Women at the Control at Studio 38

Erin Hansen, Gleaner Writer

Women will dominate the turntables Saturday night at Studio 38 in a friendly competition for Image Productions' second edition of Women at the Control.

"The event will see six divas spinning music of their choice and what they like, bringing their personalities to the thing," said Dollis Campbell, Image productions director.

Friends and fans will seek out the event to see Gleaner journalist Janet Silvera from Montego Bay face off against Kingston's Millicent Lynch of Caymanas Track Limited, Digicel's Trisha Thompson, clothing designer Ashley Martin, sports journalist Carole Beckford and wine ambassador Marilyn Bennett.

The women, who range from novice (Thompson and Martin) to hobbyist (Lynch and Silvera), will demonstrate their skills and sounds at the event in effort to raise funds for charity. Partial proceeds of the event will go to the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew, which will help to pay part of local students' school fees.

The first Women at the Control had an overwhelming response when it took place two years ago at The Deck in New Kingston, prompting Image Productions to revive the event.

Old favourites

"The last time, I think Janet and Millicent were the ones who really brought the house down, maybe other people might have different opinions," Campbell laughed in jest.

"But the overwhelming opinion was that and that's why we brought them back this year."

The event tries to highlight the personalities of the accomplished industry mavens through a more personal route, music. "We wanted an event that would be different, something that hadn't been seen and we thought about what people would love to come and support and see, so we asked all these women to play," Campbell said, pointing to the way Women at the Control began.

A range from old school to new music is expected at the event, as the lady disc jockeys are diverse in their musical palettes, with the more experienced hobbyists already pondering their set lists.

"The ladies are free to bring their own style to it, but Carole has said she will definitely be paying tribute to Buju Banton and Gregory Isaacs," Campbell told The Gleaner.

Sports journalist and publicist to Usain Bolt, Carole Beckford, who has a history of manning the turntables in her spare time, elaborated on the tribute. "You can't play music this weekend and don't pay tribute to those guys," Beckford said in reference to Isaacs who passed earlier this week from lung cancer.

While the event is focused on raising funds, the element of fun and a little friendly competition isn't lost.

"We are doing it for charity of course, but there is also the competitive side, which seems to be developing."

Beckford explained of her fellow competitor, Gleaner journalist Janet Silvera, "Because of Janet's personality, she brings a different kind of excitement to the whole thing."

The event is expected to attract a dancing crowd, Beckford explained. Despite the competition, the event strives to reach one main objective: "People should come out and have fun."

Women at the Control starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday at 38 Trafalgar Road. A contribution of $1,000 is required for admission.