The second annual Beat Breast Cancer Music Festival held special meaning for several of the top entertainers who took the stage at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, on Sunday. A successful venture by all standards, the event, geared towards raising funds for breast and prostate cancer survivors, was put on by the Basia Survivor Network (BSN), headed by husband-and-wife team, Ricardo and Alicia Powell. Soca star Joel "Zan" Feveck said the concert hit close to home, as his father, Cyril "Anim" Feveck, 73, had succumbed to prostate cancer just two weeks ago. Following his energetic performance with Machel Montano and HD, Zan told the T&T Guardian that performing at the show was "a big step" as he was still coming to terms with his father's death.
"I had a show this week in Toronto and cancelled it because I wanted to be a part of what the show is aiming to promote," he said. "My father was diagnosed with cancer seven years ago and I saw him suffer. I wouldn't want anyone to see their parent suffer in that way...My father was my best friend all around." His sentiments were shared by Jamaican hitmaker Maxi Priest, who said performing at the festival was high on his agenda, as the disease affected many of his close friends. "I had to perform at another show, but a charity event like this is hard to refuse," he said. "I have so many people around me who have cancer, including someone from a previous relationship, so I know it firsthand. I went through everything with her, including chemotherapy. I saw her go bald. I saw her change from one person into somebody else...It's very difficult."
Meanwhile, reigning Soca Monarch, Machel Montano, also told the crowd that his grandmother had died of breast cancer and so supporting the venture was a priority. "Cherish your loved ones. Life is really fragile," he admonished.
Versatile vocals
But while the concert, hosted by radio personalities Rachel Price and Tweez, sought to bring to the fore the seriousness of the disease, it also was a celebration of life. Dubbed a Vintage Party, hundreds who braved the inclement weather came dressed to impress in pink, purple, fuchsia and white to identify with the cause. Earlier, patrons were treated to performances from rapso group 3Canal and Vincentian artiste, Kevin Lyttle. The tempo was turned up a notch or two when husband-and-wife team Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons took the stage at 6.15 pm. Singing a variety of old and new hits, the duo had the audience lapping up every bit of their hour-long energetic performance. The soca stars had the crowd's attention from the get-go, as they battled with each other over which section of the audience was "the best side."
Dressed in a fashionable pink ensemble with a mohawk hairstyle, Fay Ann showed off her versatile vocals, singing everything from soca and calypso to reggae and R&B. Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd when she sang R&B singer Bruno Mars' popular hit song, Grenade and Cee Lo Green's Forget You. Not to be outdone, Bunji, who looked dapper in a purple and white chequered shirt, purple tie and white pants, gave the audience a taste of his "freestyle" abilities as he delivered some "oldies" such as Roaring Lion's Papa Chunks, as well as his hits like Blessings and Hold a Burn.
Energy levels up
Next up were soca star Shurwayne Winchester and Maxi Priest, who kept the energy levels up with a string of hits from their diverse musical repertoires. Coming on stage at 7.45 pm, Winchester, dressed in a pink and black outfit, delivered a variety of tracks including Don't Stop, Benjai's Wine To The Side, and Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. Priest, who bought his son Marvin on stage to perform with him, had the women eating out of his hands as he sang some of his more popular hits, such as Just a Little Bit Longer, Wild World and House Call. Winchester and Priest also sang their collaborative hit, Make It Yours, before making their exit about an hour later.
Machel mania
At 9.45 pm, the Savannah transformed into Machel mania as the soca heavyweight took the stage. Singing his former hits like Pretty Gyal and Music Farm, Montano took patrons down memory lane, before singing his more recent tracks including Make Love, One More Wine and Delirious.
Patrons were seen singing, waving and wining as he performed with soca singer Swappi and his entire HD crew, including Farmer Nappy, Patrice Roberts and Zan. Montano then brought the Savannah down with his 2k11 mega hit Advantage at about 11.20 pm.