The Singer who came to Duet: or if you miss the Donkey Derby, why not compete again? Pedagogical Centre, Pt 3

by AirBourne / July 7th, 2009

There is a movie from way before I was born called “The Man Who Came To Dinner” where this guy injured himself and the family rather than get sued allowed him to recuperate in their home. Big Mistake! He stays an unGodly long time and renders them as hired help while he heals. Why did I bring up this movie? It’s about guests who wear their welcome out.

I refer to the worst part of the launching of the George Lamming Pedagogical Centre, which was at the end… Let me say now, I think the whole event should not have been rushed for a week night, but played out in full on a Sunday from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Then when the guest singer overruns it does not seem as painful because Midnight looms closer and another day of work is not so far away?

According to the programme, the Mighty Gabby was to do two songs – the first “Guantanamera” by Jose Marti was a duet he did with Ena Harvey. Then he was to regale the crowd with Bridgetown Market and the unveiling by say 10:00 PM? Hah!

The man played six more songs then! It was almost 11:00 PM when he finally was FORCED to conclude as one of the stage personnel had to stand next to him on the floor, he’s lucky I was not the Stage Manager he would not have been able to start the fourth tune as I would turn on the klieg lights and cut his audio!

People who wanted to see the unveiling got up and left before the REAL purpose of the night was made reality! I am fully aware that Anthony Carter -aka- Gabby has declared the current Pic O’De Crop finals as a donkey derby. But it seems he misses the performance, perhaps he needs to bite back his pride and participate again? Maybe then he won’t hog UWI’s stage and wreck the circadian clock of a very mature Professor Lamming?