o
doubt you’ve had the experience. You plan to attend an event expecting
it to be good. But when you get there, it turns out to be absolutely
great. That’s what happened with the Gospel Tribute held last
Saturday at the Mahalia Jackson Middle School to raise funds for the
hurricane victims in Grenade and Haiti and to celebrate the 25th
anniversary of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ independence.
The tribute was under the patronage of the Honorable
Dr. Kendall Stewart, who was born on tiny Union Island in St. Vincent
and the Grenadines. It opened with the invocation, delivered by David
from the Spiritual Baptists, and the national anthems, sung by Earlene
Williams-King.
Stewart himself performed very ably the duties of
Master of Ceremonies throughout the evening. As he did, attendees saw
another side of this dignified legislator who takes care of the people’s
business at City Hall. Here was a man who wasn’t afraid to get up there,
let himself be moved by the music, and really get into the spirit of
things with the best of ‘em.
The
hardest thing about Stewart’s job was finding the words to express how
tremendous each performer was - starting with the opening singer, Gerard
Placide, the first non-American to win the McDonald Gospel Fest Award
not once but twice. Competing against 4,800 entrants from 57 different
countries, Placide also just captured first place in the World Music
Championship.
With such talent leading off the show, you might
think it would be downhill from there. But no, each artiste stepped up
to the mike and turned in their own fabulous performance, each one
building on the last. Each had their own unique approach, and the
audience was treated to a cross-section of traditional, contemporary,
American and Caribbean gospel styles, including calypso, reggae and soca.
Some performers felt called to do a little preaching as well.
Not
to keep you in suspense any longer as to the names of these singers who
donated their substantial talent to this event, they were Ellsworth
Quammie, Seltha Brown, singing evangelist Samuel Clarke, Angela Cooper,
Hilton Samuel, Wendy Mitchell, and Alvin Pierre. Gerard Placide returned
to close out the show.
Furthermore, the singers let people know that they
were welcome to sing along, clap, wave their arms and even stand up and
dance - whatever the spirit moved them to do in praise of the Lord.
Interspersed with the performances was the awarding
of proclamations to four exceptional St. Vincentians.
The first went to the Honorable Cosmus E. Cozier,
Consul General with the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
who "has been tireless in his service to the West Indian people." Also
honored was "a man of great intelligence, warmth and understanding,"
Ambassador Dennie M.J. Wilson, "for his outstanding contributions to the
City and Nation."
Girlyn
Miguel, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries was honored, too, "for
her fine work and success in serving the people of St. Vincent and the
community as a whole." In accepting the award, Miguel showed her great
appreciation of the gospel performers, saying, "I want to let you know
that I’m on fire with this concert tonight." And referring to the fact
that she was seen more than once on her feet, moving and clapping to the
music, she added, "You notice I couldn’t sit in that seat because the
seat of fire burns deep within me."
Miguel thanked Council Member Stewart for getting the
praises started because the next day all over St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, people would be praying for the welfare of their island and
for the entire Caribbean.
The final proclamation was awarded to His Excellency,
Ambassador Ellsworth I.A. John "for his distinguished contributions to
the world of diplomacy." Consul General Cozier accepted it in his
behalf.
Also present was Brooklyn City Council Member David
Yassky, who has been a staunch supporter of legislation and funding for
the Caribbean community. He, too, was very stirred by the performances
and commented, "I worship in a synagogue, but I know where to go when I
want to hear inspired music!"
Radio personality Don Bobb was also on hand to update
people on what he’s been doing since WLIB changed its format and he went
off the air. He is now being heard all over the world, including Africa
and the Caribbean, on satellite radio, and he hopes that he will soon be
accessible once more to his New York audience.
The tribute was sponsored by Shell Cartel Promotions,
Designs by Styles, and Gideon Yorke, owner of Standard Shippers Inc.,
and every person present felt truly blessed to have been been
there. And, as tribute organizer, Judy Newton, made clear in her vote of
thanks, it is fervently hoped that the funds raised will help the people
of Grenade and Haiti feel a little more blessed as well.
