The giggles, funny little movements on stage, unforgettable moments of mother and daughter bonding and at times even blunders, sum up last Saturday night, when Supa Stylistics held its 17th annual Mother and Daughter pageant.
Colourful, stylish and simply breathtaking outfits worn by mothers and daughters held the audience enthralled during the four-hour show, marred only in one instance by boos from a section of the crowd.
In the end Shondel Frank and her five-year-old Latiffa; Duanne Lewis and Dueva and Eileen Barkie and Audrey were adjudged the princesses and queens of the night and they deserved it.
The organizers ensured that the event held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) was in keeping with the theme ‘Love to Make You Dance’. Six pairs of fathers and daughters put on a ballroom dance display while the National Dance Company pulled off some of its usually flawless performances.
It all started many weeks ago when 26 pairs of mothers and daughters were chosen to compete in the pageant, which has become a much-anticipated event on calendars when Mother’s Day comes around every year. The contestants endured weekly then daily and intense training as the pageant grew nearer.
Saturday night minutes before the show started, families including many with small children walked into the NCC well dressed in their formal outfits in some cases gowns and suits.
Excitement was evident on the faces of the little girls as they impatiently scrambled to find their seats. Many were observed chattering among themselves while other chose to take photos before the show. NCC had a sold out crowd that night.
Several minutes after 8 pm, the curtains went up and members of the National Dance Company performed to Whitney Houston’s 1987 hit, “I Want to Dance With Somebody”.
The dancers were joined by pageant founder Ingrid Fung and her daughter Sulan, who officially opened the pageant and welcomed the audience. That little performance ended with the Fungs showing off their moves, much to the delight of the audience.
Following the introduction of the judges, the competitive part of the pageant began with the seven pairs in the junior category taking to the stage in their party outfits.
Colour and creativity were the highlights of this category and at the end, the audience knew that it would have been a tough fight for the title.
The daughters in this category captivated the audience with their cute modelling moves.
Alicia Washington and Jemiecia who modelled an Olympia Small-Sonaram design were obvious crowd favourites. However, they did not make it into the top three, much to the disappointment of the crowd as section of which booed loudly as the winners were announced.
Also crowd favourites were the second place pair of Christine Atherly and Cristal, who were decked out in sky blue and lime green outfits. Janice Babb and Olivia, who placed third, wore gold and checkered pieces.
In the middle category, Duanne Lewis and Dueve were the clear winners in their two shades of pink, layered outfits. The mother eveb transformed her outfit into a breathtakingly, stylish dress with fabric taken from her daughter’s skirt. This was met with loud applause and cheers from the crowd.
Colour again was the highlight of this category, with greens, yellows and earth tones dominating. Also part of this category were the wife and younger daughter of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, Dr Shanti Singh-Anthony and Ashley in lovely, elegant pastel party dresses.
Sondra Davidson-low and Sondrea were awarded second place with their ‘water lilies’ outfits, while Kellianne Daniels and Kelicia placed third with their exotic yellow creations that drew an outdoor tea party feeling.
The senior category, which for many is the favourite, was not only filled with elegance but contestants tried to make their performance different with a little humour.
The performance by Carol Andrews and her daughter Kean had persons at the edge of their seats. To liven up their performance, Kean took off her mother’s spectacles shortly after they came on stage and she in turn modelled way beyond the stipulated time, much to the amusement of the audience. As they were about to leave the stage, Kean returned her mother’s spectacles, but as she backed away from her mother she bumped into a decoration on the stage which prompted explosive laughter from the crowd.
However despite the fun they added, they did not place in the top three.
Instead Eileen Barkie and Audrey were announced the winners in their elegant blue creations complimented with silver hand-painted designs.
Jacqueline Cummings and Krest, who wore black and silver gowns designed by Michelle Cole-Rose, were awarded the second spot and Donna Wong and Nikisha third. They wore designs by Olympia Small-Sonaram.
One of the contestants, Rhonda Jackson, a mother of seven, participated in all three categories and was cheered on by the crowd for her commitment to please her daughters.
Another contestant who drew loud cheers was a shapely young-looking mother of nine. The pageant was judged by four pairs of mothers and daughters.
After being serenade with dances, treated to gifts and sweating, the audience left the NCC in the wee hours of Mother’s Day knowing fully well that they got their money’s worth. (zoisa_f@yahoo.com)
