LAST Sunday, patrons flocked the National Indoor Sport Centre in St Andrew for the 11th staging of the annual Powerful Men and Women Perform For Charity concert series.

The concert is aimed at raising funds for local charity, Mustard Seed Communities.

Among the acts were Carol Francis, Oliver Samuels, Aloun Assamba, Audrey Hinchcliffe, Michael Abrahams, DiMario McDowell, Dr Blossom O’Meally Nelson and Emerson Henry.

The concert, which commenced at 6:00 pm, saw Jamaica Defence Force captain, Michael Powell, and entertainer/consultant Charmaine Limonius raising their voices for a superb rendition of inspirational song, You Raised Me Up.

Next on the programme was the dramatic presentation School Call. The cast included Oliver Samuels, Lilyclaire Bellamy, Michael Abrahams and Audrey Reid. The piece saw Samuels as a mischievous student stealing pudding from his classmate and copying homework from another.

President of the Jamaican Bar Association Ian Wilkinson showed he was not only suited for the courtroom but the dancehall as well. The attorney had the crowd on their feet as he ‘deejayed’ the lyrics to Specialist’s hit single Phone Card.

In paying tribute to reggae artiste Bob Andy, Emerson Henry with the assistance of backing band for the night In2Nation did a fantastic rendition of the artiste’s Feeling Soul.

The fashion show that followed was a hit with patrons. The applause continued throughout the almost five-minute parade of breathtaking fashion, but it was the Uzuri International gown worn by Audrey Reid that captured the moment. The men could hardly contain their excitement as Reid displayed the sexy, close-fitting dress with a slit that went all the way up to left hip which showed off her well-toned legs.

Consultant Franz Clarke and Dr Blossom O’Meally-Nelson showed their comedic and dramatic sides much, to the delight of the patrons.

During the second half, Carole Reid did a breathtaking piece The Royal Opera House of Kingston. Teacher/entertainer Tanice Morrison did a performance earning her a standing ovation. Singing the Dreamgirls classic And I’m Telling You, Morrison had the audience’s undivided attention with her powerful vocals and well-rehearsed presentation.

As the show came closer to the end, the entertainment level heightened with the festival song medley by Linroy Edwards, Ian Wilkinson, Michael Powell, Emerson Henry and Robert Robinson. They all took turns doing Land of My Birth, Bam Bam, Sweet and Dandy, and Give Thanks and Praises.

The almost three-hour concert climaxed with an exciting dancehall queen face-off. The contestants were Consul of Ecuador to Jamaica Clelia Baretto DeHunter, Glynis Salmon, Lilyclaire Bellamy, Veronica Bennett, Michelle Wilson-Reynolds and Aloun Assamba. In the end, it was the diplomat Baretto deHunter who danced her way to the title.

As patrons were ready to make their way towards the exit, it was announced that there would be a ‘brawta’. Members of the popular dance group Dance Xpressions took to the stage and were later joined by Carol Francis who showed that she and her ‘fluffy’ dance partner were just as versatile on the dancefloor as any slim girl.

It was almost 9:00 pm when persons reluctantly started filing towards the exit of what could be considered as another successful staging of Powerful Men and Women Perform for Charity concert series.

Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon of the Mustard Seed Communities, beneficiaries of the proceeds from the event, thanked the performers who, over the years, have sacrificed their time to prepare for the show. Monsignor Ramkissoon revealed that each year its takes as much as $260 million to effectively run the 15 establishments operated by his organisation islandwide.

The proceedings from this year’s concert will be used to continue the development of 100-acre agricultural plot at Jacob’s Ladder in Moneague, St Ann.

— Simone Morgan