Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Steve McGregor (right), emerged the winner out of six fathers who sang their rendition of Bob Marley's One Love at the Father's Day Brunch held on Sunday June 18. Mr. McGregor gave the audience an encore of his winning performance, this time with the Master of Ceremonies, Norma Brown Bell (left), providing back-up vocals.

THE ORGANISERS of the Jamaica Pegasus' Father's Day Brunch had the right idea when they set up a projection of the ensuing World Cup match between Brazil and Australia on a wall in the Grande Jamaica Suite, so that the fathers could enjoy the skills, of the 'ballers', while being fêted by their loved ones. On Sunday June 18, Father's Day, the Jamaica Pegasus hotel provided an avenue for family and friends to show appreciation to the main men in their lives in an elegant, yet friendly atmosphere with a scrumptious brunch and riveting entertainment.

The menu alone would have sufficed as a wonderful treat, with items like roasted prime lamb leg with broccoli and mushroom salad being among the offerings. The organisers kicked the celebration up a notch with several prime pieces of entertainment, including live music by noted band, Dr. Cathy Brown and Friends. Drummer, Denver Smith, was the undisputed star of the band as he delivered his beats with much gusto and enthusiasm, which made their performance much more exciting than the average.

After midday, there was also a fashion show of men's clothing, courtesy of Max Brown Limited and designer Les Campbell. The pieces were worn by 'celebrity models' Cedric McDonald, Kibwe McGann and Weston Haughton. Of course, the men's attention was diverted every now and again as they focused on the match being played between France and Korea. Earlier on, Nancy McLean, the hotel's manager, fittingly gave details on the Pegasus' World Cup Village, where football fans could go to see the matches in a lively setting over the duration of FIFA World Cup 2006 .

FATHERS SINGING COMPETITION

Other than the football matches, the most riveting part of the programme was the singing competition among six fathers. Each sang his rendition of Bob Marley's One Love and Steve McGregor emerged as winner with his emphatic rendition of the reggae classic, winning himself a bottle of wine courtesy of Lascelles Wines and Spirits. His duty as winner was also to sing the song in its entirety and he was joined at the microphone by M.C. Norma Brown Bell who provided supporting vocals just as the I-Threes would have done for Bob Marley.

The final entertainer on the line-up was noted cabaret singer, Judy Emmanuel. She belted out hits that she thought the dads would like to hear and opened her set with her rendition of Donna Summer's Unconditional Love. She also performed a selection of songs by the 'Prince of Reggae', Dennis Brown.