ssWe have to admit that the past week or ten days have been overwhelming so far as happenings are concerned on the social and cultural spectrum.

Among the highlights we have to catch up on was the fabulous and historic wedding of Africa Outerbridge and Jerome Caines. It was historic in that it was the first in the beautifully converted St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church on the crest of St. Augustine Hill in Middletown, Pembroke.

Then there was on Sunday Heritage Productions' Sixth Annual Emancipation Celebrations and Awards Luncheon at the Bermuda Industrial Union building.

Enough transpired there to fill a couple of "Note Books", with the scholarly reflections of Dr. Radell Tankard and his colleagues, along with the biographical profiles and reminiscences of nearly a dozen old Cup Match icons.

While absorbing all of the foregoing we were trying to unwind from having attended Linda Paynter's City Hall presentation of "If You Can't Afford It, LEAVE IT ALONE".

That 'down-to-Bermuda-earth' play written and directed by Irving Ingram, Jr., lived up to its billing, of being funny, really funny at that, and quite dramatic. Young Capri Wilson as daughter Juli, and Dwayne Robinson as the putative father acted their way through some many realistic changes of mood carrying the play from the opening blurbs about 'PS', short for Pokey Sandra played by Sarine Babb, culminating in a suspenseful climax about, not who was the real father or even the child. But rather about the mother.

Linda's 30-year-record as a producer was unquestionably enhanced by the performances of Beth-Anne Thomas Rayner, Angela Jones, young Kyle Smith-Burgess, Melody Albuoy and Enid Christopher. And, also due to most commendable mention, were the well integrated renditions of the Bethel AME (Family) Choir under its founder Gary Bean.

For us it was a fantastic Thursday night at City Hall theatre with Linda Paynter. But that was to be followed only hours later with a not-to-be-missed date at 10 o'clock the next morning at the Devonshire Recreation Club.

We could only vicariously make that early morning event hosted for seniors by the Teen Camp of Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation. It was emceed by Beverley Taylor, featured Boys II Men under supervisor Phil Maybury and Girls II Ladies under supervisor Tracey Rayner, with singing by Shacolbi Basden, storytelling by Ruth Thomas; performances by the Vernon Temple Praise Dancers and music by Leroy Simmons and Wendell (Shine) Hayward.

The main feature, of course, was the Hat Show as seen by models in the two Joan Moore photographs above.