Mum’s the word

A COMBINATION of fabulous local talent and respect paid to Barbados’ mothers, made the 10th annual Mum, This One’s For You concert a memorable occasion at the Plantation Garden Theatre on Sunday.The brainchild of Desmond Weekes of Draytons Two fame, the show has grown in stature over the years and the packed, animated Plantation crowd was testimony to the prestige with which it is held.Tribute was paid to eleven mothers representing each parish, and in a special touch to the proceedings, mothers who have had to care for differently able children were also recognised.Those honoured were Shirley Cadogan (St Lucy); Mildred Norville (St George); Violet Griffith (St Michael); Daphne Mahon (St Andrew); Vivian Cumberbatch (St Joseph); Cora Callender (Christ Church); Mavis Lynch (St Thomas); Grace Mullins (St John); Levrette Jackman (St Peter); Aletha Marshall (St James); and Marcelle Rudder-Clarke (St Philip). Mothers recognised for parenting differently able children were Clara Straker, Janice Broome, Avril Wilkinson and  Ometa Marshall.Other accolades for the evening went to educator Sybil Leacock and Senate president Branford Taitt who copped the Loyal Daughter and Loyal Son awards respectively. Perhaps the most apt comment came from Leacock about the importance and timeliness of the show, and giving recognition where it is due, when she said: “I appreciate you giving me my roses while I can smell them.”Patrons were treated to excellent musical fare during the evening, ranging from the precocious talent of six-year-old drummer Simeon Maynard to the timeless quality  of Lord Radio.Maynard, a member of the Israel Lovell Foundation, endeared himself to the crowd with his energetic drumming and a charming stage presence.Radio, who, with his Bimshire Boys contributed immeasurably to the promotion of Barbados over five decades, was in fine voice during the rendition of his classic, Yours Sincerely.Alexandra School’s Kareem Agard is a special talent with a big voice in a small frame. His renditions of Shattered and The Greatest Love Of All were two of the highlights of the night.Dance was a significant part of the evening’s entertainment with Keisha Cordieu and Kamar Beckles of the Jahbulani Dance Club, the Act Now Generation, Ace Dance Centre and a troupe from the Israel Lovell Foundation displaying their prowess to African and Latin American rhythms.One sour note for the night was the uncouth chattering and derisive cheering directed toward Mike Sealy’s performance by a section of idiots with an obvious dislike for jazz stylings. But, Sealy handled it like a true professional.Among the others performing on the night were Cherish Breedy, John King, Fudd Straker, Mac Fingal, Dwayne Husbands, Corey Hunte, Cassius Clay, Mike Thompson, The Draytons Two, Anderson Lynch and Cassandra Crawford.Emcee for the occasion was the inimitable Carl Alf Padmore.