Divas promise 'dynamic' performances on Saturday
Three divas will take to the stage on Saturday for a “dynamic” show at The Terrace in St David’s.Entertainer Wanda Ray-Willis will host ‘Wanda’s Night of Divas’ with the help of veteran performer Rochelle Leconte and up-and-coming singer-songwriter Charlajae.Ms Leconte will pay tribute to legendary singers like Michael Jackson and Diana Ross in her four-song set; while Charlajae, who has performed largely as a backup singer for the past ten years, will take centre stage with a series of R&B, reggae and pop songs.Headliner Ms Ray-Willis expects to finish off the night with a series of R&B love songs, followed by a medley rendition of ‘We are Family’ by 1970’s musical group Sister Sledge.“It’s going to be three dynamic shows with performances from two more seasoned artists and an up-and-coming artist [Charlajae],” said Ms Ray-Willis. “Each set is going to have dancing, singing, talking, telling a story and it’s going to feature a live band so the performances will be tight.”Comedian (Bootsie) will be the master of ceremonies (MC) for the evening; while musical director Toni Bari and his band will provide beats. Ms Willis-Ray said she wanted her own set to focus around the many complexities of love. “This is the first event I’ve hosted and I wanted to start the show with how sometimes you do not want to be bothered with love because you have tried it so many times, but someone happens to be there and you happen to try it again. My set is about falling in love even though you don’t really want to.”Ms Willis-Ray said she began singing “when I was knee-high” and as a girl took part in the choir at Vernon Temple.She was around eight or nine years old when she first bravely got up to sing on stage at a concert. “I got up there and sang ‘Loving You’ and it broke the ice for me performing in public in a live audience like that. From there on I just performed with different bands in Bermuda.”Both she and Ms Leconte found some success in the United States, but both said their talent hasn’t been recognised much on the Island. She said [entrepreneur] Myron Piper let her use his venue just below the St David’s Lighthouse and they have been performing regularly over the past few months to hone their skills. She hopes this will be the first of many events, highlighting old and new local talents. The next is scheduled to take place next month.Dress code for Saturday’s event, which kicks off with an hour of cocktails at 6pm, is smart-casual. Tickets, $40, are available at www.bdatix.bm and All Wrapped Up in the Washington Mall and Fabulous Fashions in the Heron Bay Plaza. The ticket price includes a free raffle ticket at the door and a complimentary drink.For more information call 538-6699.