Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Singer Judy Mowatt gives a soulful performance at the main auditorium of the University of the West Indies (Mona), on Sunday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
HIGH PRAISES and superb performances rocked the main auditorium of the University of the West Indies (Mona), on Sunday as patrons were thrilled with some spirited acts.
The event, dubbed 'An Evening of Excellence: Gospel Edition' was put on by the Mary Seacole Hall, under the patronage of Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Patrons had much to marvel at, as they were treated to a variety of entertaining performances.
The Stella Maris Dance Ensemble, clad in colourful attire, danced the evening away, while saxophonist, Troy Sinclair, held audiences in a captive mood, as he displayed his skill and talent on his instrument.
After these artful acts, the university auditorium would later erupt, as the Escarpment Road New Testament Church of God Youth Chorale, made a joyful noise unto the Lord. Clad in full black, the youth chorale did songs like Blessed and Going Up Yonder, leaving patrons in awe after a thrilling performance.
By the time Kevin Downswell took the stage, it was evident that the atmosphere was about to get more heated, as Downswell was on a mission.
"Shout hallelujah, say Jesus" he shouted, bringing persons in the audience to their feet, dancing and clapping. Downswell plead the blood of Jesus on the neighbouring August Town community, before getting into songs like Pray and He Picked Me Up.
PRAYERFUL MODE
At 9:25 p.m., Judy Mowatt continued the prayerful mode, as she performed songs like Thank You Lord, More Than An Ordinary Servant and All Over This Land.
She then broke into a few praise and worship choruses, doing Revive Us Again and Amen, before getting back into the mainstream of her set.
As Mowatt performed one of her songs, Unconditional Love, she showed that she still had a few moves and turns left in her, as she spun and rocked from side to side, each move in tandem with the rhythm and beat of the song.
Mowatt rounded off her set on stage singing Jesus Is The Answer.
The evening, however, climaxed with Katalys Crew and Bless aka Prodigal Son, the final two acts for the evening, gave patrons a lot to dance and prance about, as each delivered energetic and spirited performances.
Katalys Crew, took to the stage amidst shouts and screams, as they immediately got down to the business at hand, doing tunes like I Shall Sing, Open Up Your Eyes and Let Go, Let God.
JAI (one of the members of the group) then invited Sister Latoya to join him on stage, as the two teamed up to perform Because Of The Touch Of Jesus.
After Sister Latoya left the stage, it was then time to 'Get Your Praise On', as Katalys demonstrated a number of their dances, including 'Whip di devil', 'Follow di Cross' and others.
POPULAR SONGS
The Katalys Crew, however, would not be permitted to leave the stage without performing one of their most popular songs, Can't Take My Lord.
At 10:45 pm, the icing was put on the cake, as Bless, no longer the Prodigal Son, took centre stage, shouting, "everybody weh love Jesus put yuh hand in di air!"
Immediately, he broke into songs like Tell mi if yuh Ready, Free Up Yuh Self and Wow, before performing some of his newer releases from his latest album Still Standing, among these, Real Life, and Babylon.
Bless, however, rounded off his set on stage as Prodigy and Jason Mighty joined him to complete a series of dance moves, among them, 'The Cross', 'Salute di King' and 'Crazy Praise'.
