Labour Day Concert provides a good romp

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

It was a day of double pleasure for those Jamaicans who showed up at the Waterfront on Wednesday, Labour Day. They were treated to two concerts, one as part of the package offered by the Ministry of National Security and its affiliates and the other, the annual National Labour Day Show.

The approximately hour-and-quarter-long concert began with the singing of the National Anthem, while the remainder of the programme saw performances in speech, dance and song and performers from varied backgrounds providing the entertainment.

Lisa Hanna, minister of youth and culture gave the welcome and introduced Noel Arscott, minister of local government and community development.

In her welcome the minister thanked the audience for coming out, telling them it was their concert.

Arscott said he wanted the audience to enjoy themselves. Both stayed for the duration of the concert.

Good decision. Both would have enjoyed the offering as much as the standing audience.

George Nooks' high-energy performed a slew of hits, drawing for Lay Your Troubles On My Shoulder and Stick By Me, before closing with a medley of lively gospel songs.

Gospel artiste Omari followed with two of his popular songs, Help and Why.

Young Alex Anderson, winner of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) National Children's Gospel Song Competition also partook of the gospel meal.

The grade seven Ardenne High School student showed why he walked away with the coveted prize with a fine rendition of Yet Still I Rise and Who is Loving You. He would later return with members of his high school music club.

Together they performed a medley of songs such as Book of Rules and Redemption Song.

Other singers of the JCDC-organised event were Nitty Kutchie, Robert Ffrench, Hezron and a cameo performance from Gee Whiz, who was more than happy to debut his newest summer song titled Summer Vybz.

Students of St Jago High School were also on the programme. They performed the only speech item. The piece, 'Jamaica Nice', covered a number of themes and was expressively delivered by the youngsters.

At any event the dancers will always be a crowd favourite. And Wednesday was no different. There were two dance groups on the programme, Shady Squad and Dance Xpressionz.

The former, now a household name, worked the audience into a frenzy, matched only by their antics on the stage.

Dance Xpressionz, not only closed the show, but revived it after a period of mundane performances. The group's rather exciting performance traced the history of Jamaica's dances through music and some costumes.