Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Robinson
Belated birthday greetings to Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday.
She was out and about the city - first, attending the funeral of the late and really quite charming Cedella Booker; then present at the annual Liguanea Art Fair and, later that evening, at the Richie Stephens and Friends concert held at the National Indoor Sports Arena.
And her opposition colleague MP and former People's National Party government minister, Dr D.K. Duncan, celebrated his special day on Tuesday of this week, and the buzz is it was all very intimate.
On Wednesday, the business community saluted one of its pioneering own, the very charming Audrey Marks, as she, too, had a working birthday. She celebrated another year at the top of her game.
On Thursday, it was all about the very charming Hyacinth Davidson, as family and friends gathered at the tres chic Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in New Kingston where her sister, the charmingly elegant Ruth Hussey, hosted a swellegant afternoon at tea, to mark the occasion.
Also celebrating her birthday yesterday was the voluptuous Carlene Smith, she of dancehall queen fame.
On Sunday, however, it will be all about veritable art collector extraordinaire and patron, Wallace Campbell (brother of the lovely Hyacinth Davidson), as he celebrates his birthday on May 4. Celebrations to unfold at the upper St Andrew home of his sister, premier socialite Jennifer Lim.
Belated wishes are also extended to morning television host and premier sportscaster Simon Crosskill, who celebrated his special day two Fridays ago, on April 18.
The lovely Dianne Francis of The Gleaner celebrated her special day on the 24th, while the lovely Liane 'Lee Lee' Henry, the stunning daughter of Karen Stephens and Nick Henry, son of Minister Mike Henry, celebrated last month also.
And special belated birthday greeting to the absolutely lovely Lydia Moss-Solomon, who celebrated her birthday on April 5, but was especially blessed with a visit from the stork they day before and occasioned a double celebration with the arrival of a baby. Hubby Joseph Moss-Solomon is elated.
Champagne toasts and beluga treats, and nothing but!
Visit of the stork
And congrats to the lovely Annabella Seaga and her husband, Dr Michael Zia Mian, on the birth of their daughter, Isa Marie Violet, who arrived last Sunday evening, to the absolute delight of both parents and grandparents, former prime minister Edward Seaga, Mitsy Seaga, Zia Mian Sr and Yehuda and Avil Rauer. Mother and daughter are doing absolutely fab.
And congratulations to Brian Sang on his recent elevation to the post of general manager at the 222-room Sandals all-inclusive resort in fab Negril.
Promoting Jamaican parties
And speaking of fab people, we hail Pulse supermodel, the lovely Nell Robinson, and her brothers, Jason and Justin Robinson, whose Free I Entertainment company has been heating up both the west and east coasts of the United States promoting high-end Jamaican-themed parties in Los Angeles (LA) and New York, showcasing the party and vacation virtues of the island.
Well, the fab trio was in LA recently to promote their new venture, Rock Jamaica, a celebrity-studded affair that saw Mena Suvari (American Pie and American Beauty); Adam Levine (from the band Maroon 5) and Guy Seth Maclaran, creator of the cartoon Family, all partying to the latest sounds and taste of Jamaica.
The partying was boosted by the chance to win spot prizes and the ultissima - a seven-day and night all-expense paid stay at Breezes Runaway Bay, of the SuperClubs chain of fine resorts and signature sponsors of the LA Rock Jamaica theme party.
Well, my dears, the buzz is it was hot like hell, and then some, with the lovely Lisa B emerging winner of the grand prize.
Classical treat
Then, come May 18, the absolutely and awesomely talented concert pianist, Orrett Rhoden, will once again thrill his fans and lovers of classical music at the University Chapel, Mona, with another of his performances.
He, along with Canadian virtuoso violinist, Preston Hawes, will appear in a joint recital, showcasing the works of Mozart, Schumann, Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse and Grieg in a precursor to their Carnegie Hall appearance later in the year.
Rhoden, a brilliant pianist, who has twinned his musical genius with in-your-face showmanship, is a former child prodigy who has matured into his art and is a most captivating performer. He has performed the world over, always managing to hold his audience spellbound.
Preston Hawes is an award-winning prodigy who first caught public attention in 1995 at the age of 13, after ranking third in the national round of the Canadian Music Competition.
He has gone on to win and place in many other national and international competitions, and has performed on Mexican national television in a concert for heads of state and members of the presidential family at Castillo de Chapultepec.
He has also graced the stages as a soloist in other notable venues, such as Moscow's House of Culture, the St Petersburg Arena, Rock Cathedral, Morelia Town Hall, The Kennedy Centre, Carnegie Hall, St Martin-in-the-Field, Ely Cathedral and Windsor Castle.
Hawes has also performed extensively across Canada, Mexico, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Russia, Siberia, Ireland, Scotland, and England.
In 2004, he completed a concert tour of Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, and Jamaica.
This promises to be musical outing of the finest order, and a definite must-attend!
Grange
Rhoden
Marks
Duncan
Sang
