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By Donovan Gopie |
The event was billed as: 'Powerful Jamaican Women Perform for Charity'. With style and sophistication twenty-two of Jamaica's most influential women wowed & delighted an appreciative audience in New York City, doing high fashion modeling, comedic skits, singing and an especially outrageous cabaret dance number that 'brought the house down'. This was their charitable effort to aid The Mustard Seed Communities' Home for Children with Aids, a hospice located in the Jamaican village of Jerusalem, on the outskirts of Spanish Town, Jamaica's former capital.
The production was the brainchild of activist Thyra Heaven, wife of the former Jamaican H
igh
Commissioner to Great Britain, who has been passionate in her
efforts of raising much needed funds for the Mustard Seed
Communities, the twelve year old outreach organization that
has been on the forefront of providing medical care for the babies
born infected.Glynis Salmon, publishing executive, and powerful in many aspect, who performed MC duty, was most delightful in this role and a big hit at the show. Her comedic ad-libbing was refreshing, as she was dramatic. Later she tantalized the audience with a burlesque dance number, together with a group of the most uninhibited 'Powerful Women' doing a Las Vegas 'Showgirl'' high kick dance, with eye popping seductive moves, all dressed in skimpy and sexy outfits. They had the audience begging for more.
There were many impressive moments during the two-hour staging of what was a stellar production. Professionally directed by the renowned and prolific Jamaican choreographer, Bert Rose, a co-founder of the famed National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica. Joyous reggae rhythms of the renowned Jamaican showband, Fab Five accompanied the show.
Beautiful Ambassador Madge Barrett, chief of protocol of Jamaica had the house in stitches with her spectacular lampooning of a Diana Ross / Lionel Richie dual image song and dance routine. She sang and dressed both as Diana & Lionel to thunderous applause. The director of Tourism, Faye Pickersgill was simply fantastic and most regal. Adorned in a elegant eighteenth century Elizabethan gown, acting as 'Ms. Malaprop', doing a parody using Jamaican poems and speaking in amusing Jamaican dialect. She was impressive and so cute, escaping out of her daily role of taking care of Jamaica's tourism, a job she does so effectively... from all accounts.
How refreshing it was to see Jamaica's so called 'high class women' coming to grips with common peoples' life style as so aptly demonstrated by Senator Maxine
Henry-Wilson and National Democratic Movement's president, Hyacinth Bennett doing their amusing skits, depicting everyday life in Jamaica. At the end doing a 'Unity Walk' together...forgetting political party affiliations and daily politics for a while in their benevolent efforts of raising much needed funds to care for babies sadly infected with the dreaded virus.
The twenty-two women were outstanding and should be individually applauded for their entertaining and realistic performances. The Post-Mistress General, Blossom O' Meally- Nelson was especially funny and convincing as the quirky and loquacious village postal clerk, spewing out postal policy in amusing Jamaican vernacular and the 'Queen's English' interchangeably. Her character was speaking long distance by telephone to an imaginary friend in New York. She had the audience in stitches and begging for more... but alas time did not permit for encore. Beautiful Jean Lowrie-Chin, managing director of PRO Communications was powerful in her delivery of Jamaican poems, including some of her own compositions, as was Camille Needam, the petite executive director of Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association. She had the audience spellbound, singing Roberta Flacks' beautiful love song 'Killing Me Softly', with professional flair. Thalia Lyn, CEO of Island Grill was captivating singing her beautiful song, resplendent in a stunning body-hugging gown.
An amusing 'I am a cute little Girl' parody was well acted by one of Jamaica's most famous make-up artist & hair stylist, Joan Russell. She was outrageously funny, play-acting as a demure little girl. Carol Francis the producer of JTV Television, did a fast paced Hip-Hop dance with such professional style along with a group of sexy young Jamaican dancers from Brooklyn. She was clearly the star dancer. Noted radiologist, Dr. Vern
a
Reid with Paulette Daley, manager of Supreme Ventures,
Charmaine Harrison, CEO of Great Vacations, Nevene
Heaven, manager New Boulevard Motors and the friendly Maria
Jones, CEO of MIND were all stunning as 'Show-Girls',
doing a sexy burlesque choreographed high-kick dance. An encore
was needed here.The finale fashion show with the entire cast was dazzling, as it was stunning. The 'Powerful Women' all wore formal and most elegant eveningwear, creation of noted Jamaican designers. The ladies modeled them with aplomb and elegant sophistication. Dahlia Harris, the noted broadcaster was a knockout in high fashion as was Jean Anderson, CEO of Signature Boutique, Judith Madden, a former senator, now community affairs director at the Jamaica Consulate in New York got over her initial stage shyness and exuded cool composure at the end, as did beautiful Audrey Chin, vice-president of Merchant Bank. She modeled a well-designed dress with chic and class. Gerthlyn Holman was especially dazzling in a fabulous spangle gown. She modeled this stunning dress most elegantly, as she seems to be in real life. She is the pass president of the Kiwanis Club of Jamaica. A beautiful gown stylishly modeled by the charming Education Ministry special advisor, Verica Bennett was the dress that caught this reviewer's eye...it was simply beautiful. ...Kudos to all the elegant and beautiful powerful ladies.
The ladies showcased a wealth of diverse and hidden talent and versatility. Now exposed they can confidently embark on dual careers anytime. They all are truly powerful and talented... and should consider another road tour.
The lack of adequate and timely publicity did not provide for what should have been a capacity attendance; nevertheless the hundreds lucky guests who attended had a most memorable evening. Anton Tomlinson, Vice-president of Union of Jamaican Alumnae Association (UJAA) invited the Consul General of Jamaica; Basil K. Bryan on stage and both urged the audience to show continued support for the cause. A big box was passed around in the audience and additional dollars was collected. Jamaican businessman and philanthropist, Vincent HoSang, CEO of Royal Caribbean Bakery made a generous donation, much to the appreciation of Father Gregory Ramkissoon, Director of 'Mustard Seed Communities'.
Thyra Heaven further urged the audience to continued to support Mustard Seed Communities with their contributions, sending thorough the offices of the Jamaica Consulates in North America or directly to 'Mustard Seed Communities' in Jamaica. dg6/2002
Financial contribution or other assistance can be sent directly
to: Mustard Seed Communities
P.O.Box 267, Kingston 10, Jamaica. West Indies
Email: mscsec@cwjamaica.com
Web site: www.mustardseed.com
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The Twenty-two 'Powerful Women' are:...Dahlia
Harris, Glynis Salmon, Faye Pickersgill, Jean Lowie-Chin, Audrey
Chin, Maxine Henry-Wilson, Amb. Madge Barrett, Carol Francis,
Jean Anderson, Verica Barrett, Blossom O'Mealy Nelson, Nevene
Heaven, Dr. Verna Reid, Paulette Daley, Charmaine Harrison, Maria
Jones, Thalia Lyn, Camille Needham, Hyacinth Bennett, Verica
Bennett, Gerthlyn Holman & former Senator Janet Madden...now
Community Affairs director at the Jamaica Consulate in New York
New York.