An intimate concert was the proper conclusion to a day filled with discussions dealing with intimacy. As I watched the couples file into the ballroom. They walked arm in arm, hand in hand, smiles on their faces, love was filling the room.
Our MC for this celebration of love, Tracy Lee, of WAMO, introduced the first artists, The Variety Band and Show. The Band had the audience on their feet, arms swaying and hands clapping to the old school R&B of Teddy Pendergrast, Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack, Jill Scott and the Band blew it all up with the best vocal rendition of Angela Bofill s I Try . The audience cheered them on and had me almost in tears, an excellent tribute to Angela. I remembered attending Angela s performance in Washington, D.C. a year prior to her stroke; a performance filled with as much energy as in the early 1980 s when she performed at the Benedum. The Variety Band and Show s command performance had everyone hyped for more entertainment as Sheila Beasley accompanied by Antoine Montero shared a special selection with the audience.
The great entertainment continued, as there can be no love, no strong relationships, no getting through the through without the help and faith in God and Curtis Lewis, Jr. brought it to the stage. He started off with a jazzed up version his father s own arrangement of The Lord s Prayer. Praises continued to go up, as he sang Every Thing to Me, a tribute to the distinguished couples in the audience. Curtis has a great voice, mellow, lyrical and strong. We found out he can be a comedian when needed. He brought the church to the Westin William Ballroom, and the audience on their feet and singing, oh, how wondrous is the name of the Lord.
The evening atmosphere was filled with positive music vibes, exploding lyrics describing love between couples and their journey through the good and bad. I sat back and noticed many of the couples sitting close together, arms around shoulders, whispering in ears and smiles, a room filled with smiles. It was truly a sight to be seen. In today s world it s a sight seldom seen.
The audience moved easily from the old school to the spiritual and then moving on to the evening s special guest artists from the City of Brotherly love, Kindred, The Family Soul. A wife and husband collaboration who singing songs that celebrate their love. As Aja says, Sharing what we ve been through. We write what we ve experienced. Their second CD titled In This Life Together same title of the biography of the life and times of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, a couple who have inspired Aja and Fatin to set a good example of love to their families, friends and community. In the Ballroom s intimate setting you experience close up the love between husband and wife as they looked into each other s eyes and sang with real feeling. Fatin wondered out loud if the audience would be able to feel their emotions, no doubt we felt it.
In between songs, husband and wife shared tools to assist in helping the young understand about real love. Confirming the love portrayed on TV, in videos and in the lyrics of songs isn t the love God speaks of in the Bible. Aja asked us to take back what we ve experienced here today to the young people and help them understand what it is to love someone, to be committed to someone. She shared with the audience this is their Mission from God, to spread the message of love.
Their next selection Fatin directed the men in the audience to ask themselves, Who would I be if I didn t know you? . . . You re the reason why my life has turned right, Everyday I'm thankful, but at times I don t show you. My world would be incomplete if I didn t know you, Who would I be if I didn t know you, an acknowledgement from the men the difference their wives have made in their lives, this was one of my favorites of the evening.
You know they couldn t leave the stage without singing, their first hit, Far Away From Here. As the distinguished couples make their way to the dance floor, the music played and Kindred sang, Far away from here, far away from here, far away from here, just jump in a taxi cab, pack our bag and get away fast, far away from here.
I would like to thank Sheila Beasley and the Greater Pittsburgh Healthy Marriage Coalition for organizing and bringing the Resource Fair to Pittsburgh. We look forward to next year s.
