On the fun side of the celebration, however, last Sunday’s The Gathering all-inclusive fete was indeed a fund-raising venture all concerned should be justifiable proud. According to chief cook and bottle-washer Dennis Ramdeen, the whole shebang was organised by a cross-section of UWI alumni, dedicated university staff and members of the campus’ Development & Endowment Fund. Lending full support by attending the event were President Professor George Maxwell Richards, his wife Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards, and Minister of Education Dr Tim Gopeesingh.
TOP: UWI principal Prof Clement Sankat and his wife Dr Rohanie Maharaj-Sankat enjoy the music of T&TEC Gayatones during The Gathering, UWI’s 50th Anniversary Fete, held at the Grounds of the Campus Principal, UWI, St Augustine, Sunday evening.
Bottom: Joanne Chin Sang, left, and Laura Superville, enjoy Margaritas.
The Gathering
Sunday’s all-inclusive was replete with all the necessary requirements for a good venture of this kind with music, food, drinks, weather and beautiful company. The playlist boasted of Roy Cape All Stars, Karma, T&TEC Gayatones, Birdsong Steel Orchestra and DJ Crosby and none disappointed. Patrons had a choice of cuisine, inclusive of Arabic, Indian, and Creole, plus a wide and dizzying array of cocktails and ice cream.
The music
Guests were greeted upon arrival at the grounds of the principal’s residence to the beautiful sounds of Birdsong, the steel ensemble tastefully augmenting its national instrument with top light horn musicians, including veterans Clyde Mitchell and Leo Stephenson. If it could maintain the level of performance presented on Sunday, Gayatones is going to be one of the most entertaining bands on the fete circuit for C2K11. Led by Rishi Gayadeen, the Ste Madeleine aggregation from Jaipaul Street, gave a perfect performance, with perfect sound, courtesy engineer Krishna Narinesingh and song selection.
Oscar “Oscar B” Benjamin, front line vocalist of T&TEC Gayatones, right, abandons the stage to show off his dance moves with Jenelle Joseph. Photos: David Wears
Gayatones’ ace in the hole is frontman Oscar “Oscar B” Benjamin. The former Party Time champion and Byron Lee & The Dragonaires vocalist has breathed new life into this veteran Indian band and his enraging stage personality is endearing fans of all ages to the outfit. Early in the proceedings, Oscar B gave patrons their money’s worth with his interpretations of Byron Lee’s hit single Butterfly, and Swappi’s massive smash hit Nah Go Play, the latter sending women into a frenzy. Another major component contributing to the band’s sound, balance and tightness is veteran guitarist Ryan Romany.
Gayatones set the party mood for the evening. In contrast, Karma opted to deliver a concert-type performance. Opening its set by acknowledging the presence of the president, lead vocalists Ravi and Nisha Bissambhar, and Gregory Ayun, did a few chutney and retro soca items. The ensuing mini concert, commencing at 5 pm, treated patrons to retro disco hits like Dancing Queen, I Believe in Miracles, Rock the Boat and Oh What a Night. Ayun, formerly of Imij & Co, displayed his versatility by singing a Hindi song, before being joined by Nisha to thrill the audience with Love the way you lie, a current hit by Rihanna and Slim Shady. Karma also nailed it with its version of Travis Mc Coy’s Want to be a billionaire.
Nothing can beat live horns and Roy Cape All Stars proved this by attacking with the full force of riveting soca just before 6 pm. As the band began its set, led by vocalists Blaxx, Olatunji and Rita Jones, its guest performer Black Stalin was still in air on a flight back home from the US. The All Stars re-energised the party, with sound that enveloped the entire venue, a full-bodied sound expertly engineered by Robert Cherrie. Like the fabled Pied Piper of Hamlyn, the All Stars drew everyone closer the stage for the time of their lives and an exhilarating climax to a memorable celebration of a half century of achievement by UWI.
