FANTASTIC FANTASIA.
That is what thousands of satisfied fans must have been saying as they left the gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex last Sunday night.
The Grammy Award-winning singer treated eager fans to more than an hour of their favourite hits.
Minutes before Fantasia took to the stage around 10:43 p.m., security removed the barriersfrom around the stage and signalled for fans to come forward.
There was an immediate rush to the stage from all sides of the near-capacity gymnasium as fans sought to get a closer look and, for the fortunate ones, to touch the energetic singer.
True to form, Fantasia appeared barefoot onstage and immediately got down to the business of pleasing her eager fans. At her command, fans who did not consider themselves “too cute” got to their feet to party as they sang along to the well loved tracks.
It did not take her long to shed her earrings and gift them to a fan.
Fantasia gave special attention to fans on all sides of the extended stage as she thrilled with songs like Free Yourself, Man Of The House, Collard Greens And Cornbread, I Can’t Stand The Rain, Kiss, Bittersweet, Truth Is, Even Angels, I’m Doing Me and When I See You.
Fantasia was joined by local songbird Ria Borman for When I See You, with whom she made a big connection when she came last year. Fantasia also made the night for two young fans when she called them onstage with her to dance and gave them a hug and kiss when she was through.
The designated VIP area in the gymnasium is familiar territory to Fantasia. It was there that she serenaded the late Prime Minister David Thompson at the 2010 Barbados Music Awards.
She found herself in that area again this time, but she was on the ground dancing through the aisles. She finished off the evening from that location with Baby Mama, which she sang for all the mothers in the audience..
The stage was set for the headlining St Leonard’s Boys’ Choir, who continue to impress.
They made room for Nyron, who came through the 2011 Barbados Music Awards workshop.
He gave a good showing with his three songs.
Toni Norville rounded up the local acts and she entertained patrons with a number of hits, including Reign, Whatever, Peace of Mind, Rolling in the Deep and Through The Fire. (YB)
