A LARGE supporting crowd descended on the grounds of Ilaro Court for the Rotary Club of Barbados show staged to raise funds for the Schoolhouse For Special Needs last Saturday night.
?From as early as 8 p.m., the cascading hills which define the grounds of the Prime Minister’s official residence echoed with the sound of music from Brass Soul, a 12-piece soul and R&B outfit which opened for the tribute band Australian Bee Gees.
The Schoolhouse For Special Needs was founded eight years ago and provides specialised individual programmes for children four years and older with moderate learning challenges.
The scene reflected the musical mood of the 1970s, when disco was in full swing, and the baby boomers and some from Generation X tried to recapture their teenage dance moves as they boogied to the sounds of Brass Soul and the Bee Gees Show, a group which pays tribute to the popular singing trio the Bee Gees.
Patrons had their money’s worth as they were taken down memory lane via the riveting vocals of Keisha Christian and Tamara Marshall, upfront singers of Brass Soul, whose covers included Respect, Signed Sealed Delivered, Son Of A Preacher Man and Rock Steady.
But it was not only the vocals of Christian and Marshall that made the local act a standout. It was their brass section and overall musicianship.
??Technical hitches
?And then it was time for the featured act Australian Bee Gees Show.
The first half stumbled along somewhat with the trio having to ride out some technical problems in spite of the impressive introduction by emcee Vic Fernandes. It took some time time for the audience to connect with them as they opened with a medley comprising Nights Of Broadway and Jive Talking.
It was only natural that they thanked the large audience for turning up so early into the show and they were rewarded with more hits like Massachusetts, Words and Tragedy.
But the second session offered a bit more and patrons went home on a high.
Ron Davis, president of the Rotary Club of Barbados, also thanked the patrons for turning out.
“When we started this project three years ago we had a goal of $1.5 million to raise funds for the schoolhouse to find a suitable location so that they can expand and grow to help the kids with special needs in the school. We are well on our way to achieving that, thanks to you.” (JS)
