On the day when mothers around the world were honoured for their contributions to life and well-being, the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch group held its own appreciation ceremony for the moms of the nation.Entitled A Tribute To Mom, the annual event, which was held at Skiffle Bunch's Coffee Street, San Fernando panyard, featured the talents of its own orchestra, as well as the Trinidad All Stars and the Witco Desperadoes.
Free to the public, the limited seats in the venue were quickly occupied as patrons filed in. Across the road, the walkway of Belgrove's Funeral Home was filled as some opted to take in the action from a distance. Curious motorists who realised that festivities of some sort were about to begin, parked their cars to take in the vibes.
Models from The House of Jacqui started the event around 7.30 pm with an hour-long fashion segment, which was well received by the crowd.
As the models made their way around the panyard, many commented on their beauty as well as the quality of their clothes.
Dressed in orange tops and black pants, the Trinidad All Stars members who had taken their places around their pans during the fashion show, started playing immediately after the last model made her exit.
With the acoustics in the panyard seeming to amplify every note, the pannists jumped and danced as they played. Songs from their 30 minute repertoire included Doh Do Dat, Magic Drums and Barman. There was little pause between the bands and minutes after All Stars ended, an announcement was made for patrons to "focus their attention" on Skiffle Bunch. The host orchestra did not disappoint as its members, who all donned white long-sleeved jerseys printed with the orchestra's name, immediately launched into its playlist which included Pretend You're Happy When You're Blue, Nessum Dorma and Superman. Despers, who then took centre stage, entertained with the songs Somebody Go Jam Yuh Tonight, Rain in Africa, Love in de Cemetery, Love is a Many Splendored Thing and Rebecca. However, in spite of the sweetness of their melodies, many patrons felt Despers' players should have been uniformed in their performance attire. During the intermission, the crowd was entertained by the DJ before the orchestras launched into their second round of performances. At the end, all in attendance were high in their praises of the programme and expressed enthusiasm for next year's installment.