spirit, lists modelling, dancing, singing, drumming, writing and acting among the avenues she travels, or has travelled Born to a Bermudian mother and Barbadian father, Oneika Best was raised in Bermuda, and attended Dellwood and Northlands schools as well as St. Patrick's School in Barbados.

Her working life began at a printery on Union Street and continued at Engravers Ltd., where she was a four-colour platemaker.

"I really liked that sort of work,'' she says, "but chemicals and I don't agree so I decided to take a break.'' Meanwhile, Miss Best made quite a name for herself as a model, but then she began to take stock of her future.

"Because I didn't have any other skills my opportunities in Bermuda were limited, and being an artist I don't really like to work with anyone else,'' she explains. "That became a problem after a while because people think that when they're paying you they own you. Because I am a free spirit, I have a problem with that.'' So Miss Best wrote poetry at home, but knew she needed something more.

"I was stagnating in my mind, and Bermuda became too tight for me. I couldn't handle the pressure of having nothing more to do than go out partying with people who weren't even concerned about you, so I went to Barbados to live,'' she recalls.

There she began modelling again, but stopped in 1994 because "it wasn't fun anymore''.

As the daughter of professional drummer El Verno del Congo, Miss Best had long been practising at home for years. Now her father began teaching her technique: how to accent; use her hands without playing hard; play for many hours without perspiring; and even how to captivate an audience.

"I started to play often, and because I have a lot of rhythm and play well, I became recognised as a drummer and started to get paid for gigs,'' she says.

"I joined a band of all the top Barbados musicians, called The Holders, and we made a trip to England. It was very interesting and I learned a lot.'' Explaining that she plays the timbales, congos and electric drums, Miss Best explains: "I love their uncensored, free sound -- which I prefer to fine-tuned drums because they don't capture that unorthodox sound of freedom.'' As a professional percussionist, the Barbados resident says she is particular about her gigs, and won't play with bands which don't "edify'' her.

"I like substance,'' she explains. "I don't play trash. You have to keep your inner self clean.'' Miss Best is now teaching the fundamentals of drumming to three-to 17-year-olds, and also gives private lessons.

"Children are very, very perceptive, and their parents are very pleased with their presentation,'' she says. "I teach dgimbege drum, and also independence, which is playing two different things at the same time.'' Recalling how she taught herself independence, the percussionist says she began by writing with her toes, which opened up a different section of her brain, and gave her the ability to use it. Similarly, as a right-hander she began to write with her left hand, which gave her precision. She also trained herself to balance.

As well as being a musician, Miss Best has a passion for writing, and has accumulated 50 scripts over the years, which she now plans to spend the next four years performing. One, entitled Seventy Times Seven, which she describes as "a multi-media millennium production,'' is being presented at Spice Valley Middle School auditorium on Friday evening. It took her just 30 minutes to write because "it was totally body/spirit. The pen flowed and I read it afterwards''.

"It is a one-woman show about forgiveness and friendship, and what that means to me. The Father says you should forgive 70 times seven, hence the title,'' the author explains. "It also has little pieces of issues that I like to address, but in the end it says, `I forgive you, let's go find the gombeys'.'' All of Miss Best's plays have choreography, and are written to include other performers. Seventy Times Seven will be no exception, and while the author says she can perform all parts herself, she loves to have others involved because "community is strength''.

"I am doing everything: dancing, drumming, and singing, which includes an a capella chant. I also act the parts, and will be on stage throughout.'' Guest artists joining the all-Bermudian production on Friday include the Bermuda African Dance Company, Lisa Roberts, Denise Davis, Shiam Thompson (Sister Sky) and the gombeys.

Dancing to a different drum Preceding the 8 p.m. performance, various artists will exhibit their work in the school foyer, and dub poet Ras Mykkal will be selling his CDs, all beginning at 6 p.m.

It has been five years since the willowy Bermudian was last home, and she says the experience has given her a new, deeper appreciation for her homeland and its people.

"I have come to appreciate my people in a way that I have never seen them before. They are wonderful, and really, really friendly. When I see Bermudians I feel good in my heart because I still acknowledge Bermuda as my birthplace.

I also love the Bermudian accent. There's something about it.'' Self-described as "an ancient Christian'', Miss Best says her faith is very important to her, and she "lusts for things of God''. For that reason, she sees neither Bermuda nor Barbados as her final destination, but Ethiopia.

"It is the only country on earth that hasn't been colonialised, and it still keeps its ancient Christianity,'' she explains. "The ark of the covenant is also there, so I know my God is there too. I am a Bible student, and prophecies reveal that the end is near, so I see Ethiopia as the land of refuge.'' She also views the birth of her daughter, Princess Iman, in January, 1999 as the culmination of a divine plan for her.

"That God found me worthy as a drumming and nursery teacher for three years I now realise was leading up to my own bundle of joy. As a result, I try to lead an exemplary life which she can follow. I want her to grow in the way of the Father -- obedient and strong-willed -- and I don't want her to be any foolish man's wife. I want her to make the right choices.'' Meanwhile, the young mother is looking forward to becoming a wife in two years' time.

"If God spares my life, I will be married in August, 2002,'' she reveals.

"We want to have a king and queen wedding.'' Seventy Times Seven will begin at 8 p.m. sharp in Spice Valley Middle School auditorium, Middle Road, Warwick. Tickets ($20) are available at 27th Century Boutique.