Published On:Wednesday, December 28, 2011
By FARAH
Sketch From remaking Lil Wayne's hit "How To Love", to mixing and mingling with some of the hottest international artist like Keri Hilson and Fabolous, Sketch has been making big moves this year. When In Ya Ear caught up with the artist earlier this year, he said his relocation to New York has opened more doors in his musical career. He is writing songs for several well established international recording artists, so we can expect much more from Sketch in 2012.
Mr J
Participating in numerous community initiatives did not stop the Bahamian gospel artist from delving deep into his music. This year Mr J came up with a clever remake to Beenie Man and Future Fambo's "I'm Drinking Rum", which he dubbed "Stop Drinking Rum". The song caught on very quickly and was Mr J's way of spreading a positive message to listeners. There's much more to come from Mr J in 2012.
The Illest Band
With an exceptional ending to the year 2011, releasing their first album and video, fans can only expect even more good things to come from the Bahamian reggae band in 2012. If they make the moves they did this year in 2012 the Illest band will achieve greater levels of stardom.
Melanique
She took over the stage and she amazed the crowd at this year's International Cultural Festival with her performance of Beyonce's "End of Time" single. Taking on the challenge of performing any of Beyonce's songs and mimicking her choreography takes a lot of stamina, a great voice and a lot of guts. With those assets, Melanique has proven she will be a force to reckon with in the New Year. She released the video for her song "I Won't Leave" and also shared the stage with big name artists like Lloyd, Chris Martin, Cecile and Mdeez at this year's Jingle Ball concert. Landlord After a long break from the music scene Landlord came back in full effect with the release of his new album "Up Close and Personal". During an interview with The Tribune earlier this year Landlord said he is looking forward to the upcoming year where his listeners will experience a new man with a new sound.
Top 5 international artists to look out for in 2012: Elle Varner She started off singing Youtube videos and it did not take long before she was discovered. The raspy voice of R&B singer Elle Varner became known this year when Elle collaborated with J.Cole on her hit song "Only Wanna Give It To You". I guarantee in the year 2012 Elle Varner will become a very big star. Mindless Behaviour The American boy band had all the little girls in love with them this year. Although they have garnered much attention with hot songs like "My Girl", "Mrs. Right", "Girl Talkin Bout", there is still much more to come from this boy band in 2012.
It seems they are on the right path in terms of the consistency of their releases and the quality of their music. Diggy Simmons We were introduced to the cute curly hair kid on the reality television show Run's House, featuring the life of Rev Run and his family. But who would have thought little Diggy Simmons would make a name for himself so soon. Diggy had some success this year but he did not reach the peak of his career. Let's just wait to see what huge strides Diggy will make in 2012. Wale He caught the attention of many when he was featured on Wacka Flocka's hit song "No Hands". Ever since Wale has been making waves on the music scene, steadily giving other rappers in the game competition. Keep an eye out for the Wale next year. Frank Ocean It seems Frank Ocean and Tyler The Creator of Odd Future clan are the only two members of the Hip Hop group that have managed to stand out. Frank Ocean is a singer, songwriter and rapper, and has released several songs this year that gained much airplay. As a new artist he has caught the attention of stars like Beyonce who said she would love to work with him. So let's just see what hot collaborations will go down in 2012.
The Unique Bahamian New Year’s Eve
Being located in the southeast side of the United States, Bahamas hosts many people from United States as well as from various other places around the world during the New Year time. One arrives in Bahamas with an expectation to have different and vigorous New Year celebrations, which Bahamas profoundly fulfills. The increased popularity of Bahamas as a New Year destination spot, has even turned its fate to ‘Family Islands’, which were once used to be called as ‘Out Islands’. Apart from the factors of natural splendor and pleasant weather of Bahamas, the other factor behind the growing stature of it as a New Year destination spot is the celebration made on New Year’s Eve.
New Year Eve’s saw Bahamas in its full vibrant mode, when it comes up with some of the most parties and celebrations. The most different aspect associated with it is the casualness with which Bahamas celebrates New Year’s Eve, which is very much intrinsic to the nature of Bahamas. That casual attitude of celebration contributes in making New Year’s Eve in Bahamas a big wild party, for which everyone wishes to be a part of. It is neither too hot nor too cold in Bahamas around New Year’s time, which makes it a pleasant time for the inhabitants as well as the visitors to have a gala time celebrating on New Year’s Eve.
The Day: New Year’s Eve On December 31st of the Old year, i.e. on New Year’s Eve, most of the people love to spend their daytime relaxing and having fun on the beaches. The real party begins with the arrival of the evening, when almost all night clubs, discotheques, pubs, and hotels remain jam-packed with throngs of people. People spend the whole of night, and sometimes even the early hours of the morning of New Year cheering and celebrating. Being considered as an important festival by Bahamians, New Year is tried to be turned into a perfect goodbye time, and thus long preparations go in to ensure that.
The Junkanoo Celebration in Bahamas
The highlighted aspect of New Year’s Eve celebrations is a festivity, which is known as ‘Junkanoo’. Junkanoo is a conventional Bahamian style of celebration. It is in practice for more than a century, and holds a lot of prominence among the local people as well as the visitors, who every year wishes to be a part of it. Almost everyone, irrespective of their gender, age, and relationship status endeavor to get into it.
This special gala hosts huge crowd, who eat, drink, dance, cheer, and celebrate. Most of the people come up in striking and colorful dresses, to mark their grand welcome to one of the most important time of their year. Also, prepare make long hauled preparations for various performances, such as dance, music, acrobats, etc., reflecting the culture and tradition of Bahamians. Junkanoo initiates with a procession, in which people of all age participate. They head towards the ultimate party destination, where celebrations begin on New Year’s Eve and go on till the dawn of the New Year’s Day.
New Year’s Eve in Bahamas is a perfect time to sweep off the taste buds through some highly enthralling and delicious local dishes of Bahamas, which are simple yet extraordinary. It is also a perfect time to have a close and precise view of the rich tradition, culture, and heritage of Bahamas and Bahamian people. Being in Bahamas on New Year’s Eve ensures a profoundly frolic time for everyone, where one will only end up framing good memories of New Year.
A cacophony of bells, goombay drums and whistles permeates your brain and pulses through your body until you can't help but fall in with the wild rhythms of Nassau's all-night
Junkanoo parade, a Carnival-esque, Afro-Caribbean festival held in the Bahamas on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Dancers and musicians on teams with names like the Vikings and the Z-Bandits spend months constructing ornate, colorful costumes and compete fiercely for cash prizes. Get a balcony spot on Bay Street for the best view, and prepare to stay up til 8am.
Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year
By JEFFARAH GIBSON
Tribune Features Writer
TO assist students with the construction of costumes for Junior Junkanoo, Junkanoo legend Dr Emmanuel Francis released a new how-to book last week at the Chapter One Bookstore.
"Manual of Junkanoo Costume Construction: A Beginner's Guide to Junkanoo Design" is a step-by-step guide on how to construct basic four-piece costumes, inclusive of crowns, hats, shoulder pieces, waist bands, skirts and front pieces.
It was his brother, Percy "Vola" Francis, leader of the Shell Saxons Superstars, who introduced Dr Francis to Junkanoo costume construction. Since 1966, when he was a student at Government High, Dr Francis has rushed with the Saxons.
"The objective of this book is to provide a simple instructional manual which Junkanoo leaders, school teachers, parents and craftsmen could use to educate group members and students in the basics of Junkanoo costume construction," said Dr Francis.
"This book came out of a problem I saw in Junkanoo. The costumes are being mass-produced and when they are mass-produced this often leads to ill-fitting costumes that group members are helpless to correct. It is unfortunate that most Junkanoo enthusiasts are ignorant of the basics in Junkanoo costume construction and are totally dependent upon a few designers to do all the work," he told Tribune Entertainment.
Dr Francis said this mass production of costumes is the result of participants not knowing or dedicating enough time to the overall effort of creating a costume.
"In the earlier days, Junkanoo costumes were basically fringed pants, shirts, boats and hats or national dress. Cardboard was the material of choice for flat designs, but chicken wire and tie were used to achieve three dimensional designs. Boxing Day 1969 we (the Saxons) introduced the four-piece costume design and my goal in this book is to focus on the basics of costume fabrication in the hope that participants in junior and senior parades will be better equipped," he said.
Creating a costume, selecting designs and labouring in the shacks for hours allows participants to be intimately involved and contributes to the overall social, cultural and spiritual experience of the parade, he said.
"This is part of the Junkanoo experience. As you begin to work with your hands, you will see how talented you are. You will begin to see the skill you have. Creating costumes brings out the creativity in our people and it also boosts self-esteem. When you are in an environment where people are praising your creativity and your hard work you begin to feel good about yourself because this is something you belong to."
Dr Francis said he would like schools to use the book in their curriculum.
"The introduction of Junkanoo into the school curriculum is stalled for a lack of a simple, instructional handbook on the basics of Junkanoo design. Also, the Junkanoo curriculum can be officially introduced in a more formal way with this new text book."
Dr Francis is a dentist and became part of the National Junkanoo Legend Circle of the National Junkanoo Committee and the Ministry of Culture after 43 years in Junkanoo. He is currently part of the One Love Junkanoo Association.
Junkanoo is a Bahamian festival that occurs during the dark hours of morning on the 26th of December and again bringing in its first hours of light on the first day of the new year. Thousands dance through Bay Street, Nassau's town center, like a wild ocean of colour, while deep goat skin rhythms reverberate off the surrounding walls and cow bells chatter over the singing of brass horns. The sidewalk like a snake comes to life twisting blacks and browns while balconies and roof tops sway under the rhythmic feet of onlookers. There is a timeless sense, a feeling inside that is so vital that even the deaf feel to move. And as though possessed, these God-like cardboard sculptures dive and rise to the awesome music that lifts their spirits beyond the flesh." (courtesy - c2000 M. Govan & E. Robinson)
To experience Bahamian culture and art, you should make plans to attend Junkanoo. The Bahamian festival of Junkanoo is an energetic, colourful parade of brightly costumed people gyrating and dancing to the rhythmic accompaniment of cowbells, drums and whistles. The celebration occurs on December 26 and January 1 -- beginning in the early hours of the morning (2:00 a.m.) and ending at dawn.
Junkanoo is reminiscent of New Orleans' Mardi Gras and Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, but it is distinctly Bahamian and exists nowhere else. Parade participants -- arranged in groups of up to 1,000 -- are organised around a particular theme. Their costumes, dance and music reflect this theme. At the end of the Junkanoo procession, judges award cash prizes. The three main categories for the awards are: best music, best costume and best overall group presentation.
The most spectacular Junkanoo parade occurs in Nassau. However, you can also experience it on Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Bimini and Abaco. It's held on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1) from 2:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m
Ladies from all around the world are known to love, admire or own a straw purse of some sort. Many want to know how to make a straw purse. An agent for change in the straw industry in The Bahamas is none other than the Plait Lady herself, Mrs Claire Sands. Claire spawned a turn in the industry with her new and innovative approach to the art of making straw purses.
Another trendsetter in the field of straw purses and handbag design was the late Harl Taylor, who in his brief lifetime influenced and caused the upward mobility of the straw industry by creating cutting-edge designs with a bold, trendy flair. Harl's amazing handbags have made their way to celebrities and other well-known persons.
Most nations have their own distinctive style of straw that is unique to their country or region. The Bahamas is no different; having oodles of varieties of what is locally known as plait. This plait is harvested from the silver top (palmetto fronds) plant which is stripped and processed then hand-woven to create unique designs.
Some of the more well-known plaits designs include: Peas n' Rice, Jacob's Ladder, Soursop, Bahama Mama and Fish Pot. There are a number of variations to these designs and even more variables as colours are introduced through a form of plait dyeing.
For years tourists have flocked to the world-renowned Bay Street Straw Market to purchase their piece of The Bahamas in the form of a straw bag. What was once considered an art reserved for the older generation has now been transformed into a modern accessible treasure for young, creative designers.
When the straw is in hand, the other items needed to create a straw bag are: purse handles, chipboard, purse feet, fabric lining and a closure of some sort. Once the chipboard is cut in the desired pattern, sewing is the next step. This task is quick and easy once the basic techniques are learned. The key is to stitch the straw together on the chipboard with a sewing machine. The straw should slightly overlap until the pre-cut chipboard is completely covered.
When complete, the straw must be secured at the edges so that it does not fray or break away from the chipboard. This is done by stitching around the perimeter of the chipboard. The excess straw can then be trimmed away and the hardware and lining added. Once this is done the purse, which is typically made of four separate parts, can now be framed with straw and then assembled by hand stitching the elements together for a beautiful hand-crafted straw purse.
* About the Author: Teri M Bethel specialises in teaching people how to create textured painted fabrics and purses. Teri has been involved in manufacturing painted garments and handbags for over two decades. She is the designer of Teri Monique Handbags, a line of custom art purses for ladies. Contact Teri at: Tel: 676-4474, e-mail: Teri@PaintWithTexture.com or visit her at www.PaintWithTexture.com and on Facebook.
A new $12 million straw market will open to vendors, tourists and residents in Nassau, Bahamas, on Friday, Dec. 16, following 10 years at a temporary site, said Charles Maynard, minister of youth, sports and culture. The new facility will be operated by the Bahamas government.
Vendors had been working at the temporary facility, located under a tent on downtown’s Bay Street, since the original market was destroyed in a 2001 fire. The temporary site was itself damaged in August by Hurricane Irene, leading vendors to set up shop under hastily built tents on Prince George Wharf. The straw market, which will now house up to 500 vendors, has long been a popular attraction for Nassau visitors and residents.
Read More: http://www.thenassauguardian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19213&Itemid=27
INSIDE the Dragon's Lair there is a high risk of getting burned, but not by actual fire. No, at this show it's the searing rhymes and hot vocals by seasoned as well as and up and coming artists that bring the heat at Bain Town's hot spot, the Polo Yard.
The Dragon's Lair open mic night has become a regular Wednesday event for artists to showcase their talent. Aimed at fostering community spirit, the mic at the Dragon's Lair is open for everyone. "We call this show Dragon's Lair because the people that hit the stage must come with fire. In other words, if you are a rapper your lyrics must be tight, if you are a singer you must hit the right notes, and if you are poet you must speak words that evoke thought and emotion," said Ryan Adderley who works closely with the Bain Town outreach programme. "I know when people hear Bain Town they probably think the area is unsafe. We want people to know the show is in Bain Town but it is very safe. The people who live in the community know that this is a positive event. This is something we want to work out in other communities in New Providence.
It is desperately needed all over Nassau. The people of Bain Town have been saying how positive this event is and this is a different way of doing things and targeting people," said Mr Adderley. Dragon's Lair was conceived by three childhood friends and residents of Bain Town - Craig Gibson, Sidney Moss and Marco Beckford. The show started about two years ago, however, its appeal has grown significantly over the past three months, according to organisers. Bahamian artists such as Jah Torah, Citizen, Daddy Ridge, Zoediac, Baigon, Dubb, Sasha Dunn and many more have graced the stage at the Polo Yard. Although established Bahamian artists have performed at Dragon's Lair, the open mic show serves as a launching pad for new performers.
"An event like this allows youth in community to come out and view some positive musical acts and to come up to the mic and put their musical act together. The event also adds a venue for new and obscure artists to present their music without any form of bias," said musician Sasha Dunn. Artists who wish to perform at the event simply notify the master of ceremonies before or during the show. "We want to promote local artists and their work. When artists come to the show and perform we are able to see the progression in their performances. This event allows people to see what Bahamians are capable of," said Mr Adderley. And organisers also strive to keep the atmosphere family friendly.
"There is absolutely no cursing. This is our biggest rule because there are kids who come out to watch the show. We also encourage people to better themselves because there are other ways you can get your message across without using profanity," he said. The Dragon's Lair plans to disband for the holiday season, staging its last open mic for 2011 tonight. But come February, the Polo Yard will be on fire again. A spin-off of the Dragon's Lair has been created as a television show called "On Da Blocks". It airs on JCN, Saturday nights at 9.30pm. The Vendetta Group also contributed to this article.
Get Well Bahamas, the signature programme of the National Prescription Drug Plan's Healthy People Initiative, was designed by the National Insurance Board and facilitators Jemi Health and Wellness and Body Zone Fitness to combat obesity and related chronic conditions. Emphasising wellness, nutritional coaching and personal fitness training along with an organic gardening component, the programme is having a transformational impact on the lives of its participants who report significant reductions in weight as well as improvements in their overall health. In this article, participants of Get Well Bahamas Phase 2 talk about how the programme has impacted their lives. Sarmone Anderson lost 29 pounds and came of all of her medications. "Get Well Bahamas Phase 2 was a very interesting experience. It was very interesting for a person who never used to exercise. I never ate salads. I never drank water. I was a coke soda person for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was a person that was diagnosed as being a chronic asthmatic. I was diabetic on insulin twice a day plus taking Glucophage, 500 mg; hypertensive, I was on Zestrol, 10 mg. I used to tote my little lunch bag full of meds. I had to travel with my nebuliser machine. That's how bad I was. Today, I am now off all of my medications through the hard work and pain and stress but at the end of the day it was worthwhile. Mrs Isaacs (president of Jemi), she was on us. She fussed us and encouraged us, but at the end it was for our good. I had a personal trainer, Albert Rahming (president of Body Zone Fitness). He and I had words. I was tired. I cried but at the end of the day it paid off. I can truly say it feels good when you're healthy. Your body feels good. I don't get tired anymore. I have so much energy until my husband now runs from me; so at the end of the day it is worthwhile, so I want to say thank you all for everything." Ayesha Davis-Finalyson lost 43 pounds and recovered from stress induced overeating. "(The year) 2010 was a very difficult year for my husband and my family. We lost our child. He lost his grandmother and I lost my father, and this was all in the space of three months. I went into a major state of depression. I went from not eating for two weeks to eating uncontrollably. I was weighing over 270 pounds and it began to affect my health. I had hypertension and sleep apnea and I was very uncomfortable in my body. Get Well Bahamas Phase 2 was an answered prayer for me because I really needed the help. I realised I had a problem and I really needed the help, so I'd like to thank Jan and her staff at Jemi. I'd like to thank NIB and Albert and his staff at Body Zone because they were my support along with my husband and my family and friends. The hard work and the energy and the time and money that were put into the programme are paying off...The programme works. It doesn't happen overnight. It's a healthy lifestyle change and you have to incorporate exercise into it. It goes hand in hand." Tanya Cartwright lost 56 pounds and regained energy and self-esteem "Phase 2 was an exciting time for me. I started off with 297 pounds and have lost 56 pounds. I feel great. I can work without getting tired easily. When I wake up in the morning I don't feel tired. I have lots of energy. My experience with Get Well Bahamas was a challenging one. It has taught me how to be disciplined and punctual. I believe God has predestined me in this programme. I realise that we as Bahamians are killing ourselves slowly in how we accumulate food each day. I realise that God is putting people in our lives to be a blessing to us." Keturah Thompson lost 38 pounds and improved communication with her teenage son "The weight loss to me was just the icing on the cake. The programme is so much more than just a weight loss programme. These last 12 weeks we've learned stress management, time management, how to think and evaluate situations before we react, and for those of us who have teenagers, we really need to know how to do that, that's what this programme has done for me. It's helped me to organise my life better. The skills I've learned I'm now applying to my work life and my home life and that was primarily what was important to me. I'd like to thank the organisers and all the persons who assisted, and I feel truly blessed to have been a part of this programme." Get Well Bahamas Phase 2 was funded by the NIB's Healthy People Initiative and sponsors Bank of The Bahamas International, CIBC First Caribbean, Atlantic Medical Insurance and Generali Worldwide. All water for the programme was provided by Nautilus and prizes and support were furnished by Super Value, Foot Solutions, Jemi Health and Wellness, Body Zone Fitness and Medevac.
DRAWING inspiration from the human condition, his personal interests and everyday experiences, Omar Richardson's print-making skills bring real life emotion into dramatic focus.
The 29-year-old artist showcased his latest work, themed "The Renewal of Life", at an exhibit last Thursday at the Central Bank of the Bahamas Art Gallery.
Mr Richardson is not a first-time exhibitor, but it is a first time for his print-making talent to be on display.
"Print-making is a form of traditional art. It is new to everyone right now because there is only one major print-maker, and that is Maxwell Taylor. The fact that no one is doing what I'm doing in print-making in the Bahamas makes them automatically one of a kind," said Mr Richardson.
He said the old art technique was used with different applications like silk screen and lithographs.
"The technique that I am using is wood carving. It is an old technique that has been done from centuries ago. It's done by hand, no machines, everything is done by hand. The mixed media pieces are a combination of mono prints, wood carving and photography," said Mr Richardson.
With 26 pieces on display at the Central Bank, Mr Richardson's work has gained a lot of attention. The gallery even extended the exhibit to the first week in January.
There are snakes, monkeys and many different kinds of symbols that Mr Richardson brings out in his art pieces. The work also explores identity issues and human emotions as reflected in human expressions.
Describing one of his favourites, he said: "My favourite is a piece that I did of myself. It has like a red print in the back of it. It talks about different challenges we face as a young artist or as a person in general. Sometimes these obstacles might be decried as evil objects, but in actuality they are based on the fact of the renewal of life."
As a young print-maker, Mr Richardson said he feels a sense of responsibility to educate people about the medium and to give exposure to other non-traditional art forms.
"I want it to be recognised as a strong medium. I also want to be known as a Bahamian artist who is going to bring a different look or aspect to how we look at Bahamian art. It is just not traditional painting and basic pictures, it is more something that is different and more unique," said Mr Richardson.
While attending the Savannah College of the Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia, Mr Richardson said he was introduced to print-making. There, he started his first official wood carving, after which he never stopped.
It was at C R Walker Secondary School, however, where Mr Richardson received his first formal introduction to the world of art. At that time, he focused primarily on carpentry, until a teacher took note of his potential and encouraged him to open his mind to contemporary art forms.
"Mrs Ashe was the first person who inspired me in arts. She actually opened my eyes into knowing what is out there. I didn't know that the art scene was so big until she educated me in art history class," he said.