Not the time to party

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

All things considered, it's definitely not the time to be partying, and so it came as no surprise that Edward Seaga issued instructions to cancel his 80th birthday party that was to be held tomorrow evening on the east lawns of Devon House!

We do wish the former prime minister and his son Christopher, who both celebrate their birthday today, heartfelt birthday wishes!!

Also extending happy birthday wishes to Opposition spokesman on finance Dr Omar Davies; communications specialist Fae Ellington; the charming Angela Thame and Anna Chin of Jo-Jo's, who will all celebrate their birthday today!

Celebrating tomorrow is artist Angel Henry, The Gleaner's Lifestyle editor Barbara Ellington; and Jannieve Jackson, formerly of Treadways, St Catherine, now resident of New York.

New York socialite Leslie Klotz, whose family has maintained a summer home at the salubrious Round Hill Hotel and Villas, celebrates her birthday on Sunday, as will Michael Weatherly, who will see in his birthday in the nation's capital. The lovely Beverley East celebrates on Monday. Model Casmar James, of Montego Bay, celebrates on June 1, as will the lovely Tracy Ann Brown, who will be partying in the Big Apple. The lovely Thelma Porter celebrates on June 2; as will flautist Rosina Moder, Marie Sparkes of Mandeville and the very charming Serena Williams of Hedonism III in Runaway Bay! The fab Maxine Plummer, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, celebrates on the third.

Belated wishes to Vaughn Shirley, who celebrated on May 23, and his sibling, Greg Shirley, who celebrated two days later. The lovely Janice Lugg-Kalynuik of Runaway Bay celebrated on the 27th. Many happy returns with champagne toasts and beluga treats!

Outstanding life

And heartfelt congratulations to the esteemed grande dame Ruby Martin, the former queen of Kingston society, on her being conferred with the the Order Of Distinction - Commander Class, for her decades-long and selfless charitable work, especially to the wards of the Maxfield Park Children's Home. Martin's life has been one of distinction, exemplified by service to the community through the championing of various causes. In this respect, hers is a most deserving honour in recognition for her service above self, and this column joins in saluting her.

Now, it may be a little unsettling for some in the nation's capital, but outside of the city, it's simply buzzing with fabness. So it's all systems go for Busha Clarke's annual Crabfest at his Paradise Park Seaside Estate, near Savanna-la-Mar tomorrow, and the buzz is, with Kingstonians just aching to get out of the city, it will be one fine feed with a number of guests jetting in for the event, and with the promise of good music and fine food, y'all know we are talking a smasheroni of a good time here! And remember, it's partying for a cause!

And Jamaica's loss is Paris' gain, as the charmingly lovely and very talented Dr Lisa Walker, the founder of the Jamaica Symphony Orchestra, now rebranded as the Jamaican International Symphony Orchestra, is all set to take up residency in the French capital later this year, where she hopes to establish international support for the orchestra., as she pursues her goal of making it a truly international musical experience!

An American violinist, Dr Walker first visited Jamaica in 1993 as a guest lecturer of the Northern Caribbean University. It was the start of a love affair with the island that saw her returning in 1997 to establish a school for violinists, which she operated for four years before returning to the US to pursue her doctorate in violin performance. Using her experience in Jamaica as the basis of her doctoral project, titled Tropical Rhythms - A String Project in Jamaica, she completed her doctorate in a record unprecedented two years, after which she took up a Fulbright Scholarship as a string music specialist in Honduras, before returning to Jamaica to start the orchestra. It has five sections, including steel pan and reggae, the internationally celebrated music of Jamaica.

Her impending departure, however, will not lead to a severing of ties with the orchestra, as while in Paris, Dr Walker is expected to maintain them and also facilitate exchanges to buttress the company. So it is not quite bon voyage to the talented Dr Walker as she sets her eyes on Paris, but walk good till next time.