'Simply Myrna' returns to Courtleigh auditorium on March 3

The annual cabaret showcase dubbed 'Simply Myrna', one of the most sought-after evenings of entertainment on the Jamaican calendar, will return to its original home at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on Saturday, March 3.

Beginning with a meet-and-greet reception and sumptuous cocktails at 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Courtleigh Auditorium, the curtain rises at 8 p.m. to reveal another spectacular opening starring leading lady Myrna Hague, who will again thrill her audience with sultry and sassy numbers from her extensive repertoire of songs. Her guests on the 2018 renewal will include Jamaica-born Canadian-based singer-musician Jay Douglas (nominee of Canada's Grammy-equivalent Juno Award) and a special appearance by Jamaica's number one show band Fab Five. Myrna Hague Bradshaw herself will be accompanied by the Simply Myrna band, with musical direction by ace drummer Desi Jones.

Commenting on her upcoming show, Myrna had this to say: "Preparing for the annual Simply Myrna production is always a little bit scary because I feel that so much depends on me to bring something fresh and interesting to the event. Nevertheless, with the assistance of my excellent production team, I plan to present the very best songs from my fairly large repertoire so that my audience will have a really good time."

The event, over the past eight years, has been under the distinguished patronage of former Governor-General, Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall, who have made no secret of their tremendous admiration for the show. '"We are indeed delighted to be patrons of this stellar event on the cultural agenda. Myrna has, over these many years, used this concert to honour the memory of her late husband and his distinctive brand of music, and the audience is reminded of the outstanding contribution of this genre of music to the entertainment world in Jamaica," said Sir Kenneth.

And those efforts towards improving the lives of the less fortunate Jamaicans continue, with proceeds from the show going to the Jones Avenue Basic School and to the Sonny Bradshaw Foundation. The latter, established in 2011, aims to preserve and expand the legacy of Myrna's late husband and Jamaica Big Band founder, Sonny Bradshaw.

The foundation's goals are to preserve the Sonny Bradshaw Library to facilitate students and researchers; to sustain the Jamaica big band as a teaching and performing entity; to provide music scholarships for deserving students with financial challenges wherever possible; and to produce the Jamaica Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival.

Generous sponsors for the show are The Gleaner Company Limited, Fly Jamaica Airways, Spanish Court Hotel, Public Broadcasting Corporation, JN Bank, Caledonia Outdoor Advertising Company, Labels & Supplies, Music Mart, Stage Records, KLAS Sports Radio ESPN and Kool 97 FM radio.

The show is produced by LDC Enterprises.