November 20 - 26, 2010
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
15
NATIONAL
Wintley Phipps to headline fundraising concert By Rebecca Bird A GRAMMY nominated gospel singer who has performed sell-out gigs across the globe is set to headline a Christmas concert in Providenciales to raise cash for local causes. Trinidadian-born Wintley Phipps, who has sung for President Barack Obama, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey, will be gracing the stage at Brayton Hall on December 11. Attendees can look forward to a host of Christmas tunes along with Mr Phipps’s celebrated rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’. There are only 300 tickets available for this highly anticipated and extremely intimate gig – and they are going fast. Organisers advise those wanting to attend this once-in-a lifetime “up close and personal” concert to purchase their tickets soon. Seventh Day Adventist minister Wintley Phipps, 55, has been the featured speaker and performer for
COMING SOON: Wintley Phipps will be gracing the stage at Brayton Hall on December 11
BRIGHT STARS: Turks and Caicos Star Foundation board member Tameka Francis, founder Charlotte D’Arcy Donaldson, and assistant Norma Forteza
scores of prominent events around the world. He was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1988 and 1989 and wrote a book called ‘The power of a dream’
in 1996. In 1998, Phipps founded and created the US Dream Academy, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing a values-based, interactive, tutorial and remedial education, to at-risk children. And in 2007, by special request of Oprah Winfrey, he delivered an
inspirational address and prayer for the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. In 2009, he sang ‘Amazing Grace’ for the 56th Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service attended by President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joseph
and Dr Jill Biden at the Washington National Cathedral. As a result of the concert, which reached five million viewers, Mr Phipps attracted an entire new generation of fans. Now Wintley Phipps has agreed to perform for a smaller audience on Saturday, December 11, at 7pm at Brayton Hall, Providenciales. Tickets are selling at a reduced price of $20 for students with ID, $40 for first level and $80 for mezzanine (those that bought tickets for full price are eligible for credit). They can be purchased at Unicorn Bookstore next to IGA, Greensleeves in Central Square or Froots fast food cafe. All proceeds from the concert will go to the Turks and Caicos Star Foundation before being disseminated to a number of local charities. Founder Charlotte D’Arcy Donaldson described Wintley Phipps as “the most amazing singer and human being” and added that he will be meeting fans and signing CDs after the concert. For more details on the Star Foundation visit www. turksandcaicosstarfoundation.org
Spotlight on
The TCFAF Nutcracker George De La Peña STUNNED: Elena is surprised to receive a cheque from Doreen Francis of Lime
Lime customer wins $1,500 ONE fortunate Lime customer was delighted to be told she was the winner of a huge cash prize. Elena Williams, from Grand Turk, was awarded $1,500 recently as part of the telecoms company’s ‘Text to Win’ promotion. Lime staff members Doreen Francis, Bruce Jennings and Leaser Jones surprised Elena by showing up to her home to announce her big win. The flabbergasted winner said: “This is such a surprise. I am so happy to be the $1,500 winner. “The money will be welcome in these challenging times. Thanks Lime.” Doreen presented Elena with the cheque and told her: “Lime is pleased
to give back to the community in these challenging times that we are facing. We know that you will find good use for the money.” Team members Bruce and Leaser also commented on Elena’s win. “It’s good for the staff here in Grand Turk to have a chance to surprise a winning customer,” they said. General manager Drexwell Seymour added: “This is what Lime is all about – providing for needs in the challenging times and doing our part to help to make life a little easier.” Lime Turks and Caicos will continue to have similar promotions via text and on the ‘Lime Time’ radio shows to connect with customers.
GEORGE De La Peña, former dancer with American Ballet Theatre, musical theatre performer, choreographer, actor and teacher will be re-enacting the wonderful and mysterious role of Herr Drosselmeyer for TCFAF’s Nutcracker this December at Brayton Hall. Longtime friend of TCFAF, George emceed ‘For the Love of Dance’ with artistic director Rasta Thomas in May 2006 as well as ‘Another Evening of Dance, Music and Drama’ in November 2003. When Barbara Pankhurst asked him to play Drosselmeyer for TCFAF’s Nutcracker, he did not hesitate! In fact, he is enthusiastically bringing two of his dance students, Jennifer Pray and Steven Gray, both from the University of Iowa, to play the Sugar Plum Fairy and her dashing Cavalier. Originally trained as a concert pianist, George switched to ballet while studying at the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City. He graduated from Balanchine’s School of American Ballet and joined American Ballet Theatre in the 1970s, rapidly rising to soloist. While at ABT, George danced in works choreographed by Baryshnikov, de Mille, MacMillan and Robbins, among others. George can be seen in
Baryshnikov’s production of Nutcracker on television and on DVD. George began acting when he was cast as Nijinsky in the film Nijinsky (1980), and for some time thereafter he was typecast in Russian roles. (In a 1983 interview in the New York Times, an exasperated De La Peña, who is of mixed Russian and Argentinian descent, pointed out that producers thought he was not a native English speaker.) He appeared on Broadway in Woman of the Year, the revival of On Your Toes, The Red Shoes (Drama Desk Award nomination), and Chronicle of a Death Foretold (Drama League Award). While living in Los Angeles during the 1980s, he performed in Cats and various regional productions. His film and television credits include Nijinsky, Kuffs, Brain Donors, Mighty Aphrodite, The Dust Factory, Red Hot, One Last Dance with Patrick Swayze, Popeye Doyle, Personal Best, The Flamingo Kid, and guest appearances on shows such as LA Law and Star Trek: The Next Generation. George has taught at universities across the country, including CalArts, Connecticut College and the University of Iowa. Until recently, George served as artistic director of The Joffrey Ballet School in NYC. He continues to teach for ABT. A director and choreographer for both theatrical works and concert
dance, he assisted figure skater Debi Thomas with her routine for the Olympics. George is a member of the Lincoln Centre Theatre Director’s Laboratory. Some of the illustrious choreographers he has worked with include George Balanchine, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Anthony Tudor, Mark Morris, Glen Tetley, Kenneth MacMillan, Ages DeMille, Andre Eglevsky, Peter Martins, Donald Saddler, Lar Lubovitch, Graciela Daniele, Martha Clarke, Paul Taylor, Erik Bruhn, Rudolf Nureyev, Doug Varone and Alonzo King. Don’t miss George’s performance on the Brayton Hall stage this December 2, 3, 4, and 5. Tickets are on sale at the Saltmills Diner and Unicorn Bookstore - $20 for adults, $5 for children and $35 for balcony.