIG CONNECTIONS...

Claiming back the debate There seems no civilized way to discuss same-sex marriage in Bermuda, no middle ground on which the two sides can meet. The extremists from both camps drown out those of more moderate leanings; such is the story of discourse in the world today. Trump, Brexit, race relations, guns in America, the LGBTQ community, few conversations surrounding these topics take place in an atmosphere of calm and respectful understanding. We are living in the age of the demagogue, or at least in an age when we give demagogues too much of a voice. The media, and social media, has contributed to this dumbing down of our society. Too often the talking heads, the ones with the snappy sound bite, are given greater exposure than people of a more conscientious disposition. Far from improving matters, technology has made things worse. Online trolls spout hateful opinions, while hiding behind the anonymity the internet provides. When once a person might have thought twice about what they were about to say, consideration appears to be lost in the race to be loudest, to be the most hateful, and to be first. Being right, being considerate, and being a decent human being is secondary. Some might say this is progress, because we now see humanity as it always was, but progress should be about us improving our humanity, not reveling in the arrogance and ignorance of our certainty. This is no way to approach subjects of such complexity. Everyone has opinions and disagreements on these topics, as they should. History shows us the dangers of unified thought, and in the future will show the dangers of our bubble-like existence today, where the masses largely consume information and opinions from people with whom they already agree. This is-

sue’s cover story is about breaking out of that bubble, or at least trying to. It is not about picking sides or about preaching from a pulpit – this is about the right to love, and ultimately all of the rights that come with it. You will not find Bible verses, archaic references to slavery, or discussions about the evolution of human rights in this piece; rather this is about people in Bermuda, about their emotions, their humanity, and their place in the world. We know this conversation is far from over, but we believe discussion over this unfinished business needs to be reclaimed by the voices of reason on both sides. For some this may be an issue too uncomfortable to confront, for others this piece may not go far enough, but, this is a start, and right now that is as good a place to be as any. Of course, being RG Magazine, it isn’t all weighty matters requiring some serious brain time; we’ve got some fun in here too. Ever wondered who made the island’s best burger, we did, all the time, so we decided to find out – there have to be some perks to working here after all.

Elsewhere we have book reviews, fashion, young Bermudians chasing their dreams on the football field, and a new facial that is part horror story, part beauty technique.

Nadia

Writer @nadiatakesflight

Robyn Writer

This is RG Spring, we hope you enjoy it.

SPRING 2018 Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Howes

Creative Director Nikeisha Burrows

Andre Bolotenko Marguerita Carter

Director of Sales Michael Grier

Designer Christina White

Photographers Akil Simmons

Publications & Product Development Manager Carlene SpencerDarrell

Content Specialist Rajan Simons

Published By The Bermuda Press [Holdings] Ltd.

THE RIGHT

Printed By Bermuda Press Ltd.

RGMags Bda is a series of Feature & Supplement products provided by The Royal Gazette.

Sarah Writer

SPRING2018

TO LOVE

THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF BEING GAY IN BERMUDA

rgmags.com MAGSBDA

@thegoldlabel

The Bermuda Festival is over for another year, but the talent displayed by young local musicians will be talked about for some time, not least in these pages.

Josh Ball, Special Sections Editor

Sales Team Shawn-Nae Cann Brad Tatem

Perri Fashion

MORE INSIDE

THE ISLANDS BEST

BURGER

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

FITNESS WEAR & FASHION

Established 1828; Incorporating The Colonist and Daily News (Established 1866). Member of the Newspaper Association of America. The Royal Gazette Ltd, a subsidiary company of Bermuda Press (Holdings) Ltd. BPH incorporated in Bermuda, publishers and printers of The Royal Gazette. The Royal Gazette Ltd’s Electronic Edition is published daily at www.royalgazette.com

Tia Columnist

Want to be a Contributor? Email us at magseditor@bpmedia.bm

#rgmags #rgspring

FEATURE FINDS + READS

Spring 10 We’ve got talent

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

33 They want to suck your blood

BEAUTY + FASHION

45 Rediscovering an old friend

34 Love isn’t all around Bermuda and its gay community

52 Just champion

15 What’s On

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Upcoming events

18 Spring Cleaning

HOME + LIVING Spruce up your space

22 Athleisure

BEAUTY + FASHION Athletic wear not for the gym

42 Business Traveller

BIG WORLD Shakhai Trott in Dubai

COMMUNITY + SPORT

48 Bermuda’s best burger

MORE FINDS + READS

TRAVEL + LEISURE

FOOD + DRINK

46 FOOD + DRINK A Shot of Rum

Taste the new amber nectar

CONTENTS

JEFFREY MARX, MD OPHTHALMOLOGIST Caring for your eyes in Bermuda as a visiting Lahey specialist since 2007. Education: State University of New York Stony Brook School of Medicine, 1990 Residency: University of Illinois at Chicago Eye Center Fellowship: Doheny Eye Institute Board Certification: Ophthalmology For an appointment with Dr. Marx, call Kelley McKinney at 888-695-1250. Visit www.laheybermuda.org for the full specialist schedule.

SINCE

2007 Here to heal.

RGMags.com

BOOKS We’ve started a new review section on rgmags.com, with Robyn Bardgett our reader-in-chief. So far she’s given The Music Shop, by Rachel Joyce, three out of five stars, and The Pictures, by Guy Bolton four out of five. Other titles worth a look include Munich, by Robert Harris, and The Last Black Unicorn, by Tiffany Haddish. Read Robyn’s in-depth reviews at rgmags. com. All books are supplied by the Bermuda Bookstore.

ART + CULTURE The St. George’s Foundation has a permanent exhibit of Bermuda landscape murals painted in the 1930’s by for the Anderson family of Ford Motor Company. These large paintings depict an

FILMS

NEW MODEL

RENAULT KWID TCD ‘C’ Class

era long ago and are not only of value as works of art, but are of historical and educational interest. These murals have been restored and are exhibited at The World Heritage Centre, St George. This exhibit will be on-

April isn’t always a great month for movie releases, but there are a couple due out that should be worth seeing. If not, you can always wait for May, when the latest Star Wars spin-off comes out. Amy Schumer returns to the big screen as Renee Bennet in, I Feel Pretty (April 27). Schumer’s character is an ordinary woman who struggles with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy on a daily basis wakes from a fall believing she is suddenly the most

going until further notice. Opening hours will be from 10am until 4pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. For more information, contact The World Heritage Centre on 297-5791.

beautiful and capable woman on the planet. With this newfound confidence she is empowered to live her life fearlessly and flawlessly, but what will happen when she realizes her appearance never changed? For something a little more adult, Blockers (April 6) will give parents and their older children a laugh, although it will be awkward if you watch the film together. John Cena, of WWE fame, is one of a group of parents who discover their daughters have a pact to lose their virginity on prom night. Cue a one-night operation to stop the teens sealing the deal.

Things get better in May with the release of the latest Marvel installment as Avengers: Infinity War (May 4) hits the big screen, while the month ends with Solo: A Star Wars Story (May 25). Surely that should have been the other way around?

• •

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FOOD Bermuda Food Tours is a new way for small groups to eat, drink and explore Hamilton. Local tour guides will take you to some of the city’s most interesting attractions and eateries. www.bermudafoodtour.com

2 Woodlands Road, Pembroke Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Saturday 10am-1pm Tel: 292-3240 Some features shown may not be available.

ART+ ENTERTAINMENT

Bermuda’s Got Talent BY NADIA ARANDJELOVIC PHOTOGRAPHY BY AKIL SIMMONS

eart pounding, Indigo Adamson faced one of her biggest fears when she auditioned in front of a panel of judges for a chance

to take the stage at the Bermuda Festival for the Performing Arts. The 11-year-old singer delivered her song ‘a capella’, but couldn’t be sure if the judges were impressed; their expressions looked blank. She was shocked, therefore, when a few weeks later she received an email at her school, explaining she was one of six acts selected to perform in the festival’s youth competition. “I was so happy, I nearly fainted,” the Saltus student said. Indigo is just one of 20 gifted young people whom have been given a platform to shine through the 2018 Bermuda Festival for the Performing Arts, which runs until March 17.

ART+ ENTERTAINMENT

The Festival’s Executive Director, David Skinner said the event series had always served to “celebrate our own artists and be as inclusive as possible”. However, in the past three years organisers have made ever greater strides to increase local participation. “We want this to be a festival that serves the entire community and is an opportunity to bring people together, so if that’s our goal then our actions need to follow suit,” said Mr Skinner. “It’s really as simple as that. “There’s a lot of talent on this island and unfortunately, it just doesn’t get an opportunity to be showcased as often as it should.” In the case of Cedarbridge Academy musicians Brothers In Music, a band made up of seven

“

You can express yourself a lot with music and make people feel certain things and certain ways when you create music.

Brothers In Music first started performing together back in 2015, after a friend asked them to play backup during a performance at the Alpha Beautillion. That same friend went on to college, but the younger musicians decided to keep playing together at weddings, events and school assemblies across Bermuda. Tiffany Fox, a music teacher at CedarBridge, has watched the young men blossom ever since – morphing from energetic middle school students to more focused and determined teens. All the students have been on honor roll throughout their time in the band, with several of the older members looking to advance to college in the autumn, she said. About half of the group are considering one day

high school students between ages 13 and 17, performing in the festival

pursuing music professionally, including 16-year-old Jessiah Talbot.

counted as their biggest gig to date.

He’s been interested in music from as far back as he can remember. In pri-

Band member Shaqcoi Fox, 17, called the experience “exhilarating”. “It was just amazing because how we practice here at school - a lot of the

mary school, he started playing violin and the drums and by middle school he decided to pick up the trumpet as well.

time we just jam out - so to be able to take that to the stage, which was full

“You can express yourself a lot with music and make

of energy and so much excitement from other people, was great.”

people feel certain things and certain ways when

Tylar Jones, the band’s co-leader, said one of the highlights of the experience was getting to meet Shun Ng, an award-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter, best known for his unique fuse of jazz, funk, soul and blues genres.

you create music,” Jessiah said. “I was two years old when I was introduced to the arts through Kinder Music and in those days it was just about having fun. I know for sure I’m go-

“Just listening to how his life was when he first started music was amazing,”

ing to follow a career in music, but I don’t

Tylar said. “He’s from Singapore, but born in Chicago, and had some learn-

know what specifically I’ll end up doing.”

ing challenges with dyslexia.

Mr Skinner believes the festival has

“He didn’t let those obstacles deter him, which kind of gave everyone this feel-

the power to inspire young Bermudi-

ing of ‘It doesn’t matter where you come from, as long as you do what you’re

ans of what’s possible if you dream

passionate about and give it all the effort so you can become great at it’.”

big and work really hard.

ART+ ENTERTAINMENT

He explained that many of the international acts signed to take part in the Bermuda Festival, do so with the understanding they will have to give some time to the non-profit’s outreach schemes and partnerships with local schools. “Our aim isn’t to try to create the next wave of performing artists or to put stars in people’s eyes about having a career in the performing arts,” Mr Skinner confessed. “If they want to pursue music professionally that’s great, but our underlying goal is to expose as many young people as possible to the life lessons that are inherent in the performing arts. “Young people learn about what it takes to succeed in a career, no matter what that is, and the importance of values like hard work, commitment, dedication and integrity. And I think they come away understanding it takes one per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration – that’s the message we are trying to get across. “The performing arts is a platform for relating to people and passing on values to kids that are important for their everyday lives,” he added. Naphisa Smith, a member of the Bermuda School of Music’s Senior Strings

Ensemble, which won top place in the Festival’s Ensemble Onstage Competition, admits she has grown a lot personally from taking part in the performing arts. The 17-year-old Bermuda College student has been playing violin for the last 13 years; her plan is to study music education and performance, so she can go on to teach, become a travelling performer and one day play music with a professional orchestra. “I’m typically a shy person, but when I’m on stage I’m not,” Naphisa confessed. “Performing is something that boosts your confidence. I really love performing, I just don’t get the opportunity to do it as much as I would like to.

“

“That’s why performing in front of so many people at the Bermuda Festival was so amazing - and I’m sure everyone else in the Senior Strings Ensemble

The performing arts is a platform for relating to people and passing on values to kids that are important for their everyday lives.

ART+ ENTERTAINMENT

loved it too. Hearing everyone clapping and hearing their appreciation for our music was a major highlight for me.” Naphisa has heard some say the Island’s music scene is losing steam. In her dad’s day, for example, the Island boasted a much larger youth orchestra made up of students from across the Island. “You don’t hear about that many professional musicians in Bermuda and there are noticeably less young people taking part in the arts, but through the festival and its entertainers, we get to know the possibilities outside of Bermuda,” she said. “You learn to think bigger than just what is available on our tiny island.”

“

According to Mr Skinner, much of the magic of the festival happens behind the scenes. Local artists get to know and interact with the international acts – sometimes they have chats in between sets, other times they go for a coffee after the show. “We encourage those types of bonds,” Mr Skinner said. “It’s something you wouldn’t get in New York, London or Toronto, or wouldn’t happen as easily as it does here because we bring these people into our own backyard.” Such was the case for young Indigo.

You learn to think bigger than just what is available on our tiny island.

As a classical singer, Indigo initially thought Shun Ng’s brand of funky rock and roll music would be too different from her own style of music.

Then she learned through a series of workshops hosted by the guitarist, she actually had a lot in common with him - having also grappled with learning challenges and sometimes struggling in the traditional school setting. “During the second workshop, after I sang my song, Shun Ng took me aside and spoke more about these challenges I face and how I can use my music to rise above the struggles,” she said. Later that day, Indigo got to interact even more with the international artist, after her parents invited him to their house for a cup of tea, which later turned into dinner. He agreed to help Indigo practice some of the song they were working on for the finale performance, which took place on January 30. He also taught her how to enjoy a song and make it her own, rather than just emulating how it had been done before by other singers. “We sat on the floor and he played his guitar and I sang ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and he taught me how to manipulate a song to make it more original,” Indigo explained. “In the beginning, I thought ‘why change a song that is already so beautiful’, but by the end, it was so exciting and fun to play with music and to have company.” She admits taking part in the Bermuda Festival really boosted her self-esteem and belief in her own abilities. Before, whenever she sang, she felt “ashamed of her voice” and never wanted to perform in front of others. “Now, I really enjoy it and want to perform more, which I never expected,” Indigo added. “I still feel shy after being on stage, and all the attention that comes with it makes me feel uncomfortable, but in the moment, when I was lost in the song, I felt truly happy.” n

ART+ ENTERTAINMENT

What’sOn CITY FOOD FESTIVAL – April 12 to 15 Coming back to Hamilton once again, the food festival has proved popular with chefs and foodies alike. Expect Front Street to be alive as local restaurants, amateur chefs and their clientele gather for four days of celebrating all things culinary. More information available at www.cityofhamilton.bm ANA LUNA NEW MOON STARGAZING – May 16, ongoing Join us for a sunset cruise as we observe the spectacle of the new moon. Guests will enjoy the sun setting over western waters followed by sky blue and pink clouds transitioning into the display of constellations and heavenly bodies. The cruise concludes with a champagne toast as Ana Luna nears the dock. Cruise includes a two hour outing under a heavenly canopy, organic coffee, hibiscus tea, organic snack selection, champagne toast and cash bar. Cost is $79 per person. Contact 504-3780 for details.

BERMUDA OPEN INDOOR VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT – April 19 to 21 Come and see Bermuda take on some of the best women’s senior and junior teams from the United States and Canada at Warwick Academy. Six visiting teams will take on four local teams in two divisions of five teams, playing in a round robin format. MS AMLIN WORLD TRIATHLON BERMUDA – April 26 to 28 Watch the world’s elite triathletes take on Bermuda’s very own Flora Duffy, as the world champion competes on home turf in the second race of the 2018 season as the island once again hosts an international sporting event. The weekend of festivities begins on Thursday, April 26 at 7pm with the official opening of the MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda, featuring a special triathlon-themed Harbour Nights Pasta Party that will take place in the heart of Front Street. Races start on Friday night with the Feather Mile and finish with the elite triathletes tackling the course in and around Hamilton on Saturday afternoon.

RELAY FOR LIFE – May 18 to 19 Grab your trainers and head to the National Sports Centre to support a worthy cause. The annual 24hour walkathon returns to North Field. Bermuda has already raised thousands to support cancer prevention and detection. Sign up, donate, or for more information see bermudarelay.com. BERMUDA DAY PARADE – Friday, May 25 A day later than is traditional, summer in Bermuda officially starts this weekend. Break out the bikinis and the board shorts and head to the beach in the morning, if you’re not running in the half-marathon that is. In the afternoon the annual parade gets under way in Hamilton, with the streets filled with music, dancing, and fun late into the night.

One day Krystal Patrice had the sudden idea to help others like her who have once found themselves in a “messy” situation. The selfproclaimed de-muddler started her business ‘Minus the Muddle’ back in April 2016 and it has been booming ever since.

“I used to be a pack rat when I was younger,” she said. “When I moved out of my parents house I realised I had too much stuff! From there I became very conscious, getting rid of things while being aware of what I buy when shopping. Then I thought ‘hey! There’s probably other people out here like me”. Clients have called Krystal to de-muddle closets, kitchens, living rooms, garages and more while providing tips and advice to stay organised. “They call, we have a conversation based on their needs, then I schedule a viewing. Once I have an idea of the task at hand I come back on the weekend and together from start to finish we go through all of your belongings to see what you do and do not need,” Krystal said. Recognizing that most people have a fear to go through the things they’ve accumulated over the years, currently in New York, Krystal is working on a system to help people back home in Bermuda though a video course. She also uploads regularly on her social media.

HOME+ LIVING

MINUS THE MUDDLE

Spring Cleaning Tips

HOME+ LIVING

1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9. 10.

Scrub down the trash bin Drop some dishwashing liquid on the inside and the outside of the bin. Use a hose to rinse out the inside and scrub down the outside with a disposable sponge. Dry in sun.

Before

Clean the shower liner Throw the liner into the washing machine with a few towels to scrub it, then hang it back up to dry.

Vacuum the perimeter Go corner to corner, room to room with the vacuum nozzle, get those stray dust bunnies!

Wipe down the ceiling fan blades

After

Spray cleaner directly onto a blade, covering the dust, then wipe down the blade with a rag to toss later. Repeat once more with a cleaner cloth.

Give your curtains life Throw your drapes into the dryer for 15 minutes with a slight damp cloths. Fluff out and hang back up.

Before

Check the refrigeratorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coils Dust and lint sticks to the protective grill of the refrigeratorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condensers coils and the coils themselves. Give them a slight brushing with a long handled brush and vacuum.

Clean the screens With a piece of old carpet rub the screen to remove the dirt and dust.

Iron off the residue

After

Warm up your iron, on the cotton setting, and iron over a light bed of salt on top of a sheet of paper. After a few runs, unplug the iron and wipe clean when cooled.

Dishwashers need cleaning too Pour a cup of white vinegar in the bottom of the empty unit and run a heavy cycle. Then sprinkle a cup of banking soda in the bottom and leave overnight. Run an empty cycle in the morning.

Before

Give the broom a bath Throw on some gloves and scrub the bristles together in some soapy warm water. Turn upside to dry and store.

@minus themudlle

FACEBOOK Minus the Muddle WEBSITE minusthemuddle.com EMAIL hey@minusthemuddle.com

After

Love your life. We do. That’s why we at BF&M are proud to help you protect what matters most. It’s also why we’re proud to be a Main Sponsor of Bermuda’s ﬁrst World Triathlon Series event. Be healthy. And keep on loving life.

The BF&M difference? Insurance the way it should be. For more information visit www.bfm.bm or call 295 5566

HOME+ LIVING

SPclReaniING ng 101

CLEAN HOME CLEAN HOME

CLEAN PAINT CLEAN PAINT

There are very few things in life more satisfying than a clean space. Although the process might not be as enjoyable, periodically deep cleaning and decluttering will ensure that feeling lasts year long. Are you running out of space to store things you actually need? Are there items in your home that you hardly use and are collecting dust? Then it might be time to get rid of a few things. A thorough clean is the best way to reset and get a fresh start.

1 Declutter your space First thing’s first, you cannot clean without organising and decluttering first. As the months and years pass, it is very easy to get caught up in a collecting cycle, and before you know it your home feels crowded and chaotic. Asses the value of every item you own, as a rule of thumb, if something hasn’t been used in six months or more, than you can part ways with it and it probably won’t be missed. Be honest with yourself and identify the items in your home that you never reach for, from clothing to furniture and everything in between. Ask yourself why you’re keeping this item, is there sentimental value, or are you hoping it will become useful again one day? Not all items are meant to stay forever, keep what you genuinely use on a regular basis, plus a few items which hold sentimental value and you absolutely cannot part with, besides that, let it go. A cluttered space will result in a cluttered mind, and will make it close to impossible to effetely organise your home.

2 Get rid of unnecessary products Perhaps the easiest way to pile up clutter is by accumulating products. Take a look in your kitchen, pantry, bathroom, medicine cabinet, etc. and you will probably find an unnecessary amount of items. We all hold onto products, that one bottle of shampoo

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HOME+ LIVING

you bought but didn’t like, the bottle of Advil that you’ve had for 5 years, duplicates of the same item, products that are almost out but you refused to throw away because it feels like a waste and yet you never reach for. Throw them all out it will feel good! they’re just collecting dust and taking out space, get rid of those “just in case items.”

3 Let the cleaning begin After you’ve tackled the decluttering, the spring cleaning can begin. All items, appliances and furniture need a deep clean once in a while. You might want to spread out all this tasks through a couple weeks, one or two a day will make it less overwhelming than attempting to do it all at once, plus it will ensure you actually get to deep clean everything properly. This is the time to clean all the spots you usually miss with you daily cleaning, and replace things like bathtub mats, shower curtains, dish racks and items like such that might be past their prime time. Spring season is a time of change, out with the old and in with the new, your home deserves that makeover and turnaround as well. A clean and decluttered space to come to is the best way to unwind and finish your daily routines.

4 Establish a routine This whole process is much easier when its done before it gets chaotic. Master a simple daily or weekly cleaning routine to make sure your home always feels organized and decluttered. Your space can affect your mood and your productivity, so take care of it. It is much easier to handle one thing at a time rather than wait until things get out of hand. n

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CHEF’S TABLE SATURDAY, APRIL 14 th First Sitting: 6pm – 7:30pm Second Sitting: 8pm – 9:30pm Upper Level, Pier 6

JUST DESSERTS, CAKE EDITION SUNDAY, APRIL 15 TH 3pm – 5pm Upper Level, Pier 6

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BEAUTY+ FASHION

NORTHSHORE MEDICAL:

Vampire Facial BY RAJAN SIMONS

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and model, Bar Refaeli have been seen on social media baring bloody faces while getting the trendy Vampire Facial.

We’re just trying to make you look like the best you possible.

The procedure, also known as the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), allows patients to have their own blood injected into their faces for a non-invasive facelift.

On island, the vampire facial has become extremely popular, often performed by Dr Kyjuan Brown of Northshore Medical & Aesthetics Centre. It claims to remove wrinkles, dull skin, acne scarring and more and can be performed on any age group. Being that Kim K wasn’t available to fly to Bermuda to get her monthly facial, we got our Project Manager, Carlene Spencer-Darrell to do it instead. The appointment began with a consultation and series of ‘before’ photos taken with the new Quantificare 3D camera system that analyses the skin, generating an evaluation of wrinkles, oiliness, pores, evenness and red and brown spots. The software also allowed the doctor to simulate and decide treatment options. “What I tell patients when they come in is that we’re not trying to make you change you & make you look like a Beyoncé or Marilyn Monroe,” Said Dr Brown. “We’re just trying to make you look like the best you possible. Many patients bring in pictures from when they were 20 years younger and we help snatch them back, it’s possible.” Dr Brown began by numbing Carlene’s face with a topical cream for 45 minutes before a physician drew a vial of blood from her arm, spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the plasma (fluid) from the red and white blood cells. He said: “The idea behind blood facials is that they infuse the skin with platelets, which contain growth factors, which are known to be helpful in healing wounds. Growth factors stimulate new collagen.”

To help with texture and tone of the face, Dr Brown then did a combination treatment, injecting PDO threads and Juvederm dermal fillers, which lifted and softened the tissue, giving Carlene an almost immediate youthful look.

“This is artistry, you don’t want to over or under-fill,” said Dr Brown. “We want to get it just right. In two weeks time, water is going to be drawn to this area, filling it out even more. Lasting up to a year and a bit.” “People love this procedure because it’s instant and you leave here looking and feeling extra gorgeous”. Dr Brown, highlighted that what steers people away from the vampire facial is the cost and the perception of pain which is almost non-existent despite the amount of needles that are involved. Carlene also pointed out her needle phobia and said the feeling was minimal, other than some pressure. n

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LGBT

Somewhere over t he rainbow

wa 35

Is marriage a right that should be afforded to all, or merely the preserve of the religious and the straight?

Your answer depends on your point of view, but there is little doubt that society’s views on the matter are evolving. In Bermuda the argument is as passionate as ever, but it is only one of several issues surrounding the gay community here.

here is a certain inevitability about Bermuda’s gradual move towards marriage equality. History shows us this; it is invariably the result of acknowledging that civil rights previously only available to straight couples should be afford to all. In the successful fight against Proposition 8 in California, in the Civil Partnerships Act of 2004 in the United Kingdom and the subsequent Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, the law eventually caught up with the evolution of society itself. In Australia last year 61.6 per cent of the population voted for marriage equality in a postal referendum after years of ineffective debate in Parliament. In Bermuda the passing of the Domestic Partnership Act 2017, which overrides the Human Rights Act 1981 and removes the rights of gay couples to marry, means the argument is going back to court, again. If the not too distant past is any indication the judiciary is likely to rule in favour of those who support equality in marriage, continuing the

BY JOSH BALL

precedent set last year by Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons in the Godwin & Deroche v The Registrar General, the Attorney General et al case. In her judgment Mrs Justice Simmons said that denying these rights against the backdrop of changing attitudes towards same-sex relationships was “out of step with the reality of Bermuda in the 21st century”. Among opponents to marriage equality in Bermuda there is a grudging acceptance that the battle will eventually be lost. The passing of the Domestic Partnership Act prompted Pastor Paul Heffernan, of the Evangelical Church of Bermuda, to tell the religious website onenewsnow.com: “If it [the process] is going to follow the regular pattern that we’ve seen globally then I believe that it [the Domestic Partnership Act] will be a stepping stone unless the Lord intervenes in some way.”

unfinished business In the 26 countries around the world that have recognised same-sex marriage God has been strangely silent on the subject, considering the insistence of most religions that homosexuality and same-sex marriage is an abomination and those who are gay face eternal damnation. Instead, life has carried on as normal, and the fears expressed by C.V. “Jim” Woolridge during the passing of the Stubbs Bill in 1994, where same-sex marriage in Bermuda might be said to have its roots, have not yet come to pass. The Private Member’s Bill, named after Dr John Stubbs, decriminalised sex between men in Bermuda some 27 years after it had been decriminalised in the United Kingdom. In a heated debate in the House of Assembly, which was punctuated by the removal of Bishop Charles Foster Fubler of the Christian Coalition from the public gallery, Woolridge, then the UBP’s tourism minister, voted against the motion, saying: “Bermuda up until now has been referred to as a paradise. Soon we’ll be known as the fairyland.”

The process in Bermuda towards granting a minority group rights that the rest of us take for granted has largely been about forward and backward steps; and the clash between progress and religion has changed little in the intervening years. In 1994 Dr David Dyer of the UBP attacked his Government for not bringing the Stubbs amendment forwards itself. “There was a serious lack of judgment, and even cowardice,’’ Dr Dyer

being Gay in Bda

It is impossible to discuss the relationship that Bermuda has with members of its LGBTQ community without discussing marriage, but that is far from being the whole story. Convincing either the Christian right, or those on the other end of the spectrum, to change their minds on the marriage issue is about as likely as convincing members of The Flat Earth Society that they won’t sail off the edge of the world at some point. So entrenched are the respective positions that short of God Herself descending from the heavens to settle the issue, nothing seems likely to bring these two groups together. However, in Bermuda, something has been lost in all the noise, in the hateful rhetoric spewed by those

told the House. He called on black colleagues to remember the past. “Many of your ancestors were locked up for something they had no control over, and those doing it felt justified in doing it.’’ It is a sentiment that would not have been out of place when judging Premier Michael Dunkley and the OBA’s approach to the non-binding referendum on same-sex marriage in 2016. The rebranded UBP did at least advance the issue with the passing of the Human Rights Amendment Act 2013, which prohibited discrimination against anyone on the basis of their sexual orientation. It was this Act that opened the door to the ruling by Mrs Justice Simmons last year. Progress has been slow, painfully so at times, but every block that has been thrown up has been overcome, eventually. Bermuda was not ready for Renee Webb’s attempt to introduce a Human Rights Amendment Act in 2006 – a proposal that was met with deafening silence in the House at the time. Faced with Wayne Furbert’s Private Member’s Bill for solidifying in law that marriage is between a man and a woman, the Domestic Partnership Act, which still does that, but, also gives some, though not all, legal rights to those in domestic partnerships, was the best that Walton Brown and the Progressive Labour Party could have reasonably been expected to achieve. History will undoubtedly show it to have been a step, one of the last, on the road to marriage equality.

on both sides; and that is the people behind the headlines. In many ways the Domestic Partnership Act and the push for marriage could be said to be putting the cart before the horse in a country where; gay politicians and gay Premiers have not been, and are not able to be, open publically about their sexuality, where gay sportsmen and women remain resolutely in the closet, and where members of the LGBTQ community still feel uncomfortable doing something as simple as going on a date. In discussing the Domestic Partnerships Act, Walton Brown, the island’s Minister for Home Affairs, said the aim had been to “strike a fair balance between two currently irreconcilable groups……..Bermuda will continue to live up to its well-earned

reputation as a friendly and welcoming place, where all visitors, including LGBT visitors, will continue to enjoy our beauty, our warm hospitality and inclusive culture”. Not everyone agrees with that final sentiment, no matter how genuinely Bermudians feel it to be true.

something has been lost in all the noise... and that is the people behind the headlines

I like men

The assertion that Bermuda is a “friendly and welcoming place” with an “inclusive culture” is one that its residents repeat proudly for all that will listen. It has formed the basis for many a successful tourism campaign and, like any

“I think there is a systemic inability to confront difficult topics. I think many white and black Bermudians would say, ‘well, we get along great, there is no problem’. Whereas, people looking from the outside, would notice

mantra repeated often enough, is held to be true.

the racial tensions immediately.”

Of course, that perception all depends on whether or not you live in the Bermuda bubble, and whether you are part of a community – straight, Christian, conformist, not a guest worker – that the island’s permanent residents believe worthy of inclusion.

In that context, for Kirkland, religion too is a drug, used as a cloak of truth when convenient. “I believe that most Bermudians don’t know how much pain is generated by their religious certainty or how cruel is their righteousness,” Kirkland wrote in his column.

There is, as Hamill wrote in his column on advocate.com, an ugliness that lies just below the surface of turquoise waters, pink beaches, and constant smiles that greet the unwary. Kirkland should know. The son of a Bermudian mother who brought her children back to the island when he was eight years old, Kirkland believes the island’s ‘charm’ can also mask a deeper reality.

The debate over marriage equality has certainly brought that cruelty to the surface, and exposed to the world the refusal of large numbers of the island’s residents to even acknowledge the existence of gay people in their midst.

Kirkland

“I’ve been thinking about all the things that Bermuda and the Bermudian people are; and all the things that they aren’t,” Kirkland says. “I haven’t met people friendlier than Bermudians, but it’s often an aggressive friendliness. There is an aura about the place, that kind of veneer of being really intimate and close. Everything looks so beautiful and inviting, it’s almost like it creates this wall to [prevent you] going a layer or two deeper to anything that is authentic.” For Kirkland the inclusivity that Walton Brown referenced when discussing the Domestic Partnership Act only applies to some. “If you are an extroverted, straight, masculine guy, Bermuda may feel as much of a paradise on the inside as it looks on the outside,” Kirkland says. “Where it gets tricky is where you step outside of that lane.” The need to remain resolutely friendly, to not rock the Bermuda boat, has caused its own issues, at least from Kirkland’s perspective. “I think there is a correlation between Bermudian superficiality and the amount people on the island drink; stay drugged in order to accommodate contradictions, avoid complexity, and maintain the appearance of easy-going homogeny,” he says.

“There is no gay community in Bermuda, no safe space,” Kirkland says. “I think the fact that it [a safe space] doesn’t exist there means the community can never really develop. “When I worked with the Human Rights Campaign we opened a satellite office in Mississippi, and there was a lesbian couple who gave me a profound insight into their lives. They said they discovered one day that even when they are in their home that they sat on the opposite side of the couch from one another because they were so conditioned, even in their own home, to feel like they had to maintain some sort of distance. I would say some place like Mississippi, or the Deep South, is where Bermuda is right now, or [Bermuda] is even a little further behind because even in Mississippi they [the gay community] have spaces to come together.” Kirkland, who now lives in Washington D.C., believes that while incremental change in the acceptance of gay communities in the rest of the world has led to marriage equality, the reverse could be true in Bermuda. “I think you can actually start [with marriage] and it can backfill from there,” he says. “Certainly the fact that it [marriage equality] happened and then was taken away, I’m hoping is going to create enough discomfort in the economy that the politicians are going to have to start reflecting on those things because the marriage issue forced it.”

DID YOU

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The Netherlands made history in December 2000 when it became the first country to legalise samesex marriage – and it took only one sentence to do it.

Dutch politicians, overwriting the nation’s civil marriage statute, added the phrase: “A marriage can be contracted by two people of different or the same sex.”

I like girls

y e

Liz is a foreign guest worker, she has been in Bermuda for several years, and comes from a liberal country where there is a greater acceptance of people from the LGBTQ community. She agreed to talk about her experiences on the understanding that we change her name.

“The dating scene in Bermuda is almost non-existent. Although I date, this is via chance meetings not through any type of scene. The atmosphere means you can’t ever really relax on a date. I generally do not feel comfortable giving any indication during a date that it is more than two female friends having dinner. “As a foreign gay woman I do not really have any issues, outside the scarcity of potential partners, and the lack of a supportive gay social group. However, I think life as a young gay black Bermudian man would be very difficult. “I don’t think that there is a difference between young and old when it comes to acceptance, the split is more along racial lines and level of education. There needs to be a greater effort to bring the two communities together. I would consider that many Bermudians don’t actually know a gay person, or think they don’t. “I work and socialise with young Bermudians who do not support gay marriage, but change their mind when talking to someone it would affect, and whom they like on a personal level. In these cases it was an education problem, and they had never actually associated with a member of the gay community. “Having an openly gay politician could help, but I would not think an openly gay man or woman would have a successful political career in Bermuda. But, it is more important to be on the inside, in the room where the decisions are being made in hopes of making life better for your gay countrymen/women than being out on the streets waving the flag. The church leaders and the power they hold over the government angers me. Church leaders should really be looking at all the Bermudian children born out of wedlock before they start pointing fingers at the gay community who want to go down the traditional route of marriage, then children.”

DID YOU

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The following countries have legalised same-sex marriage (in chronological order): The Netherlands (2000) Belgium (2003) Canada (2005) Spain (2005) South Africa (2006) Norway (2008) Mexico (2009) Sweden (2009) Iceland (2010) Portugal (2010) Argentina (2010) Denmark (2011) Uruguay (2013) New Zealand (2013)

France (2013) Brazil (2013) England/Wales (2013) Scotland (2014) Luxembourg (2014) Greenland (2015) Finland (2015) Ireland (2015) United States (2015) Colombia (2016) Germany (2017) Malta (2017) Australia (2017)

In addition courts in Austria and Taiwan have ruled that same-sex marriage is a right and legalisation is expected by 2019. Same-sex marriage is unlawful in the following European countries; however these places do recognise civil partnerships: Austria (see above), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lichtenstein, Northern Ireland, and Switzerland. Same-sex marriage is unlawful and there are no civil partnerships in the following European countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine. Of the remaining countries in the world where homosexuality is still illegal and in most cases can be punished with time in prison, the following countries still have the death penalty: Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and United Arab Emirates.

I like, who I like Shae, 30, Bermudian “I don’t have the typical “coming out” story. I didn’t go through a phase in high school of trying to figure out my sexual identity like most on a timeline. It wasn’t any pressure for some sort of big reveal, if you will – I was just ‘me’ going through my own process without bringing attention to how I felt. I knew that I had an attraction towards females, but it wasn’t a shock to me that I found them attractive. I can’t say that in my teens I even understood what I was feeling. There were moments where I would feel a connection with a close female friend, but I always chose to keep it to myself, or simply thought that it was normal, and I’ve never really been good at expressing myself verbally. I wasn’t looking to pursue a female, and was in a serious relationship with a guy until I was 24. Growing up I went to church on a regular basis and was involved in the youth group ministry, so I tended to ignore what I was feeling anyway. After all, it wasn’t appropriate according to my upbringing. Things became a little interesting when I befriended a woman that was older than me through mutual friends. I was a bit naive towards how everything eventually played out. We exchanged numbers and went out together for a few months. You would’ve thought we were best friends due to how we interacted with one another and how often. One evening I went over to her house because she wanted to speak to me about something. It took her forever to get to the point when I arrived. She was fidgety, displaying nervousness. I was thinking she had done something ridiculous and didn’t know how to tell me. When I was about to leave to pick up something she stopped me by the door. Nothing was stated, it was only movement – her movements that made me freeze. We kissed, passionately. I left without saying anything because I was rattled. I enjoyed it, but was left speechless and confused.

After I had accepted what happened that night, we both spoke about it. Like me she also came from a similar Christian-based background. Her father was actually a pastor; she had a child and was in a relationship with a man. As we started talking about “well where do we go from here” I caught myself thinking logically about what needed to happen. She was more on the emotional side of things, willing to follow her feelings that she had towards me. I just didn’t know how to handle the matter. I felt the same, but chose to ignore my feelings because I didn’t want to be shunned by family members/friends and whatever other dramatics came with it. Ultimately, I ended up lying to her. I told her that I didn’t feel the same way, I guess because from my end I needed to dig deeper within myself. I needed to figure out what I chose to neglect for a very long time. There were questions that I couldn’t answer. Was I gay now or was I considered bisexual? I found myself looking at the descriptions of each letter represented by the gay community – LGBTQ. When I researched this it didn’t really make much sense still. I wasn’t any of these descriptions. What I am is apparently a Pansexual, meaning I like who I like. Whomever I have a pull towards is not limited to a person’s gender. As I’ve gotten older I’ve truly realised the importance of being true to self, and that it really isn’t the end of the world to have a feeling towards someone of the same sex, someone that is a transvestite, or identifies differently. We’re all human. We all have feelings, and just because someone’s sexual preference may not align with yours doesn’t make them less human. Love is love.”

There were questions that I couldn’t answer. Was I gay now or was I considered bisexual?

I like.. who I am Andrew (not his real name) is a young, gay, black Bermudian. He has not yet felt able to tell his family, who he no longer lives with, that he is gay, although they know anyway from family friends. This is his story:

“I’ve known I was gay my whole life; I didn’t know what the closet was until I was in middle school when the bullying started. I was constantly picked on, and bullied, my first year at middle school I was jumped by five guys, in high school it all stopped, but people still talk about me today. I think I was picked on because I was flamboyant, and because of the attention I was getting from the girls, I guess. They [other people] couldn’t accept that I was being true to who I am, and sometimes people pick on you because they are insecure about themselves. They find a way to intimidate you because you are doing better for yourself, and they can’t do that. I still get dirty looks from people when I’m walking around town, but I brush it off because their opinion doesn’t mean anything to me. But that’s just me, I’ve been through it already so there is nothing you can say or do to me that can affect me now – I really don’t care. As far as my family is concerned they didn’t find out until a couple of years ago, but they didn’t hear it from me, they heard it from other people who were talking about me. I was always insecure about coming out; I was always flamboyant, but I always denied that I was gay. They still haven’t heard it from me, personally. But they have speculated and come to the conclusion themselves, so I didn’t really have to tell them, which kind of made it easier. But, I did move out last year, which eased the tension on my part.

My support system is mainly friends now. Right now I’m living with a roommate, and he’s also gay. His family is fully supportive of him, well us I should say, and I am thankful for that. I guess it is hard to find supportive families [in Bermuda] because a lot of people are Christians and believe what the Bible says about homosexuality, and that things should be a certain way because society says so. I do feel that things are changing for the better though. The younger generation is more accepting of the LGBTQ community because they’ve seen more, travelled more, they’ve learned more and they can fully grasp the bigger picture, as opposed to the older generation who were stuck on this small rock, and limited in their understanding of the world. I just want to see more acceptance from the rest of Bermuda, more happiness, more honesty, more freedom for people to openly express themselves. I want gay politicians to stand up for people like them. I heard a gay politician having a discussion about this, and their argument was that they were representing the people and they had to do what the people want. But, we’re still the people as well, you’ve got to represent us, it goes both ways. It has taken time over the years for me to become comfortable with who I am. I fully understand myself, and know exactly what it is that I want out of life. If someone who was in the closet came to me I would tell them to be true to who they are. You will have some people who will threaten you, but there are people out there who will support you, who will be with you.”

I was always insecure about coming out; I was always flamboyant, but I always denied that I was gay.

A g

right to love Marriage equality is not about same-sex couples wanting to stand in front of an altar to say ‘I do’, although those of faith may well wish to do so. It is not about creating a legal basis for forcing churches to conduct marriage ceremonies against their beliefs; Britain’s approach has been to create civil and religious marriage. It is not about saying one group’s rights are more important than another group’s. Similarly, marriage does not belong to religion. As a word, as a concept, its roots are far older than most of the ones we still practice, as is homosexuality. Through hundreds of thousands of years the world has not ended because two men, or two women, loved each other. Faith should be a personal matter, between a man, woman, or those of alternative gender, and their god. Too often it has been used as a justification for subjugation, and things far worse than denying two people the right to be happy. And that is ultimately what it comes down to; happiness, sadness, for better or worse, in sickness and in health – the right

to experience life in all its forms with those you love most. A ceremony does not have to be religious in nature, many straight couples today don’t want to get married in a church, but they do want to be able to declare that love in front of family and friends. But beyond love, beyond the joy of committing yourself to someone, there is the right to be consider human, not matter what. And if you are denied legal rights and protections that others have, you are deemed by them to be less than human. History has shown us what happens in this instance. Mildred Loving knows something of the fight for equality, this is what she said in 2007, on the 40th anniversary of her famous court case: “…..I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.” n

LGBTTQQ I AAP

LESBIAN

gay

bisexual

a woman who is primarily attracted to women

a man who is primarily attracted to men

an individual attracted to people of their own and opposite gender

DID YOU

KNOW

transgender

transsexual

queer

an umbrella term to be a person an outdated more incluwhose genterm that sive of the der identity originated many idendiffers from in the medtities and their asical and variations signed sex psycholog- that make at birth ical comup the munities LGBTQ+ for people community who have permanently changed their gender identity through surgeryand hormones.

question- intersex an individing ual whose

the process of exploring and discovering one’s own sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression

sexual anatomy or chromosomes do not fit with the traditional markers of “female” and “male”

ally

asexual pansexual

typically a an individnon-queer ual who person who generally supports does not and advofeel sexual cates for desire or the queer attraction to community; any group an individu- of people. al within the It is not the LGBTQ+ same as community celibacy can be an and has ally for anmany subother memgroups ber that identifies differently than them

a person who experiences sexual, romantic, physical and/or spiritual attraction to members of all gender identities/ expressions, niot just people who fit into the standard gender binary

TRAVEL+ LEISURE

BIG WORLD

Shakhai Trott

23 year-old , comes from a long line of Bermudian football players — his grandfather being national team footballer and cricketer, Winston “Coe” Trott.

Now, he is living in Dubai, studying towards his master’s degree. Following his passion for the sport, he attended high school at South Kent School in Connecticut at 14, where his football career was taken to the next level. He was picked to play Division 1 football at Drexel University, however, Shakhai is more than just an athlete and wanted to focus on studying and travelling — so he retired. To date, he has travelled to Spain, Prague, Austria, France and more and has worked at a travel agency in Greece for six months, studying the language while earning his bachelor’s degree in international business.

What took you to Dubai? “Well, I was studying in Philadelphia and I wanted a different experience just to learn more about the world I suppose. So, Dubai was one of my options and I was able to go there and study – I think it was the best option for me personally.”

Where are you studying? “I am at Hult International Business School – there’s even more than international students there, the entire area of Dubai is international so you go outside and see people of different races, countries, religions. There’s an interesting mix of different people and cultures.

Is Dubai as conservative as people make it seem? “People think that it is more conservative on the outside than it really is. I

TRAVEL+ LEISURE

don’t feel that out of place when I’m here, I don’t feel like I need to not do certain things as much as you would think before actually going. But it is different than Bermuda of course.”

What do you like best about Dubai? “What I like best is that there’s always something to do, different people to talk to, different cultures, different foods to try. So, there’s a mesh of everything. I like the complexity of it best. There’s many things to learn.

Are you still playing football? “I play maybe once or twice a month, not often, but I do get together with

Plans for the future? “I’m actually leaving Dubai in May and going to Shanghai next to continue my studies. It’s part of a global rotation programme so eight months in Dubai, two in Shanghai, then two in London before I graduate.

some friends and kick a ball when can”

What do you do for fun?

What advice would you give for those looking to study abroad?

“Even though it is a conservative place, most people go out for drinks with

“I would say to do it while you can. For me it doesn’t always have to be

friends or eat. On the weekends we have brunches which are delicious. There’s

the upscale or familiar or comfortable places. Immersing yourself in the

always something to do with beaches close by and different excursions like

language and culture sometimes is more learning than you’ll ever get inside

going into the desert or some of the souks in the traditional shopping areas.”

a classroom.” n

24 Hours In Dubai Home to the world’s tallest building, one of the largest malls in the world, an indoor ski slope, and a stunning resort complex in the form of the Jumeriah Palm there is more to do in Dubai than can possibly be crammed into the space of 24 hours. However, if time is short, here’s what you absolutely have to do. Souk (Arabic for market)

Go to the heart of old Dubai and spend the morning at the Gold and Spice Souks. This is a great opportunity to better understand what Dubai was like before the city boomed, and to get lots of high quality spices (and gold!) for a great price. Here, visitors also get the opportunity to cross the creek that goes through the city via Abra.

Burj Khalifa If you want to get a view of Dubai then there is no better place to do so than from the top of the world’s tallest building. Some 160 storeys tall, or 2,722ft, residents include the Armani Hotel Dubai, four swimming pools and two observation decks. You can book tickets via the building’s website www.burjkhalifa.ae.

Dubai Mall You could easily spend more than 24 hours just walking around Dubai Mall, as it’s one of the largest shopping mall in the world! This is a great place to grab lunch, browse some unique Dubai stores as well as international brands and visit the famous Dubai Aquarium. Also check out the mall’s indoor zoo, with a variety of animals from penguins to crocodiles. The shops in the mall vary from luxury to ready-to-wear, tending to every taste, and the restaurants do too.

Sunset at the Dubai Fountains Dubai has taken the famous fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and made them bigger and better. The world’s largest choreographed fountains, they go off every half hour, between 6pm and 11pm every night. This is one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset. They are located at the Dubai Mall, so you don’t have to travel very far. The fountains are synchronized to Arabic music, Micheal Jackson hits, and even opera.

Spend the evening at the Jumeirah Palm This man-made island imitates the shape of a palm tree and has an array of hotels to stay the night. For those looking to spend a little more, Atlantis The Palm is one of Dubai’s landmark five-star hotels, located at the island’s crescent, with a waterpark attached to it, should visitors have some time to kill in the morning before they leave. The hotel also hosts some household restaurants like Nobu and Ossiano, for an evening drink. Other hotel options are Fairmont The Palm and Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, massive resorts with their own private beaches. n

TRAVEL+ LEISURE

Rediscovering an old friend:

Toronto BY SARA GRAHAM

I’ve seen Toronto change so much since I first arrived in 1994 to attend Ryerson University, but I moved to Europe in 2014 and something strange has happened to this city since then. Construction that clogged the streets started to reveal shiny new buildings, a modern harbour front complex, and too many Instagrammable coffee shops and restaurants to count. Drake blew up and suddenly it was all about #thesix. I went back earlier this year and dropped in on some favourite spots, while discovering the latest and greatest. Here’s what you need to know so you can start planning a trip this spring or summer.

ARTS, SPORTS AND SHOWS Yes there are the Raptors, the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jays, but if men playing with balls and sticks isn’t your thing then fear not, there is plenty more to do. The multi-functional Air Canada Centre will play host to some of the biggest names in pop this summer, with Harry Styles, Sam Smith and Shania Twain among those due to appear in concert. Elsewhere, Toronto has been hosting the best of Broadway for years and while The Phantom of The Opera and Wicked will return for summer ’18 runs, the highly-anticipated, Tony award winning An American In Paris debuts at the end of this month.

WHERE TO EAT As with any city there is a multitude of options to suit any pallet, but if you fancy something a

little different, the Evergreen Brick Works, on Bayview Avenue, is tough to beat. Named one of the top 10 geotourism destinations in the world by National Geographic, it is interesting any day as a global showcase for green design and urban sustainability. The Saturday Farmers Market has grown to become the largest in Toronto; running year-round with a wide variety of local and seasonal food.

WHERE TO STAY

Again, options too numerous to mention, but if you fancy something a little different, The Broadview Hotel in the Leslieville neighbourhood is it. A former strip club, this 126-year-old building has received a stylish overhaul and is now a classy establishment with spacious suites, rich and eclectic décor throughout, and a very social scene. Guest or not, you can savour a delicious menu any time of the day in either the light-filled lobby Café + Bar, The Civic’s plush dining room, or on the rooftop. The latter boasts creative cocktails and shared plates inside a 360° glass façade. An expansive terrace opens up in the warmer months, but whatever the weather, these are some of the best views of the city.

WHERE TO SHOP The Toronto Eaton Centre has everything a girl or guy could possibly want, with Aritza, and Aldo Shoes, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors and Coach. If you’re on track to say ‘I do’ and looking for a dress that’s less traditional, but no less show-stopping, make an appointment at Sash & Bustle (779 Queen St E). The selection is ethereal and dreamy, and perfect for a Bermuda beach wedding. Men can find custom made suits at Gotstyle, which has locations in the Distillery District and on Bathurst at King Street. A longer version of this article is available on rgmags.com

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FOOD + DRINK

spring?

What’s new this BY ANDREW HOLMES AND APRIL GOSLING NAUDÉ

Goslings Amber Rum is the latest offering from the Goslings Family of Rums. Goslings Amber Rum will be introduced to Bermuda this spring; it will only be sold on island ($36.75 per litre). Goslings is the oldest business in Bermuda. Family owned for 7 generations, with 5 members of the 8th generation currently working in the business. Proudly made in Bermuda; Goslings Amber is a premium oak aged Rum that is rich yet smooth, elegant yet full bodied. The label of Goslings Amber boasts a rendering of a horse drawn carriage. The rendering is based on an image found in the Goslings archives from the 1930’s where the horse drawn carriages are lined up outside the warehouse located on Front Street ready to make deliveries island wide. Amber is a classic refined Rum, which is dry and bold. A blend of rums aged independently in once used Bourbon barrels Goslings Amber can be savored on the rocks or with your favorite mixer. Traditionally Amber Rums have been mixed with ginger ale in Bermuda. A measure of Goslings Amber Rum in a short glass with lots of ice, a splash of your favorite ginger ale and a squeeze of lime is affectionately referred to as “Amber and Ale”. Another classic cocktail to try is “The Machete,” which is an extremely refreshing blend of Goslings Amber Rum, San Pellegrino Tonic with a splash of Pineapple Juice.

If you like a great Bloody Mary we have the mix for you!

George’s® Bloody Mary Mix is sold and served in over 4,000 locations in the US. We have recently added their Spicy and Mild mixes to our portfolio as we want a Bloody Mary mix that our customers can consistently count on. George’s® Bloody Mary Mix is sold at Gosling’s Stores for $8.50 per 32oz bottle. GEORGE’S® is the microbrew of Bloody Marys. Not only are these mixes gluten free, they also contain real natural ingredients! GEORGES® is THE finished product, with no additions needed, except for your favorite spirit! We recommend using Tito’s Handmade Vodka for a traditional Bloody Mary. If you are feeling experimental, reach for Bombay Sapphire to create a Red Snapper! Another option is using Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky, which imparts a subtle smoky flavour and is known as a Bloody Scotsman. If you are a rum drinker looking for a Bermudian twist than reach for Gosling’s Black Seal Rum to create Bloody Goslings. n

PASSING THE TASTE TEST What makes a great burger? Is it the beef patty, the bun, the toppings, or a combination of all of these? Here at RG Magazine we’ve been having this argument for a while now, so we decided to ask chef Jaelen Steede to help us out. In the process we thought, why not see if we can find where you get the island’s best burger, so, we did. From East to West we searched, eating our way from Dockyard to St George’s. We divided burgers into three categories – gourmet, comfort food, and hangover cure – and judged them based on taste, presentation and value for money. Here, then, are the results of a definitely unscientific, but nonetheless very tasty, experiment.

FOOD + DRINK

GOURMET

Not all burgers are created equal, and these restaurants have taken the humble dish from a grab and go option to a gastronomic experience in their own right. BULLI SOCIAL – Classic Burger, $14 So many burgers, so little time. In the end we opted for the simple Classic Burger, a 6oz patty made from grass fed beef, with American cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce and pickles. It almost seems a crime to judge just one of the options available, but our wallets and waistlines would not allow us to sample all nine. Although, longing glances were cast in the direction of the Quebecois, a burger covered in poutine; which, for the uninitiated, is a mixture of chips, cheese curds, and gravy. Given the expertise in the kitchen it would have been a surprise if the burger wasn’t among the best we tasted. In the end the raw onion, which rather overpowered the other flavours, counted against it getting a top score.

DEVIL’S ISLE – All Natural Bacon Burger, $25.20 One of two available on the restaurant’s menu, the All Natural Bacon Burger is not your average burger. From the homemade patty, to the homebaked ciabatta bun, and white truffle mayo, it is obvious that the ingredients involved are of the highest quality, and you can almost taste the grass in the grass-fed beef. This is the healthy option on this list and is no lesser a burger for that. The juiciness of the 8oz burger, combined with the caramelized onions, and Swiss cheese was a delight. The only downside was the homemade ketchup, which was slightly disappointing.

MARCUS’ – Pitts Bay Burger, $27 This was the best burger in its class, a beautiful blend of sweet and savory. Featuring a great blend of beef with a nice and juicy and soft texture, awesome sharp cheese, with the mix of a sweet onion jam, and crispy bacon, rounded out with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and smooth avocado purée, and all inbetween traditional Portuguese Johnny Bread. Overall it’s great value for money at $27, being that you’re also paying for the atmosphere of the restaurant and great views of Hamilton Harbour.

FOOD + DRINK

FOOD

There are times when only a beer and a burger will do. Throw in the comfortable atmosphere of some of Bermuda’s best-loved pubs and there are days when finding an excuse to leave is harder than finding one to go in the first place. FLANAGAN’S IRISH PUB Plain Burger, $14 Imagination is the only limitation to what your burger can be at Flanagan’s. With extra toppings ranging from $1 for mushrooms and jalapenos, to $6 to make it a three-quarter pounder, the possibilities are endless. To keep things simple we opted for the plain 6oz homemade burger, which is char-grilled and comes with lettuce and tomato. The result, perfection.

Making your best

Burger

From a seasoned patty that our taste tester described as “awesome” to a soft bun of sweet brioche bread, the simple choices can often be the best ones. Great value for money and, depending on your tastes, perfect for anyone. If beef isn’t your thing, then the pulled pork or chicken burger option are just as attractive.

THE FROG & ONION PUB Frog & Onion Burger, $16.99

Why buy frozen burgers when you can make your own? Here’s an idea for a tasty burger that will give your next barbeque that gourmet feel.

Basic it may be, but you’ll struggle to find a better burger west of Hamilton. Swiss cheese, crisp bacon and fried onions sit on top of a burger that our taster called “texturally awesome”. A perfect blend of sweet and

Ingredients:

salty, the juicy patty sits in the middle of a burger that has well-defined layers and is as delicious to look at as it is to eat…almost.

• 700g minced beef • 1 tsp French mustard • 1 finely-diced shallot

• 1 clove garlic, diced • 1tbsp flat leaf parsley • chopped, 1 egg

Directions: Mix ingredients into a bowl, add salt and pepper, and form into four equally sized patties, and then sauté in olive oil and butter for three to four minutes on either side.

Want to try something different? Substitute salt for Chinese oyster sauce, which will stop the patty from drying out.

SWIZZLE INN (NORTH SHORE) The Swizzle Burger, $17 It’s hardly a surprise that this eponymous Bermuda restaurant would feature on our list. Popular with locals and tourists alike there is no secret behind its popularity, just good food and good fun in a friendly atmosphere. Of course, that does not always mean the burger will be a winner, but in this case, it was. A 6oz all beef burger with crisp bacon, real cheddar, lettuce, tomato and dill slices, our taster called it a “great bacon cheeseburger with a good balance of flavour”. The basic burger can be topped off anything from fried onions, to blue cheese, or guacamole, all for an extra $1.50.

FOOD + DRINK

CURE

Last, but by no means least, comes this selection of tasty morsels. For those times when even speaking can seem like rocket science and your head is thumping like the speakers in your ace boys car, these are the places to go. MR CHICKEN Swiss & Mushroom Burger, $8. No pretence, no fancy get up, just a solid, tasty burger. The mushrooms were firm enough to go well with the juicy burger and the cheese only added to the enjoyment. Topped off with some seriously good seasoned fries and this burger has everything you need at any time of the day or night.

BRIOCHE ROLL AMERICAN CHEESE ONION RINGS BACON LETTUCE & TOMATO SPECIAL BARBECUE SAUCE ADD TO YOUR 300 CLUB BURGER A SIDE ORDER OF FRIES, ONION RINGS OR MOZZARELLA STICKS AND A REFRESHING RUM SWIZZLE OR MILK SHAKE

TAKE OUT AVAILABLE

DELICIOUS BECAUSE IT IS DIFFERENT…….

BEST BURGER IN THE EAST

BERMY CUISINE Double Decker Hamburger, $7.50. Burgers that are homemade with plenty of fresh ingredients and a healthy dose of love, the overall eating experience is an enjoyable one. The burger is tasty, the lettuce was nice and crispy, and as everyone knows, nothing can go wrong when you mix mayonnaise and ketchup. The only downside to this burger is the bun, which was too small to accommodate a double patty, and as a result the burger fell apart a little too easily for our panel’s liking.

THE BEACH The Beach Burger, $14. If the Doghouse is where we all end up on a Friday night, then Bermuda Bistro at the Beach is the destination for many the morning after the night before. A juicy hand-crafted burger topped with lettuce, tomato, raw Onion and pickle. Again, our panel was not entirely sure about the raw onion, but this can be swapped out with fried onions if you choose. Added extras include Irish bacon, Chorizo, fried egg and avocado, all at $3 each. n

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KENNY THOMPSON:

CHASING THE DREAM Led by a referee and his assistants, two teams of players march out on to a pristine pitch as Handel’s Zadok the Priest is played over loud speakers and a crowd of thousands waits in anticipation of the game to come. It is a familiar sight to anyone who has watched the Uefa Champions League over the past several years, and now it is happening, minus the crowds, on the North Field, at the National Sports Centre, in Bermuda. BY JOSH BALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AKIL SIMMONS

The brainchild of Kenny Thompson and Andrew Bascome, the Youth Foot-

Thompson knows what it feels like to be let down when, as a young player

ball Super League Bermuda is the latest attempt to provide ‘serious’ football

in Bermuda, your expectations aren’t met. He and Bascome were what he

competition for local players with aspirations of being the next Lionel Messi,

terms ‘serious players’, ones whose approach even in the week preceding

Christian Ronaldo, or Nahki Wells. A league aimed at players from the un-

a pre-season friendly was dominated by training, eating, and sleeping right.

der-9 to under-15 age groups means for many involved that dream is still

He quickly learnt that not everyone felt the same way.

very much alive.

“I would take it very seriously, and then arriving for the match that all falls out

On Monday evenings the island’s young footballers play in their own cham-

of the window because I’m taking it seriously, but there are no goals, the field

pions league under lights in an atmosphere that while not quite electric, has

is not marked, there is no official referee, no uniforms,” he said.

the feel of a competition that carries as much weight for the players here as it does elsewhere. It is a place where, for a while at least, those taking part can believe anything is possible. “It is normal for players of that age to have ambitions to be professionals – the reality is that very few will get there, but I am a firm believer in ‘why not’,” said Thompson. “Why not go for it, who am I to say that only a few can make it, so don’t even try. It is our responsibility to give them the best chance to succeed.”

“There is a level of disappointment there, and that was a recurring situation, and that’s pre-season. The league matches weren’t that bad, but still there was a feeling that we weren’t serious. In many ways it didn’t live up to our expectations. “I think today we’re getting that [same sentiment] from young people, taking into consideration that back in our day we didn’t have all the information at our fingertips that these children have today. We didn’t know what top football looked like on a regular basis, you fast forward to this generation

It is not a chance that the island’s best young players have always been giv-

and they’re watching the Champions League, and the Premier League, and

en. There is a valid argument to be made that the likes of Shaun Goater, Kyle

La Liga, and Bundesliga, and this is every day. They see it on the internet,

Lightbourne, Reggie Lambe, Nahki Wells and others succeeded despite the

they see it on their phones; they are just in touch with the reality of what top

system they were developed in, rather than because of it. The gap in youth

football looks like.”

development has long been recognised as being an issue in Bermuda; it is a gap that Thompson, Bascome, and the Bermuda Football Association, who support the initiative, are hoping to close.

With knowledge comes a realisation from young players that in many ways they were being short changed by the system that Bermuda had in place for developing the skills of the next generation. “These serious players, we give

“We do very basic football activities very well, for children that want to play

them what amounts to be nothing more than just a kick-about – an open

football the opportunity is there,” Thompson said. “Then there is part of the

space with a football, two teams playing, that’s about it,” Thompson said.

football population, they are very serious [about the game], and they have se-

“And that has its place, definitely has its place, because everybody should

rious ambitions, and they have to be catered to as well. I think overall, in Ber-

have the opportunity to play football. But, for those serious guys, their ex-

muda, we have tended to leave out [the needs] of that serious population.”

pectations are much higher than any other generation before.

COMMUNITY + SPORT

“

We felt that this was the time to do something very, very serious for youth football; something that spoke to meeting the expectations of young players.

“They can pinpoint what they have, in comparison to what they see. At seven, or eight, nine, 10 years old, they are flying with ambition and we keep disappointing them, and at maybe 12 the interest starts to wear off, and by 15 or 16 they’re not playing at all. And we see, progressively, that as the players get older the number of players is dropping off.” Player development is not something new to Thompson or Bascome, both have tried their best to improve football on the island at a variety of levels. The new competition was the result of a realisation of their own, that something serious had to be done to serve the ambitions and abilities of the island’s talented young players. “We felt that this was the time to do something very, very serious for youth football; something that spoke to meeting the expectations of young players,” Thompson said. Serious meant competition, a pathway for players to improve, coaches who understood that making mistakes is as important in player development as winning, and that building character, moulding a professional mindset was all part of what was missing. “Even on an island of 60,000 people, why shouldn’t these young people dream, and the fact of the matter is that the next Lionel Messi could come from anywhere in the world,” Thompson said. “We won’t know, and we won’t provide that individual with the best chance unless we provide these sorts of things, and in this case, this competition.” Thompson knows that the percentage of players who actually make it as the top level is impossibly small when compared with those that dream of making it. But, he also knows that being exposed to a serious environment early can lead to an ability to have a career off the field as well. “It’s the same whether their ambition is to be a professional footballer, or the ambition is to get a college scholarship, the demands are the same,” he said. “It’s going to take sacrifice, it’s going to take perseverance, it’s going to take really hard work. You have to better than the next person, it’s all the same. “With this competition we are building that mentality to give the next Nahki Wells a really good chance to succeed. I’m so proud of Nahki, and Reggie (Lambe) and others, and the thing is they’ve done, they’re doing it, but they’re doing it despite [coming from Bermuda] not as a result of some system that we had in place. “So, imagine what they could have done with a much better structure in place.” n

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT BY TIA SMITH

NOTHING SAYS EASTER LIKE

Fishcake Friday Food is such a big part of any celebration, event or simply life in Bermuda. Indeed, it’s the most easily definable part of our culture. There are a lot of things that makes Bermuda unique, from the island itself with the pink sand and subtropicallness… to the music and dances

of the Gombeys… to everyone’s favourite four day weekend, Cup Match. However, our food is where any Bermudian can truly feel completely connected to Bermuda as a country and as a society no matter your race, creed or ilk. And there is no time else that is truly visible than during Easter, or what could be commonly be called “my momma makes well fishcakes” season. It’s not overly original, the mains of this delicious holiday. We do the same candy eggs and chocolate bunnies as the rest of the world and our Easter evening or afternoon family set is chock full of the staples of a big family meal with ham, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. I mean, we do have the usual bbq chicken and paw paw casserole if your family likes to go old skool Bermudian but that’s pretty much a given for any weekend meal at most Bermudian houses. And the hot cross buns of course, whilst being made with someone’s grandma’s handed down recipe from the first shipwreck on the island, they are still by no means unique to Bermuda. However, where we shine as a country is our fishcakes. I mean, you might call it Good Friday but at my house, it’s simply known as the day that breakfast, lunch and dinner meld into one long fishcake pon bun eating festival sporadically interspersed with naps, kites, swizzle and the requisite ice cold 12 noon (on the dot!) Heineken. It’s uniquely Bermudian, not only the recipe and the accompaniments but the tradition in and of itself. Now, the tradition may have food as its center but the true heart of it is in the collectiveness. It’s in the knowledge that that you are celebrating not only spring and rebirth of the year after what we Bermudians call

a long winter (effectively anything colder than 70 for basically longer than two weeks) but also the Easter holiday itself, whether it has a religious or secular meaning for you. It’s hearing the hummers for the first time this year and not thinking, seriously, do they have to make that noise all day AND all night, and actually smiling instead. It’s watching your cousin try to put his “prize” kite featuring a montage of Bob Marley pictures in tissue up in the air and inevitably watching it beam its way head first into someone’s tree. It’s standing in front of your son flicking his plastic Spiderman kite into the air and yelling at him to run to keep it up and being frustrated by watching him stand there as it falls repeatedly to the ground as apparently he forgot how to speak English or follow directions so you take it away from him, get it up to the end of the string and then tie it to the nearest tree because now you totally deserve another Swizzle…. Wait, just me? Uh huh, you’ve totally been there. It’s heading to St David’s to watch the annual Go Kart race which coincides with the annual “have to park a mile away and walk in” tradition and immediately followed by the “watch the largest kite in Bermuda not get air… again…” tradition. But more than that, it’s about inhaling copious well fishcakes made by my mom because I’ve yet to figure how to make them correctly and knowing that I’m one of many Bermudians doing the exact same thing at the same time and feeling the same feeling of family, love and history. Or is that heartburn... n

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