Singing Francine was arguably the highlight of Sunday’s Carols By Candlelight.
From the time MC Vic Fernandes introduced the Barbadian legend in what was her first performance during Christmas in Barbados, the adults and children started dancing and singing to a seasonal favourite Parang Parang.
By the time she started singing Hurray Hurrah with its infectious hook line “aiieeee”, even more people were dancing and singing along.
The 74-year-old calypsonian gave a great performance, treating the audience to songs off her albums Christmas is Love and Merry Christmas from Francine including Christmas in My Land and Christ is the Reason. It was interesting watching the children interact with her and sing along to songs that are older than they are.
The hundreds of people attending the 22nd edition of the annual show hosted by the Rotary Club of Barbados were also wowed by 11-year-old singers Chia Scantlebury and Trinity Clarke, who performed Hallelujah and Let It Go, respectively.
The girls received rousing applause from the audience, who seemed to have taken up every iota of space while sitting on blankets, chairs and comforters on the lawns or standing on the paved paths of Ilaro Court, the Prime Minister’s official Two Mile Hill, St Michael residence.
The Mustardseed Kids were a hit with the audience. As they performing for the tenth year, first with Nikita, who did Kimberley Inniss’ It’s Christmas FaLa La La La, and later with Kymorhi Trotman, the candles were lit across the venue creating that flickering, magical glow that never gets old no matter how many times it happens.
Pianist Rhea Drakes and her band were a welcome addition to this year’s line up. They played Carol Of The Bells with God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen and vocalist Tameisha Cozier sang Don’t Save It All for Christmas Day. It was a great performance.
Also showcasing their talents were the DGM (Do Good Music), who sang O Holy Night, This Christmas and God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen before they ended their set with an instrumental version of Red Plastic Bag’s Maisie, featuring Romario Wilkinson in the lead on saxophone.
The pre-show entertainment included the Daryl Jordan Secondary School Steel Band and Poonka’s Ruk-a-Tuk International, which put patrons in the mood as they entered and settled into their spots.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart gave a short address and reminded everyone Christ was the reason for the season. He also congratulated the Rotary Club for “institutionalising” Carols By Candlelight, noting that people looked forward to attending each year. He also spoke of the club’s “massive and substantial contribution” to the society and said not all of their “good is advertised”.
Rotary Club president Paul Ashby thanked patrons, entertainers and club members and said that through donations the club was able to assist in areas that relate to children, autism, seniors and medical needs.
The show came to an end after a robust sing-along led by Tamara Marshall, Clarke, Scantlebury and Cherece Richards who led the audience in 11 of the songs of the season. (GBM)
