Of absent GG and fabulous NDTC

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Then my daahlings, people are still talking about the governor general's fortuitous absence from the Independence Day celebrations and official functions. And for those who do not get it - the fact that Sir Patrick Allen went to church on the 7th, in Washington, in no way absolves him of the clear dereliction of his duties by being absent on the 6th, here in Jamaica, the Day of Independence.

Sadly, there were those who were casting monetary bets that the GG would be absent, due to the fact that the 6th was a Saturday, and unfortunately those casting the bets in favour of his absence, won - whatever the reason(s) or justification!

This is a pity, as the absence of the GG, our head of State, from our Independence celebrations, cannot be explained or excused away on religious grounds or worse yet, that he was on official leave, as no leave should have been approved for him at this critical juncture.

The GG being a man of the cloth knows fully the requirements of his religion and should learn the requirements of his office. And where there is obvious inherent conflict, he needs to resolve same, with his conscience as his guide, but the country, should not have to face this unpleasant scenario again.

My daahlings, Jamaica, will be truly blessed this very weekend, when the great bass-baritone, the extraordinarily gifted and oh-so-awesomely talented Sir Willard White, gives a command performance, come Sunday, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, beginning at 6 p.m.

Now dears, for lovers of the opera and good music period, voices don't come any better than that of Sir Willard. The son of St Catherine will take to the stage this Sunday, and in what is expected to be a master class of a performance, show his Jamaican fans and audience, just why he has earned international acclaim. This has skyrocketed him to the top of his genre, earning him the coveted knighthood.

Dears, not only is it a rare musical treat, the event promises to be the social event of the season and then some, so y'all know it's a must-attend.

And speaking of fabulous people and the arts my dears, the lovely Judy-Ann MacMillan, is back from London, where her one-woman show was not only the toast of that chic city, (prior to the hooligans and young lager-louts unleashing their carnage) but the Jamaican community and London society were out in fab numbers, in support of her exhibition at the Jonathan Clarke Fine Art Gallery.

Hungry for her work

My dears, the buzz is not only was the artist and her latest works, the toast of London, art society was hungry for her work and then some. It captured the very essence not only of her subjects, but the character of Jamaican life, in such detail that precious few others are capable of. The collection made for a bridge from a bygone era to the contemporary stage and as such was an esoteric rendezvous with space and time, for many, transporting some from the climes of London, to the infectious warmth and hospitality of the island and its people.

Dears, now the rush is on for the Jamaican exhibition, and it cannot happen too soon.

And still speaking of the arts, my dears, next weekend the curtains will come down on the National Dance Theatre Company's (NDTC) 49th season of dance. Not only is NDTC annual season Jamaica's premier season of dance, showcasing some new works and remounting old, it features the dancing prowess of the company's dancers, particularly the absolute flawless theatricality and prose of Marisa Benain. Of equal merit are the mesmerizing quality of Kamar Tucker and the trumpeting voice of Carl Bliss. It's definitely a season of fusion - the old and the new - and with such unbridled talent, those privileged to see this season's offering, will not only leave with the experience of having witnessed rich cultural fare, they will walk away with the bragging rights of witnessing the blossoming of prodigious talent. So a definitely must-attend.

Birthdays

Then happy birthday wishes to: Valerie Dawn Henriques-Thorpe; Andy Baylis; the lovely Josephine McGann; Lawman Leon Lynch; the fab Marie Casserly of Gymkhana, Montego Bay - who celebrate their birthday today!

Tomorrow the 13th; celebrating will be: The trailblazing Ronnie Burke; Sheila Hylton; singer Pluto Shervington; artist Donovan Fairweather; Pulse model Kaye Myers; Lounette Elkhalili; the lovely Tricia-Ann Robbins, in Montego Bay; O'Shane Ellis, formerly of Hedonism III; Norbert Anderson, formerly of Morant Bay, St Thomas, now resident of the Big Apple; the charming Rema Green Blake, formerly of Kingston, now in New York; and the lovely Tanya Cameron, now in Paris, France.

On Sunday the 14th, among those celebrating will be Matthew Ziadie; and the lovely Pinkie Jenkins, in Michigan.

On Monday the 15th: the charming Nikki Cunningham; Brian-Paul Welsh; and the the beautiful Aliya Leslie.

On Tuesday the 16th, it will all be about: the fab Gail Whiteman; the lovely Susanne Fredericks; the charming Donna Arthurs; Jerome Miller, now in the Turks and Caicos; and Marcia Willmarth, formerly of Negril, now in Phoenix, Arizona.

Come Wednesday the 17th celebrating will be: Former pin-up sensation Tony Munroe; the fab Collette Garrick; Artist John Powell; the lovely Vivene Lue-Tenn; the happeningly fab Andrea Dempster, of Bookophilia; Julie LeVanda; Dr. Dwight Berry, in Boca Raton; and Pauline Williams formerly of Linstead, now in Queens, NY.

The fab Nicola Byron, celebrates on Thursday the 18th; as will: the lovely Kaci Hamilton; Candy Hannan; Nadine Collins McKenzie; Andria Rainford; Tommy Thomas; Sandra Dilmohamed; and Renée Alani Morgan.

And belated birthday greetings to Ace Disc Jock Paul Dilworth who celebrated on Monday the 8th.

Champagne wishes all around with beluga treats.