By Michael Reckord, ContributorWHILE ONE organiser was disappointed at the 'low' turn out of about 1,000 people, the 'Powerful Men Perform for Charity' held at the Jamaica House on Sunday night was indeed an artistic success.
The team of women, headed by Thyra Heaven, who have staged similar shows with women over the last three years were the ones who mounted this outstanding event.
The audience appeared impressed. They laughed at Health Minister John Junor's jokes and they were amazed at Police Commissioner, Francis Forbes' magic acts.
They alternately swayed and jigged as graphic artist Dimario McDowell sang You're Gonna Miss My Loving in his velvet voice to one delighted lady in the audience, and crooned Blueberry Hill in Fats Domino-style, and What a Wonderful World in a perfect imitation of Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong's voice.
And there was more. Much more.
AUDIENCE
It all took place on the lawns of Jamaica House, with the audience on chairs and the performers on a stage decorated by production manager, Bert Rose. Emcees Vivian Crawford (first half) and Cordel Green followed a script penned by Alvin Campbell.
Accompanying the singers and providing sound effects for various other acts was Jamaica's leading show band, Fab 5. The band displayed tremendous versatility as they moved through several musical styles and rhythms.
A variety of styles was also a feature of the outfits worn by the performers. There were two fashion parades, of casual and formal wear, by groups of men.
Individuals who wore costumes included pharmacist Stafford Haughton who dressed like a cowboy to sing a Kenny Rogers song; Bob Fowler and Pritchett who wore Blues Busters-style 70s clothes and afro wigs for a song by the famous Montego Bay duo; Franz Clarke, who wore the white robes and red head-tie of a warner as he gave a long, humorous warning culminating in, 'Not everything dat glitter is gold'; Winston Davidson, who donned a yellow and green cloak and Rastafarian locks to chant Peter Tosh's Jah is My Keeper; Cedric McDonald, who dressed in Elvis Presley garb to sing Blue Suede Shoes; and Commissioner Forbes who wore a multi-coloured tam for his magic tricks.
ROPE TRICKS
The Commissioner's act, one of the longest, included rope tricks, card tricks, the disappearance and reappearance of a glowing bulb from the performer's hands, mouth, and ears; a handkerchief floating in the air and a male volunteer 'laying' an egg. His performance brought the first half of the event to an end.
Among the performers in the second half were Dr. Kingsley Stewart, aka 'Raggashanti', who sang and deejayed; Simon Crosskill, who briefly replaced Grub Cooper on the Fab 5 trap drum set; Neville Blythe of the UGI Group, who sang My Way; HEART's Mark Thomas, who recited Mutabaruka's Dis Poem; Michael Anthony Cuff and John McFarlane, who sang You've Lost That Loving Feeling and Dr Winston Delahaye and Mr. McDowell singing two Sean Paul and 50 Cent's songs.
Gem Myers, led the male performers and some 'Powerful Women' who had joined them, to close the concert with Marley's One Love.
There was not one dull moment in the two-hour plus show, organised to assist the Mustard Seed Communities charity.
