Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Legendary theatre man, Brian Heap (centre), knows how to capture an audience, and he does it again, intriguing (from left) Donna Duncan-Scott, Nadean Rawlins, Alwyn Scott and Munair Zacca, with his story. - Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer

It is indeed the season to be jolly. It is also the season for caring and giving, and when one manages to do both in one smooth number, you know we are talking a fabulous outing!

On Monday evening, Chairman of the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, the esteemed Paul Issa, threw open the doors to his fabulous city residence in the Golden Triangle and hosted a reception for visiting star of the ever-popular syndicated TV reality show, Judge Joe Brown and his oh-so-stunning wife, Deborah Brown.

It was a case of partying for a very good cause, as the reception was held to both welcome and honour the couple for their pivotal role in spearheading a new direction for the college, located on Arthur Wint Drive. It was also an introductory 'do', to facilitate the judge's familiarisation with the principals of the college, its board and its new mandate. The poolside reception was style-perfect, buzzing as it was with a number of leading patrons of the arts, artistes and sponsors.

Rich history

Now the college is the only institution of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, providing training in drama, dance, music and the visual arts at the tertiary level. It offers diploma and degree programmes full and part time; with a rich history of producing and/or helping to mould a number of very successful artistes and pioneering grandaunts, who went on to not only inspire, but lead in the cultural evolution now underway in the region.

And so, it is that, with a view to broaden and deepen the appeal and programmes of the college, on Monday, December 1, and its board of directors hosts a fund-raising gala and banquet, at the Hilton Kingston hotel, to launch the college's development fund, with the esteemed Judge Brown, as the guest speaker. The role of the college cannot be quantified in moving the people of Jamaica and the region forward, through its many programmes and initiatives that broaden the appeal, appreciation and understanding of art and culture and its impact in building fledgling nations such as ours.

The event had the talented Ashbourne family - Peter Ashbourne, his wife Rosina Moder-Ashbourne and their son, Joel Ashbourne, providing the fabulous musical backdrop that punctuated the evening air.

Among the notables out were Chief Justice Zaila McCalla; Spanish Ambassador Jesús and Sara Silva; Maurice and Valerie Facey; Robert MacMillan and Candy DePass; the esteemed Pat Ramsay; the celebrated actor Munair Zacca and wife Adelina; Stephen Facey; Nicola Crosswell-Mair; Alwyn Scott and his fab wife Donna Duncan-Scott; Peter Melhado and his lovely wife Nicola Melhado; Mr and Mrs Kent Gammon; Brian Heap; Principal of the Edna Manley College, Burchell Duhaney; Vice-Principal Denise Salmon; Head of the of the Department of Visual Arts Petrona Morrison; Head of the School of Music Roger Williams; Garth Sanguinetti; the charming Joanna Hart; Stephen Golding; the lovely Nadean Rawlins, plus a number of others.

Sagittarius

And speaking of beautiful people and the chic, the age of Sagittarius is now rising and birthdays there are aplenty, from Kingston all the way to Orange County, California, where come tomorrow, the mother and daughter duo of Frances Allison and Cherise Francis-Windle will both celebrate their birthday. Celebrating tomorrow is chef, Darren Lee. Also celebrating birthdays are: Peter Smith, former diplomat, who celebrated on Thursday, the 27th; worried about the developments in her home in India, Mandira Kalra Kalaan, celebrates today; Dr Jonathan Greenland, who celebrated on the 25th; the fabulous singer JC Lodge, who celebrates in London on Monday; Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett celebrates on Wednesday, as does esteemed and celebrated artist, Judy-Ann MacMillan. Meanwhile, her nephew, Elliott MacMillan will celebrate his 21st birthday at his home in New York, with the real celebrations to follow later here in Kingston, at the home of his dad, Advertising icon, Robert MacMillan.

Carrie Sigurdson - Quizz, to her fans - celebrates next Thursday. And former EU official here in Kingston, Felice Zaccheo, will celebrate next Saturday, the party being in Belgium, where he now serves. The fabulous matriarch of the Magnus family, the lovely Paddy Magnus, flew in for Thanksgiving, as did her daughter, Dr Marcia Magnus. Plus, belated happy birthdays to Pat Reid, who celebrated on the 13th, and former European Union head, Ambassador Gerd Jarchow, on the 18th.

And the ever fab Louise Valle jetted in on Wednesday, and in between some sea and sun, parties and appearances, will take leave next Wednesday.

Maurice Facey (right), listens keenly to Deborah Brown, along with her husband Judge Joe Brown.