By Chaos, Freelance Writer 
Jamaican singing sensation Tessanne Chin thrilled the crowd as she performed at the 'Journey to Beijing - A Mother's Day Luncheon' which was staged at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St Andrew last Sunday. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
'JOURNEY TO Beijing- A Mother's Day Luncheon' was staged at the Chinese Benevolent Association, 176 Old Hope Road, St Andrew and was quite well supported last Sunday.
With food from Patsy Lyn Caterers, fashion from Layne's Boutique, dancing courtesy of Stella Maris and entertainment by Tessanne Chin and Dwight Richards, the mothers in the house were honoured indeed.
The MC was Aggrey Irons, who kept things rolling along with the odd awarding of spot prizes given on varying amusing bases. He was a decent compere and had the support of Desi Jones and Friends - Jones on the drums, Dale Haslam on bass and Christine McDonald on keyboards.
At $1500 a ticket, the food was perhaps not quite up to expectations, but did serve its purpose. The honey garlic chicken seemed to be lacking the garlic, the stir-fried shrimp were decent and the egg rolls a gem.
The Stella Maris Dance Ensemble were somewhat bemusing - if at the same time entertaining - with their two stints on-stage. Bemusing because it was difficult to figure out what exactly the dances represented, but entertaining by virtue of the undeniable grace and skill of the dancers.
The fashion from Layne's Boutique befitted a Mother's Day occasion - nothing overly racy - think solid pieces on the most part, which were good looking enough to merit a second glance - as were the models.
People - lots of them obviously mothers - kept busy talking, eating and drinking, quite obviously having a good time surrounded by their families. There was a bustling atmosphere, filled with good cheer and quite a number of smiles.
TRUE DIVA
The high point of the evening hit when Tessanne Chin took the stage. Despite overly loud instruments, she was on top of her game as she started off with Ben E. King's I Have Nothing. A Bob Marley cover, Could You Be Love, followed, and Tessanne sang out clean and clear like a true diva, her voice soaring despite the poor acoustics and loud instruments.
Bette Midler's Wind Beneath My Wings was next, with Aretha Franklin's Baby I Love You following, the keyboard player providing totally unnecessary backing vocals. Tessanne Chin is associated with the Jamaican alternative band Mile High, and she introduced the band's guitarist, Paul Chang, for her next and final number, Tina Turner's Simply The Best. Chang provided fantastic riffs to complement Chin's wonderful vocals, bringing a very good set to a close. Chang would be teased by Aggrey Irons before being allowed off-stage, the doctor insisting that he play some more before Chang escaped, clearly caught off-guard.
The event would come to a close with a fully-white clad Dwight Richards performing, bringing a good Mother's Day event to an end.
