Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
LEFT: Something amuses Reverend Oliver Daley (second right), Dave Spence (right), Joan Jonas (left) and Valerie Bell (second left). They were seen bowled over with laughter at 'A Starry Night'. RIGHT: Reverend Raymond Coke (centre), Grethel Sessing (right) and Grace Clark were a few of the many persons who enjoyed the gala concert at King's House. - PHOTOS BY CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL-led Lay Person's Initiative staged their gala event, 'A Starry Night' on Friday, on the lawns of King's House. The event was as unique in its execution as promised, and was characterised by spectacular and entertaining performances at the highest level.
The concert was met with extensive public support,receiving the patronage of families, couples and groups of friends, who enjoyed the musical undertakings of Peter Ashbourne and Ashes, Paulette Bellamy and a Touch of Elegance, A.J. Brown, Judi Emmanuel, Velia Espeut and Michael Edwards, and Rosina Moder.
Some patrons even took the opportunity to show affection to their loved ones amid the soothing atmosphere, as they tightly embraced while humming along to Christmas songs like 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas', under the innovatively lit venue. The high calibre of the performances gave a good account of the organisers' taste in music.
A.J. Brown closed the show with a marvellous performance as he belted out a medley of Christmas favourites, to
which the crowd sang along enthusiastically. While he sang, an adorable army of little girls dressed as fairies, pranced up and down the stage, much to the delight of the audience.
SUPPORT
The promised support of corporate Jamaica was evident as more than 90 per cent of the amenities that the patrons enjoyed were donated by corporate sponsors as described by Mr. Reynold Scott, the deputy chairman of the Lay Person's Initiative.
The proceeds from the event will benefit children's homes, parenting, education and children's ministry, supported by the initiative, in the form of a summit designed to engage children in the ways the church can appropriately minister to their needs, to enable them to be active participants in the development of church and society.
