Mayreau’s got talent

The youngsters who took the small stage at the Mayreau Hard Court last Friday evening reinforced something that had already been proven: Mayreau’s got talent!{{more}}

The yearly talent show, part of the annual Mayreau Regatta, now in its sixth edition, was well received by the audience of locals and visitors alike, who commented on the promise seen in the performances of the youngsters, most of them pupils of the Mayreau Government School.

First to grace the stage was 12-year-old Shakeem Forde, who did a rendition of the Justin Bieber hit ‘Baby’, accompanied by the younger members of the audience, who sang along with the initially shy student of the Emmanuel High School Marriaqua, whose confidence was boosted by the vocal support.

Forde returned later in the show with compatriot Jolandi Jack, for a duet of the Justin Bieber and Chris Brown song ‘Next to You’. Jack showed his versatility later on in the evening with a dance routine of his own.

The young lasses on the island were not to be left behind; they performed a series of routines, which showed their artistic ranges.

First up were Janelle Alexander and Aliah Forde performing the Miley Cyrus/ Hannah Montana song ‘The Climb’. They were followed by the petite Leandra Cayenne, who performed a poem entitled ‘I Am Me’, in which she proclaimed that she can be anything she puts her mind to, including the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Aliah and Janelle were joined by Ariana Ollivierre, Aria Wilson, and Jeaneil Cayenne, in a skit called Topsy Turvy School, a comical piece where the students of a particular class were clueless about the answers to a ‘pop’ quiz given by the teacher, who was in turn more clueless than her students and had the audience in stitches.

Aliah, Ariana, Janelle and Jeaneil then performed their own dance routine, performing to a medley of different songs.

The cast of youngsters was supported by an adult crew, with guest appearances by The Supreme Dream Team, this year’s National Dance Off champions, a skit by Dorothy and Shanda, and a dance off between ‘Big Words’ Dennie and ‘Kezron’.

One visitor to the island also participated in the event performing a dance with a local.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Mayreau Kings basketball team also showcased their talent on the court, by defeating a team from the neighbouring Union Island 39-37.

The Grenadine island of Mayreau has taken center stage in the national arena on a number of occasions. In 2005, young Casynella Ollivierre was crowned Miss SVG during the Carnival festivities, and as recently as 2010, community activist John Roach was adjudged the national and regional First Caribbean International Bank’s Unsung Hero.(JJ)