Time to say goodbye

Chevannes, Pottinger and Isaacs to be buried this week

Basil Walters

Sunday, November 14, 2010

This week, will be like no other in the recent history of the local entertainment industry. Beginning on Monday, the country will mark the closing chapter in the lives of a number of our cultural stalwarts whose funeral rites will be held.

The roster of thanksgiving services commences on Monday at 10:00am, the University Chapel, and appropriately so, is where the reflections on the life and works of the iconic cultural advocate and respected musician, Professor Barry Chevannes OJ, will take place.

Then on Friday (November 19), the thanksgiving send off will be held for Jamaica's first female record producer Sonia Pottinger, who is highly regarded as one the leading local producers of Jamaican music. Her farewell service will be held at the St Andrew Parish Church, commencing at 1:00am.

What is widely anticipated will be the biggest celebration for a departed entertainer of recent vintage, will take place the following day (Saturday, November 20), at the National Indoor Sports Centre. The event is scheduled to start at 11:00 am.

In fact, the send off activities for reggae's smoothest lovers-rock exponent whose remains was returned from London on Thursday, has already began. Family members, well-wishers and government officials packed All Saints Anglican Church in London on Wednesday to bid good-bye to their favourite crooner.

Last Thursday night local well-wishers turned out in droves at his upper St Andrew Sunrise Crescent home where a vigil was held in commemeration of the Cool Ruler for whom there will also be a tribute concert at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre next Thursday.

But the period of send offs will not end with Isaacs's service of thanksgiving. For eight days hence ( Saturday, November 27), the funeral service of veteran singer Keith Stewart of Keith and Enid fame, will be held in Montego Bay, at the First Church of the Open Bible. That service will begin at 11:00am.