In Celebration of My Sisters celebrates 24 years this Mother’s Day

The show will bring together some of the very best names in music, comedy, performance and creative arts

CO-HOST: Brenda Emmanus

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S Month will come to an end in style with a special Mother’s Day Concert and Women’s Expo taking place at Fairfield Halls in Croydon on Sunday, March 22.

Celebrating its 24th year, In Celebration of My Sisters (ICOMS) will bring together some of the very best names in music, comedy, performance and creative arts.

ICOMS’ first edition was staged at the Brixton Academy, and created to fill a gap which ensured that African Caribbean, Asian and Europeans could come together in one roof to celebrate International Women’s Month.

ICOMS has, without question, become one of the UK’s largest and longest running Mother’s Day shows.

It has attracted a who’s who of famous names including the late South African president, Nelson Mandela, the late award winning author and civil rights activist, Dr. Maya Angelou, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and soul diva, Mica Paris, to name a few.

With this year’s talented line-up ready to take to the stage, ICOMS founder, Tony Fairweather believes that with each year, the show just keeps on getting better and better.

“It’s hard to believe that we are celebrating 24 years of the best in BAME talent and particularly women,” Fairweather told The Voice.

“Every year there is something different about the show which in turn has ensured its popularity and longevity.

ICOMS co-host Brenda Emmanus

He added: “ICOMS has always been a standout show in that it highlights the talent of those of colour within creative industries you would least expect such as ballet and opera as well as in those we are known for such as music, performance and comedy.”

The show, which was given huge support by the late founder of The Voice – Val McCalla has since become one of the pinnacle celebratory events in recognition of women and Mother’s Day with Fairweather promising that there is something to appeal to everyone who attends.

“As well as the diverse range of quality artists taking to the stage during the evening concert, there are also our Sister Village Expo stands which showcase start-up small businesses within our community the likes of which have not been seen before.

“Our showcase has been influential in launching over 200 businesses including Yana Makeup, The Pampering Club and Veronique Jewellery, making the experience of those visiting a memorable one.”

RESPECTED

Hosting the concert is the highly respected BBC London News art, culture and entertainment correspondent, Brenda Emmanus, who told The Voice how excited she is to be part of the occasion.

“My involvement in ICOMS has been for the best part of a decade and I love it because it is just the perfect showcase for sisterhood and creative talent.

“It’s one of those shows which brings everyone together – not just women – but families and has a long legacy to be proud of which celebrates us.”

Emmanus added: “There is always new talent on show to celebrate beside already established artists from the world of music and comedy such as Janet Kay and Angie Le Mar respectively.

“We will also be honouring the late Toni Morrison and Andrea Levy – two great award winning writers who have shared the Black American and British Caribbean experience with excellence.

“ICOMS is everything – it is truly a force of good which gives back to its community artistically, creatively, financially and spiritually.”

Emmanus’ co-host for the evening will be comedian, Donna Spence, who too has been a part of ICOMS for over 10 years and is also looking forward to what promises to be a great show.

HONOURED: Donna Spence

“It’s an honour to be hosting the show for the first time and with such an amazing woman in Brenda Emmanus, who is a good friend and is just as crazy as I am,” laughs Spence.

“Every year there is something different about the show which in turn has ensured its popularity and longevity. And it’s an event that is for men as well as for women.

“I’ve seen road man come in with their mothers, sisters and aunties slouch in their chair before the show but once the lights hit that stage he sits up and takes note because he’s seeing something that inspires him.

“So everyone must come to experience the positive vibes to be found here.”

Another regular and highly popular performer on the show is the Queen of Lovers Rock, Carroll Thompson, a former musical director of the show who will be performing timeless tracks such as Hopelessly in Love on the night.

“I’ve always enjoyed performing here. It’s a wonderful event celebrating women from all different corners of society and a mountain top of great artists, musicians, instrumentalists, choirs and women, all of whom are at the top of their game.

“I don’t think there is another event like it where you have so much variety under one roof.”

DIVERSITY

When speaking of variety and diversity in talent, one performance that should not be missed will be that given by Classically British – a diverse fusion of classical and contemporary British dance.

Artistic director, Mark Elie, is keen to put black British classically trained dancers on the map.

“Our mix of classical and contemporary dance performances will come from our apprentice dancers who are the dancers of the future, top of the game and deliver a performance which is visually stunning and of excellence.

“There will be both a solo and a pas de deux piece (dance with two performers) for the audience to look forward to and is therefore something unique and not to be missed.”

The show will also tap into the heritage and spiritual roots of people of colour with the inclusion of the IDMC Gospel Choir led by John Fisher who told The Voice of their love of sharing the gospel.

PERFORMING: IDMC Gospel Choir

“As a choir we have been going for 26 years. People have come and some have gone but what has remained consistent is our love for sharing the gospel and wherever we go and to whomever we minister to, an impact is made and gospel music is something that many love and appreciate throughout the world.”

With the event being put on in recognition of Mother’s Day, ICOMS founder, Fairweather, found time to pay tribute to his own:

“She’s my sunshine. She keeps me warm, she keeps me happy and has been shining bright for over 90 years and for that alone, I couldn’t be happier.”

Tickets for In Celebration of My Sisters range from £15-25 and can be purchased from the Fairfield Halls Box Office on 020 3292 0002 or visit www.fairfield.co.uk

Comments Form

1 Comment

  1. | Jai

    This has been cancelled! Ignore the radio ads.

    Reply

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