Veteran entertainer Karla Gonzales broke down in tears when she reflected on all the talent gathered for a concert in aid of her medical expenses.
The veteran dancer, singer, actress and author spoke at the Joie de Vie Benefit Concert at Queen's Hall, St Ann's. She damaged her hip when she suffered a fall while dancing on stage years ago and the concert was to raise an estimated $150,000 for hip replacement surgery and treatment.
She took the stage near the end of the concert on September 1 and told the audience that every genre of music was on show that evening. In a large, multi-coloured dress and holding her cane she performed a couple of zouk songs (zouk is a musical movement with a fast tempo, percussion-driven rhythm, and a loud horn section pioneered by the French Antillean band Kassav' in the early 1980s of which Gonzales was a singer).
After switching to a canary yellow dress, she recalled performing with the group Shades of Black in Guadeloupe and sang the popular tune, Wonderful, in English. She noted she could not do the signature hip-shifting dance anymore but could only move her shoulders.
"I have to behave myself. Next thing I throw out my next hip," she joked.
Gonzales said she was very grateful and overwhelmed by the support from everyone.
"Every single one of my musical friends and family who came and gave of their time and talent and their love," she said, stopping briefly while breaking into tears, "I am forever grateful for every single one of you. And all who came out to support me."
"Love you Karla!" someone shouted from the audience.
This prompted a standing ovation with loud applause, hoots and whistles.
The four-hour concert began promptly at 7.25 pm with the first half hosted by singer Charmaine Forde.
"We are here to show solidarity to a multifaceted, multi-talented sister, Karla Gonzales, who has been part of the cultural landscape for over 40 years."
She described her as the "consummate professional" especially in dance, which is her first love.
"We are letting Karla know she is not alone in this journey of wellness."
The first segment was the We Jazz ensemble led by Michael Low Chew Tung and included a funky rendition of Aretha Franklin's I Say a Little Prayer by Theron Shaw on guitar, Anthony Woodroffe's freestyling with Toto's Georgy Porgy on sax, singers Gerelle Forbes and Candace Alcantara, the former with an original composition, and the rich melodic voice and flute of Ruth Osman, also with an original song.
The segment was closed with a powerful performance by Vaughnette Bigford who deftly transitioned from Diana Ross's Home to the late Denyse Plummer's Nah Leaving and received one of the loudest rounds of applause for the night.
"One love for you Karla," Bigford said.
Veteran actor Conrad Parris then took the stage and described himself as a proud friend of Gonzales. He had the audience cracking up when he spoke of meeting her years ago and his "unbridled lust." During his monologue his microphone began to echo, one of a number of niggling tech
