Friends and supporters showed up for two very different functions recently.
First was the benefit for Nick “Mighty Whitey” Russell who has been battling serious illness. Well, Nicky’s friend, and fellow musician, Becca Darling, stepped up to the plate and organized one of the more successful events of its kind.
Held at Hull Bay Hideaway, the benefit attracted musicians who have worked with Nicky and his wife, Janet Reiter. Loads of friends came to show their love for Nicky and support for Janet. Among those who helped with the effort or just attended to enjoy the fun evening were Becca’s band, with Robert Falzarano, Morgan Rael, Danny Silber, Paul Cater Deaton, and Matt Cring, Barefoot Davis, Two Blue Shoes, Uncovered, Morgan Rale, Paul Dirks, Doreen Walsh, Bill and Judy Grogan, Cathy O’Gara, Anne Nayer, Carol Lotz, Rosary Harper, Josee Deckert, Ed and Loraine Bryan, Ivan and Laura Bryan, Shirley Sibilly, Jeff Kreiner, Terry O’Hara, Colleen Mader, Gail DeWerd Tarantino, Patty Dorsky, Paul Davis, Margot Murray, Dawn DeWerd, Marty and Carol Touhy, Jenny Alvarez, Rita Aguila, Kathy and Jeff Smart, Charlene and Doug Dick.
Mimi and Frank Alioto and their Hideaway staff, Hannah, Christine, Earline and Brian kept the drinks flowing while chefs Jason Wright and Jessica Burke made the night extra special with their tasty dishes.
The joy of the evening was that Nicky could see and feel the outpouring of love from a community that he embraced for so many, many years. We add our voice to all those who wish Nicky well. You hang in there, good buddy!
An event of a totally different kind was held for the late James Richard Hodge, know as Bongo Kiye, a farmer and member of We Grow Food Inc. Kiye, who had been named Farmer of the Year at the annual Bordeaux Fair last year, was a fixture at the Saturday market at the Sanderilla Thomas bungalow in downtown Charlotte Amalie. His fellow farmers from the Bordeaux area and Rastafarian brethren paid their respects as family and friends gathered to celebrate his short sojourn among us. The officiant for the celebration held at Turnbull’s Chapel was Ras Konaiya, whose eloquence began a parade of friends and relatives who spoke about their friend and the tragic end of his life.
Stephanie Scott Williams, a longtime customer, had gone to the market on the morning of the service to make her usual purchases from Kiye when she learned of his demise. She and many others including We Grow Food Inc’s president, Gerald E. Hodge, Jr. looked dazed as they sat and listened to the Nyabinghi drummers add their rich, full sound to the day’s somber tone. Rest in peace, Bongo Kiye.
On a much lighter note, we attended an unusual fashion show at Seven Minus Seven performance space recently. Artist and designer Carol Male showed off her latest works to a small but appreciative audience. There was one outfit that stood out for us; it was worn by Chinwe Osaze and featured a matching bag in the same fabric.
The final Reichhold Center season event ended on a less than stellar note. Whaaaaa’ happen? The decibel level from the sound engineer for the evening was painfully deafening. My heavens, I had to remove my hearing aid and it was still too loud. Ooooops, I just told on myself. Oh well, sure isn’t the first time.
But seriously, the evening’s headliner Musiq Soulchild was preceded by singer Vivian Green, whose performance was rather lackluster. Now, she can sing alright, but as an entertainer, she lacked that spark that would spur those less familiar with her music to go out and make a purchase. She just seemed like she didn’t really want to be in St. Thomas. What’s up with that?
Soulchild, is certainly quite an energetic performer. But once again the engineer seemed to think that we were in a stateside football stadium rather than in the more intimate setting of the Reichhold Center amphitheatre. Such a pity. BTW, the sound engineer belonged to the performers and not to the Reichhold. I checked.
Invitations to public and private events may be sent to june.archibald@gmail.com or sourc@viaccess.net
