The Goodwill Gathering, a gala charity benefit and honour performance, will see a collaboration of the country's leading corporate citizens and artists in a national celebration of life and good work and all that is creatively excellent in T&T. The historic Queen's Hall will be the venue for an all-day celebration of the creative, cultural and artistic excellence of the people of T&T on October 25. The event will comprise an exhibition, during the day, of artistic pieces donated by some of the country's leading exponents of fine arts, as well as the internationally-famous Trinidad and Tobago Memorial Quilt, a powerful iconic piece honouring the memory of T&T citizens who have died of HIV/Aids-related diseases.
Funds from the sale of these special pieces will go to NGOs and charities officially listed as recipients of the proceeds of the Goodwill Gathering event. Sixteen organisations will benefit from the initiative. This much-anticipated gathering will also feature a cocktail reception and welcome for distinguished guests who will be acknowledged during the live presentation in the auditorium. The two-hour performance, without intermission, will feature some of those honoured who are performing artistes. Following the presentation, a reception, hosted by Angostura Limited, will be held for patrons and special guests in the lobby and foyer of the Queen's Hall, giving ample time for people to return home before curfew hours.
A special souvenir prepared for the Goodwill Gathering is expected to be produced and will be distributed to all guests and patrons and is expected to become a treasured collector's item. Jennifer Pile-Cassar, Carib Queen of Trinidad and Tobago and the community of First Peoples, will perform a ritual smoke ceremony to bless the gathering, at 4.45 pm. Among those expected to perform are: The Lydians, The Malick Folk Performers, Ella Andall, Rizon, Denyse Plummer, 3Canal, Mungal Patasar, T&TEC Tassa, Peter Minshall, Dave Williams, Shadow, the Syrian/Lebanese Association, Muhammad Muwakil, Eddie Cumberbatch and Philomena. There will also be pan, tassa, drums and audio-visuals enhancing the overall presentation. Artists who will be exhibiting include Peter Minshall, Pat Bishop, Stuart Hahn, Leroy Clarke, Jackie Hinkson, Theodore Fergusson, Gaby Tommy, Sarah Beckett and Boscoe Holder.
The event's executive producer is veteran broadcaster, producer and social activist, Dennis Mc Comie, who has now also assumed the physical duties of creative director following the untimely demise of Pat Bishop TC, who had earlier agreed to be the artistic director of the production. Personalities on the list of honorees who will be recognised for their community outreach to disenfranchised youth and other causes include:
• Mas master and artist Peter Minshall
• Hazel Ward-Redman, Doyenne of television
• Thora Dumbell, celebrated dancer and choreographer.
• Zalayhar Hassanali, holder of the Order of Trinidad and Tobago
• Former president Arthur N R Robinson
• Claudia Ottley
• Jean Reid
• Janelle Commissiong-Bowen-Chow
• Giselle Laronde-West
• Wendy Fitzwilliam.
• Tickets are priced at $400 and can be purchased from outlets of Nigel R Khan Booksellers nationwide and the Queen's Hall Box Office.