The Psychology of Money

By Morgan Housel

Taking a different perspective on how we spend money, Morgan Housel shares 19 short stories that look at the psychology behind our relationship with money. Housel, a partner in the Collaborative Fund – a leading source of capital for innovative entrepreneurs – explores how it is that our behaviour towards money can dictate our financial success and unique view of the world mixed with many other influences. The Psychology of Money was Royalty Bookstore’s May pick for their Money Matters Book Club that takes place at the Bermuda National Library. Visit @royaltybda on Instagram for more information.

Anatomy of a Breakthrough

By Adam Alter

If you’re finding yourself stuck in a rut, maybe it’s a mid-life crisis or you’re feeling trapped and uninspired in your current job, this may be the book for you. Adam Alter guides readers through his two decades of research and through hands-on, practical examples helps you break free from thoughts, habits, jobs and relationships that are potentially holding you back from achieving your full potential. With a mix of stories, anecdotes and interviews, all backed with scientific studies, this book will help you see some of the greatest tools, many in plain sight, to help get unstuck and reach your goals.

Perfectly Good Food: A Totally Achievable Zero Waste Approach to Home Cooking

By Margaret Li and Irene Li

It can be pretty discouraging to open up the fridge and try to figure out putting together a decent meal with the bits and bobs of leftovers, wilted veggies and almost-empty-jars. But along with reducing our waste and saving money, this cookbook is full of tips and adaptable recipes that will make opening the fridge endlessly inspiring instead of a drag. Written by two sisters who have worked in the restaurant business for a decade, they put the professional know-how of reducing restaurant waste and therefore cutting costs into this bright and informative book but make it easily adaptable for home cooks.

Baking Yesteryear: The Best Recipes from the 1900s to the 1980s

B. Dylan Hollis

If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch Bermudian and TikTok sensation B. Dylan Hollis make some of the wackiest historical recipes and be completely and hilariously surprised by some of the results (both the good and the bad), make sure to spend some time enjoying his social media channels. Then enjoy the fact that he’s baked hundreds of recipes from many old and antique cookbooks, and picked the best of the best from each decade, and included only a few of the flops, in his first cookbook all done with his trademark wit and perfectly timed puns.

The post Educational and Entertaining Reads appeared first on RG Magazines.

As summer embraces the picturesque island of Bermuda, its vibrant music scene comes alive, enticing locals and visitors alike with the enchanting melodies and infectious beats. From pulsating reggae rhythms to soul-stirring jazz and everything in between, Bermuda offers an eclectic range of live music experiences that are sure to leave you spellbound. So grab your hat and dancing shoes as we share five fantastic venues where you can immerse yourself in the rhythmic pulse of Bermuda this summer!

SEA BREEZE LOUNGE

Friday nights at Sea Breeze Lounge at the Lido Complex are legendary with amazing cocktails, great tapas and fantastic entertainment. This summer is no exception with Friday night entertainment provided by Silver City, a band featuring Jesse Seymour, Ben Payne, DJ Felix and Kassie Caines. Catch the band from 8pm to 1am every Friday night.

CROWN + ANCHOR

Hamilton Princess is always a hub of activity right in the heart of the City of Hamilton. There is always entertainment and this summer is no exception. On Thursday’s, you’ll find Working Title performing reggae, soca and afrobeats covers from 7pm to 10pm.

BIRD CAGE

Bermuda’s most quirky and edgy cocktail bar is the place to be on Thursday nights for live entertainment. From 5:30pm to 8:30pm, various Bermudian artists will perform a large variety of music overlooking Hamilton Harbour. Enjoy the music while sipping a fabulous craft cocktail from the extensive menu.

THE REEFS

There is a variety of entertainment on offer at The Reefs during the summer whether you like classic piano, acoustic guitar or ukulele. On Monday’s, be entertained by pianist Tony Bari at the Clubhouse Bar and Lounge from 7pm to 10pm. Thursday’s feature Tony B with solo guitar at Coconuts from 6:30pm to 10pm and then Rewind featuring Sarah and TonyB on Friday’s at the Clubhouse from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Round out the weekend with Mike “Uncle Elvis” Hind on the ukulele at the Clubhouse from 7pm to 10pm.

MAREE LOUNGE AT THE LOREN

If you’re a jazz lover, head to Maree Lounge at The Loren for Tino Martinez and his quarter. A talented saxophonist, Martinez brings the grown and sexy vibes every other Thursday to the boutique hotel. Remaining dates for the summer are July 20, August 10, August 24, September 7, September 24, October 5 and October 19.

So, whether you prefer the lively atmosphere of a bar, the soothing sounds of a beachside retreat, or the elegance of a luxury resort, Bermuda has an incredible selection of live music venues to suit your taste. Immerse yourself in the island’s vibrant music scene this summer and let the rhythms of Bermuda ignite your soul

The post Live Music | Where to get it this summer appeared first on RG Magazines.

Summer in Bermuda is truly like no other and as we are in full swing, it’s time to prepare yourself for an extraordinary summer filled with an array of captivating events. From electrifying entertainment to dazzling cultural celebrations, Bermuda has something for everyone. Allow us to present the best of the best for Bermuda’s summer events, promising unforgettable experiences that will leave you enchanted and longing for more. Here are the top ten events happening in Bermuda this summer in no particular order that you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

CUP MATCH CLASSIC

Cup Match is truly Bermuda at its best and easily the most entertaining weekend on the calendar. Cup Match – a celebration of emancipation – is a two-day cricket match held on the last Thursday and Friday of July or the first Thursday and Friday in August. This beloved Bermudian tradition brings the island to life with passionate fans, live music, plenty libations and delicious food. This year, the game will be held at St. George’ Cricket Club on August 3rd and 4th and entry is $20 per day. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and cheer for your favourite team.

BERMUDA TRIPLE CROWN BILLFISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Fishing enthusiasts, this one’s for you! The Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship is a thrilling tournament held from July to August, attracting anglers from around the world. Watch as skilled fishermen compete to catch the biggest billfish and experience the excitement firsthand. Here are the key dates:

• Bermuda Billfish Blast July 3 – 7
• Bermuda Billfish Release Cup July 9-11
• Bermuda Big Game Classic July 13-17
• Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament July 20-24
• For more information, visit www.bermudatriplecrown.com

NON-MARINERS RACE

While this event does happen during the Cup Match weekend, it’s completely separate. The Non-Mariners race features unique, homemade boats participating in a fun race on the water. The “boats” rarely float, which adds to the humour of the non-race. There will be colourful costumes, creative boat designs and lots of fun. Non-Mariners is held the Sunday of Cup Match weekend (August 6 this year) at Mangrove Bay. The best way to attend is by boat.

BERMUDA SANDCASTLE COMPETITION

Held at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Bermuda Sandcastle Competition features gorgeous creations by masterful sculptors. The event will be held on September 2 this year at Horseshoe Bay Beach. You can either get in on the action and enter or enjoy the beautiful intricate designs. The Bermuda Sandcastle Competition is great fun for the whole family.

HARBOUR NIGHTS

Family fun is on offer every single Wednesday in the City of Hamilton thanks to Harbour Nights. The popular street festival is held from 7pm to 10pm weekly throughout the summer and showcases local dancers, musicians, artisans, food vendors, a kids zone and much more. Harbour NIghts gives residents and visitors the opportunity to sample local delicacies, purchase Bermudian crafts, enjoy traditional dancing and much more.

DESTINATION DOCKYARD

Head west this summer for Destination Dockyard with four monthly events happening during the season on the North Lawn. Destination Dockyard is a fun-filled event for the whole family featuring an array of local vendors, artists, and talented entertainers. The perfect way to spend a mid-week, family evening. The children can enjoy fun castles and a bite to eat, while the adults bask in the local entertainment and shopping. The remaining dates for Destination Dockyard are July 20 and August 24 for the “big bang” finale.

EASTERN COUNTY CRICKET GAMES

Eastern County Cricket is similar to Cup Match but at the same time, very different. The Eastern County Cricket Association (ECCA) comprises four county cricket clubs – Flatts Victoria (FVCC), Cleveland (CCCC), Bailey’s Bay (BBCC) and St. David’s (SDCCC). There are three games – the first held two weeks before Cup Match, the second game two weeks after Cup Match and the last game is two weeks after the second. Eastern County has been played since 1904 and is played at Lords at SDCCC or Sea Breeze Oval at BBCC on a year’s schedule. The atmosphere is vibrant and fun with great local food, Crown and Anchor and endless entertainment.

ST. GEORGE’S SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

This event was launched last summer and it was insanely successful! Popular vendors quickly ran out of fresh seafood and the entertainment was top notch. The event is held on Ordnance Island in St. George’s and celebrates Bermuda’s rich seafood culture. From fresh fried fish to shrimp to mussel pies to conch fritters, you’ll find it all here at this fantastic event. There will also be top notch Bermudian singers and DJs, bars serving up great cocktails and so much more. St. George’s Seafood Festival will be held on September 16 from 12 noon to 7pm.

BACCHANAL RUN

If you missed Carnival in Bermuda in June, Bacchanal Run delivers the J’ouvert vibes for a fraction of the cost. Bacchanal Run is organized by Party People and is one of the best parties over the Cup Match weekend. Hundreds of revellers head to Bernard Park for a warm up and then follow the big music truck around Pembroke for a lively, colourful party on the road with paint, powder and sprays of water. The party loops back to Bernard Park for more enjoyment with Bermuda;s top DJs and entertainers. Bacchanal Run will be held on August 5.

BERMUDA PRIDE HOMECOMING

Bermuda celebrates Pride in August and Bermuda Pride will host a number of events this year including a takeover of Harbour Nights, Open Mic Night, Pride Prom, Pride Parade and Drag Brunch. This year’s events are focused on “homecoming” and the committee invites those in the LGBTQ+ community who have left the island to return home to celebrate how far Bermuda has come and to recognize how much more work there is to do. The events will be held from August 23 to 27 in the City of Hamilton. For more info, visit www.pride.bm.

And there you have it, ten fantastic events happening in Bermuda this summer. From cultural celebrations to sporting events and food festivals, there’s something for everyone. Add these events to your calendar and enjoy the rest of the summer.

The post Bermuda Bliss appeared first on RG Magazines.

Adrian Roach starts boxing training at 5am every day. He also trains every lunch time and again in the evening.

In between all that, he’s working hard in the classroom at Crandall University, New Brunswick, Canada, as he studies for his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.

Such is the dual workload for a young man pursuing a successful athletic career as well as the long-term goal of a rewarding professional life afterwards.

“It’s a very tedious schedule. You get tired mentally and physically,” said Mr Roach, 20.

“But if you stay on top of it and manage your time properly, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.”

Mr Roach started boxing at Controversy Gym, below the Queen’s Club in Hamilton, when he was 15.

He landed his big opportunity when a representative from Crandall visited the Island to ask Bermuda Boxing Federation if it had any suitable candidates for a boxing scholarship.

That solved a dilemma for the sports star, who had planned to go to school in Alabama, but was concerned he might not have enough time to train to continue his boxing development.

Now in the third year of his four-year degree, Mr Roach said: “Usually, the first response I get when I tell people I have a boxing scholarship is, ‘Oh you can get one for that?!’”

While Mr Roach has been tipped for stardom in the boxing ring, he places just as much emphasis on the academic side of university.

“Not only does it allow you to continue with your athletic career, but you get the fallback plan that the degree gives you,” he said.

“As an athlete, you like to think you will go on forever in sport. That’s simply not true. You have a few years of playing, and then you have the rest of your long life.

“By the time I finish boxing, I will have a legacy, and want to make enough money to not have to work again. But I still plan to open a gym and run a physiotherapy business.”

Boxing has already given Mr Roach the experience of fighting in venues including New York and Edmonton, Canada, as well as at the American Boxing Confederation Championships in Ecuador.

But above all that, he treasures the relationships he has been able to build.

“You get to make friends you never would have met. You make lifelong friends. You get to compete and train with them.”

So how does he manage that heavy training and academic schedule?

“It’s pretty easy to stay away from the nightlife, because that’s a very important part of being an athlete anyway,” he said. “I get to bed early so I can function properly the next day! It’s always going to be time management. You have to be dedicated to your craft.

“It’s going to be hard for four years of your life. Once you retire from sport, you have the rest of your life to live the way you want.”

The post ADRIAN ROACH: BOXING CLEVER appeared first on RG Magazines.

Henry Liam Ward is an internationally acclaimed portrait artist who calls Bermuda home. His portrait of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II – which was commissioned by the Red Cross in 2015 – was celebrated internationally and today hangs in Windsor Castle. Henry possesses an uncanny ability to capture the human form through light, and space, and his work is currently on show at the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG).

RG Mags: Tell us about your background.

Henry Ward: I grew up in an incredible house on the Essex/Suffolk border before moving to Bermuda in 1987, with my parents – Puisne Justice Martyn and Mrs Rosanna Ward. My parents led an incredibly affluent life, and were surrounded by all manner of artists and eccentrics – painters, opera singers, writers, members of the Judiciary, sheriffs, and crazy aristocrats – most of whom were internationally renowned and (in)famous!

This background instilled a sense of difference in me – indeed, to be different was obligatory. Success followed all of these people and was in tune with my parents, who were also highly successful, accomplished, and driven. All of these influences led to me developing my sense of being, through my work.

RG Mags: Why Art?

HW: I was drawing before I was walking or talking. It was a path that was chosen for me, and one which I have cultivated through many long years of dedication and application.

To me, the concept of recording the world became a fundamentally different process after my father’s death in 1991. In the depths of my loss, I realised that the making of art is far from an easy process. Art suddenly became a means by which I could look at the big questions of human existence and come to a sense of peace, or at the least, understanding.

Human experience is one that can be gilt-edged with beauty and vivacity, and yet the finality, actuality, and immediacy of death is ever present. It is to this that I refer in my paintings of people – glistening like brilliant jewels against the uncompromising darkness of the universe.

RG Mags: Discuss your favorite artists, and medium.

HW: Like so many figurative artists, I am drawn to the old masters – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Vermeer. There is a truth in the process of creating that cheats time. As such, the processes of oil painting are the direct extension of this creative continuity. Oil paint is a medium that can be applied in layers and washes; over considerable periods of time. As the work ages, so does the subject sitting for me; and therein lies the synchronicity of human life and the making of paintings.

RG Mags: Tell us about your personal favorites of your own work.

HW: This is such a difficult question, as I am never satisfied with my work. Indeed, if the artist made the perfect work, they would never work again. I prefer, instead, to think of importance and relevance as key signifiers of my best work. With this in mind, ‘The Dance’ is up there with my most important works in its expression of my philosophy, and its use of young ballerinas to express the poetic fragility of life, whilst also celebrating human diversity in cooperation on the existential plane.

RG Mags: Where do you see your Art going next?

HW: The processes employed in my work have led me to explore the limits of representational painting. The ‘Ballerina’ painting at the BNG is one of the most important works in the exhibition, as it is the furthest I have pushed the limits of cogent naturalism.

The power of restraint, in withholding meaning, ironically, leads to universality in the presentation of a philosophy. As such, I see a move further into abstraction in the future – in the same way that Giacometti might build up a form, then whittle it down to its most concentrated essence.

The post Henry Liam Ward: A Portrait of A Creator appeared first on RG Magazines.

Story by Tim Smith

In the beginning, it was just an idea to solve the problem of pack racers on Bermuda roads.

But over the past five decades, motocross has created numerous sporting legends, kept thousands upon thousands of spectators entertained and proved a crucial source of bonding for countless local families. 

Four presidents of Bermuda Motocross Club – founder Robin Simmons, multiple champion Otis Ingham, long-serving advocate Ras Mykkal and first female president Arlene Simmons – reflected on the sport’s captivating history as they celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. 

The journey to acceptance, they said, has often been as bumpy as some of the tracks where they made their name. 

Mr Simmons recalled how it all started in 1972, when the authorities asked him to do something about bike racers risking life and limb – and putting motorists in danger – on the main road near Warwick Secondary School. 

“On summer evenings, that stretch in front of the school was the racing stretch,” Mr Simmons said. 

“The police were overwhelmed because there were so many, sometimes over 100 racers. 

“I was called upon, because people knew I liked cycles and racing, to intervene between the police and the cycle racers. 

“Government called me to a meeting and asked what could be done. They wanted those guys away from there. 

“I said what they need is a track. I said we have got to have somewhere to race.” 

Horseshoe Bay was used temporarily before an estate in Ferry Reach, St George’s, was selected as the venue for the first meeting. More than 3,000 people came out to watch. 

“They brought their blankets or something to sit on and a picnic, and took their spot along the trail,” Mr Simmons said. 

“The race went beautiful. It was a fantastic race. We had a community. We really gelled from the beginning.” 

An extremely popular pastime had been discovered – but Mr Simmons said the Government of the day insisted the venue switch to the more remote Coney Island. 

“We asked our members would they come out and help to make the track at Coney Island,” Mr Simmons said. 

“It was a Sunday morning. I said we don’t know how many people are going to come. After ten minutes of standing there waiting, I saw them come with picks, shovels and mallets. They came with their children and their wives. We cut out Coney Island by hand, all up the hill and down by the side. 

“It gave us so many joyous moments. That’s the one thing about it, to see the people coming together.” 

Meetings continued to attract thousands and traditions such as Boxing Day races became established. 

It moved to PHC in Warwick, where more than 3,000 people gathered for the first race, and eventually moved to its current location in St David’s. 

While motocross is exciting for spectators, it’s even more riveting for the participants. 

Mr Ingham, the son of legendary rider Bert Ingham, took part for 40 years. 

“Motocross meant everything,” he said. “That was life for lots of us. It was probably the love I had for riding a bike. Just something about the adrenalin that hit me when I turned the gas.” 

Mr Mykkal said: “Every lap, the track is different. It’s uneven. You can come off the bike in spectacular fashion, but 95 per cent of the time you can get back up.” 

Ms Simmons, the current president, attends races with her whole family; her grandson takes part. 

“In my time, motocross at Coney Island was a rite of passage,” she said. “I really want our community to know about motocross, not just about coming to the track and watching the race, but really knowing our history.” 

The post 50 Years of Thrills and Excitement appeared first on RG Magazines.

Home improvements were one of the most popular ways that people spent their time and money throughout the pandemic, with many wanting to create a more inviting and comfortable space after spending so much time at home.

“People started thinking, OK, we’re still stuck in Bermuda so let’s do over that bathroom and then they got more ambitious and thought let’s do the kitchen,” said Sacha Bearden, owner of Baptiste Ltd. “So a lot of the money that people were going to spend on vacation, it’s now ‘let’s spend it on these four walls’. It was definitely interesting seeing the evolution of home improvement.”

When Covid-19 first struck and the first lockdown lifted, Ms Bearden said sales in paint sky rocketed. “That’s one thing that everyone can do. You can paint a room yourself and it was an easy and socially distant project,” she said. Eventually people started getting more ambitious and new paint turned into replacing window blinds to carpentry projects and then on to the more involved projects like upgrading bathrooms and kitchens. And while the minor updates can be done yourself, Ms Bearden warns that some projects need a qualified professional. “It’s a good idea to have an architect or designer that has qualifications as some things do need to get professionals involved,” she added. “It can save you money and stop you from potentially making a dangerous mistake.”

While home improvements have started to slow down as more people feel comfortable getting out and travelling, many have opted for complete home remodel. But Ms Bearden warned that the knock-on effects of the pandemic are still impacting supplies and the ability to get products in quickly – or even getting familiar brands at all. “Major suppliers did get squeezed by their US customers and then it was whatever supplies we could get our hands on,” explained Ms Bearden. The company found itself having to switch its brand of paint and had to search out a new window supplier along with other smaller changes to its inventory. “The biggest crunch for us was when our window supplier decided to focus on their US market and big box stores and dropped all their smaller stores and Baptiste got cut out.

“So we spent a lot of time looking for a new supplier, and I was getting a little bit nervous because we couldn’t be a window store and not sell windows. “And in the end, we were able to find a new product that worked for us. So we ended up coming out with an even better brand of windows.” Along with manufacturers making changes to regions they supply, production prices on supplies have also skyrocketed. Ms Bearden noted that planning ahead for a project is key. “Everyone has to think about their projects in advance because you used to be able to come in and get your stuff when you started the project,” she said. “If you find what you like take it as there’s no guarantee you’ll find it in a few weeks’ time.”

The post Residents turn to home improvement during the pandemic appeared first on RG Magazines.

There are countless apps out there that claim to help you calm down, aid sleep, cure stress or make you happier, but how do you know which ones to try? We asked some of the experts who have contributed to the April issue of RG Best Health as well as our ‘app loving’ friends, what they would recommend. 

Mindfulness, Meditation and Better Sleep 

When you ask regular practitioners what their favourite apps are for mindfulness and meditation, the same three always come up: Insight Timer, Calm and Headspace. 

Insight Timer: Describing itself as the “#1 free app for sleep, anxiety and stress”, Insight Timer offers tens of thousands of guided meditations, online events, courses, guided sleep practices and calming music. There is also a section for parents containing stories and music that help children calm down or go to sleep. Their meditation timer can be customised to whichever sounds and time bells work for you and their seven day ‘Learn How To Meditate’ course helps beginners master the basics of meditation. Insight Timer is free to download and access. Insighttimer.com 

Calm: Have you ever wanted to have Matthew McConaughey, Regé-Jean Page or Kelly Rowland read you a bedtime story? Calm offers stories read by them, and others, to help you sleep. It also provides calming music, stretching, warm up and cool down exercises and a variety of mindfulness and meditation options to help with issues including stress, anxiety, grief and sleep difficulties. You can also find stories and meditations for children and young adults. Calm is free to download, but you need to pay to access the content. An annual subscription is USD69.99. Calm.com 

Headspace: Considered the better app if you are a complete beginner or want more structure to your meditation and mindfulness practice, Headspace is easy to navigate and has short meditations as well as longer ones. Their sleep content includes ‘sleepcasts’, which are audio tours of different, and sometimes made-up, places, and ‘night-time SOS sessions’, which users can try when their sleep is disturbed by bad dreams or general worries. The app’s ‘Move’ section includes mindful workout sessions. Headspace is also free to download, but you need to pay to access most of the content. Subscriptions cost USD12.99 monthly or USD69.99 annually. Headspace.com 

Productivity 

Our time management experts, Jessica Lightbourne and Lorene Phillips, co-founders of the ICLI coach training and leadership institute, recommended the app Asana for productivity. A PCMag Editor’s Choice winner, Asana manages team projects and tasks by allowing users to organise their work details, priorities and deadlines in one place. These can then be easily tracked. Team members can even record integrated video messages, which can reduce laborious meetings. Asana’s basic package is free but premium and business packages cost USD10.99 and USD24.99 per month respectively. Asana.com 

Keep Moving 

If you work at a desk and stay relatively still throughout the day, having an app reminding you to move and stretch isn’t just good for your health, but for your overall happiness too. 

Health and fitness enthusiasts recommend the FitOn app, particularly for the stretching, yoga and quick HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts. Designed to be done at home – or anywhere convenient – FitOn’s workouts are varied, require minimal or no equipment and cater to beginners all the way through to the super fit. There is even a section for parents who want to involve their children in their workout. The FitOn app is free to download and access. Fitonapp.com 

The post ‘APPINESS: Apps that help you destress, sleep or move your body positively appeared first on RG Magazines.

Joy Barnum 

Joy’s truly effervescent spirit is reflected in her music and performances. She is a dearly loved local celebrity and a dynamic performer with a well-earned phalanx of committed fans. 

Joy can be found on stages far and wide: “I’m generally found singing along with any band who’s got me on their roster.” But just not on New Year’s Eve. “I decided long ago to set that time aside for my family.” 

Live Wires 

Mitchell “Live Wires” Trott is an exuberant performer, merging energy, power, and panache. A veteran of the stage, having first performed at age four (over 40 years ago!), Bermuda’s ‘Gombey Warrior’ says: “I’m versatile, my voice and style make me instantly recognizable.” 

Crowned Bermuda’s Best Live Performer (2019) and Best Musical Group (2020) with his band, the King’s Band, Wires tells fans to, “stay tuned for our next free show or public event.” 

Working Title Band 

The Working Title Band has carved a niche in the local live entertainment scene as the very best cover band in Bermuda. They’ve created that space by committing themselves to excellence, as front man Lamont Robinson confesses, “I am a stickler for when we play covers, the songs are recognized immediately and sound good enough to turn heads.” 

Jesse Seymour 

Known as ‘Swaggy P’, Jesse Seymour is a man with style to burn. He asserts, “I believe I have a unique sound, especially being able to cross genres like R‘n’B and Reggae.” 

Fresh off a regular Friday night gig at Café Lido, Jesse is raring to go for the Holiday Season; “I’ll be floating round at Christmas parties if this Covid dresses back.” 

Aalai Wolffe 

Aalai Wolffe attributes her distinct sound to the use of guitars. “I can’t play them but that’s the first instrument I listen for when selecting a beat to create to. I enjoy sounds that embody sweet, sultry, and heartfelt melodies – a perfect example would be my first single titled Letter.” 

“This Holiday Season you can find me on several streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, as well as YouTube serenading you with my rendition of my Christmas favourite, Santa Baby.” 

Leroy Francis 

Leroy Francis is a proper musician. A creator who describes his style as, “combining unique melodies, rhythms, and soulful chords… with no limitation on genre.” 

When he’s not performing live as the keyboardist for the DIA Band, he’s in the studio producing music for L Francis Productions. “I am privileged to work with, and produce for many talented local artists, such as Live Wires, Jesse Seymour, Troy Anthony, and Aalai Wolffe.” 

Rusty G (RtwoG2) 

Do yourself a favour, go on to Spotify and do a search for RtwoG2. Russell Griffith, aka DJ Rusty G, aka RtwoG2 has a head for hot music. He plays it, promotes it, and now, he’s moving into producing it. His track Full Stop blew up this summer, and that is very much just the beginning. 

Currently lighting up Friday nights at the Pickled Onion from 9.00pm until curfew, DJ Rusty G routinely leaves them wanting more. 

The post Local stars that shine appeared first on RG Magazines.

Annabel COOPER

Let me tell you something… if you go to the Bermuda National Gallery (BNG) this summer you will find a captivating,
diverse and very personal range of artwork created by 21 local artists for the 2020 Bermuda Biennial exhibition, all
housed in a serene and temperature controlled venue that makes for an ideal escape from the summer heat.

The theme for this Biennial, ‘let me tell you something’, is taken from the late author and Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison’s novel ‘Beloved’.
“We came across a speech she gave about everyone being their own story and through that, the theme evolved,” explains Peter Lapsley, executive director of the BNG.
The theme “invited artists to tell a story, offer history and wisdom through the visual form,” wrote Bermuda Biennial jurors Melissa Messina and Kimberli Gant. “In asking artists to tell us – jurors, other artists, and the community at large – something, we are asking for knowledge, we are asking to learn. And learn we do.”
Ms Messina and Ms Gant are both well-known, international curators, and leaders in their field who, says Mr Lapsley, “showcase work around the world at the highest level.” They judged the artwork primarily on how it related to the theme, but also on how it was created and executed.
The result is a collection of pieces that encompass a wide spectrum of media and a diverse range of voices, views and topics.
“Some people are looking at the community, some are looking at their own understanding of the world,” says Mr Lapsley. “You’ve got everything from an installation using duct tape, video work, photography, print making, textiles, paper, found objects. It is a great, broad range of engaging artwork. For a small community we really punch above our weight in that respect.”
One of the more unique pieces, which, by chance, is particularly relevant to the events of 2020, is by Canadian artist Arié Haziza, who heads the catastrophe risk analytics function for a reinsurance company in Bermuda. His piece, ‘Wild Randomness’ is a triptych – a work of art divided into three sections – that, says the artist, looks at “situations in which a single event can have a disproportionate impact on our individual and collective lives.”
The scale of the gallery lends itself to the development of concepts and ideas and gives the visitor the space to really appreciate what they are seeing.

One of the larger pieces in the show is by Gherdai Hassell and is a vibrant mixed media collage mural installation that celebrates the black female figure. Another new artist to exhibit is Jayde Gibbons whose photographic work portrays black Bermudian men, which, she says showcases “the everyday beauty of my people, highlighting the importance of togetherness and brotherhood within our communities.”
Other pieces carry environmental messages, address social issues, reflect memories and family ties, examine personal struggles and explore understanding of ourselves and those around us.
“Each biennial is its own unique moment,” says Mr Lapsley. “This particular one engages a really broad range of interpretations of the theme and we have some voices we haven’t had in the past, and artists we’ve seen in the past making work in new and exciting ways.
“I think the exhibition is a really important part of the constellation of art events and institutions on our Island. It provides a national platform. An exhibition at this level can help propel somebody’s work into a completely different arena.”

The Bermuda Biennial 2020 is on display in the Young, Humann and Upper Mezzanine galleries of the Bermuda National Gallery, City Hall & Arts Centre, 17 Church Street, Hamilton until September 2020. Entrance is $5 and free for members, seniors and students. www.bermudanationalgallery.com.

Other options for beating the heat while enjoying art include:

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art in the Botanical Gardens, where you can enjoy artwork celebrating Bermuda’s culture and beauty including the ‘Follow the Sun’ permanent exhibit and relax at Homer’s café afterwards with something filling and refreshing. www.bermudamasterworks.org/.

The Dragon’s Lair Gallery on Somers Wharf in the Town of St. George features art and craftwork for viewing or sale by local artists including Jill Raine, Ian Birch, Skye Kermode, Tai Quan-Ottley and Caitlyn Bernard. https://www.facebook.com/TheDragonsLairGallery.

The Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club on Pitts Bay Road is not strictly an art gallery, but the artwork on display throughout the hotel might make you think otherwise. Wander through the corridors or into one of the restaurants and you could see works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, René Magritte or Andy Warhol. Guided tours are offered every Saturday at 10am. www.thehamiltonprincess.com/activities/walking-art-tours/.

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