Musicians Dwight Richards (left) and Dean Fraser blow the audience away during Dwight Richards' birthday party, held at Stella Maris on Shortwood Road, last Sunday. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Carolyn Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Musician Dwight Richards thoroughly enjoyed his birthday party, in fact, he was enchanted.

Held on the Stella Maris school grounds, Shortwood Road, St. Andrew, last Sunday evening, the birthday celebration was fused with musical enchantment, featuring Richards and friends backed by the Skool Band.

With the stage, tents and chairs decorated in red and white, it was an evening of love for couples and friends. Valentine's Day came early.

It was after A.J. Brown's renditions that the birthday boy made his first appearance with a few toots of his trumpet from behind the sound booth.

The clarion call soon became a soothing instrumental as the band joined in and the music ushered him to the stage, stopping intermittently to serenade a beaming patron.

On stage, Richards did Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I've been Loving You and Sitting in Limbo, as he thanked his sponsors and all his friends who had contributed $1,000 to share in his birthday celebration.

Promising to return later, he made way for Minister Carlene Davis who said It Must Be Love because Jesus is her Forever Friend. While the audience shared her joy, it was her medley that had them on their feet wheeling and twirling.

Swirling, dipping, dancers

But it was impossible to be at Stella Maris and not have dancers. Swirling, twirling, dipping, jumping and waving, the dancers were a delightful treat before intermission. It was here that MC Errol Lee apologised for the absence of Ken Boothe and Luciano whom he explained were stuck in Montego Bay.

Though the audience sighed at the announcement, they did not seem perturbed as Taurus Riley's story of his little baby girl had them in stitches. After declaring he was feeling a parent vibe, Riley sat down with his guitar and proudly complained of lack of sleep because of a baby girl who follows no rules but controls his heart.

Dean's spell

As if the show could not get any better, Dean Fraser's saxophone cast a spell on the audience as he did Ordinary People before he was joined by Richards for Exhale.

The spell lifted as soon as Lovindeer entered the stage, drawing tunes such as Pocomania Day, Wild Gilbert and Hap-pee-ness in the Park. The audience was fired up, singing and dancing to the popular hits.

Ernie Smith nimbly worked the stage and delivered perennial favourites such as Sunday Morning Coming Down, Tears on My Pillow, I for Jesus and Duppy Gunman. His performance brought the evening to a fitting climax coupled with Richards' hilarious Happy Birthday to Me.